Young Writers Society

FADE
IN:

INT.

LIVING ROOM - DAY

ROSALIE
HASTINGS (15) lies on a COUCH, staring out the front windows of a
sparsely furnished living area. She holds an old photograph of JIM
HASTINGS (23) and ALISON HASTINGS (19) on their wedding day.

She
looks back at the photograph, and sighs. Different family photographs
hang on the walls, spanning yes. One of JIM (34), in an army uniform,
sits on a bookshelf, beside a folded AMERICAN FLAG.

Outside,
the sun beats down. Birds chirp. Rosalie yawns, rubs her eyes, and
sighs.

ALISON
(O.S.)

You're
up early.

Rosalie
turns around and notices ALISON (38) standing in the doorway. Her
face is the same, but worn, tired. 

ROSALIE

Oh,
I don't know. I suppose.

A
beat. She blushes, and attempts to hide the photo.

ALISON

Happy
birthday.

ROSALIE

Thank
you.

ALISON

Shall
I fix us some breakfast?

Rosalie
nods. Alison walks away.

INT.
KITCHEN - DAY

Rosalie
and Alison sit to a simple breakfast. Alison gazes at her daughter.

ALISON

I
can't believe you're fifteen.

ROSALIE

I
know.

Alison's
mouth clenches into a tight line.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

What's
wrong?

ALISON

Nothing.

Alison
smiles sadly, continuing to eat. Rosalie bites her lip.

SEAN
HASTINGS (18) emerges.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

Good
morning. There's eggs and bacon on the stove if you want any.

SEAN

Laura
and I are going into the city today. I have to be out the door in a
minute.

ALISON

Sean,
eat something before you go.

SEAN

I
can't. I promised Laura I'd meet her at 10:00 and it's almost quarter
to. 

Alison
sighs.

ALISON

Take
a banana or something. Please.

Sean
grabs a BANANA from the FRUIT BASKET beside the stove, and begins to
walk away.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

Sean.

SEAN

What?

ALISON

Don't
you have something to say to your sister?

SEAN

Happy
birthday.

He
leaves.

INT.
LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Late
night. Rosalie sits intently on the couch, listening to a NEWS REPORT
about the Korean War on the radio. The door opens, and Sean enters.
He looks toward Rosalie, and flashes her a smile.

ROSALIE

Hey.

SEAN

Hey.
Where's Mom?

ROSALIE

In
her bedroom.

Sean
nods, and sits next to her.

SEAN

I
got something-

ROSALIE

Ssh.

Sean
stares at Rosalie. She gestures towards the radio. 

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

I
want to hear this. Tell me during the ads.

They
listen. 

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

I
can't believe it. It's terrible. 

SEAN

Mhm.

The
ADVERTISEMENTS start. Rosalie turns down the volume on the radio, and
turns to Sean.

SEAN
(CONT'D)

I
need to tell you something.

ROSALIE

What?

SEAN

Laura
makes me so happy, Ro.

ROSALIE

Okay.

SEAN

We're
getting married.

ROSALIE

Since
when?

SEAN

Today.

She
hugs him.

ROSALIE

Are
you sure?

SEAN

Of
course. I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. You
must have known this was coming.

ROSALIE

I
suppose I did.

Her
eyes shift downward.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

It's
just that I never heard you say anything about it before. Does Mom
know?

SEAN

Not
yet.

ROSALIE

Sean-

SEAN

Hey,
what's wrong?

ROSALIE

Nothing.

He
smiles. They hug.

INt.
DINER - DAY

A
POPULAR SONG blasts through a busy diner. Rosalie walks in slowly,
getting in line at the cash register. Her eyes drift towards the
counter.

Her
eyebrows raise in recognition as she recognizes MARK COPLAND (17),
reading a book. He is handsome and studious, and intently absorbed in
what he is reading. There is an open seat next to him.

Rosalie's
chest begins to raise and fall heavily. Her eyes fixate on him. By
the time she looks back towards the register, she notices it is her
turn. The CASHIER eyes her.

ROSALIE

Sorry.

CASHIER

What
can I get you, honey?

ROSALIE

Chocolate
milkshake, please.

She
pays.

CASHIER

That'll
be right up.

Rosalie's
eyes drift back to Mark. She approaches him, slowly and shakily. When
she reaches him, she hesitates before tapping on his shoulder. At
first, he doesn't do anything. Rosalie swallows, and taps him on the
shoulder again.

ROSALIE

Mark?

He
turns around.

MARK

Hey,
Rosalie.

ROSALIE

Is
this seat taken?

MARK

No.
Go right ahead.

As
Rosalie sits down, a DINER WORKER hands her her milkshake.

MARK
(CONT'D)

Looks
delicious.

ROSALIE

I
love these.

She
takes a sip, and turns to Mark.

RoSALIE
(CONT'D)

What
brings you here?

MARK

I
just need some fresh air.

He
sets his book down.

MARK
(CONT'D)

How
about you?

ROSALIE

My
brother's getting married.

MARK

Oh.
Wait...Laura Martin, right?

ROSALIE

Mhm.
They've been together for ages, so he should be married, right? He
loves her, and maybe it's selfish of me, but...

She
shrugs.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

I'm
just ready for the school year to start again.

Mark
laughs.

MARk

I
think you're the only person I know that's ever said that. 

ROSALIE

I
want to write.

MARK

Nothing's
stopping you.

ROSALIE

Who
would read my stuff?

MARK

I
think you'd be surprised.

He
leans in closer to her.

MARK
(CONT'D)

Your
stories last year were some of the best anyone on the staff put out.

ROSALIE

You
really think so? 

MARK

Why
do you think the other guys give you a hard time? 

Rosalie
laughs. Blushes.

ROSALIE

I
wrote all of the fluff pieces. 

MARK

You've
got a future, kid.

ROSALIE

I
was listening to the news last night. About Korea. Thinking about how
terrible it must be over there. And hoping that one day I can write
something important, make a difference.

MARK

Well,
like I said, nothing's stopping you.

ROSALIE

Okay.

They
share a smile. 

INT.
DINING ROOM - DAY

A
pair of delicate HANDS hold up a dreamy PAINTING of two girls playing
on a beach; one is teenaged, the other small.

ALISON

It's
beautiful, Laura.

LAURA
MARTIN (18), plain but confident, sits to dinner with Alison, Rosalie
and Sean. She reaches her hand out to Sean, who sits beside her.
Rosalie picks at her plate, barely eating. 

LAURA

Thank
you. 

ALISON

What
inspired it? 

LAURA

When
I was a girl, Pop used to take my brothers and me to the beach all
summer long. They were some of our happiest memories together. I
still go by myself sometimes, just to think.

She
looks back at the painting.

LAURA
(CONT'D)

I
almost don't want to sell it, but...

She
gives Sean a look.

LAURA
(CONT'D)

We
need to.

ROSALIE

If
the painting's so personal, then why don't you keep it? Sell your
other stuff?

Laura
stares at her.

LAURA

We
need the money.

ROSALIE

Then
paint one you wouldn't mind giving away?

Laura
and Sean exchange a look. She WHISPERS in his ear, he WHISPERS back.
Alison turns to Rosalie.

ALISON

You're
not eating.

ROSALIE

I
am.

ALISON

Rosalie,
there's nothing in there you don't like.

ROSALIE

I
like it, but I'm not crazy hungry right now.

ALISON

Then
you can go to your room. I don't need that kind of attitude at the
dinner table.

ROSALIE

No,
I'll eat it. 

ALISON

Then
you better finish every last bite.

Rosalie
rolls her eyes, mocking her mother's words under her breath.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

What?!

ROSALIE

Nothing.

ALISON

I
thought so.

They
eat quietly.

INT.
ROSALIE's BEDROOM - NIGHT

Rosalie
lies awake in her bed, glimpsing out at the night sky from her
window. There is a KNOCK at the door.

ROSALIE

Yes?

SEAN
(O.S.)

It's
me.

ROSALIE

Come
in.

He
does. His face is tight.

SEAN

What
was dinner all about?

ROSALIE

What
do you mean?

SEAN

You
embarrassed me.

ROSALIE

How
did I embarrass you? 

Sean
scowls. Rosalie sits up, and turns on her lamp. Sean approaches her
bedside.

SEAN

Do
you not like Laura?

ROSALIE

I
do. 

SEAN

I
want you to be happy for me.

ROSALIE

I
am.

Sean
sighs.

SEAN

Rosalie,
what's this really all about?

ROSALIE

Nothing.
I'm fine.

SEAN

Do
you not like Laura?

ROSALIE

I
do.

Rosalie
takes a deep breath.

RoSALIE
(CONT'D)

These
past few months especially... you've acted like Mom and I don't
exist. And now you're not going to be here at all and I don't know
what I'm going to do. I...I don't have anyone.

SEAN

Rosalie...
whenever you need me I'll just be a phone calla way. As for Mom,
don't worry about her so much.

Rosalie
manages a smile. She and Sean hug.

MONTAGE
- VARIOUS

A)
INT. CHURCH - DAY Sean and Laura kiss at their wedding as Rosalie,
Alison and a few other GUESTS watch.

B)
EXT. APARTMENT - DAY Sean and Laura pack the last of their boxes into
a car, say goodbye and drive away.

C)
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Late summer.Rosalie fidgets on the couch,
trying to listen to the NEWS. She switches it to a RADIO PLAY. Unable
to relax, she turns it off.

END
MONTAGE

INT.
ROSALIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

The
middle of the night. Rosalie tosses and turns in her bed, wide awake.
Eventually she rises, and opens a drawer in her nearby DRESSER.

She
pushes various clothes aside, revealing a small, old BOX. She takes
it out of the drawer.

Cautiously,
she opens the box, revealing a plain NECKLACE. She takes it out of
the box, and gives it a tight squeeze.

INT.
BEDROOM - FLASHBACK

A
different, smaller bedroom in a different city. YOUNG ROSALIE (7)
lies awake on a small BED across from YOUNG SEAN (10), also awake.
Outside, SNOW whirls.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Sean?

YOUNG
SEAN

What?

YOUNG
ROSALIE

I
can't sleep.

YOUNG
SEAN

What's
wrong?

YOUNG
ROSALIE

I
don't want Daddy to leave.

YOUNG
SEAN

I
don't either.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Then
why does he have to?

YOUNG
SEAN

Because.

She
gets out of bed, and goes to sit beside Sean. The door cracks open,
letting in LIGHT from the hallway. JIM HASTINGS (34), enters.

JIM

Kids?

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Daddy?

JIM

Both
awake?

YOUNG
SEAN

Yeah.

JIM

Can
I come in for a minute? 

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Yeah.

He
enters. They each sit up. Young Sean turns on a LAMP on an END TABLE
beside him. Jim kneels at the at the edge of their bed. He carries a
small wrapped BUNDLE.

JIM

Now,
I know we already celebrated Christmas, but I have more presents for
the both of you.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

More
presents? 

Jim
smiles, and unwraps the bundle, revealing two separate BOXES.

JIM

One
for you...

He
hands one to Rosalie.

JIM
(CONT'D)

And
one for you.

They
open them. Rosalie's box reveals the necklace, and Sean's reveals a
WATCH.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Daddy,
it's beautiful.

YOUNG
SEAN

Thank
you, Dad.

JIM

Now,
they're both of you to put away for a while, and wear when you're
older.

A
beat. They stare at their father.

JIm
(CONT'D)

There's
one other thing too. It's important that you don't tell Mommy about
this, at least not for a little while. 

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Why
not?

JIM

Kids,
there are some things that you're not old enough to understand, but
trust me, okay? 

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Okay.

He
kisses Rosalie's forehead, and then Sean's. He hugs both of them
tightly. 

JIM

I
love both of you so much.

He
pulls away from the hug, taking a moment to look at each of his
children.

JIM
(CONT'D)

Now,
get to sleep. We've got to get up early tomorrow.

He
lingers for a moment before he begins to leave.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Daddy?

JIM

Yeah?

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Don't
go yet.

Jim
sits back down.

YOUNG
ROSALIE (CONT'D)

Tell
us a story.

JIM

Which
story?

YOUNG
ROSALIE

About
how you first met Mommy.

JIM

I
told that one so many times...

He
turns to Sean.

JIM
(CONT'D)

Are
you sure that your brother wants to hear this?

Sean
manages a nod. 

YOUNG
ROSALIE

It's
my favorite.

Jim
smiles. 

JIM

It
was twelve whole years ago. It was twelve whole years ago. I'd found
a place that would give you didn't have the money to buy it yourself.
There were a lot of them in the city, but I liked the one. Except the
lines were always long, around the block. A lot of people needed to
eat. One day when I was waiting in line, and there was a girl waiting
 behind me. She was beautiful, the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

Mommy.

JIM

Mhm.
But she looked so sad. I want to say hello, but I was scared. I did
anyway, and we talked and talked, and after that I couldn't stop
thinking about her. But then I saw her again, waiting in line for
food. 

YOUNG
ROSALIE

And
then you fell in love.

JIM

We
did. And then you both came along, and we moved into our house here.

His
smile fades as he strokes Rosalie's cheek, and then Sean's. 

JIM
(CONT'D)

Sleep
tight, kids.

Jim
leaves. Rosalie puts the necklace back in the box.

END
FLASHBACK

Int.
Hallway - contINUOUS

Rosalie
leaves her room tiptoes down the hallway, to a DOOR which she
cautiously opens. It's empty. She sighs.

INT.
KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

The
next morning. Rosalie, dressed smartly, wears the necklace. She takes
her BREAKFAST PLATE and puts in the sink. She grabs her SCHOOLBAG and
puts it over her shoulder. She enters the HALLWAY and pauses at the
first door. She tucks the necklace under her shirt, and knocks.

ROSALIE

Mom?

No
answer.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

Mom,
I'm off to school now and I just wanted to make sure you were up in
time for work.

ALISon

Come
in. 

It
is a plain room of no note save for the many PHOTOGRAPHS throughout,
of Alison and Jim, and of their entire family. Alison, hums a
whimsical tune as she stands in front of her dresser, brushing her
hair.

ROSALIE

Mom,
don't you have to work? 

She
turns to Rosalie with a cheerful smile.

ALISON

Oh,
I quit.

ROSALIE

What?
When? 

ALISON

Yesterday.

ROSALIE

Why?

ALISON

Because
I don't need to work at that job any more.

ROSALIE

I
thought you liked it there.

ALISON

Not
particularly. 

ROSALIE

Okay,
uh. What about money?

ALISON

I'll
get another job. I'm not worried. You know, Rosalie, you can't expect
me to be secretary forever. Besides, now that Sean's gone our food
costs are probably going to go down by half.

(laughs)

We'll
rent out his room. We'll figure it out. I have enough in savings to
last us a while anyway.

She
walks over to Rosalie and kisses her forehead.

ROSALIE

Okay...I...

ALISON

What?

ROSALIE

Nothing.

ALISON

Have
a good day at school, honey.

Rosalie
leaves with a worried look.

INT.
CAFETERIA - DAY

Amidst
chattering STUDENTS, Rosalie sits alone. Between bites of food, she
scribbles in a NOTEBOOK. She pauses, and gives her necklace a tug.

Across
the cafeteria, she eyes a loving COUPLE, and watches them kiss and
whisper sweetly to each other. Her focus is broken when Mark walks
by. They make eye contact, and he waves.

ROSALIE

Hi.

MARK

Hi,
how are you?

Rosalie

Well.

MARK

Good
to hear. 

ROSALIE

We
have a meeting for the paper after school today, right?

MARK

We
sure do. I'll see you then.

He
begins to walk away, and then pauses.

MARK
(COnT'D) (CONT'D)

Are
you waiting on anyone?

ROSALIE

No.

MARK

Do
you want to sit with me?

Redness
creeps into her cheeks. She nods.

ROSALIE

If
you're sure it's okay.

MARK

Yeah,
it's fine.

Rosalie
grabs her BAG and her LUNCH TRAY and begins to walk through the
cafeteria. Mark waves to his FRIENDS.

MARK
(CONT'D)

That's
a pretty necklace. 

ROSALIE

Thanks.

MARK

Where
did you get it? 

ROSALIE

My
dad.

MARK

Isn't
he-

ROSALIE

Mhm.

Mark
gives her a pitied smile as they sit down. His friends regard him,
but continue their respective conversations.

MARK

I
don't think I ever asked, but what made you decide to be a writer.

She
stares at him blankly.

A
beat. 

MARK
(CONT'D)

It's
just... interesting. You're the only girl on the paper. That doesn't
bother you?

ROSALIE

No.
I Mean, if you want to know, since I was a child, I made my up my own
stories. After my dad went to the war, when we wrote him letters, he
would want me to write down my stories for him. He said it made him
so happy. Add after he died... I just realized that there was a lot
of bad in the world. And I wanted to come to terms with it I guess.
So I wrote.

There's
a moment of silence as he takes a bite of his food. 

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

So,
does it feel strange to only have a year left?

MARK

A
little. But I'm hoping to go to school in New York next year. Work
for the Times, eventually.

ROSALIE

I
used to live there.

MARK

Neat.

Rosalie
regards him. Mark vaguely smiles back.

INT.
LIVING ROOM - DAy

Rosalie
lies sprawled out on the couch, listening to the NEWS on the radio.
Alison enters, carrying a tray of COOKIES.

ALISON

Hello,
honey. I made your favorite.

She
puts the plate of cookies on the coffee table, and kisses ROsalie on
the forehead.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

Where
did you get the necklace?

Rosalie
looks down at the necklace; there's a moment of panic.

ROSALIE

I
got it at the... jeweler. When I went into town the other week.

ALISON

It
looks very pretty on you.

She
begins to walk away.

ROSALIE

Mom?
Wait.

Alison
pauses. 

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

Stay
with me.

Alison
sits beside her on the couch. Rosalie tucks the necklace under her
shirt.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

How
was your day today?

ALISON

Oh,
it was alright, I suppose.

Rosalie
turns to her mother. She bites her lip.

AlISON
(CONT'D)

Everything
alright, honey?

ROSALIE

I
have a question. About Dad.

ALISON

Oh.

ROSALIE

We
don't have to talk about it if you don't want.

AlISON

No,
that's alright. What do you want to know?

ROSALIE

When
did you first know that you loved him?

Her
eyes go distant.

A
beat.

ALISON

I
didn't think much of him when we first met, actually.

ROSALIE

What
changed?

ALISON

Well,
we would talk. We had a lot in common. Now, the very first day we'd
met, I told him that my favorite thing to eat growing up was apple
pie. That I missed it. And I came in one day, just after Thanksgiving
and it turns out he'd saved a portion of his wages for, well, a
while, to a buy me a slice of apple pie from a nearby bakery. 

ROSALIE

He
never told me that.

Alison
smiles sadly.

ROSALIE
(CONT'D)

Mom?

ALISON

What?

ROSALIE

Are
you-

ALISON

It's
alright. He asked me out after that, and I said yes. 

ROSALIE

What
did you do?

ALISON

We
went to a dance. It was wonderful.

A
beat. She stands up, and kisses Rosalie on her forehead.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

I'm
going to lie down.

ROSALIE

Mom?

ALISON

What?

ROSALIE

Please
stay with me. We should do something like we used to.

ALISON

Like
what?

ROSALIE

The
movies?

ALISON

What's
playing?

ROSALIE

I'm
not sure. I could check the paper.

ALISON

I
don't know, honey. I'm tired.

Rosalie
lets out a breath.

ROSALIE

Okay.

ALISON

Enjoy
the news.

Rosalie
nods as Alison leaves. She bites a cookie.

INT.
LIVING ROOM - FLASHBACK

An
OLD SONG plays through a TINY radio. Outside, snow falls lightly.

This
living room is larger, the FURNITURE simple but the atmosphere warm
and complete.

On
the SOFA, Young Sean reads a COMIC BOOK. Young Rosalie kneels against
a COFFEE TABLE, scribbling on a piece of PAPER.

Alison
enters, carrying a tray of chocolate chip cookies. The song changes
to something old, soft, and ROMANTIC. They lock eyes, and share a
smile.

Jim
approaches her, and begins to sing along. Alison laughs. She sets the
cookies on the coffee table.

Sean
and Rosalie each take one. Jim sings the next few lyrics. He begins
to dance with her; Alison blushes; then a wide smile.

INT.
HALLWAY - LATER

Late
night. The snow WHIRLS violently. Young Rosalie, in her nightgown,
tiptoes down a staircase. The sound of her parents VOICES grows
louder, coming from the living room. Rosalie makes out their figures
from the entryway. She approaches the entryway, pressing her back to
the wall.

ALISON
(CONT'D)

When
were you planning on telling me?

JiM

I
wanted to wait until it was for sure before I worried you or the
kids?

ALISON

Really?
How can I be sure you were ever going to tell me at all?

JIM

Alison,
don't be ridiculous. I've been away before. We'll figure it out.

ALISON

But
this is different. I don't want to lose you...

He
pulls Alison into his arms. 

JIM

And
you won't.

He
comforts Alison, who has beguun to softly cry. Then, he notices
Rosalie. 

JIM
(CONT'D)

Rosalie?

She
freezes.

JIM
(CONT'D)

Go
back to sleep.

YOUNG
ROSALIE

What's
going on?

JIM

Please
go back to sleep.