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Warning: This work has been rated 16+ for mature content.
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)
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.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Rosalie and Alison sit at the kitchen table, to breakfast. From the window, colored LEAVES are visible on the sidewalk. Rosalie stares blankly at the wall in front of her.
On the table is a blank page of a NOTEBOOK. She picks up her PENCIL and presses it to the paper, only to set it back down again.
She sighs. She takes a bite of her breakfast, an unappetizing bowl of MUSH. She forces herself to swallow, and screams.
ALISON
Rosalie!
RoSALIE
I don't want to write about the new gym. I hate gym class.
ALISON
Then why are you writing about it?
ROSALIE
It's for the paper.
Alison shrugs.
ROSALIE (CONT'D)
Mom? I was wondering if I could go the movies after school?
ALISON
What do you want to see?
ROSALIE
All About Eve.
ALISON
Why do you want to see that?
ROSALIE
I don't know. It sounds like it might be good.
ALISON
Do you have money?
ROSALIE
No.
ALISON
Then I don't think so. We have to watch our spending.
Rosalie sighs.
ALISON (CONT'D)
Don't even start.
ROSALIE
Have you been looking for a job?
ALISON
Of course I have. Don't take that attitude with me. Do you think I want to be unemployed and not be able to pay our bills?
ROSALIE
You're the one that quit.
Alison fumes.
ROSALIE (CONT'D)
I'm sick of having mush. I have to go to school.
She slings her backpack over her shoulder, and leaves.