A short film regarding a late night argument which leaves a couple estranged, possibly forever.
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
A young woman, CLARA, stands in a low lit room. A vase of flowers on the table. A young man, DAVON, stands across.
CLARA
So you’re saying I’m not worth the
money to come down here?
DAVON
No, that’s not it-
CLARA
So what is it then? You don’t want
to come and visit me?
DAVON
I just can’t afford it right now.
CLARA
But you can afford to go on
business trips across the country,
all the way to L.A., but coming up
the coast is too expensive.
DAVON
Clara, you’re being ridiculous.
CLARA
Oh, now I’m ridiculous?
DAVON
Yes. Ridiculous and stubborn and
a pain in my ass.
CLARA
You know what, just, just get out.
DAVON
You can’t kick me out, my train
doesn’t leave until tomorrow. I
don’t have anywhere to go.
CLARA
How about a hotel, where you can
go and spend your precious money.
DAVON
What about my stuff?
CLARA
Good thing you’re already packed.
Clara leaves the room and returns with a suitcase and a bag. She shoves them at Davon. He jerks the handle up on the suitcase. Clara walks him to the door. He leaves.
Clara slams the door. She returns to the living room, grabs the flowers, and throws them in the trash. She storms to her bedroom. A cell phone sits on a chair, unnoticed.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN – DAY
Clara enters and gets a mug from the cabinet, filling it with coffee. Rai, her roommate, sits at the counter and drinks from a Tinker Belle mug, reading a magazine.
RAI
Quite a ruckus last night.
CLARA
Don’t remind me.
RAI
Your phone rang about an hour ago.
I didn’t recognize the number so I l
et it go to voice mail.
CLARA
Thanks.
Rai pushes the phone to Clara. She plays the message aloud.
DAVON’s VOICE
I know you don’t want to talk to
me right now, I didn’t call on a
payphone to get you pick up, I
just can’t find my phone. Anyways
I’m waiting at the station. My
train leaves at 8:40. If you want
to talk, I’m here. If not, I’ll
know not to call you again.
RAI
You can’t be serious. Just what
the hell is he thinking?
CLARA
Hell if I know.
RAI
I told you he watches too many
romance movies.
Clara grabs her phone and dials. After a moment a ringing comes from the living room. Clara walks into the room. Rai follows. Clara finds the phone on the chair. She hangs up.
RAI
What’s that doing here?
CLARA
He must have forgot it when I
threw him out last night.
RAI
Well, guess he’s just going to
have to live without it.
Clara looks at a picture on a bookshelf. She stands next to Davon at a park, his arm around her. They’re both smiling.
CLARA
8:40?
RAI
You aren’t seriously thinking
about- You’re never going to make
it, not in rush-hour traffic.
CLARA
I have to bring him his phone.
Clara grabs her purse and car keys from the counter.
RAI
This is not about the phone.
CLARA
So maybe it’s only half about the
phone, but you heard what he said,
I’ve got to go.
RAI
Then I’m coming with you.
INT. CAR – DAY
RAI
Remind me again why you’re going
after him.
CLARA
Because I love him.
RAI
Didn’t you just break up?
CLARA
We didn’t exactly break-up.
RAI
You threw him out of the house.
CLARA
Yeah, okay, but does that really
count as breaking up?
RAI
Uh…yes.
The car comes to a halt in the traffic. Red lights brightly glow in all directions. Clara honks the horn three times.
CLARA
We’re never gonna make it.
RAI
We still have time.
CLARA
Ten minutes is not time.
Clara rolls down the window and sticks her head out. She pops back inside and turns the car onto the shoulder. She floors it and races past the cars, speeding down the road.
RAI
What the hell are you doing?
Clara
Getting there on time.
Rai
You’re going to get a ticket.
They pull off the highway, skyscrapers close by. They hit traffic again but there’s no where to pull around it.
CLARA
Fuck.
Clara checks the clock on the dash. It reads 8:35.
CLARA
He’ll be gone by the time we get there.
Clara turns a corner and pulls to the side of the road.
CLARA
I’ve got to go. Watch the car for me.
RAI
Clara!
Clara throws open the door of the car and jumps out.
CLARA
Sorry!
EXT. CITY STREETS _ DAY
Clara dashes across the street. Cars honk. She keeps going.
CLARA
5th Street station, 5th Street.
Clara passes a street sign for 3rd street. She runs across the road despite the red-hand warning flashing in front of her. Half-way across the street, she trips and falls.
A horn beeps and a truck barely stops without hitting her. Clara gets up and runs. Buildings and cars fly past. She sees the metro entrance and rushes down the stairs.
INT. METRO STATION – DAY
At the bottom of the steps, she stops, panting. She looks around and sees Davon across the station, back turned.
CLARA
Davon!
Davon walks toward the train. Clara runs again, pushing passed people until she’s in the center of the station.
CLARA
Davon!
LOUDSPEAKER
(On top of Clara)
8:40 train departing for Atlanta.
Train for Atlanta, Georgia now
leaving 5th street station.
Davon continues walking, getting further and further away.
CLARA
DAVON!
Davon stops. He turns around and sees Clara. He smiles then walks back toward her. They stand apart, facing each other, surrounded by the bustle of the station. Clara crosses to him and throws her arms around his shoulders. They embrace.
DAVON
You actually came.
CLARA
Yeah well…you forgot your
phone.
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