SCENE 14: RUBY

EXT. PARK – MORNING

Birdsong. Sunlight filters through leaves.

WIDE SHOT – THE TREE

A tall, weathered tree stands in the middle of a quiet park. Light spills through its branches, casting dappled patterns on the grass.

She sits beneath it — a worn copy of Pride and Prejudice open in her lap.

Her fingers trace a line.

She breathes — slow. The world is still.

She is at peace.

SFX: A soft woof! in the distance.

A dog bounds toward her — ball in its mouth.

It drops the ball at her feet, tail wagging furiously.

She laughs, reaching for it.

HER
Oh, hey there!

She pets the dog, smiling.

A group of three jogs up — two women and a man, catching their breath.

RUBY
Oh my god, I’m so sorry!
He just loves making new friends.

HER
(laughing)
It’s fine — he’s sweet.

She rubs behind the dog’s ears.

RUBY
Wait — Pride and Prejudice? My favorite.

Her face lights up, surprised by the warmth.

HER
Yeah… it’s comforting, you know?

RUBY
Completely. Elizabeth Bennet? Total icon.

HER
Mr. Darcy? Emotional repression with a redemption arc?
I mean… come on.

CHRIS
(laughing)
Oh please, he had no personality.

HER
(teasing)
It was layered.
He just... didn’t show it right away.

They sit on the grass — casual, easy.

RUBY
We’re talking about books and totally forgot to introduce ourselves — I’m Ruby.

HER
(smiling)
Nice to meet you.

RUBY
This is Chris. That’s Sarah.
(beat)
Hey — we’re going to see our friend sing tonight.
Bar show, nothing fancy.
You should come. I think you’ll love it.

HER
(small pause — then, softly)
Sure… why not.

They all lean back beneath the tree.

Laughter fades. Voices blend into the breeze.

WIDE SHOT – CAMERA PULLS BACK

They sit beneath the tree — still figures in a moving world.

Light flickers through the branches above.

SCENE 15: THE CROSSING

MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. BAR – NIGHT

WIDE ESTABLISHING SHOT – BAR EXTERIOR

A narrow building tucked between two taller ones. A red neon sign flickers above the door — buzzing faintly. Laughter spills out every time the door opens.

It’s not glamorous. It’s familiar. The kind of place people don’t leave — they just keep coming back.

CUT TO:

INT. OLD-FASHIONED BAR – NIGHT

Dim and warm. A New York dive bar — golden stage light cuts through the haze. Low murmur of voices. Clinking glasses.

A group of five friends at a corner table, laughing.

WILLIAM leans back in his chair, swirling his drink. Eyes distant.

FRIEND 1
(laughing)
I’m telling you, she’s into me. It’s not even funny.

FRIEND 2
(chuckling)
Yeah, ’cause you’re such a charisma magnet.

FRIEND 3
(disbelieving)
More like a disaster magnet.

The guys laugh. William barely reacts.

FRIEND 4
(nudging him)
Hey — you good?
You look like you’re about to fall asleep.

WILLIAM
(half smile)
No, just... thinking.
A lot’s goin’ on.

The energy dips. They look at him, don’t understand the distance.

FRIEND 4
(grinning)
Just get another drink.
No emotional damage allowed.

FRIEND 1
(loudly)
Yo, the Knicks are done.
You saw that game?

SOUND DESIGN:

Their conversation fades. William’s eyes glaze.

He stands. Takes his glass. Heads to the bar.

CAMERA FOLLOWS — CLOSE ON HIS FACE.

Something’s unraveling.

AT THE BAR – CONTINUOUS

He walks to the bar, movements slow, detached. Orders another. Doesn’t look up.

BEHIND HIM — SHE ENTERS.

Walking quickly from frame left to right. They don’t see each other.

The camera follows her.

POV SHIFT – TO HER

She spots RUBY and friends.

HER
(waves, smiling)
Hey guys, sorry I’m late!

RUBY
(excited)
You made it! She’s starting any second.

A soft jazz ballad begins — Norah Jones – “Unchained Melody”

BACK TO WILLIAM – THE MUSIC BEGINS

Stage lights glow.

But he doesn’t hear it.

The melody is muffled, distant — like it’s coming from underwater.

He stares into his drink.

SINGER (O.S.)
Oh, my love... my darling...

HER — IN THE CROWD

Snapping a photo mid-crowd.

Smiling — then freezes.

The song lands. She lowers the camera. Just listens.

WILLIAM — AT THE BAR

Takes a swig. Still numb.

The sound shifts — like we’re underwater.
The song is still playing, but it barely touches him.

SINGER (O.S.)
And time... can do so much...
oh I need your love...

DETAIL SHOTS:

— Fingers loose on the glass

— His slouched posture

— His eyes flicker… then go blank again

He finishes the drink. Drops some bills.

Turns toward his friends.

WILLIAM
I’m gonna get going.


FRIEND 4
Alright — see ya later!

WILLIAM
(turns back, faint smile)
Yeah… see ya.

He exits.

CAMERA MOVES WITH THE MUSIC

Glides in rhythm — circling the singer.

We catch glances of WILLIAM exiting at the frame’s edge.

HER in the crowd — unaware.

SINGER (O.S.)
A long… lonely time…

And time goes by… so slowly…

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BAR

WILLIAM steps into the cool night air. Alone.

INT. BAR – SAME TIME

The song ends.

The final note hangs. Then — applause.

She claps — but her eyes stay fixed on the stage. Still listening.

CUT TO BLACK.

SFX: rustling leaves...

SCENE 16: BEHIND THE WALL

EXT. BROWNSTONES – DAY

She stops the bike in front of her mum’s brownstone. The street is quiet, lined with trees, bathed in soft sunlight.

INT. HER MUM’S APARTMENT – DAY

She opens the front door.

HER
Hey, Mum!
(drops her bag near the door)

MUM
(rushing over, hugging her tightly,
whispering with excitement)
Hi, love — I’m so glad you’re finally meeting him!

HER
(smiling, but not thrilled)
Yeah...

JORDAN enters from the living room, kind, slightly shy, holding a bouquet of lilies.

JORDAN
Hi there.
It’s really nice to meet you — your mum’s told me so much.
(offers the flowers)

HER
(surprised, softly laughing)
Wow... That’s really thoughtful, thank you.
(glances at her mum, subtle approval)
It’s nice to meet you too.
She’s been talking about you non-stop.

They all chuckle.

MUM

Alright, both of you — to the dining table!
Everything’s almost ready.
(she shoots her a look, nudging her to go chat with Jordan)

She smirks, shakes her head, and follows.

She and Jordan head toward the table.

PHONE RINGS — near the entrance. She turns, walks over, picks it up.

HER
Hello?
(pause)
Oh—this is his daughter.
(beat, her tone shifts)
No... I’m not in touch with him.
(soft laugh)
Sure, well, if you hear back from him, let me know.
Thanks.

She hangs up slowly.

Her smile fades.

A quiet sigh.

She stares at the phone.

MUM (O.S.)
Who was that?

She walks back in, composed.

HER
Someone calling for dad.

MUM
(visibly upset)
Oh... honey, I’m so sorry.
I told them to remove his name from this address.

HER
(playing it cool, shrugs)
It’s fine. His loss, honestly.

MUM
(walks over, hugs her again)
You sure?

HER
(gently pushing away, soft smile)
I’m fine.
Let’s eat. And... put these beauties in a vase.

She picks up the lilies, walks with them.

AT THE TABLE

She places the lilies in a vase. Watches the petals shift in the light. A stillness washes over the room.

She exhales — soft, full of something unspoken.

CUT TO BLACK.

SCENE 17: ECHO IN BLOOM

CUT TO:

Dim. Cluttered. Instruments scattered. Sheet music everywhere.

WILLIAM sits at the piano. He plays — a wrong note. He flinches. Drops his head onto the keys.

Silence.

Then — light. He notices it.

He stands. Walks to the window. Pulls the curtain open.

Sunlight floods in.

His expression softens — just slightly. Something shifts.

EXT. STREET – DAY

He steps outside. Headphones in. Sunlight warms his face.

Across the street, she walks her bike — lilies in one hand.

A beat.

They move in parallel, worlds apart.

Neither sees.

EXT. SMALL PARK SQUARE – DAY

Lilies bloom through rusted iron gates.

He slows.

Turns back.

CLOSE-UP:

His fingers graze its petals.

He enters the park.

Passes white roses.

Steps over scattered daisies.

Then — a violet flower.

He stops. Crouches. Fingers hover. He touches it. Gently.

Picks it up.

Sits on a nearby bench.

The violet in his hand.

He twirls it softly.

A beat.

His brow furrows.

Something stirs — a memory, or maybe just a feeling too familiar.

He sets it down.

Carefully. Not to lose it.

But to stop it from opening more.

He leans back into the sun.

A small, real smile.

TOP SHOT – WIDE:

He sits still, surrounded by blooms.

Soft wind. Light falling through trees.

Peace.

FADE TO BLACK.

SFX: A distant phone ringing.

Soft breathing.

SEQUENCE: THE UMBRELLA

INT. – HER BEDROOM – NIGHT

The room is warm. Quiet. A soft amber light glows beside her bed.

She sits cross-legged, reading. Wrapped in a blanket. A peaceful moment.

SFX: The phone rings.

She blinks. Picks it up, still half in the book.

CHAD (V.O.)
Hey there, you busy?

HER
(smiling softly)
Just reading. What’s up?

CHAD (V.O.)
They moved my meeting to late morning.
Come by.

She glances at the clock.

10:01 PM.

A flicker of hesitation. She exhales — slowly. Her smile fades for a beat… then reappears.

HER
You know I have the meeting too, the BIG one.

CHAD (V.O.)
Oh come on… At least you’ll relax before.

HER
(smiles)
Fine, I’ll be there soon.

She hangs up. Stands.

Moves quickly — changing into a simple dress. She fixes her hair. A little lipstick.

Then… She stops. Faces the mirror.

CLOSE-UP – HER FACE

Something shifts.

That tiny ache. A voice inside saying don’t go.

But she silences it.

Forces a smile. Grabs her bag.

Turns off the light.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. – HIS APARTMENT – MORNING

She wakes up in his bed, a soft smile on her face — that fades as she sees CHAD already up, walking out of the kitchen. He has only one coffee in hand.

Already dressed. Already moving. Already gone.

She sits up, watching him. She quickly puts on a dress.

CHAD is at his desk, laptop open, focused.

She walks up and hugs him from behind.

HER
(soft)
I’m so excited for today.

CHAD
(not turning)
Yeah.

She walks towards the window — gray skies, light rain.

HER
(trying again)
What time are you heading to that meeting?

CHAD
(slow glance)
Uh, in like 20 minutes.

She looks at him. Then smiles — trying not to seem too eager.

HER
(slightly hopeful)
Let’s walk together? It’s the same direction.
The rain should stop by then.

He looks at her blankly.

A beat.

CHAD
(grabbing a file, unbothered)
I can give you an umbrella.

A beat.

She freezes.

The words sting more than a fight would.

He doesn’t look up.

EXT. – STREET OUTSIDE HIS BUILDING – DAY

She steps out alone into the pouring rain, holding a yellow umbrella.

It flips inside out — the wind fights her.

Frustration builds.

She snaps, hitting the umbrella against a street sign.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

She stands in the rain.

Throws it into a trash can.

Hair plastered to her face. Makeup smudged. Emotion overflowing. But silent.

She looks up. Breathes in the storm.

INT. – NYC SUBWAY – MORNING

The train is packed.

She stands, soaked. Her dress clings to her skin.

Every movement is uncomfortable.

A man stands close — too close.

His eyes linger.

He brushes past her with intention.

She knows that look.

She lowers her gaze, frozen.

Her grip on the pole tightens.

Her jaw clenches.

The train moves, but her mind races.

INT. – HER APARTMENT – LATER

She storms in.

Wet. Exhausted. Angry.

Throws her keys.

Kicks off her shoes.

Rips off the soaked dress.

Drops it on the floor — like everything else that let her down.

INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

She steps into the shower. Full blast.

Water hits skin. But it doesn’t soothe.

She scrubs - too hard.

Like she’s trying to erase the morning.

The man on the train.

The shame.

The guilt.

Herself.

Her breath hitches.

She cries — not sobbing, but letting it all fall with the water.

Then stillness.

She slides to the floor, arms wrapped around her knees.

HER
(whispers)
I deserve more.

The words hang in the steam.

SCENE 19: THE EXIT

INT. BAR – DAY

The hiss of the shower morphs into the clinking of glasses. Low chatter. Distant laughter. Dim light.

WILLIAM sits with four friends. They talk over each other — loud, slurred, oblivious.

He slouches in his chair — present in body, gone in spirit.

CLOSE-UP – HIS FACE

Eyes unfocused. Fingers tap the glass. Restless.

He pushes his chair back.

Stands.

No one notices.

AT THE BAR

Leaning on the counter, he orders a drink.

Nearby — laughter. A woman tosses her head back mid-joke.

CLOSE-UP – HIS EYES

Tracing condensation on the bottle. Silent.

The bartender slides the beer over.

He takes a sip.

Bitter.

Nothing changes.

ANGLE – NEARBY GLASS SURFACE

He catches his reflection. Dim. Warped slightly by light and glass. But it’s him.

Something flickers — just for a moment.

A long beat.

He turns.

Looks back at his friends.

Their laughter now faint, far away.

He grabs his jacket.

Heads for the door.

WILLIAM
(quietly)
I gotta go.

FRIEND 2
(not looking up)
See ya later, man.

But he stops.

MEDIUM SHOT – HIS BACK TO THEM

He turns his head slightly. Just enough to hear.

His lips part. Almost a reply.

But nothing comes.

A breath.

He closes his mouth.

Shakes his head.

A soft, knowing smile.

He walks out.

EXT. BAR DOOR – CONTINUOUS

Light hits him.

He steps into it.

No looking back.

SCENE 20: THE EMPTY SIDE

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

The room glows softly — amber light from a single lamp spills warmth across the sheets.

She leans against the headboard, wrapped in a blanket, a worn copy of Pride and Prejudice open in her lap.

CLOSE ON HER FACE

A smile touches her lips — the kind born not from the moment, but from memory.

A memory that hasn’t happened yet.

She inhales deeply, holding the breath like it’s sacred. Like it carries a name she doesn’t know yet.

WIDE SHOT

She turns her head, slowly, toward the empty side of the bed.

The pillow untouched. The space waiting.

Her gaze lingers — not sad.

Just full of that ache.

The kind that knows.

She closes the book.

Places it gently on the empty pillow, like an offering.

Its spine nestles into the fabric. The title gleams.

CLOSE – HER HAND

Her fingers rest on the book. Not gripping, just… holding.

Like she’s holding space.

Like maybe that’s enough.

Her eyes flutter closed.

Not from tiredness — from surrender.

WIDE – STILL

She melts into the quiet.

Hand still resting on the book.

As if that’s the place he’ll arrive.

FADE OUT.

[published 26/6/2025]
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