ACT 2

Scene 1: Fade In (a few weeks later)

Amanda and Cameron are taking a leisurely stroll in the park on a beautiful afternoon with Cassidy trotting besides them. Cameron casually throws a ball ahead of them so Cassidy can go and retrieve it. As the dog begins to run after the ball, a brilliantly colored butterfly suddenly crosses his path. Amanda and Cameron begin to laugh as Cassidy quickly changes course and chases the butterfly. "Stupid, dog", Cameron jokingly calls out to him. "You can't catch a butterfly. Go for the ball". Cassidy quickly stops in his tracks as he hears Cameron's voice. "The ball", Cameron restates to him as he points in the direction at where it landed. Cassidy just stares at Cameron after losing interest in both the ball and the butterfly. Cameron shakes his head in disbelief as he goes and picks up the ball himself. Cassidy then runs towards him. As he catches up to Cameron, Cameron bends down and affectionately pets him. "You stupid dog", he repeats smiling. "This is the ball". Amanda chuckles. "See, Cassidy", Cameron says to him. "Even Amanda thinks it's pretty silly". "That's not why I'm laughing", she tells him. He looks up at her. "Then why are you?". Speaking through her laughter, she answers, "You call him stupid, but you're the one that ended up having to get the ball". As she laughs again, Cameron gives her a sarcastic look as Cassidy then runs towards Amanda. "Traitor", Cameron yells at him.

Twilight begins to unfold around them. They have just enjoyed a wonderful day picnicking by a lake in a meadow filled with the tapestry of nature's beauty and simplicity. Most of their time was happily spent planning for their wedding and for their future. A future that just months ago neither one could have dared hope to have. But there are no longer any obstacles to overcome….no walls to break down. There are just memories to be made as they are finally free to make their dreams come true.

As they walk, hand in hand, through the place they first met, Amanda notices a young woman with long blonde hair playing with her little daughter. She can't help but notice the resemblance of this girl to her beloved Alli when she was younger. As she looks at the smiles on their faces, she sees herself and Alli years ago as they often spent joyful times together. Melancholy starts to fill her heart as she fights to stop it. She doesn't want sadness to overcome the joy that she has from spending such a special day with the man she loves. As she turns to Cameron he warmly smiles at her. This causes the sadness to fade as she is looking into the eyes of her future. But the sadness is not far from her heart, for the past is not easily left behind.

Scene 1: Fade Out

Scene 2: Fade In (Sunday night - about a week later)

Amanda is sitting in her room quietly looking through a picture album when the phone rings. "Hello?, she says as she picks it up. "Hi beautiful", a voices answers from the other end of the line.

"Hi handsome", Amanda replies back as she smiles hearing Cameron's voice.

"What are you up to?".

"Oh, I'm just getting ready for bed thinking about the wonderful day we had. I always love taking a ride up to Compton Falls. It's such a beautiful drive through the country side. So scenic and serene".

"Yeah, I love it. It's God's country up there", Cameron tells her.

"You know, you're right about open spaces. It gives you a real sense of freedom. You can get away from…...things...and just let yourself go".

"Like what things, Amanda?", he asks, as the inflection in his voice slightly changes.

She hesitates for a moment. "You know, just everyday life, the routine of it all. You know what I mean".

"Yeah I know", he softly responds.

"Oh, and I loved that quaint inn you took me to for dinner. That was great" . "I'm glad you liked it, but I really wished we could have stayed over".

"Me too", she tells him, as she is becoming uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "But as I told you, there is just so much on my mind - with the wedding plans and the board meeting coming up this week that I'm in charge of. I just needed to get to bed early tonight so I can be fresh for work tomorrow. I hope you understand".

"Honey, I do understand. It's just that… well, I went for a run after I took you home and I just kept thinking about you and the last couple of days. After a slight pause, he adds with a more serious tone, "Amanda, is something wrong?".

"Of course not, Cameron", she responds with a silent nervousness. "Why would you think such a thing?".

"It's just that over the last few days, I sometimes noticed a far away look in your eyes. And you just seemed…kind of quiet today…not yourself. I was just concerned".

"Oh Cameron, I'm sorry that you were worried about me. But honestly I'm fine. I guess this meeting coming up on Wednesday is just making me more anxious than I realize. That's all".

"Are you sure that's all it is? I mean…you would tell me if there is something bothering you, wouldn't you?".

"Oh sweetheart, of course I would. It's really nothing to worry about. Honestly. Okay?".

"Okay. How about lunch tomorrow?".

"I thought you couldn't because of that stakeout you have to go on".

"I can just chuck that. I much rather have lunch with my beautiful fiancée than spy on some sleazy two-timing husband. I hate these cases".

"No, Cameron. Don't change your plans", she quickly interjects. "We can have lunch the next day".

"Yeah, but then I won't see you at all tomorrow. I don't suppose you can get out of the business meeting tomorrow night?".

"I can't. One of the other board members set this up and I couldn't cancel out of it on such short notice. It's important I be there. I'm sorry".

"That's okay. I understand. I'm just going to miss seeing you, that's all".

"Me too. But listen, let's meet on Tuesday for lunch and then, Wednesday, after the meeting is over, I promise you a night you won't forget - to make up for tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"That sounds really great. Though as I lie here trying to imagine what you have in mind for the evening activities, I have a feeling I'm going to be out jogging a lot over the next few days - and taking lots of cold showers!".

As her eyes light up with her own anticipation, Amanda responds. "Believe me, after I get done with you - you won't need to take a cold shower for a month! Though you'll probably need one right after our activities on Wednesday evening", she playfully throws at him.

"And why would that be?", asks Cameron, seductively, as he is becoming more restless by the second.

Smiling herself, as she dreamily thinks about the night to be, Amanda answers in a low sultry voice, "To cool yourself down from all that heat".

With that, Cameron jumps off his bed. "I gotta to go!".

"What?".

"I really need one of those cold showers - right now".

Amanda bites her lip. "Come to think of it - so do I !"

"Oh….and Amanda, you better make sure your doors and windows are locked if you want to get any sleep tonight".

"And why is that may I ask?", she grins.

"Because, lady, I can't make any promises when comes it to my self control. I have a feeling that this is one time a cold shower ain't gonna do it for me. So be prepared", he alluringly warns her.

"Warned and prepared. Oh…and Cameron?".

"Yes?".

"Clear your schedule from Thursday to Sunday".

"And why?".

"Looks like Wednesday night is going to go into overtime".

"Oh… your games don't have time limits?".

"Honey - they don't even have rules! But a good foul is allowed…and even encouraged…every now and then", a sensual Amanda informs him.

"And why is that?", he asks as his body temperature is rising.

"Because you'll love the penalty phase. It's one of the things I do best".

After he picks up the phone from the floor, and throws a glass of water in his face, he tries to respond, but can't.

"Cameron, are you still there?"

"Ah…sort of. But, I really better hang up right now, or I am not going to be responsible for my actions".

"All right", she laughs. I'll say goodnight then. Sleep well".

"Are you kidding - I'm not going to sleep at all tonight. Then after a slight pause, he softly adds, "Sweet dreams, Amanda. I love you, Princess".

"I love you too, Cameron. Good night".

"Good night", and then hanging up the phone, he looks at Cassidy whose laying on the floor near him. "Wednesday!", he mutters to him. How in the hell am I going to make it till Wednesday?". Cassidy raises his head as if he is puzzled. "Why am I talking to you", Cameron says to the dog. "You're neutered". With that he goes to take the coldest shower of his life. "Well that wasn't my choice, buddy", Cassidy thinks to himself. And then, slowly, he lowers his head onto his paws and wistfully dreams of what might have been.

Amanda hangs up her phone as she can't seem to wipe the smile off her face. She decides a cold shower might not be a bad idea right now. As she heads towards the bathroom, she glances down on the night table and spots the album she had been looking through. Her smile finally disappears as she goes to pick it up to look at it again. She stops herself. "No", she says to herself. "Not tonight". She then picks it up and goes to her closet. Spotting the exquisite antique box on the top shelf, she carefully takes it down, opens it, and gently places the album in it. It's the box where she keeps all of her most treasured mementos. After she returns the box to the shelf, she heads toward her bed. A cold shower is no longer needed. As she lays down, she picks up the picture of Cameron that was next to her bed. She smiles once again, as she gently caresses the outline of his face. She then tenderly kisses his lips. "Tonight belongs to you my love. Just you". Then, placing the picture back onto the table, Amanda turns off the light and lays her head down on her pillow as she hopes her dreams will be kind to her tonight…filled with just the vision of Cameron…..For deep in the recesses of her mind, tomorrow looms before her.

Scene 2: Fade Out

END OF ACT 2

CONTINUE