Sunrise

The Philadelphia Chapter

by Kat

Story Summary: Felicity and Ben meet an unexpected friend. Noel and Julie learn to move on together while Elena and Dr. McGrath start to drift apart.
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine they're the WB's and the people associated with the show Felicity. I saw the Real World/Road Rules casting special and based Adia's character on Jen who I think should've been on either one of the shows. Also Adia is one my favorite Sara McLachlan songs so that's where I got the name.


OPENING SCENE: WE SEE FELICITY ON A BED IN A MODEST HOTEL ROOM. HER HAIR AND CLOTHES ARE SLIGHTLY RUMPLED, BUT HER FACE HAS A FLUSHED GLOW TO IT.

FELICITY: (voiceover recording to Sally) "Dear Sally, Hi, I'm in the hotel room right now in Philadelphia. Ben's in the shower so I can talk about him now. You're the only person I can talk to about this. Obviously Julie and Noel are a big 'NO' and Elena is off somewhere . . ."

AT AN UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION

CUT TO A SHIRTLESS DR. MCGRATH WHO ROLLS OVER TO ELENA ON THE BED. ELENA IS SOUND ASLEEP WITH HER HANDS UNDERNEATH HER FACE. HER MOUTH IS SLIGHTLY OPEN. WE SEE DR. MCGRATH LOOKING AT HER FONDLY LETTING HIS FINGER TRAVEL LIGHTLY UP AND DOWN HER NAKED BACK. R.E.M.'S "AT MY MOST BEAUTIFUL PLAYS SOFTLY IN THE BACKGROUND

DR. MCGRATH: "God you're so beautiful."

"At my most beautiful
I count your eyelashes secretly.
with every one, whisper I love you.
I let you sleep.
I know you're closed eye watching me,
listening.
I thought I saw a smile."

ELENA STIRS AND SMILES AS IF SHE HEARS THIS SWEET COMPLIMENT

"I've found a way to make you
I've found a way
a way to make you smile"

FELICITY: (voiceover to Sally) "I never knew what to expect after I picked Ben. Maybe that's why I picked him. After all this time he's still a stranger a to me. Only now I'm finding things out about him . . ."

SCENE: SOMEWHERE ON THE JERSEY TURNPIKE

BEN IS DRIVING AND THE SONG "LANDSLIDE" BY FLEETWOOD MAC COMES ON THE RADIO.

BEN: (reaches over to turn the volume up on the radio) "Hey I love this song!"

"I took my love, I took it down
climbed a mountain and I turned around
and I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
'til the landslide brought it down "

FELICITY LOOKS ASTONISHED. BEN NOTICES THE SHOCKED LOOK.

BEN: "What!?"

"Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail thru the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
I don't know....."

FELICITY: (shaking her head) "Nothing it's just I never imagined you as the type who'd like these kind of songs. They tend to be . . . sappy."

BEN: (grins) "You mean they're more the type of songs you'd like."

FELICITY: "Hey , no subtle barbs. Don't stereotype me as the type of person who'd cry at the fourth time they saw 'Titanic.'"

BEN: "It sounds like you speak from personal experience."

FELICITY: (starting to get frustrated) "No, but a lot of people cried at 'Titanic.' You could hear the sniffles throughout the theater. All I'm saying is I'm not a sap . . ."

BEN (smirks) "Of course not."

FELICITY: "Don't smile like that. It's so egotistical. Besides you were sidetracking me from the point of this inquiry. Which is why are you the one saying you like this song instead of me."

BEN: (sighs and rolls his eyes in an exaggerated manner) "Since you are so intent about finding why I like this so much. . . It's because my mom liked to listen to Fleetwood Mac while my dad was out."

BEN'S EYES SUDDENLY GET DISTANT AT SOME FADED MEMORY.

FELICITY: (quietly) "You're close to you mom aren't you?"

"Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
even children get older
and I'm getting older too"

BEN SHAKES HIS HEAD IMPERCEPTIBLY

BEN: "Yeah, I’m much closer than with my dad. They had problems and I was always the one trying to make it better for her."

BEN'S HANDS GRIP THE STIRRING WHEEL. FELICITY LAYS HER HAND LIGHTLY ON TOP OF HIS TENSE ONE.

"Oh, take my love, take it down
climb a mountain and turn around
and if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down"

FELICITY: "She's lucky to have someone like you in the aftermath."

BEN SIGHS. HE TURNS TO HER AND FOR A SECOND FELICITY SEES VULNERABILITY IN HIS BLUE EYES.

"And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
well the landslide will bring it down"

BEN: "And I'm lucky to have such a sap for a passenger."

FELICITY: (lightly smacks Ben's arm) "Oh, shut up!"

THEIR LAUGHTER CAN BE HEARD AS THE SCENE FADES AWAY

"The landslide will bring it down"

SCENE: TEARS FALL DOWN NOEL'S CHEEKS WHICH HE WIPES AWAY IN A DISTRACTED MATTER. HE LOOK INSIDE HIS CARRY-ON BAG TO FIND THE TICKET HE GAVE FELICITY ATTACHED TO AN ENVELOPE.

"He found a letter from his lover
She said she's never coming home
his things were lying on her doorstep
and his tears, they fell like rain"

FELICITY'S VOICE CAN BE HEARD AS IF SHE'S READING THE LETTER ALOUD TO NOEL THROUGHOUT THE SCENE. JEFF BUCKLEY’S "DESPITE THE TEARS" PLAYS SOFTLY IN THE BACKGROUND.

"Dear Noel,

I know you must be hating me right now after that incredible letter you wrote to me. I know I'm taking the coward's way and writing you a 'Dear John' letter, but then your name isn't John and I'm not sick of you or that we're two people going in opposite directions. Maybe we are, but it isn't about that.

I know I'll always have a place in my heart for you, yet I'm following it right now with Ben. I don't expect anything from you now that I have made my decision because it would be selfish of me to ask of you if we could stay friends. It would be like getting your cake and eating it to. I'm sorry that was a corny cliché. I never got the real point of that, but I'm sorry things didn't work out between us. You're genuine and you deserve someone without the luggage that I carry. The obvious threat of a replacement always in the horizon. You need someone with fidelity, and if I can't offer you that then the friendship we've formed is worth even more than the relationship.

I do wish and hope that your internship at Germany is worth the experience you'll have.

with love to you,

Felicity"

"And in his mind, he knew
he'd love her always
despite the tears"

FELICITY: (voiceover recording to Sally) "So after spending a couple of hours in the car with Ben we decided to spend the evening in Philadelphia. We got settled into our hotel room. It was awkward at first because there's only one bed, but after we agreed on some boundaries he became like a brother . . . almost."

SCENE: BEN AND FELICITY ARE IN THE BATHROOM GETTING READY. BOTH ARE BRUSHING THEIR TEETH. THE CONVERSATION IS MUFFLED BECAUSE THE ARE BOTH TRYING TO TALK AROUND THEIR TOOTHBRUSHES. FELICITY BUMPS BEN WITH HER HIP.

FELICITY: "Hey you spit a little on the mirror when you brush."

BEN PLAYFULLY BUMPS BACK

BEN: "It's bad manners to talk while your mouth is full."

BEN SPITS OUT INTO THE SINK AND STARTS TO RINSE.

FELICITY: "Well, I am evolving and trying out new things."

BEN TILTS HIS HEAD AS FELICITY BENDS TO SPIT AND RINSE.

BEN: "That doesn't have anything to do with personal hygiene."

FELICITY BRINGS UP HER HEAD AND GLANCES IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. A LOOK COMES ONTO HER FACE THEN SHE STARTS LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY.

BEN: "What?!"

BEN LOOKS AROUND WITH A FROWN ON HIS FACE AND THEN QUIZZICALLY AT FELICITY.

BEN: "What's so funny?"

FELICITY: (gasping) Oh . . .XYZ Mr. Happy."

FELICITY POINTS AND BEN LOOKS DOWN. HIS FACE QUICKLY TURNS PINK AND IMMEDIATELY WE HEAR A LOUD ZZZIIIPP. HE LOOKS BACK UP AT FELICITY WITH A RED FACE. THIS JUST MAKES HER LAUGH MORE.

BEN: "I never thought you'd be this immature."

BEN LEAVES THE BATHROOM AND STARTS TO LOOK FOR CLOTHES TO WEAR FOR THE NIGHT. FELICITY WALKS OUT OF THE BATHROOM AFTER HIM.

FELICITY: "Ben, I'm sorry, but I've never had a brother so it's different rooming with a guy."

BEN: "Yeah, who knew it'd be so hilarious."

BEN PICKS A SHIRT AND LOOKS AT IT CRITICALLY BEFORE DISCARDING IT.

FELICITY: "Yes, I'm still a little premature in things. I guess I never really grew up yet."

BEN SMILES FONDLY AT HER STUFFED TEDDY BEAR ON THE BED.

BEN: "I think it's pretty sweet. it's better than growing up too quickly. At least to me it is. (pouts) It just hurt my ego a little."

FELICITY: "I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?"

FELICITY IS LOOKING INTO HER SUITCASE AND FINDS A STRAPPY TANGERINE SUNDRESS. SHE QUICKLY GOES INTO THE BATHROOM TO CHANGE. WHEN SHE COMES BACK BEN COULDN'T HELP BUT LOOK AT HER.

BEN: "Umm . . . how 'bout dinner and a club later on."

FELICITY: "Sounds good, are you almost done cause all I have to do is fix myself."

BEN NODS NOT TAKING HIS EYES OFF HER

BEN: "Okay, I'm about done."

THEY BOTH GET READY TO WALK OUT THE DOOR. BEN WEARS A BLACK LEATHER JACKET, KHAKIS, AND A BUTTON DOWN, NAVY BLUE SHIRT WITH DRAGON DESIGNS ON THE SHORT SLEEVES. FELICITY KEEPS HAVING TO REMIND HERSELF NOT TO LOOK TOO LONGINGLY AT HIM WHICH SHE WANTED TO DO.

FELICITY: (thinking) "He smells like some exotic scent of aftershave, like this sales clerk at the Macy's my mom used to drag me to when I was like five."

INSIDE AN AIRPLANE JULIE RECOGNIZES NOEL WHO IS OBVIOUSLY CRYING.

JULIE: "It can't be . . ."

FUEL "SONG FOR YOU"
"It's all I want
It's all I need now it's through
It all comes back to you
The only one
The one I needed I abuse
More color for the bruise

So I sing this song for you
There's nothing left for me to do"

JULIE GETS UP AND GOES OVER TOWARDS NOEL. SHE QUICKLY MAKES A PROPOSITION WITH NOEL'S SEATING PARTNER WHO IS UNCOMFORTABLE BEING STUCK NEXT TO HIM. NOEL DOESN'T NOTICE ANY OF THIS GOING ON. JULIE PLACES A HAND ON NOEL'S SHOULDER. HE JUMPS AS IF SOMEONE FIRED A SHOTGUN.

JULIE: "Hey."

NOEL QUICKLY WIPES AWAY HIS TEARS. HIS EYES ARE BLOODSHOT RED AND HIS LIDS ARE PUFFY.

JULIE: "Do you mind if I sit here?"

NOEL: "No, go ahead."

JULIE NOTICES THE PLANE TICKET AND LETTER ON HIS LAP.

"Goodbye dear one
Venus I thought you'd bless me too
So selfish to presume"

JULIE: (her lips purse to form a straight line) "So she ended up going with him after all."

"So I sing this song for you
And I hope that what is true
Will find a way to you
I sing this song for you"

NOEL: "Obviously, I must have been so stupid to think what we had was stronger than this obsession."

JULIE: "I don't think it's an obsession. Both of them always had this unspoken thing between them whether they admit it or not. (throaty catch in her voice) But you're right. Both of us were stupid to think we both had something special."

“Venus never showed the way
The stars would not be sold
Heaven stole the light of day
And we were never told
So dark the day . . .
So much for life, for life and love"

NOEL TAKES HER HAND AND GIVES IT A LITTLE SQUEEZE.

NOEL: "They've moved on. We should too."

"And now it's done
The color always changes hue
Bright to black and blue

So I sing this song for you
There's nothing left for me to do
and
now with legs weak and weary from this silly dance
with a suitcase full of memories, I pack my bags and slowly drift away"

JULIE: "Tell me how when you start following your advice."

THEY CONTINUE TO HOLD HANDS UNTIL BOTH OF THEM FALL ASLEEP. THEIR HEADS RESTING ON THE OTHERS SHOULDERS. THE FUEL SONG LEADS INTO GIN BLOSSOMS "TIL I HEAR IT FROM YOU" PLAYS SOFTLY IN THE BACKGROUND.

"It gets hard
The memory's faded
Who gets what they say
It's likely they're just jealous and jaded
Well maybe I don't want to take advice from fools
I'll just figure everything is cool
Until I hear it from you"

BEN AND FELICITY WALK THE STREETS GOING INTO CERTAIN SHOPS, TALKING, AND GESTURING ALL THE WHILE. THEY EAT OUTSIDE IN A SECLUDED AREA IN THE COURTYARD OF A RESTAURANT.

FELICITY: (thinking) "It was like being inside a room, except the walls were covered by climbing roses and shrubs. You couldn't see past the heavy blanket of foliage. The only entrance was a marble arch that led into the restaurant. There was a fountain that was the centerpiece of the courtyard. It had a cupid aiming an arrow in the air. Stone flowers spouted out shoots of water. I felt like I had slipped into some romantic movie. I practically expected to see a trio of violinists come out and serenade us."

BEN PLUCKS A FLOWER FROM A NEARBY SHRUB AND PLACES IT IN FELICITY'S UPTURNED HAIR.

FELICITY: "Isn't that illegal?"

FELICITY SQUIRMS AT HOW CLOSE BEN IS TO HER.

BEN: "There's nothing wrong with giving a beautiful girl an orchid."

FELICITY: (blushes) "Thanks." She looks around and sighs. "It really is beautiful here. I can see the way the sunset makes everything glow."

BEN SMILES AT HER.

FELICITY: "In high school I had to take the bus to school. I'd always take the window seat so that I was able to see the sunrise. No matter how tired or defeated I was because it was Monday or I had a gazillion papers to do, the sunrise always made me feel better. As if nothing bad could really happen if the sun was shining.”

FELICITY SMILES EMBARRASSED INTO HER FOOD.

BEN: "It's always been the opposite for me. I always tried to find time to watch the sunset go down because then I knew night was near and that there were more possibilities out there clothed by the darkness."

THEY TALK ON ABOUT THEIR LIVES. BOTH LOOK HAPPY TO BE IN EACH OTHER'S COMPANY. NEITHER OF THEM NOTICE THE PRESENCE OF THE GIRL AT NEXT TABLE. SHE GLANCES AT FELICITY AND BEN AND DOES A DOUBLE TAKE. SHE WALKS UP TO THEM. FELICITY REALIZES THERE'S A STRANGER AT THEIR TABLE.

ADIA: "Felicity?"

FELICITY LOOKS AT HER WITH A CURIOUS FACE.

FELICITY: "Yes, um . . . can I help you?"

ADIA: "Adia! Don't tell me you don't remember one of your best friends in high school?"

FELICITY: "Omigosh! Adia! It's you. Wow! You look different."

FELICITY GETS UP TO HUG HER. SHE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT HER PLATINUM BLOND HIGHLIGHTS AND DARK BROWN HAIR WHICH IS NOW SHOULDER LENGTH. SHE HAS A NOSE PIERCED AND A COUPLE OF SILVER HOOPS AND STUDS IN BOTH EARS. SHE HAS A BLACK COTTON DRESS WITH A TANK UNDERNEATH AND COMBAT BOOTS. YET DESPITE ALL THIS SHE IS A PRETTY GIRL WITH HIGH CHEEKBONES AND SOUL SEARCHING EYES.

ADIA: "Yeah, big transition from high school."

BEN: "Hey, you're Adia Tyler. You were in my creative writing class. You let me read some your works, but you never read them out loud to the class."

ADIA: (nods) "I was really shy before, Felicity can tell you about it. (winks) I was afraid people would laugh at me. I couldn't handle that kind of rejection at the time."

BEN: "You were really good. Your pieces would echo in my mind throughout the rest of the day."

ADIA SMILES SHYLY FOR A MOMENT REMINDING BEN AND FELICITY OF THE ADIA THEY KNEW.

ADIA: "Thanks. After high school I hitchhiked to the east coast. I'll never forget it. I was thinking of going to New York City, but I like it here in Philadelphia."

FELICITY: "It's good to see you. I'm sorry we didn't keep in touch more."

ADIA: "Don't be. I barely kept in touch with anyone. It's been a fresh start."

ADIA LOOKS AT BEN, AND GETS A WICKED SMILE ON HER FACE.

ADIA: "So are you two going out?"

THERE'S AN UNCERTAIN PAUSE BEFORE BEN ANSWERS.

BEN: "Um, we're just driving cross country together."

ADIA: "Oh ok, hey if you guys aren't doing anything tonight maybe you'd like to see a show my friend Story is doing. Afterwards, I have to do a poetry reading at a coffee shop downtown."

FELICITY AND BEN LOOK AT EACH OTHER SILENTLY SEEKING THE OTHER'S PERMISSION.

FELICITY: "Yeah, we're there."

ADIA: (gets a huge smile on her face) "Cool, the concert is at the Trocadero at the end of China town."

ADIA GETS OUT A PIECE OF PAPER AND PEN AND WRITES THE DIRECTIONS DOWN.

ADIA: "It’s a little bit far away from here. So you need a cab." She hands them a pair of tickets and backstage passes. "I'll meet you there and then we'll go over to the cafe afterwards."

ADIA GLANCES AT THE GUY AT HER TABLE WHO IS STARTING TO GET BORED. HE HAS A PENCIL IN HIS HAND AND IS WRITING SOMETHING ON A NAPKIN.

ADIA: "I have to get back to my dinner date. That's Story by the way. He plays lead guitar and is the lead singer."

FELICITY AND BEN LOOK OVER TO STORY WHOSE DARK BROWN HAIR DIDN'T REGISTER AS ANY HAIRSTYLE. IT HAD A BODY WAVE YET IT STUCK OUT SPIKY IN SOME PLACES. HE HAD A PLAIN WHITE V-NECK T-SHIRT AND BLACK JEANS. HE LOOKED AT HIS WATCH THEN GLANCED OVER AT THEIR TABLE.

ADIA: "He gets quiet when he's nervous before a show, but he's cool. I'll see you guys later at the Trocadero?"

FELICITY: "Yeah definitely. It's good to see you again."

FELICITY GIVES ADIA A HUG BEFORE SHE LEAVES. ADIA CATCHES BEN'S EYE OVER FELICITY'S SHOULDER.

ADIA: "Yeah, likewise."

SCENE: ELENA AND DR. MCGRATH ARE HAVING DINNER ON THE BACKYARD PATIO OF THE HOUSE. SARA MCLACHLAN CIRCLE PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND.

ELENA: "Where did you tell them you went?"

“There are two of us talking in circles
and one of us who wants to leave
in a world created for only us
an empty cage that has no key
don't you know we're working with flesh and blood”

DR. MCGRATH: "I told them I was having a training conference."

ELENA LOOKS DOWN GUILTILY AT THE TABLE.

ELENA: "I can't do this."

“What kind of love is this that keeps me
hanging on
despite everything it's doing to me
what is this love that keeps me coming
back for more
when it will only end in misery “

DR. MCGRATH: "I know, but my wife is in the hospital and I need you."

“I know too many people unhappy
in a life from which they'd love to flee
watching others get everything offered
they're wanton for discovery “

ELENA: "You need someone's shoulder to cry on."

THE DR. MCGRATH LAUGHS AT THIS AND ELENA CAN NOT HELP, BUT LAUGH TOO.

DR. MCGRATH: "Maybe I do, but that's not reason why I like you."

ELENA: "This is not right."

ELENA GETS UP FROM HER SEAT AND WALKS OVER TO THE WOODEN RAILING. DR. MCGRATH WALKS UP BEHIND HER. THEY DON'T TOUCH AS THEY BOTH STAND THERE.

DR. MCGRATH: (after awhile) "It's too late you know we're already in deep with this."

ELENA: "There's always some escape from the fire. . . but never without getting burned."


Like the show where it features in the end where you can find the music. Here's are where you can find these songs:


Fleetwood Mac "Landslide" The Dance
Gin Blossoms "Til I Hear It From You" Empire Records sndtrk

to be continued . . .

Send comments to : Kat

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