FADE IN:
ext. wade’s house - night - establishing
A house on the water. A traditional Cape Cod. Big and old. Water glistens and
reflects against it. From an upstairs window, the glow of a television
bounces off drapes that blow gently in the cool, summer night.
int. wade’s room - night
WADE, 15 years old, and slightly wise beyond his years, paces the room, a
bundle of mental anguish. His friend RICKY sits on the bed.
RICKY
No matter how much you wear out that carpet, my friend, at some point you are
going to have to sit down and accept it.
WADE
Accept it. I’m supposed to just graciously accept the loss of the love of my
life. Not to mention my best friend, my confidante of fifteen years. I can’t
do that.
RICKY
Well, do something already. I’m exhausted just watching you. Look, why don’t
you write something or something. Isn’t that the appropriate angst-filled
artist reaction?
WADE
You’re not helping.
RICKY
Sammy’s the helpful one. I just sit on the sidelines and make wisecrack
remarks to compensate for my own relative inadequacy.
WADE
Ricky, I think I just need to be alone right now.
RICKY
No problem. You do your creative catharsis thing, and I’ll get back to my
Playstation. See ya, Wade.
Ricky leaves. Wade, a bit doubtful, sighs, and approaches his computer. He
tries to write. Starts typing, erases. Starts again, erases. It’s not
working. He pushes away from his desk, grabs his jacket, and takes off.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - DAY
It’s a chilly day in this creekside town in late November. Wade walks alone
through the abandoned playground, and ultimately sits down on a swing facing
a sandbox. As he looks at the sandbox, he seems to remember... or imagine
something.
DISSOLVE TO:
ext. sandbox - day
Two small children, BABY WADE, and BABY SAMMY, play in a sandbox. They
playfully swat sand at each other. We hear a VOICE-OVER. It’s WADE.
WADE (V.O.)
I guess you could say Sammy and I have known each other for as long as we
could possibly remember. Longer, actually. Sammy and I... We’re almost like
soulmates, intrinsically destined since time immemorial, unalterably fated to
connect again and again through time, if you believe in that sort of thing. I
don’t know whether or not I believe in destiny, but I do believe, that no
matter what fate throws in our paths, there will always be Wade and Sammy.
It’s the closest thing to an ineluctable forever that I have ever known.
Baby Sammy and Baby Wade continue to play in the sandbox. Then they stop, and
just look at each other. Two adult voices comment on the children.
WOMAN (V.O.)
Are they playing or are they fighting?
MAN (V.O.)
They’re crazy about each other. It’s obvious. You can tell by the way they’re
looking at each other.
WOMAN (V.O.)
Come on... they don’t know how to be crazy about each other. Their whole
universe is that sandbox at this moment. Maybe they’re totally terrified of
each other, paralyzed by fear. Look at how they’re staring.
MAN (V.O.)
You’re overanalyzing them. They’re both just waiting for the other one to
make the first move.
WOMAN (V.O.)
Waiting for each other, huh? Well, that’s not likely to get you anywhere...
And as the two children continue to stare at each other, we...
FADE OUT.
ext. wade’s house - late daY
WADE (V.O.)
If I were half the artist I proclaimed myself to be, I would seize upon this
as an opportunity to generate a well-written, erudite, structurally sound
piece of literature containing the traditional story elements -- essentially,
a premise, a climax, a denoument... but that doesn’t really apply in this
situation. When a relationship outlives time, outlives space, all you have...
are the moments...
CU on Wade, thoughtful...
DISSOLVE TO:
int. wade’s room - late day
8 YEAR-OLD WADE sits on his bed, watching JAWS. 8 YEAR-OLD SAMMY appears in
the window.
8 YEAR OLD WADE
Hey...how’d you get up there?
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
There’s a ladder. Your dad was painting. I climbed up.
8 YEAR OLD WADE
Well, you can come in, if you want. I’m watching "Jaws."
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
A bunch of mentally deficient beach bumbs get eaten by a shark? Please. That
movie is like, so five minutes ago.
8 YEAR OLD WADE
No way. This movie’s awesome. This guy named Spielberg directed it. You know
what else he directed?
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.
8 YEAR OLD WADE
Raiders of the Lost Ark. And E.T. You’re not gonna say you don’t like E.T.,
are you?
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
Duh, that’s like, a classic.
8 YEAR OLD WADE
Yeah, so, will you give Jaws a chance?
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
Maybe. Is it really scary?
8 YEAR OLD WADE
I won’t let you get scared.
A long look between them.
8 YEAR OLD SAMMY
Well... okay, I guess. Can I sleep over?
8 YEAR OLD WADE
Sure... why not?
And off the t.v., we...
FADE OUT.
fade in.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - LATE DAY
It’s getting dark. Wade rises from the swing, and heads home.
ext. creekside street - dusk - continuous
Music plays as present day Wade passes by a VIDEO STORE. He becomes
thoughtful again...
DISSOLVE TO:
int. WADE’s room - night
Wade is now about 11. He sits on his floor playing Nintendo. Sammy, the same
age, appears at the window. She looks upset.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
Hey Sammy. What are you doing here? I mean, shouldn’t you be with your
family?
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
I had to get out of there, Wade. They were making it worse.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
(genuinely)
Sammy... I’m really sorry... about your mom.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
So am I, Wade.
Wade gets up and sits down next to her.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
How are Betty and your Dad doing?
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
They’re fighting again. I mean, they haven’t even buried Mom yet and they’re
fighting... I think...
She struggles, trying to keep her composure.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY (cont’d)
I think my dad’s going to jail.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
Your dad’s not going to jail. They don’t send people to jail for having
affairs.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
(bitter)
They should.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
C’mon...
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
Who would take care of me, Wade?
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
He’s not going to jail...
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
Humor me.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
Well, I guess Betty would.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
Please. Like I’d ever submit to being raised by a provincial teenager who
doesn’t do anything but talk on the phone to her mindless friends and go out
with her lunkhead boyfriend, who’ll probably get her knocked up before she
graduates high school so she can spend her life having babies and waitressing
at some restaurant like the Fish House or something...
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
Well... then I guess... I’d take care of you.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
You would?
11 YEAR-OLD WADE
Yeah... sure...
(quoting "E.T.")
"I’ll be right heeeeere."
They touch fingers.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE (cont’d)
C’mon. You wanna play "Jaws?"
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY
Okay.
They go into Wade’s closet, and begin reciting the dialogue from "Jaws"...
FROM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS --
11 YEAR-OLD WADE (O.S.)
Stop playing with yourself, Hooper!
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY (O.S.)
That’s a twenty-footer.
11 YEAR-OLD WADE (O.S.)
Twenty-five. Three tons of him.
11 YEAR-OLD SAMMY (O.S.)
We’re gonna need a bigger boat.
And the dialogue continues as the camera leaves the closet door -- drifts out
the window and pulls away from Wade’s window.
FADE OUT.
ext. wade’s house - night
The present. Wade reaches his house. He sees the ladder by the window.
Spontaneously, he decides to climb it. As he reaches the top, he pauses for a
moment to survey his room.
DISSOLVE TO:
int. wade’s room - night
WADE and SAMMY, now grown up at fifteen years old, lay sprawled on Wade’s
bed, among an array of candy, pillows, etc., watching Star Wars.
SAMMY
I never get tired of this movie. This won the Oscar, right?
WADE
ANNIE HALL. Lucas was robbed.
He turns off the t.v.
WADE (cont’d)
Well, you ready to crash?
SAMMY
I’m gonna go home.
WADE
Stay over.
SAMMY
I don’t think so.
WADE
Why not?
Sammy moves toward the open window. She takes a deep breath. Something’s been
building.
SAMMY
I’m just not sure it’s a good idea for me to stay over anymore.
WADE
But you always stay over on video night!
SAMMY
Things change, Wade.
WADE
What are you talking about?
SAMMY
Well, we’re fifteen years old now...
WADE
So?
SAMMY
I just think that hormonal developments have a way of rearing their ugly
heads into platonic boy-girl friendships such as ours, and I’m attempting
some advance damage control.
WADE
Wait, a second. Are you saying that you...
SAMMY
Please. Don’t get excited, Wade. I know you way too well. But we need to
make allowances for our post-pubescence, cause the gender dynamics are
inevitably going to get in the way sooner or later.
WADE
Please. That MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING crap doesn’t apply to us. We transcend
it.
SAMMY
How?
WADE
By going to sleep. I’m beat.
SAMMY
Avoidance isn’t going to help.
WADE
It’s not avoidance. It’s proof that our friendship is impervious to any and
all textbook theoretics of early adolescence.
Sammy stands at the window, deliberating.
SAMMY
I don’t think it works that way, Wade.
WADE
Come on, Sammy. If you keep this girl stuff up, I’m gonna have to start
calling you Samantha.
SAMMY
Samantha this.
She dives on top of him, slugging him hard. They tumble around the bed, a bit
more awkwardly than they might once have. A self-conscious laugh. Sammy
tosses her shoes, throws them agains the wall. Suddenly they’re both
incredibly still.
WADE
We’re friends, okay? Hormones aside?
SAMMY
Friends, Wade.
They lay facing away from one another. Wade squirms under the sheets. Then
Sammy. Their minds racing.
Finally:
WADE
Why did you have to bring this up anyway?
fade out.
int. wade’s room - night
Again, the present. From the window, Wade smiles to himself, and climbs in.
He heads for his computer -- this time, inspired. He sits down, and he
writes.
DISSOLVE TO:
ext. creekside - day
WADE, SAMMY, and RICKY, another 15-year old, Wade’s male best friend,
rehearse a play. Wade directs. Ricky moves in to kiss Sammy, who looks
uncomfortable in a bikini top and shorts.
SAMMY
(pulls away)
I’m sorry, Wade, I can’t do it.
WADE
C’mon you guys. We’re performing this play in two weeks. If you can’t kiss
Ricky here, in the comfort of this rehearsal space, what are you going to do
on stage?
SAMMY
He’s just so... repulsive.
RICKY
Hey, can I help it if she’s a lesbian?
SAMMY
Hah. You wish, dumbass.
WADE
All right, let’s just skip the kiss -- for now. Okay...
SAMMY
And do I really have to wear this? I mean, I realize your play is set in
North Carolina, but hello! This is Massachusetts. It’s February. It’s
FREEZING.
But their argument is interrupted as a TAXI CAB pulls up, RICKY and WADE are
transfixed. Sammy at first doesn’t notice.
SAMMY
Hello? Are we rehearsing here, or are we directing traffic?
And KIM steps out.
KIM
Hi. I’m Kim.
RICKY
Ricky.
WADE
I’m Wade. Are you-- lost or something?
SAMMY
(sotto)
She’s a blonde, not a puppy dog, Wade.
KIM
No, I’m from Boston. But my uncle is sick so I’m up here for a while to help
my aunt take care of him.
WADE
Oh! Right, the neice from Boston...
KIM
Right.
WADE
So, are you gonna be going to Creekside High?
KIM
Yeah, I’ll be a sophomore.
WADE
Me too.
RICKY
Yeah, me too.
KIM
(to Sammy)
Hi, I’m Kim.
SAMMY
Yeah, got that.
She turns to go in the house.
SAMMY (cont’d)
I’m gonna go change. I’m freezing my ass off.
Once she is out of earshot...
WADE
(to Kim)
Uh, that’s... Sammy. You’ll have to forgive her, she considers social skills
a sign of blind conformity.
KIM
I see. Well, I better get to my aunt’s -- she’s expecting me.
And Kim walks off...as she does, Ricky and Wade watch her go.
ANOTHER ANGLE - a CU of SAMMY, from the window, looking out, watching Wade.
int. wade’s room - night
Kim peruses Wade’s collectables. She finds a Star Wars figurine.
KIM
Chewbacca?
WADE
(self-conscious)
Actually, that’s a collector’s item.
Sammy climbs in through the window.
SAMMY’S POV -- surprised to see Kim.
SAMMY
Wade -- I didn’t realize you had company.
(turns to leave)
I can come back later.
WADE
Sammy, no, don’t be silly. You know Kim.
Sammy gives a small, fake smile to Kim, who smiles back.
SAMMY
(sotto to Wade)
I thought it was video night.
WADE
It is. Kim doesn’t really know anyone in Creekside, so I invited her to join
us.
SAMMY
(sarcastic)
Isn’t watching videos a little mundane for someone from the big city?
KIM
If I’m intruding on something I can...
WADE
No, not at all, don’t be silly... the more the merrier.
SAMMY
I’ll see you later, Wade.
She turns to go. A voice (o.c.) calls out.
VOICE (O.C.)
Kimberly...
KIM
That’s my aunt. I should go. But thanks, Wade. I had a really good time.
She turns to leave, and Sammy and Wade are left alone.
WADE
What’s with the Brenda Walsh routine?
SAMMY
I just don’t see why Miss Clairol has to be a permanent fixture around here.
WADE
She’s new... we should make her feel welcome. In fact, I have an idea. But I
need your help.
SAMMY
What?
WADE
Well, I want to ask Kim to go to the movies with me... But she might feel
uncomfortable with that, you know, going out alone with a strange guy...
SAMMY
Please. She’s already seen your room. How dangerous could she think a guy who
has Chewbacca on his bed is?
WADE
Look, come with us.
SAMMY
No thanks. I have no intentions of creating a troika with you two.
WADE
Sammy--
SAMMY
Look, if you want to go out with her, go out with her. I’m not stopping you.
Just go. But you can’t have it both ways, Wade.
WADE
What is your problem?
SAMMY
Oh, nothing. Except ever since little Miss Harvard Square showed up in town,
you’ve done everything possible to make me feel like I don’t exist.
WADE
Sammy... you know how much you mean to me... you’re my best friend. Nothing
could replace that.
SAMMY
(doubtful)
We’ll see, Wade.
ext. wade’s house - day
Ricky and Sammy are rehearsing once again. Wade and Kim observe. Ricky leans
in, again, as if he’s about to kiss her, but instead, he STABS her. Blood
spurts out of her shirt. Wade looks pleased.
WADE
Excellent! It’s perfect! Which is good because that’s all the fake blood I
can afford to use for rehearsal purposes.
SAMMY
Yeah, well, this is the last shirt I’m willing to sacrifice for rehearsal
purposes.
She moves toward the house. Kim calls after her.
KIM
Wait, Sammy, I’ll help you get cleaned up.
Kim follow Sammy into the house.
int. wade’s porch - continuous - day
SAMMY
It’s really okay, I think I can clean myself up.
KIM
(smiling)
I really don’t mind.
She helps Sammy take her shirt off. Sammy’s a little self-conscious as Kim
wipes the fake blood off Sammy’s chest.
KIM (cont’d)
You have a nice figure, you know?
SAMMY
(now extremely self-conscious)
Whatever.
KIM
No, really, you do. I mean, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not bi or anything.
I’m into guys.
SAMMY
So I’ve noticed.
KIM
All right. What is it?
Sammy tries to avoid the question, as she starts to leave the room.
SAMMY
What is what?
KIM (cont’d)
Your problem? With me?
SAMMY
I... whatever... I don’t have a problem with you.
KIM
Okay. Fine. I give up. All I’ve wanted was for you to like me. And I can see
that’s never going to happen.
Kim starts to leave. But Sammy stops her.
SAMMY
You really want to know what my problem is?
KIM
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.
SAMMY
Isn’t it obvious? God, just look at you. You show up in our town like "isn’t
this cute?" What a novelty our "cute" little town must be to you. A brief
pit stop you make on the way to the rest of your life. Well, for some of us,
this isn’t a pit stop. This is it. The past, the present, the future.
KIM
And that’s why you hate me?
SAMMY
No. That’s why I resent you. I hate you because you have everything else --
everything. You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re sexy, sophisticated --
You’ve got it all! And you want the only things I have.
KIM
(pauses; carefully)
I knew it. This is about Wade, isn’t it?
SAMMY
What do you mean?
KIM
Come on, Sammy. You two have this ostensibly platonic friendship, but you
sleep in his bed every night. You don’t call him your boyfriend, but you
certainly act like a jealous girlfriend...I’ve done everything I can to be
nice to you, and you hate and resent me. You’re in love with him. Just admit
it.
SAMMY
(flustered)
I’m not -- I’m not in love with him. I just... he’s my best friend, all
right? Wade. His plays. Video night. That’s my life. Why can’t you just get
one of your own?
KIM
I don’t want to take your place, I would never--
SAMMY
Look, Wade is special, okay? He’s not just some guy, he’s kind and he’s
gentle and you’re like, this... barracuda, who just wants somebody to keep
her warm in bed, and-
KIM
You don’t know the first thing about who I am. And before you paint me into
the role of the wicked temptress who’s trying to seduce away your
non-boyfriend, why don’t you get your facts straight. First of all, I told
you, I’m a virgin-
SAMMY
Please, we Creeksiders may be provincial but we’re not stupid. Nobody
believed that.
KIM
Bitch.
SAMMY
(countering)
Slut.
KIM
(taking a deep breath)
Well, I’m sorry I threaten you and your little safety net. Contrary to
popular opinion, I didn’t come here to ruin your life. And I am trying so
hard not to do that!
SAMMY
Then try this. Don’t talk to me.
Sammy heads for the door. Kim watches her go.
int. sammy’s room - night
Sammy sits at her computer, reading her e-mail.
CU of the screen. It reads, "Kim and I finally kissed... how do I describe
it? In a word, magical." Sammy sighs, looks out the window down at the creek.
ext. docks - night
Kim, alone, stares out at the water, clearly troubled. Wade approaches. He’s
been looking for her.
WADE
I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Why’d you run off like that?
KIM
I just needed to think, that’s all.
WADE
Think about what?
KIM
About us, Wade.
WADE
What do you mean?
Before she can answer, they are interrupted by a MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT. The
Kawasaki pulls up, driven by DWAYNE, who seems to think he’s a member of the
T-Birds.
DWAYNE
Hey, Kim. I know you told me to get out of town, but I had to say goodbye
first.
WADE
Goodbye? Kim, who is this guy?
KIM
Dwayne, this is Wade... my boyfriend.
DWAYNE
Yo.
KIM
Wade, this is Dwayne. My EX-boyfriend.
DWAYNE
Ouch.
KIM
I’m serious, Dwayne. I want to put everything in Boston behind me. That
includes you.
WADE
You heard what she said. Why don’t you take the proverbial hike?
DWAYNE
Hey, I’ll do whatever the lady wants. But it’s up to her, not you.
WADE
I think she’s already made her choice, pal.
DWAYNE
I don’t really remember asking what you thought.
KIM
Stop it. Both of you.
WADE
(hurt)
Kim...
KIM
Please, just let me talk for a minute. First of all. Dwayne, go home.
DWAYNE
So this is what you want? A guy who keeps a stuffed Yoda on his bed?
KIM/WADE
It’s a collector’s item.
DWAYNE
It is a doll.
WADE
You heard her. Go.
DWAYNE
I’m gonna ask you one more time. Is this what you want, Kim?
KIM
It’s what I need. Please. Go.
Dwayne gives her one last look before starting up his motorcycle engine
again.
DWAYNE
(to Wade)
If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.
KIM
Goodbye, Dwayne.
He goes.
Wade puts his arms around Kim.
WADE
It’s okay. He’s gone. Everything can go back to normal, and we can move on
with our lives.
Kim pulls away from him.
WADE (cont’d)
What?
KIM
We can’t go back, Wade.
WADE
What are you saying?
KIM
I’m saying, I need some time, some space...
WADE
But you just said-
KIM
This isn’t about Dwayne. It’s about me. See, in Boston, I always had a
boyfriend. Always had a date. I just assimilated myself into whatever
relationship I was absorbed in at the moment. I never took the time to think
about me, what I wanted, who I was.
WADE
I thought... I thought you loved me.
KIM
I do love you. That’s what makes this so hard. But I can’t keep on being
someone’s girlfriend. I have to be myself.
WADE
Don’t do this, Kim. I love you.
KIM
I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this. And I don’t deserve you.
WADE
(bitter)
You’re right. You don’t.
KIM
(her eyes beginning to tear)
Goodbye, Wade.
She walks away, leaving Wade alone, frozen, defeated.
int. wade’s room - night
Wade gazes longingly out the window. Sammy’s getting bored of this routine.
SAMMY
Look. You got dumped. It was bound to happen at some point in your life. It’s
on the list of required rites of passage for every teenage boy.
WADE
Why doesn’t that make me feel any better?
SAMMY
Because you’re taking the angst-ridden artist approach. You think all this
melancholy will somehow channel itself into creative genuis. But I’ll tell
you, Wade, if you’re gonna go that route you could at least take a slightly
less cliched approach.
WADE
I think I’m allowed at least one moment of genuine teen wallowing.
SAMMY
Okay. How about thinking about something... anything else?
WADE
Can’t. Everything relates back to Kim.
SAMMY
Wade... you’ve only known her six weeks. How can everything relate back to
her?
WADE
Well, it does.
SAMMY
Try thinking about movies.
WADE
(he thinks for a minute)
No use. I just imagine watching them with her.
SAMMY
(sighs)
Wade, have you ever considered taking a moment to stop imagining things in
your head, and tried taking a look at what’s right in front of you.
He looks for a minute. Then turns to Sammy...
WADE
You’re right!
Could this be...?
SAMMY
I am?
Wade gets up, moves toward her... but doesn’t stop. He heads straight for his
computer.
WADE
I’ve been THINKING about the situation with Kim, but I haven’t been doing
anything about it. I’m gonna send her an email. Thanks, Sammy!
Sammy looks after him, a sad near hopeless longing in her eyes.
SAMMY
Anytime, Wade.
(then, softly)
Anytime.
int. beauty pageant - night
An ANNOUNCER announces the winner of the local Miss Windbreaker contest.
ANNOUNCER
And this year’s Miss Windbreaker is.... Samantha Richards!
Sammy, a little dazed and self-conscious, accepts the crown. Wade watches
her, mesmerized. Ricky stands beside him.
RICKY
Man, whoever thought Sammy Richards would turn into such a babe? Dude, if you
don’t make your move fast, someone else will. Heck, maybe I will.
WADE
"Make my move?" What’s that supposed to mean?
RICKY
Please. Are you two just gonna keep Harry Met Sallying your way through this
relationship or are you ever gonna bite the bullet?
WADE
Ricky...What are you talking about??
RICKY
Wade, how can you be so consumed with subtext, and simultaneously, so unable
to transcend it?
WADE
What subtext?
RICKY
Do I have to spell it out? That beauty queen dish up there is totally, one
hundred percent in love with you. And you’re pretty gosh darn smitten
yourself.
WADE
No, Ricky... what Sammy and I have is different. I don’t know what to call
it but it’s not what you’re thinking it is...
RICKY
So what if I did ask her out?
WADE
Seriously?
RICKY
Yeah. Seriously. What if I asked her out? Would you be cool with that?
WADE
Of course.
RICKY
You would.
WADE
(slightly more hesitant)
Well... I mean, yeah, of course.
RICKY
Okay.
WADE
Okay...
RICKY
Well, I’m gonna go talk to her right now.
He turns to walk off. He turns back.
RICKY (cont’d)
Thanks, man. You’re the best.
Wade watches him go for a beat, then:
WADE
Wait a second.
RICKY
What?
WADE
I’m not so cool with that.
Wade looks at Ricky, finally able to take in what his friend has been telling
him all along.
ext. docks - night
Wade catches up to Sammy, still in her beauty pageant getup.
WADE
Hey... Sammy, wait up.
SAMMY
Hey.
WADE
What’s going on with us, Sammy?
SAMMY
Wade, if you don’t know by now...
She turns to go. But Wade takes her hand. She stops.
WADE
I do know. I think I do... I mean. Sammy... for the first time in my life, I
can’t string a sentence together when I’m around you.
They stare at each other for a long beat. Almost reminiscent of the two
children in the sandbox.
He looks at her, then:
WADE (cont’d)
It’s like, I looked at you tonight, and it was like, you were Sammy, but you
were a whole new Sammy to me. You weren’t just my friend, from down the
creek... I mean, you looked so beautiful...
SAMMY
Wade-
He moves in to kiss her, but she pulls away.
WADE (cont’d)
What’s wrong?
SAMMY
This... all this.
She takes off her crown.
SAMMY (cont’d)
I don’t know what I was thinking, Wade, me in a beauty contest --
masquerading as some kind of warped fairy tale princess. I mean, it’s so
painfully obvious that I could never compete with these trust fund babies.
WADE
Sammy, if only you could see yourself through my eyes.
SAMMY
Y’know, for the longest time I thought that was what I wanted -- for the boy
across the creek, my best friend, to see me as beautiful. It’s practcially
been the purpose of my life. Now it’s finally happened and you know what --
it feels wrong. The truth is, I want you to see me like you always have,
realizing that what we share transcends mere physical longings. Because this,
it’s just...
(wipes off her lipstick)
cosmetic enhancement --
(taking down her hair)
and hair spray. I’m still the same old Samantha -- the overly tall girl who
resides on the wrong side of the creek. The girl you’ve seen almost every day
for the last fifteen years and the one you watch movies with every Friday
night. If you look closely, Wade, you’ll see -- it’s just me.
Wade doesn’t know what to say.
SAMMY (cont’d)
I have to go.
WADE
Sammy, wait!
But she’s gone. And Wade can only watch, helplessly, after her.
ext. high school - day
Wade catches up to Sammy.
WADE
I’ve been looking everywhere for you.
SAMMY
Why?
WADE
Look, about the other night...
SAMMY
Just forget about it...
WADE
I can’t.
SAMMY
Why not?
WADE
There were things... I should have said.
SAMMY
Wade--
WADE
Wait, let me get this out. Sammy-- I think... I love you.
SAMMY
I -- I can’t believe you’re saying this. After all these years of hiding
behind high brow analytical posturing--
WADE
I’m saying it. I love you. I know it’s nonsensical.
SAMMY
Nonsensical? It’s insane! We’ve known each other for fifteen years.
Somewhere in there you couldn’t find the time to Freudian slip this little
cat out of the bag?!
WADE
I wanted to. So many times. You don’t know how long I’ve wrestled internally
with the psychological repercussions of my feelings.
SAMMY
I need some time to process here. My electrical synapses are on overload. My
brain says one thing. But my heart -- says something different. That I
should... should consider the unequivocal, possibly damaging, highly
irrational, hypnotically scarring proposition of, of... loving you back.
They melt together in a passionate KISS.
int. high school dance - night
Wade and Sammy dance together, happily, or so it seems to Wade. Kim dances
with HANK, an inarticulate loner.
WADE
You seem distant. Is anything wrong?
SAMMY
I’m fine. Do we have to dissect and deconstruct my every mood swing?
WADE
Of course not. I guess everything’s just been so great between us that I’m
actually scared of my own happiness. You know, like I’ve finally reached a
state of supreme and utter contentedness with you, and I just don’t want
anything to get in the way of that.
SAMMY
Well, don’t worry. Everything’s fine.
WADE
What about you? I mean, are you content?
Before she gets a chance to answer, Kim and Hank approach.
KIM
Hey, how ‘bout trading partners?
SAMMY
(eager to get out of the conversation)
Okay.
WADE
Sammy...
SAMMY
It’s just a dance, Wade.
WADE
Right. Just a dance.
Wade and Kim begin to dance. Sammy dances with Hank.
KIM
Did I interrupt something?
WADE
Not really.
KIM
You know, I’ve missed you, Wade.
WADE
(distracted)
Yeah?
KIM
But...you and Sammy are really happy. I can see that it’s for the best.
WADE
(unsure)
That’s right.
KIM
But tell me something, Wade. In this whole epic of Wade’s rediscovery of
Sammy, what did I represent? I mean, who does my character symbolize in the
evolving melodrama? Was I just a literary device, the necessary ephemeral
object of desire who furthers the plot by standing in the way of the hero and
the heroine? Or worse, did I simply epitomize the eternally flawed temptress
who makes the aforementioned hero realize that the girl next door is the one
he really wants?
WADE
No, Kim...you were more than that. So much more. And what we had was equally
critical and significant. It’s just...
KIM
What?
WADE
It’s just over.
Kim nods, a regretful acceptance. Their conversation effectively over, Wade
looks around for Sammy. She’s nowhere to be found. He looks at Kim, wanting
to go.
KIM
It’s all right. You can go look for her.
WADE
(meaning it)
Thanks Kim.
He takes off, and Kim watches him go.
int. hallway - night
Wade emerges from the dance, looking for Sammy. He’s shocked at what he sees.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Sammy is locked in an embrace -- kissing Hank. When she notices Wade, she
stops abruptly. Wade takes off. Sammy chases after him.
ext. parking lot - nigHT
Sammy chases Wade outside. He’s nowhere to be found.
ext. high school - day
The next day, at school. Sammy sees Wade, approaches him. He ignores her. She
finally catches up.
SAMMY
Wade. Hey, Wade. Why are you running from me?
WADE
Cause for the first time in fifteen years, you’re the last person I wanna
see.
He keps walking. She follows him a few more steps.
SAMMY
(angry)
At least let me explain.
WADE
(wounded)
What purpose can it possibly serve? You kissed another guy, in my mind
there’s absolutely, unequivocally nothing left to say -- EVER!
SAMMY
(even more angry)
You don’t even want to know why, do you? You’re not even listening.
WADE
There is no justifiable reason why the girl who supposedly spent her entire
life pretending I was the only thing that mattered threw it all away for a
thirty second cheap thrill!
They both begin to notice the crowd that has begun forming around them. It’s
embarrassing. They lower their voices.
SAMMY
It was a mistake, all right. An error in judgment. Don’t turn this into some
overdramatic theatrical spectacle!
WADE
Don’t try to turn this around and make this my fault.
SAMMY
I’m sorry, okay. I’m really sorry. Can we get past this?
WADE
That’s all you can say? You’re sorry?
SAMMY
What else do you want me to say?
WADE
Nothing. You’ve said enough.
And with that, he walks away, leaving her standing alone.
int. wade’s room - night
Wade sits at his computer, trying to get some work done. Frustrated.
Restless.
CU on Wade.
He’s exhausted. He hasn’t been sleeping. He stares at the screen, deletes a
huge chunk of text. He looks at the window, dejected. He tries to type, but
he’s too wound up. Finally, he makes a decision, gets up and climbs out the
window.
int. kim’s room - night
Stealthily her bed, sleeping. Wade climbs into bed with her and she awakens
with a start.
KIM
Wade! Are you-
WADE
Shh. Can we just not talk. For once in my overly articulate existence, I
don’t want to say another word.
KIM
We don’t have to say anything, Wade. We don’t have to say anything at all.
And with that, they melt into each other’s arms, kissing passionately as they
begin to make love...
ext. wade’s house - night
Sammy creeps up the ladder and pokes her head into Wade’s room.
int. wade’s room - night
Sammy climbs in the window.
SAMMY
Wade? Are you there?
But she hears no response. Realizing he’s not home, Sammy makes her way to
his bed, and sits for a minute. She picks up the stuffed Yoga and smiles at
it before getting up, moving towards the window, and exiting.
int. creekside high - day
The next morning, Sammy is at her locker, when Hank approaches her.
HANK
Hey, Sammy, how’re you doing?
SAMMY
I need a naked man.
HANK
That’s a non sequitur.
SAMMY
For my art project. I have to draw a naked guy, and I missed the class when
the model was there.
HANK
I’ll do it.
SAMMY
Nah, that’s okay. I mean, I guess I’ll just ask Wade to do it. I mean, things
are kind of weird between us right now, but, I mean, we’ve known each other
forever...I’ve seen him naked before.
HANK
Well, from what I hear, you’re not the only one.
SAMMY
What do you mean?
As they talk, Kim and Wade pass by at the other end of the hall.
HANK
Don’t look now, but word all over school is those two were ???.
Kim looks directly at Sammy, and Sammy instantly knows it’s true.
SAMMY
I have to go.
She takes off, just as Wade notices the situation.
WADE
Sammy...
He takes off after her.
int. wade’s room - night
It’s late. Wade enters, defeated, opens his closet door to find Sammy sitting
there.
WADE
Sammy, I am so sorry you had to find out about me and Kim that way...
SAMMY
So, it’s true.
Wade doesn’t say anything. His silence says it all.
SAMMY (cont’d)
Well, I guess now I don’t have to wonder any more if we’d be each others’
firsts.
WADE
I thought we already weren’t.
SAMMY
What do you mean?
WADE
Didn’t you and Hank--?
SAMMY
No! Of course not!
WADE
I...I thought you did.
SAMMY
Why did you?
WADE
I don’t know.
SAMMY
That’s not an answer.
WADE
It’s the only one you’re gonna get.
There’s a pause. They look at each other.
WADE (cont’d)
Sammy...I miss you.
SAMMY
I miss you too.
WADE
And I don’t want to turn this into some incredible, maudlin Arthur
Miller-esque tragic finale where the hero realizes he’s been responsible for
his own undoing, but I miss you. It hurts not having you around. I miss
sharing things -- nothing’s the same without you. I just miss being friends.
SAMMY
I miss that too.
WADE
And I wish there was a way to... to sort of take it from the top, you know?
Go back, Rewind the tape, recapture at least some minimal percentage of our
voluminous history together...
SAMMY
We can’t go back Wade. We’re growing up. It happens to everyone. Even Luke
Skywalker knew when it was time to leave Tattoine.
WADE
Well, then let’s not go back. Let’s try to become friends again.
SAMMY
Is that really all you want?
Wade thinks about it.
WADE
I think that’s what we were meant to be...
Sammy moves to the window. She’s leaving.
WADE
But, wait, Sammy...
SAMMY
We’ve chased each other too many times, Wade. Unless you have anything else
to say to me, it’s time to let me go.
Wade goes quiet. There’s a long, painful silence, and Sammy turns to go.
SAMMY
Good night, Wade.
WADE
(almost inaudible)
Good night.
Sammy climbs out the window. She climbs down the ladder and into her rowboat.
Wade watches out the window..."if only..." And without looking back, Sammy
rows away.
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