Small Romantic
PAST
INT - SAN FRANCISCO – DAY
Establishing shot of the city of San Francisco. At Alex and Ben’s Mother’s funeral; Alex’s best friend Melanie and her sister Amelia are in attendance along with Mr. Winchester. Across the way in an orange jumpsuit is Ben and Alex’s father, alongside two officers. Ending the scene on Mr. Ferndale, Alex and Ben’s father getting back in the squad car.
EXT – MOVIE THEATER – DAY - CONT’D
Ben trying to buy tickets to an R rated movie and forgot his I.D. at home. He isn’t able to get Alex into a film.
BEN
(To Ticket Attendant)
Look, I’m just trying to see a movie with my brother.
TICKET ATTENDANT
I’m sorry, sir, he needs to be with a guardian 18 years or older or a relative 21 or older, with proper I.D.
BEN
I am his Guardian.
(Beat)
We just came from our mother’s funeral. I forgot my I.D. at home.
TICKET ATTENDANT
I’m sorry.
PRESENT DAY
EXT – FERNDALE HOUSE – DAY
Alex sees Melanie across the street with a new girl, Kiely that has captured his attention, to the fullest. Melanie and Kiely glance over at Alex and giggle. Mr. Winchester is standing in his driveway. He is Alex’s other next door neighbor.
ALEX
(Responding to the giggling)
That’s never good.
MR WINCHESTER
Alex, relax.
(Beat)
They’re just girls.
(Beat)
You shouldn’t be afraid of them yet.
(BEAT)
No matter what anyone tells you, be yourself.
MELANIE runs across the street to ALEX.
MEL
(To ALEX)
That’s Kiely.
(Beat)
She just moved here from Seattle.
(Beat)
He parents are having this “meet and greet” party-type thing, tonight at 7.
(Beat)
She invited me and said to bring a friend.
(Beat)
Why don’t you come along, I’ll introduce you.
(Longer Beat)
You know you like her.
ALEX
What?
(Beat)
I’ve been in the driveway for two minutes.
MEL
Try ten, the whole time starring at her.
ALEX
Whatever.
MEL
(Walking near her door)
I mean you weren’t starring at me, were you?
ALEX
(As Ben is walking outside)
Fine, I like her.
MEL
(Smiles)
Be ready by 7. Meet me at my house.
MEL WALKS INSIDE.
BEN
(To Alex as passing)
Like who?
(Alex looks over to Kiely’s house; her mom is out as well)
Her?
(Beat)
She’s too old for you.
ALEX
Not her, the other one, the girl my age.
(Beat)
Just got myself invited to meet and greet.
(Beat)
Whoopty-doo!
ALEX goes INSIDE
BEN
(To Mr. Winchester)
What was that?
MR WINCHESTER
That is your brother growing up.
(Beat)
New girl’s parents are having a meet and greet party.
BEN
Oh.
(Beat)
Mel, tricked him into it?
(MR WINCHESTER nods yes)
Smooth.
INT – KENNER HOUSE – NIGHT – CONT
Melanie and Alex just arrived and Kiely makes her way to them to welcome them in.
KIELY
(To Mel)
What’s up?
(Beat)
Glad you could come.
MEL
Yeah, me too.
(Beat)
I brought a friend, my next door neighbor, Alex Ferndale.
KIELY
(To Alex)
Hi, I’m Kiely.
ALEX is too mesmerized by Kiely’s beauty to speak, and just stares at her.
MEL
(Snapping finger in Alex’s face)
Hey, lover boy!
ALEX
(Snaps out of trance)
Oh no.
(Beat)
How long was I out?
MEL
Long enough to make your crush disappear.
ALEX
Crap.
(MEL smiles and giggles)
What?
MEL
Never mind, catch up with you later.
(MEL leaves room)
INT – KENNER KITCHEN – NIGHT – CONT
Later that night at the party, Alex sits at the Kenner’s kitchen table, with a soda, and it seems empty, reflecting what Alex feels. Music is heard softly from the other room.
KIELY enters and the two have their first real conversation.
KIELY
(Sees Alex)
OH, I’m sorry.
(Beat)
Are you okay?
(Beat)
Do you want to be left alone?
ALEX
(Nervously)
No, it’s okay.
KIELY
Not the party type are you, Alex?
ALEX
Wow!
KIELY
What?
ALEX
You remembered my name.
KIELY
Alex isn’t that hard to remember.
ALEX
No, I mean I usually don’t make a big enough impression on people for them to care about remembering my name.
KIELY
Don’t say that.
MR. KENNER walks in, and is in a bit of a hurry.
MR KENNER
(To KIELY)
Kay, there you are.
(Beat)
We need you out there.
(Beat)
You mom is starting to try and dance.
KIELY
Dad, this Alex, he’s our neighbor across the street.
MR KENNER
How is going?
(He peaks out into the other room)
Hurry, Kiely, I can’t stall forever.
(BEAT)
Nice meeting you, Andy.
(LEAVES ROOM)
ALEX uses his hand gesturing as if to say told you so.
KIELY
Don’t use my dad as and example. He’s a bit of loose nut.
ALEX
Why is someone like you talking to me?
KIELY
Someone like me?
(Beat)
I don’t understand.
ALEX
Never mind.
(Beat)
I should get going.
(Beat)
Have you seen Melanie?
KIELY doesn’t respond.
AS ALEX approaches the door, KIELY drops a bombshell.
KIELY
So, I hear you like me.
ALEX
What?
(Beat)
Where did you hear that?
KIELY
Come ‘on Alex, I know two people, you and Melanie.
(Beat)
I know you didn’t tell me.
ALEX
Mel was never good at keeping secrets.
KIELY
So, do you?
ALEX
Maybe.
(Beat)
Maybe not.
KIELY
(Approaching Alex)
Well, I know one thing.
(Beat)
I could use a tour guide.
(Beat)
I want to explore this city, but don’t know anything about it.
(Alex still nervous is silent)
Look, lighten up. I’m not a celebrity.
(Beat)
I don’t bite.
(Alex still silent)
Well if you want to go on a tour here’s my number.
(She writes the number on his hand)
INT – FERNDALE HOUSE – NIGHT – CONT
Alex walks in from the meet and greet and is brother walks in front of him.
BEN
(Sees Alex)
Hey there.
(Beat)
How was the shindig?
(Beat)
Hey your big bro just got the Samson partnership! High Five!
ALEX high fives him reluctantly, BEN notices the ink on his hand and grabs it in the middle of the high five.
BEN
Whoa what’s this?
(BEAT)
A girl’s number?
(Beat)
How come I can’t be that smooth?
(Beat)
You meet a girl who’s moved in for a day and a half and get her number.
(Beat)
I got to ask, what line did you use?
ALEX
I didn’t.
(Beat)
We just talked, in her kitchen and she writes her number down.
(Beat)
She just wants to be friends.
(Beat)
She wants me to be her tour guide of San Francisco.
BEN
Whoa!
(Beat)
She sure has an odd way of wanting to be just friends if she gave you her number already.
ALEX
Besides I only know like three places in San Francisco.
BEN
So, that’s better than what she knows.
(Beat)
Plus it’s a start.
(Beat)
It’s up to you, but I think you should give her a chance.
(Beat)
Worst case you make a new friend.
ALEX
No.
(Beat)
Worst case, I go for it and she rejects me and now I’ve lost the chance at friendship.
(Beat)
I need to be alone.
(Goes to his room)
BEN
What do you mean by go for it?
ALEX (O.S.)
(From his room)
Not what you’re thinking.
BEN
Okay.
(Beat)
Just checking.
EXT – SAN FRANCISCO – DAY
Alex and Kiely are walking through the Financial District and Alex is explaining landmarks and other tourist attractions and other things as he sees them. Alex and Kiely are now having their second conversation, and in this one, Alex becomes a little less shy in communicating and speaking to Kiely.
WALKING ALONG THE SIDEWALK THROUGH FINANCIAL DISTRICT
ALEX
So, that’s the Financial District.
(Beat)
Fairly boring, I think.
KIELY
I guess it depends on what you see as boring.
(Long Beat)
In this case I’d have to agree with you.
(Beat)
Where is all the tourist-type things in this city?
ALEX
There’s tons of stuff to do. I just wasn’t sure where to start.
(Long Beat)
What sort of stuff are you into?
(Beat)
Wait; let me guess…the mall, boys, beach, shoes, and more boys?
KIELY
(Chuckles)
Actually
(Beat)
I like to think I’m different from the stereotypical modern day female of valley-girl-ish speak.
(Beat)
ALEX
Are you?
KIELY
You tell me.
ALEX
I’ve known for only forty-eight hours.
(Beat)
I can’t tell yet.
(Long Beat)
But from what I can tell is you are different.
KIELY
Thank you.
ALEX
Anyway what kind of stuff are you into?
KIELY
I like photography.
(Beat)
I love photographing scenic views, close ups of roses, and portraits in nature.
(Beat)
I can tell you I’ve always wanted to visit the Golden Gate Bridge, and Central Park, and Grenrich Village.
ALEX
Okay, so mainly nation landmarks and nature.
(Beat)
We don’t have a Central Park, but Golden Gate Park is a good park for you nature and scenic and rose photo opportunities.
(Beat)
Landmarks, we’ve got the Golden Gate Bridge and also Coit Tower.
(Beat)
Both offer good panoramic views of the cityscape and beyond.
KIELY
But I didn’t remember to bring my camera.
ALEX
There’s your first mistake.
(Beat)
Always bring your camera.
(Beat)
Everywhere you go.
(Beat)
I do mean everywhere.
LONG PAUSE, AWKWARD SILENCE.
ALEX
I mean except for a few places, like the shower and bathroom.
KIELY
I figured that, but I just thought it was funny that you thought I didn’t know.
ALEX
(Sarcastically)
Yeah. Really funny, Kiely!
KIELY
(Being silly)
Like Totally.
THEY STOP WALKING.
ALEX
(Halfway to the store door)
I’ll be right back.
ALEX COMES OUT WITH A THROW AWAY CAMERA WITH FLASH.
ALEX
(Handing KIELY the CAMERA)
A simple throw away camera. If you can deal with the agony of having to get it developed.
KIELY
I think I’ll survive.
(Beat)
Thank you.
ALEX
Where do you want to go first?
KIELY
Alex?
(Beat)
This is where the boy is supposed to lead.
ALEX
Oh okay then.
(Whistles for a Cab, one stops he opens the door)
After you
KIELY
(Getting in)
Where are we going?
ALEX
Kiely?
(Beat)
This is where the boy surprises the girl.
(KIELY SMILES)
EXT – Golden Gate BRIDGE – DAY – CONT
MONTAGUE
Alex and Kiely are standing on the Golden Gate Bridge and Kiely has her camera with and is snapping photos of the city and the other side of where the bridge takes you. They get a couple of tourists to take a couple of photos of the two of them.
Kiely asks a couple tourists to take a photo of her and Alex. They do and Kiely puts her arm around Alex and they smile, after the photo when Kiely goes to retrieve the camera, Alex sits by himself and watches Kiely thank the couple.
KIELY
Thank you very much for taking our photo.
COUPLE
(In unison)
You’re welcome.
ALEX WATCHES from the foreground.
MONTAGUE CONTINUES
EXT – GOLDEN GATE PARK – DAY – CONT
Alex and Kiely are roaming around Golden Gate Park and snapping photos and getting other tourists to take photos of the two. Alex is still a little nervous of holding hands even though Kiely is pretty comfortable putting her arm around him.
They continue to through Golden Gate Park to the Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. Continuing to the Roman Bridge and stopping to take photos at the Rose Garden. Before moving on to the Japanese Tea Garden to take a ride on a boat, but the station is closed today. The move on to the Conservatory of Flowers, which as they enter Kiely is mesmerized.
KIELY
It’s beautiful.
MONTAGUE CONTINUES
Taking photos of anything they can.
MONTAGUE CONTINUES
They exit the Conservatory and continue walking a few feet.
MONTAGUE ENDS
EXT – CONSERVATORY ENTRANCE – DAY - CONT
ALEX
(To Kiely)
Are you hungry?
KIELY
Yeah, I could eat something.
EXT – CAFE – DAY
ALEX AND KIELY ARE SIPPING ON THEIR MILKSHAKES FROM THE ICE CREAM SHOP.
EXT – CITY BLOCKS – NIGHT – CONT
Kiely and Alex are walking up a hill toward their block, and we see from behind them that they are not holding hands.
EXT – CITY BLOCKS – NIGHT – CONT
Kiely and Alex continuing walking up the hill to Alex’s house, and they stop and look at one another and look down and notice that they have been holding hands sub-consciously.
KIELY
(Looking down with Alex, who pulls away quickly)
Well, thank you for being my tour guide today.
(Beat)
I had a lot of fun.
ALEX
Yeah, me too.
(Ben is in off screen blocking the front door)
KIELY
Well I should get inside.
ALEX
Yeah.
(AWKWARD SILENCE)
KIELY
Well, see you later.
(Kiely walks across the street. Alex watches like a deer in head lights).
ALEX
(Walks to the front door, encounters Ben)
Don’t say anything!
BEN
(Arms up in surrender)
I wasn’t going to say anything.
ALEX
Bullshit.
BEN
Hey! Watch the language.
ALEX
Not like I haven’t heard it before.
BEN
No, I know.
(Beat)
It just creeps me out when I hear it from you.
(Alex sits on the couch)
What are you so afraid of?
ALEX
I’m not afraid.
BEN
Bullshit.
(Beat)
Alex, I’m pretty sure I can tell when someone is afraid.
(Beat)
Especially afraid of girls.
(Beat)
They are scary.
ALEX
Just shut-up will ya?
BEN
Okay.
(Walks away)
I have to say that was one heart felt poem.
(Beat)
ALEX
(Shocked)
You went through my stuff?
BEN
It was lying on the floor, I didn’t mean to read but it was kind of hard to know what it was without reading it.
ALEX
Crap!
BEN
What?
(Beat)
I’d have to bet that she likes you.
ALEX
No shit, Sherlock.
(Beat)
I know that.
BEN
Then what are you afraid of?
ALEX
You read the poem, what do you think?