Clean Slate (1)
Michael J Norman

 

FADE IN:

EXT.CABIN-LAKE-NIGHT

We are introduced to BRANDON SLATE. Young, in his early twenties, is pulling a small rowboat into a large lake.

We see him sitting alone in the middle of the lake crying. He pulls a gun out of a small cigar box placed on his lap. He places the gun aimed at his heart.

We pull away until the boat is barely visible, and we hear the sound of a GUNSHOT break the silence.

DISOLVE TO:

ONE YEAR LATER

INT.CABIN-BEDROOM-DAY

We see a lump of covers in the middle of a bed.

An ALARM CLOCK sounds. Suddenly a hand appears from the lump slamming down on the clock silencing it. Slowly the lump moves as Brandon emerges from the covers.

He rubs his face. As he stretches we closely see a scar on his chest.

EXT.CABIN-SOME TIME LATER

Brandon walks out the front door locking it behind him. He walks down the steps and sees a small bird flailing about unable to leave the ground.

He walks over to the bird, unsure why he picks up the bird. Cupping the bird in his hand he sees that the bird’s wing is broken. As he touches the wing a small flash of light appears and the bird flies from his hands.

Brandon watches the bird fly away.

INT.COLLEGE-JANITOR’S CLOSET-DAY

We pan through a janitor’s closet. The walls of the small room, is covered with movie posters, some from the past and some from the present. The room appears to be more of a small office than a janitor’s closet. There’s a desk tucked over in a corner.

We see the door open and Brandon enters. He’s wearing a gray jumpsuit. We follow Brandon as walks over to a shelf where a little white mouse is in a cage. He drops a few pellets of food in the gage then grabs a mop and bucket and leaves the room.

INT.COLLEGE-HALL-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon is mopping a floor down one of the college’s halls. CASEY BLAKES walks by with two friends of hers MARY and JEN. Just by looking at the threesome we can tell that they come from money, beautiful and dressed in the latest co Calvin Klein.

Brandon can’t help but to stare as they pass.

MARY
Did you guys notice the janitor checking us out?

The girls stop and turn around and see Brandon looking at them. Brandon embarrassed starts to push the mop again.

JEN
Typical. Just admiring what he can’t have.

INT.COLLEGE-GYMNASIUM-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon is standing in line to register for classes. He’s very quiet and to-himself. Casey and her two friends get in line a few people behind him.



MARY
What’s the janitor doing in line to register?

JEN
Maybe he’s signing up for toilets 101.

CASEY
You guys.

MARY
What?

CASEY
Leave him alone.

JEN
We’re just joking, lighten up a little.

Brandon is up to register for his classes. Casey is trying to listen to what he’s registering for. She over hears;

COUNSELOR
Okay so that’s Psychology 256A at nine a.m.

Casey looks at her schedule and sees “Psychology 256B at noon.” She quickly erases the “B” and changes it to “A”.

Brandon finishes up at the table and turns to leave, accidentally bumping into Casey knocking papers from her hands.

BRANDON
I, I’m sorry.

Brandon bends down to start picking up the papers.

CASEY
It’s okay.

She’s down helping him pick up the papers.

BRANDON
No, it’s my fault I’m so sorry.

Brandon and Casey stand up.

CASEY
Look it’s okay, really.

Brandon hands her the last bit of papers touching her hand. Casey moves forward in the line then realizing her hand is being held by Brandon. Brandon gently releases her hand and slowly walks away looking at Casey until she disappears in the crowd.

JEN
Are you okay, Casey?

Casey in a slight daze.

CASEY
What? Oh yeah I’m fine.

MARY
He didn’t like, try to molest you or anything?

Mary and Jen look at each other and cringe at the thought.

JEN
Just think about where his hands might have been.

MARY/JEN
Oh gross.

Casey stares at Brandon as he walks away, ignoring Mary and Jen’s comments.

INT.COLLEGE-HALL-MOMENTS LATER

The college seems more like a ghost town. Brandon is locking the janitor’s closet. Casey comes up behind him.


CASEY
Hey, what’s up?

Brandon turns and sees Casey.

BRANDON
Oh, hi.

CASEY
So you’re a student too?

BRANDON
Yeah sort-of.

CASEY
So what’s your major?

BRANDON
I don’t know, haven’t really given much thought to majoring in anything.

CASEY
So what, you just take classes for fun?

BRANDON
Well yeah actually. I just take what interests me.

CASEY
That must be cool to have that kind of freedom.

Mary walks up.

MARY
C’mon we have to jet.

CASEY
Well look it was nice talking to you.

BRANDON
It was nice…

Mary pulls Casey away before he can return the compliment.


BRANDON
…talking to you.

EXT.COLLEGE-PARKING LOT-MOMENTS LATER

Mary, Jen and Casey are standing by Mary’s car in the parking lot.

MARY
You’ll never believe who Casey was talking to.

JEN
Who?

MARY
The janitor-boy.

JEN
No way.

MARY
Oh so yes way.

CASEY
Would you stop? We were just talking.

We see Brandon walk out.

MARY
Look there is toilet-boy now.

We see Brandon across the parking lot walk to a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

MARY
How many toilets do you think he had to clean to get that?

CASEY
C’mon stop I’m serious.



MARY
I so don’t believe you. You can’t tell me you find him attractive.

CASEY
I’m not saying that. Just stop.

They get in the car.

EXT.DORM-MOMENTS LATER

Mary, Jen and Casey are getting out of the car.

MARY
Casey, are you okay?

CASEY
Yeah. It’s just…

They start to walk toward the Dorm.

JEN
Just what?

CASEY
It’s just when he bumped into me.

MARY
You’re still thinking about the janitor?
(beat)
Casey, there is really something wrong with you.

JEN
Let her finish.
(at Casey)
What about when he bumped into you?



CASEY
Well, when he touched me I got this feeling.

JEN
What kind of feeling?
CASEY
I don’t know. Almost like a surge. A spark.

MARY
You probably just got high off of his smell of toilet cleaner.

CASEY
Forget I said anything.

Casey walks off mad.

Jen looks at Mary.

MARY
What? What did I say?

Jen tries to catch up to Casey.

MARY
He’s a damn janitor.

INT.COLLEGE-CLASS-DAY

We pan through a class and see Casey sitting by herself with an empty chair next to her. Brandon walks in and looks around and Casey motions for him.

CASEY
Hey, over here.

Brandon walks over and sits down.

BRANDON
Thanks.


CASEY
So I never got your name.

BRANDON
Oh, it’s Brandon.

He extends his hand.

CASEY
Hi I’m Casey.

The PROFESSOR walks in and introduces himself to the class.
Then…

CUT TO:

It’s the end of the class.

PROFESSOR
So now your first assignment. Read the first three chapters and be ready for a quiz on it next class.

The students leave the class in a hurd.

EXT.COLLEGE-PARKING LOT-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon and Casey are walking to the parking lot together.

CASEY
So are you doing anything today?

BRANDON
No, just going to do the reading for the assignment.

CASEY
You think we could catch lunch together?

BRANDON
Sure. I know this place.

CASEY
Oh, well I don’t have my car I caught a ride with a friend. So I thought we could just grab something here.

BRANDON
You mean eat in the cafeteria? Trust me you don’t want to do that, I work here remember?

By now they are standing by Brandon’s motorcycle.

BRANDON
C’mon you can ride on the back of my bike.

CASEY
I don’t know I’ve never…

Brandon hops on the bike and hands her a helmet. Brandon looks at her intently but trusting and extends his hand.

BRANDON
Do you trust me?

CASEY
I don’t know you.

Brandon asks once again but even more intently.

BRANDON
Do you trust me?

CASEY
I don’t know why, but I feel like I have no reason not to.

EXT.FOOD STAND-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon and Casey are sitting outside of a small food stand enjoying a couple burgers and fries.

CASEY
Wow, this is good.

BRANDON
Yeah, I’ve been coming here for a while.

CASEY
Can I ask you a question?

BRANDON
Shoot.

CASEY
Why are you a janitor? I’ve heard of students doing some crappy jobs to pay for school, but a janitor?

BRANDON
I had a feeling that question would pop up.

CASEY
I’m sorry if…

BRANDON
No, it’s okay. Just things aren’t always what they seem.

Then Casey lets out a squeal.

CASEY
Ow, crap!

BRANDON
What?!

CASEY
I think I just got stung by a bee.

BRANDON
Let me see.

Brandon walks around to her and looks at her upper thigh. He gently touches her leg. Casey is trying to hide the fact that she likes it.

BRANDON
Well it wasn’t a bee. There’s no stinger, it was a yellow-jacket.

Brandon gently touches the sore on her leg.

Casey gets a strange sensation.

We see Brandon cover the sore with his hand. He closes his eyes then…

…the pain is gone.

BRANDON
How does it feel?

CASEY
Wow it actually stopped hurting.

Mary and Jen drive up and blow the horn.

MARY
Hey, Casey! C’mon!

CASEY
Oh crap. Look I have to go I’m sorry.

BRANDON
No that’s okay.

Brandon and Casey stand up.

CASEY
Look thanks for the burger, and I’ll see you in class?

BRANDON
Yeah I’ll see you in class.
CASEY
Oh thanks for the first aid thing.

BRANDON
No problem, just put a little Neosporin on it, and it should be fine tomorrow.

Mary blows the horn.

BRANDON
You’d better go.

CASEY
Yeah, thanks again.

Casey walks over and gets into Mary’s car.

MARY
Just what are you doing?
(beat)
You don’t even know him, he could be like some killer or something.

JEN
I can see it now. Casey Blakes killed by the toilet-boy, plunged to-death.

CASEY
Please, he’s in my psychss class.

As they drive off Casey looks back and sees Brandon standing alone watching them leave.

INT.MALL-CLOTHING STORE-MOMENTS LATER

Casey, Mary and Jen are sorting through a rack of clothes.

MARY
What about this?

JEN
No way, it makes you look so fat.

MARY
Not. What do you think Casey?

Casey is deep in thought.

MARY
Casey? Hello?

CASEY
What?

JEN
You so need to get your mind out of the toilet-bowl.

CASEY
Funny, real funny.

MARY
So what are you going to do about Sal?

CASEY
What do you mean what am I going to do?

JEN
Well it’s obvious you have something for this toilet-boy, not sure what but something.

CASEY
I do not. We just have class together.

MARY
Yeah okay. Keep trying to convince yourself.

JEN
Look Sal comes back from Europe in a week, what then?

CASEY
Nothing. Look, I love Sal.

INT.COLLEGE-HALL-NIGHT

Brandon is buffing the floor. He comes in front of a window and stops. Looking out the window he looks up at a sky blanketed with stars.

CUT TO:

Brandon runs out of a door on the roof of the college. Looking up at the sky he sees what looks like hundreds of falling stars. He lays down on the roof, looking up at all the stars, intently as if he may never see them again.

INT.COLLEGE-CLASS-DAY

The Psychology professor is passing out graded papers.

PROFESSOR
Well all in all not too bad, for a first quiz anyway.
(beat)
Mr. Kemp?

KEMP is a die hard skater, with hair every color but natural.

KEMP
Dude?

PROFESSOR
Answering “why not” to every question is not how to pass this class.

The professor continues to pass out papers and comes to Brandon’s.


PROFESSOR
Mr. Slate?

BRANDON
Sir?

PROFESSOR
What can I say? Perfect score.

PROFESSOR
Ms. Blakes?

CASEY
Sir?

PROFESSOR
Try reading the assignment next time.

Casey sinks in her seat with embarrassment.

CUT TO:

The end of class, Brandon and Casey are heading to the door.

CASEY
What are you doing tonight?

BRANDON
Well I have to go to work now but I should be off at nine. Why?

CASEY
No reason, I just thought that we could study together.

BRANDON
That’s cool. Could you be here when I get off?



CASEY
Yeah, where should I meet you?

They are standing in front of the janitor’s closet.

BRANDON
Right her is fine.

Casey is a little uneasy.

CASEY
Um, okay.

Mary and Jen walk up.

MARY
C’mon Casey.
(beat)
Oh hey.

CASEY
This is Brandon.
(beat)
Brandon this is Mary and Jen.

BRANDON
Hello.

MARY
Aren’t you the janitor?

BRANDON
Uh, yeah.

Brandon is now put-off by Casey’s friends.

MARY
I thought so. I almost didn’t recognize you out of your standard uniform.

CASEY
Mary, stop.

BRANDON
It’s okay, look I have to get to work.

MARY
Oh yeah by the way the girls room on the second floor is atrocious.

BRANDON
I’ll get right to it.

He replies sarcastically.

CASEY
See ya.

As she is being pulled away by her friends.

BRANDON
See ya.

INT.COLLEGE-JANITOR’S CLOSET-NIGHT

Brandon is sitting at the crowded desk reading “Gone With the Wind”. The door is open a crack behind him and Casey light knocks as she enters.

CASEY
Hello?

BRANDON
Oh, hey I was just doing a little reading.

Brandon gets up from his seat to take off his jumpsuit.

CASEY
Really?

She walks over and looks at the book.

CASEY
“Gone With the Wind”?

BRANDON
Yeah.

CASEY
I see you must be into moveis.

She looks at all the movie posters on the wall.

BRANDON
Yeah, it’s my way of escaping.

CASEY
Escaping what?

BRANDON
Life, I guess.
(beat)
It gives me kind of a false hope that things can get better.

CASEY
Why false hope?

BRANDON
Well it’s a story, nothing more nothing less, just a story. It’s not real.

CASEY
Yeah, but you can still have hope.

BRANDON
I guess that all depends on what you hope for.

Casey sees the mouse over on a shelf.

CASEY
Oh my god that’s a mouse.


BRANDON
Oh yeah it’s Frank.


CASEY
Frank?

BRANDON
Yeah as in Sinatra.
(beat)
Pappy found him wondering the halls one night.

CASEY
Who’s Pappy?

Suddenly a mans voice sounds behind Casey. It’s PAPPY, an older man who’s face shows stories and wisdom.

PAPPY
Don’t ya know that there are better places to take a lady than a janitor’s closet?

BRANDON
Hey, Pappy.
(beat)
Pappy this is Casey. Casey, Pappy.

CASEY
Nice to meet you.

PAPPY
The pleasure is all mine, dear.

Pappy kisses the top of Casey’s hand.

PAPPY
I haven’t seen such beauty since my beautiful Louise, God rest her soul.
(beat)

PAPPY(CONT’D)
So I see you got to meet Frank.

CASEY
Yeah, I’m not fond of mice though.

PAPPY
Yeah their kind of like old people. People are repulsed by them at first, but they grow on ya.

BRANDON
Well Pappy we have to get going.

PAPPY
Okay. It was nice meeting you.

As they leave Brandon grabs a blanket.

Pappy O.C. is singing an old Frank Sinatra song, happy with the world.

Brandon and Casey are walking up a flight of dark stairs.

CASEY
Where are we going? I don’t feel to good about this.

Brandon turns to her with the same intense and honest look as before.

BRANDON
Do you trust me?

He extends his hand. Casey still not sure why she does, take his hand.

CASEY
Yes.
EXT.COLLEGE-ROOF-MOMENTS LATER

The door opens to the roof, Brandon and Casey walk out.

CASEY
Is this okay?

BRANDON
It’s fine.

Brandon takes her to the middle of the roof and spreads out the blanket.

CASEY
This the first time I’ve been on the roof of a building before.

They sit on the blanket next to each other.

BRANDON
I come up here a lot.

CASEY
Really?

BRANDON
Yeah, It’s so quiet, so peaceful.

Brandon crosses his legs and leads Casey’s head back to rest on his legs.

CASEY
What are you doing?

BRANDON
Just lay back.

She lays back, starring at the stars.

CASEY
What am I looking for?


BRANDON
Just wait a minute, you’ll see.

Suddenly the sky puts on a light show of falling stars.

CASEY
Wow, that’s beautiful.

BRANDON
It’s a meteor shower.

CASEY
It’s like the sky is alive.
(beat)
I’ve never seen any thing like this before.

BRANDON
Many people haven’t. They don’t take the time to notice what goes on around them.

Brandon’s hand starts to gently caress Casey’s hair.

Casey closes her eyes savoring every stroke of his fingers through her hair. She holds his hand, leading it down the side of her face. She gets up and looks at Brandon.

Brandon is nervous, as if he’s never seen such beauty. Casey touches his face, softly brushing her finger across his lips. They move in a kiss.

It’s a kiss filled with such passion, as if it’s been bottled up impatiently waiting to come out.

INT-COLLEGE-CASEY’S DORM-MOMENTS LATER
 
Casey is sitting at her desk writing. She pauses momentarily to look out the window. She sees a silhouetted figure of Brandon standing on the roof of an adjacent building.

She turns out the light and looks at the roof one more time, he’s gone.

She goes to bed. Lying in the dark touching her lips, thinking about him.

INT.COLLEGE-HALL-DAY

Brandon is mopping the floor, Casey walks up.

CASEY
Hey.

BRANDON
Oh, hey.
(beat)
Look about last night…

CASEY
No you don’t have to say anything.

BRANDON
No, I do.
(beat)
I didn’t plan for that, it just sort of happened. I’m sorry.

CASEY
It’s okay.

BRANDON
I don’t think we did much studying.

CASEY
That’s okay. I didn’t really plan on doing much studying anyway.

BRANDON
Oh really?




CASEY
(with a little smile)
I think we should change the subject.

BRANDON
Look, are you doing anything this weekend?

CASEY
No, not as of yet. Why?

BRANDON
Well, I know someone who has a cabin on a lake, not far from here. I have to go up there and finish building a deck. I was wondering if you would want to come with me?

CASEY
I don’t know, Brandon. It’s weird I don’t really know you.

BRANDON
I know that it may be kind of soon for something like this.
(beat)
Do you trust me?

In his usual intensity.
CASEY
I can’t figure out why, but yeah.

BRANDON
So do you want to go?

CASEY
Well on one condition.

BRANDON
What’s that?

CASEY
We take my car, I’m not riding on the back of your bike.

They share a laugh.

BRANDON
Deal.
(beat)
I’ll meet you at your car at eight tomorrow. Is that okay?

CASEY
No that’s fine I don’t have a class on Fridays.
(beat)
I drive a white beamer. Here’s my tag.

Casey rips out a piece of paper and scratches her plate number on it. She hands it to Brandon, it reads “PRINCES”.

BRANDON
You’re kidding me, right?

He laughs.

CASEY
No, it was a gift from my father.
(beat)
Well, I have to go meet Mary and Jen.

BRANDON
Ah, Mary and Jen.
(beat)
Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.

CASEY
Great, see ya.

She walks off. Brandon looks at the scrap paper once again.

BRANDON
Princes.

He laughs.

INT.COLLEGE-JANITOR’S CLOSET-NIGHT
 
Pappy walks in while Brandon is reading at the desk.

PAPPY
Good evenin’.

BRANDON
Hey, Pappy.

Pappy walks over to Frank and drops a few pellets in his cage.

PAPPY
How’s ole blue-eyes doin’ this evenin’?
(beat)
That’s a nice girl ya got there.

Brandon stops rading and turns around.

BRANDON
Yeah, she is great. But she’s far from mine.

PAPPY
Oh, what makes you believe this?

BRANDON
We’re just two really different people.

PAPPY
So.

BRANDON
So there’s no way it’ll work.

PAPPY
Look, let me tell ya a story.
(beat)
It’s about this guy and gal. The guy worked all his life just tryin’ to make it. The gal grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. This guy fell in love with this gal and he stopped at nothin’ till he had her.

BRANDON
Let me guess it was you and Louise.

PAPPY
Are you kiddin’ me and Louise both were dirt poor. I just thought it made a good story.

BRANDON
So it never happened.

Pappy on his way out the door with a janitor’s cart.

PAPPY
Doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

Pappy O.C. fades away singing Frank Sinatra.

EXT.DORM-PARKING LOT-DAY

Brandon is waiting outside by Casey’s car.

BRANDON
Princes.

INT.DORM-CASEY’S ROOM-SAME TIME

Casey is scurrying around her room getting ready. Mary gets up and looks out the window and sees Brandon standing by her car.


MARY
I don’t believe this. You’re going away with him?

CASEY
Mary, don’t start.

MARY
What do you know about him?

CASEY
I know enough. Go back to bed.

She leaves the room.

EXT-DORM-PARKING LOT-MOMENTS LATER

Casey comes up to the car.

CASEY
I’m so sorry I’m late.

BRANDON
Don’t sweat it. You all set?

CASEY
Yep, I’ve been looking forward to this.

BRANDON
So have I.
(beat)
Do you want to drive, or do you want me to drive?

CASEY
You can drive since I don’t know where I’m going.

She tosses him the keys and the load the car.

INT-CAR-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon and Casey are settled into the drive.

CASEY
Can I ask a question?

BRANDON
Shoot.

CASEY
So why are you a janitor? You seem to be a smart guy.

BRANDON
(smiling)
Oh thanks.

CASEY
You know what I mean.

BRANDON
Yeah, I’m just playin’.
(beat)
Why am I a janitor?
(thinks)
Well it’s just a job that allows me to keep to-myself, if that makes any sence.

CASEY
Yeah, actually it makes a lot of sence.

There is a moment of awkwardness. Then they pull in the driveway.

BRANDON
Well here we are.

As they come up the driveway the trees move away to reveal a spectacular log cabin.

INT.CABIN-MOMENTS LATER

Casey walks through the front door. She stops in the foyer and is admiring the beauty of the cabin.

CASEY
Wow it’s gorgeous.

BRANDON (O.C)
Yeah, she is beautiful.
(beat)
Here I’ll take your bags. Make yourself at home.

Casey walks over to a sliding glass door. It reveals a large framed structure for a deck, and a beautiful sight of the lake.

CASEY
The view is great.

From somewhere in the house.

BRANDON
Yeah, it’ll be even better once I finish the deck.

EXT.CABIN-DECK-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon is outside laying the floor boards down on the deck. Casey is outside watching. She is lost in thought watching Brandon with no shirt and sweat glistening off his body.

CASEY
Can I help with something?

Brandon pauses for a moment.

BRANDON
Actually, yeah. C’mere.

Casey walks over.


BRANDON
See the ends of the boards?

He points out the half moon shape of the wood grain.

BRANDON
All the boards have to lay with the half moon facing down.

CASEY
Like this?

Casey flips a board for and example.

BRANDON
Exactly. I’m going to lift the boards up on the deck and you can flip them.

CASEY
Okay, but what is the difference?

BRANDON
Trees grow around. When you cut a board it still wants to
grow, and what happens is if the moons are facing up it creates cups in the floor making it uncomfortable to walk on, not to mention ugly.

CASEY
Oh, how do you know so much about this?

BRANDON
I used to build decks and things with my dad. He taught me a lot.

CASEY
Are you close to your parents?
There is an awkward pause.

BRANDON
I was.

CASEY
Was? Did you have a fight or something?

BRANDON
They’re dead.

CASEY
Oh, I’m sorry.

BRANDON
That’s okay. How were you to know?

CASEY
How long ago?

BRANDON
A little over a year.

CASEY
Is it okay that I asked you? We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want.

BRANDON
No, it’s okay. I haven’t talked about it since it happened.

CASEY
Really? Why?

BRANDON
I don’t know really. It’s just one of those things.
(beat)
Any more questions?


CASEY
Yeah, what’s your favorite color?

BRANDON
My favorite color?

CASEY
I read in a magazine once, how you can tell what a person is like by their favorite color.

BRANDON
Um, blue.

Casey stops working. Brandon walks up to her and wipes sweat of his face with his shirt.

Casey is trying to hide the fact that she wants to jump him.

BRAODON
What does that tell you about me?

CASEY
That you are kind, generous, caring, passionate and…

BRANDON
And what?

CASEY
A good lover.

INT.CABIN-DUSK

Casey comes out of a bedroom drying her hair with a towel. She stops to look out the glass door at Brandon. He’s sitting on the deck with his shirt unbuttoned revealing part of his chest and his hair wet from the shower.

Casey stops and admires him. Admiring everything about him.
EXT.CABIN-DECK-MOMENTS LATER

Casey walks out the sliding door with two drinks in her hand.

CASEY
Here ya go.

Handing Brandon one of the drinks.

BRANDON
Oh thanks.
(beat)
It’s beautiful isn’t it?

CASEY
Yeah.

BRANDON
I’ve got a few kabobs on the grill, their almost ready.

Casey looks around and sees a blanket on the deck with candles in the middle, a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

Brandon gets up and checks the kabobs. Casey picks a spot at the blanket.

CASEY
Brandon, this is nice, you didn’t have to.

BRANDON
I didn’t do it because I felt like I had to.

Brandon sits down on the blanket with the steaks. He pours two glasses of wine.

CASEY
This is so nice.



BRANDON
I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure you would.

CASEY
Oh, yeah it’s beautiful. Why didn’t you think I would like it?

BRANDON
I just didn’t peg you for the, sittin’ on the ground kabob eatin’ type of girl.

CASEY
(smiling)
Don’t be so quick to judge.

INT.CABIN-LIVING ROOM-MOMENTS LATER

Casey is sitting in a chair writing in a journal. She watches Brandon in the kitchen cleaning up.

CASEY
Are you sure I can’t help you with anything.

BRANDON
Nope, I got it covered.

CASEY
Can I tell you something?

BRANDON
Sure.

CASEY
It’s-

Casey is interrupted by the sound of a car’s screeching tires and a little girl screaming.

Brandon and Casey look at each other, then run out the door.

EXT.CABIN-STREET-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon is kneeling in front of a car where a dog is lying. A little girl is crying and Casey is holding her.

Brandon looks at the girl.

BRANDON
It’s going to be okay honey.

DRIVER
Oh my god I didn’t see him, I didn’t see him.

BRANDON
Look calm down.

DRIVER
What can I do?

BRANDON
(at DRIVER)
Would you take the two of them to get her parents?

DRIVER
Yeah, c’mon.

CASEY
(at girl)
Where do you live?

They get in the car and leave.

Brandon sees that there is no sign of life in the dog. He touches the dog on his chest…

…closes his eyes and concentrates hard. Suddenly the dog begins to move. The dog is now awake.

Casey comes back with the girl and her parents in their car.

FATHER
Is he okay?
BRANDON
I think he’s fine, but you should take him to the vet to be sure.

FATHER
Lets get him in the car.

Brandon and the girl’s father carefully place the dog in the back seat.

MOTHER
Thank you so much.

Brandon looks at the little girl in the back seat with the dog.

BRANDON
Don’t worry he’s going to be just fine.

He shuts the door and the car drives off.

Brandon and Casey are walking up to the cabin. Brandon stops and all of a sudden feels dizzy.

Casey realizes that Brandon is not right behind her. She turns to him.

CASEY
Are you okay?

Brandon is leaning on a tree.

BRANDON
Yeah I’m fine. I just felt dizzy for some reason.

Brandon walks up to Casey.

CASEY
You sure you’re okay? Do you need to go to the doctors?


BRANDON
No, I’m fine. Don’t worry.

INT.CABIN-BATHROOM-MOMENTS LATER

Brandon is washing his hands. Casey is watching him.

CASEY
Just when I don’t think you could possibly surprise me anymore, you do.

BRANDON
So what were you saying earlier.

CASEY
Oh it was nothing.

CUT TO:

Brandon is sitting on the couch down stairs by himself enjoying a glass of wine.

Casey walks up behind him quietly and she touches the back of his neck. She comes around to the front of him. She startles his lap and starts caressing his bare chest. She sees the scar on his chest.

CASEY
What’s this?

BRANDON
It’s from an accident.

Brandon’s hand comes up to her face. Casey leans her face into his hand. She opens her robe revealing herself to him. His hand moves slowly down her neck. Her head leans back as she savors each and every sensation of his touch.

Brandon’s hands come down to her chest and he closes her robe. Casey looks at him confused.

CASEY
Is something wrong?
BRANDON
Yes. I mean no, not with you, it’s me.

Casey moves off of his lap and Brandon out of frustration gets up off the couch and walks to the sliding door and looks out over the lake.

Casey quietly gets up and goes up stairs.

CUT TO:

Brandon walks into a dark bedroom with a slightly illuminated by moonlight from a window, where Casey is sleeping. He softly lays down next to her.

She rolls over to look at him.

CASEY
Is everything—

He stops her by placing his index finger softly on her lips. He looks at her as if he’s trying to memorize everything about her face.

He gently strokes her cheek and she presses her face into his hand. Casey looks at him and they kiss passionately.

Brandon rolls over on his back and Casey is on top of him. She runs her hands up his shirt helping him take it off. She caresses his muscular chest. She begins to kiss down his neck, then down his chest and back up until their lips meet again. She takes off her gown revealing her beautiful curves. Brandon sits up wrapping his arms around her waist kissing her chest and neck as she tilts her head back.

EXT.CABIN-DECK-DAY

Brandon is standing on the deck looking at the lake.

The father of the little girl walks up to him. Brandon sees him.

BRANDON
Morning.
JIM
Morning. My name is Jim by the way.

They shake hands.

JIM
Look I would like to thank you for what you did last night.

BRANDON
Think nothing of it.

JIM
Look, I have a boat and my family and I are going out on the lake later today. Would you and your friend like to join us?
BRANDON
That sounds good. I’ll ask her when she gets up.

JIM
Okay, we’ll be at the dock behind our house about at eleven.

BRANDON
Sounds good.

JIM
Okay, hope to see you then.

Jim walks off.

Casey walks up behind him.

CASEY
Morning.

BRANDON
Morning.
(beat)
BRANDON(CONT’D)
I’ve made breakfast it’s on the table.
(beat)
The family from last night invited us to go out on their boat with them later today, if you’re up to it.

CASEY
Yeah that would be great.

BRANDON
Look, about last night.

CASEY
You don’t-

BRANDON
No, I do.
(beat)
I just want you to know that I didn’t bring you hear because I had this plan—

She stops him by placing her finger on his lips.

She kisses him.

CASEY
It was from an accident.

She kisses the scar. Then hugs him. Brandon looks out over the lake with a look of “I’m afraid this will end”.

EXT.DOCK-BOAT-SOME TIME LATER

Brandon and Casey approach the dock.

BRANDON
Hello.

JIM
Oh, hi. Come aboard.

Brandon helps Casey on the boat.

JIM
I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce myself last night.

Jim introduces himself to Casey.

JIM
I’m Jim, this is my wife Sarah and my daughter Amy. Last but not least our dog Max.

Brandon walks over to Max who is laying on Deck. He appears to be in perfect shape.


BRANDON
So how is Max?
JIM
Amazingly he’s great. Nothing broken or anything. I really appreciate what you did for us.

BRANDON
No problem.

Casey is talking with Sarah in the Cabin of the boat fixing drinks.

SARAH
Your husband is really something.

CASEY
Oh, we’re not married.

 

 

Go to part:2 

 

 

Copyright © 2000 Michael J Norman
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"