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Screenplay
1.1 INT/NIGHT RESTAURANT
Manager (male the rest is irrelevent) is showing Hasanna
(30’s black female. Pretty) this and that. Hands her a
stack of paperwork for her to fill out. They go towards the
back door.
1.2 EXT/NIGHT OUT BACK OF THE RESTAURANT
John (30’s white male) is sitting out back smoking a
cigarette, wearing his "once a Marine always a Marine"
hat. Visibly worn out. He glances up as Hasanna and the
Manager come out.
MANAGER
You can sit out here, and finish up
that paperwork. After you can go
ahead and come back inside to watch
the videos etc etc.
HASANNA
Sounds like a barrel of monkeys
MANAGER
Yeah. Real fun. Johnny. Breaks
almost over. I got a ton of shit
for you to do when you get back on.
John acknowledges with a nod.
MANAGER
You got five minutes. Hasanna, did
you need a drink or something?
HASANNA
No I’m good thank you.
At the mention of the name "Hasanna" John’s head snaps
up. She gets started on her paperwork, and he is steadily
peering at her, then he recognizes her.
JOHN
Hasanna?
HASANNA
(looking up)
Hi!
John pulls his hat off.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
JOHN
It’s me.
HASANNA
oh..my..god..
They each squeal with delight, get up and hug.
JOHN
I never thought I’d see you again.
HASANNA
same here! So how have you been!
what have you been up to?
JOHN
Uhmm. Got married, divorced,
married again, divorced again, got
out.
HASANNA
Jesus. Busy bee huh?
JOHN
yeah
HASANNA
Kids?
JOHN
Nahhh. You?
HASANNA
Just one. His Daddy... he’s in
prison.
JOHN
Oh shit! I’m sorry.
HASANNA
Don’t be. He almost killed
me. He’s where he belongs. (BEAT)
How long have you been working
here?
JOHN
Too fucking long. Been here for
two years, no promotion no raise...
He keeps telling me he’s going to
make me shift lead but... I dunno.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
HASANNA
That’s sucks. I’m kind of in the
same boat. Is why I got this job.
JOHN
Making ends meet?
HASANNA
Yeah. I can’t really get much help
from his Daddy so...
JOHN
Yeah I don’t know.. it just seems
like life when we.. we were
together life just seemed...
TOGETHER
Easier?
They laugh.
JOHN
Exactly! It just seems like since
then life has been (laughs) a
comedy of errors.
HASANNA
Everytime a light at the end of the
tunnel comes, it turns out to be a
freight train.
They are just staring at each other with giddy smiles on
their faces. The moment passes, and John (uncomfortably)
begins..
JOHN
So.. what happened?
HASANNA
with?
JOHN
with us. I mean. We were kind of
a thing.. right?
HASANNA
(smiling to herself)
Yes John. Yes we were.
4.
1.3 FLASHBACK (1) INT/NIGHT USO DANCE
We see John meeting Hasanna for the first time. Sequence of
laughing, flirting, dancing. The relationship visibly
progresses quickly.
1.4 FLASHBACK (2) INT/DAY BARRACKS
We see varied phone conversations between John and
Hasanna. Maybe some "I love you too’s", the phone ringing,
and John running to answer it, etc etc
1.5 EXT/DAY FLASHBACK (3) BARRACKS
We see John shooting the breeze with a couple fellow
Marines.
JOHN
I don’t know man. It’s like...
she’s so fucking perfect. She’s
smart, and beautiful... and I.. I
don’t know I just feel like I’d be
dirtying her you know?
MILLER
Fuck that. I’d pop that ass.
The rest laughing. John is pissed.
JOHN
fuck you
MILLER
Well ain’t you fucking
sensetive? Whatsa matter? Blue
balls making you soft?
John cracks Miller on his jaw, fight ensues.
1.6 INT/DAY FLASHBACK (4)CAPTAIN’S OFFICE
MOS
John is at attention for what is obviously non-judicial
proceedings stemming from the fight. Miller stands next to
him with two black eyes. Captain says some
things. Dismisses them.
5.
1.7 INT/EXT DAY
MOS
We see John buffing the floor, digging foxholes. Being
punished.
1.8 INT/DAY FLASHBACK (5) FRIEND’S HOUSE
John and Hasanna are sitting with each other watching a
movie on tv. Friends are all around etc. We see John
whispering to Hasanna, and hand her something. Her face
lights up. John calls for attention.
JOHN
Hey guys. I just wanted to tell
everyone that we uhmm...
John’s being shy about it so he clams up, the crowd of
friends expectant starts in on him. Hasanna (beaming next
to him)takes up for him by holding up her left hand. It’s
not an engagement ring, but it’s a nice promise ring.
Crowd reacts seperating into their respective crowds. The
ladies gather around Hasanna and ogle the ring etc.
The men clap John on the back and congradulate him etc.
Phone rings, and is for John. He goes to it as the party
commences around him. He speaks quickly, sharply, then
hangs up. He looks to Hasanna, eyes are suddenly sad. He
moves to the bedroom for privacy. Hasanna slips out to
follow him.
1.9 INT/DAY FLASHBACK (6) BEDROOM
John is on the phone sitting on the bed writing info down,
as Hasanna slowly & quietly enters.
JOHN
Yes Sir. (BEAT) Yes Sir.
Hasanna gets his attention, and he mouths the words, "Red
Cross". She knows what that means to a Marine. John hangs
up.
HASANNA
Are you alright?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
JOHN
No. It’s my brother.
John gets back on the phone. Hasanna softly sits next to
him on the bed.
JOHN
Dad? (beat) Ok. (long beat) So do
you want me to come to Florida or
go home?
John is holding the phone a bit away from his ear so we can
hear..
DAD O.S.
Home. Go home Johnny. We’ll fly up
with him.
JOHN
(visibly upset)
Ok. I love you. (beat) Bye.
John hangs up the phone. A moment of uncomfortable silence
passes.
JOHN
(cont)
I gotta go.
They embrace.
FADE OUT TO BLACK
2.0 EXT/NIGHT BACK OF THE RESTAURANT
JOHN O.S.
I gave you my Dad’s number when I
was leaving. I just.. I don’t know
if I pissed you off or something,
or you met someone. or
FADE IN FROM BLACK
HASANNA
(int)
I called.
JOHN
(cont)
your parents didn’t like me, but I
figured you met someone...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
HASANNA
(int)
JOHN! You never even met them, and
YES I did call.
JOHN
I didn’t get a message that you
called.
Hasanna clams up.
JOHN
I’m sorry I didn’t mean to..
HASANNA
(waves him off. She’s
suddenly sad and woeful)
I called.
JOHN
Ok ok! I believe you I just.. I
never got a message you gotta
believe that.
HASANNA
(resigned)
I do.
John’s confused. There’s something in her voice.
JOHN
Then what happened?
HASANNA
I called and I talked to your Dad
for a solid hour John.
JOHN
(confused)
He never told me. (beat) Maybe..
maybe he forgot. Rough time you
know? Burying your son.
HASANNA
Maybe
JOHN
What?
She evades
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
JOHN
What is it?
HASANNA
Well. We talked for an hour.
JOHN
Yeah you said.
HASANNA
Yeah. and when I was getting ready
to hang up your Dad..
We see Hasanna telling the story, but the words are V.O.
DAD O.S.
so what was your name again honey?
HASANNA O.S.
Hasanna
DAD O.S.
Hasanna. That’s pretty. French?
HASANNA O.S.
No. It’s Swahili. It means, "she
arrived first"
DAD O.S.
oh (beat)Swahili like
Africa? Shaka Zulu?
HASANNA O.S.
Yes Sir. It’s usually used for the
first born of twins, but I’m not a
twin.
DAD O.S.
(laughs uncomfortably)
oh. Learn something new everyday!
HASANNA O.S.
Yes Sir. So if you could just let
him know I called.
DAD O.S.
So you’re African?
HASANNA O.S.
No sir, but I am black.
Dead space
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
HASANNA O.S.
(Con’t)
Hello?
DAD O.S.
Y..Yeah I’m here.
HASANNA O.S.
So yeah.. If you could just tell
him I called..
DAD O.S.
I sure will.
2.1 INT/DAY OR NIGHT FLASHBACK (7)
We see Dad hanging up the phone. A message scrawled on a
bit of paper. He takes a pause, then crumples it up and
throws it in the trash.
2.2 EXT/NIGHT BACK OF THE RESTAURANT
JOHN
So you think he didn’t tell me on
purpose?
HASANNA
I don’t know John. All I’m sayin..
JOHN
(int)
That’s not possible.
The conversation gets elevated for a second.
JOHN
He voted for Shirley Chisolm for
chrissake! He.. he walked with
blacks in the 60’s! Do you know
how hard that was in Boston then?
Hasanna understands what he’s going through.
JOHN
He.. he can’t be...
JOHN
(distraught)
But I loved you. I..
John realizes it’s true.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
JOHN (cont’d)
I’m so sorry Zanna. I.. I can’t..
HASANNA
Don’t be sorry.
He can’t help it though.
JOHN
How can I not be? I mean..
HASANNA
(INT with a hug)
Johnny. Look at me. Everything
happens for a reason.
JOHN
(sarcastic)
Yeah how’s my Dad’s prejudice for a
reason.
HASANNA
Because we weren’t ready for each
other. We were so young! There’s
no way we could have appreciated
each other. We had to learn.
JOHN
Learn what?
HASANNA
Learn how to truly love and
appreciate someone. (BEAT) If it’s
any consolation...
Hasanna pulls out her necklace. Attached is their promise
ring.
HASANNA
(con’t)
I never forgot about you.
JOHN
(laughing)
Oh woooow!
HASANNA
Anyway. Don’t you think it’s weird
that after all this time, here we
are.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
JOHN
Maybe we could..
John’s getting shy again.
Manager comes out in a hurry.
MANAGER
Johnny! What the! Get your ass in
here we’re getting hit. And stop
fraternizing.
JOHN
Fraternizing? You shittin’ me?
MANAGER
Does it look like I’m... "shitting"
you? Managers aren’t allowed to
have personal contact with hourly
employees.
John’s confused.
MANAGER
Take your apron off. You’re shift
leading tonight. Once the rush is
over we’ll get your paperwork
signed. Hasanna let’s get on them
videos.
exit manager
John & Hasanna share a moment. He starts smiling again.
HASANNA
Looks like your luck is changing.
They’re holding hands. Just looking into each other’s
eyes. She breaks the moment.
HASANNA
I’ve got to get going John. (beat)
Hasanna slowly lets go by walking away, leaving John
contemplating about work, love, life and its’ strangeness.
JOHN
(Stops at the door)
Hey. Zanna?
HASANNA
Yeah?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
JOHN
Rings don’t belong on necklaces.
He turns her around, unclasps the necklace, takes the ring
off, and slips it onto her finger. She slips him a quick
kiss.
HASANNA
Is that fraternizing?
JOHN
(laughing)
Probably.
Just as she enters the door she looks back, and
smiles. John sees her face meld from today to then.
END
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