Screenplay Part 3

EXT. LIBRARY - DAY

Mona and Stephen stare up at the library. Mona looks over at a swing set. She walks to it and sits down on one of the swings. Stephen continues to stare at the library. He turns to say something and notices that Mona isn't standing there. He walks to the swing set and sits in the other swing. Mona starts swinging as high as she can. Stephen rocks back and forth slightly.

Stephen

At first, I thought that this was going to be sort of like a movie. We sit on the swings and become extremely nostalgic for simpler times. I guess not...

Mona

If this were like a movie, I'd be pouring out my every feeling to you while staring off into the distance. I'd probably also end up crying.

Stephen

Normal people don't actually swing on swings any more.

Mona

Keyword: normal.

Stephen

Touche.

Mona

People ride roller coasters for fun. Swings are just less dramatic, so people like them less, even though they are free. Also, if people wanted a place to sit that is hanging from something, maybe they should get a hammock.

Stephen

You know, Mona, you're less passive than you like to make yourself seem.

Mona

I never claimed to be passive. In fact, I'm extremely opinionated, as you probably know, I'm just too lazy to do much about it. Sometimes, I'm even too lazy to complain.

Stephen

I can't help but think that your relationships are either extremely easy or nonexistent.

Mona

Nonexistent, mostly. Why?

Stephen

Because, you don't care enough to cause conflict because of disagreement, but you also don't care enough to provide input. So, the friends you make and keep would most likely be people who also don't care. This way you can both not care together, making it easy. But, with anyone even a little bit clingy or dependent, someone who requires even a little bit of effort from you to make the relationship work, it wouldn't work because you don't care enough.

Mona

All I got from that was that I don't care. I already knew that.

Mona stops swinging and slowly comes to a stop. Stephen turns sideways in his swing. Mona raises an eyebrow.

Stephen

Do you even want people to like you?

Mona

It's kind of irrelevant if they do.

StephEN

Yes, but everyone cares.

Mona

Yeah, I know. I can't escape from caring, but it's not that hard to suppress.

stephEN

Someday people are going to start liking you more than you believe is possible and you're going to want to put effort into the relationship. What happens if you find yourself so out of practice that you fail?

Mona

People don't like sarcastic cynics.

StephEN

Mona, you are very likable, you just have to see that for yourself.

Mona

You like me?

Stephen looks embarrassed.

StepheN

I just said that you were likable. There you go making things awkward again.

Mona

I'm an awkward person. What are you, like 30? That's a little creepy.

stephen

(defensively)

I'm 25.

Mona

Still, that's 8 years...

Stephen

It's not that big of a gap, and why are we having this conversation?

Mona

You brought it up... Now I know why you don't like to leave the office.

Stephen

Why?

MONA

You said it yourself, it's not professional.

StePHEN

So?

Mona

You have a habit of hiding yourself behind your profession.

StepHEN

I'm supposed to be detached.

Mona

You have a hard time being yourself anywhere else.

StepHEN

Oh, please.

Mona

Why don't we talk about your feelings?

StepHEN

Why?

Mona

Because you're important too.

STEPHEN

What?

Mona

Do you have a girlfriend?

StEPHEN

No...

Mona

Why not?

StEPHEN

Uh, I don't know.

Mona

Maybe you need a girlfriend.

StEPHEN

No. I don't.

Mona

You need a girlfriend you can talk to and who will understand you.

StePHEN

Why on earth...

Mona

Do you like anyone?

Stephen glares at Mona.

Stephen

Alright then. Maybe I need a girlfriend. Are you volunteering?

Mona laughs.

Mona

You said it yourself, I'd be horrible in a relationship.

Stephen

Or are you afraid to try.

Mona

Yes. Definitely.

StephEN

Wimp.

Mona

Are you trying to pressure me into a relationship with you? I'm still a minor, so that's creepy.

stephen

That's true... I'm sure I can wait until... when's your birthday?

Mona

October 6th.

Stephen

Only two months...

Mona

Seriously. Creepy. Plus, I'm incapable of romantic feelings, so I really don't think this is going to work out.

Stephen

You're probably right... wait, are you breaking up with me?

Mona

Yes.

Stephen

Wow... my first ex...

Mona

Me too.

Mona holds her hand up. Stephen high-fives it.

Mona

I think our hour therapy session is over...

Stephen

I think we accomplished a lot, don't you?

MonA

Oh, definitely.

int. enGLISH CLASS - day

Mr. Dubois adjusts his bow-tie.

Dubois

Your homework is to write a biography for someone you live with.

Mona

Does it have to be a serious biography.

dubois

I don't know. I'm not the author.

Mona taps the side of her nose.

Mona

Secret message received.

int. SeminARY BUILDING - Day

Mona follows David as he walks out of his room, across the foyer, and into the main office. She holds a mini notebook, open, and a pencil. David looks annoyed.

David

Why don't you write this thing on Annalise?

Mona only laughs evilly. Brother White is already in the office.

RicharD WHITE

I want to help you write it.

Mona

Cool. Okay.

DAvID

Heaven, help me...

Mona

Oh, you'll like it.

Richard WHITE

True dat.

int. Brother White's office - day

Mona and Brother White sit at a desk in front of a laptop. They are giggling. Mona types something into the computer. They both laugh hysterically.

Richard WHITE

No, wait... how about this?

He reaches toward the laptop and types something. Mona laughs so hard that she puts her face in her hands. David walks into the room.

DaVID

Mona, it's time to go...

Mona and Brother White start laughing harder as David enters.

David

What?

Mona

(laughing)

Nothing... nothing...

Richard WHITE

Just... Nothing...

Both dissolve into laughter again. David looks annoyed.

David

You're not writing my biography are you?

Brother White and Mona just laugh. Mona hits CTR+S to save the document and stands up. She grabs her backpack from the floor and continues to laugh as she follows David outside and into his car.

int. dR. SHARP'S OFFICE - day

Mona opens the door of the office and walks in. Dr. Sharp looks up. He smiles.

STEPHEN

Hello!

Mona

Still creepy, I see.

Stephen

Just being nice.

Mona

Riiight. Well, since everyone wants me so badly, I might as well become a hermit and live out in a cave or something.

Stephen

Good thing I'm kidding then.

Mona

Oh are you?

Stephen

You'd like for me not to be wouldn't you?

Mona

You only want me to want you to want me.

StepHEN

What are you, like, in third grade?

Mona

I liked the third grade...

stePHEN

I cried a lot.

Mona

I can picture that.

StepheN

Thanks.

Mona

My pleasure.

Stephen

You don't seem to take pleasure in many things.

Mona

I'm not good at many things.

StepheN

That doesn't mean you shouldn't do them.

Mona

Yeah, yeah. blah blah blah. I know the whole shtick.

StephEN

Well then?

Mona

I do the things I like. I'm sort of okay at them. I don't do other stuff because I don't care for it, or I'm just lazy.

StePHEN

For shame...

Mona

I never claimed to be a good sort of person.

STEPHEN

I don't think we've even begun to see what sort of person you are.

ext. sidEWALK - afTERNOON

Taavi and Mona walk down the sidewalk in front of the public library.

TaavI

Are we being followed?

Mona

What?

Taavi

That guy who walked into the library right after we did. He walked out a few seconds after we did and now he's walking behind us.

Mona

Seriously?

Taavi

Yeah. Need I tell you not to look back?

Mona

No, I'm good.

TaavI

Good. Well, we have several options.

Mona

Really? What are they?

Taavi

We can just walk home, we could try to lose him, we could confront him, or we could walk to the police station.

Mona

Let's not walk home, just because I don't want to die in my sleep... I'm not good at confrontations, although we could pretend to be hardcore and beat him up for following us... The police station idea would be funny... Nah, I say we try to lose him.

Taavi

Cool, cool. Alrighty, Mona, try to keep up.

Taavi grins at Mona and picks up the pace at which he is walking. They are shown walking to main street of the town and cutting through parking-lots and around buildings. The stalker is shown expressionlessly following them everywhere.

int. The Sandson home - evening

David and Annalise sit in the front room reading. David looks up at the door.

David

Weren't they just going to the library to turn in a book? They should have been back by now.

annaLISE

They are a little late, but I'm sure they're fine.

David

Are you sure they're not...

Annalise

Ew, no. Mona isn't like that.

David

That's what they always say.

Annalise

No, seriously. I asked her if she had a boyfriend before she came here and she laughed, and then I asked her if she had liked anyone and she laughed even harder.

David

What's that supposed to mean?

AnNALISE

Well, then she proceeded to explain to me that she didn't find people attractive. She says she's completely opposed to anything romantic or sexual.

David

Um... okay, so....

Mona and Taavi burst through the door, slamming it behind them. David and Annalise look alarmed.

mona

We're not as sneaky as I thought we were.

TaavI

No kidding. Seriously, I know this town better than anyone.

DAvid

What are you talking about?

moNA

I think we are being stalked.

AnNALISE

What?

DavID

Yeah, right.

MonA

No, seriously.

TaaVI

Yeah, we went everywhere trying to lose him and he was still there before we started running.

DaviD

When was that?

TaavI

A few blocks away from here. We just decided to start running in attempt to lose him before we got here, but I wouldn't be surprised if he now knows where we live.

DaviD

Why didn't you go to the police station?

Mona

We thought about it, but we wanted to try our hands at being ninjas.

Annalise

Okay, so what are we going to do about this now?

David

I don't know...

int. Police Station - day

Mona, Taavi, and David stand in front of a desk. Mona is writing on a form.

Taavi

Under "comments" should we write that we'd kind of like to not be murdered in our sleep?

Mona

Yes.

David

No!

Mona

Dang it.

Mona hands the paper to a woman sitting behind the desk.

woman

Thank you for your time. Your report will be reviewed.

David drags Mona and Taavi toward the door before they have a chance to complain.

int. SeminaRY BUILDING - day

A circle of tape in the middle of the foyer is shown. Mona is laying on her stomach on one end and Brother White is doing the same on the other. There are marbles scattered all around the circle and also in two piles, one by Mona and the other by Brother White. Mona takes a shooter marble and proceeds to shoot at the marbles in the circle. She misses all of them.

Mona

fudge-muffin...

Richard WHITE

You aren't very good at this.

Mona

Not even remotely.

Richard WHITE

It was a good idea, though.

Mona

I know, right? Next week we should play Poker.

Richard WHITE

Gambling is bad.

Mona

Who says we'll be gambling? We'll just be playing a game.

Mona grins. Brother White shakes his head and shoots four marbles out of the circle.

Mona

Darn!!!

int. DAvID'S CAR - afterNOON

Mona and David are driving home from school.

david

So, how's your biography coming along?

Mona

It's finished.

David

Really?

monA

Yeah...

David

You can't have possibly wrote about my childhood or anything.

mONA

Why not?

David

You didn't even ask me about any of it.

Mona

I asked Annalise.

David

She doesn't know about a lot of my childhood.

Mona

She gave me your mom's phone number.

DavID

You called my mom?!

Mona

She's a very nice lady.

David

I don't believe that.

Mona

You will when you read it.

David looks thoughtful. Then he looks afraid.

David

Did Brother White see it?

Mona

He helped write it.

David

The finished work?

Mona

Yes.

David

I'm afraid.

Mona

Oh, don't be. It's one of the greatest works I ever wrote.

David

Oh, please...

int. enGLISH CLASS - day

Mr. Dubois is passing biographies back to people. He finishes just as the bell rings. Mona approaches his desk.

Dubois

I realize that I haven't given yours back to you yet Mona.

Mona

Okay.

Dubois

I need it for a little bit longer.

Mona

Okay.

Mona leaves.

int. seminary BUILDING - day

Mr. Dubois walks into the foyer of the Seminary building. He goes to the main office. In the room through the back of the main office is where the Seminary teachers are eating lunch. The teachers all look up as he walks in. Mr. Dubois waves.

DavID

Oh, hey Brother Dubois. How are you doing?

Dubois

I'm great. How are you?

David

I'm wonderful. I didn't see you at church last week.

Dubois

Oh, yeah. The whole family was sick, so I stayed home.

David

That's too bad... so, what can I do for you?

Dubois

I was just wondering if I could talk to you about Mona.

All the teachers look surprised and curious.

DAVID

Mona is in your English class, isn't she?

DuboiS

Yes. I just finished grading her biography of you.

David glances at Brother White.

David

Really?

Dubois

Yes, it was quite interesting.

David looks pointedly at Brother White. Brother White smiles.

RicharD WHITE

Wait until you read it, David. It's great.

David

I'm sure it is...

Dubois

Actually, it is. Mona is the most talented writer I've ever taught and, having known you for a while now, I think she has captured you perfectly, considering she's only known you for a few months.

David

What.. really?

Dubois

Yes.

David

So, you decided to bring it to me and tell me this?

Dubois

Well, I also was hoping to talk to you about home teaching this month as well...

David laughs and stands up from the table. Mr. Dubois hands him Mona's biography.

int. dr. SHARP'S OFFICE - day

David and Mona sit in the chairs facing Stephen's desk. Stephen Sharp is writing something in a notebook. David is looking uncomfortable and Mona is looking bored.

StePHEN

So, how's school been?

Mona/David

Fine.

They look at each other and raise their eyebrows.

StepheN

That's good.

There is an awkward silence.

Mona

Why is it so awkward?

Stephen

I blame David.

David

What?! Why?

Mona

Because Stephen and I are the constant. It's never awkward until we introduced to variable: you.

StephEN

What is this, a science project?

David

Stephen?

Mona rolls her eyes.

Mona

(exasperatedly)

Dr. Sharp, then.

Stephen

She's probably right, though.

Mona

Thank you.

David

Well, that's too bad, isn't it. The last time I let you walk anywhere, you got yourself in trouble.

Mona

Not technically, my fault.

Stephen

What happened?

Mona

Taavi and I were stalked.

Stephen

Seriously?

David

Yeah, so, now you're grounded from walking.

Mona starts laughing. Stephen hides a grin.

David

You get to crawl now.

MONA

This should be fun.

David

No. You know what I mean.

Mona

Thank goodness that I do.

David

Yeah.

int. MOnA'S BEDROOOM - night

Mona stands at her window, staring out into the night. She is standing completely still. The face of a man suddenly appears in front of hers on the other side of the window. Mona jumps back, her mouth open. The man puts a finger to his mouth, indicating quiet. He then reaches into his coat and pulls out a hand gun. Mona freezes. The man points to the latch on the window and then beckons to Mona. Mona slowly walks forward and unlatches the window. She opens it all the way.

MAn

(whispers)

Good. Now, take out the screen as quietly as possible.

Mona unhooks the screen and carefully lifts it into the room. The man puts away his gun and climbs into the room. He is followed by two other men. He again indicates that Mona should be quiet.

Man

(whispering)

One of these gentlemen are going to help you out of the window. There will be more waiting below.

Mona looks at the man for a moment and then nods. The man step away from the window and wait pointedly for Mona to move toward it.

Man 2

I'll hold on to your arms and lower you down.

Mona sits on the window sill. She holds her arms out and the man holds onto her elbows. He lowers Mona down slowly, letting his hands slide down her arms until he is holding her wrists. He leans as far out of the window as possible.

Man 2

I'm going to let go now.

He lets go and Mona drops to the ground. Her legs collapse as she hits the ground, but she is caught by a man standing on the ground waiting.

Mona

Um, thank you? I guess?

The man chuckles a little. The other three men climb out of the window. They start to walk toward the street. Several more men join them, one is holding Taavi around the shoulders. He is covering Taavi's mouth with a gloved hand.

Man 3

We found this young man wen he dropped out of a window next door.

Taavi mumbles something from behind the glove. The first man (who seems to be the leader) gestures for Taavi to be released. The man holding him lets go. Taavi straightens calmly and goes to stand by Mona.

Mona

Hey, Taavi.

Taavi

Yeah, interesting how I pick this moment to wander over to my window and look over at your house in time to see strange men creeping into your bedroom window.

Mona

Interesting.

Man

Shh.

Mona and Taavi are herded to the sidewalk in front of their houses. They walk a block down the street to where a white van is parked. The group walks casually up to the van. The leader pushes the unlock button on a key-chain. One of the men pulls open the sliding side door. From farther up the street, Stephen Sharp appears. He keeps his head down and his hands in his pockets. He is nearly to the white van when he glances up. He stops in shock as he recognizes Mona and Taavi.

Stephen

What?

Several of the men pull out their guns and point them at Stephen.

Man

Stop wasting time.

Mona and Taavi are shoved into the van. One of the men grab Stephen by the coat and pull him into the van as well.

int. mysterious building

Mona, Taavi, and Stephen are sitting in the corner of a completely empty room. Mona tries not to look cold. Stephen looks over at her, takes off his jacket, and drapes it around her shoulders. Mona looks up at him gratefully.

Taavi

You guys are so cute together.

Stephen

Oh, please.

Taavi

She did turn 18 last week.

Stephen

It was your birthday last week? I totally missed it?

Mona

I purposefully didn't tell anyone. I don't really believe in birthdays. The only reason Taavi knew was because David marked it on his calender so that he wouldn't forget and he gave me a book that I've wanted for a while, that I had to show to Taavi.

Stephen

Hang on. How can you not believe in birthdays?

Mona

I don't believe they should be celebrated. I didn't do anything, apart from causing my mother nine months of discomfort and a few hours of excruciating pain at the end. And it's like, why do people need yet another reason to be selfish... doesn't make sense...

Mona trails off and looks away.

Stephen

Are you rambling?

Mona

Probably.

Stephen

You're afraid?

Taavi

It'd be kind of stupid not to be.

Stephen

Yeah, I suppose so, but... Mona is just so controlled all the time. I didn't think I could imagine her giving up even a fragment of that control to fear.

Mona

It's not exactly a choice.

Stephen

Well, sometimes...

Mona

Sometimes, but not now. Some fear it is absolutely impossible to dispel, no matter how much you rationalize.

StepheN

This is spoken from experience?

Mona

I'm probably not in as much control as you'd like to think.

Taavi

What were we even talking about?

Stephen

Birthdays?

Taavi

Oh, yeah, I was just saying how cute you guys are together.

Mona

Meh.

TaaVI

No seriously. The psychiatrist who thinks he can see everything and the nerd girl who refuses to fit stereotypes.

Stephen

"The psychiatrist who thinks he can see everything"? Really?

Mona

Calling me the nerd girl is fitting me into a stereotype and if I'm refusing to fit into them... That's like an oxymoron.

Taavi

Okay, how about this: The mysterious girl who doesn't seem to fit into the idea of how people should perceive things and the psychiatrist who...

Stephen

...is unfortunate enough to be her therapist?

Mona

No: the psychiatrist trying desperately to be normal?

Stephen

I'm not sure that this is working.

Taavi

Yeah, I suppose I should have thought about it a bit more before I brought it up, but the point is that you...

Taavi points at Stephen.

Taavi

... are obviously attracted to her nonconformity and she's attracted to your intelligence.

Mona

Um...

Stephen

She conforms a lot more then I originally thought, but...

Taavi

She still intrigues you.

Stephen and Mona look slightly uncomfortable.

Taavi

Oh brother. Just admit it and move on. Now's as good a time ans any.

Stephen

It's a little cliche, actually.

Mona

That's what I was thinking. The damsel in distress, vulnerable and needy. The dashing hero, her brave protector.

StephEN

Ooh, so now I'm dashing.

Mona

It's a bit of a stretch, but... yeah.

Stephen

Hey!

The door on the opposite side of the room opens and several men walk in. Mona, Stephen, and Taavi stand up, Stephen putting a hand on Mona's shoulder and pushing her behind him a little.

Mona

My dashing protector.

Stephen looks embarrassed and Taavi laughs a little. The men form a line with their leader standing forward.

Mortimer

Um, I have to apologize.

Mona, Taavi, and Stephen look confused. Mortimer looks embarrassed.

MortIMER

There was a mistake made in our surveillance.

Mona

You kidnapped the wrong people? That's rich...

Stephen

I won't be shot if I laugh, will I?

mortimer

I feel personally responsible for this situation, and I'm willing to negotiate a trade.

Taavi

Of?

Mortimer

You don't say anything about anything you might have heard or seen and we'll let you go.

Mona

Well, I agree, even if you two don't.

MortimeR

You'll have to blindfolded, but, we'll try to take you to somewhere you can find your way home from.

Stephen

That's extremely kind of you.

MortiMER

I apologize again.

ext. street - day

Mona, Stephen, and Taavi are standing on a street corner taking off blindfolds.

Stephen

Hey! My office!

Mona

Which means we still have to walk a mile to get home.

Stephen

We can use the phone in my office.

Mona

Do none of us have cell phones?

Taavi

I have to get a job first.

Stephen

I sit in an office all day...

Mona

It's a wonder you aren't fat.

Stephen

Thanks.

They walk to the office door. Alonzo pulls up in his car and gets out.

Alonzo

Hello... You're a little late Dr. Sharp.

Stephen

Long story.

Mona

Hey, Alonzo.

AlonZO

Hi... The reason you're here is probably part of the long story, right?

Mona

Yeah...

They all walk into the office.

int. the SANDSON HOME - Day

David sits in his office with the phone to his ear.

David

Mona? Where on earth have you been?!

Mona

I was kidnapped.

DaVID

(Sarcastically)

Riight.

Mona

No, seriously. I have Taavi and Dr. Sharp here to testify.

David

You can't expect me to believe this.

Mona

Annalise would believe me.

DavID

You're serious.

Mona

As serious as a heart attack.

David

By who?

Mona

By whom. We don't actually know.

David

And how is it that you are no longer kidnapped?

Mona

They set us free.

David

Why would they go through the trouble of kidnapping you and then setting you free?

Mona

Apparently, they got the wrong person.

David

What? There's no way.

Mona

Apparently there is. I'm not lying to you. What would I have to gain?

David

So now you're just sitting in Dr. Sharp's office, having a grand old time. Fine and dandy?

Mona

I was just kidnapped, you idiot.

David

What's your point.

Mona

I could be traumatized for all you know.

David scoffs.

David

You're not.

Mona

You had better be thankful that I'm not.

Stephen is heard in the background of the telephone call.

Stephen

Don't you think he could be treating you this way because he knows you?

Mona

He doesn't know me half as well as he thinks he does.

David

So, what you're telling me is that I should be rushing up there, running into the office, and embracing you with relief?

Mona

No, Annalise will do that.

DavID

What am I suppose to do?

Mona

Drive.

David

Great.

int. high school auditorium - night

Mona walks out onto the stage in her black Orchestra dress holding her violin and her bow. Other members of the Orchestra follow her. They sit in their chairs which are already set up in the Orchestra formation. Mona sits next to her stand partner, who is arranging their music on their stand. Everyone adjusts and then sits silently, waiting. The crowd begins to quiet down. the Concert Master of the Orchestra walks out on stage and plays an A. The rest of the Orchestra proceeds to make final intonation adjustments. The Concert Master sits down.

Miss Martin walks out on stage. The audience applauds. Miss Martin bows. She steps up onto the stand and holds up her arms. The Orchestra prepares itself. The Orchestra plays.

ext. in front of the high school - night

Mona, David, Annalise, Taavi, and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson walk along the sidewalk running the length of the high school toward the Seminary building.

mR. aNDERSON

That was nice.

Taavi

If you like that sort of thing.

Mrs. ANDERSON

Being a member of the Orchestra yourself, are you even allowed to make that sort of comment.

Mona

He's right. You sort of have to be a musician to truly appreciate that sort of thing.

David

I can appreciate it, I think.

Mona

Not in the same way as the musicians do. If I weren't one, I'd probably hate classical music.

Taavi

Amen.

Annalise

Well, when you think of how much work goes into it.

Mona

Exactly.

David

A lot of work goes into everything.

Annalise

The point is that this is the type of work that you couldn't have done, so, you appreciate that these students have taken out years of their lives to pursue the cultivation of this talent.

Taavi

I like her.

Mona

She makes us sound so awesome when she says it.

Annalise

You are awesome, and thank you, Taavi, I like you too.

Taavi

Aww.

Mona

Thank you.

David looks grumpy. They reach the Seminary building parkinglot and get into their separate cars.

int. Dr. Sharp's Office - day

Mona sits comfortably in one of the chairs across the desk from Stephen Sharp.

Stephen

Ugh, ever since you mentioned it, this office seems stuffy.

Mona

I told you so.

Stephen

It's only when you're in here. Any other time, with any other person, it's fine, until you come in. Then it seems hot and...

Mona

It sounds super creepy when you say it that way, you might want to stop while you're ahead.

Stephen

We should go somewhere...

mona

Hawaii.

Stephen

What? No. That's not what I meant.

Mona

I know I was kidding.

Stephen

You never look like you're kidding.

mona

Sorry.

Stephen

Did you know that we have a museum in this town?

Mona

You want to take me to a museum.

Stephen

You're totally the kind of person who would love museums.

Mona laughs.

Mona

You're right. What type of museum is it?

Stephen

It's an art museum.

Mona

Cool. I know nothing about art and I'm a terrible artist, but what the heck? Art.

Stephen

Cool.

Mona

Cool, cool, cool.

int. Art Museum - Day

Mona and Stephen walk along a hallway. The walls are covered in paintings and plaques of information about the art. The hallway turns a corner and opens into a small room. The room is also covered in art. There is a square pillar of sorts in the middle with a huge painting hanging on each of the four sides. There are fake trees and plants in between every painting. On the far side of the room, there is a bench in the middle of two huge, fake trees. Mona and Stephen sit down on them and stare at the painting on the side of the square pillar facing them. There is an awkward silence.

Stephen

You know, Mona...

Mona

Oh, I know.

Stephen

Really?

Mona

Oh, yes.

StepHEN

What do you know?

Mona

I know that I'm the strangest person to whom you've ever given therapy. I also know that you have enjoyed this "learning experience".

Mona does air quotes with her fingers.

Stephen

Is it weird that I'm not surprised that you knew exactly what I was going to say?

Mona

Kind of weird, but I'm sure you'll get over it.

Stephen

I like you.

Mona

What?

Stephen

I've discovered the secret.

Mona

The secret to what?

Stephen

Spontaneity.

Mona

Oh, you weren't planning on professing your undying love for me in such a direct manner.

Stephen

You can't read my mind if I don't do what I plan on doing.

Mona

You have to be careful with that. You either plan, knowing you'll disregard that plan when you get around to doing the thing, or you don't plan at all, and I know that you are the type of person that likes to plan.

Stephen

My undying love? Did I say that?

Mona

No, but you thought it.

Stephen

(sarcastically)

Right.

Mona

It's okay.

Stephen

It is?

Mona

Yeah, because, I kind of like you too.

Stephen

Was that a proclamation of undying love that I just heard?

Mona

I don't know about undying, but...

Stephen

This is new for you. You're not a romantic at all.

Mona

Yeah, I kind of feel like a hypocrite.

Stephen

Wow.

Mona

Yeah. Wow.

There is another awkward silence. At the end of it, Mona and Stephen both try to start speaking at the same time. They both remain silent for a few seconds longer.

Mona

Does it really have to be this awkward?

Stephen

I don't think it should be.

Mona

Oh.

Mona looks away, but Stephen continues looking at Mona's face.

Stephen

I don't get why people wouldn't like you.

Mona turns back and looks Stephen in the eye. Stephen reaches forward and lightly touches Mona's cheek.

Mona

That was weird.

Stephen

Yeah.

They continue to stare at each other. They slowly lean forward and kiss. They break away and Mona blushes.

Mona

That was kind of gross.

Stephen

Yeah, but a good gross.

Mona

I didn't know there was such a thing, but you're kind of right.

Stephen grins. He leans back and watches as Mona looks embarrassed. He takes her hand and examines it.

Stephen

Nerd girls...

Mona

Yeah, what about us?

Stephen

Who knew they could be such a huge, underutilized source of attraction?

Mona

Underutilized? Please. Nerdy people get married and stuff all the time, normal people just haven't taken notice of them for such a long time that they tend to not notice.

Stephen

Unappreciated?

Mona

Maybe...

Mona reaches up to push a piece of hair that had fallen in front of her face back. It falls in front of her eyes immediately once she puts her hand down. Stephen reaches up and holds it gently in place as he gazes into Mona's eyes.

Mona

Is it just me, or are we being incredibly cliche?

StePHEN

How do you mean?

Mona

Don't you ever watch movies? T.v.?

Stephen

Not much.

Mona

This would make a great love scene for a movie.

Stephen

Exciting.

Mona

Not really.

Stephen

Why not?

Mona

Because most people will have walked out of the movie by the time it reached this point.

Stephen

I'm sure you're not that boring.

Mona

You're sure, but you really have no idea.

Stephen

Who's your favorite character?

Mona

Me.

StepheN

What? Not that hot psychiatrist, what's his name?

Mona

Nah, the psychiatrist was a little annoying, really.

Stephen nudges Mona playfully.

StePHEN

You say that, but you don't mean it. You like it.

Mona blushes again.

Stephen

And another thing. I've never seen you embarrassed and in the last five minutes, you've blushed about sixteen times.

Mona

I can't help it.

Stephen

No, actually, you can't.

Mona

Something about blood rushing.

Stephen

Actually, the system in your body that makes you blush is the same system that activates your fight or flight response.

Mona

Really?

Stephen

When you're embarrassed, your body releases adrenaline, which speeds up your breathing and heart rate to prepare you to run from danger. It causes your pupils to dilate to allow you to take in as much visual information as possible. It slows down your digestive process so that the energy can be redirected to your muscles. All when you're feeling embarrassed.

Mona

Interesting.

Stephen

Also, the blood vessels in your face dilate and more blood flows there, making them appear more red.

Mona

Stupid fight or flight.

Stephen

Exactly.

There is an awkward silence in which they both stare down at their entangled hands. Then Stephen looks back up at Mona and laughs.

Mona

What?

Stephen

You're Mona.

Mona

Yeah.

StePHEN

I just realized how awkward this is.

Mona

Just barely?

Stephen

Yeah... I'm so old.

Mona

Just eight years.

Stephen

It sounds like so much...

Mona

It sort of is, but I suggest not dwelling on it.

Stephen

That might be better.

Mona

Yeah.

Mona grins and then leans forward again.

Fade to black.