April

A young man struggles for meaning as he attends the funeral of a relative.

 INT. VIEWING ROOM NO. 1 - FUNERAL HOME - LATE AFTERNOON.         
                                                                           
          MARK stares blankly downward, facing us. His breathing is        
          long and deep, looking for an emotion that is not there.         
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          An open coffin, with a female body lying within it. The body     
          is only visible on screen from the shoulders down. She           
          appears to be old from the condition of her pale, wrinkled       
          skin, or maybe it is just the way her body has been              
          decomposing. It is not clear.                                    
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    Martha Windom... my father’s older                     
                    sister.                                                
                                                                           
          A ring is still placed on the body’s left hand.                  
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    A lover to a man I never knew.                         
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          The body’s hands, lying on each side of the waist. The           
          inside of each wrist facing the hips. The wrists are slit        
          across from end to end.                                          
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    A stranger... who wanted out.                          
                                                                           
          MARK’S FATHER sits on a bench several feet to the                
          side,  against a wall. He is leaned forward, with his hands      
          covering most of his face - his guilt and sorrow. MARK looks     
          over to him.                                                     
                                                                           
          A beat.                                                          
                                                                           
          MARK takes one last look at the body, then walks away.           
                                                                           
          MARK maneuvers through various family members toward the         
          entrance door.                                                   
                                                                           
                              MARK’S MOTHER                                
                         (whispering)                                      
                    Mark, where are you going?                             
                                                                           
          Mark stops to respond.                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              2.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (whispering)                                      
                    I just need a breath of fresh air                      
                    from this room... all of this...                       
                    just for a few minutes.                                
                                                                           
          MARK’S MOTHER puts an arm on MARK’s shoulder.                    
                                                                           
                              MARK’S MOTHER                                
                         (whispering)                                      
                    Okay, I understand. Just try to                        
                    hurry back as soon as possible, the                    
                    service begins soon... I may need                      
                    help with your father.                                 
                                                                           
          She nods toward his father.                                      
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          MARK’S FATHER has not moved. A family member walks over to       
          him and pats his shoulder. He nudges it away.                    
                                                                           
          INT. HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON.                                   
                                                                           
          MARK walks by a red couch, and pauses. He steps backwards,       
          and stops in front of it. He looks at the painting placed        
          above it.                                                        
                                                                           
          He studies the painting. He does not blink; he is very calm.     
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          The painting of a stone bridge that crosses over a river. A      
          lush forest fills the remainder of the canvas. No one is         
          standing on the bridge, but in the reflection, there appears     
          to be someone looking out from the bridge. The sky and           
          landscape in the reflection are noticeably darker and            
          twisted.                                                         
                                                                           
          MARK continues to walk down the hall.                            
                                                                           
                                                                           
          INT. MAIN OFFICE. MOMENTS LATER.                                 
                                                                           
          MARK awkwardly walks slowly around the room, observing his       
          surroundings. He eyes catch a small pile of brochures laying     
          out at the front desk.                                           
                                                                           
          The pile of brochures, front and center on screen. It reads:     
          COBBLE SPRINGS. Under that, there is a slogan that does a        
          poor job of comforting: WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER, ONE STEP AT     
          A TIME. MARK’s hand comes in to shot, picking up the top         
          brochure.                                                        
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              3.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
          MARK brings the brochure chest level, looking over the front     
          page.                                                            
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    It doesn’t matter how beautiful                        
                    they make it seem...                                   
                                                                           
          MARK puts the brochure back down.                                
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    ...It will always be tragic, cold,                     
                    and lonely.                                            
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          One of the slit wrists on the body in the coffin.                
                                                                           
          CUT BACK TO:                                                     
                                                                           
          A similarly angled shot on MARK’s arm. He flips his wrist up     
          to his view, and pulls back his sleeve. Several cuts appear      
          along his arm.                                                   
                                                                           
          MARK painfully looks at the cuts, and closes his eyes. He        
          slowly pulls his sleeve back up, heads for the entrance out      
          to the front of the funeral home.                                
                                                                           
                                                                           
          EXT. COBBLE SPRINGS FUNERAL HOME - FRONT ENTRANCE - MOMENTS      
          LATER.                                                           
                                                                           
          WEATHER SHOT:                                                    
                                                                           
          The sky is gray.                                                 
                                                                           
          MARK sits on the stone steps of the entrance. He observes a      
          leaf and picks it up. He holds it between his thumb and          
          pointing finger. The leaf is green and lush. It has freshly      
          fallen from a tree.                                              
                                                                           
          MARK crumples the leaf in his hand.                              
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                         (O.S.)                                            
                    Why’d you do that?                                     
                                                                           
          MARK turns around.                                               
                                                                           
          A young blonde girl stands half-way out the entrance door.       
          She has a curious look on her face.                              
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              4.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Do what?                                               
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Crush the leaf.                                        
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    The leaf?                                              
                                                                           
          ZOEY completely exits the funeral home and walks down to the     
          steps that MARK is sitting on.                                   
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Yeah.                                                  
                                                                           
          MARK responds with a confused look.                              
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    I don’t know, I’m just passing                         
                    time-                                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Just because it fell off the branch                    
                    doesn’t mean it’s dead. It’s still                     
                    green.                                                 
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    What are you, an environmentalist                      
                    or something?                                          
                                                                           
          MARK smirks slightly. ZOEY smiles.                               
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Not exactly.                                           
                                                                           
          ZOEY sits down.                                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                         (continued)                                       
                    You could say I’m somewhat of an                       
                    observer.                                              
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Of...random people?                                    
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Life.                                                  
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    That’s...pretty broad.                                 
                                                                           
          ZOEY lights up and points a finger at him.                       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              5.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Exactly!                                               
                                                                           
          Her hand opens up, revealing a hand awaiting a handshake.        
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    By the way, I’m Zoey.                                  
                                                                           
          MARK greets her hand with his and shakes.                        
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Mark.                                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Just "Mark"?                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    ...Yeah.                                               
                                                                           
          A beat. Zoey’s serious look slowly turns in to a smile.          
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Oh, alright. I respect that, you                       
                    have style.                                            
                                                                           
          She throws her pointing finger up towards him, in a "hold on     
          a second" kind of way.                                           
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    But...you can’t know my last name                      
                    either.                                                
                                                                           
          Mark picks up another leaf on the ground and twirls it in        
          his hand.                                                        
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    I think I can live with that.                          
                                                                           
          He looks over at her.                                            
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    So, you observe life?                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Mhm.                                                   
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Why?                                                   
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    You got me, I’m actually a                             
                    photographer.                                          
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              6.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Ah, okay.                                              
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Yeah man, I love seeing all the                        
                    moments of the world trapped                           
                    forever in time. Like, it will                         
                    never change. It just is, you know?                    
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    You know, I think I would like life                    
                    too if I could make things last                        
                    forever. That’s the issue with it.                     
                    It changes. You wish you could                         
                    always have these little content                       
                    moments, but they are soon gone,                       
                    leaving nothing but fear for what’s                    
                    next.                                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Yeah. Life isn’t perfect. I mean,                      
                    look where we are. I’m up here for                     
                    my uncle’s funeral and-                                
                                                                           
          ZOEY has a look of realization on her face.                      
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Oh no.                                                 
                                                                           
          Her eyes grow wide, and worried. MARK looks at her, confused     
          but intrigued.                                                   
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    You’re here for a funeral.                             
                                                                           
          She slowly stands up, keeping eye contact with MARK.             
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Yeah, but-                                             
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                         (upset)                                           
                    I’m out here just chatting it up                       
                    about life and s**t, and you’re                        
                    probably out here trying to cope                       
                    with your loss-                                        
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    No, really-                                            
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                         (continued)                                       
                                                                           
                              (MORE)                                       
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              7.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              ZOEY (cont’d)                                
                    And I’m just making no big deal                        
                    over mine! I’m sorry I bothered                        
                    you, really!                                           
                                                                           
          She begins walking back up the steps. MARK gets up and           
          follows her.                                                     
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Zoey, stop!                                            
                                                                           
          MARK reaches her at the top step, grabbing her left arm.         
          Their eyes meet.                                                 
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    It’s okay, I promise.                                  
                                                                           
          Thunder is heard from above as rain begins to fall. MARK         
          looks up at the sky, then back down at her.                      
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Keep talking to me inside?                             
                                                                           
          ZOEY has a look of uncertainty on her face, but she              
          responds.                                                        
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                         (calming down)                                    
                    Okay.                                                  
                                                                           
                                                                           
          INT. MAIN OFFICE. MOMENTS LATER.                                 
                                                                           
          Window pane. Rain is pouring outside. Nothing else can be        
          heard.                                                           
                                                                           
          ZOEY and MARK stand nearby, watching the rain in silent.         
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    Who is this girl?                                      
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    So, who’s funeral are you here for?                    
                    You don’t have to tell me a thing,                     
                    but I was just curious.                                
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    No, it’s fine. It’s for my aunt.                       
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    I’m sorry.                                             
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              8.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    It’s okay, I never really knew her.                    
                    She was kind of a recluse. I have                      
                    small recollections of her from                        
                    when I was young, but besides that,                    
                    we weren’t very personal.                              
                                                                           
          MARK turns to ZOEY.                                              
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    She was my dad’s sister. He’s not                      
                    taking it very well. I think he                        
                    feels responsible, they were on bad                    
                    terms.                                                 
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    How did she die?                                       
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    They wouldn’t say. I’m not stupid,                     
                    though. They don’t need to hide the                    
                    truth from anyone. Sometimes people                    
                    fall in to holes they aren’t sure                      
                    they can get themselves out of.                        
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    I think the same thing happened to                     
                    my uncle.                                              
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Really?                                                
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Well, in a way. He had a heart                         
                    attack, but supposedly he was in                       
                    good shape. At least, he was                           
                    physically. I heard my parents                         
                    talking about some of the debts we                     
                    may have to take on from him.                          
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    That sounds pretty bad.                                
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Well, hopefully he’s in a place now                    
                    where he feels like he doesn’t have                    
                    to hide anything from others. I                        
                    mean, I hear things now I never                        
                    even knew about him. I feel like I                     
                    should be upset, but I just haven’t                    
                    been able to pull out a tear. I’m                      
                    horrible!                                              
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                              9.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    No, it’s okay. Sometimes things are                    
                    beyond tears.                                          
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Yeah, I think that’s true.                             
                                                                           
          A beat passes by as they continue looking out at the rain.       
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    April showers bring May flowers, I                     
                    know you’ve heard that.                                
                                                                           
          She looks over at MARK smiling.                                  
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    If April showers bring May flowers,                    
                    then what do May flowers bring?                        
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    What do you think they bring?                          
                                                                           
          MARK shrugs.                                                     
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Pilgrims?                                              
                                                                           
          ZOEY shoots MARK a confused look, then realizes he was           
          joking. They both laugh.                                         
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Seriously though, Have you ever                        
                    gone back to things in your past                       
                    that you saw one way, but now see                      
                    another?                                               
                                                                           
          MARK looks over at her.                                          
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Sometimes, but I don’t necessarily                     
                    like to go back to them.                               
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    You should, just don’t go back to                      
                    live and breathe it. Go back to                        
                    reflect and dissect it.                                
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    What about the pilgrims?                               
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Right. What do the pilgrims bring?                     
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                             10.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Nothing, the riddle ends there.                        
                                                                           
          ZOEY turns around, her body completely facing MARK. She puts     
          her hands together, fingers locking, and holds it up in          
          front of her.                                                    
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Hope.                                                  
                                                                           
          MARK looks at her hands, and then back up at her. ZOEY puts      
          her hands down, and grabs his.                                   
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    It’s important that you look for                       
                    something in what you have.                            
                                                                           
          She puts his hands in to a similar position as hers from a       
          moment earlier.                                                  
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Just let the other things wash                         
                    away, they don’t matter.                               
                                                                           
          She slowly moves her hands away from his.                        
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    You’ll find that nothing’s gone.                       
                    Other things may even reveal                           
                    themselves.                                            
                                                                           
          MARK looks down at his hands, and back at her. MARK’s phone      
          vibrates. He pulls it out and looks at it.                       
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    The funeral is about to start.                         
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    Mine’s probably not too far off                        
                    either.                                                
                                                                           
          ZOEY starts walking away backwards, still facing MARK.           
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    It was nice to meet you!                               
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Will you be around afterward?                          
                                                                           
          ZOEY stops, pondering his question.                              
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                             11.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              ZOEY                                         
                    No promises, but you may see me                        
                    again at some point.                                   
                                                                           
          She smiles, turns around, and walks down the hall. MARK          
          watches in amazement. His phone vibrates again.                  
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                    Crap.                                                  
                                                                           
          MARK starts walking to the chapel.                               
                                                                           
                                                                           
          INT. CHAPEL - LATER                                              
                                                                           
          An organ cover of "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead       
          echoes throughout the chapel. The PASTOR walks down the          
          isle, toward the podium.                                         
                                                                           
          In the front pew sits MARK and his MOTHER and FATHER. MARK       
          glances over at his FATHER, who is bent over, face covered       
          by his hand.                                                     
                                                                           
          MARK gets up and walks over to him and puts a hand on his        
          shoulder. MARK’S FATHER looks up. MARK bends down, becoming      
          eye level with him.                                              
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (whispering)                                      
                    It’s okay. It’s no one’s fault.                        
                                                                           
          MARK’S FATHER  lightly smiles and pats him on the shoulder,      
          accepting his words of encouragement.                            
                                                                           
          MARK’S FATHER locks his hands together in his lap, similar       
          to what MARK did earlier.                                        
                                                                           
          MARK returns to his seat. His MOTHER puts a hand on his          
          knee, non-verbally appreciating his encouragement. He            
          smiles.                                                          
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    I can’t think of the last time I                       
                    legitimately smiled.                                   
                                                                           
          The PASTOR reaches the podium, waiting for the music to          
          finish.                                                          
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    Sometimes we hope for the                              
                    impossible, which runs the chance                      
                              (MORE)                                       
                                                           (CONTINUED)     
                                                                           

          CONTINUED:                                             12.       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                              MARK (cont’d)                                
                    of bringing destruction upon our                       
                    lives.                                                 
                                                                           
          CUT TO:                                                          
                                                                           
          MARK’S FATHER, moments later, is up at the podium giving a       
          eulogy about his sister. He is crying, but smiling as he         
          talks.                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
          EXT. COBBLE SPRINGS FUNERAL HOME - FRONT ENTRANCE - AFTER        
          FUNERAL.                                                         
                                                                           
          The music continues. MARK and various family members exit        
          the Funeral Home. MARK is talking with a few of them.            
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    What we should hope for is what’s                      
                    next, whether that comes before or                     
                    after the storm.                                       
                                                                           
          MARK glances at something offscreen in the distance.             
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    But if you have no other choice                        
                    than to take on troubled waters...                     
                                                                           
          ZOEY, who is smiling, stands off in the distance.                
                                                                           
                              MARK                                         
                         (thinking)                                        
                    Remember that even the flood                           
                    cleanses.                                              
                                                                           
          The music stops. MARK smiles at her.