INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
THEO (early 20s, glasses) nervously makes a phone call. The ringback tone plays for a while. At the moment where he’d be redirected to voicemail, the call connects.
The person who picks up is JANE (early 20s, straight-ish hair), Theo’s former something.
Theo doesn’t say anything--he didn’t think she’d pick up.
JANE
Hello?
THEO
(he can't bring himself to say anything)
Silence.
THEO (CONT'D)
Hi, Jane...
JANE
Theo... is everything okay? I mean, why’d you call?
He doesn’t really know why he called.
THEO
I, uh, I... I wanted to check in. See how you were doing, how things were goin-
JANE
I’d like you not to call again.
THEO
Jane, uh, sorry. I’m sorry. I wanted to see if you’d want to grab a coffee.
A beat.
JANE
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
THEO
It’s been a while.
JANE
It hasn’t been that long... Despite the distance, you’ve never felt far enough.
A beat. Theo looks out of his window. He doesn't know what he's looking for.
JANE (CONT'D)
I’m going to hang up now.
Theo stares at his phone. A pit fills his stomach as he sits on his sofa, motionless.
EXT. FAR ROCKAWAY SHORE - DUSK
Theo walks along the shore.
He stops and stares at each horseshoe crab exoskeleton.
Then, he sits down, looking into the horizon as the sun sets.
The water stretches to the infinite end.
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - LATE AFTERNOON
Jane and Theo are sitting on a park bench, looking out at New Jersey. The Hudson audibly crashes onto the bank. It’s a windy day.
THEO
You know, before Ryuichi Sakamoto died, he put together this playlist. His own funeral playlist, knowing he’d die soon. He couldn’t even listen to it as he intended.
JANE
What would you put on your funeral playlist? I mean, assuming you knew you were dying.
Theo takes a moment to think about the question.
THEO
Well, maybe a requiem. Like John F. Kennedy. I think he had a full choir sing Mozart’s Requiem.
A beat.
THEO (CONT'D)
Or, well, someone probably chose it for him.
JANE
You know Mozart died before he could finish his requiem? Sussmayr had to finish it because some noble wanted the “Mozart funeral playlist” for his wife.
A trumpeter begins warming up not too far from the bench.
THEO
Makes me wonder what music Mozart had at his funeral.
EXT. SUBWAY STOP - NIGHT
Theo and Jane stop in front of the Houston St 1 station. They’re standing face-to-face, taking each other’s hands, but not consciously.
JANE
Well, I think I ought to go catch this train. I’ve got an early flight.
Theo doesn’t say anything. He awkwardly kicks his feet. Jane doesn’t take another step towards the subway.
They’re looking right at each other. They’re both smiling.
Theo thinks, I don’t want this to end.
Jane thinks, I don’t want this to end.
They lean in and kiss. Their hearts are racing.
They stare at each other, what happens now?
A beat.
THEO
Text me, okay? When you make it back.
JANE
Okay. I will.
Their hands separate. Theo watches Jane as she walks down the stairs into the station.
Theo walks home, down an unexpectedly empty Houston street.
He doesn’t know when, or if, he’ll see Jane again.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTTIME
It’s a hot summer night--it could be 10pm or 3am. Theo and Jane are lying in bed together, both splayed out and staring at the ceiling.
JANE
Were you ugly in middle school?
THEO
I mean, I was fat. I was the fat kid.
JANE
You have this “ugly duckling” air to you.
THEO
You’re saying I look like I used to be ugly.
JANE
No, well, I think you have this swan-like nature to you, but that you aren’t really aware of it. Like it’s a new thing or something.
Theo looks over at Jane.
JANE (CONT'D)
I don’t mean it in a bad way. I just think you’re not an asshole, when you definitely could be.
EXT. MINUTES AWAY FROM ATLANTIC TERMINAL - NIGHT
Theo and Jane are walking together down the sidewalk. They aren’t touching or holding hands.
JANE
When’s your train leave again?
THEO
I should probably figure that out.
He checks his phone and his eyebrows shoot up.
THEO
Shit. It’s here in 15. The last one tonight.
JANE
You should get going, then.
THEO
Yeah. I should run.
A beat.
JANE
Today was fun.
THEO
Yeah. I really enjoyed it.
They hug with no sense of urgency.
Theo sprints towards Atlantic Terminal.
INT. ATLANTIC TERMINAL - LATER
Theo calls Jane as he waits on the platform.
JANE
Hi! Did you make it on time?
THEO
Yes! I just barely did. The train is meant to be here in exactly two minutes.
JANE
I waited right where we said goodbye. Just in case you missed your train.
A beat.
They both wish Theo had missed his train.
The train arrives.
Theo boards and stands between cars.
THEO
I’ll text you when I make it home.
JANE
Talk soon.
They hang up. Theo finds his seat.
Three very drunk commuters board the train. Each one is nursing a bottle of wine. Two of them, an older man and older woman, sit behind Theo. The third, a YOUNG WOMAN, sits right next to Theo.
YOUNG WOMAN
I... l-like your hair!
THEO
Uh, thanks.
YOUNG WOMAN
Do you want some wine!?
THEO
I’m not-
YOUNG WOMAN
We all work in wine imports. That’s why we have it! It’s... good!
She pulls out a disposable cup and pours Theo a glass of red wine. Her colleagues egg her on from behind her seat.
Theo takes a sip.
YOUNG WOMAN (CONT'D)
L-let’s take a photo together.
She snaps a selfie of the two of them.
YOUNG WOMAN (CONT'D)
Do you want to get drinks with me tomorrow...?
THEO
I’m flattered but-
She leans in, closer to Theo.
YOUNG WOMAN
BUT!?
THEO
But I’ve got a busy day. I’ll be busy. I’m sorry.
YOUNG WOMAN
Too much time until then, right? What stop are you getting off at?
THEO
Far Rockaway, I think.
YOUNG WOMAN
Sooooo far. If you were closer I’d have gotten off with you. We could have done drinks TONIGHT.
THEO
(sarcastically)
What a shame.
They ride for a little while longer. The young woman gets up at her stop with her coworkers and leaves the train, blowing Theo a kiss.
Theo sits alone in the train car.
The train keeps moving.
INT. JANE’S BEDROOM - TWILIGHT
Jane sits on the floor in an oversized T-shirt.
Her phone’s in front of her--she’s recording a voice message.
JANE
I don’t know if we can figure this thing out.
She shifts her weight.
JANE (CONT'D)
I keep thinking about what might’ve happened if you doubled back. You know, missed your train on purpose.
An airplane drones above.
JANE (CONT'D)
I hope we can figure it out.
END