MASTER SCENE SCRIPT
© 2004, Taylor Jenkins
04/27/04
FADE IN:
EXT. LARGE APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
BEN EWING steps out of the front doors of the apartment building. He walks toward a car parked on the street in front of the building. The car is an older model hatchback. Ben looks to be in his mid twenties, just over 6 feet tall, skinny with shaggy brown hair. Ben stops by the car door and momentarily looks briefly, blankly upward.
BEN
(loudly)
Damnit!
He kicks the car and shakes it with his hands. He stops, looks around awkwardly then gets in the car, driver’s side, and drives away. His taillights can be seen fading away down a long, quiet city street.
EXT. PUB – NIGHT
The same hatchback car pulls up and stops in front of the pub. Ben Ewing steps out of the car slowly and walks inside the pub, sulking.
INT. PUB – DIMLY LIT
Ben walks through a door into the pub. It is a dimly lit place, very cozy. Pictures line the walls, some seem to be personal pictures, and some of the frames even contain hand written letters. Ben walks to the bar and is greeted by GEOFF ATKINSON. They shake hands in a way that suggests that they are very close, old friends.
BEN
Hey, Geoff, slow night?
GEOFF
As always, how are you man?
They are visibly happy to see each other thought Ben looks troubled after Geoff asks him this. Ben is quiet as Geoff hands him a beer and leans against the bar.
Geoff is of similar build as Ben. Geoff has brown hair that he keeps much shorter than Ben’s, mid twenties and about 6 foot tall, slim with a friendly smile.
BEN
I’ve, uh, been better.
GEOFF
What’s going on? You want to talk about it?
BEN
(hesitates)
It’s Rowan, she, she and I had another fight. You know, they’re about every week now. It’s getting really old.
GEOFF
What the hell do you guys fight about? Every time I see you two you’re holding hands and acting like you’re in grade school.
BEN
Yeah, well, most of the time things are good like that but…
GEOFF
What?
BEN
(quietly, pained)
She’s seeing someone else.
Geoff falls silent and pushes up off of the bar where he was leaning, staring at Ben. He looks at Ben for a second longer then looks down
GEOFF
(sympathetic)
What? I’m sorry man. Jesus.
(stops, puzzled)
Wait, what? Why?
BEN
You ask her, I’ve no fucking idea.
GEOFF
(smiling)
Well, you are a real dick, but that shouldn’t…
BEN
(put off, cutting him short)
Geoff.
GEOFF
(acting serious again)
Sorry, sorry. Really though, I mean, what’s going on?
Ben leans back and looks around the bar. He sighs heavily and looks frustrated.
BEN
I guess, I mean, she says I’m uncaring and she can’t take that, but she also says I get upset about things to easily. How can I be uncaring if I get upset about shit?
(pausing)
Though, I can kind of see how she gets that.
GEOFF
What do you mean?
BEN
Well, I, um, I really care about her, you know, Geoff. You know me; I don’t let that shit out to often… I don’t know how to tell her how I feel about her and I think it’s tripping me up, you know, holding it all in.
The door opens and a customer walks in. Geoff holds up a finger and walks to the other end of the bar. We can see him in the background talking to a customer and handing him a drink. Ben sits in the foreground, lights a cigarette and looks around to the door the man just walked through. He is staring at it blankly as Geoff begins walking back toward him.
GEOFF
(calling behind him)
Thanks, let me know if you need something else.
Man nods and walk off to sit at a table GEOFF
(to Ben)
Sorry
Ben snaps out of it and turns back to face Geoff.
BEN
(nodding)
Yeah.
(pausing)
So… she says I’ve been distant.
GEOFF
Have you been?
BEN
No, no… yeah, I mean, I guess, but I don’t know. I just… the thought of losing her is not a good one.
GEOFF
(slowly)
…And that’s a reason to be distant?
BEN
(annoyed)
No, just that…
(pauses)
I guess I’ve been scared, you know, like if I let myself be that close to her and she leaves me it will just hurt worse, does that sound crazy?
GEOFF
(shaking his head)
No, not at all.
BEN
I guess I’ve just become paranoid about losing her so I’m pulling away just to shorten the fall when she cuts me loose. It’s weird though; if I weren’t being such an ass in the process she would still be here. I guess this WAS my fault… but…fuck it.
GEOFF
You can’t start doing that man. You need to think this thing through. You’re not entirely out of the picture here. This new guy is just standard rebound shit right?
BEN
That guy? I ever meet him and…
GEOFF
(cutting him off)
Yeah, well, how close to her can he be? You need to quit blaming yourself and tell her all the stuff you’ve been telling me. You’re not trying to win me back so save it for her.
BEN
I just don’t know, Geoff.
GEOFF
Well, look, you should figure it out. She’s different you know, when I see you guys, I mean, YOU”RE different, in a good way though, when she’s around. I haven’t seen you that happy since Cannonball Run came out on DVD.
Ben laughs for the first time since he came into the bar. He looks at Geoff kind of relieved, like he feels instantly better because of it. He leans back in his seat and look up at the ceiling. He looks upward for a moment then looks back down, at Geoff, still smiling.
BEN
You know, you’re right. I feel different when she’s around, like I’m a better person just because she’s there. Part of me says I can’t let this happen, you know, but I mean, she’s so over it. She’s finished with me, that much was clear.
GEOFF
(slightly smiling)
And how do you know that? I mean, she didn’t, like, hit you with a bat or anything, and I’d say that’s a good sign.
BEN
Hmm… That’s relative.
GEOFF
I guess.
Geoff turns around and fills two beer glasses, replaces Ben’s empty beer with one of them and sips on the other himself.
GEOFF
I saw Chris yesterday, he says you should probably get your records and shit out of his place. He’s moving end of the week you know. I don’t think he wants to take your crap with him.
Ben looks grateful for Geoff’s poor attempt at changing the subject and smiles at him slightly.
BEN
(still grinning slightly)
Yeah, I’ll get by there tomorrow.
Geoff looks up at the door to see another customer walk in. The man looks around quizzically for a moment and walks over to where Ben is sitting.
MAN
Ben? Um, sorry, are you Ben Ewing?
Ben turns around to look at the person.
BEN
(slowly)
Um, yeah, I’m Ben.
The man awkwardly holds his hand out to Ben. Ben looks confused but shakes the mans hand anyway
MAN
My name is ELLIOTT DANIELS. I don’t really know how to say this so I guess, I’ll…
(pauses)
I’ve been seeing Rowan for about two weeks now and…
Ben immediately stands up from his stool and faces Elliott. Ben tries his best to be intimidating but it is not coming across to well. Ben stands in front of Elliott for a moment as Geoff looks on, slightly amused at his friend’s meager attempt at frightening Elliott. Before Ben can embarrass himself anymore though Elliott speaks up
ELLIOTT
(holding his hands up at chest level)
I really just want to talk I have no grudge with you, but I can see how you might have one with me. Look, Rowan never told me about you. If she had I don’t think I would have continued to see her. I really just want to talk, that’s all.
Ben stares at him, looking relived, and pulls back a stool for Elliott to sit on at the bar. Geoff nods at Ben and walks off to the other end of the bar and initiates small talk with new customer who has just come in.
Elliott is slightly larger than Ben. He is of medium build with short black hair and glasses. He sits down where Ben has pulled out the stool and looks down at the bar.
ELLIOTT
So Rowan told me everything tonight. She told me about you and told me that you knew about me. It’s all pretty confusing but like I said, what she told me tonight was news to me. If I had known…
BEN
(cutting him short)
What? If you had known? You would have cut it off like the chivalrous hero you’re coming in here as? Keep it.
ELLIOTT
I’m serious. Do you think I would have left her and come down here to talk to you if I didn’t give a fuck about you or your relationship with Rowan? No, I’d be happy as shit that you were out of the picture and she was mine. That’s not who I am and how can you pretend to make that judgment of me?
The two of them sit silently for a moment. The whole bar is quiet and neither is sure of what to say next and what to even say for that matter.
BEN
(silent for a moment, then looks up at Elliott)
All right… yeah, I guess you wouldn’t be here talking to me. Where do we go from here though? I mean, here we are sitting here and she’s at home. How did she do this, how didn’t I know?
Elliott sits, looking at the bar, not looking at Ben. He turns to face Ben and prepares to speak.
ELLIOTT
Look, I’m here because something that is obvious to me has slipped right passed you. Why do you think she told me about you? When I got to her apartment tonight she was out of her head. Upset and crying… she had to tell me about you. The girl is insane about you and you don’t have the faintest clue.
BEN
What? She said that? I mean I got the idea that she was over this whole thing and she was moving on with you.
ELLIOTT
Yeah, well, maybe that’s what she had hoped for, too. But it didn’t really work out for her. When you left tonight she immediately realized the mistake she had made. She doesn’t love me… it’s you, friend. It’s like it all hit her at once. Every great moment you guys shared, everything you had done, and the regret and pain of getting involved with me and letting you slip away. You two have got some shit to work out. I’m not saying there aren’t problems there, but to her it’s shit that’s worth working out.
BEN
I had no idea. Why didn’t she tell me? Why did she have to do it this way? I mean, she couldn’t talk to me?
ELLIOTT
How could she? She told me she tried and you, in your own little world of self pity or whatever, would get so defensive that there was no way to get you to talk about it…
BEN
Jesus… she’s right. I never gave her a chance to let anything out, did I? I would just close down, thinking she couldn’t understand how I felt about anything…
ELLIOTT
And she probably knew how you were feeling better that you did but you shut her out.
The two sit in silence for a moment each of them seem to be thinking deeply, looking concerned about the situation. Ben stands up and start walking around the bar, pacing.
BEN
(to Elliott)
You think she’s still at home? Can I even show my face there?
ELLIOTT
Yes and yes…
BEN
Why haven’t I realized this before… you know what though? I did. I was just to stupid to see what she meant to me and I let this get fucked like everything else. But I could have fixed this, this was something that didn’t have to wrong. Everything I touch just falls apart, but her… she held ME together.
ELLIOTT
You need to go talk to her.
Ben moves back to the bar and looks at Elliott like a friend now. He motions for Geoff to come over to where they are and he looks back to Elliott.
BEN
Look, I don’t really know what to say here. You, um, you didn’t have to come down here. I guess I’m saying thanks. I mean, I hate to say it, but I’m not sure that I would have come down here to talk to you… if it were the other way around, I mean.
ELLIOTT
I think you would have. Ben, you’ll realize from time to time that you can surprise yourself. Just from what Rowan told me and from what I know of you from this brief conversation I can say that you are a good person… better than you may think… you just need some pushing from time to time.
BEN
(smiling at Elliott)
I think that’s a compliment… at least I’ll take it as one.
Elliot nods and smiles at Ben as Geoff walks over to where they are and looks at Ben for a sign that everything is all right. Ben smiles at him and points to his glass and then to Elliott. Geoff grabs a glass and pours Elliott a beer.
BEN
(to Elliott)
So yeah, thanks. I’m going to go do something I should have done a long time ago. I can’t let another day pass without her knowing exactly how I feel, no more confusion and defensive egos.
Geoff sets the glass in front of Elliott. He nods to Geoff in thanks.
ELLIOTT
You know, I think she already knows how you feel she just needs to hear it and hear it from you… now get over there.
Ben pushes in his bar stool and turns to face Geoff.
BEN
Just put his stuff on my tab…
GEOFF
(eyes wide, slightly surprised but smiling)
Son of a bitch… you haven’t paid for a drink in this place for about two years now and you think I have some tab running in my head for you… no wait, you know what? I’ll figure it out for you. You may have to start working nights here though and pay it off little by little
Ben laughs and starts to defend himself.
BEN
Well, I mean, you know, he can drink on my behalf while I’m out there taking care of some things…
Elliott is obviously amused by this little interchange between friends and watches with interest.
GEOFF
Well, I suppose your new friend here can have house favor for tonight, but I’m serious, I’m gonna figure up your tab and you just wait ‘till you piss me off… then I come to collect.
BEN
(smiling)
Right, you get to work on that and I’ll get back to you tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll have you pissed off pretty soon.
Ben turns to leave but shakes Geoff’s hand first. He then looks at Elliott and smiles and shakes his hand.
BEN
Really, thanks.
Elliott just nods and motions to the door suggesting that Ben should get going.
EXT. PUB – NIGHT
Ben runs out of the pub and stops for a moment. He looks around as if considering something. He begins walking very fast down the sidewalk and passes his car. His fast walk turns into a run and he vanishes into the night around a block. The streets are wet and reflecting the street lights and lights from buildings. The city is very still.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Ben can be seen running up the street out of the darkness towards the building that he came out of earlier; Rowan’s building. He stops and stares at the building for a few moments and looks to be deep in thought. He remains there few moments more but he is pacing now, looking worried and fidgety, he is obviously very nervous. In an instant though he seems to compose himself and gain some new confidence from somewhere inside. He turns and walks inside of the building.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY – WELL LIT
Ben walks in through a door into the lobby of the apartment building and heads for the elevator at the far end of the lobby. The elevator doors face the doors to the street from the opposite side of the room. There are various plants and things around the lobby, including a couch and some chairs. Also, long rows of mailboxes line the wall. Ben passes them as he walks to the elevator.
Ben stops in front of the elevator doors and pushes a button… waits a moment.
BEN
(slightly annoyed)
Come on… piece of shit.
He seems very eager and annoyed that the elevator is taking a few moments to get to the first floor. Finally a bell sounds and the elevator doors begin to open.
Ben gets on the elevator and turns around. He pushes a floor button and waits for the doors to close, looking around the elevator.
FEMALE VOICE (OS)
Ben! Ben, wait!
Ben looks up as the elevator doors are closing just in time to see ROWAN MCCLOUD coming in the front doors of the building, calling to him.
ROWAN
Ben!
BEN
Rowan! I…
He yells to her before he tries to get off of the elevator and when he tries to squeeze through the doors it is to late and they close in his face.
INT. ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT
Ben begins frantically pushing buttons on the elevator and even hits the door once in frustration.
BEN
(loudly)
Damnit! Come on…
Ben shoves off of the door and leans against the back wall. He realizes that he is just going to have to wait until the elevator gets to Rowan’s floor and then he can come back down.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY – WELL LIT
Rowan walks up to the elevator and puts her hand against the door and looks up. She seems eager to see Ben, and she is kind of fidgety. Rowan is a very attractive girl about the same age as Ben, mid twenties, maybe a year or two younger than him. She has a petit build and shoulder length, straight, brown hair. She almost looks a little fragile. She backs away from the door and bites her lip a bit, still staring at the doors and waiting.
ROWAN
(quietly, softly)
Oh, Ben.
She stomps her foot softly and looks very frustrated and eager to see him… she waits for the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT
The elevator stops and a bell rings. The doors open and Ben pushes a button to go back to the ground floor/lobby.
BEN
All right…
The doors close and the elevator begins moving downward. Ben still appears to be very eager to get to the bottom. He looks around the elevator nervously, though he seems focused. Like he is gathering his thoughts and beginning to think of what to say to Rowan once he reaches the lobby. The elevator is still moving downward and then… it stops suddenly. Ben waits for a moment, thinking it has reached the bottom floor but after a few moments the doors are still not open. He looks up at the display of floor numbers and sees that it still shows that he is on the 6th floor.
BEN
(puzzled)
What the hell?
Ben begins pushing buttons frantically, not because he is worried about being trapped in an elevator, but because he is so eager to see Rowan.
BEN
No… just fucking no. This is not happening, not now… Jesus. Well, of course this happens now. Of course.
Ben continues to push buttons and stare at the lit display half-heartedly hoping that the elevator will start going any second now.
INT APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY – WELL LIT
Rowan continues to wait, though she is beginning to look puzzled and worried.
ROWAN
(smiling a little, quietly… to the door)
Well, you always did make me wait on you… I guess this is par for the course.
She still stares at the elevator door.
INT. ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT
Ben leans against the back wall of the elevator like he is waiting for something and he looks around almost as if he is looking for another way out of the elevator.
By this time a few minutes have passed and he is as frustrated as ever. He slides down the back wall of the elevator until he is sitting on the floor with his arms wrapped around his knees.
BEN
OK Ben, um… this is no big deal. This is cool. We wait a minute or two more and then it’s all cool.
He doesn’t seem fully convinced at his own words and appears to be getting increasingly worried about the elevator being stopped.
He sits on the floor staring at the fire call button and wonders if he will actually have to use it to get the fire department here to get him out. He stares at it contemplatively and sighs heavily.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY – WELL LIT
Rowan is very worried at this point and it shows in her face and movements. She walks over to a door in the lobby and opens it. It can be seen that it is a stairwell. Maybe he got off and used the stairs.
ROWAN
(calling loudly)
Ben!
She gets no response only an echo. She walks to the door of the apartment building and opens it wide enough so she can stick her head out. She looks around from side to side for a moment and then pulls her head back inside and lets the door close. She sits down in one of the chairs in the lobby and waits, looking worried and frustrated.
INT ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT
Ben stands up again in the elevator.
BEN
Damnit… oh well, what the hell.
He reaches for the fire call button, pushes it and steps back. A moment later he hears the sound of a phone ringing from the speaker. He hears the sound of a phone being picked up on the other end. He hears the voice of a FEMALE OPERATOR.
OPERATOR
Fire department. What is your name and location?
BEN
Yeah, hi. This is Ben Ewing and I’m in the elevator of the apartments at 714 Parker St.
OPERATOR
What is your emergency?
BEN
What?! I’m in the elevator! I just said that… Jesus…
OPERATOR
Ok, sir, try and calm down and relax while I get someone over there to get you out of there . It should only take a few minute… oh, wait…
The operator sounds puzzled for a moment and stops in mid sentence.
OPERATOR
It seems that there is already a truck headed for that building.
Ben cuts her of, relieved.
BEN
You know what? My girlfriend is in the lobby, she must have called. Or do these things automatically call or something when they break down?
OPERATOR
(troubled)
Yes, sir. Just sit tight and help will be there very shortly. Are you ok, you’re not hurt, are you.
BEN
No, I’m fine. Thanks for your help
The sound of the line going dead can be heard in the elevator. Something about the operator’s change of tone and the way she avoided his question about who called before him doesn’t set well with Ben and it is visible. He seems a little perplexed and worried but shakes it off. A few more minutes pass and sirens can be heard.
BEN
OK… I’m fine now, how long could it take to get this piece of shit running again?
A few more moments pass and still nothing but the sound of the sirens outside.
EXT APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Rowan sees the fire trucks and runs outside. She is stopped by a FIREMAN who is getting out of the truck and walks toward Rowan and the building.
FIREMAN
Are you ok? Do you live in this building?
ROWAN
Yeah, I live here… I think my boyfriend is stuck in the elevator he must have called you guys, huh? Can you help him or is there a maintenance guy that should be called or something?
FIREMAN
(puzzled)
No… no one called from the elevator. We got a call from a resident on the top floor. How long has he been stuck?
ROWAN
I guess if he is in there it’s been about fifteen minutes or so…
(stopping)
He didn’t call from the box in there? Who did?
Other firemen begin moving rapidly into the building and police cars and ambulances begin to arrive along with another fire truck just behind them. Rowan looks at the fireman she has been speaking with and begins to look very worried, almost on the verge of panic. The fireman adopts a new look as if he is troubled as well and has just realized something.
FIREMAN
Ma’am… did you see anything in the building that caused you to come out here and wait for us?
ROWAN
(slowly, concerned)
No, I was waiting for Ben in the lobby and came out when I saw you guys pull up. What do you mean? Why? What… what’s going on?
FIREMAN
(pausing a moment)
Your boyfriend is in the elevator? Come over to the truck… we need to talk.
People continue to head for the doors and into the building. Police officers, firemen, and ambulance personnel begin filling the lobby and moving into the stairwells. More are gathering outside talking on radios and writing on clipboards and note pads.
INT. ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT
Ben is still standing in the elevator, though he is pacing now. He looks worried and annoyed. All of a sudden the light flickers in the elevator and when it is fully restored Ben has his hand on the wall staring at the numbers. His eyes are wide and pan from the door to the number panel and back.
BEN
(irritated)
What? COME ON! What the fuck is going on?
The light flickers again. And Ben fixes his gaze on the top of the door. He looks unsure about something. He moves closer to the door to get a closer look at that corner.
BEN
(squinting)
Um… what is that...?
He moves back suddenly to the middle of the elevator, pushing off of the door with hands in a very fast motion, and stands motionless with his eyes wide again. He saw what he hoped he wouldn’t. He saw a bit of smoke coming through the uppermost left hand corner of the door. He does not move and continues to stare straight ahead. A look of realization begins to cover his face.
BEN
(softly at first, then louder)
Jesus Christ… Jesus… what the fuck is going on! Oh god!
He puts his hand over his mouth as the full realization of what is happening hits him. He falls against the back wall of the elevator and looks around from side to side.
BEN
That’s why the elevator stopped? Oh my god…
EXT APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Rowan sits on the step of the fire truck that leads up into the cab. She sits motionless with tears streaming down her face.
ROWAN
(to herself)
No, no, no, no.
The fireman she was speaking with is standing nearby. Presumable he is giving her a moment alone to let her deal with what he has just told her. She jumps up suddenly and moves towards him very quickly.
ROWAN
(loudly)
There has to be something you can do! Why are you just standing here? Why aren’t you in there getting him out of the elevator?
The fireman grabs her shoulders and looks her in the eyes trying to calm her down and get her to become a little more rational.
FIREMAN
I promise you there are a lot of very trained dedicated people in there trying to help everyone in this building including your boyfriend. I won’t lie to you though, the elevators in these old building aren’t any newer that the buildings themselves. It can be really tricky to get them going in a situation like this especially if the fire gets to them. We WILL do everything we can though, that I can promise you.
ROWAN
(crying)
You can’t leave him in there!
FIREMAN
You think I want to?!? I said we will do everything in our power to get him out of there and that’s what I meant.
Rowan, very upset, turns away from the man. At this point there are many other residents of the building beginning to gather around on the sidewalk outside and more still are running out of the doors to join them. There are many types of people young and old wearing everything from pajamas to jeans. Some look as they have just been woken but the all look worried and chatter to each other frantically, some of them are crying.
INT. ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT, SMOKY
The smoke is heavier now and Ben is moving around. He stands and paces and then crouches trying to get as much fresh air as possible. He repeats this many times. Although the smoke is getting heavier, it is not really life threatening at this point. Or it wouldn’t be life threatening if he were able to get out in the next few minutes or so. He seems to be hopeful at this point that he is going to be rescued. He begins to here things outside of the elevator.
VARIOUS VOICES
(OS)
Get down to the end of the hall there! Check every apartment! Watch yourselves! Get that girl downstairs, now!
The sound of this chaos seems to comfort Ben a little bit.
BEN
(quietly, to himself, his eyes scan the door)
OK… I’ve been waiting for you bastards now get me out…
Suddenly the emergency phone begins to beep. Ben immediately grabs it and puts it to his ear.
BEN
Hello?
He can hear a voice on the other end of the phone. It is the voice of The Fireman Rowan has been talking to outside.
FIREMAN
Ben… this is CAPTAIN DAMIEN POOLE with the fire department. Are you all right in there?
He seems even more relieved at this. He must be getting out of here in moments. His spirits rise.
BEN
Yeah… I mean as well as anyone could be in a metal box filling with smoke.
There is a pause on the line.
DAMIEN
Ben, I want you to listen to me. We have got a few guys working on this and they are very good at what they do but I need you to try and keep to the floor and take long breaths… don’t breath more than you have to.
BEN
(a little sarcastically)
Right. Don’t breathe. Will do…
DAMIEN
We are doing everything we can, but…
(pausing for a beat)
I have to tell you it does not look good from this end. The fire has completely ruined the already archaic electronics in that thing and the guys are running out of ideas down here. That thing is supposed to come to the ground floor if the heat sensor is triggered but it seems to not have been working…
BEN
(cutting him of)
Stop. What are you saying? I’m stuck, I mean, really fucking stuck in this thing. YOU ARE NOT FUCKING TELLING ME THIS! No, no I will not accept that… get me out of here!
Ben drops the phone and it hangs from its wire connected to the wall. The smoke begins to get heavier now and Ben’s momentary relief fades to horror. He begins to look around frantically and beat on the door, trying to pull the doors open himself but they will not budge. He picks up the phone again and puts it to his ear.
BEN
Hey… still there?
DAMEIN
I’m right here Ben.
BEN
OK… look there’s nothing I can do from in here? There has to be something that can get it moving from inside.
DAMIEN
I’m sorry Ben… you need keys and they are out here…
BEN
(loudly)
Fuck this!
Suddenly Ben hears a large commotion on the other end of the phone. It sounds as if the phone has been dropped.
ROWAN
BEN! Jesus, Ben!
BEN
ROWAN! Are you ok, you’re still outside right… don’t come inside this building.
ROWAN
Ben, this is not happening is it? They have to get you out of there.
BEN
(softer)
Look, Rowan, I don’t think there’s really a lot of hope for that… thank god you weren’t in here.
(pausing)
Rowan… I love you and I don’t want to leave here without…
ROWAN
(cutting him off, softly)
I know… don’t say it, I know…
The smoke in the elevator is much heavier now and Ben is trying to hold the phone and crouch down near the floor. He begins coughing heavily and regains his voice a moment later.
BEN
Look… all the shit I said was nothing… I love you and I have been so blind… I wish I could take it all back but, you know what? I can’t. I just want you to always know that and try to forgive me for the asshole things I have done. We should have been so much bigger than that. You are one of the most perfect people I have ever known and I will have that forever…
EXT APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Rowan is on the phone with Ben listening to him speak and crying, she begins crying more heavily
ROWAN
(sobbing)
Ben… you can’t leave me… you can’t. I need you to badly. I don’t want to be out here alone, you showed me so much without ever even knowing it… this can’t end like this… not like this…
She just stands holding the phone for a minute, there is not response on the other end…
INT ELEVATOR – DIMLY LIT, HEAVY WITH SMOKE
Ben is on his knees with the phone to his ear, he starts coughing and his eyes begin to flutter like he can’t keep them open. He drops the phone and leaves in dangling again. He gasps for air and falls flat on his chest to the elevator floor… his eyes are closed.
INT. ELEVATOR LOBBY – WELL LIT
The lobby is filled with people, firemen, policemen, and paramedics They are moving in and out of the doors. For most of them the elevator is a minor concern compared to the fire and all of the other hundreds of people living in the building. Rowan stands for a few minuets, crying and looking through the open door at the elevator doors.
She turns her back and begins to step away from the building door. Over her shoulder the elevator doors open in the lobby and smoke pours out…
FADE OUT