ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay Page 6
Rence sits up.
RENCE: (beat) When?
KYLAN: At the Festival. If I can get her
alone.
Rence laughs, genuinely pleased for him.
RENCE: Well. What can I say.
He slaps his arm.
RENCE (CONT'D): Congratulations.
Kylan smiles, glowing.
CUT TO.
INT. KITCHEN - FARM HOUSE - DAY
A pot of stew boils over the fire.
Arianna stands to the side, reading some of the papers from the box.
A rare smile on her face.
She turns to the next page, eager to read more, when she catches someone through the window.
She quickly hides the papers behind the biscuit jar and stirs the stew.
Elliott stops by the window and makes a drinking gesture, pointing to the fields.
Arianna nods, understanding, and removes the pot from the fire.
She glances aside, checking Elliott is gone, then quickly gathers the papers and hides them in her pocket.
CUT TO.
EXT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT
Two moons by the chimney.
INT. KITCHEN - FARM HOUSE
Elliott quietly eats.
He looks up and sees Kylan playing with his dinner, lost in his thoughts.
ELLIOTT: Are you planning to eat at all this
evening?
KYLAN: I'm not that hungry.
Elliott takes his plate and empties what's left into his.
ELLIOTT: I won't be joining you tomorrow
evening. There's too much to do in the
morning.
Kylan looks across at his father, his mind elsewhere.
ELLIOTT (CONT'D): Tell Arianna that she's
to attend. She can help where she can.
KYLAN: I intend to marry Sophie Temwoth.
Elliott stops and looks at him, not surprised.
ELLIOTT: Have you spoken to Cantor?
KYLAN: No but I will, I'd like to speak to her
first.
Elliott slowly nods, returning to his food.
ELLIOTT: Sophie is a fine match.
KYLAN: (beat) Are you pleased?
ELLIOTT: I will be, once you have done
what is proper and spoken with Cantor.
Kylan nods, disappointed by the response.
ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (beat) I will also be
proud.
Kylan looks up and smiles.
CUT TO.
INT. HALLWAY - UPPER FLOOR
Kylan hurries up the stairs and races to his father's bedroom.
INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM
He opens the closet and kneels down, drawing back the small wooden box.
He opens it up and takes out his mother's silver ring.
A smile on his face.
He about to close the box when he notices that his poems are missing.
INT. HALLWAY - UPPER FLOOR
He steps out and looks down the hallway.
The door to the last room is closed. Candlelight flickering from within.
INT. ARIANNA'S ROOM
Arianna sits on a mattress on the floor, another smile on her face as she rereads Kylan's poems.
The door opens.
She looks up and quickly tries to hide the papers.
Kylan stops.
KYLAN: (beat) What are you doing?
Arianna realizes she's been caught and slowly stands, backing up against the wall.
Kylan approaches and grabs the papers off the mattress.
KYLAN (CONT'D): These are NOT yours.
Arianna touches her chest and bows, "I'm sorry".
Kylan looks down at the old poems.
KYLAN (CONT'D): Can you even read this?
Arianna raises her fingers and makes a "small" gesture.
Kylan looks at her, surprised.
KYLAN (CONT'D): (low) I didn't think you
remembered.
Arianna keeps her head low, nervously glancing at him.
KYLAN (CONT'D): (beat) Do you write, I
mean can you write?
Arianna shakes her head.
Kylan steps back, noticing his mother's clothes over her chair.
Arianna sees his anger return.
KYLAN (CONT'D): (beat) Not everything in
this house belongs to you.
Arianna nods, again apologetic.
Kylan moves to the door.
Arianna touches his arm.
He looks back as she hands him another paper.
Kylan notices the title and looks at her, embarrassed.
KYLAN (CONT'D): You read this?
Arianna pauses then nods.
KYLAN (CONT'D): It's not about you, I
mean the name's the same but it's not about
you.
Arianna points to herself and shakes her head, "It's not about me, I understand".
KYLAN (CONT'D): That's right. Ma chose it,
before we took you in.
Arianna nods, assuring.
Kylan exhales, dropping the matter.
KYLAN (CONT'D): Pa wants you to help out
at the Festival tomorrow.
He opens the door.
KYLAN (CONT'D): Be sure to wear
something appropriate.
He closes the door behind him.
Arianna looks up. Now really nervous.
CUT TO.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ELLORA - NIGHT
A drum beats fast, the band playing loud and full as young people dance on the main floor.
Across the square bread is broken, wine poured, tables lined with fruit, meat and other treats.
Rence knocks back a large glass of ale, racing a friend.
Tuck stumbles by, trying to get several girls to dance with him.
TUCK: Come on! You're just standing there!
He crosses a tall girl and tries to take her hand.
TUCK (CONT'D): Sebille!
SEBILLE, 21, pushes him back.
SEBILLE: Get lost Tuck.
Arianna stands alone by one of the tables, a large bowl of punch in front of her.
Two women approach, gossiping amongst themselves. Arianna refills their drinks, keeping her head low. The women move off, neither acknowledging her.
Dance floor, Sophie, 21, turns and smiles, offering her hand.
SOPHIE: No more waiting.
Kylan rolls his eyes and sets down his drink.
Sophie draws him onto the dance floor and twirls under his arm.
Arianna looks across at them.
Everyone clapping and cheering as the two dance hand in hand.
A perfect couple.
On the far side of the square two teenage girls turn their heads and smile as tall broad shouldered figure approaches.
RIVALEN, late 20s, nods at the two girls as he passes.
RIVALEN: Miladies.
The girls blush.
Rivalen smiles, sipping his beer.
Dance floor, the band finish the song, everyone applauding.
Sophie hugs Kylan and kisses his cheek.
SOPHIE: (low) I need to speak with you. In
private.
Kylan nods, allowing her to lead him away.
Tuck stumbles by and trips into Rivalen, almost spilling his drink.
TUCK: Sorry, I'm sorry.
Rivalen laughs, helping him stand.
RIVALEN: That's perfectly fine my friend.
TUCK: (moving off) Towani, pour me
another beer!
Rivalen turns his head and sees Arianna by the punch table.
Her pale hair drawing his attention.
Sophie looks through the crowds, still holding Kylan's hand.
KYLAN: (beat) Is it your father? I can meet
you somewhere if you prefer.
SOPHIE: That may be wise.
She points to an small alley to the side.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): Give me a minute.
She releases his hand and draws back.
/>
SOPHIE (CONT'D): (smiling) I'll pass by
him with Sebille then come around.
Kylan smiles.
A shadow falls over Arianna's table.
She reaches out for the glass then stops.
Rivalen smiles.
RIVALEN: Good evening.
Arianna looks up at him, surprised to be seen let alone spoken to.
RIVALEN (CONT'D): What's your name?
Arianna lowers her eyes, uncomfortable with the attention.
RIVALEN (CONT'D): (smiles) What is it, are
you afraid to talk?
A hand squeezes his ass.
Rivalen looks back and sees Sebille walking away with Sophie.
He turns back to Arianna and smiles again but she's already back to serving others.
He draws back, curious eyes still on her.
Arianna glances at him as he goes, relieved to be left alone.
EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY
Kylan reaches into his pocket and takes out Alana's silver ring, the music from the Festival just around the corner.
He looks down at the ring and takes a deep breath.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ELLORA - NIGHT
Tuck slouches on a bench, a glass of ale still in hand.
Rivalen takes a seat beside him. His eyes still on Arianna across the square.
TUCK: (toasts, drunk) To a good harvest.
He taps his glass against Rivalen's.
RIVALEN: (smiles) A good harvest. (sips)
Tell me my friend. (nods to Arianna) Who is
the fair haired one? She doesn't appear to be
from these parts.
TUCK: She's not, she's a Nomad.
RIVALEN: A Nomad? In Ellora?
TUCK: A friend of mine (burps) His family
found her when she was 8 or 9, took her in as
a servant girl.
Rivalen looks at her again.
RIVALEN: Intriguing.
TUCK: They marked her too. The Nomads I
mean.
RIVALEN: In what way?
TUCK: Her face, that's why she hides it.
He finishes his drink and tries to stand.
TUCK (CONT'D): Hey Sebille! Care to
dance?
Sebille heads back to the dance floor.
SEBILLE: No Tuck.
Tuck goes after her.
Rivalen slowly looks back at Arianna.
Her long hair draped over the left side of her face.
CUT TO.
EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY
Footsteps.
Kylan turns.
He drops the ring back into his pocket as Sophie emerges from a side street, checking the far end of the alley
SOPHIE: I don't think father saw me.
KYLAN: If he did I doubt I'd still be standing
here.
She smiles, making her way over.
SOPHIE: I think you'd survive.
She stops in front of him.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): I've been meaning to
speak with you for a while.
KYLAN: I've been meaning to speak with
you too.
She puts her finger to his lips.
SOPHIE: Ladies first.
Kylan nods.
Sophie draws back and takes a deep breath, preparing herself.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): I should have spoken to
you sooner but... I had to be sure.
Kylan nods, playing it cool, or as best he can.
Sophie looks away, still smiling.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): This is harder than I
thought.
She turns back to him and takes his hands.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): You are my oldest and
dearest, I trust you more than any in all
Ellora. I want you to promise that what I tell
you now you won't tell anyone. At least not
until the time is right.
Kylan nods.
Sophie takes another deep breath, unable hide her joy.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): I'm in love.
Kylan lowers his head, relieved.
Sophie laughs, resting her forehead against his.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): Are you pleased?
Kylan draws back and nods.
KYLAN: Very much.
She hugs him tight, Kylan smelling her in.
SOPHIE: (beat) There's more.
She steps back.
Kylan looks at her as she sets her hands over her belly.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): I'm with child.
Kylan stops.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): (smiles) Come.
She takes his hand and leads him to the end of the alley.
She looks out and searches through the crowds.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): There. (she points) By my father.
Cantor, 40s, stands talking with a man in his 50s.
Besides them another figure. Tall, broad shouldered, with black hair.
Rivalen.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): He's been working for
my father the last few months. We've been
seeing each other every night.
She turns to Kylan and smiles.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): No one knows of us but
you.
Kylan draws back into the alley. Stunned.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): He's returning to the
Capitol in a week. I'm going with him.
Kylan slowly looks at her.
KYLAN: What...?
Sophie nods to herself, feeling guilty.
SOPHIE: I know. I should tell mother and
father but they'd never understand.
KYLAN: -No.
He quickly takes her hands.
KYLAN (CONT'D): Don't do this, please,
don't do this.
Sophie touches his face.
SOPHIE: Kai we'll see each other again. One
day you'll be in the Capitol and
KYLAN: -You don't understand, you're not
meant for him.
SOPHIE: (smiles) What are you talking
about?
He quickly takes out the ring, fumbling.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): Kai what are you doing?
He holds up the ring.
KYLAN: Marry me.
He takes her hand.
KYLAN (CONT'D): We'll say the child is
mine.
Sophie draws her hand back.
SOPHIE: Kylan this isn't funny.
Kylan drops the ring but lets it go to hold her face.
KYLAN: -I love you Sophie, I've always
loved you. There's never been a moment in
my life that I've not loved you.
Sophie looks at him, surprised.
KYLAN (CONT'D): We'll raise the child
together, no one will ever know.
Sophie turns her head, now feeling awkward.
SOPHIE: Kai stop it.
KYLAN: -Look at me, look at me and tell me
you don't feel something.
SOPHIE: I'm not doing this.
KYLAN: -I know you feel something, I
KNOW you do.
SOPHIE: Kai-
Kylan tries to kiss her, Sophie pushes him back and slaps him.
SOPHIE (CONT'D): I said stop it!
Kylan touches his cheek, stung.