T and A (Script)

EXT. LAKE HARRIET - DAY

Late autumn, multi-colored leaves dance along the shoreline of Lake Harriet, blown about by a light breeze.

A pair of brown leather hiking boots dangle mischievously from a bench facing the lake - kicking at the aimless leaves. They belong to TAMMY, 19, jeans, blue jacket, blue toque, blue gloves.
She is joined on the bench by ALLEN, 18, jeans, black pullover jacket, tall, dark hair, stocky, and muscular.

ALLEN

So Kitty Kat... Have you thought about it?

TAMMY

I’ve thought a lot about it. But I haven’t made up my mind about anything.
(pauses)
I’m not going to just do it for the sake of doing it. I’m not sure you’re the right one.

ALLEN

How can you say I’m not the right one? After all we’ve been through. I suppose you think we’ve got forever?

TAMMY
(angry)

I know we don’t have forever. And you can just drop that subject right now.

ALLEN

So, now we can’t talk about it? If you’re worried about me feeling bad for you - don’t! I don’t feel sorry for you, I don’t pity you, and quite frankly - I love you.


Tammy looks sharply at Allen.


TAMMY
(fighting back a smile)

That’s the first goddamn time you’ve ever said that in 2 years.

ALLEN

I didn’t want to freak you out.


Tammy watches the leaves tumble by her feet.


TAMMY

I’ll tell you what sexy pants.


Tammy stands up and turns around toward the large park behind the bench and across the parkway.

TAMMY
(childish smirk)

If you can catch me, you can have me.


Tammy takes off running into the park across the street. Allen jolts off the bench and runs after her. Allen must stop at the street for two cars to pass by.


ALLEN

Come on - come on... Friggin’ old people...


Allen crosses the street running with a limp. Tammy is halfway up the park’s big hill. She is heading for the swing sets and slides at the top of the hill.


EXT. PARK - DAY

Allen pulls closer to Tammy as she climbs the ladder of the big slide and stands at the top waiting for Allen to get there.

ALLEN

You’re playing dirty now! You know I can’t climb for shit.

TAMMY (O.S.)

That’s what I’m counting on. You’ve got to work that knee, Mr. Q-Bee!


Allen grimaces as he favors his left leg and swings the right to the next rung. Allen painstakingly climbs each rung of the ladder until he is within grasp of Tammy.

Tammy backs to the furthest part of the top platform just out of Allen’s reach.

TAMMY

Hold it! Tell me something. Why did you give up on football?

ALLEN

Is that what you’re mad about? That I gave up on football?

Jesus Tammy! Why do you think? The damn thing broke in two places! What exactly should I do? Put me in coach, I’m feeling much better - why don’t we let those 300 pound guys have a go at the knee.

TAMMY

You’re being an ass! You could be a coach! You could be a trainer. Dammit Allen, those guys look up to you! You have so much life to lead!


Allen reaches the top. Tammy turns and runs down the slide. Allen crosses the platform and slides down. Tammy runs to the oversized merry-go-round and stops poised on one side of it. Slowed by the sand at the bottom of the slide, Allen trudges toward Tammy.


TAMMY

Is it hurting?

ALLEN
(defiantly)

I’m fine!


Allen reaches the opposite side of the merry-go-round from Tammy. Allen spins the large disk - slowly at first. Tammy keeps her distance as they both jump on.


ALLEN
(still defiant)

I have so much life to lead? Don’t throw that shit in my face! This isn’t easy for me either!


Tammy and Allen are spinning on the merry-go-round at a good pace and fighting to stay composed and upright. Tammy rips off her blue toque and throws it angrily at Allen revealing her bald head.
Allen gets hit in the face by the toque causing him to fall backward off the disk. He rolls over - face up.
Tammy jumps off the disk and stands at a safe distance from a dizzied Allen.

TAMMY

Take a better look at yourself, Allen! The one thing I want from you is to see you DO something! Stop feeling sorry for me! Stop feeling sorry for you! And DO SOMETHING!

Allen gets up onto his good knee and brushes the sand off his clothes.


ALLEN

I was doing something. I was there for you every step of the way. And I’m still here - because I want to be here. I want to spend every waking moment with you.

Allen stands up and Tammy takes three steps backwards. She keeps backing away as she talks.


TAMMY

That’s just it, Allen! Live for us, not just for me! I’m not waiting for nothing! I’m here, I’m now, I’m going onward regardless of what anybody says or does. Can you understand that?

ALLEN

Yes! I get it. Now I’m going to get you!


Allen lunges forward as Tammy runs to the swings. Allen gimps after her.
Tammy grabs two swings - pulls them back and hurls the vinyl seats at Allen - slowing him briefly.
Tammy is prancing and dancing around the park avoiding Allen. She is teasing him and taking advantage of his bad knee. She reaches a large picnic table and hops on top. Allen nears. Tammy pulls back shaking her hips side to side.


TAMMY

This is the hardest I’ve seen you work in months, Mr. Quarterback. You must really need it bad.


Allen sits down at the picnic table breathing heavily.

ALLEN

I meant what I said Tammy. I love you. It’s just...


Allen pauses to choke back some tears. He sniffs hard.

ALLEN

It’s just that I feel like we should be packing in all our moments right now. I don’t want to miss anything!

TAMMY

Listen sweetie... You’ve got to relax. Live to move forward. Let the future be what it is - stop forcing it.


Tammy gives Allen a loving smile, sticks out her tongue, giggles, and jumps off the picnic table running down the hill to the Park’s tennis court.

TAMMY
(shouting as she runs)

You still haven’t caught me thumper!


Allen gets up and wobbles after her.


EXT. PARK TENNIS COURT - DAY

Tammy is on the other side of the net pretending to volley. Allen pushes the fence door open and enters the court.

ALLEN

Big mistake! There’s only one way outta here, and knowing your bladder size, I figure I can outlast you!

TAMMY

What makes you think I won’t climb the fence?

ALLEN
(smiling)

Oh - that - is - it!


Allen charges toward her. Tammy jumps away escaping Allen’s fingers and takes off around the court.
Allen hops with renewed vigor and corners her in the back court.
She escapes with only a finger nail flick from Allen.
Tammy leaps over the net, but catches her back foot at the top, landing on her hands - giggling. Allen stands over her.


ALLEN

Well, well, look what I’ve caught in my net! Can we go now?


Allen scoops her up into his arms and carries her off the court.


TAMMY
(still giggling)

Hey, I’m a good catch!


Tammy wraps her arms around Allen’s neck and plants a kiss on his lips. Allen carries her off into the distance.

FADE OUT.