CUT TO:

INT. FUNERAL HOME - AFTERNOON

There are many people seated and standing around. Julie’s MOTHER and FATHER are present. He is a THIN OLDER MAN and he is seated next to Julie’s mother. They both are in great distress. Most of the other people present are high level employees of Macrotech.

ASHTON walks in and looks at TODD’S BODY laying in an OPEN COFFIN at the front of the room surrounded by BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED FLOWERS.

Ashton stares at the coffin.

JULIE walks over to Ashton.

ASH
(wearily)
Hey Julie… God I’m so sorry.

The two hug, and Julie tries to hold back her tears.

ASH (CONT’D)
How are you?

JULIE
It’s hurts a lot, and I miss him, but
I’ll be all right… Did Valerie come with
you?

The two stop hugging.

ASH
No, she couldn’t make it. She’s not good
at funerals. She was really mortified
when she heard the news. She really does
give her condolences though, she’s gonna
try and call you soon so we can finally
all get together.

JULIE
Yea sure… I understand. She’s been
through enough lately. She doesn’t need
to see this.

Julie pauses.

JULIE (CONT’D)
Just so you know I’m giving the eulogy
in a little bit.

ASH
(surprised)
Are you sure you’re OK to do that?

JULIE
Yes I’ll be fine. It’s the least I could
do.
ASH
I’m sure he would appreciate it.

Ashton looks once again at the coffin and takes a deep breath.

ASH (CONT’D)
Well… I’m gonna go pay my respects.

JULIE
Sure.

Ashton walks slowly over toward THE COFFIN.

He stops near the coffin and stares at it.

A couple are finishing up. They rise from kneeling and walk away from the coffin.

Ashton kneels before the coffin, his eyes locked on Todd’s face.

He begins to speak in almost a WHISPER.

ASH
Todd I never thought I would see you
like this. You shouldn’t be lying here
…This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be…
Todd you were so close to getting her
back, and now you’ll never know what
could have been… Why did you do this?
You still don’t have her, at least here
you had a chance. Why did you think
wherever you are now would be any better
than where you were?

Ashton pauses in thought, looks down at the ground, and takes another breath before he looks at Todd once again.

ASH (CONT’D)
You were a good friend, and for that I
thank you. You will always be missed…

Ashton gets up slowly, turns around, and notices COLLIN R. FREDERICKS and HIS WIFE entering the funeral parlor. His wife is an OLDER UNATTRACTIVE, almost MASCULINE looking woman with SHORT HAIR.

She does not speak, and seems to be more like an item than a person to Fredericks. He meets Julie in the middle Isle. Julie is surprised to see him, and SHE STARES at him with fire in her eyes.

COLLIN
You’re Todd’s wife Julie aren’t you?

Julie speaks to Fredericks in a STERN, EMOTIONLESS tone.

JULIE
That’s right.

COLLIN
A terrible tragedy it is. I still can’t
believe he would do something like this…
What a shame.

JULIE continues to STARE at Fredericks, HER ANGER grows within.

COLLIN (CONT’D)
If it’s any consolation, you should know
that Todd was a hard worker. He’s going
to be missed by the company.

JULIE
I’m sure.

COLLIN
I do hope he saved enough to ensure you
will be financially sound.

JULIE
He did.

COLLIN
Well I’m glad to hear that. At least
you’ll be taken care of.

JULIE
…You will stay for the eulogy won’t you?

COLLIN
Yes of course, but first let me pay my
respects.

As Fredericks walks away toward the coffin Julie continues to stare at him. The anger for Fredericks can be seen in her eyes.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MACROTECH BUILDING - AFTERNOON

An outside shot of the Macrotech corporate building. THE SUN SHINES on it during the beautiful afternoon.

Julie begins to give her eulogy. The heavy emotion can be heard in her voice as she speaks, but she is strong and does not cry.

JULIE (O.C.)
We are gathered here to mourn the loss
of a good friend to all of you.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TODD’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Todd’s EMPTY office. The sun shines through the window lighting up the room. DUST PARTICLES dance within the light.

JULIE (O.C.)
And even though I still can‘t believe it
…I am here to say goodbye to my own
husband.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JULIE AND TODD’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON

DIFFERENT ROOMS throughout the house, starting at the living room, and ending in the kitchen. THE SUN illuminates them all with DEEP BRIGHTNESS.

JULIE (O.C.)
A person that I thank for giving me some
of the happiest, and most memorable
moments of my life. A person that
allowed me to know what love is.

DISSOLVE TO:


INT. FUNERAL HOME - AFTERNOON

Everyone is seated and quiet. Julie is standing at A PODIUM in front of where Todd lay. HER EYES STRUGGLE to keep in the emotion.

JULIE
But… I’m not saying goodbye for what
happened just days ago. I’m saying
goodbye for something that happened
years ago.

Ashton sits amongst the crowd.

HE STARES at Julie.

JULIE (CONT’D)
You see I lost my husband a long time
ago. Unfortunately I just realized it
recently… I didn’t loose him to death,
or another woman… we didn’t fall out of
each others hearts, we didn’t grow
apart. No it was nothing like that,
because our love was too strong to ever
be broken.

Julie pauses.

JULIE (CONT’D)
I lost my husband to his career. I lost
him to the endless nights he spent at
the office. I lost him when he spent the
weekends… the days he was supposed to
use to be with his family!… at work. I
lost him when he would be thinking about
his next presentation when he was out
with me… But I don’t blame him. At least
now I understand that it wasn’t really
his choice. It wasn’t about the money,
it wasn’t an escape from his personal
life, and God knows it wasn’t because he
wanted to… He did it because it was what
was expected of him. Because that’s the
way his company is set up, like so many
others. That’s the real tragedy. Not
that he is lying here today, but because
He gave his life up a long time ago. And
it is so… SO! wrong to create an
JULIE (CONT’D)
environment where the only way to be
successful is to give up your personal
life. It’s wrong to have superiors who
drive everyone under them to give up
what really matters most…

FREDERICKS looks SHOCKED. His face has a look of DISGUST.

He motions to his wife to leave, and they both begin to get up.

Associates from the company stare at Fredericks, with DISDAIN.

JULIE (CONT’D)
The people you love, and the people who
love you. And I pity those who will go
through there entire lives without ever
realizing that.

Fredericks and his wife leave the funeral parlor.

JULIE (CONT’D)
But I realize that. And I know now that
Todd never stopped loving me. He just
forgot what was really important… and I
forgive him for that.

Julie looks up at the ceiling while she talks.

JULIE (CONT’D)
Todd if you can hear my words from
wherever you are. I love you, I will
never forget you, and you will always,
ALWAYS! be in my heart… Goodbye.

Julie looks straight, TEARS start to roll from her eyes, and she walks away from the podium.

CUT TO:

INT. MACROTECH BUILDING - AFTERNOON

Ashton sits in his office a few days later. He is looking over paperwork during a SUNNY AFTERNOON.

A YOUNG INTERN rushes to Ashton’s open office door.
INTERN
Mr. Veil?

ASH
Yes?

INTERN
Mr. Fredericks has just called a meeting
in the board room. He wants to make sure
you attend.

ASH
Sure, I’ll be right there.

The young intern walks off in the direction of the board room. Ashton begins to pack some things on his desk into a briefcase.

HE STOPS and notices TODD’S DARK, EMPTY office.

He stares at it for a moment.

CUT TO:

INT. BOARD ROOM - AFTERNOON

Everyone is present and seated, except for the CEO, and one EMPTY CHAIR where Todd used to sit.

ASHTON STARES at something across from him. He is in deep thought, and looks like he‘s in great DISTRESS.

TODD‘S EMPTY SEAT is what Ashton is staring at.

He is startled when FREDERICKS begins to talk.

Ashton grows intense while Collin speaks, his eyes remain LOCKED on THE CHAIR across from him.

COLLIN
I called this meeting to discuss a
required management change. As you are
aware we have tragically lost one of
our best, Mr. Todd Wilson. He was an
innovative leader, and the void that
his absence has caused will be a hard
one to fill. It will require an
individual who is committed to the
COLLIN (CONT’D)
company, and is willing to work hard for
their success in order to finish the
projects he started and develop new
ones…

Ashton cuts off Fredericks, and begins to speak freely. HE HAS HAD ENOUGH.

ASH
For God sakes, the man just passed away
a few days ago!

Fredericks looks SHOCKED.

ASH (CONT’D)
Didn’t his wife’s words at his funeral
mean anything to you?

The other people in the board room stare at Ashton.

COLLIN
Mr. Veil your interruption is rude, and
I consider the words spoken by Mr.
Wilson’s wife a few days ago to be the
same. How dare she disrespect the
company that provided her and her
husband with financial security for all
those years, and in front of so many
that work here.

ASH
You don’t get it at all do you?

Fredericks is now ANGERED.

COLLIN
Excuse me?

Ashton gets up from his chair.

ASH
You know what, I refuse to work under a
person like you any longer. Consider
this my resignation Mr. Fredericks.

Fredericks pauses as he contemplates the situation in his head.
He grows even MORE ANGERED, and finally BURSTS OUT.

COLLIN
Then leave! You’re a slacker, and you’ll
never be successful in this company with
that attitude, or successful anywhere
for that matter!

ASH
(pointing to Todd’s chair)
Let me tell you something Mr.
Fredericks. That man that used to sit in
that empty chair over there had more
than you’ll ever have, and it had
nothing to do with how hard he worked…
All the money you have, and all the
power you possess means nothing! Because
you can loose it at any time. And when
you do, YOU are nothing!

Ashton picks up his briefcase, and begins to walk out of the boardroom.

ASH (CONT’D)
What that man had, was something that
could never be taken away. And that
makes his life have real meaning… It
makes him immortal.

Ashton continues to make his way toward the door, but before he leaves he stops and turns around.

ASH (CONT’D)
I only pray that someday you’ll know
what that is, before it’s too late.

ASHTON EXITS.

Fredericks remains ANGERED.

After a moment of staring at the doorway he calms down, and begins to talk normally.

COLLIN
Good riddance… anyway, let us continue
with the meeting. I have a few prospects
as to who would take Mr. Wilson’s
position…

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY - NIGHT

A moving shot of New York city from the sky.

VALERIE (O.C.)
(very upset)
Dad please understand.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C.)
(extremely angered)
Understand what? That my daughter failed
out of college, because she didn’t have
the brains to stay out of a relationship
that me and your mother didn’t approve
of? And what happened to this daughter
that you had… what would have been my
granddaughter?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. VALERIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Valerie is on the phone in HER KITCHEN

She is under EXTREME EMOTIONAL STRESS.

VALERIE
…I lost custody after we separated.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C.)
And what a wonderful mother you must
have been.

Valerie closes her eyes, and leans against the wall.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C. CONT’D)
How did you manage to pull that off?
They usually only take your kids away if
there’s a good reason for it.

Valerie is in EMOTIONAL TORTURE.

VALERIE
Dad please, I know… Please don’t make
this any worse for me.
VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C.)
Don’t make this worse? It’s already as
bad as it’s going to get. Why did you
even call here? To tell us how badly you
screwed up? Or did you think we would
give you money?

VALERIE
No… It has nothing to do with that.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C.)
Well we’re not going to give you any
money. You already blew the college
money we worked so hard for to save.
All those years at college are a waste
now.

Valerie starts to SLIDE DOWN THE WALL into a sitting position while her father talks.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C. CONT’D)
The only thing you’ve done for the past
couple of years is disgraced me and your
mother. I can’t believe the mess you’ve
gotten yourself into. We didn’t raise
you like this.

Valerie starts to CRY HARD.

VALERIE’S FATHER (O.C. CONT’D)
You know it was upsetting enough, not to
hear from you for so long, but this is
even worse. I can’t begin to tell you
how disappointed I am. I really don’t
think I want to speak to you for a
while. I’m hanging up.

The phone CLICKS from the other end, and Valerie is left sitting there.

SHE GASPS for breath in the middle of her tears.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY - NIGHT

Another moving shot of the city at night from the sky.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ASHTON’S CONDO - NIGHT

It is late at night, and Ashton lays on his couch in the dark watching his TV with the volume turned low.

HE STARES at the TV in deep thought.

The PHONE RINGS.

Ashton gets up, heads to his kitchen where the phone is, and picks it up.

ASH
Hello?… Valerie?

Valerie sounds as if she were on the VERGE OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS over the phone.

VALERIE (O.C.)
Ash… I’m sorry.

Ashton looks concerned.

ASH
Valerie, are you all right?

VALERIE (O.C.)
I can’t take this life anymore Ash. No
one cares about me, and it’s because of
me.

FEAR comes over Ashton.

ASH
Valerie, did you take something?

Valerie does not acknowledge his words, and she keeps on talking.

VALERIE (O.C.)
I’m not who I used to be Ash. You don’t
care about me, you care about the person
I was.

ASH
Valerie, what did you do?!
VALERIE (O.C.)
I’ve changed, and I don’t want to be
this person anymore.

Valerie’s voice gets very faint.

VALERIE (O.C. CONT‘D)
I wanted to thank you for trying though…
before I go…

THEN SILENCE.

Ashton’s eyes open with ABSOLUTE TERROR.

ASH
Valerie?!… VALERIE?!

Ashton quickly hits the receiver button on the phone and dials 911.

OPERATOR (O.C.)
911 Emergency.

Ashton speaks with a NERVOUS TONE.

ASH
Yes a friend of mine has just tried to
commit suicide. You need to get an
ambulance there immediately. Let me give
you the address…

CUT TO:

EXT. ASHTON’S CONDO - NIGHT

Ashton runs out the front door and into his Corvette in the driveway.

The car HUMS to life and Ashton takes off quickly, THE TIRES scrambling to keep traction.

CUT TO:

EXT. VALERIE’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

The corvette quickly enters the parking area for Valerie’s apartment building The car SLIDES ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL with the tires WAILING before it stops near the entrance.
When the car comes to a stop Ashton quickly gets out with the ENGINE STILL RUNNING and runs into the building.

CUT TO:

INT. VALERIE’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Ashton runs up a few flights of stairs, and down a hallway to Valerie’s apartment.

HE KICKS OPEN the old door easily, and quickly enters the apartment.

CUT TO:

INT. VALERIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

He rushes to the KITCHEN.

VALERIE is laying on the floor near a small table. THE PHONE rests on the floor next to her, BEEPING from being off the hook for so long.

A BOTTLE of OPENED SLEEPING PILLS rests on the table, along with a SPILT GLASS OF WATER. There are a few CAPSULES scattered on the table and floor.

Ashton kneels down next to Valerie. Her eyes are open, but SHE STARES out into space. Ashton moves some hair from her face and TEARS begin to fall from his eyes.

ASH
Oh God Val, what did you do?

The sounds of SIRENS.

FLASHING LIGHTS can be seen shining through the kitchen window.

Ashton looks up at them.

THE FLOWERS he bought Valerie sit on the windowsill in a glass vase. The light from the emergency vehicles seems to give them a BLUE AND WHITE GLOW.

CUT TO:


EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

PARAMEDICS wheel Valerie into the hospital. She has a mask to help her breath on her face, and an intravenous in her arm.

ASHTON walks along side her.

He holds Valerie’s right hand, his tearing eyes LOCKED on hers.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

When they enter the hospital Valerie regains some consciousness. She looks over at Ashton and says weakly.

VALERIE
I’m sorry Ash…

It surprises Ashton. He leans over and speaks to her, THE TEARS streaming from his face.

His head SHAKES from trying to hold in the emotion.

ASH
No! Don’t you give up! It’s not true
that you deserve this. You’re gorgeous,
and It’s not your fault that the people
in your life can‘t see that… I do! You
are SO special to me… Please don’t let
me go through my life knowing that I
lost you… PLEASE! You’re still that same
girl inside… I can still see you…
Please don’t give up!

Ashton can no longer speak.  

Valerie stares at him and begins to SMILE through the mask.

They reach an emergency room.

One of the paramedics turns toward Ashton.

PARAMEDIC
Sir we’re going to bring her in to have
her stomach pumped. Please have a seat
PARAMEDIC (CONT’D)
in the waiting area. Someone will be out
to speak with you later.

ASH
How is she going to be?

PARAMEDIC
I don’t know.

Valerie and the paramedics disappear behind the doors.

Ashton stares at the closed doors for a moment, then slowly turns around, and makes his way back to the waiting area. As he walks he STARES OUT INTO SPACE.

When he makes it to the waiting area he has a seat in one of the small chairs, leans forward, and begins to cry softly into his hands.

A CLOCK on the wall reads 1:17, then transitions to read 2:23.

Ashton stares at the clock.

A doctor’s VOICE standing nearby STARTLES him.

DOCTOR (O.C.)
Did you come in here with a Ms...

The doctor checks a chart in his hands.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Valerie Bernadette?

ASH
Yes…

The doctor smiles.

DOCTOR
She’s going to be fine. She’s regained consciousness already.

Ashton closes his eyes, and leans back in his chair with relief.

CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT

VALERIE is sitting up in a bed with an intravenous in her left arm and nose plugs to help her breath. ASHTON sits next to her in a chair. They are in the middle of a conversation. Ashton speaks compassionately.

ASH
…So what were they?

VALERIE
They were sleeping pills…. I have a
problem with them. I’ve had it for a
while… Among other things.

Valerie stares at Ashton.

VALERIE (CONT’D)
I’m addicted to pills and I’m a drunk…
It’s the only way I found I could deal
with my life… and it made things much
worse… it cost me my daughter… Now do
you still believe what you said before?

Ash takes a moment before he speaks.

ASH
Val… Yes. Regardless of everything
you’ve been through or done… you’re
still the same person. You’re still the
same girl that I wanted nothing more
then to be close to. If you weren’t… we
wouldn’t be in this hospital right now.

VALERIE
…What do you mean?

ASH
I mean… you try so hard to be perfect,
because you don’t want to let people
down or hurt anyone… It’s one of the
many reasons I think you’re so
beautiful. But I think because of that…
you can’t face your mistakes.

Valerie stares, HER EYES wide open.


ASH (CONT’D)
…It’s OK to make mistakes… you’re not
perfect. No one is.

Ashton pauses, staring at Valerie with EMOTION in his eyes.

ASH (CONT’D)
Valerie… let me help you get your life
back together.

VALERIE
How?

ASH
Stay close to me, and maybe we can both
get through this together… you don’t
have to be alone.

Ash smiles warmly and soon Valerie begins to smile softly back.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CAFE - AFTERNOON

Three friends, Ashton, Julie, and Valerie sit at an outside table having sandwiches for lunch.

ASHTON looks happy, and looks at Valerie often.

JULIE appears to be at peace with her emotions.

VALERIE has an energetic smile on her face.

ASH
(to Julie)
So what are you going to do now?

JULIE
Well it’ll be hard, but I have to go on
living. Todd would have wanted me to
make the most out of my life, enjoy
everything it has to offer.

DISSOLVE TO:



INT. JULIE’S FLOWER SHOP - AFTERNOON

A moving shot inside Julie’s flower shop. It is empty of people. The light from THE SUN shining through the front window makes it look ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

JULIE (O.C.)
Todd had a lot of money saved. He knew
that I would be OK financially after he
was gone. I’m gonna keep the flower
shop. It was always a dream of mine, and
I still enjoy it. Plus… it’s strange,
even though he was never in it, I feel
like he’s there with me whenever I go
inside. That feeling alone makes it
worth keeping it open.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CAFE - AFTERNOON

JULIE
What about you guys? What are your
plans?

ASH
Well I have some money saved, so that
should get us by for awhile. I’ll work
on finding a management job with another
company… one that’s not so demanding.

Julie looks at Valerie and Ashton sitting next to each other and smiles.

JULIE
…You two look great.

Valerie and Ashton smile.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OCEAN - MORNING

A BEAUTIFUL ORANGE SUNRISE from an ocean horizon.

ASH (O.C.)
Yea… I know. I just feel like… I’m not
missing anything anymore. It’s something
ASH (O.C. CONT’D)
I never thought I would ever feel.

VALERIE (O.C.)
Yea it’s funny, I was so scared that my
life was ruined. That I wouldn’t be
successful, and what my family thought
of me… I realize that‘s not important
now, and …I’ve never been happier… I
actually feel like myself again, and I
still have my whole life ahead of me. It
won’t be easy. I have a lot to work on,
and I’ll always miss my daughter… but I
can’t dwell on that. All’s I can do is
move on with my life, and hope that she
wants to find me someday when she’s
older. But do you know what the best
part is?

JULIE (O.C.)
…What’s that?

VALERIE (O.C.)
I don’t have to do this alone…

THE END