EXT. BRIDGE OVER THE JAMES – SUNRISE.
Eli Lanning, 24, is standing on the bridge looking out at the river.  She is resting a rectangular tin box on the railing which she is idly stroking with her hands.  In it are (unbeknownst to the audience) Matt's ashes.  Cut between Eli standing on the bridge and the box resting in her hands on the railing.
ELI (V.O.)
I've never been much of a storyteller.  I don’t really have a way with words.  But every now and then, some event shakes your world and wakes you up, and then a story has to be told, regardless of the teller’s skill.  I can’t say I was expecting any of this to happen, and I can’t say it’s welcome—or unwelcome, really.  But it’s a story, it’s my story, and there’s no longer anyone else to tell it.
(beat)
I guess that means it’s up to me.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE - RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE AND MATT WHEELER.
Students are walking to and from classes.  Two students are chatting by The General.  Two girls run up to each other and hug.  Faculty mingle by the food area in the dining hall.  A student raises her hand in class.  Eli, Carrie and Jen, all 19, go running/rolling down the hill by the chapel.  They stand up at the bottom and brush themselves off.
Cut to Matt, 25, walking past the red brick wall carrying a briefcase and speaking on a cell phone as the same three girls walks past him.  When Eli passes, she smiles at him and he turns in a double-take, but shakes it off.  Matt is in his office on the phone.  Matt is at a bar after work with friends, watching a football game.
Eli is at dinner with Carrie and Jen.  Eli is in her room, dancing to the music playing in the background of the montage ("In This Diary” by Ataris).  She grabs a bag and dances out of her dorm and down the stairs.  Cut to Eli walking to the bridge over the James at dusk.  Cut to Matt flipping channels at home.  Cut to Eli dancing on the path by Percival's Island.  Cut to Matt reading a book, then tossing it aside.  Cut to Eli dancing on the bridge.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE OVER THE JAMES – DUSK.
Eli is sitting on the bridge with her legs dangling through the bars of the railing when Matt comes running down the path below the bridge, and runs into the river, screaming.
MATT
(screaming)
Auuuuuuuugh!
ELI
(beat)
Hi.
Matt, startled, looks around and then up at Eli on the bridge.
MATT
Uh, hi.
(he scratches the back of his head sheepishly)
Did I scare you?
ELI
Nah, not really.  I'm used to people running into the river at random.
(beat)
I'm Eli.
MATT
I'm Matt.
ELI
(getting up)
Pleased to meet you, Matt.
Eli walks off the bridge and down the path and into the river to where Matt is standing.
MATT
Likewise.  What're—what're you doing here?
ELI
I'm here almost every day.  And, I might add, I'm not the one who was screaming at the top of my lungs, begging for explanation.
MATT
Point taken.
There is a long pause.  Eli breaks the silence.
ELI
So?
MATT
So I was bored.
ELI
Bored.  Do you always run into the river when you're bored?
MATT
(laughing)
No, just this once.  Have you ever felt like you lack definition?
ELI
Yeah.  But I'm 19.  What's your excuse?
Matt shrugs awkwardly.
ELI
So you feel like you're losing definition…
MATT
Yeah.  It's like I feel too settled, too attached to routine.  So I wanted to do something different.
ELI
So you ran into the river screaming.
Eli starts splashing the water around her.  As Matt says "Yeah," she splashes him in the face.
MATT
Yeah—hey, would you quit that?
ELI
Do you want different experiences or not?
Matt is suddenly quiet.
ELI
Come on.  Here.  Lie on your back, like this.
Eli lies on her back in the water and lets herself float.
ELI (CONT'D)
Come on.  You're already wet.
Matt lies down, hesitantly, with his back on the water.  He turns his head and smiles at Eli.
ELI (CONT'D)
See?  It's not so bad.  Now let's start this over again.  I'm Eli.
MATT
I'm Matt.  I'm sorry I screamed.
ELI
Don't worry about it.  I've felt like that, too.
MATT
What do you do?
ELI
Hm?  When I feel out of sorts?  I guess I scream, just like you.  Or I dance.  Sometimes I dance.
MATT
Are you a dancer?
ELI
(looking at Matt skeptically)
You're kidding, right?  No, I just. . . dance.  And I walk around.  Sometimes I do crazy things that make me feel real.
MATT
Like what?
ELI
I run down hills and go in the passages under my school, or on the bell tower.  I like screaming from the bell tower.  You get a lot of attention when you do that.
MATT
Do you really do that?
ELI
Nah.  Well, once, but I wouldn't do it again.
Eli smiles at Matt and he laughs.
MATT
You're so young.
Eli scrunches her face and pushes him under the water for a second.  Matt pretends he is shocked.
MATT
Hey!
ELI
Hey YOU!  Old fogey.
MATT
I guess I deserved that.
ELI
You bet you did.  Anyway, why were you bored?
MATT
I told you, I feel like I lack definition.
ELI
Yeah, but what the hell does that mean?
MATT
Like, who am I when I'm alone?  I sit and I watch TV when I don't even like the shows, I stare at the ceiling for hours.  I don't do anything.  And I want to do something, even if it's just running into a river screaming.
ELI
Well, okay, back up.  "Who are you when you're alone?"  What are your passions, Matt—it's Matt, right?  Sorry, I'm bad with names.
MATT
Yeah, it's Matt.  I'm…What are my passions?  I dunno, I guess I like music.
ELI
You guess you like music?  Oh jeez, Matt.  PASSIONS!  The things that make you scream.
MATT
I like music.
ELI
PASSIONS!
MATT
(screaming)
I LOVE RADIOHEAD!  THOM YORKE IS A FUCKING GOD!!
Eli smiles at him.
ELI
That's more like it.  What else?
MATT
Poetry.
ELI
Poetry?  You'd better not be aiming for some "sensitive guy" persona to get in my pants.
MATT
(looks at her incredulously)
No.  Real poetry.  T.S. Eliot.  E.E. Cummings.
ELI
Dr. Seuss?
MATT
(laughing)
Dr. Seuss.  Yeah.
(screaming)
I LOVE DR. SEUSS!!!
ELI
(laughing)
Me too.
MATT
Say it with me!  Scream it with me!
MATT AND ELI
I LOVE DR. SEUSS!
MATT
What about you?
ELI
We're not done with you yet.
MATT
I don't care.  Tell me about yourself.
ELI
I'm going to save the world!
MATT
Ha!  I don't doubt it.
ELI
But I'm not.
There is a pregnant pause as Matt waits for Eli to continue.
ELI (CONT'D)
I'm 19.  I go to college.  I keep a journal and I write a lot, but I think it's stupid.
MATT
You think it's stupid, but you do it anyway?
ELI
Yeah, because I still want to.  I guess I'm okay with doing stupid shit.
MATT
That I definitely wouldn't doubt.
There is another pause.
ELI
Quid pro quo.  Your turn.
MATT
Okay.  Well…Pictures.  I love taking pictures.  I think I'm most comfortable when I'm behind the lens of a camera.
ELI
Is that what you do?
MATT
What, for work?  No.  I wish.
ELI
You should.
MATT
You don't even know if I'm any good.
ELI
Doesn't matter.  You should follow your passions.
MATT
Yeah, well, you're young.
ELI
Don't do that.
They look directly at each other for several seconds.  Eli's vulnerability shows through in her words and in the way she looks at Matt after.
MATT
Okay.  You're right.
Another pause.
MATT (CONT'D)
Why do you write?  I mean…
ELI
I write because it makes me feel safe.
MATT
Do you feel unsafe a lot?
ELI
Not a lot.  I mean, I used to, but…I don't feel "okay" a lot of the time.  I don't know why I'm—
MATT
You're okay.  You're more than okay.
Eli looks up at Matt.  Beat.  Eli looks back at the water.
ELI
I have to go.
MATT
What?  Where the hell did that come from?
ELI
I do!
MATT
I want to see you again.
ELI
(pausing, jarred)
O-okay.  Here--here's my number.
She writes it on the palm of Matt's hand.
MATT
I'm going to call you.
ELI
Okay.
(shaking herself back into reality)
I have to go.
MATT
Go.
Eli starts to walk off, but Matt stops her.
MATT
Wait!
Eli
(turning around)
What?
MATT
What's your name?
ELI
I told you, it's Eli.
MATT
No, your name, the whole thing.
ELI
Elizabeth Caroline Lanning.  What's yours? 
MATT
Matthew Wheeler.  I don't have a middle name.
ELI
Okay.
(as if waking up)
Goodbye!
Eli runs to her car.
Cut TO:
Int. Eli’s dorm room – day.
Eli is sitting on her bed, reading a book.  The phone rings.  She reaches over to answer it.
eli
Hello?  Oh, hey Matt.  What’s going on?  Yeah?  Sounds kinda boring.  Heh.  Okay.  Okay.  Tonight?  Yeah, sure.  Nice.  Okay, see you then.

Eli hangs up the phone and goes back to her reading, but she is briefly distracted by lingering thoughts.  She shakes it off.
cut to:
int. dining hall – day.
Eli and Carrie are gathering food, talking inaudibly.  Eli points to a table and Carrie nods.  She sets down her food and leaves to get a drink.  When they have both returned, they resume conversation as they eat.
carrie
What’d you think of that test?
eli
It wasn’t too bad, but I’m glad I studied as much as I did.
carrie
Yeah, me too, I think it would’ve kicked my ass otherwise.
eli
Totally.
The eat silently for a few beats, then Carrie speaks.
carrie
Where’d you go last night?
Eli
Huh?  Oh, I went down to Percival’s Island.  Just needed to get out somewhere alone, you know.
Carrie
Yeah.
Eli
Get off-campus.
Carrie
Ha, I know the feeling.
eli
I met this…guy.
carrie
(suddenly interested)
Really?  Where’s he go to school?
eli
He doesn’t.
carrie
Oh.  So he’s a local?
eli
You could say that.  He’s not originally from here I don’t think.  He doesn’t have an accent, at least.
Carrie
What’s his name?
eli
Matt.
carrie
Are you interested?
eli
Yeah.  Yeah.  He seems pretty nice.  A little bit old, maybe, but nice.
carrie
How old is he?
eli
I don’t know.  Mid-twenties?  I didn’t ask.  He just seemed nice.  Interested.
Carrie
Cool.  Just don’t get into anything over your head.
eli
Me?
They both laugh.
eli (cont’d)
He asked me out tonight.  “Dinner and a Movie.”
carrie
Traditional.  How uncharacteristic.
eli
I figure it’s a good “first date.”  If this is a date, which I guess it is.  I think it is.
carrie
(laughing)
Well let me know how it goes.  I should get going though.  I’ve got a lot of work to do.
eli
Yeah, me too.
They stand up and walk to put their plates up.
cut to:
Ext. Main hall - near sunset.
Eli is sitting on one of the large concrete...squares...by the pillars of main hall.  She is sitting in a half-lotus position.  She is dressed in a neat white shirt and white-washed, 80s style blue-jeans.  Matt drives up in an unintriguing car.  He is wearing a button-down shirt which is unbuttoned at the top and slacks.  He rolls down the window.
MATT
Why, it's Elizabeth Lanning.
Eli
(scrunching her nose)
I hate that name.
MATT
Sorry.  Eli.  Where should I park?
Eli
Oh, over there.
She points to the lot near Moore.
Eli (cONT'D)
Don't worry if they give you a ticket.  They're not real tickets.  You don't have to pay them unless you're worried about having your transcript held.
MatT
(laughing)
I don't think I need to worry about that.  I'll be right back.
He rolls up the window and parks.  He gets out and walks back up the path toward main hall.  Eli watches him, pushing herself off the square wall thingy as he approaches.
Matt (cONT'D)
Now you have to give me the grand tour.
Eli
(laughing)
Um, okay.
They start walking toward Smith quad.
ELI (cONT'D)
(pointing)
That's Wright Hall, where I live, and to the left of it is Smith, which is where I had my English class freshman year, and where I have a lot of classes now.  Oh, the cool thing about Wright--well, there are a couple of cool things--but one of the cool things is that it has hardwood floors, and the stairs aren't small stairs.  It's 
this large square box of stairs and they go all the way down to the dining hall.  I keep saying I'll just throw my laundry down one day so I don't have to carry it.
Matt laughs.
matt
Careful, you might hurt somebody.
ELI
(shrugs mischievously)
Anyway, that's Wright.  I'll show you my room later.  This over here is the dining hall, as you can see it's below Wright, and over there is West.  They have early quiet hours--a studious lot.
MATT
You're not studious?
ELI
Not as studious as I should be.  Oh, and those things going between the buildings, those are trollies.  I don't know why they call them that, but they do.  This one connects West and Thoreson, which is where I think they teach the philosophy classes.  I wouldn't know.
MATT
Not much interested?
ELI
Not much.  My friend Carrie is, though.  She’s going to minor in it I think.  Oh, and in the back there...
They walk behind West hall and Eli points to the chapel.
Eli (cONT'D)
That's the chapel, and behind it you can just make out the observatory.  And to the right
Eli points in the other direction
Eli (cONT'D)
You see Webb, the senior dorm.  I don't want to live there, though, because they're all partiers.
Matt
You're not?
ELI
(somewhat seriously)
No.  No, I don't like alcohol.
(beat)
So, um, that's the skellar, it's a food place in the student center, and this is the back of Main Hall, where you pulled up when you got here.
Suddenly, Matt grabs her and pulls her into a kiss.  She is surprised, but goes with it.
ELI
You shouldn't be kissing me yet.  We haven't even gone on our "date".
MatT
I'm sorry.   You're just so wonderful.
Eli laughs nervously, folds her arms around her chest and rubs her upper arms.
ELI
(hesitently)
Come on.  This over here is the exciting part.  See, this is Moore hall and
She walks through the library's glass trolly, trailing Matt.
Eli (cONT'D)
And this is Mary's Garden.  A girl died here you know.  In the seventies.  And she got cut up into pieces and they put her in the garden.  The flowers were so high nobody found her until winter.  That's why there aren't any flowers here anymore.
Matt starts to push through the bushes, but Eli stops him.
Eli (cONT'D)
Don't!
Matt looks startled.
MATT
Why not?
ELI
(sheepishly)
It's supposed to be bad luck.  You could die or something.
Matt pushes his way through and stands in the middle.
MATT
Defy!  Defy it with me!  It's just superstition.
Eli hesitates at first, then joins him, ready to put her all into this defiance.
ELI
(pushing through the bushes)
Okay!
They dance in Mary's Garden, then Eli continues the tour, pointing at the Engagement Tower.
Eli
That's the engagement tower.  It's said if you go in there with someone you're not engaged to, you’ll have bad luck in love for the rest of your life.
(beat)
Shall we defy that superstition, too?
Matt hesitates.
Eli (cont’d)
Come on, you don’t believe in these silly superstitions, do you?
Matt
No.  No, of course not.
Eli grabs his hand and drags him into the engagement tower.
Matt
(teasingly)
Maybe what this means is we’re going to end up married.
Eli
(laughing nervously)
I think it’s a bit early to tell that.
Matt
Let’s go get food.
Eli
But I haven’t finished the tour!
Matt
There will be other chances.  Plus, we have reservations.
They walk off toward Matt’s car.
Cut To:
INT. Restaurant – evening
Matt and Eli walk into the restaurant and up to the hostess.
Matt
We have reservations for two, last name Wheeler.
Hostess
(scanning her list)
Ah, yes Mr. Wheeler.  Right this way.
The hostess eyes Eli, who is clearly underdressed, then she looks back to Matt, noting their age difference.  She grabs a pair of menus and leads them to their seats.
Hostess (Cont’d)
Right this way.
Matt and Eli are seated.
Hostess (Cont’d)
Your waiter will be right with you.  Can I get you something to drink in the meantime?
Matt
I’ll have a glass of the Sauvignon blanc.
Hostess
Very good, sir.  And you, miss?
Eli
Um…I don’t know.  What do you have?
Hostess
We have lemonade, cranberry juice, and the smoothies listed on the back, plus coke products.
Eli furrows her brow briefly, then turns to the back of the menu.
Eli
Um, I guess I’ll just have a coke.
Hostess
Sure thing.  Your waiter will be with you in just a moment.  He’ll tell you our specials.
The hostess leaves to place their drink orders and return to her post.
Pull out to a med. long shot of the restaurant with Eli as the focal point.  
Eli looks younger and less elegant than the rest of the patrons.  An older couple eyes Matt and Eli disapprovingly.  Eli catches their glance and turns away.
cut to:
Ext. train tracks near percival’s island – night
A train rushes past hastily.  Eli is shouting at Matt.
Eli
Come on!
Matt
I’m really not sure about this.
Eli
Don’t be such a baby.  I do this all the time.
Matt
Are you sure it’s safe?
Eli
What?  Of course it’s not safe.  If it were safe, where would the fun be.
Eli walks over toward Matt once the train has passed.
Eli (cont’d)
You’re no fun.
Matt
I just. . .
Matt sighs, audibly.
Eli
You just what?
Matt
I’m scared.
Eli lets out a hearty, free laugh.
Eli
That’s all?  You’re scared?
Matt
(frustrated)
Yes, I’m scared!  Is that so abnormal?
Eli
No, no, it’s not abnormal at all.  Hell, Matt, I’m scared.  I just do it anyway.  Why live your life in fear?
Matt
I know, I just. . .
Eli
You just what?
Matt
(sighing)
Nothing.
Eli
You have to face your fears.
Matt
Okay.  Next train.
Eli
You sure?
Matt
No.  Yes.  Next train.
Eli laughs and grabs his hand.
Eli
Come on.  I want to show you something.
Matt and Eli run across the tracks, Eli leading with her hand around Matt’s wrist.  She leads him across the bridge and down a path leading to a different riverbank than the one where they met.  There is a wall there, remnants of the old train line, and by it is a pile of books covered by a tarp.  Eli pulls the tarp off and gestures to Matt.
Eli
Ta da!
Matt
What is this?
Eli
This, Matthew Wheeler, is the library.
Matt
An appropriate name.  But what is it?
Eli
When the train ran through here, there wasn’t really a station, just a stop—a ticket area and a bench or two.  So passengers would bring books to read if they had to change trains.  As a service to other passengers, they would leave their books when they finished and the next person stuck waiting would have something to read.
Matt
Are these all old books, then?
Eli
No, not at all.  It’s sort-of a tradition that’s been carried by the students.  If we get a textbook we can’t sell back, or just a book we’re done reading and don’t really want to keep, we put it here.
Matt
This is incredible.
Eli
I know!  Isn’t it?
She grabs his wrist and runs around the side.
Eli (cont’d)
There are all these traditions at Macon—that’s half the reason I went there at all—and half of them are just superstitions about death or marriage.  But the other half—oh, they’re rich.  And the tunnels underground.  Did you know that our art museum was built during the cold war to house stuff from the national gallery in case of war with Russia?
Matt
No, I didn’t.
Eli
I’m not making it up!  It’s amazing, isn’t it?
Matt
Really amazing.
Eli looks at him mischieviously.
Eli
Do you want to see the tunnels?
Matt
Totally.
Cut to:
Ext. Randolph-Macon woman’s college – evening.
Eli is running through back campus, toward some of the offices near the entrance to the tunnel under main hall.
Eli
Come on!
(as they enter, giggling slightly)
Shh. . . shhhh!  This is the tunnel under the main building.  Doesn’t seem like much, right?
Matt nods.
Eli (Cont’d)
But over here. . . 
Eli points past the pipes to what appears to be a hole in the wall.
Eli (cont’d)
. . . is a crawl-space bigger than my dorm room, connected to another crawl space.  I don’t know why, but they’re filled with rocks.
Eli props a chair against the hole, looking back through the glass panel in the door behind her, and then pushes herself into the crawl space.
Eli
Come on in, the water’s fine!
Matt climbs through after her and jumps down.
Eli
See?  Isn’t it neat?  I installed rope ladders on the other part.
Eli winks at Matt, who puts his hands on her waist and leans in to kiss her.  This time, Eli throws herself fully into the kiss.
Zoom out to a long shot.  Cut to long shot of the tunnel hallway and walk (handheld) through the middle, up the stairs through the switchboard to a long shot of Matt and eli at the front door.  It is morning, and they are hugging goodbye.  Cut to a med. close-up of Matt and Eli.
Matt
Okay, I have to go.  I’ll call you tonight.
Eli
Yay!
Matt laughs.
Matt
You’re so sweet.
(beat)
Okay.  Bye.
Matt turns and starts to jog to his car.  He turns around, as though he’s forgotten something.
Matt
I can’t believe I forgot this.
He approaches Eli and pulls out her hand.
Matt
(without looking at her)
Do you have a pen?
Eli
Yeah.  Here.
She pulls a pen out of her hair, which is roughly pulled into a ponytail.  Matt takes it and writes his phone number on her hand.
Matt
Call me.  Please.
Eli smiles.
Eli
Goodbye, Matthew Wheeler.
Matt
Bye!
He runs off toward his car and Eli walks back toward Wright Hall.
Cut to:
Int. eli’s dorm – day.
Eli is sitting in her room with the door slightly ajar listening to music.  Carrie knocks and the door falls open further.
carrie
Ooh, sorry.
eli
No biggie.  What’s up?
carrie
How’d your date go?
eli
Really well.  Well, I don’t know.  It was weird at first ‘cause he took me to this super-fancy restaurant, but after that it was fun.
carrie
(somewhat forced)
I’m glad you had fun.
eli
Thanks.
Carrie looks around the room, eyeing the walls and the ceiling.
carrie
So when are you going to see him again?
eli
I dunno.  I’m going to call him tonight.
carrie
Okay.
eli
Why?
carrie
I dunno.  Just trying to be a good friend, take an interest.
Eli laughs.
eli
Don’t worry about it Carrie.
Carrie
Just...tell me you didn’t sleep with him.
Eli blanches.  Clearly this catches her off guard.
eli
Um...
carrie
Eli, you didn’t.
Eli appears guilty.
carrie (cont’d)
On a first date?  Eli, just how old is he?
eli
God, you know, I just don’t know.  Like I said, mid-twenties.
carrie
Okay.  I guess it’s not my business.  I just don’t want to see you get hurt.
eli
You might.
carrie
What?
eli
See me get hurt.  But that’s part of life, isn’t it?  You win some, you lose some.  Don’t worry.
Carrie looks at her warily.
carrie
This doesn’t seem like a great idea.  But it’s you, not me, right?
eli
Exactly.  I’m sorry you can’t support me in this.
carrie
I’m trying.  I mean, you seem happy and that’s important, but earlier today the best you could do to describe this guy was he’s “nice,” and now you’re sleeping with him.  I don’t get it, but I hope you get everything you’re looking for.
eli
(somewhat bitterly)
Thanks.
carrie (cont’d)
(after a moment’s pause)
What are you looking for?
eli
You’ve just established that that’s none of your business.
carrie
Hey!  I really am trying here.  Just help me understand.  What are you looking for?  What do you see in this guy that you can’t find in someone your age?
eli
I don’t know.  It doesn’t feel like such a crapshoot with Matt.  I feel like he’s in control of his life which means that maybe I can just drift and it won’t be a problem.
(she pauses, thinking)
He likes who I am.  Likes the restlessness and the spontaneity.
carrie
I don’t know.  I’m sure he likes you Eli, it’s hard not to.  But make sure that you actually like him, too.
eli
I do.
Carrie
Okay.  If this is really what you want, hun, I’ll try to be happy for you.
eli
Thanks.
carrie
(as she’s walking out the door)
It’s hard though.
eli
I know.
cut to:
ext. just outside matt’s apartment – evening.
Eli leans against the wall as Matt finds his key and unlocks the door.  They enter.
cut to:
int. matt’s apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt have just entered through the door, and Eli shuts the door behind them.  Inside, we see that Matt takes a rather minimalist approach to decorating.  Everything is dichromatic—either black, white, or shades of gray—and the room is compartmentalized.  In one area, we see an entertainment center.  The living room and kitchen share a space, so the kitchen is visible and by the counter on the living room side there are four stools.
matt
So this is my place.
Eli
I see that.
matt
This is the living room.
(pointing)
That’s the kitchen, and over there is the bedroom.
eli
Ooh la la!
Eli grins at him and he scoops her up in his arms.
matt
What do you want to watch?
eli
I don’t know.  Something light.
matt
Well, go pick something.  I’m going to hit the bathroom.
Matt walks into the bathroom and Eli crosses over to the DVD rack by the entertainment center.  She occasionally glances at other areas of the apartment, and at one point wanders to the edge of the bedroom to check it out.  At this point, she hears Matt flush the toilet and runs back to the DVD area and picks something, randomly, then stands, waiting for him to come out.  It is “Star Trek IV: The Journey Home.”  Matt leaves the bathroom and returns to Eli, who hands him the DVD.
eli
Here.
matt
(surprised)
Hell yeah!  I didn’t know you were a trek fan.
eli
(she has no idea what he’s talking about because she hasn’t even looked at the disk)
Duh!
Matt
Well, yeah, this is great.  I’ll set it up.
Matt walks over to the entertainment system and puts the disk in.  Eli seats herself on the couch opposite the system.
matt
(still somewhat awed)
Hell yeah.
Matt sits on the couch with Eli.  The scene opens on the TV and Matt turns to Eli, somewhat more seriously.
matt
Eli...
eli
Shh!  I wanna watch.
matt
I just want to say this before it leaves my mind.
Eli turns toward him, her attention focused.
matt
I love you.
eli
(very much taken off guard)
Um, I’m flattered, but...
matt
I mean it.  I’ve had twenty-eight years to figure out what love means to me, and nothing has ever felt like this before.  It means that I honor you, respect you.  It means that you give me peace and that you wake me up.  Eli, you woke me up.  I felt like I was drowning, remember?  Like I had no soul.  You proved me wrong.  I love you for that.  I love you.  I know it in my bones.
Eli lets his words sink in to her skin.  She sniffs, indicating that she is touched to the point of crying, if not physically than emotionally.
eli
Aw, Matt.
Matt
Let’s watch Star Trek.
Eli
I love you, too.
the camera should be placed at an angle to see their faces and part of the tv.  we can hear the show playing and see that they are cuddling together.  they appear happy.  cue music ()
Fade into:
int. matt’s apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt are on the couch, “watching” Star Trek.  They are making out with Star Trek in the background.  They should be wearing different clothing.  Eli’s hair is getting roots.
Fade into:
Int. Matt’s Apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt are on the couch.  Eli is trying to come onto Matt, who wants to watch Star Trek.  Finally she gives up and snuggles his side.  Her hair is now a different color and they are wearing different clothing.
Fade into:
Int. Matt’s Apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt are on the couch, but his apartment has been rearrange so that they are facing a different wall than they were in the other three scenes.  Eli’s hair has roots again, and they are (again) wearing different clothing.  They are seated next to each other, not touching one another, on the couch.  Matt is watching the screen, rapt.  Eli looks slightly bored, but is also watching the screen.
Fade into:
int. Matt’s Apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt are on the couch.  Matt is seated on one side and Eli’s feet are in his lap.  She is sprawled out across the rest of the couch.  She yawns.
Eli
(making some sort of yawning sound)
Excuse me!
Matt smiles at her and looks back at the screen.  She pulls her legs back and kisses him.  He gets into it and they change position so that he can lie on top of her.  He unbuttons the first button of her blouse.
Cut to:
Int. Kyoto japanese steakhouse – evening.
Eli & Matt are there, as are Carrie and Jen.  They are waiting to be seated.  Carrie and Jen spot a small child.
Carrie and Jen
Awwwwww!
Eli cringes.
eli
Ugh.  Babies.  Gross.
Carrie, Jen and Matt laugh.
Carrie
(by way of explanation)
Eli thinks she hates children.
eli
I don’t hate them.  They’re fine just so long as they aren’t mine.
matt
You don’t want kids?
eli
No.
jen
You know, it’s always the ones who say they don’t want kids or don’t want marriage that end up married and knocked up first.
Eli shudders and Carrie and Matt laugh.  Matt hugs Eli close to him.
Carrie
So Matt, tell us about yourself.  Eli refuses to provide us with the details of your person.
Matt
(laughing)
Uh, well, what do you want to know?
carrie
What are your intentions with my friend?
Eli smacks Carrie in the arm.
carrie
Kidding!  Kidding!  Okay.  How about this?  How old are you?
matt
I’m 26.
carrie
And what do you do?
matt
I’m a consultant.
Carrie smirks.
carrie
Sorry, you just hear a lot of jokes about “consultants.”
matt
Yeah, I get that a lot.
carrie
Sorry.  Okay, so where are you from?
matt
Originally?  Texas.
Carrie and Jen giggle.
Matt (cont’d)
Hey, don’t mess with Texas.
Carrie
Sorry.  Sorry.
matt
You done?
carrie
Almost.  One more.  What do you want out of your relationship with Eli?
Eli thwacks Carrie again.
Carrie
Ow!
Matt
No, it’s okay.  I love Eli.  She very quickly became a big part of my life.  Obviously, since I’ve only known her for less than a year.  I want to keep sharing our lives.  Maybe someday make that more permanent.
Carrie and Jen smile at him.  Eli smiles, too, but her smile is less sincere.
eli
Thank you.  That’s very sweet.
matt
It’s the truth.
Silence ensues, but it is quickly broken by a hostess who comes to seat their party.  They walk into the next room, but the camera doesn’t follow them.
cut to:
Int. Matt’s apartment – Night.
Eli and Matt are in Matt’s bed.  Matt is sleeping and curled onto one side.  Eli is staring up at the ceiling.  Cut from a view of her to a view of the ceiling.  Fade into a shot of the night sky.  Cut back to Eli.  She looks over at Matt, asleep, and out the balcony.  She gets out of bed and walks out.
cut to:
Ext. Virginia beach – night/early morning.
Eli is standing by the beach looking out at the water.  She walks toward it, peeling off clothing.  By the time she enters the water, she is wearing a bathing suit.  She swims out, and the rest of her clothing trail behind her.  When she gets far enough out, she slides under the water.  The camera should remain focused on the water, which no longer contains Eli, and then gradually tilt up to the sky, which is lightening.
fade into:
Int. Matt’s Apartment – dawn.
shot of the ceiling as it fades in from the view of the morning sky.
Matt and Eli are in bed.  They are both asleep.  Eli wakes up.
Cut to:
int. a fancy restaurant – evening.
Eli looks at her plate and plays with her food, bored.  Her hair is a different color, and longer.
matt
How was school?
eli
I hate that question.  My parents always asked that question.
matt
I guess they probably would.  Sorry.  Let me try again.
He takes a breath, dramatically.
matt (cont’d)
What was the most awesome event you experienced today?
eli
(listlessly)
I dunno.  I saw a really cute dog someone was walking through campus.
Matt
(smiling)
What kind?
eli
(brightening a little)
An Australian Shepherd...they’re beautiful dogs.
matt
Was it a dog or a puppy?
eli
Dog.  But that’s okay.
They eat in silence for a moment.
eli (cont’d)
What was the most fantastic thing about your day?
matt
My friend Joe called, in New York.
eli
Neat.  That reminds me, though.  I thought you wanted to move back to New York.
matt
I still do.  Someday.  But for now my life is here, as is yours.  I figure you’ve got another year or two in college, right?  I’m not in any rush.  I’ve got a good job and good friends here.
eli
I guess that makes sense.  Tell me about Joe.
Matt
Well, I’m sure you remember me mentioning him.  He’s been one of my closest friends since college.  I told him about you.
eli
Did you tell him I’m still in college?
matt
Yep.
eli
Really?  And what did he say?
matt
He was...surprisingly supportive.  I’m not sure he understood that I really care about you, but regardless, he seemed happy for me.
eli
Cool.  Now I want to meet this Joe character.
Matt
Someday.
The awkward dinner silence returns.
eli
You wanna go down by the river later?
matt
Um, not really.  Is it okay if we just stay in tonight?  Watch a movie or something?
Eli’s eyes bulge briefly.  She’s not happy with this, but she’ll accept it.
eli
(resigned)
Okay.
matt
Thanks, babe.
Eli
(forcing a smile)
No problem.
cut to:
Int. carrie’s dorm room – day.
Eli is pacing and gesturing wildly while talking to Carrie, who is seated on her bed, calmly.
eli
...all he ever wants to do is watch these fucking movies!  He said he wanted to feel alive, that I woke him up and now all he wants to do is kill my soul!
carrie
That’s a bit dramatic.
eli
But seriously, Carrie!  We eat fancy dinners, watch Star Trek every fucking day, and fuck like, once a week, and that’s all it is.  Fucking.
She takes a deep breath and then continues, more calmly.
eli (cont’d)
I had a dream a couple of nights ago.  I was lying in his bed, and in my dream, I was suddenly at the beach.  The ocean called to me, so I walked into it.  I submitted.  I took off all my clothing and I drowned myself.  And then I woke up.
carrie
Wow.
eli
When I met him, he told me he felt like he was drowning.
Carrie nods.
eli (cont’d)
I thought he wanted things to change.  But really, he just wanted company.  So now I’m drowning, too.
Carrie nods.
eli (cont’d)
Jesus, Carrie, say something!
carrie
No, I think you’re right.  But it’s weird how he always acts like everything’s okay.  I mean, he’s gotta know that you’re not happy.  Doesn’t he?
eli
I don’t think he has a fucking clue.  Either that or he’s ignoring it.  Ignoring me.  I get bored just sitting there watching the same shit every day.  Sometimes I try to initiate.  Mostly it doesn’t work.  God, he’s so old.  His body, Carrie.
Carrie
TMI, I don’t want to hear about it.
eli
Okay, but jeez.
They are silent for a moment.
carrie
So are you going to break up with him?
Eli looks at her as though the thought has not even occurred to her.
carrie (cont’d)
Jesus!  Eli!  Earth to Eli!  You’ve said all this shit and...what?  What do you want to do?
eli
I don’t know.  Complain I guess.
Carrie laughs.
carrie
Okay, well, I don’t know what to tell you.
Eli flops down next to Carrie on her bed.
eli
Uuuuuuuugh!  I’m crawling out of my skin.
Carrie laughs.
cut to:
int. matt’s apartment – evening.
Eli and Matt are sitting on the couch, watching TV.
eli
Matt?
matt
(not really paying attention to her)
Hm?
Eli
Matt.  Let’s talk.
Realizing this is more serious, Matt turns off the TV.
matt
Okay.  What’s going on, babe?
eli
I’m bored.
Matt laughs.
matt
That’s it?
eli
Really bored.
matt
Okay...so what are you telling me?
eli
I need to...leave.
matt
Huh?  What do you mean?
eli
I need to go on a vacation.  A hiatus.  By myself.
matt
Uh, okay.  Where to?
eli
I don’t know yet.
matt
What about your classes?
eli
I don’t care.
matt
You’re just going to leave.
eli
Yeah.
There is a silence.  Matt looks at Eli with a mix of confusion and judgment.
matt
What’s wrong?
eli
Nothing’s wrong, I just need to do this.
matt
It can’t be that simple.  Why haven’t you don’t this before?
eli
I used to.  All the time.
matt
Why now?
eli
(frustrated)
Ugh!  Jesus, Matt, do I have to explain everything?  I just do.
matt
I just don’t understand why you’re telling me this.
eli
So you’ll know.  I’m not telling anyone else.  Even Carrie.
Matt is still confused, but more resigned.
matt
Okay.  When will you be back?
eli
Dunno.  I’ll call you.
matt
Okay.
Eli
Okay.
She gathers her things and leaves.
cut to:
int. eli’s car – night.
Eli is singing to herself inside her car.  The song (“Upward Over the Mountain” by Iron and Wine) becomes non-diagetic as the scene changes.  She turns off the main road and onto the parkway, leading to Otter Creek.  She enters the campground, parks at a camping space, and gets out her stuff.  She lays her sleeping bag on the ground and lies on top of it, looking up.
cut to:
Montage – Eli’s hiatus.
Eli looking up at the stars.  Eli hiking some of the trails.  Eli talking to the river.  Eli chatting with her neighboring campers.  Eli playing with a dog.  Eli staring down a deer.  Eli lying under the stars.  Eli packing up to go.  Eli driving.
cut to:
INT. dining hall - evening
Matt enters, somewhat uncomfortable with being surrounded by a mass of college-age females.  He scans the room for Eli, whom he finds sitting alone in the back of the room.  He approaches her, puts a hand on her shoulder and kisses her cheek.  She looks upset.
Matt
Hey.  I was worried about you.
Eli
(turning to face him as he pulls up a chair)
Huh?  Why were you worried?
MATT
Your message just sounded funny.
ELI
Uh, what do you mean?
MATT
I dunno, it just doesn't seem normal to me to take off and not tell anybody.  But that's beside the point.  Did you enjoy yourself?
Eli looks at him gravely.  Clearly, she is annoyed by his remark.
ELI
How long have you known me, Matthew Wheeler?
MATT
A year.
ELI
Yes, I enjoyed myself.
MATT
Where did you go?
ELI
(curtly)
I don't really want to talk about it.
MATT
Um, okay.
ELI
Sorry, I just don't like sharing these things.  They're personal.
MATT
(wary)
Did you see anyone while you were on your little hiatus?
ELI
Uh, yeah, lots of random strangers.
MATT
I'm glad you had fun.  I just wish I'd been able to go.
ELI
That sort-of would have defeated the purpose.
MATT
Yeah, well.  Hey, do you want to get out of here?
eli
(perking up a little)
Yeah, let’s.
The get up to leave.
Cut to:
int. eli’s dorm room – evening.
Matt and Eli are talking.  Eli looks happier, and Matt looks nervous.  Eli can tell.
eli
Dude, Matt, you’re acting really strange.  What’s going on?
matt
I just got a little weirded out by your trip, that’s all.
eli
I told you, I just needed to be alone.
matt
I know, I just…
He trails off.
matt (cont’d)
I just don’t want to lose you.
Matt fumbles in his pocket, locates something, then withdraws his empty hand.
matt (cont’d)
Look, Eli, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought, and…
He gets down on one knee and pulls a box from his pocket.
matt (cont’d)
I want you to marry me.
Eli is silent.  She is shaking, angry.
eli
How could you?
She gets up and runs out the door
Matt
What the...?
He runs after her.
CuT TO:
INT. bell parking lot - evening
Eli runs down the stairs from Wright to Bell parking lot with Matt trailing behind her.
Matt
Eli!  Eli!  What the hell is going on here?
Eli
Get away from me, Matt.
MATT
What?  Jesus, Eli, what the hell is going on?
ELI
Get away from me.
MATT
What did I do?
ELI
You're fucking insane, that's what it is.
MATT
Whoa now, insane?  Look who's talking.  You're the one who--
ELI
I'm the insane one, right?  Running off on mysterious car trips where I might possibly fuck a stranger because I'm too fucked up to handle and don't have the emotional capacity or strength of character to have a normal, functioning relationship with another human being.  Right?  Is that what you were going to say?!
Matt is silent.
Eli (cONT'D)
Is that what you were going to fucking say?!
Matt
(somewhat ashamed)
Yes.
ELI
Jesus, Matt, do you think I haven't heard it before?  A hundred times from men who are always so fucking interested until they realize that what they see really is what they get.  Argh!
She screams, pushing Matt.
Eli
And you play these fucking games like everything is hunky-dory, A-OK!  The concerned, sensitive boyfriend who just wants to come along when in reality--jeez!  You're just a jealous asshole who wants to monitor me to make sure I'm not having too good of a time since, after all, I belong to you.  Well I don't want to belong to anyone, and to answer your question which, yea, I know you never technically asked, I didn't fuck anyone on my trip.  I just slept under the stars, by myself, because the whole point was to be by myself.
Her words hang in the air as a silence envelopes the both of them.
Cut to long shot of matt and eli in bell parking lot, then cut back to a medium shot.
Eli (cONT'D)
And then you want to marry me!  I’m nineteen, Matt!  You know this!  You know I’m not ready for this kind of commitment, to anyone.  I don’t even know what I want tomorrow, much less for the rest of my life.  Ugh!  Just get the fuck away from me.  I don't need a fucking relationship, I don't need a fucking man, and I don't need you.
Matt stands in his place, stricken.
MATT
You can't live like this.
ELI
(furious)
I can't live like this?  Like what?  Fuck you, Matt, my lifestyle has worked fine for me for nineteen years.
MATT
Has it?
ELI
Yes!  Yes it has!  This is the way I want my life to be, never knowing what comes next.  Unexpected.  Interesting for fuck's sake.  I'm not like you.  I have no fucking desire to settle down and raise a brood of whining children who look half like me and half like some boring imbecile who I finally break down and marry because he presents me with a piece of jewelry worth more than he is in a month.  This is not the life I choose to lead.
MATT
Jesus, Eli, WHY?  Why can't you just be normal?!  All I want is to spend my life with the person I love but she’s too wrapped up in herself to give half a shit.
ELI
(sarcastically at first, then more seriously)
Yes, Matt.  Yes I am.  I care about my freedom and independence.  I don’t want to be tied down.  To anyone.  And I wish you could understand.  The reason I fell in love with you was because you fell in love with me and you said you cared about all those things, too.  But you don’t.
She holds her gaze on him for a beat, then shakes her head.
Eli (cONT'D)
Next time you go searching for yourself, don't do it by appropriating someone else's life.  I like the way I am.  I like the way I live.  It's not my fault that you don't.
Matt is teary-eyed.  Clearly, she’s stricken a chord.
eli (cont’d)
Look, I’m sorry.  I’m angry.  Angry because I told you I don’t want to get married.  I don’t want that sort-of life.  
matt
(bitterly)
Then why did you get involved with me in the first place?
Eli
I don’t know.  I thought you liked me for who I was, and I thought that maybe this time I could make a relationship work.  I liked the attention, to be honest.
Matt
I should never have gotten involved with someone so young.
Eli
Jeez.  There you go again.  Well, Matt, here’s your chance to change things.  So much for spending the rest of our lives together.
Matt doesn’t move.  After a moment, Eli waves at him and begins to walk toward her car.
eli
I won’t forget you, Matthew Wheeler.  Matt with no middle name.
matt
(quietly)
I won’t forget you, either.
The camera slowly pulls back as they stare at each other and then walk away.  Cue music ().
dissolve to:
EXT. BRIDGE OVER THE JAMES – SUNRISE
Eli is standing on the bridge holding a small tin box containing Matt's ashes.  She looks straight at it, then back up at the river ahead of her.
ELI (V.O.)
I didn’t forget him, either.  Here I am years later.
(pause)
The thing is, Matt died.  I don’t know how else to say that.  He died.  We didn’t talk much, but we still talked, and his mom, I guess, thought I would know best what to do with his…remains.
She fingers the box.
Eli (cont’d)
This would be so much more appropriate if these were my ashes.  Flying in the wind, going down the river forever.  But the thing is, they're not, and I don't think it would be appropriate to leave this box with Matt's ashes in a hole in the ground.  That's not the point.
Eli rests the box on the railing and rubs her shoulders.  
ELI (V.O. CONT'D)
Matt died.  I have to say it again and again so it’ll sink in.  His car went off a cliff.  No one really knows for sure if he lost control of the car or of his mind.  But now I’m here, here with Matt on the bridge where we met, and I never forgot him, and I can only think of one thing.
Eli looks directly at the camera and speaks, aloud (not voice over.)
eli
“True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving.  There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.”
FADE TO BLACK.
ROLL CREDITS – cue music ("Float on" BY modest mouse).
the end.