8

“Next Time Round”

By

Emily Beacon

MAIN TITLES

over black card.

CUT TO:

FADE IN:

EXT. BUS STOP – AFTERNOON

A young girl sits on the bus stop bench. A rather untidy looking purse sits beside her, leaning against her side. She stares down at her folded hands that rest delicately in her lap. A small breeze comes up out of no where, almost like a foreshadowing of something coming, and softly blows a piece of her hair across her face.

The sound of shoes on concrete approaches from the right. A man, maybe a year older then the girl, steps into the bus stop. This is Ace Johnson. He sits down next to the girl and immediately pulls out a package of cigarettes from his breast pocket in his jacket. He takes his time lighting it and stowing the package away before he speaks.

ACE

Hello Sophie.

SOPHIE

(hesitantly)

Hello Ace.

ACE

It’s been a while.

SOPHIE

So it has.

ACE

Where are you calling home these days?

Sophie smoothes her skirt slightly nervously and avoids eye contact with Ace. She clears her throat once, folding her hands tightly together again.

SOPHIE

I’m… I’m back with Ridge.

ACE

Yeah, I would’ve guessed that. So how is my old partner? Still smacking girls around for kicks?

Spinning on her seat, Sophie glares at Ace. He doesn’t look at her, simply stares ahead, slowly taking a long drag on his cigarette.

SOPHIE

(defensively)

You don’t know anything, Ace; so don’t go talking smack about Ridge! He’s a good guy!

ACE

(laughing darkly)

Oh, yeah! You bet he is. Is this the same good guy who gave you those bruises on your neck?

Sophie’s eyes widen and her hand flies to her throat. She narrows her eyes angrily at Ace and her jaw stiffens.

SOPHIE

And since when do you care Ace? I don’t remember a time when you ever gave a damn what happened to me.

The cigarette in Ace’s lips noticeably quivers and he sits up straight. He leans over close to Sophie’s face. She glares back, trying to be stronger than she is.

Silence eats up the moment. Ace parts his lips and they stay that way for a short period before he begins to talk.

ACE

(quietly, strained)

You’re the only thing I’ve ever gave a damn about Sophie. Don’t you pretend not to know it.

Beat.

Ace leans even closer, almost as if he’s going to kiss her. Sophie gasps slightly.

ACE

(whispering)

And… remember Sophie, it was you who left me, not the other way around.

Ace sits back, returning to his cigarette. Sophie tries to stay erect, but collapses into herself as she struggles to find the words.

SOPHIE

I know. How could I ever forget?

Sophie bursts into quiet tears. Ace, suddenly livid, sits up again, and pitches his cigarette to the curb. He reaches out hesitantly, than forcefully grabs Sophie by the shoulders and turns her to face him.

ACE

(excited)

Why’d you leave, Sophe? Why’d you do it? Did I do something wrong? Was I not good enough? Tell me Sophie! Tell me why!

SOPHIE

(sobbing)

No, Ace, no! It was never you, it was me! I didn’t deserve you! I don’t deserve you!

ACE

That’s bullshit and you know it Sophie!

SOPHIE

Ace, please!

ACE

Come back to me Sophie! I’ve still got the loft! We can still make it!

SOPHIE

(growing hysterical)

Ace, please! Don’t!

ACE

We have a chance! Good God, we have a chance together Sophie!

SOPHIE

(crying out)

Ace! Stop!

Tears stream down Sophie’s face as she shoves Ace away. Her hands cover her ears and she shakes her head sobbing. Ace watches, heartbroken.

SOPHIE

(whispering, slowly)

Please Ace… please.

Beat.

Sophie calms slightly and drops her hands slowly into her lap.

SOPHIE

How could I live a life with you Ace? How could I, when every time I looked in your face I’d see the hurt I caused… that night… with Ridge? How could I do it?

ACE

I told you that doesn’t matter, Sophe! I told you I don’t care about it! I forgive you both!

SOPHIE

I can’t.

With a sigh, Ace reaches out and takes Sophie’s hands in his. He reaches up and wipes a tear from her cheek. She slowly turns her eyes up to his, looking back and forth between them.

SOPHIE

(quietly)

I loved you Ace.

ACE

I still love you Sophie.

SOPHIE

How?

ACE

How can I not?

SOPHIE

After what I put you through, you should hate me.

ACE

I could never hate you.

Beat.

ACE

(cont.)

Come on, Sophe. What do you say? Let’s make a lifetime of it. Come back with me, Sophe.

The silence that follows gives Ace hope. He watches with hopeful eyes, thinking she’s contemplating his offer. She drops her eyes and glares into her lap.

SOPHIE

I’m engaged to Ridge.

Ace cannot hide his obvious shock. He doesn’t move for a moment, simply stares at her. She peeks from under thick lashes and immediately looks back down when she sees his face.

Mouth opening and closing, it is a moment before Ace can react.

ACE

(choked)

Oh…

SOPHIE

I’m sorry Ace. It’s too late, and… and I owe him. He’s been good to me.

ACE

So I see.

He drops her hands, and slowly sits back against the bench, staring down at the concrete. They sit in silence for a long time. Suddenly, the bus pulls up with a squeal. The door opens and Sophie stands up to leave. She pauses as she reaches the door and looks back at Ace.

SOPHIE

‘Til the next lifetime, Ace.

ACE

(distracted)

Yeah… ‘til the next time round.

With one final glance, Sophie steps up onto the bus and it pulls away. Ace sits in the same position for a moment.

He sighs, and shakes his head. He begins to reach into his pocket for the package of cigarettes. He pauses and checks his watch instead. He looks up at the bus stop sign.

BUS STOP SIGN

Ace stares down the street after the bus. He suddenly leaps to his feet and makes to run after the bus, but stops. He watches after the back of the bus for a while. A heavily weighted sigh escapes him, and he turns on his heel to walk away. He stops short and looks at the purs Sophie's left behind on the bench. He grins as he picks it up and starts walking back after the bus.

ACE

(thoughtful)

‘Til the next stop, Sophie.

Copyright Emily Beacon; April 2008