ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay (8 page)

Elliott turns away, feeling awkward.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): I don't know how I'm

supposed to say this.

Arianna continues to look at him, curious.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (beat) One of the

hands this season asked about you.

Arianna doesn't follow.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): He's not much in

appearance but he's of good character.

Perhaps you will appreciate him.

Arianna still doesn't follow.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): If you agree, he would

like to meet with you, I can make the

arrangements. I know it will be difficult at

first...

Arianna quickly shakes her head.

Elliott stops and looks at her, reading her response.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (nods) Very well. I

only felt it right to ask.

Arianna remains still, now worried.

Elliott notices.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): I'm not trying to force

you away. I only ask because you're now, of

age.

Arianna half nods, still shaken.

Elliott sighs and returns to the door.

He stops and looks back at her.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): This will always be

your home. You can stay here as long as you

wish. I'm just trying... to do what I can.

Arianna nods, quiet.

He points to the closet.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): Take your time.

He closes the door behind him.

Arianna turns back to the closest, still reeling.

CUT TO.

EXT. ROAD - FIELDS - MORNING

Kylan races to catch up with another horse.

KYLAN: Ren!

Rence slows down and looks back.

RENCE: Thought you were too busy?

KYLAN: (smiles) Well, we all have to do our

part.

Rence rolls his eyes.

RENCE: Just remember you're there to work.

KYLAN: (innocently) Of course.

Rence shakes his head and pushes on.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Hey slow down!

He rides on after him.

CUT TO.

INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM

Arianna notices a small wooden box in the corner of the closet.

She kneels down and picks it up, carefully lifting the lid.

Inside is a silver ring.

She picks it out and holds it up.

Recognizing it as Alana's.

She gently places it back in the box and notices something else.

Faded yellow papers.

She picks out the first sheet and turns into the sunlight.

Reading the words.

She pauses a moment then looks back at the box, slowly taking out the remaining sheets.

She flips through the pages, curious, then stops on the last sheet.

Surprised.

CUT TO.

EXT. MAIN SQUARE - ELLORAN TOWN CENTRE - DAY

Locals clear space and set up tables.

Kylan and Rence help to lay down planks of wood for the dance floor.

RENCE: Tuck!

Tuck, 20, turns.

RENCE (CONT'D): You going to pace

yourself this year?

TUCK: Why? What happened last year?

Kylan's eyes wander, his attention elsewhere.

RENCE (O.S): Lets just say Sebille wasn't

too pleased with you.

TUCK (O.S): Sebille's never pleased with

anyone unless he's built like a mountain or

shooting gold from his ass.

Rence laughs turning back to Kylan.

Kylan leans aside, spotting someone.

KYLAN: I'll be right back.

He hurries over to one of the organizers. A woman in her mid 40s.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Hello Isotta.

ISOTTA turns and smiles, pleasantly surprised.

ISOTTA: Kai!

She takes his shoulders and looks him over.

ISOTTA (CONT'D): Great Spirit, you just

get more and more handsome don't you.

She pinches his chin.

ISOTTA (CONT'D): No doubt your mother's

influence.

Kylan nods a thank you, his eyes still wandering.

KYLAN: Is Sophie with you today?

ISOTTA: Not today dear, she's stuck indoors.

(to local) Have those tables further apart.

KYLAN: (concerned) Is she not feeling well?

ISOTTA: No no, she's fine, just a little

preoccupied. Busy deciding which dress to

wear tomorrow.

KYLAN: Oh, right, of course.

ISOTTA: Did you need to speak to her about

something?

KYLAN: Yes, well no, nothing important. I

was just wandering if she'd like to go for a

ride sometime.

Isotta glances at him and smiles.

ISOTTA: I suppose you can ask her tomorrow

night.

Kylan nods.

KYLAN: Of course.

RENCE (O.S): Kai, you going help or not?

Kylan backs away.

KYLAN: I better go. It was lovely speaking

with you.

ISOTTA: Always a pleasure.

She watches him go, smiling.

Kylan kneels down and gets back to work.

RENCE: What was that about?

Kylan glances at him.

KYLAN: I'm going to do it.

Rence lays down another floorboard.

RENCE: That's fantastic, what will you be

doing.

KYLAN: (smiles) I'm going to ask Sophie

to marry me.

Rence glances at him and laughs.

RENCE: You sure this time?

KYLAN: I'm certain. This is when it's

supposed to happen, I can feel it.

RENCE: Put together a poem for the

occasion?

Kylan looks away, not amused.

KYLAN: I don't do that any more.

Rence looks at him and pauses.

RENCE: (beat) You're serious, aren't you?

Kylan smiles.

KYLAN: I've never been more serious about

anything in my life.

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