BLACKNESS.

FADE IN:

We see a snow covered landscape. The high noon snow glistens off the white surface as SAM begins his monolouge. The images change with his monolague to footage from "Twilight Zone", "Groundhog Day", shots of various women, couples, groups of friends and green landscapes. The final shots are of the white snow covered landscape which FADES to a dry, barren desert.

SAM

All Thorns No Rose. Burned by love? Alone? You've given up on love maybe? You are right. Everything you've ever learned I fear is true. I hope not though. I still have that typical dream of true love. I feel like I'm in an episode of "The

Twilight Zone" when it comes to love. It's "Groundhog Day" and I keep hearing the same things and making the same errors. The women are the same. The faces change and that's all.

Sometimes I'll be looking in the face of a woman and there's attraction and the play begins. I see entire relationships in seconds. My mental computer screen flashes: "Ask her out."

I never do. Delete! Why should we waste our time? The fantasy is always better. Maybe I knew that as a child when I lived so many hours in my perfect world of imagination. Knowledge makes me lonely. The more I see married people, and the more I seek love, the further away I get from my dream. There is no perfect love. I don't think I can settle for less. A friend of mine is on the eve of getting married. Yesterday, I asked him, "Are you

marrying your true love and soul-mate or is it just time to settle?" All color drained from his face as he turned pale. It had never crossed his mind. Knowledge is lonely. I want to be the village idiot in love. There are now 6 billion people on the planet. That's 3 billion women to sift through to find "the one." I'm worn out. The last one I believed in looked me right in the eye and told me she felt nothing. I saw months, years, hope and dreams vanish as a cloud of heartbreak gathered around me. When I look in the mirror now I can see a sadness deep behind my eyes that wasn't there before. I feel. I am human. But sometimes I wish I was made of stronger stuff. Flesh is weak. When women see me they find lines but not valentines written all over my face. I'm nobody's Mr. Right at this point. And in the end we all sleep alone. If you are hearing this and don't understand it I admire you. I want to be you. I want to know love. I want to know what it's like to have true love looking back at me. My search continues.

INT. - COLLEGE DORM ROOM, NIGHT

A few college guys are sitting around the petite dorm room. They are drinking beers and watching wrestling. Sitting on the bed are Sam - 20, unshaved, slightly overweight and already on his fourth beer. Next to him is Chris - 21, the beer bunny of the group who has been scared enough to know that to many beers is no the answer. On the floor are the two jock of the group Tim and Andre. Sitting on a bean bag in the corner is Luke - 19, intellectual and well dressed. He is not drinking at all.

ANDRE

Yo, Luke hand me another beer.

Luke reaches into the refridgearator next to him and under the bed. He pulls out a beer and hands it to Andre.

ANDRE

Thanks man, why don't you tip back with us?

LUKE

Ah, you guys know I don't drink.

ANDRE

Bullshit, I say. How can a man be in college and not want to get ripped?

LUKE

I just don't want to do it.

CHRIS

Hey, let the kid do what he wants.

ANDRE

If the bitch ain't going to drink around me, it's my business.

CHRIS

How the hell is that.

ANDRE

Cause he's got to do it.

LUKE

Hey I don't have to do anything.

Luke stands up and graps his jacket of the dresser.

LUKE

I'm going to Rebecca's.

ANDRE

Ya, run to your little bitch.

LUKE

Let's see drinking with your fat ass or spending the night with a beautiful woman?

Luke exits. Chris jumps off the bed and heads out into the hallway but not before smacking ANDRE on the back of the head.

CHRIS

Asshole.

INT. - DORM HALLWAY

Chris pulls Luke over to the side of the hall to talk to him.

CHRIS

Hey don't pay attention to him. He's drunk, you know that.

LUKE

Yeah, sure.

CHRIS

Hey, c'mon, lighten up.

LUKE

Dude, being cocked is no excuse for acting like that every fucking night.

CHRIS

Don't let it get to you.

LUKE

That's why I'm going to Rebecca's.

Luke begins to walk away, but Chris grabs his arm again.

CHRIS

(under his breath)

Luke, we were going to take Sam out tonight and try to talk to him remember.

LUKE

Hmmm…why don't we do it tomorrow. Call me in the morning and we'll go to breakfast with him.

CHRIS

(reluctentlly)

Alright.

LUKE

Alright cool, see you later.

Luke walks off to visit his girlfriend. Chris shakes his head as Luke vanishes. He re-enters his room.

INT. - DORM ROOM, LATER THAT NIGHT

Chris is placing beer bottles in a recyecling container. We now see that Sam is still in the room. He is Chris's roommate. He's nearly passed out still sitting on his bed where we saw him a few hours earlier. Chris whips his hand on a towel, turns off the TV and sits down at his desk across from Sam.

CHRIS

Um…Sam have you taken your medicine?

SAM

Can't…drank to much.

Chris sighs.

CHRIS

Dude, make sure you take it in the morning.

SAM

Sure, no problem

CHRIS

Um…did you call Susan?

SAM

No.

CHRIS

Hey she's into you should call her.

SAM

So doesn't want shit to do with me.

CHRIS

Ah, c'mon dude, you could get into that.

SAM

I don't want to get into that.

CHRIS

Well, your choice.

SAM

I just…

A knock comes at the door. Chris stands up and answers it. It is Kristen - 20, a beautiful redhead, with humble good looks and a strong personality. She is slightly intoxiacated still from a long night of partying. Chris is obviously dismayed at here appearance at the door. He keeps it slightly closed still for that Sam cannot see who it is.

CHRIS

What are you doing here?

KRISTEN

I need to talk to Sam.

CHRIS

I don't think that's a good idea.

KRISTEN

I just need to talk to him.

CHRIS

Kris, I don't think that's a good idea.

KRISTEN

Can't we let him decide. (Pause) Sam!

Sam is startled at the sound of the familiar voice. He jumps off the bed, rather hobbled, but hurries to the door.

A strange, complex expression comes over his face. He sees her and they make eye contonact. Kristen lowers her eyes immediately, as a hard swallow falls down Sam's throat.

KRISTEN

(still looking down)

Hi Sam.

SAM

Hi Kristen.

Pause.

Chris gives a long, sideway glance to Kristen and then backs away from the door into the hallway.

CHRIS

I'm going out, I'll be back in an hour or so.

Chris walks down the hallway, glancing back once as he sees Kristen walk into the room.

CUT TO:

INT - SAM'S DORM ROOM

Sam leans up against his bed as Kristen enters the room and shuts the door behind her.

Kristen

How are you doing?

Sam

I survive.

Kristen

Good, good…I just wanted to see how you were doing?

Sam

Meaning, you feel guilty.

Kristen

No I don't let myself feel guilty.

Sam

Of course not, how could I forget.

Kristen

Sam, how could you do something so stupid?

Sam

What I want to know is why Chris would be so stupid as to tell you?

Kristen

Because he cares about you and doesn't know what to do.

Sam

I can take care of myself.

Kristen

Killing yourself isn't the answer.

Sam

I'll decide that for myself.

Kristen

You need help Sam.

Sam

What I need to know is why you don't want to love me anymore?

(Pause)

Kristen

I don't know, Sam.

Sam

Well there you go, why are you here Kristen.

Kristen

Because I wanted to talk to you.

Sam

No your afriad I'll do something to myself and you'll have to bear the guilt for it.

Kristen

Maybe…

Sam

No, that's the answer.

Kristen

Listen, I don't have to take this I came here because I still care about you and don't want to see you get hurt.

Sam

You already did that.

Kristen

I didn't mean to, that wasn't my intention.

Sam

Screw intentions, you don't know what you've done to me.

Kristen

I still care for you though.

Sam

And just one month ago you said you loved me, and for a year before that, everyday you said you loved me and then in just a few weeks you decide 'Well I guess I don't love Sam anymore, time to dump him'. Do you have any fucking idea what that's like?

Kristen

Sam, I'm sorry.

Sam

Yeah that'll make me feel better. All those I love you's and time we spent together what was that just window shopping? Just something in the moment.

Kristen

Of course not Sam, that still means so much to be.

Sam

But now it's gone! You've killed it, and it'll never happen again, you've brushed all aside, you don you have any fucking idea how painful that is.

Kristen

Sam I know, but you can't do stupid things like trying to kill yourself over it. Chris was so freaked he didn't know what to do, he called me to see if I would talk to you. I think he or you should tell your parents or you should be brave enough to get help.

Sam

I loved you so much, Kristen. I was so good to you.

Kristen

God, sam…I'm so sorry.

Sam

Being sorry doesn't heal a brokenheart.

Kristen

Tell me what I can do?

Sam

Leave me the fuck alone, do you know what it's like to look at your face and remember all the times and all the love and now know that somehow you don't feel that anymore, that you tucked it away and forgotten it, that it won't be anymore…

Kristen

Sam shut up, you have to get ahold of yourself and get on with your life!

Sam

And what smile at the future, like I did everyday with you? Look forward at the promise of things to come? Why? What's the fucking use? I had it, the greatest thing in the universe, love, and because of nothing I did, you took it away from it. You made it useless, you destroyed it.

Kristen

I can't listen to this. Sam, I'm sorry, but I'm leaving.

Sam

Yeah that's it, you can't face the guilt of what you've done. You know everyday before I go to sleep I think to myself, maybe she still loves me? Maybe shall remember how great things where…maybe…but it's all a dream, it should all be asleep.

Kristen is now beginning to cry, she heads towards the door.

Kristen

Don't hurt yourself Sam, it's not the answer.

Sam

I'll haunt you Kristen, you'll know the pain.

Kristen

I'm not going to listen to any more of this.

Kristen exits the room and slams the door behind here. Sam collapes into his desk chair and begins sobbing uncontrolablly. After a few seconds of watching his agony, we see him pick up the phone. He dails on it.

Voice

Hello?

Sam

(still distraught)

Dad?

Sam's Dad

Sam, what's wrong it's one o'clock in the morning.

Sam

I need to talk to you.

Dad

Are you okay?

Sam

(Pause)

No.

Dad

What's wrong?

Sam

Kristen broke-up with me?

Dad

Oh god, I'm sorry Sam. When did it happen.

Sam

(through his sobs)

About a month ago…I just…didn't…tell you.

Dad

It's okay, it's okay get ahold of yourself.

Sam

I'm sorry I called, I just needed to talk to someone.

Dad

Well you know you can call your old man whenever you want.

Sam

Thanks, is Mom there?

Dad

Yes, she's right next to be, a little groggy but she's here, do you want to talk to her?

Sam

Yes.

Sam's Mom

Sam, what's wrong?

Sam

I don't know.

Sam's Mom

Take a deep breath honey.

Sam

I'll be okay, I'm always okay, right?

Sam's Mom

What happened?

Sam

Lots of things…oh god…I'm sorry I called so late, I'll call you back in the morning okay?

Sam's Mom

No, we can talk now it's okay.

Sam

No, no I feel bad waking you up and I'm very tired.

Sam's Mom

Sam, what's wrong?

Sam

Nothing, okay, I'll call you tomorrow morning I promise…sorry to wake you up.

Sam's Mom

It's okay Sam.

Sam

I promise I'll call tomorrow morning and don't worry I'll be okay.

Sam hangs up the phone before she can responded. He sits in the chair for a bit, his hand still on the phone. Shaking his head once, he gets up and climbs into bed. From the bed we see his hand reach up and shut the room light off. As the room is shilloweutted in the dim moonlight from the bedroom window, we can barerly hear the faint sobs coming from Sam's bed.

CUT TO:

EXT - SOCCER FIELD, EARLY MORNING

It is the Ithaca College Soccer Team at their early morning practice. The entire team is easily recgonizable by their blue practice jerseys as they participate in their morning work-out. We see Chris, one of the stars of the team, as he weaves in and around other players, showing off his skills. Sam, also on the team, congradulates him after scoring a goal in a scrimmage.

CUT TO:

EXT - SOCCER FIELD, AFTER PRACTICE

Chris and Sam are walking back to their room together. Drenched in sweet, Chris carries a soccer ball under his right arm as Sam sips from a Gatorade bottle.