"FLYING"
A Screenplay by
Lawrence Peters
&
Karen Parker-Peters
Based on the short story by
Lawrence Peters
1 TITLE 1
GRAY background with "Flying" centered in courier font. Picture starts to flip, like old film caught in a motion picture camera. As it gets caught we hear the jet sound of an airplane landing.
2 INT. AIRPORT - DAY 2
Airport terminal doors open loudly. HARRY (mid 30s, conservatively dressed) walks through. He sees the airline desk and heads for it. No one is in line. There is a woman being helped by AGENT #2. AGENT #1 motions him over.
AGENT #1
Can I help you sir?
HARRY walks to AGENT #1, hands her the ticket then looks at the woman to his right. SARAH (early 30s) has a large straw sun hat, a carry on bag, handbag, and a large paper shopping bag, all have multiple paper luggage tags attached. She looks through her handbag, then the shopping bag, then opens the carry on. Clothes fall out. Everything looks like it was thrown in.
SARAH
I know the ticket’s here. I put it, I’m sure I put it here, wait… oh, yes, I know it’s… I’m so sorry. This is my first time flying and I’m a little nervous. (She stands up abruptly and looks at the agent.) Nothing will happen right? Everything will be fine, right?
AGENT #2
(Puts on her most sincere fake smile.) Yes ma’am, everything will be just fine.
SARAH looks at the agent, bends down to her carry on, opens up a side pocket, pulls out the ticket.
SARAH
(Smiles, excited, relieved.) Here it is! (Hands the ticket to AGENT #2.)
AGENT #2
The Bahamas? Aisle or window seat?
SARAH
Do you have a seat in the middle?
AGENT #2
Mrs. Krucks -
SARAH
(Interrupting.) Ms. Krucks. But call me SARAH.
AGENT #2
Ms. Krucks. This is a non-stop flight. There are two seats on either side of the aisle.
SARAH
How close is the aisle seat to the window?
AGENT #2
One seat away.
SARAH
Aisle, thank you.
AGENT #1
Sorry this has taken so long, Mr. Cary. My computer is slow today. The Bahamas? Window or aisle seat?
HARRY looks at SARAH who is putting her clothes back in her carry on and trying to organize all her packages.
HARRY
Window.
SARAH walks behind HARRY with her belongings and heads toward the gate checkpoint. HARRY watches SARAH as she walks past.
AGENT #1
Mr. Cary, do you have any baggage to check today?
HARRY
No. No bags.
AGENT #1
There you are Mr. Cary. Your flight will be departing from gate 3. Enjoy your flight. Next in line?
3 INT. AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3
HARRY walks up to gate security and sees SARAH struggling with her bags. No one stops to help. All the bags are a jumble. HARRY stops, watches SARAH, then walks up to her.
HARRY
Here, let me help you.
SARAH
(Glances up, double take, smiles.) Thank you. I am such a mess.
HARRY
No, don’t worry, it’s not a problem.
There’s a comical juggling of bags, both laughing, HARRY quietly slips a package into SARAH’s bag. SARAH places her bags on the conveyor belt, clothes spilling out of the carry on bag.
SECURITY GUARD
(Impatiently) Miss, you have to lay the bag on its side.
SARAH lays the paper shopping bag on its side and the contents spill out. The SECURITY GUARD rolls his eyes and misses the contents of the carry on as it goes through the conveyor belt. SARAH picks up the contents of the paper bag, puts them back in the bag and walks up to the gate check. She hesitates then walks through. SARAH collects her luggage on the other side, turns and smiles at HARRY.
HARRY is still on the other side of the security gate. He smiles. She smiles, then turns to walk down the gangway, stumbles, gathers herself, continues walking.
HARRY walks through the gate check, collects his bag, and nods his head to the SECURITY GUARD.
4 INT. WAITING AREA 4
SARAH is sitting in the waiting area. She looks very nervous. HARRY takes a seat near SARAH. She doesn’t notice him. HARRY looks at her. Looks away. Leans in towards SARAH.
HARRY
Breathe.
SARAH
(Her trance broken.) What?
HARRY
Just breathe. Slow, even breaths.
SARAH looks at him, recognizing him, then does some slow deep breathing.
LOUDSPEAKER
Flight 252 to The Bahamas, Gate 3, is now boarding. Flight 252 to The Bahamas, Gate 3, is now boarding.
SARAH breathes very quickly now, nervous, on the edge of losing it, but controlled.
HARRY reaches for SARAH’s hand and takes it and smiles at her.
5 INT. AIRPLANE 5
HARRY and SARAH are seated next to each other on the plane. SARAH is holding HARRY's hand very tightly. As the bell sounds, HARRY sees her wince, SARAH turns to him.
SARAH
Thank you for all that you've done.
HARRY
Think nothing of it. In a way, you really helped me.
SARAH
I know it's stupid to be afraid of flying--
HARRY
Not stupid if you're the one feeling it.
(Squeezes her hand)
I feel for you. I've never for a second feared flying. It's as if... It gets me...I feel like I've done it, actually flown through the air or something. From the time I see the plane, until I feel the engines pulse through my body, I feel something like, I don’t know, rapture. It sets me free.
6 EXT. OF AIRPLANE - TAKEOFF 6
7 INT. OF AIRPLANE 7
HARRY checks his watch.
HARRY looks into SARAH’s eyes, willing her to be calm, all that time and smiles. Her hand is sweaty. SARAH lets go of the breath she’s been holding and starts to begin to relax. SARAH notices that she’s holding HARRY’s hand very tightly, laughs a little relieved, and lets go. HARRY stretches his hand to relax it and smiles.
The FLIGHT ATTENDANT comes to them.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(She begins to ask a question, motions to someone else that she’ll be right with them, then turns back to HARRY and SARAH) What can I get you two to drink? Coffee, tea, soda? We also have cocktails for you who are so inclined. It’s four dollars for beer and wine, and five dollars for liquor. So, what can I bring you ma’am?
SARAH
I’d like some wine.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Would that be red or white?
SARAH
Chardonnay, thank you.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
White. And you sir?
HARRY
A Bloody Mary for me.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
White wine and a Bloody Mary. I’ll be back with your drinks. (She motions to the other passenger that she’s coming)
HARRY and SARAH smile at each other.
SARAH
Well, I didn't think I was going to make it back there.
HARRY
You got through that mess, and the takeoff, and soon the first drink, then the peanuts, and maybe not much more.
SARAH
I still don't get how you can be so calm, so easy about it. Your wife must care about you very much.
HARRY
Not married.
SARAH
(Smiles in response.) I can't wait for that first drink.
HARRY
Coming.
HARRY looks at his watch. FLIGHT ATTENDANT comes by with the drinks.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
There you go, one white wine, one Bloody Mary.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT walks away. SARAH settles in closer to HARRY. They pick up their glasses and clink for a cheers.
SARAH
I won't forget this ?
HARRY
HARRY. I know.
SARAH
I'm...
HARRY
SARAH.
SARAH
Where would I be today if it weren't for your kindness, HARRY?
SARAH is almost sleepy. HARRY leans over and whispers in her ear.
HARRY
Did you ever think about what the last minutes of your life would be like, really. You usually do think about it when you fly...what if, and all. I do. I do a lot more than anyone that knows me might think. Always I find a reason to keep going. Today I didn't. So I thought about the last moments, you know. You remember what I said before about flying...it sets you free. This morning I woke knowing today is my day. But somehow it didn’t feel right … it wasn’t complete. And then I saw you, struggling with it all. All the people around you, and not a single person unselfish enough to raise a finger to help. The airline’s people being insensitive as usual, the cold crassness of the new way of the world around us brought it all home again to me, and I couldn’t help myself. I've always been a nice guy. So I have to tell you before I bust. I planted about six sticks of boom in your bag. I told you you really helped me. In a way, you made this all possible. Yes, you have a minute to think about that. Just about a minute now. It was really good to meet you, SARAH.
SARAH turns to him with a wondrous winning smile. HARRY returns the smile.