SCENE 1 - OPENING SEQUENCE
__________________________
EXT. NEW YORK - AFTERNOON - AUTUMN
MONTAGE - VARIOUS
1) EXT. CENTRAL PARK - Leaves are falling from the trees
2) EXT. CENTRAL PARK - A biker rides past
3) EXT. CENTRAL PARK - A couple walks past, holding hands
4) EXT. CENTRAL PARK - Aerial view
5) EXT. NEW YORK SUBURBS - Aerial view
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2.
SCENE 2 - A LETTER TO MOM PT. 1
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INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - MORNING
April is writing a letter at her desk.
APRIL (V.O)
Hi mom, it's me, April. I know it's
been a while since I last wrote to you
but I hope you're doing well. I'm
sorry I haven't been in touch lately,
there's been so much happening... I
barely know where to start! Well,
Melody finally convinced me to move to
New York. The apartment is... cute...
FADE TO:
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3.
SCENE 3 - GIRL IN 14G
_____________________
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - HALLWAY - MORNING
April struggles to open the front door while carrying a stack
of boxes. She eventually falls into the entranceway of the
apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - ENTRANCEWAY - MORNING
APRIL (V.O)
JUST MOVED INTO 14 G
SO COZY, CALM AND PEACEFUL
April picks up all the boxes and walks into the living room
space. She places the boxes on the floor.
APRIL (V.O CONT.)
HEAVEN FOR A MOUSE LIKE ME
WITH QUIET BY THE LEASE-FULL
April tries to open a stuck window in the living room.
APRIL (V.O CONT.)
PETS ARE BANNED, PARTIES TOO
AND NO SOLICITATIONS
April settles into a comfy seat under the window.
APRIL
WINDOW SEAT WITH GARDEN VIEW
A PERFECT NOOK TO READ A BOOK
I'M LOST IN MY JANE AUSTEN
WHEN I HEAR...
OPERATIC FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
AHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHH
APRIL
SAY IT ISN'T SO
NOT THE FLAT BELOW
FROM AN OPERA WANNABE
IN 13G
A MATINEE OF SOME CANTATA
WAGNER'S "RING" AND TRAVIATA
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4.
OPERATIC FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AHHHHHHHH
AH AH AH AH AHHHH
AH AH AH AH AHHHH
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AHHHH AHHHH AHHHH AHHHH
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - EVENING
APRIL
MY FIRST NIGHT IN 14G
I'LL PUT UP WITH PUCCINI
BREW MYSELF A CUP OF TEA
CROCHET UNTIL SHE'S "FINI"
HALF PAST EIGHT, NOT A PEEP
EXCEPT THE CLOCK TICK-TOCKIN'
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
A COMFY BED TO REST MY HEAD
A STRETCH, A YAWN
I'M ALMOST GONE WHEN...
JAZZY FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
(scats)
APRIL
NOW THE GIRL UPSTAIRS
WAKES ME UNAWARES
BLOWING DOWN FROM 15G
HER REVEILLE
SHE'S SCATTIN' LIKE HER NAME IS ELLA
GUESS WHO ANSWERS ACAPELLA
JAZZY FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
(scats)
OPERATIC FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
AHHHHHHHH
JAZZY FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
(scats)
OPERATIC FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
AHHHHHHHH
APRIL
I'M NOT ONE TO RAISE MY VOICE,
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5.
MAKE A FUSS OR SPEAK MY MIND, BUT
MIGHT I QUERY...
WOULD YOU MIND IF...
COULD YOU KINDLY...
STOP?
That felt good!
STOP!
13, 15, 14G
A MOST UNLIKELY TRIO
NOT QUITE THREE-PART HARMONY
ALL DAY AND NIGHT WE'RE SINGING
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
JAZZY FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
(scats)
APRIL
(overlapping)
STOP!
STOP!
OPERATIC FEMALE VOICE (O.S)
AHHHHHHHH
APRIL
HAD MY FILL OF PEACE AND QUIET
SHOUT OUT LOUD AND CHANGE MY DIET
ALL BECAUSE OF 14G!
FADE TO:
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6.
SCENE 4 - A LETTER TO MOM PT. 2
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INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
April, dressed up to the nines, is writing another letter at
her desk.
APRIL (V.O)
Dear mom, you would be so proud of me.
I just went on my very first blind
date! Mel talked me into it, of
course. I was so nervous, I nearly
threw up!...
FADE TO:
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7.
SCENE 5 - WHEN HE SEES ME
_________________________
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - EVENING
April is rummaging through all her clothes, trying to decide
what to wear. She is on speakerphone with Mel. April becomes
increasingly frantica nd frustrating, throwing each potential
outfit into a growing pile.
APRIL
I STICK WITH REAL THINGS
USUALLY FACTS AND FIGURES
WHEN INFORMATION'S IN ITS PLACE
I MINIMIZE THE GUESSING GAME
GUESS WHAT...
MEL'S VOICE
WHAT?
APRIL
I DON'T LIKE GUESSING GAMES
OR WHEN I FEEL THINGS
BEFORE I KNOW THE FEELING
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO OPERATE IF I'M
JUST TOSSED AROUND BY FATE?
LIKE ON AN UNEXPECTED DATE
WITH A STRANGER WHO MIGHT TALK TOO
FAST
OR ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT MYSELF
BEFORE I'VE DECIDED THAT
HE CAN ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT MYSELF
HE MIGHT SIT TOO CLOSE
OR CALL THE WAITER BY HIS FIRST NAME
OR EAT OREOS
BUT EAT THE COOKIE BEFORE THE CREAM
BUT WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST...
WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST
IS WHAT IF WHEN HE SEES ME
WHAT IF HE DOESN'T LIKE IT?
WHAT IF HE RUNS THE OTHER WAY
AND I CAN'T HIDE FROM IT?
WHAT HAPPENS THEN
IF WHEN HE KNOWS ME
HE'S ONLY DISAPPOINTED?
WHAT IF I GIVE MYSELF AWAY
TO ONLY GET IT GIVEN BACK?
I COULDN'T LIVE WITH THAT
SO I'M JUST FINE
INSIDE MY SHELL-SHAPED MIND
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8.
THIS WAY I GET THE BEST VIEW
SO THAT WHEN HE SEES ME
I WANT HIM TO
MEL'S VOICE
April, don't you think you're being a
tad de-
APRIL
I'm not defensive!
I'M SIMPLY BEING CAUTIOUS
I CAN'T RISK RECKLESS DATING
DUE TO MY MISCALCULATING
WHILE A CERTAIN SUITOR STANDS IN LINE
I'VE SEEN IN MOVIES
MOST MADE FOR TELEVISION
YOU CAN NOT BE TOO CAREFUL
WHEN IT COMES TO SHARING YOUR LIFE
I COULD END UP A MISERABLE WIFE?
Oh my god, Mel, he could be criminal!
SOME SORT OF PSYCHOPATH WHO ESCAPED
FROM AN INSTITUTION
SOMEHWERE WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE GIRLS
HE COULD'VE MASTERMINDED SOME WAY TO
FIND ME
He could be colourblind!
HOW UNTRUSTWORTHY IS THAT
HE COULD BE LESS THAN KIND
OR EVEN WORSE HE COULD BE VERY NICE
HAVE LOVELY EYES
AND MAKE ME LAUGH
COME OUT OF HIDING
WHAT DO I DO WITH THAT?
OH GOD, WHAT IF WHEN HE SEES ME
I LIKE HIM AND HE KNOWS IT?
WHAT IF I OPEN UP THAT DOOR
AND I CAN'T CLOSE IT?
WHAT HAPPENS THEN
IF WHEN HE HOLDS ME
MY HEART IS SET IN MOTION?
I'M NOT PREPARED FOR THAT
I'M SCARED OF BREAKING OPEN
BUT STILL I CAN'T HELP FROM HOPING
TO FIND SOMEONE TO TALK TO
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9.
WHO LIKES THE WAY I AM
SOMEONE WHO WHEN HE SEES ME
WANTS TO AGAIN
April, runs out, slamming the door behind her.
MEL'S VOICE
Hello? April?
FADE TO:
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10.
SCENE 6 - A LETTER TO MOM PT. 3
_______________________________
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
April is writing another letter at her desk.
APRIL (V.O)
Dear mom, where to even begin... it's
been [Link] few months really
getting to know Jamie, he's been the
light of my life, but he's also pretty
busy writing his next play. Work for
me on the other hand has been tough...
FADE TO:
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11.
SCENE 7: CLIMBING UPHILL
________________________
INT. AUDITION ROOM - DAY
APRIL
WHEN YOU COME HOME TO ME
I'LL WEAR A SWEETER SMILE
AND HOPE THAT, FOR A WHILE, YOU'LL...
OKAY, THANK YOU...
THANK YOU SO MUCH...
I'M CLIMBING UPHILL, JAMIE
CLIMBING UPHILL
I'M UP EVERY MORNING AT SIX
AND STANDING IN LINE
WITH TWO HUNDRED GIRLS
WHO ARE YOUNGER ADN THINNER THAN ME
WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO THE GYM
I'M WAITING FIVE HOURS IN LINE
AND WATCHING THE GIRLS
JUST COMING AND GOING
IN DRESSES THAT LOOK JUST LIKE THIS
'TIL MY NUMBER IS FINALLY CALLED
WHEN I WALK IN THE ROOM
THERE'S A TABLE OF MEN
ALWAYS MEN - USUALLY GAY
WHO'VE BEEN SITTING LIKE I HAVE
AND LISTENING ALL DAY
TO TWO HUNDRED GIRLS
BELTING AS HIGH AS THEY CAN!
I AM A GOOD PERSON
I'M AN ATTRACTIVE PERSON
I AM A TALENTED PERSON
GRANT ME GRACE!
WHEN YOU COME HOME...
I SHOULD'VE TOLD THEM I WAS SICK LAST
WEEK
THEY'RE GONNA THINK THIS IS THE WAY I
SING
WHY IS THE PIANIST PLAYING SO LOUD?
SHOULD I SING LOUDER?
I'LL SING LOUDER
MAYBE I SHOULD STOP AND START OVER
I'M GONNA STOP AND START OVER
WHY IS THE DIRECTOR STARING AT HIS
CROTCH?
WHY IS THAT MAN STARING AT MY RESUME?
DON'T STARE AT MY RESUME
I MADE UP HALF OF MY RESUME
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LOOK Celtx
AT ME
12.
STOP LOOK AT THAT, LOOK AT ME
NO, NOT AT MY SHOES
DON'T LOOK AT MY SHOES
I HATE THESE STUPID SHOES
WHY DID I PICK THESE SHOES?
WHY DID I PICK THIS SONG?
WHY DID I PICK THIS CAREER?
WHY DEOS THIS PIANIST HATE ME?
IF I DON'T GET A CALLBACK
I CAN GO TO CRATE & BARREL WITH MEL
AND BUY A COUCH
NOT THAT I WANT TO SPEND A DAY WITH
MEL
BUT JAMIE NEEDS SPACE TO WRITE
SINCE I'M OBVIOUSLY SUCH A HORRIBLE,
ANNOYING DISTRACTION TO HIM
WHAT'S HE GONNA BE LIKE WHEN WE HAVE
KIDS?
AND ONCE AGAIN...
WHY AM I WORKING SO HARD?
THESE ARE THE EOPLE WHO CAST RUSSELL
CROWE IN A MUSICAL
JESUS CHRIST, I SUCK, I SUCK, I SUCK,
I SUCK
WHEN FIN'LLY YOU COME HOME TO...
OKAY, THANK YOU...
THANK YOU VERY MUCH...
I WILL NOT BE THE GIRL
STUCK AT HOME IN THE 'BURBS
WITH THE BABY, THE DOG
AND THE GARDEN OF HERBS
I WILL NOT BE THE GIRL
IN THE SENSIBLE SHOES
PUSHING BURGERS AND BEER NUTS
AND MISSING THE CLUES
I WILL NOT BE THE GIRL
WHO GETS ASKED HOW IT FEELS
TO BE TROTTING ALONG
AT THE GENIUS' HEELS
I WILL NOT BE THE GIRL
WHO REQUIRES A MAN TO GET BY
AND I -
A phone rings.
CUT TO:
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13.
SCENE 8 - AUTUMN LEAVES/PROMISE ME THIS
_______________________________________
INT. APRIL'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON
April looks over at her phone ringing on the table. She picks
it up to her ear.
APRIL
Hello?
What?
April looks at the time.
APRIL
I'm so sorry, I was writing a letter
and I guess I just lost track of time.
You'll still come, won't you?
Okay, great.
Don't worry, you'll find me.
You'll just know.
April puts the letter into a nice envelope and seals it. She
then opens her draw to grab some items, placing everything
into a bag. She then grabs her jacket off the back of the
chair and walks out of her room.
FADE TO:
EXT. LAKE - LATE AFTERNOON
April walks over to the water's edge. She is holding a
bouquet of flowers, a rolled-up picnic blanket, and the bag
containing the items from her room. She kneels down, places
everything on the ground and unfurls the blanket. She reaches
into the bag and pulls out a picture frame.
CLOSE UP ON PICTURE - "AUTUMN LEAVES" BEGINS TO PLAY
April strokes the picture tenderly.
CLOSE UP ON THE BLANKET
April places the frame on the blanket, setting the bouquet of
flowers down with it, followed by the envelope.
BACK-SHOT
She sits down and takes in the view. Someone approaches.
April looks up and smiles, patting the blanket beside her.
Jamie sits down and puts his arm around her. She leans her
head against his shoulder.
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14.
MID-SHOT - FRONT
APRIL
I want to tell you about my mom.
MY MOM AND I WERE ALWAYS CLOSE
I WAS AN ONLY CHILD
SEE, MOM HAD LOST THREE OTHERS
BEFORE IT CLICKED WITH ME
SHE CALLED ME HER MIRACLE
"MIRA" FOR SHORT
AND THE LOVE IN HER WAS BIGGER THAN
THE SEA
AND SHE'D SAY, "PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
ENJOY YOUR TIME ON EARTH,
ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE WONDER OF YOUR
BIRTH.
PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
DON'T WASTE A SINGLE DAY,
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT DEAR,
IT ALL CAN FADE AWAY."
WE LIVED A MEAGER LIFE
BUT ME, I DIDN'T REALLY CARE
WHEN YOU'RE USED TO HAVING NOTHING
YOU DON'T MISS THE THINGS YOU LACK
AND DAD WAS A DRINKER
COULD NOT HOLD A JOB
AND ONE DAY HE LEFT
AND NEVER CAME BACK
AND MOM SAID, "PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
NEVER MAKE A FUSS,
YOUR FATHER'S JOURNEY
IS SOMEWHERE WITHOUT US.
PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
DON'T EVER MISS HIS TOUCH,
IT ONLY MEANS I GET TO LOVE YOU TWICE
AS MUCH."
MOM SAW NO LIMITATION OF DREAMS FOR ME
BUT SHE KNEW A GOOD EDUCATION WOULD BE
THE KEY
SO, I STUDIED HARD
WHEN I GOT LOST, MOM ENCOURAGED ME
THEN, IN TIME I WON A SCHOLARSHIP
TO THE COLLEGE OF MY CHOICE
MOM WAS SO PROUD OF ME
SHE BURST AT THE SEAMS
WHEN SHE SPOKE, I HEARD THE PASSION IN
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15.
HER VOICE
SHE SAID, "PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
DON'T EVER LOOK BEHIND.
YOU'VE GOT A CHANCE RIGHT NOW,
THE FUTURE'S YOURS TO FIND.
PROMISE ME THIS, MIRA:
DON'T WASTE A SINGLE DAY,
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT DEAR,
IT ALL CAN FADE AWAY."
A FEW DAYS LATER
MAMA FELL, AND DROPPED HER GROCERIES
BUT INSIDE WE BOTH KNEW
THAT SOMETHING MORE WAS GOING ON
I PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE
I CRIED MYSELF DRY
BUT SIX WEEKS LATER MAMA WAS GONE
NOW AND THEN I THINK ABOUT THINK ABOUT
THE THINGS THAT MAMA MISSED
BUT INSTEAD OF TEARS
MY HEART BEGINS TO STIR
'CAUSE SHE'S THE ONE WHO MADE ME SEE
THAT MIRACLES EXIST
SO I JUST SMILE
AND WHISPER THIS TO HER:
April picks up the photo of Autumn.
APRIL (CONT.)
"I PROMISE YOU THIS, MAMA:
I WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.
'CAUSE NOW I UNDERSTAND
THE MIRACLE WAS YOU.
I PROMISE YOU THIS, MAMA:
I WON'T WASTE A SINGLE DAY,
AND MY MIRACLE
WILL NEVER FADE AWAY."
WIDE SHOT FROM BEHIND
CUT TO:
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16.
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CREDITS
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