ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay (9 page)

He opens the closet and kneels down, drawing back the small wooden box.

He opens it up and takes out his mother's silver ring.

A smile on his face.

He about to close the box when he notices that his poems are missing.

INT. HALLWAY - UPPER FLOOR

He steps out and looks down the hallway.

The door to the last room is closed. Candlelight flickering from within.

INT. ARIANNA'S ROOM

Arianna sits on a mattress on the floor, another smile on her face as she rereads Kylan's poems.

The door opens.

She looks up and quickly tries to hide the papers.

Kylan stops.

KYLAN: (beat) What are you doing?

Arianna realizes she's been caught and slowly stands, backing up against the wall.

Kylan approaches and grabs the papers off the mattress.

KYLAN (CONT'D): These are NOT yours.

Arianna touches her chest and bows, "I'm sorry".

Kylan looks down at the old poems.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Can you even read this?

Arianna raises her fingers and makes a "small" gesture.

Kylan looks at her, surprised.

KYLAN (CONT'D): (low) I didn't think you

remembered.

Arianna keeps her head low, nervously glancing at him.

KYLAN (CONT'D): (beat) Do you write, I

mean can you write?

Arianna shakes her head.

Kylan steps back, noticing his mother's clothes over her chair.

Arianna sees his anger return.

KYLAN (CONT'D): (beat) Not everything in

this house belongs to you.

Arianna nods, again apologetic.

Kylan moves to the door.

Arianna touches his arm.

He looks back as she hands him another paper.

Kylan notices the title and looks at her, embarrassed.

KYLAN (CONT'D): You read this?

Arianna pauses then nods.

KYLAN (CONT'D): It's not about you, I

mean the name's the same but it's not about

you.

Arianna points to herself and shakes her head, "It's not about me, I understand".

KYLAN (CONT'D): That's right. Ma chose it,

before we took you in.

Arianna nods, assuring.

Kylan exhales, dropping the matter.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Pa wants you to help out

at the Festival tomorrow.

He opens the door.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Be sure to wear

something appropriate.

He closes the door behind him.

Arianna looks up. Now really nervous.

CUT TO.

EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ELLORA - NIGHT

A drum beats fast, the band playing loud and full as young people dance on the main floor.

Across the square bread is broken, wine poured, tables lined with fruit, meat and other treats.

Rence knocks back a large glass of ale, racing a friend.

Tuck stumbles by, trying to get several girls to dance with him.

TUCK: Come on! You're just standing there!

He crosses a tall girl and tries to take her hand.

TUCK (CONT'D): Sebille!

SEBILLE, 21, pushes him back.

SEBILLE: Get lost Tuck.

Arianna stands alone by one of the tables, a large bowl of punch in front of her.

Two women approach, gossiping amongst themselves. Arianna refills their drinks, keeping her head low. The women move off, neither acknowledging her.

Dance floor, Sophie, 21, turns and smiles, offering her hand.

SOPHIE: No more waiting.

Kylan rolls his eyes and sets down his drink.

Sophie draws him onto the dance floor and twirls under his arm.

Arianna looks across at them.

Everyone clapping and cheering as the two dance hand in hand.

A perfect couple.

On the far side of the square two teenage girls turn their heads and smile as tall broad shouldered figure approaches.

RIVALEN, late 20s, nods at the two girls as he passes.

RIVALEN: Miladies.

The girls blush.

Rivalen smiles, sipping his beer.

Dance floor, the band finish the song, everyone applauding.

Sophie hugs Kylan and kisses his cheek.

SOPHIE: (low) I need to speak with you. In

private.

Kylan nods, allowing her to lead him away.

Tuck stumbles by and trips into Rivalen, almost spilling his drink.

TUCK: Sorry, I'm sorry.

Rivalen laughs, helping him stand.

RIVALEN: That's perfectly fine my friend.

TUCK: (moving off) Towani, pour me

another beer!

Rivalen turns his head and sees Arianna by the punch table.

Her pale hair drawing his attention.

Sophie looks through the crowds, still holding Kylan's hand.

KYLAN: (beat) Is it your father? I can meet

you somewhere if you prefer.

SOPHIE: That may be wise.

She points to an small alley to the side.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): Give me a minute.

She releases his hand and draws back.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): (smiling) I'll pass by

him with Sebille then come around.

Kylan smiles.

A shadow falls over Arianna's table.

She reaches out for the glass then stops.

Rivalen smiles.

RIVALEN: Good evening.

Arianna looks up at him, surprised to be seen let alone spoken to.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): What's your name?

Arianna lowers her eyes, uncomfortable with the attention.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): (smiles) What is it, are

you afraid to talk?

A hand squeezes his ass.

Rivalen looks back and sees Sebille walking away with Sophie.

He turns back to Arianna and smiles again but she's already back to serving others.

He draws back, curious eyes still on her.

Arianna glances at him as he goes, relieved to be left alone.

EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY

Kylan reaches into his pocket and takes out Alana's silver ring, the music from the Festival just around the corner.

He looks down at the ring and takes a deep breath.

EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ELLORA - NIGHT

Tuck slouches on a bench, a glass of ale still in hand.

Rivalen takes a seat beside him. His eyes still on Arianna across the square.

TUCK: (toasts, drunk) To a good harvest.

He taps his glass against Rivalen's.

RIVALEN: (smiles) A good harvest. (sips)

Tell me my friend. (nods to Arianna) Who is

the fair haired one? She doesn't appear to be

from these parts.

TUCK: She's not, she's a Nomad.

RIVALEN: A Nomad? In Ellora?

TUCK: A friend of mine (burps) His family

found her when she was 8 or 9, took her in as

a servant girl.

Rivalen looks at her again.

RIVALEN: Intriguing.

TUCK: They marked her too. The Nomads I

mean.

RIVALEN: In what way?

TUCK: Her face, that's why she hides it.

He finishes his drink and tries to stand.

TUCK (CONT'D): Hey Sebille! Care to

dance?

Sebille heads back to the dance floor.

SEBILLE: No Tuck.

Tuck goes after her.

Rivalen slowly looks back at Arianna.

Her long hair draped over the left side of her face.

CUT TO.

EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY

Footsteps.

Kylan turns.

He drops the ring back into his pocket as Sophie emerges from a side street, checking the far end of the alley

SOPHIE: I don't think father saw me.

KYLAN: If he did I doubt I'd still be standing

here.

She smiles, making her way over.

SOPHIE: I think you'd survive.

She stops in front of him.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): I've been meaning to

speak with you for a while.

KYLAN: I've been meaning to speak with

you too.

She puts her finger to his lips.

SOPHIE: Ladies first.

Kylan nods.

Sophie draws back and takes a deep breath, preparing herself.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): I should have spoken to

you sooner but... I had to be sure.

Kylan nods, playing it cool, or as best he can.

Sophie looks away, still smiling.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): This is harder than I

thought.

She turns back to him and takes his hands.

SOPHIE (CONT'D): You are my oldest and

dearest, I trust you more than any in all

Ellora. I want you to promise that what I tell