Candlelight

By
Khiame Lynette Fields
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
DENISE, 25, dressed in a bath robe, turns on the bath
faucet. Shes beautiful but not unattainable, her full
figure and curves adding to her attractiveness.

She checks the temperature of the water. She yanks her hand
back.
PAN RIGHT TO LEFT (COUNTERTOP)

She walks to the mirror. Its dirty and covered in streaks.

The counter is in likewise disarray, empty bottles and jars
and various bathroom paraphernalia litter the surface.
CU NEARLY EMPTY CANDLE

burned down to the wicks.

She stares at her reflection, lost.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY (FLASHBACK #1 - 2 YEARS AGO)

Denise brushes her eyelashes with mascara. The mirror is

clean and bright. The counter is organized with various
toiletries in their rightful place.
She applies a light shade of lipstick to her mouth.

DENISE
Not too much. Just enough to keep
him interested.
Denise pauses then laughs, shaking her head.

DENISE (CONTD)
Look at me talking to myself.
(beat)
Calm down. Itll be ok. Besides,
its just one date.

BACK TO PRESENT
Denise touches her lips. She runs a hand through the bubbly
water. There is a row of candles surrounding the edge of the
tub.

WARREN (V.O.)
Is this seat taken?
She lights a match for each candle.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.

DENISE (V.O.)
No. I was waiting for you.
The burnt matches collect in a pile on the floor.
WARREN (V.O.)
I didnt keep you too long did I?
(then)
Good. Id hate to keep a beautiful
woman waiting.

Denise takes off her robe, letting it fall to the floor.

She flicks off the lights. Steps in the tub. Sinks into the
water. Her eyes close. The stress melts away from face.
WARREN (PRE-LAP)
You know, I dont usually do this.
INT. BATHROOM - (FLASHBACK #1 - LATER)
Denise stands in her robe and underwear. She brushes her
hair in front of the mirror, prepping for her nightly
routine.
CU - A NEWLY LIT CANDLE
positioned on the vanity next to Denise.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

WARREN, 38, half dressed, watches her from his seat on the
bed. Hes tall, handsome, with an earthy charm.
His posture is tense, nervous, unsure as to if he should
stay or go.
INTERCUT - WARREN/DENISE
She catches his gaze. A bright smile appears on her face.

DENISE
What?
WARREN
Nothing.

DENISE
Starting off with lies already huh?
Warren smiles but its tight. He shakes his head and lets
out a small laugh.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.

DENISE (CONTD)
Ok, now you really have to tell me.
Warren wipes his hands against his pants. His eyes stare at
the ground, hands on his knees.

WARREN
I dont usually do this.
Denise rolls her eyes. Ties her hair in a ponytail.

DENISE
Act so nervous after a date? I
heard you the first time.
(glancing at him)
You know the hard parts over,
right? You already got me into bed.
Her tone is teasing but she stops at the grim look on his
face.
WARREN
Its not normal for me. Taking a
woman out to dinner, following her
home. Ive never...
He trails off, as if he cant bring himself to say the
words. Denise, unabashed, finishes his thought.

DENISE
Never had a one night stand?
(then)
Its nothing to be ashamed about.
People do it all the time.

Warren fingers the bracelet on his left wrist. The motion is

natural, almost mindless.
Denise wipes at her face with a makeup remover pad.

WARREN
Yeah. I guess they do. But not me.
Denise lowers her head so he cant see the hurt that crosses
her face. Warren then realizes his mistake.

WARREN (CONTD)
Shit! Im sorry. I didnt mean to
imply...fuck! Im really screwing
this up arent I?

Denise applies a beauty mask to her skin in a studious

effort to avoid his stare.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.

DENISE
Its ok. This type of lifestyle
isnt for everyone. But for others,
sometimes, its all we know.
Her tone is a not-so-subtle dig at his earlier comment.
Warren runs a hand along the back of his neck. He knows hes
in deep shit now.

WARREN
(under his breath)
Fuck.
(unsurely)
Look, can we start over? Before I
put my foot in my mouth?

DENISE
(shaking her head)
You cant always start over. The
moment has passed but the memory is
still there. I could say forget
about the whole thing but we both
know thatd be a lie. I havent
forgotten and neither have you.
WARREN
Im just asking you to give me a
second chance to prove Im not an
uptight asshole.
MED CU - DENISE
Warren enters frame. He holds his hand out to her. She
glances at it, an opaque mask covering her face.
WARREN (CONTD)
Hi. My name is Warren Delgado and I
work at an infrastructure and
manufactures company where Im in
charge of the labor force division.
DENISE
(dryly)
Thats a pretty fancy name for a
construction foreman.
WARREN
(smiling)
I know but I thought Id make it
more interesting the second time
around.
A smile flashes at the corner of Denises mouth. She shakes
his hand and plays along...for now.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.

DENISE
Nice to meet you Warren. Im
Denise.
WARREN
Nice to meet you too, Denise. What
do you do for a living?
DENISE
Sorry but thats classified.

Warren nudges her playfully.

WARREN
Scared Im gonna show up at your
job?

Denise whips around. Warren freezes. The air is tinged with

danger and tension.
DENISE
Is that supposed to be a joke?

WARREN
(holding up his hands)
I didnt mean anything by it.
Denise watches him for a moment longer then...laughs.

DENISE
You know that was pretty funny.
(then)
I dont go around telling random
strangers I bring home what I do
for a living. Im afraid you will
have to work a little harder for
that privilege.
Another dig.
WARREN
(grinning)
I look forward to it.
DENISE
Well see.

Denise removes the mask using a wet cloth. Warren watches

her entranced as if hes seeing her for the first time.
Once again, Denise rolls her eyes.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.

DENISE (CONTD)
What?

WARREN
I never expected youd still look
this beautiful even without makeup.
DENISE
I guess I should take that as a
compliment huh?
WARREN
You should. Not every man is
fortunate to witness such a sight.
At the very least, Im honored.

Warren leans down to kiss her. Denise stiffens.

WARREN (CONTD)
May I?

She watches him for a moment. Subtly, she nods her head. He
grasps her chin and leans forward.
Denise turns her head at the last second and he kisses her
cheek instead. He holds his lips against her cheek then
pulls away. He meets her eyes.

WARREN (CONTD)
Perfect.
And despite the question in his eyes, Denise believes him.

She takes his hand and leads him back towards the bedroom.
They walk out of frame.
FLASHBACK #2 - MONTAGE - VARIOUS

- Denise sits her purse on the counter. Her phone vibrates

from within the clutch and she fumbles to answer it. Her
face immediately brightens as she looks at the screen.
DENISE (V.O.)
Hey, when are you coming over?

WARREN (V.O.)
(sighing)
I cant tonight.
- Denise applies makeup in front of the mirror.
Warren enters from the bedroom and wraps his arms around
her. He kisses the side of her face, smudging his cheek with
makeup. She laughs.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.

DENISE (V.O.)
We had this night planned for
months! How can you just cancel on
me now?
Warren is silent on the other line. She hears someone
speaking to him and she is furious.
- She brushes her hair in the mirror. Connects eyes with
Warren whos reclined in the bed in a set of pajama pants,
watching TV.
DENISE (V.O) (CONTD)
You know what Warren, if youre
going to blow me off at least have
the courtesy to tell me first.
Dont waste my time.
WARREN (V.O.)
Denise, listen...

The call drops.

- Denise brushes her teeth at the sink. On the opposite
sink, Warren mirrors her actions.
DENISE (V.O.)
I was wondering when youd show up.
WARREN (V.O.)
You dont understand.
DENISE (V.O.)
But I do. You wanted to go out
without me and thats ok.
(then)
Looks like you had fun. Dinner with
your boss? A coed?
(then)
Maybe even a date?
- Denise applies her nightly beauty mask. Warren shaves,
rinses his blade under faucet, continues talking. Denise
laughs, gives him a "WTF" look. Warren smiles. Shrugs his
shoulders.
WARREN (V.O.)
(lifelessly)
I went to my wifes funeral
tonight.

- Denise sits on the edge of the bed, applying lotion to her

legs. Warren stands in front of the sink, rubbing his face
with aftershave. They arent speaking.
 8.

BACK TO PRESENT
CU ON DENISE
in the tub filled with fluffy, white bubbles, the picture of
relaxation.

The bathroom is darkened, lit only from the flickering light

of the candles. The entire counter is covered with them.
She hums along to a song inside her head. Her hands move
through the crisp water in languid strokes. She rises from
the tub, wraps a towel around her body.
She dries her neck off. Moves in front of the vanity. The
lights switch on. She tilts her head to the side, glances at
something off-screen.

DENISE
(under her breath)
Some people never learn.
(re: off-screen)
What are you doing here Warren?

MED CU
on Denise in the mirror. Shes not surprised to see him
there.

FS WARREN
through the bathroom mirror, sitting at the head of the bed.
A flash of candlelight flickers on the dresser next to him.
WARREN
I dont know.
DENISE
Hmm. I thought they changed the
locks.

WARREN
The door was unlocked.
She pats her face dry.

DENISE
(not buying it)
Really? Thats the best you can
come up with? Looks like Ill be
having a discussion with the
manager about tenant privacy.
(then)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.

DENISE (CONTD)
Do you need something? I kind of
have to be somewhere.
Denise applies a shade of lipstick. Pops her lips.

WARREN
I know. Big shot, stockbroker-type
next to the 08 Beamer, right?
(mockingly)
Dudes wearing sunglasses at seven
at night and carries a man
purse. Didnt know he was your
type.
His tone is inciting but Denise doesnt take the bait.

DENISE
(calmly)
Theres a lot you dont know about
me. And apparently a lot that I
dont know about you either.

MED CU ON WARREN
his hands clasped together.
WARREN
I fucked up. But that is the only
thing I havent been truthful with
you about.
DENISE
The only thing? Its a pretty big
fucking deal to not tell someone
that youre married--with a kid no
less!
WARREN
What was I supposed to say? I
didnt intend for this to happen.
Do you think I like having this
shit blow up in my face? Knowing
that I was hurting you, hurting my
kid, hurting myself?
DENISE
Then what is the truth, Warren? You
thought you could be happily
married with a wife and 2.5 kids
and a piece on the side?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.

WARREN
My wife and I were separated when I
met you. At the time she was three
months pregnant. She told me the
baby wasnt mine. And I believed
her.
DENISE
Then you left and hopped into bed
with the first woman you could find
to get back at her.

WARREN
I didnt intend for things to go
that far. I was being honest when I
said Id never done anything like
this before.

DENISE
Say I believe you? That you were
separated and I wasnt just a
convenient way to get revenge on
your wife. Why not say anything? At
least bring it up.
WARREN
Its not that easy.
(re: her withering look)
I was in too deep. I didnt know
what to do. I never wanted to be a
father but I also didnt want to
raise someone elses kid. Some guys
can do it but I...its just not me.
When she told me the kid was mine,
it was the night we went to the
concert at the park.
(remembering, angry)
She sent me a fucking text message.
The baby was premature and needed a
blood transfusion. Her blood-type
was wrong and Heath didnt match.
He wasnt the babys father.
(then)
He walked out on her and she needed
me.
DENISE
(applying mascara)
The baby or your wife?
His gaze is honest.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.

WARREN
Both.
(then)
But I needed you more. You make me
feel...I cant explain it. These
last four months without you, Ive
been in a haze. Like Im moving but
my life is at a standstill. I
tried...
(bitter)
I tried being a better man for my
daughter but I cant. I dont know
what to do, with Zeena gone...I
cant do this by myself.
DENISE
Unbelievable! You think you can use
your kid as a ploy to get me back?
What kind of monster are you?
Warren doesnt deny her but she sees the truth in his eyes.
Hes broken down. Hes lost. Hes given up altogether.

WARREN
I dont know. Maybe I am a monster.
Maybe Im just pathetic. I dont
know.
(then)
Listen, I get that I screwed up and
Ill regret it for the rest of my
life. But if you feel anything for
me at all...
(then)
I was stuck in a loveless marriage
for fourteen years. I never wanted
kids and Zeena knew that. She
accepted me for who I was and I was
grateful to her. I spent our entire
marriage doing anything and
everything to please her. Money,
cars, jewelry, summers in Aspen,
winters in Hawaii and everywhere in
between. Rarely did I ever do
anything because I wanted to. I
thought my undying devotion would
be enough for her but it wasnt.

DENISE
Didnt you love her? At all?
Warren shakes his head, staring at the floor. His eyes grow
glazed.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.

WARREN
(broken, lesser)
No. I thought it would be enough.
If I gave her everything she
wanted, she wouldnt notice. But
she did notice. Everyone did. They
knew I didnt want her, including
Heath. He was right for her. He
gave her every thing I couldnt.
(then)
I wasnt surprised when she told me
about the affair. That she was
divorcing me and had stopped taking
birth control so she and Heath
could get pregnant. I didnt care.
Our marriage at that point meant
nothing to me. In my mind, wed
never had a real marriage. We were
two bit players in a never-ending
farce, each determined not to break
before the other.

Warren wipes his face. Reaches into his pocket.

Denise gasps in surprise when he pulls out a ring box. He
holds the box in his hand, looks at her directly.

WARREN (CONTD)
Dont deny me the one thing I
deserve Denise. Dont deny me your
love.
DENISE
Warren...
WARREN
I love you. I know that. And you
love me too.
(then)
One word. Its all I need.
DENISE
Warren...
(shaking her head)
I cant. We cant. Its a dead end.
Theres too much baggage between
us.
WARREN
No there isnt.
(re: her doubtful look)
We can still fix this. Yes things
are a complicated but what
relationship isnt?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.

DENISE
Complicated? Warren, youre a
widower and a father. Thats a lot
to deal with right now. For you and
for me.

WARREN
What are you saying? That you wont
even give us a chance?
Warren stands, enters the bathroom. He leans against the
sink. He tries to speak but pulls himself back, opting to
remain silent.
He cant look her in the eyes. Denise sighs loudly, closing
her makeup kit.

DENISE
How old is she?
The slightest hint of a smile appears on his lips.
WARREN
Twenty months.
DENISE
A summer baby. Do you have a
picture?

Warren hands her his phone.

WARREN
01-18-15. Her birthday.
Denise smiles and its the first true smile shes had in
months. She scrolls through the pictures.
DENISE
(reverently)
Shes beautiful.

WARREN
Yeah...she is.
His eyes are only on her.

DENISE
She looks just like you. You make
beautiful babies.
(then)
Oh my god, shes so big now! Youd
never think she used to be so tiny.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.

She gives Warren his phone. He puts it in his pocket. He

reaches out for her hand. She places it between his own.
They stand next to each other in silence, but it is not
uncomfortable. Its peaceful.

DENISE (CONTD)
(under her breath)
I cant believe Im doing this.
(then)
Im not going to make any
promises right now but...maybe we
deserve a fair shot. A clean
slate. Id like to meet your
daughter first. Would that be ok?
Warrens ear-splitting smile is answer enough.

WARREN
Done.
He leans down to kiss her. She lets him.

PAN LEFT TO RIGHT

CU ON CANDLES (BED & BATH)
burning to their last wicks but still shining bright.

FADE TO BLACK