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In Love In Rome
Kalyn B. Wright
February 19, 2020

STARTS IN DARKNESS
INT.COAT CLOSET - ATLANTA, GA - 4 AM

(CONTINUED)
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The closet door swings open. Rachael runs inside and sits in the

corner with her legs folded. She is trying to stay quiet.

RACHAEL

(Breathing heavy)

The door swings open

JOHNATHAN

So you thought you could hide from me?

Johnathan grabs Rachael by the hair and drags her out of the cloud.

Rachael starts kicking and screaming.

JOHNATHAN

Where’s my money Rach? You thought you could steal from me?

RACHAEL

(crying) I told you I didn’t steal anything. I swear!

JOHNATHAN

(smirks & then lifts Rachael’s chin up) I wasn’t born yesterday,

bitch.

Johnathan lets go of Rachael’s chin and then punches her in the face.

He then jerks her onto her feet.

JOHNATHAN

(CONTINUED)
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Now, I'm going to ask you one more time.

Rachael tries to break free from his grip.

JOHNATHAN

(squeezes her arms tighter) Where is my money Rachael?

Rachael stops crying and looks Johnathan directly in the eyes.

RACHAEL

I don’t have your money. For God’s sake!

Johnathan smiles and throws her on the ground. He then starts beating

her over and over again. Rachael is begging him to stop but he

continues to beat on her harder.

LADY OVER THE AIRPORT INTERCOM

Now boarding flight 285!

CUTS TO:

INT. ATLANTA AIRPORT - DELTA AIRLINE - 11 AM

Rachael jumps up from her nightmare. However, she then realizes that

it wasn’t a nightmare, but a memory.

LADY OVER THE AIRPORT INTERCOM

Last call for flight 285!

(CONTINUED)
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Rachael fixes her hat and sunglasses, that are covering the bruises on

her face, and quickly gives the flight attendant her ticket to board

the plane.

RACHAEL

(Hands the lady her ticket) Sorry.

The lady closes the door behind her.

CUTS TO:

WIDE SHOT OF AIRPLANE TAKING OFF.

“I Ain’t Never Loved A Man” by Aretha Franklin playing in the

background.

INT. DELTA AIRPLANE - IN THE AIR - 11:10 AM

Rachael is staring out into the window watching the clouds. She slowly

falls asleep.

CUTS TO:

WIDE SHOT OF THE PLANE LANDING.

PILOT

Welcome to Rome, Italy!

CUTS TO:

EXT. ARRIVALS TERMINAL - ROME, ITALY - 7:10 AM

Rachael is walking out of the airport with only one, small duffle bag.

She looks around and then finds a bench to sit on. Once she sits down,

Rachael slowly falls asleep.

(CONTINUED)
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CUTS TO:

INT. JOHNATHAN’S LIVING ROOM - ATLANTA, GA - 4 AM

*FLASHBACK* Johnathan is beating Rachael over and over again. Rachael

then looks over to her right and sees a pencil.

A car horn goes off.

CUTS TO:

EXT. ARRIVALS TERMINAL - ROME, ITALY -7:23 AM

Rachael walks up to a car honking.

CASEY

(rolls her car window down) Hey Rach! Sorry I’m late!

Rachael quickly gets her bag and gets in the car.

INT. CASEY’S CAR

RACHAEL

Hey. Thanks for coming to get me on such short notice.

CASEY

No problem! I love being woken up at the crack of dawn to drive an

hour to the airport to pick up my favorite cousin who never calls me.

Ever.

RACHAEL

Great! That’s why I called.

CASEY

You do understand the art of sarcasm, right?

RACHAEL

(CONTINUED)
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(lets out a small laugh) Same old Casey.

CASEY

(laughs) The one and only.

Casey notices Rachael with a hat and sunglasses on.

CASEY

What’s with all the gear? And are you going to tell me why you

suddenly called me after 2 years asking me if you could stay with me

for the summer?

RACHAEL

Is it okay if we don’t talk for the rest of the way? (Rachael turns

the stereo up)

CASEY

(whispers) O-kay.

CUTS TO:

EXT. LONG SHOT OF CASEY CAR MOVING THROUGH ROME.

“Roar” by Katy Perry is playing in the background.

INT. CASEY’S CAR

Rachael is looking out of the window watching the different buildings

and the different people walking the streets of Rome. She then sees a

young girl and a young man arguing. The argument gets heated and the

man slaps the girl in the face.

RACHAEL

Stop the car!

(CONTINUED)
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CASEY

(confused) Wait, why?!

RACHAEL

Just stop the car!

Rachael jumps out of the car and runs over to the couple.

RACHAEL

Hey! (shouts in anger) You don’t hit a girl like that! What’s wrong

with you? (Rachael gets in between them)

THE YOUNG BOY

(tries to move Rachael out the way) Look I don’t know who the fuck you

are but you better get out of my way!

RACHAEL

(pushes his hand off her) No I’m not going anywhere until you

apologize to this young girl.

THE YOUNG GIRL

Hey this really doesn’t involve you! Just leave us alone!

RACHAEL

(grabs her arm) You know you don’t have to put up with his abuse,

right?

(CONTINUED)
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THE YOUNG BOY

(yanks Rachael’s arm) Listen here bitch! I told you once this doesn't

have anything to do with you!

Just before Rachael could remove the boy’s hands off her, a man comes

in between them and punches the boy in the face.

MARK

That’s no way to treat a lady man. Get lost!

The boy falls to the ground. His nose is bleeding. The young girl

comes to his aid and they both quickly walk away. Mark then turns to

Rachael.

MARK

Are you okay?

Rachael examines the man, head to toe. He was very handsome. He had

blonde hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a light green t-shirt and

baggy pants. He sure looked good though.

RACHAEL

Of course, I’m fine. I wanted to help that poor girl (pause) not for

some guy to come in and punch his way through situations.

MARK

(CONTINUED)
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(smirks) Well, last I checked that guy was only trying to help.

RACHAEL

Well I’m not the one who needed a hero. I can take care of myself.

(walks away towards the car)

MARK

(tries to stop her in her tracks) Hey, you’re right. You look like a

woman who can hold her own.

Rachael smirks and continues to walk towards Casey’s car.

MARK

Wait! (Rachael turns around) Can I at least get your name?

Rachael smiles and then proceeds to get in the car. The man smiles and

walks off.

CUTS TO:

INT. CASEY’S CAR

CASEY

So, are you gonna tell me what that was all about? And who was that

cute guy?

RACHAEL

(CONTINUED)
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(looks out the window at the man walking away) Nothing and no one.

Let’s just go. (puts back on her sunglasses)

CUTS TO:

EXT. CASEY’S MANSION - ROME, ITALY - 10:08 AM

Casey is pulling into the driveway. Rachael is in awe at how huge and

beautiful Casey’s house looks from the outside.

RACHAEL

(in shock) So is this the Queen’s palace or yours?

CASEY

First of all, there are no queens or kings here. Only the prime

minister. And second, it’s not that big.

RACHAEL

(gets out of the car) Right, and what do you do for a living again?

Are you the prime minister’s maid?

Casey gets out of the car.

CASEY

No, don't be ridiculous! (she shuts the car door) I’m his financial

manager.

Rachael’s mouth drops.

CUTS TO:

INT. CASEY’S MANSION

(CONTINUED)
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Casey opens the front door and they both walk in. Rachael is in awe at

how big and nice the house is from the inside. It has more of a modern

feel mansion look.

RACHAEL

You don’t get scared in this big house by yourself?

CASEY

Nope. It’s something peaceful about having my own space.

RACHAEL

So I guess that means no boy toy? (She smirks)

CASEY

(Laughing) Okay I think we’ve had enough jokes from you today. Why

don’t you get settled in and I’ll take you to my favorite spot in all

of Rome.

CUTS TO:

INT. RACHAEL’S ROOM

Rachael finds a room with towels and washcloths on the bed. The room

is about the size of Rachael’s old apartment.

RACHAEL

(talking to herself) I guess this is my room. (walks around the room)

Why does one room need this much space?

(CONTINUED)
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Rachael plops on the bed and falls asleep.

CUTS TO:

INT. JONATHAN’S LIVING ROOM - ATLANTA, GA - 4:15 AM

Rachael picks up the pencil and stabs Johnathan in the arm. In

excruciating pain, Johnathan let's go of Rachael’s neck and falls to

his side. Rachael then runs away.

CUTS TO:

INT. JOHNATHAN’S BEDROOM - ATLANTA, GA - 4:18 AM

Rachael bargs in the room and quickly grabs her duffle bag from under

the bed. She then opens the bag and reveals what looks like $100

bills. She then sighs in relief and closes the bag. However, when she

turns around, Johnathan surprises her and grabs her by the hair again.

CUTS TO:

RACHAEL’S ROOM - CASEY’S HOUSE - ROME, ITALY - 6:20 PM

Rachael jumps up from her sleep. She then looks at the clock and tries

to catch her breath. Casey then knocks on the door.

CASEY

(opens the door) Hey sleepy head. The show starts in 30 minutes so get

dressed.

Casey closes the door.

RACHAEL

(confused) Show?

Rachael groans and then throws her head back on the bed.

(CONTINUED)
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CUTS TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP OF RESTAURANT - ROME, ITALY - 7:02 PM

Casey and Rachael are escorted by the waitress to a table in front of

the stage where a poet is reading their poem. The lighting is dim.

There are couples all around sitting down and watching the poet.

CUTS TO:

The waitress pulls out 2 menus for Casey and Rachael.

WAITRESS

Here are your menus. Can I get you ladies started with something to

drink?

CASEY

I’ll just have a scotch.

RACHAEL

Can I get just a classic martini?

WAITRESS

Yes ma’am. I will be right back with those drinks.

The waitress leaves. Rachael then looks around and stops at the poet

on stage. She smiles and admires the confidence and heartbreak in the

poet’s tone.

(CONTINUED)
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RACHAEL

(looks at Casey) How exactly did you find this place?

CASEY

I used to know a friend that performed here every Thursday.

The poet is finished and everyone starts to clap. He then walks off

stage and a man comes up on stage shortly after, with a guitar in his

hands. It was the same man from earlier. Rachael recognizes him and

tries to look away. However, the man notices her as well and begins to

smile.

(CONTINUED)