Pale Blue Dot Page #13

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BACK TO:

INT. FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS

LAURA:

It all seems so insignificant. And

you feel lost and alone and more

vulnerable than ever before. It’s

the greatest feeling I’ve felt in

my entire life. It’s a feeling that

makes it all worth it.

Simone and the rest of the class-- especially, Ed and Neil--

look at Laura in stunned silence. They have no idea what she

was talking about.

It’s gone completely over their heads.

LAURA (CONT’D)

Uh, sorry about that. How about

you? You have a question?

Laura points to a boy in the front row, ROY, whose hand isn’t

up. It doesn’t matter, though. No one’s hand is up after

that.

But, after a moment’s thought, Roy does have a question:

ROY:

How do you take a dump in space?

INT. DREW’S CAR - NIGHT

Drew drives as Laura applies makeup.

DREW:

So what are they like?

LAURA:

What do you mean, what are they

like? They’re like regular people.

They’re like me.

Drew shrugs.

76.

DREW:

It’s just, I don’t know. I never

get to hang out with your work

friends. What if they don’t like

me?

LAURA:

They’ll like you. Why wouldn’t they

like you? Everyone likes you.

Laura closes the visor mirror. The car goes dark.

INT. SUGARLAND LANES - EVENING

Drew steps up to the line. He closes his eyes. He takes a

deep breath. He throws his ball-

-- straight into the gutter.

The astronauts from the previous bowling trip-- with the new

addition of ERIN-- give Drew some weak pity claps.

MARK:

Tough break, pal.

Erin steps up to select a ball.

Drew slumps down next to Laura, doing his best to look

miserable.

DREW:

Of course I’d look like an idiot in

front of a bunch of astronauts.

LAURA:

You’re doing fine.

DREW:

Thanks for lying.

Laura is busy, focused on Erin. Mark is giving her pointers,

his arms wrapped around her waist as he demonstrates the

proper form.

LAURA:

No problem.

Laura watches Erin throw the ball down the lane-

A PERFECT STRIKE. Mark goes wild.

77.

MARK:

Oh my God, you’re a natural! I need

a double high-five here.

Mark gives Erin an enthusiastic two-handed high five before

turning to the others-

MARK (CONT’D)

This girl’s amazing, right?

LAURA:

Beginner’s luck.

INT. SUGARLAND LANES - LATER

Post game, Pete pours beers for the astronauts and Drew.

Pete raises his glass.

PETE:

I’d like to propose a toast to a

son of a b*tch we all know. Mark--

somehow, someway, the bosses

upstairs saw fit to send you back

up.

JIM:

And if they have any sense they’ll

leave you there.

Everyone laughs.

PETE:

To Mark. Safe trip, buddy. Come

back soon.

The group clinks their glasses together.

INT. SUGARLAND LANES - LATER

It’s nearly closing time at Sugarland but the astronauts are

still there, enjoying themselves. But one person is

noticeably absent: Drew.

He sits alone at one of the lane tables, clearly ready to

leave.

VOICE (O.S.)

This seat taken?

Drew turns to find Mark, a big smile on his face.

78.

DREW:

Go right ahead.

Drew takes his jacket from the seat to make room for Mark.

DREW (CONT’D)

So you’re going up for a second

time, huh?

Mark tips his glass back, emptying the last of his beer as he

holds up three fingers.

MARK:

Third.

DREW:

And what does your wife think?

MARK:

My wife?

DREW:

Yeah. You’re married, right? You

have kids?

MARK:

Two girls.

DREW:

And yet you’re still going back?

Even if it means leaving them here,

unsure if you’ll make it home?

MARK:

I’ll make it home.

DREW:

You don’t know that. Not for sure.

It’s dangerous. Do you even care?

Do you even know what’s it’s like

for the rest of us?

Mark laughs. Hard. He puts his arm around Drew, leans in

close.

MARK:

You’re not jealous of your wife,

are you, chief?

DREW:

What? That’s ridiculous.

79.

MARK:

But you want her to give up her

dreams though, don’t you?

Drew’s stunned by this.

Does Mark know something? Was that just a lucky guess?

Drew tries not to let on what a chord Mark’s just struck,

stammering-

DREW:

Of course not.

MARK:

Good. You couldn’t stop her if you

tried.

Mark shoots Drew a wink just as-

-- Laura walks up, eyeing the two of them suspiciously.

LAURA:

You two sure look like you’re

getting along.

DREW:

Swimmingly.

LAURA:

What are you talking about?

MARK:

You. We were both just saying how

swell you are.

Laura’s not sure if this is the case but she’s going to have

to let it slide as Erin walks by. Mark calls out to her-

MARK (CONT’D)

Hey newbie, quick question.

ERIN:

Yes?

MARK:

You think your man would be upset

if you went to space?

ERIN:

I’m single.

MARK:

You don’t say.

80.

Erin gives a demure shrug and moves along. Mark turns back to

the Peppers, slapping Drew on the back.

MARK (CONT’D)

Now that’s the real shame right

there, brother.

Laura grimaces, getting up from her seat.

LAURA:

I need some air.

Mark watches her go from the corner of his eye:

MARK:

So Laura tells me you’re a computer

programmer?

DREW:

IT services.

MARK:

Yeah, I can see that.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUGARLAND LANES - MOMENTS LATER

Laura’s outside, angrily smoking a cigarette when-MARK

(O.S.)

Hey, space girl.

She turns to find Mark, giving her his biggest smile.

Laura folds her arms. She takes a step back.

LAURA:

Don’t.

Mark stops. He puts his hands up to indicate he won’t come

any further.

MARK:

You’ve got yourself a swell guy in

there.

Laura turns away. She’s in no mood to hear this.

MARK (CONT’D)

Really. Drew’s great. A bit of a

square but, you know, super nice

guy.

81.

LAURA:

F*** you.

MARK:

I wish you would.

Laura chuckles-- it surprises her.

LAURA:

Right here?

MARK:

What? In the parking lot?

Laura shrugs. Mark laughs.

MARK (CONT’D)

You’re all right, Pepper. But

that’s a little crazy. Even for me.

LAURA:

So why are you really out here?

Mark places his hands loosely around Laura’s waist.

He draws her close.

MARK:

I’m here for us, babe. Let’s get

away for a few days.

LAURA:

It’s not that easy. I can’t just

get up and go.

Mark runs his fingers through Laura’s hair. He shoots her a

wink.

MARK:

You’ll figure something out.

CUT TO:

LAURA FLOATING IN THE OCEAN...

EXT. BEACH - COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA - DAY

She’s on her back, in a bathing suit. Her eyes are closed and

there’s a smile on her face. She’s at peace.

82.

EXT. COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA - LATER

Laura makes her way to shore. The beach is full of families

on vacation. Kids splash and women tan and Laura walks

through all of it, until she reaches...

...Mark, sitting in a lawn chair and reading a Tom Clancy

novel.

MARK:

Hey, there.

LAURA:

Hey.

Laura plops down on a towel beside him.

MARK:

What do you say, space girl? Do my

back?

Mark holds out a bottle of suntan lotion. Laura can’t believe

it. Even here, on vacation together, this is such a brazen

display.

LAURA:

Really?

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