Sleepless in Seattle Page #18

Annie is nodding. She wipes a tear from her face.

ANNIE:

Oh, Walter. I don't deserve

you.

WALTER:

I think that's what I'm saying.

Slowly, gingerly, Annie slips the engagement ring off

her finger and hands it to Walter.

No bitterness here. Both of them trying to be gentle

with each other.

ANNIE:

You okay?

WALTER:

Yes.

(beat)

Some people will do anything to

get out of going to a symphony.

This breaks the tension. Both of them smiles.

ANNIE:

Oh!

WALTER:

What?

ANNIE:

Look!

Walter turns to look over his shoulder at what Annie

sees:

THE LIGHTS HAVE JUST GONE ON ON THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

VALENTINE LIGHTS:

A huge pink and white heart.

Walter turns back to Annie.

WALTER:

Go for it.

And as Annie's heart leaps and she's about to bolt.

CUT TO:

EXT. WEST 50TH STREET - NIGHT

As Annie comes out to the street and hails a cab.

As it screeches off toward Fifth Ave.

INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING OBSERVATION DECK - NIGHT

The lights are on all over the city.

The crowd has thinned out considerably. Jonah and Sam

are among the last people left. They gaze out at the

twinkling lights and the ever-darkening sky.

ELEVATOR OPERATOR

Last call. Closing time.

Jonah looks at Sam.

JONAH:

This is pretty dumb, wasn't

it?

Sam shrugs.

SAM:

Big deal.

After a beat.

SAM:

Maybe we'll get a dog when we

get back.

JONAH:

Okay.

SAM:

What do you mean, okay?

Wouldn't you like a dog?

JONAH:

Sure.

Sam puts his arm around him, they start toward the

elevator.

SAM:

Let's go home.

EXT. FIFTH AVE - NIGHT

Annie's cab stuck in traffic.

As Annie gets out of the cab.

She's breaking into a hard run toward the Empire State

Building.

INT. LOBBY OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - NIGHT

Annie sprints in and over to Information Booth.

INFORMATION BOOTH PERSON

Sorry, ma'am, but the elevators

are closed.

ANNIE:

(out of breath)

No. Please. I really need to

get up there.

INFORMATION BOOTH PERSON

We're closing up. No more runs

tonight.

Annie takes a deep breath. She's hit the end of the

road. She turns to go but then turns back.

ANNIE:

(out of breath)

Listen, can I just take a look?

Maybe... maybe... There's

someone I was supposed to

meet... He's probably not

there, but if I don't at least

look I'll always wonder about

it.

The Information Booth Person looks at her.

INFORMATION BOOTH PERSON

Cary Grant, right?

ANNIE:

You know that movie?

INFORMATION BOOTH PERSON

One of my wife's favorites.

INT. TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

After a few beat the elevator door opens on a very

empty platform.

ELEVATOR MAN:

Sorry, ma'am. Empty.

Annie slowly walks out.

ANNIE:

Can I take a minute?

ELEVATOR MAN:

Go ahead.

She sighs. Heads for the telescopes. Looks out at the

twinkling lights below.

She casually turns the telescope and suddenly sees

something on the floor.

Jonah's Seattle Mariners backpack.

She picks it up. She realizes that it might be...

could be... and opens it. Inside is a toothbrush and

Jonah's teddy bear. As she takes out the bear the other

elevator DINGS.

Annie looks up as Jonah and Sam exit the elevator.

JONAH:

I left it near the...

And they stop. There she is. There they are. Sam

can't believe it. It's the mystery woman.

SAM:

It's you.

ANNIE:

It's me?

SAM:

The one in the street. I

chased after you.

JONAH:

Are you Annie?

ANNIE:

Yes.

SAM:

(confused)

You're Annie too?

She smiles awkwardly.

ANNIE:

(indicating the

backpack)

Is this yours?

Jonah walks over to her. He puts his hand out. She

shakes it solemnly.

JONAH:

I'm Jonah.

(nodding back to Sam)

That's my dad. His name is

Sam.

ANNIE:

Hi, Jonah. Sam.

(indicating the teddy

bear)

And who is this?

JONAH:

Howard.

ANNIE:

Howard.

Sam nods. Smiling. Starting to put it all together.

Annie smiles. Still nervous. No one knows what to do

next. Just then, one of the elevator operators CLEARS

HIS THROAT.

SAM:

We better go.

Annie nods.

Sam holds out his hand.

SAM:

Shall we?

Annie slips her hand into his. It feels comfortable,

natural, right.

ANNIE:

Sam?

He looks at her.

ANNIE:

It's nice to meet you.

On Annie.

On Sam.

On Jonah. He makes a triumphant little double-fist

gesture to himself as the elevator doors close.

EXT. THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - NIGHT

WE SEE THE BUILDING from above, all lit up, a romantic

confection, the world's largest Valentine.

The CAMERA PULLS BACK and we see the United States

spread out before us, with lights twinkling everywhere.

And

FADE OUT:

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