Something Borrowed Page #15

---

SONJA (CONT’D)

A room full of friends, family,

enemies...watching, smiling,

betting on how long the marriage

will last. All you’ll have is each

other and whatever skills you

acquire today.

Kat’s grip on Nick’s hand tightens. Ed cracks open his eyes

again. This time, he looks unnerved.

SONJA (CONT’D)

There are people who will tell you

that the wedding dance is symbolic of

a couple’s compatibility. Of a

rapport that cannot be faked. That

an unskilled man on the dance floor

is a man who lacks grace in bed.

(beat)

These people are right.

Sonja claps three times.

SONJA (CONT’D)

Eyes open and pair off!

They all open their eyes wide.

INT. STEP-BALL-CHANGE DANCE CLUB - MOMENTS LATER

Ed and Amy dance awkwardly to a standard as Sonja gives them

instructions.

ANGLE ON KAT AND NICK, dancing sedately, if awkwardly. There

is still tension between them. Kat, contrite, dares a glance

into his eyes.

KAT:

I’m sorry I was such a b*tch. I

really appreciate your doing this.

NICK:

(simply)

It’s my job.

Kat gazes deep into his eyes. A long look. The longest

she’s been able to sustain since the boat. She can’t read

him.

SONJA (O.S.)

(to Amy and Ed)

She knows you better than anyone.

You know her better than she knows

herself. Where does that feeling

live? I don't care if it's your

heart, your head, or your crotch.

Find that place and dance from it.

KAT:

You know what pisses me off? I’ve

been spilling my guts all weekend

but I don’t know anything about

you. Not one thing.

Nick looks down at her, considering.

NICK:

I’m allergic to fabric softener, I

majored in Comparative Literature

at Brown, and I think I’d miss you

even if we had never met.

Kat blinks, the power of his words hitting her hard. They

dance a moment in silence.

KAT:

Now will you tell me how you became

an escort?

Nick smiles enigmatically. Then without warning--

NICK SPINS KAT AROUND, THEN REELS HER IN TIGHT.

In a hyper-romantic cinematic flourish,

THE FLOOR SWELLS AND THE WALLS DISAPPEAR.

The music sharpens as if it’s no longer coming from an old

record player but from a classic MGM soundtrack.

Nick and Kat are weightless as they glide across the floor.

Their eyes stay locked on each other as though it were this

connection, and not gravity, that keeps them on earth.

Kat and Nick seem to slow down but the world stays at normal

speed.

ON SONJA, astonished. She stops and watches.

ON AMY AND ED, as they notice what’s going on. They stop

dancing and stare, too, slacked-jawed, as Nick and Kat float

past, completely wrapped up in each other.

Nick and Kat are incredible together.

The music CRESCENDOS as Nick gracefully spins Kat to a

perfect stop.

ED:

So you can’t dance, eh? Bloody

liar.

Nick and Kat crash back to earth. They stop dancing. The

walls close in and the music sucks back into the speakers.

ED (CONT’D)

I thought you said you were crap.

NICK:

I had to say something to get you

here.

ED:

Fair enough, but I’m stepping on

toes here and you’re waltzing

around like...

AMY:

Fred Astaire and what’s her face!

NICK:

It’s not me. I swear. It’s her.

She’s magic.

Kat blushes. Sonja claps her hands, happily.

SONJA:

And, switch partners!

EXT. STEP-BALL-CHANGE DANCE CLUB - LATER

Nick, Kat, Amy, and Ed walk out of the studio. Ed skips down

the steps and onto the street. Then he realizes what he’s

doing and abruptly stops.

ED:

You’d better get going. My parents

will be ‘round to cart you off to

the country.

AMY:

Whatever you do, don’t mention

Italy. Or politics. Or baby

buggies.

(beat)

Or Edith Piaf.

ED:

Your probably best off pretending

you’re asleep.

Ed grabs Amy by the neck and pulls her away.

Amy laughs but Kat catches a look on her sister’s face. It’s

not quite nervousness. It’s something closer to panic. Amy

waves over her shoulder as they walk away.

CUT TO:

A BOAT SAILING ACROSS FRAME, WIDER TO REVEAL--

EXT. KAT’S HOUSE - ST. JOHN’S WOOD

Victor tows the boat with an annoyed Bunny in the passenger

seat. As they pull out of the driveway, they wave to Nick,

who sits on a stone wall in front of the house.

Nick talks on his cell phone, Kat’s bags piled high next to

him, as Pigeons walk and flap around him.

Kat appears carrying two bottles of water. When Nick sees

Kat, he hangs up too quickly. Kat pretends not to notice.

She eyes the pigeons suspiciously.

KAT:

Pigeons creep me out. They’re like

dirty doves...plotting something.

Nick playfully pulls Kat down next to him. Spooked by the

increasing number of pigeons, Kat inches away from them and

closer to Nick. Kat frowns, suddenly pensive.

KAT (CONT’D)

How do you have real relationships?

You know, ones you don’t get paid

for?

Nick isn’t sure he wants to get into this.

KAT (CONT’D)

You have had girlfriends?

NICK:

Sure, but it’s never easy. They

say they’re okay with it, and they

are...for a while. Then one day,

they’re not.

They sit in silence. It’s not awkward, it’s nice. London

beams under a rare cloudless sky.

NICK (CONT’D)

When I said I’d never done a

wedding before, I didn’t say that

no one ever asked. I just never

said yes.

KAT:

So, why’d you say yes to me?

NICK:

There was something in your voice

on the phone that day.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes