The Truman Show Page #10

They hold the kiss for another long moment and then

simultaneously break. As they look into each other's eyes,

Truman goes to say something but Veronica hushes him by placing

a finger to his lips. Then abruptly she moves out of frame, the

cardigan falling from around her shoulders in her haste.

From Truman's POV we focus on the cardigan on the pavement,

triggering a flashback in his head.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CORRIDOR. DAY, SEVENTEEN YEARS EARLIER.

As with Truman's previous flashbacks, this scene appears to be

playing on a television screen. However, on this occasion it is

also accompanied by CHRISTOF's comments from his perch in the

tower above the park.

CHRISTOF (V.O.)

He's re-created the event on and off for a

number of years. We've never understood what

prompts him to indulge the fantasy, or for that

matter what inspired such a painfully shy boy

to approach her in the first place...

A SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN, carrying a stack of books, spies

LAUREN, sixteen going on thirty-five, wearing the lavender,

beaded cardigan at her open locker. She is entertaining two

GIRLFRIENDS with what appears to be a lewd tale.

CHRISTOF (V.O.)

We'd noticed them making eyes at each other

for some weeks but never thought he'd say

anything. She was a year older, wrote poetry,

way out of his league...

Truman, obviously terrified, musters the nerve to approach the

lockers. The three girls look up, surprised by the

interruption.

TRUMAN:

(to Lauren, tongue-tied, a strangled greeting)

Hi.

GIRLFRIEND 1

(to Lauren as the two girlfriends

abruptly depart)

See you in class.

Lauren is unsure whether or not to follow her friends.

TRUMAN:

Lauren, right?

Her name is carefully written in blue ink on the covers of her

text books.

LAUREN:

No.

TRUMAN:

(ignoring her lack of interest)

Look. I was wonder--

LAUREN:

--I can't go out with you.

TRUMAN:

I haven't asked you yet.

LAUREN:

Well when you do, that's my answer.

(softening)

I'm sorry. It's not up to me.

TRUMAN:

(summoning up courage from somewhere)

Why, you married?

Lauren smiles despite herself.

TRUMAN:

I'm not asking you to have my children,

just a pizza. How about Saturday?

LAUREN:

(adamant)

No.

TRUMAN:

Friday?

Lauren looks around the deserted school corridor.

LAUREN:

Now.

TRUMAN:

Right now? We got finals.

LAUREN:

If we don't go now, it won't happen.

Truman hesitates.

LAUREN:

(impatient, looking anxiously around)

Well, what do you want to do?

THE PICTURE ON THE TELEVISION SCREEN SUDDENLY FAST-FORWARDS AT

SUCH SPEED IT BECOMES A BLUR - THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL SPEED.

EXT. FLUSHING MEADOW PARK. DUSK.

The SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN and LAUREN enter the park near the

Unisphere. The park is deserted on a hot June afternoon.

CHRISTOF (V.O.)

We knew we were taking a risk. She hadn't

been properly coached, but we were torn...

He'd summoned the courage to make the

approach...We wanted to reward that. Of

course she took full advantage...

Truman and Lauren run up to the ledge of the pool surrounding

the steel sculpture.

LAUREN:

I never knew this place existed.

They both stare down at the inviting water. Lauren suddenly

throws off her cardigan and jumps into the pool without another

thought. She comes splashing to the surface. Truman stares

down, transfixed hy the shimmering water.

LAUREN:

Come on! Come on! It's wonderful!

TRUMAN:

(nervous)

I...I can't.

Lauren suddenly stops splashing.

LAUREN:

That's right. Oh, God, I'm sorry.

She quickly climbs out of the pool, dripping wet.

TRUMAN:

(confused)

Why? You've got nothing to be sorry about.

Has someone been talking to you?

Lauren wrings out her dress.

LAUREN:

(to the sky, upset)

Get me out of here. I don't want to

be here.

Lauren starts walking away.

TRUMAN:

(confused, calling after her)

What are you talking about? Lauren! Lauren!

Truman runs after Lauren and holds her by the arms, forcing

her to face him.

LAUREN:

(distraught)

My name's not Lauren! It's Sylvia!

Truman looks into her eyes and believes her.

THE PICTURE FAST-FORWARDS AGAIN AT HIGH SPEED FOR A MOMENT AND

RETURNS TO NORMAL.

TRUMAN and SYLVIA (as she is now called throughout the remainder

of the movie) sit on the ledge of the pool - the same spot as

Truman and the hooker, Veronica, seventeen years later. As we

have just seen imitated, Sylvia and Truman kiss with great

delicacy. Truman goes to say something but she covers his lips

with her finger.

SYLVIA:

In a minute someone's going to come and

stop me talking to you.

TRUMAN:

(looking around the deserted park)

Who? There's no one around.

SYLVIA:

(covering his lips once again)

You remember when you were a little boy,

you stood up in class and said you wanted

to be an explorer like Magellan. And your

teacher, Sister Olivia said, "You're too

late, Truman. There's nothing left to

explore." And all the other kids laughed.

And you sat down.

Rate this script:2.0 / 1 vote