D AY S OF SUMMER

(500) DAYS

by

Scott Neustadter

Sc

Michael H. Weber

April 16, 2008

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS A WORK OF FICTION. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO
PERSONS LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL
COINCIDENTAL. .
ESPECIALLY YOU JENNY BECKMAN
BITCH
 FADE IN:

A single number in parenthesis, exactly like so:

(488)
1 EXT. ANGELUS PLAZA - DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CA - DAY 1

And we're looking at a MAN (20s) and a WOMAN (20s) on a

bench, high above the city of Los Angeles. Their names
ñames are
TOM and SUMMER and right now neither one says a word.

CLOSE ON their HANDS, intertwined. Notice the wedding ring

on her finger. CLOSE ON Tom, looking at Summer the way every
woman wants to be looked at.

And then a DISTINGUISHED VOICE begins to speak to us .

NARRATOR
This is a story of boy meets girl.

(1)
2 INT CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 2

TOM HANSEN sits at a very long rectangular conference

conférence table.
The walls are lined with framed blow-up sized greeting cards
cards..
Tom, dark hair and blue eyes , wears a t-shirt under his
sports coat and Adidas tennis shoes to balance out the
corporate dress code. He looks pretty bored.

NARRATOR
The boy, Tom Hansen of Margate, New
Jersey, grew up believing that he'd
never truly be happy until the day
he met . . . "the one . "

3 INT LIVING ROOM - 1989 3

PRE-TEEN TOM sits alone on his bed engrossed in a movie. His

walls are covered in posters of obscure bands . From the TV,
we hear: "Elaine! Elaine!"

NARRATOR
This belief stemmed from early
exposure to sad British pop music
and a total misreading of the
movie, "The Graduate."
Gradúate."
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 2

4 INT OFFICE CUBICLE - PRESENT DAY 4

SUMMER FINN files folders and answers phones in a plain white

boy 's but
office. She has cropped brown hair almost like a boy's
féminine and pretty enough to get away with it.
her face is feminine

NARRATOR
The girl, Summer Finn of
Shinnecock, Michigan, did not share
this belief.

5 INT BATHROOM - 1994 5

PRE-TEEN Summer stares at herself in the mirror. Her hair

extends down to her lower back.

NARRATOR
Since the disintegration of her
parents' marriage, she'd only loved
f irst was her long
two things . The first
brown hair.

She picks up scissors from the counter and begins to slice.

NARRATOR
The second was how easily she could
eut it off... And feel nothing.
cut

6 B0ARDR00M
INT BOARDROOM - SAME 6

Tom continues to listen to some boring présentation.

presentation.

6A INT. CUBICLE - SAME 6A

cali, takes a message,

Summer answers a call, and walks out of her
cubicle down a long narrow hallway.

NARRATOR
Tom meets Summer on June the 8th.
He knows almost immediately. . .
she's who he's been searching for.
she's

CU Summer opening the door to the boardroom, about to corne

come
face to face with Tom for the first time.

NARRATOR
This is a story of boy meets girl.

But before they do,

BLACK .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 3

NARRATOR
You should know up front, this is
s tory.
not a love story.

7 INT/EXT OPENING CREDITS SEQUENCE: 7

SPLITSCREEN OF TOM AND SUMMER AS CHILDREN GROWING UP IN THEIR

OWN SEPARATE WORLDS, DISCONNECTED SOMEHOW. . . NOT.
AND YET SOMEHOW...

For example . . .

On the left, Young Tom blows bubbles in a field.

riqht,
On the right,

8 INT/EXT FIELD - DAY 8

Suiïimer runs through a field of dandelions, flying in the wind

Summer
ail around her. It should look like the dandelions originated
all
Tom' s breath.
with Tom's

That sort of thing. Anyway. . .

Anyway...

FADE IN:

(240)
9 EXT DOWNTOWN LA - NIGHT 9

A 12 year old GIRL rides her bicycle down the block towards
the Downtown skyline.

9A EXT. TOM 'S PLACE

TOM'S - SAME 9A

The girl arrives at an apartment complex, jumps off the bike

and races up the front stairs
stairs.. She rings the doorbell.

10 TOM 'S PLACE

INT TOM'S - LATER 10

Tom' s best
PAUL and MCKENZIE open the door. These are Tom's
f riends . Paul is a doctor and wears hospital scrubs
friends. scrubs.. McKenzie
works in the cubicle next to Tom.

PAUL
We didn't cali.
know who else to call.

The Girl removes her helmet.

MCKENZIE
It ' s Amanda Heller
It's Relier ail over
all again.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 3A

SFX: a PLATE Crashes O.S.

O .S.

GIRL
You did the right thing. Where is
he?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 4

Tom is in the kitchen breaking things and basically going

nuts .

As he does, we should notice a few things about his place.

One, though it isn't big, it is organized by a master. Two,
on the walls, is a series of framed portraits, each one a
famous building and its architectural blueprint. As we'll
soon learn, Tom has a big interest in architecture.

About to smash a plate on the floor, he's interrupted by:

GIRL
Thomas .

Tom freezes.

TOM
Rachel? What are you doing here?

Rachel is Tom's
Tom' s 12-year old half-sister.

RACHEL
l'm here to help you.
I'm

TOM
Help me how?

RACHEL
First, put down the plate.

CUT TO:

11 INT TOM'S
TOM' S APARTMENT - LATER 11

Tom sits next to Rachel. Paul and Mckenzie sit on either side
of them.

TOM
l'm gonna be sick.
I'm

RACHEL
Drink this.

She hands him a glass. Tom drinks it down.

MCKENZIE
What is that?

RACHEL
Vodka .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 5

TOM
(grimacing at the taste)
More.

He gulps another down.

TOM
Does Mom know you're here? It's
gotta be past 10.

RACHEL
Don't worry about it. Start from
the beginning. Tell us what
happened. . .

Tom takes a deep breath.

12 EXT ANGELUS PLAZA - EARLIER THAT DAY 12

Tom and Summer eat sandwiches on the bench.

TOM (V.O.)
We spent the whole day together.

13 EXT DOWNTOWN FOOD MARKET - EARLIER THAT DAY 13

Tom and Summer walk through the stalls .

14 ENT COFFEE HOUSE - EARLIER THAT DAY 14

Tom and Summer seated outside drinking cof f ee . H e reads

coffee the
newspaper, she reads a novel.

15 EXT MOVIE THEATER - EARLIER THAT DAY 15

Tom and Summer walk out of a movie theatre.

16 INT RECORD STORE - EARLIER THAT DAY 16

Tom and Summer shop for music. Tom excitedly shows Summer a
Ringo Starr solo album.

17 INT TOM'S
TOM' S PLACE - SAME 17

RACHEL
And then what?

18 INT DINER - EARLIER THAT NIGHT 18

Tom and Summer in a booth ordering dinner.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 6

TOM
(to WAITRESS)
You know...let's
know.. .let's go crazy, I'll
1'11
have BOTH .
(to Sumiller)
Summer)
God, I love eating pancakes at
night . It's
It ' s like the greatest thing
ever. How great is this?

SUMMER
I think we should stop seeing each
other .

19 INT TOM'S PLACE - AS BEFORE 19

RACHEL
Just like that?

TOM
Just like that.

PAUL
Did she say why?

20 INT DINER - AS BEFORE 20

SUMMER
This thing. This whatever it is
is..
You and me. Do you think this is
normal?

TOM
I don't know. Who cares?! I'm
l'm
happy. Aren't you happy?

SUMMER
You're happy?

TOM
You're not?

SUMMER
All
Ail we do is argue!

TOM
That is bullshit!

21 INT TOM'S PLACE - AS BEFORE 21

RACHEL
Maybe she was just in a bad mood.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 7

PAUL
A hormonal thing.

RACHEL
PMS?

TOM
(to Rachel)
What do you
y ou know about PMS?

RACHEL
More than you.

TOM
Oh my god.

MCKENZIE
Then what?

22 INT DINER - AS BEFORE 22

SUMMER
This can't b e a total surprise. I
mean, we've been like Sid and Nancy
for months.

TOM
Summer, Sid stabbed Nancy seven
times with a kitchen knife. We've
had some disagreements but I hardly
think I'm Vicious..
l'm Sid Vicious

SUMMER
No . . . I'm
l'm Sid.

TOM
(beat)
Oh so I'm
l'm Nancy?!

comes out with the food. Tom and Summer stop

The Waitress cornes
their discussion until the meal is served and the Waitress
leaves. Summer starts to eat.

SUMMER
Let's just eat and we'll talk about
it after.

Without another word she goes back to her pancakes . Tom

watches her eat like this is the worst travesty in the
history of mankind.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 8

SUMMER
(mouth full)
Miran, you're so right.
Mmm, These are
great pancakes !

Tora
Tom looks at his food in disgust. H e may never eat again.

SUMMER
( innocent)
What?

Tora
Tom stands up to go.

SUMMER
Tora,
Tom, don't. Come back. You're still
my best fr ---

The sound slows down on the word "friend" (which is an awful

TOM' S
awful word). THE IMAGE FREEZES AND WE ZOOM IN ON TOM'S
STUNNED FACE.

23 TOM 'S PLACE

INT TOM'S - AS BEFORE 23

Silence for a few beats.

PAUL
Jesus .

RACHEL
Here .

Tom drinks more vodka.

RACHEL
Let's be rational for a second.

TOM
Yes. Let's.

RACHEL
You've broken up with girls before.

TOM
Right .

RACHEL
hâve broken
Girls have up with you
before .

TOM
This is different.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 9

RACHEL
Why?

TOM
Cause it's Summer.

MCKENZIE
Come on, she wasn't that spécial.
special.

Both Paul and Rachel look at McKenzie with faces that suggest
he ' s wrong there .

MCKENZIE
you'11 find someone else. Point
So you'll
is, Hansen. You're the best guy I
You'11 get over her.
know. You'll

PAUL
It ' s like they say ..
It's . . .there ' s plenty
other fish in the sea.

TOM
No.

PAUL
Sure they do. They say that.

TOM
Well they're lying, Paul. It isn't
l've been
true. This is the girl I've
looking for. I don't want to get
over her.
(beat)
I want to get her back.

(1)
24 INT CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 24

Tom as we saw him earlier. Bored. In the boardroom. McKenzie

mid-presentation .
is in mid-presentation.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 10

MCKENZIE
. . .and if we want the jump on those
conservative, right-wing neo-Nazis
at Hallmark, maybe playing it safe
is the wrong approach. The nuclear
family is dead and we need a new
holiday to recognize that.

McKenzie holds up a home-made photoshopped family portrait of

Martina Navratilova, Ellen DeGeneres, and the kid from "Jerry
Maguire" .

MCKENZIE
May 21st. Other Mother's Day.

The co-workers nod and digest this idea. VANCE is the head of
the department.

VANCE
Hmmm. That's
That 's an intriguing idea
McKenzie. Along with Grossman's
"Magellan Day" I'dl'd say we've got
some potential here. What do you
think Hansen? Could you write up
some prototypes for these?

Tom is about to answer when...

when. . . the door opens
opens..

SUMMER
Excuse me, Mr. Vance?
Vanee? There's a
call for you on line 3 .
cali

And in walks this girl. Summer. We've met her by now but Tom
hasn't. This is the first time. His eyes go wide and from
that moment on, he can't take them off her.

VANCE
(to the table)
Everyone this is Summer, my new
assistant. Summer just moved here
from. . .

SUMMER
Michigan.

VANCE
Right. Michigan. Well, Summer,
everyone. Everyone, Summer. Excuse
me, I have
hâve to take this.

SUMMER
Nice to meet you all.
ail.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 11

Summer gives a little wave before following Vance out. Tom

looks like he's just seen God. And on his face, we hear:

NARRATOR
There ' s only two kinds of people in
the world. There's women. . . and
there's men.

CUT TO:

25 EXT STREET - DAY - 16MM B&W 25

Summer rides a bicycle down the street .

NARRATOR
Summer Finn was a woman.

FREEZE on SUMMER. (Throughout the following, SUBTITLES will

reveal specifics of the Narrator's points.)

NARRATOR
Height: average.

Titles reveal specifics: 5 ' 5"

NARRATOR
Weight : average .

Titles : 121 pounds .

NARRATOR
Shoe size: slightly above average.

Titles : Size 8.

NARRATOR
For all intents and purposes ,
Summer Finn... just another girl.

RESUME regular speed.

NARRATOR
Except she wasn't.

26 5513) 26

INSERT - Summer's High School Yearbook, littered with letters

from classmates.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 12

NARRATOR
To wit: in 1999, Summer
Suitimer quoted a
song by the Scottish band Belle &
Sebastian in her high school
yearbook.

27 INSERT - Sales Chart of the LP "The Boy With the Arab 27

Region, showing an unusual spike in the greater
Strap" by Région,
Michigan area.

NARRATOR
This spike in Michigan sales of
their album "Boy With the Arab
Strap" continues to puzzle industry
analysts .

(-4779)
28 INT COLLEGE CAMPUS - ICE CREAM PARLOR - DAY - 16MM B&W 28

Summer works as a dipper at a busy old timey campus creamery.

NARRATOR
Summer's
Summer 's employment at Two Cents
Plain during second semester
sophomore year coincided with an
inexplicable 212% increase in
revenue .

In between orders, Summer sneaks a taste of one of the

flavors
f lavors .

(-3)
29 INT APARTMENT - DAY - 16MM B&W 29

Summer is shown a vacant apartment by a SEEDY-LOOKING

LANDLORD .

NARRATOR
Every apartment Summer rented was
offered at an average rate of 9.2%
below market value .

(-1)
30 EXT/ INT CITY BUS - DAY - 16MM B&W 30

Summer climbs on to a city bus during a busy morning.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 13

NARRATOR
And her round-trip commute to work
averaged 18.4 double-takes per day.

Sure enough, several MALE RIDERS and the DRIVER have

hâve to look
twice .

NARRATOR
It was a rare quality, this "esprit
special."
spécial." Rare, and yet something
every post-adolescent male has
encountered at least once in their
lives .

31 EXT STREET - DAY - 16MM B&W 31

Summer continues to ride her bicycle down the street.

Street.

NARRATOR
That's the third kind of person in
the world . . .

Alone, oblivious, and in her own world.

NARRATOR
. . . the kind that breaks hearts
without trying.

(3 S
& 4)
32 INT. OFFICE - DAY 32

Tom trying to work. And failing. H e turns to McKenzie.

MCKENZIE
Dude. I hear she's a bitch from
hell!

TOM
(disappointed)
Really?

MCKENZIE
Patel tried to talk to her in the
copy room. She was totally not
having it .

TOM
Maybe she was just in a hurry.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 14

MCKENZIE
And maybe she's some uppity, better
than everyone, superskank.

TOM
Damn.

MCKENZIE
I know. She's pretty hot.

TOM
That sucks, man! Why is it pretty
girls always think they can treat
people like crap and get away with
it?

MCKENZIE
Centuries of reinforcement.
re infor cernent.

TOM
Like, just cause she has high
cheekbones and soft skin. . .

MCKENZIE
. . .and really good teeth.

TOM
And those eyes
eyes...
. . . Just cause of
that, she can walk around like
she's center of the universe?

MCKENZIE
(as explanation)
Women .

TOM
Ugh. You know what? Fine. Whatever.
I hope I don't meet her.

33 INT. ELEVATOR - LATER 33

Tom is listening to headphones

headphones. . Summer enters the elevator
and Tom actively puts on a show to ignore her. Summer hears
the music.

SUMMER
The Smith
Smiths.
s.

Tom, pretending not to hear or care, gives her an

unenthusiastic wave.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 15

SUMMER
I love The Smiths .

Tom, still pretending, takes headphones. .

off his headphones

TOM
Sorry?

SUMMER
I said. I love The Smiths. have
You hâve
good taste in music.

A beat as Tom processes this information.

TOM
( amazed)
You like the Smiths?

SUMMER
( singing)
"To die by your side is such a
heavenly way to die . " Love it .

The elevator doors open and she gets off.

TOM
(accidentally
( accidentally out loud)
Holy shit .

(8)
34 INT OFFICE LOBBY - LATER 34

The office is gathered round a 60-something co-worker,

MILLIE, African-American. They toast her with cake and
champagne. A banner above reads "Happy Engagement Millie!"
Tom maneuvers so that he's standing right next to Summer.

TOM
Hey, uh, Summer, right?

SUMMER
Smiths fan.

TOM
That's
That 's me. Tom.

SUMMER
Nice to meet you.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 16

TOM
So how's it going?

SUMMER
Pretty good.

TOM
You just moved here, when?

SUMMER
Saturday.

TOM
Wow. And what, uh, brought you?

SUMMER
Boredom, mostly. Got tired of what
I was doing, who I was with.
Figured I ' d try something new,
exciting.

TOM
(re: mild office party)
Well you've clearly come to the
right place.

Summer laughs. It's adorable.

TOM
What happens when you ' re bored
again?

SUMMER
(beat)
Good question.

They both start to walk. CUT TO:

35 INT OFFICE HALLWAY - SAME 35

SUMMER
And you? Been working here long?

TOM
Eh, you know, bout 4 or 5... years.

SUMMER
Years?! Jesus. So... you've always
wanted to write greeting cards?

TOM
Oh I don't even want to do it now.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 17

SUMMER
(laughs, it's still
amazing)
Maybe you should do something else.

TOM
Yeah. I studied to be an architect,
actually.

SUMMER
That's cool! What happened?

TOM
Didn't work out. Needed a job. Here
we are .

SUMMER
You any good?

TOM
(points to a framed card)
Well I wrote that one.

SUMMER
(reading)
"Today You're a Man. Mazel Tov on
your Bar Mitzvah."

TOM
It's a big seller.

SUMMER
I meant, are you any good as an
architect?

TOM
Oh . . . I doubt it .

SUMMER
Well you are a perfectly
...adequate... greeting card
writer .

TOM
That was my nickame in college.
"Perfectly adequate" Hansen.

SUMMER
They used to call me "Anal Girl."

Tom does a spit-take and almost chokes .

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 18

SUMMER
( explaining)
I was very neat and organized.

There's an awkward silence.

SUMMER
Anyway, I should get back.

TOM
Ok, well, I'll see you around.

She walks back to her cubicle at the other end of the hall .
Tom watches her walk away, completely enamored.

He sits down at his desk and sets out to work. His eyes fall
on a sketch of a house (dated 2001), which is the only
architecture sketch on his wall. Tom has some mojo and starts
a new one. H e makes a few moves with the pencil. Looks it
over. And COMPLETELY ERASES WHAT HE DREW. H e goes back to his
"real work."

(154)
36 EXT SIDEWALK - DAY 36

Tom walks alongside his friend PAUL. Nonchalantly, he says:

TOM
It's official. I'm in love with
Summer .

Paul looks at Tom, horrified.

CUT TO:

37 CU - SUMMER'S SMILE 37

TOM (V.O.)
I love her smile.

CU - SUMMER'S HAIR

TOM (V.O.)
I love her hair.

CU - SUMMER'S KNEES

TOM (V.O.)
I love her knees .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 19

CU - SUMMER'S EYES

TOM (V.O.)
I love how one eye is higher up on
her face than the other eye.

CU - SUMMER'S NECK

TOM (V.O.)
I love the scar on her neck from
this operation she had as a kid.

CU - SUMMER ASLEEP

TOM (V.O.)
I love how she looks when she's
sleeping.

CU - SUMMER'S LAUGH

TOM (V.O.)
I love the sound of her laugh.

OVER BLACK, play the opening bars of some over-the-top

romantic song.

TOM (V.O.)
I love how I hear this song every
time I think of her.

38 CU - TOM, STARING DIRECTLY AT THE CAMERA. 38

TOM (V.O.)
I love how she makes me feel. Like
anything's possible. Like, I don't
know. ..like life is worth it.

CUT TO:

39 EXT SIDEWALK - SAME 39

Paul and Tom. Paul is silent for a beat.

PAUL
Oh this is not good.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 20

(11)
40 INT TOM'S PARENTS' PLACE - DAY 40

Tom is playing Wii Tennis with Rachel.

TOM
She loves Magritte and Hopper. Oh
and we talked about "Bananafish"
for like 20 minutes. We're s o
compatible it's insane! Seriously!
She ' s not like I thought at all .
She's... amazing.

RACHEL
Oh boy.

TOM
What?

RACHEL
You know... just cause some cute
girl likes the same bizarro crap
you do doesn't make her your
soulmate .

TOM
(beat)
Of course it does.

SARAH (O.S.)
Dinner!

SARAH, 50s, Tom and Rachel's mother, stands in the doorway.

SARAH
Pause and come eat.

They do. Tom enter:

40A INT. LIVING ROOM -SAME 40A

Tom sits down next to his stepdad Martin, 60s, a quiet,

professorial Southern gentleman type.

TOM
Hey Martin.

ANGLE ON RACHEL and Sarah.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 2 OA
20A

RACHEL
He met a girl.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 21

SARAH
( excited)
Yeah?

RACHEL
(grim)
Yeah .

(22)
41 INT - PACMAN CAFE - DAY 41

McKenzie is playing table top Pac Man. Tom and Paul lean
against the machine.

TOM
It's off.

PAUL
What?

TOM
Me and Summer.

MCKENZIE
Was it ever on?

TOM
No. But it could have been. In a
world where good things happen to
me .

PAUL
Yeah well, that's not really where
we live .

TOM
No.

MCKENZIE
So what happened?

TOM
You ready for this?

42 INT ELEVATOR - THE DAY BEFORE 42

Tom is alone. The door opens. In walks Summer.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 22

TOM (V.O.)
There we are. All alone. Nine more
floors to ride. Plenty of time. I
figure. . .this is my chance. If not
now when, right?

They ride in silence for a few beats.

TOM
Summer. . .

SUMMER
Yeah?

TOM
(beat)
How was your weekend?

SUMMER
It was good.

43 INT - PACMAN CAFE - AS BEFORE 43

The friends wait for more.

TOM
You believe that shit?

Tom's friends look confused.

MCKENZIE
What shit?

PAUL
I think I missed something.

TOM
"It was good ♦" She didn't say "It
was good." She said "It was good . "
Emphasis on the good. She basically
said "I spent the weekend having
sex with this guy I met at the
gym," the skank. Screw her. It's
over.

Tom's friends stare at him. We hear the sound of McKenzie's

Pac Man being eaten. Everyone's silent, until:

MCKENZIE
What the hell is wrong with you?!
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 23

TOM
She's not interested. There's
nothing I can do.

MCKENZIE
Based on.. ."it was good?"

TOM
And some other things .

PAUL
Like what, she said "hey" instead
of "hi" cause that totally means
she's a lesbian.

TOM
I gave her all sorts of chances .

44 INT OFFICE - DAY 44

Tom types at his desk. Summer approaches the cubicle Tom

shares with McKenzie.

SUMMER
I'm going to the supply room.
Anyone need anything?

MCKENZIE
No thanks .

TOM
I think you know what I need.

There's a beat.

TOM
Toner .

SUMMER
Ok sure, no prob.

45 INT OFFICE - LATE IN THE DAY 45

The office is emptying out. Only a few people remain but Tom
and Summer are two of them. Tom takes this opportunity to hit
up Itunes on his computer and play a cheesy love song really
loud, intending to send Summer a message. H e gets no
reaction. Tom turns it up. Still nothing. Tom turns it down,
defeated.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 24

46 INT - PACMAN CAFE - AS BEFORE 46

TOM
Screw it. I'm done with her. I
don't need this crap, you know? I'm
good on my own. Comfortable. Un
hassled. People don't realize this
but loneliness... underrated.

PAUL
You could just ask her out.

TOM
Don't be ridiculous.

(27 & 28)

47 INT OFFICE - TOM'S CUBICLE - DAY 47

Tom sits at his desk with headphones on trying to work. But

with Summer down at the end of the hall, he's having a hard
time concentrating.

McKenzie shares a cubicle with Tom.

MCKENZIE
This Friday. All you can Karaoke at
The Mill.

TOM
No way McKenzie .

MCKENZIE
Come on !

TOM
They won't let you back in there
after last time.

MCKENZIE
I wasn't that bad.

TOM
Nooo. You just threw up on the
stage, tried to fight the
bartender, and threatened to burn
the place down. Quiet night for
you .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 25

MCKENZIE
( reverential )
You saved my life that day.

TOM
We are not going back there.

MCKENZIE
It won 't be like that . It's a work
thing. The whole office is going.

TOM
I really can't. Even if I wanted
to. There's a lot of stuff I gotta
take care of .

MCKENZIE
You're not listening to me.

TOM
What?

MCKENZIE
The whole office is going.

Tom looks over to where Summer sits . And the realization

dawns on him. . .

48 INT KARAOKE BAR - NIGHT 48

Summer is in a back booth with some co-workers when Tom walks

in to the crowded place. McKenzie has the microphone and he's
singing some treacly 80s hair metal ballad. He's real into it
and, well, it's kinda sad. Tom waves to McKenzie and walks
over to the booth.

TOM
Hi.

SUMMER
Hey! They said you weren't coming.

TOM
( shocked)
You asked if I was —

MCKENZIE
(already drunk)
Goddamn that song is brilliant!
What's up Hansen?

Summer sees the next song come up on the screen

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 26

SUMMER
Ooh that ' s me .

She downs a shot and jumps up on stage.

SUMMER
(into mic)
Ok. I'm the new girl so no making
fun of me .

Her co-workers whistle and cheer her on. She takes a deep
breath as her song begins (something exceedingly awesome!)
Summer starts to sing unabashed. Even her uncoolness is cool.
Tom is awed.

49 LATER. Tom sits in the booth with McKenzie (doing a shot) 49

as Summer chats with co-workers at another table. Tom can't
help but stare at Summer. She notices and waves. H e smiles,
hopeful that she'll come over. She doesn't. H e hides his
disappointment .

50 LATER. Tom walks back to his table with drinks. Summer is 50

there in mid-conversation with McKenzie.

TOM
You were great up there.

SUMMER
Thanks. I was hoping to sing "Born
to Run" but they didn't have it.

TOM
I love "Born to Run."

MCKENZIE
Tom here's from New Jersey.

SUMMER
Yeah?

TOM
Lived there til I was 12 .

SUMMER
I named my cat after Springsteen.

TOM
No kidding? What's his name?

SUMMER
Bruce .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 26A

TOM
(beat)
That makes sense.

She laughs. She's really cute when she laughs.

MCKENZIE
So you got a boyfriend?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 27

SUMMER
Nooo .

Tom shoots daggers at McKenzie for that comment. McKenzie

mouths "what?" Summer sees nothing.

MCKENZIE
Why not?

SUMMER
Don't really want one.

MCKENZIE
Come on. I don't believe that.

SUMMER
You don't believe a woman could
enjoy being free and independent?

MCKENZIE
Are you a lesbian?

SUMMER
No, I'm not a lesbian. I'm just not
comfortable being somebody's
"girlfriend." I don't want to b e
anybody ' s anything , you know?

MCKENZIE
I have no idea what you're talking
about .

SUMMER
It sounds selfish, I know, but... I
just like being on my own.
Relationships are messy and
feelings get hurt. Who needs all
that? We're young. We're in one of
the most beautiful cities in the
world. I say, let's have as much
fun as we can have and leave the
serious stuff for later.

MCKENZIE
Holy shit. You're a dude.

TOM
(ignoring him)
So then. . . what happens if you fall
in love?

Summer laughs at this

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 28

TOM
What?

SUMMER
You don't actually believe that, do
you?

TOM
Believe what? It's love, it's not
Santa Claus .

SUMMER
What does that word even mean? I've
been in relationships before and I
can tell you right now I've never
seen it.

TOM
Well maybe that's cause —

SUMMER
And I know that today most
marriages end in divorce. Like my
parents .

TOM
Well mine too but —

SUMMER
I read an article in the New
Yorker, says that by stimulating a
part of the brain with electrodes
you can make a person fall in
"love" with a rock. Is that the
love you're talking about?

MCKENZIE
Me thinks the lady doth protest too
much .

SUMMER
(matter-of-fact )
The lady dothn't.
(to Tom)
There's no such thing as "love."
It's a fantasy.

TOM
I think you ' re wrong .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 29

SUMMER
Really? And what exactly is it I'm
missing?

CUT TO:

51 AN ANIMATION SEQUENCE, real quick. AN EXPLOSION OF MANY 51

DIFFERENT COLORS, COMPLETE WITH A CHOIR AND A CHURCH ORGAN
ALL BUILDING TO A HUGE CRESCENDO.

BACK TO:

52 INT KARAOKE BAR 52

On Tom:

TOM
You'll know it when you feel it.

SUMMER
(rolls her eyes)
How bout we just agree to disagree.

McKenzie senses some discomfort .

MCKENZIE
So, uh, who's singing next?

SUMMER
(re: singing)
I nominate Young Werther here.

TOM
Nooo. I don't sing in public.

SUMMER
Sure you do. You lip-synch to your
headphones every morning.

TOM
I don't. . .

MCKENZIE
You really do.

SUMMER
It's ok. I like it. Takes a lot of
self-confidence to look ridiculous.

TOM
Ridiculous? !
(her smile disarms him)
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 30

TOM (cont'd)
Anyway, I'm not near drunk enough
to sing in front of all these
people .

SUMMER
Bartender!

53 TEN MINUTES LATER. Tom is up there kicking ass. You 53

wouldn't know it till now but he's a ROCK STAR, totally
coming out of his shell. He's dancing like Jagger, he's got
everyone in the bar singing along. It's a sight to behold.
Summer is all smiles watching.

54 LATER. Tom and Summer back at the table. Summer is humming 54

something .

TOM
That ' s not it .

SUMMER
What is that then?

TOM
I have no idea.

They're both having a good time.

SUMMER
I used to watch it every week.

TOM
Me too. Why can't we think of the
stupid "Knight Rider" theme song.
This is gonna bother me for weeks .

SUMMER
Totally.

They share another laugh and then it gets quiet. In that good
way.

ANGLE ON McKenzie, wasted, singing the shit out of something

patriotic. At any minute he might start to cry.

MCKENZIE
"And I ' d proudly stand UP ! "
(aggressive drunk)
I said stand!

BACK ON TOM and SUMMER, seeing McKenzie start to lose it.

TOM
Here we go.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 31

55 EXT KARAOKE BAR - LATER 55

Tom helps a nearly comatose McKenzie exit the place. Summer

is with them.

SUMMER
( laughing)
Is he gonna be ok?

TOM
He'll be fine.

A cab arrives. Tom and Summer help McKenzie inside.

MCKENZIE
Hey.

TOM
What's up?

MCKENZIE
Not you . You .
(beat, to Summer)
He likes you .

TOM
(quickly)
Ok, goodnight McKenzie!

MCKENZIE
I mean... likes you, likes you. For
real. Tell her Tom.

Tom shuts the door on McKenzie as fast as he can. Now it's

just Tom and Summer. Tom talks a mile a minute to try and
erase McKenzie's last exchange from her mind.

TOM
Sorry you had to see that. Happens
every time we come here . It's
unbelievable . Something about that
guy and singing —

SUMMER
Is that true?

TOM
Yeah, totally, he drinks and he
just loses his shit.

SUMMER
Not McKenzie. The other thing.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 32

TOM
What thing?

SUMMER
( serious )
Do you... like me?

TOM
Yeah. I like you. Of course I do.

SUMMER
As a friend.

TOM
Right . As a friend .

SUMMER
Just as a friend?

The wheels are spinning in Tom's head. What's the right

answer here?

TOM
Yes. I mean... I haven't really
thought about... Yes. Why?

SUMMER
Nothing. I just... You're
interesting. I'd like us to be
friends . Is that ok?

Tom hides his disappointment the best he can.

TOM
Oh yeah totally. Friends. You and
me. That's... perfect.

SUMMER
Cool .

Silence .

SUMMER
Well, I'm that way. Good night Tom.

TOM
G 'night Summer.

Tom watches her walk away for a beat before h e turns to go

the other way.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 33

TOM
(under his breath)
Friends. Awesome. That's just
great. Well done Hansen, you idiot.

(29)
56 INT OFFICE - COPY ROOM - SAME 56

Tom makes copies. Making copies sure is dull. Summer comes

in .

SUMMER
Hey there .

TOM
(brightens )
Hi.

Summer makes some copies of her own at the neighboring

machine. Tom steals a glance but Summer is all business. Tom
thinks about saying something more. Nothing comes. He goes
back to copying. They are two people, making photocopies,
nothing to see here.

TOM
That was fun last —

When suddenly, without his even noticing, SUMMER IS PRESSING

AGAINST HIM. And then they're kissing. And it's unbelievable.
There's a few seconds where Tom isn't sure if he's dreaming
or not. But then h e realizes, just like that... somehow he's
living his best case scenario.

57 INT TOM'S PLACE - THAT NIGHT 57

Tom answers the door. It's Paul (in hospital scrubs).

PAUL
You son of a bitch.

He walks inside without waiting for an invite.

TOM
( anxious )
Shhh.

PAUL
The same girl you'd been obsessing
over for weeks now?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 34

TOM
I have not been . . .

PAUL
The same girl you said was way out
of your league and you wouldn't
have a chance with. That girl?

TOM
Paul, seriously...

PAUL
Did you bang her?

TOM
No!

PAUL
Blow job?

TOM
No!

PAUL
Hand job?

TOM
No, Paul, no jobs. I'm still
unemployed. We just kissed.

PAUL
Come on, level with me. As your
best friend, who tolerated all this
talk... Summer this, Summer that,
Summer Summer Summer, I mean you
were practically stalking her. . .

TOM
Paul, shhh!

Suddenly, the sound of a toilet flushing is heard. From the

bathroom emerges Summer, dressed to go out.

PAUL
Oh.

SUMMER
Hi, I'm Summer.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 35

PAUL
Summer, wow what an unusual name.
Tom, how come you've never
mentioned you knew such a lovely
little lady?
(off Tom's nasty look)
Or perhaps you have and I've just
forgot. I mean, with all the women
in Tom's life it's hard to keep
track. . .
(not helping)
Ok, well, I was just... I'm Paul.

SUMMER
Hi Paul.

PAUL
(not sure what else to
say)
I'm a doctor .

SUMMER
Nice to meet you.

PAUL
Anyway, I'm leaving now. Pretend I
was never here. Tom, talk to you
later?... Hey, If any jobs open
up. . .

Tom quickly shuts the door on Paul.

TOM
If you heard . . .

SUMMER
Heard what?

TOM
Excellent. You ready to go.

SUMMER
I'm stalking, STARVING!

Tom realizes she's heard it all. Summer elbows him playfully.

TOM
He exaggerates !
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 36

(238)
58 INT IKEA - DAY 58

Tom follows Summer around the store. H e eyes a row of sinks.

He turns the handle on one of them but no water comes out.

TOM
(mock surprise)
Honey, our sink is broken!

SUMMER
Not now, Tom.

TOM
(tries the next few)
Hmm. Seems like all of our sinks
are broken.

SUMMER
( serious )
Just stop it!

Summer walks ahead of him. Tom is surprised by her reaction.

Here ' s why :

(31)
59 INT IKEA - DAY 59

Tom and Summer browse the maze of furnished rooms .

TOM
What is it you ' re looking for
again?

SUMMER
Trivets .

TOM
(indicates an Ikea item)
How bout a "fluehg?"

SUMMER
A what?

TOM
"Fluehg. "
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 3 6A

SUMMER
I'm ok for now.

They walk on, stopping at a fully decorated living room. Tom

plops down on the recliner.

TOM (CONT'D)
Ah, home sweet home.

Summer joins in immediately. She sits down on the couch.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 37

SUMMER
Our place is lovely, isn't it?
(trying to turn on the
fake TV)
Ooh I think "Idol"'s on.
(fake annoyance)
Hun, something's wrong with the TV.

TOM
( stands )
Oh well. Let's eat. I'm famished.

Tom enters the adjacent kitchen, sits down at the table.

TOM (CONT'D)
Smells delicious .

Summer follows, doing her best Donna Reed impression.

SUMMER
I made it myself. It's your
favorite .

TOM
Bald eagle?

SUMMER
Gross .

TOM
Ever try it?

Summer goes to turn on the sink but no water comes out.

SUMMER
Uh-oh. The sink is broken!

TOM
Not to worry.

He jumps up and pulls her into the next room, another

kitchen.

TOM (CONT'D)
That's why we bought a house with
two kitchens .

SUMMER
You ' re so smart .

She pulls him into the next room, a bedroom.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 38

SUMMER (CONT'D)
I must have you now.

They embrace. Tom looks over her shoulder to the next room.

TOM
Darling, I don't know how to tell
you this, but there's a Chinese
family in our bathroom.

Summer feigns shock. The OTHER CUSTOMERS are looking at them

like they're crazy, but they don't care. Tom and Summer
collapse onto the bed, laughing.

SUMMER
This is fun. You're fun.

TOM
Thanks .

SUMMER
I mean, I just want to say, up
front, I'm not looking for anything
serious .

Tom is a little surprised. The tone of the conversation

switches gears a bit.

SUMMER
Are you cool with that?

TOM
( unconvincing )
Oh yeah.

SUMMER
It freaks some guys out when I say
that .

TOM
(still confused)
Not me.

SUMMER
You sure?

TOM
Casual. I get it. See where it
goes . See what happens . Take it
slow.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 39

SUMMER
Exactly. No pressure, no labels, no
obligations. Right?

Tom is visibly disappointed by this but h e tries to hide it.

Summer hops off the bed. Tom follows. As they step out of
their fantasy home and back into the store, Summer grabs
Tom's hand. They holding hands. In the real world. Tom is
surprised .

60 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT 60

Summer and Tom come bounding in, lip-locked and all over each
other. They fall on his bed and begin undressing each other.
Suddenly, Tom stops.

TOM
I'll be. . .back in a sec.

He walks into :

60A INT BATHROOM - SAME 60A

Out of sight, Tom looks in the bathroom mirror.

TOM
Settle. Don't get too excited.
She's just a girl. Wants to keep it
casual. Which is why she's in your
bed right now. Without clothes.
That's casual, right? That's
what... casual people do.

He takes a few deep breaths and makes his move.

6 OB INT TOM'S BEDROOM - SAME 6 OB

We watch from behind as h e re-enters his bedroom. Where

Summer waits. Under the covers. Naked.

SUMMER
Hi.

TOM
Oh sweet Jesus !

FADE UP: "YOU MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE" by Hall and Oates.

CUT TO:

(32)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 3 9A

61 EXT DOWNTOWN STREET - MORNING 61

It's the greatest morning of all time!

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 40

Tom walks down the street. Or, more accurately, Tom struts
down the street. People wave as he passes, they clap, they
give him thumbs up. Tom points at people as h e passes,
winking, doing a little shuffle. H e is the man. H e checks out
his reflection in a window. A YOUNG PAUL NEWMAN stares back.

A GROUP of BUSINESSMEN break into a Busby Berkeley- style

choreographed dance. A whole parade is forming behind Tom.
The POSTMAN, a POLICE OFFICER, the HOT DOG VENDOR, the
MICHELIN MAN, the SAN DIEGO CHICKEN, everybody loves Tom
today. HALL and OATES themselves walk with Tom singing the
song.

Cars stop at crosswalks to let Tom go by. The DRIVERS also

pump their fists in celebration of Tom's achievement last
night. He walks on, the man.

We notice the sidewalk lights up every time h e touches the

pavement like in "Billie Jean". CARTOON BIRDS fly onto Tom's
shoulder. H e smiles and winks at them.

Tom breaks off from the parade as h e approaches his office.

Steps :

62 EXT TOM'S OFFICE - SAME 62

Tom walks into the building.

63 INT ELEVATOR - SAME 63

Tom steps into the elevator, and as the doors close, the
music stops abruptly.

(268)
64 INT TOM'S OFFICE - DAY 64

The elevator opens to reveal Tom, looking very unkept,

unshaven, and unwell. He walks to his cubicle.

CUT TO:

65 LATER. Tom is staring off in the direction of Summer's 65

office .

REVEAL a NEW SECRETARY sitting there.

The New Secretary is more than a little skeeved out by Tom's

stare .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 40A

SFX: a "New Message" chime. Tom gets excited. He's been

waiting for this.

ANGLE ON THE COMPUTER — it's just spam. Tom balls his fist
in anger. Totally stressed. McKenzie pops up from his
station.

MCKENZIE
So. . . get her back yet?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 41

TOM
Working on it.

MCKENZIE
Maybe you should write a book.

TOM
Huh?

MCKENZIE
Henry Miller said the best way to
get over a girl — turn her into
literature .

TOM
That guy had a lot more sex than
me .

And then... another "New Message" chime.

TOM
Here we go!

Takes a deep breath, swallows, and opens the email. And it's
from her. McKenzie maneuvers to look over Tom's shoulder. As
he reads :

SUMMER (V.O.)
So great to hear from you. I can't
this week but maybe next? I hope
this means you're ready to b e fr —

On that word again, the sound slows down to reinforce its

power. THE SCENE FREEZES AND WE QUICK ZOOM in on Tom's face.
Hearing "friends" is like a punch in the gut. RESUME NORMAL
SPEED. McKenzie pats Tom on the shoulder. Tom scratches his
head, takes a second to think about it. Clicks delete.

BLACK .

FADE UP: Someone is humming the "Knight Rider" Theme song.

(45)
66 INT COPY ROOM - DAY 66

Summer is on her cell phone in the office copy room, humming

the theme song.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 42

TOM (V.O.)
That ' s it !

McKenzie enters and sees her singing into the phone. Turns
without a word and leaves .

67 INT TOM'S CUBICLE - SAME 67

Tom listening to her sing, loving every minute of it.

McKenzie comes over.

MCKENZIE
Your girl is losing it.

(59)
68 INT. DOWNTOWN ART GALLERY - DAY 68

CU : a painting — some avant guard surrealist depiction of

two dogs humping.

ANGLE ON Summer and Tom looking curiously at it.

TOM
Very... complex.

SUMMER
Complex. Yes.

CU : a second painting which is nothing but red.

ANGLE ON Summer and Tom looking at it with the same

expressions .

SUMMER
In a way, it speaks so much by
saying... so little.

TOM
I feel the same way.

CU : a third painting which could only be, well, poop.

ANGLE ON Summer and Tom, still perplexed but trying.

They say nothing, until:

TOM
You wanna go to the movies?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 43

SUMMER
(relieved)
God yes !

69 EXT. MOVIE THEATER - LATER 69

The marquee reads "Part Vampire. Part Giant. 'VAGIANT!

70 INT. MOVIE THEATER - CONT. 70

The theater is packed. Everyone is laughing and screaming and

throwing popcorn. Tom and Summer are having a great time.

(87)
71 INT RECORD STORE - NIGHT 71

Tom and Summer wander through the aisles .

TOM
There's no way.

SUMMER
Why not?

TOM
"Octopus's Garden?" You may as well
just say "Piggies?"

SUMMER
I told you. I love Ringo.

TOM
You're insane.

SUMMER
Why?

TOM
Cause nobody loves Ringo.

SUMMER
That ' s what I love about him.

Summer drags Tom into the curtained-of f "Porn" section. She

picks up a box, "Sweet and Shower."

SUMMER
( flirtatious )
This got great reviews .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 44

72 INT. TOM'S APARTMENT - LATER 72

Tom and Summer get comfortable. Both are excited and looking
forward to this. The movie starts, the credits roll. Tom and
Summer start to make out a bit, both keeping an eye on the
TV.

SUMMER
Looks easy enough.

73 INT. SHOWER - LATER 73

We just see the curtain, but we can see their silhouettes

behind it . Summer and Tom are trying to have sex in the
shower. They're trying to stabilize themselves, to grip
something so as not to fall, elbows are flying, it's a mess.

TOM
Owl

The curtain rips and the bar comes crashing down. They fall
on top of each other laughing. Shower sex is hard.

(95)
74 EXT DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY 74

Tom is pointing out to Summer some of what he loves about the

city.

TOM
If you're just looking at the
street, I admit — doesn't look
like much . But if you look up . . .

They do. And it's beautiful.

75 EXT ANOTHER STREET CORNER - DAY 75

Summer and Tom in front of the famous Fine Arts building.

TOM
The guys who designed this . . .
Geniuses .

76 EXT ANGELUS PLAZA - LATER 76

Tom and Summer sit down on a bench. This is the same bench
they sat at on the very first page (and will sit at again),
overlooking the city.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 45

TOM
This is my favorite spot.

They take in the expanse. Old, almost dilapidated Downtown

LA. Definitely not scenic. Mostly parking garages.

SUMMER
This?

TOM
Yeah .

SUMMER
Tell me why.

TOM
I don ' t know . . .

SUMMER
Sure you do.

TOM
No, it's... it's hard to explain.

Summer shoots him a look, encouraging him to go on.

TOM
You really wanna know?

SUMMER
Absolutely.

TOM
(points )
You see that building with the
orange hue? That's been there since
1911. Over there, that's the
Continental. LA's first skyscraper.
Built in 1904. People think of LA
as this place with no history, you
know, where nothing is real. That's
only cause they're not paying
attention .

SUMMER
(points )
What's that?

TOM
That's... a parking lot. Most of
that is parking lots . But there ' s
so much beauty too. See, if it was
me . . .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 45A

SUMMER
What?

TOM
I just... I'd make sure people
noticed. That's what I would do.
Integrate the buildings better.
Play off the facades, maximize the
light capacity, there's really so
much . . .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 46

SUMMER
Show me.

TOM
Hmm?

SUMMER
Don't just talk about it, Tom.
(beat)
Do it .

Summer gives him a pen from her purse and the underside of
her arm. Tom thinks about this. Then h e starts to draw a
sketch on her skin. We catch her watching his face as he
draws. She's attracted to his enthusiasm.

TOM
So we start with this, right
here . . .

(PRODUCTION NOTE: Put AUTUMN somewhere subtle in the

background. )

(109)
77 INT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 77

Music plays as Tom follows Summer inside her apartment for

the first time. The significance of this isn't lost on him.

SUMMER
It's a bit of a mess.

TOM
That's ok.

NARRATOR
For Tom Hansen, this was the night
where everything changed.

Tom takes in the unpacked boxes , the photographs , wall

decorations, books, CDs, everything that one can't know about
a person outside their bedroom.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 47

NARRATOR
That wall Summer so often hid
behind, a wall of distance, of
space, of "casual"... that wall was
slowly coming down. For here was
Tom, in her world, a place few had
been invited to see with their own
eyes . . .

(From the disparity of stuff, we should get a sense that

unlike Tom, whose room reflects his interest in architecture,
Summer is all over the place) .

78 QUICK CUTS FROM DURING THE NIGHT: 78

- Summer laughing at something Tom said.

NARRATOR (CONT'D)
. . . and here was Summer, wanting
him there. Him, no one else.

- Tom and Summer in bed together.

SUMMER
Tornados?

TOM
Weird, right?

SUMMER
You live in LA. Why would you dream
of tornados?

TOM
I don't know but I do. Tornados.
And my teeth falling out.

SUMMER
I have that too! That's so funny.

TOM
What about you?

SUMMER
Earthquakes .

TOM
For real?

SUMMER
No. I don't remember most of my
dreams .
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 47A

SUMMER (cont’d)
(beat)
There's this one... nevermind.
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 48

SUMMER (cont’d)

TOM
What?

SUMMER
It ' s nothing .

TOM
I wanna hear.

SUMMER
(beat)
I dream about flying.

TOM
You do?

SUMMER
Not really flying. More like...
floating. Like, it starts out I'm
running really fast.

- Summer playfully sticking her tongue out at Tom and

the two of them fake wrestling.

SUMMER
And then the... terrain. . . gets all
rocky and steep. But I don't slow
down. I just climb higher and
higher with every stride. Before I
know it, I'm... floating.

- Summer wiping an eyelash from Tom's cheek.

SUMMER
I'm going so fast my feet don't
even touch the ground. I'm up in
the air and I'm... I don't know...
free. It's this incredible feeling.

- Summer and Tom continuing their intimate conversation.

TOM
Sounds amazing.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 49

SUMMER
But then I look down. And the
minute I do . . . everything changes .
There I am... I'm floating, high
above the earth, nothing can touch
me, right? I'm free and I'm safe
and it hits me, just like that...
I'm completely, utterly, alone.

It's silent for a beat.

SUMMER
And then I wake up .

NARRATOR (V.O.)
As he listened, Tom began to
realize that these weren't stories
routinely told. These were stories
one had to earn . H e could feel the
wall coming down. H e wondered if
anyone else had made it this far.
Which is why the next five words
changed everything.

SUMMER
I've never told anyone that.

Tom's face changes as he's hit with a realization. Yes,

Summer has chosen to let him in. It's beginning. On Tom's
face, determined to close the deal...

TOM
I guess I'm... not just anyone.

(116)
79 INT - PACMAN CAFE - DAY 79

Tom plays the table top Pac Man game with his friends
surrounding.

PAUL
So what are you exactly?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 50

TOM
I don't know.

PAUL
Are you her boyfriend now?

TOM
It's not that simple.

MCKENZIE
Sure it is.

TOM
Like, are we "going steady?" Come
on, guys. We're adults. We know how
we feel. We don't need to label it.
"Boyfriend, girlfriend." That stuff
is very. . . juvenile.

Beat . Tom looks up from the game .

MCKENZIE
You're so gay.

PAUL
You really are.

TOM
Ok. Number one. Your last
girlfriend was Amy Sussman in the
7th grade and you "dated" for an
hour. And you... you've been with
Robyn and no one else since you
were ten. I hardly think you two
are the authorities on modern
relationships .

(118)
80 EXT FIELD - DAY 80

Tom is watching Rachel play soccer from behind the players '
bench. A whistle blows and Rachel comes back and sits down.
She ' s the authority .

TOM
So what should I do?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 51

RACHEL
You should ask her.
(off his silence)
What?

TOM
(beat)
"Why rock the boat?" is what I'm
thinking. Things are going well. If
we start putting labels on it,
that's like the kiss of death. Like
saying to a girl "I love you."

RACHEL
I know what you mean. That's what
happened with me and Sean.

TOM
Who the hell's Sean?

RACHEL
My boyfriend before Mark.

TOM
Who the f — ! Never mind. So you're
saying. . .

RACHEL
I'm saying... you do want to ask
her. That's obvious. You're just
afraid you'll get an answer you
don't want which will shatter your
illusions of how good everything's
been these past few months. Now if
it were me, I'd find out now before
you show up to her place and she's
in bed with Lars from Norway.

TOM
Who's Lars from Norway?

RACHEL
Just some guy she met at the gym
with Brad Pitt's face and Jesus's
abs .

TOM
Bastard.

The whistle blows again and Rachel gets up to go back on the

field .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 52

TOM
Coach, wait! We're not done.

RACHEL
(calling back)
It's easy Tom... just don't be a
pussy!

On Tom, we:

CUT TO:

81 INT TOM'S CAR - LATER 81

Tom and Summer driving. Tom is very conflicted and we can see
it in his face. They're silent a few beats, before:

SUMMER
Are you ok?

TOM
Yeah .

SUMMER
You sure?

He's not. H e clenches his teeth. And begins...

TOM
Summer, I've gotta ask you
something .

SUMMER
Ok.

TOM
What are we doing?

SUMMER
I thought we were going to the
movies .

TOM
No, I mean... what's going on here?
With us .

SUMMER
I don't know. Who cares? I'm happy.
Aren't you happy?

TOM
Yeah
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 53

SUMMER
Good.

TOM
(beat)
It ' s just . . .

SUMMER
Ooh!

Summer has noticed the song on the radio.

SUMMER
Oh my god. We totally can't talk
during this song.

Tom listens and Tom watches Summer listening. There's

something about this moment, the way she sings along, the way
her eyes close during certain notes, the way her smile rises
and falls like she could cry at any minute from being
overwhelmingly happy or just simply overwhelmed. Tom is
powerless to stop his feelings for this girl. We know, as
well as h e does: h e will not press the issue tonight.

The car drives into the 3rd street tunnel and disappears into
the dark.

(366)
82 EXT PARTY - NIGHT 82

The song from the car is now playing in the background of a

rooftop party. Tom and Summer are there, in conversation with
several PARTYGOERS.

PARTYGOER
(to Tom)
And what is it you do?

TOM
I write greeting cards .

ANOTHER PARTYGOER
No shit.

SUMMER
He could be a great architect if he
wanted .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 54

PARTYGOER
That's... unusual. What made you go
from one to the other?

TOM
Well I thought, why make something
totally disposable — like a
building — when I could make
something that lasts forever. Like
a birthday card.

Everyone laughs at this. Everyone but Summer.

83 TIME CUTS reveal that Tom is against the railing by 83

himself. Meanwhile, Summer is talking with, laughing with,
drinking with, and possibly flirting with many of them. Tom
notices, smiles, pretends it doesn't mean anything, but he's
clearly jealous. Not in a sexual way but of the attention
they're getting from her. H e misses that attention.

(269)
84 CU - TOM. HE'S A MESS. 84

TOM
(into CAMERA)
I hate Summer.

85 CU - SUMMER'S SMILE (as before) 85

TOM (V.O.)
I hate her crooked teeth.

CU - SUMMER'S HAIR (as before)

TOM (V.O.)
I hate her 1950s haircut.

CU - SUMMER'S KNEES (as before)

TOM (V.O.)
I hate her knobby knees .

CU - SUMMER'S EYES (as before)

TOM (V.O.)
I hate her lopsided, asymmetrical,
cock-eyed head.

CU - SUMMER'S NECK (as before)

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 55

TOM (V.O.)
I hate that centipede- shaped scar.

CU - SUMMER ASLEEP (as before)

TOM (V.O.)
I hate the way she sleeps .

CU - SUMMER'S LAUGH

TOM (V.O.)
I hate the way she laughs .

OVER BLACK, play the opening bars of that same over-the-top

romantic song.

TOM (V.O.)
I HATE THIS EFFING SONG!

86 CU - TOM. 86

REVERSE ANGLE on A BUS FULL OF PEOPLE, terrified of this

raving lunatic .

BUS DRIVER
Son, you're gonna have to exit the
vehicle .

(185)
87 INT GOLDEN GOPHER - DOWNTOWN BAR - NIGHT 87

Summer and Tom stand by the bar.

TOM
London 1964. Those girls knew how
to dress. Nowadays it's all giant
sunglasses, tattoos, little
handbags with dogs in them. Who
okayed this?

SUMMER
Some people like it.

TOM
I like how you dress.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 56

SUMMER
Darn. I was just thinking about
getting a butterfly on my calf,
bout yay big . . .

TOM
(beat)
Please don't.

DOUCHE ( 0 .S . )
Yo.

And now this tall, well-built, GOOD-LOOKING DOUCHEBAG GUY has

suddenly appeared next to them.

DOUCHE
(to Summer)
How's it going?

SUMMER
K.

Tom puts his hands in his pockets and watches this exchange
go down. Not sure what else to do. At this point he's more
amused than concerned.

DOUCHE
You live around here?

SUMMER
Yeah not too far.

DOUCHE
I've never seen you here before.

SUMMER
You're not too observant.

DOUCHE
Ha. That's funny. You're funny.

Tom smiles to himself. This guy's a tool. Nothing to worry

about .

DOUCHE
So, uh, let me buy you a drink.

SUMMER
No thank you .

As she answers Summer gives a quick glance over to Tom. The

Guy notices. Up to this point h e had not connected the two of
them together.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 57

DOUCHE
Are you with this guy?

Tom realizes he has to sort of say something now.

TOM
(beat)
Hi. I'm Tom.

DOUCHE
Whatever.
(to Summer)
Come on, one drink. What are you
drinking?

SUMMER
Sorry, no thank you.

DOUCHE
You're serious? This guy?

TOM
Hey buddy —

SUMMER
(to the Douche)
Don't be rude. I'm flattered, I'm
just not interested. Now why don't
you go back over there and leave us
alone, ok?

DOUCHE
It's a free country.

Summer and Tom make eye contact again, as if to say "now

what?" After a beat:

DOUCHE
I can't believe this is your
boyfriend .

And with that in the air, Tom, panicked, decides to cut the
silence. All the pent up uncertainty and confusion, coupled
with the challenge to his manhood in front of the woman he
loves, all manifests in one single, solid, almost automatic
RIGHT CROSS TO THE GOOD LOOKING DOUCHEBAG'S FACE.

Which connects spot on and sends the Douche reeling.

Both Douche and Tom wince at the pain (Douche's chin, Tom's
fist) .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 58

There's a beat of calm where Tom is actually sorta surprised.

And then the Douche spins around and starts PUMMELLING TOM.

CUT TO:

88 INT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - LATER 88

Tom follows Summer inside. H e still holds a bandage to his

nose and his shirt is bloody. Still, h e feels pretty great
about it .

TOM
I mean, that was crazy! Did you see
that? I was like Ali. I just wound
up and
(tries to make a fist)
— ow! Jesus.

Tom's fist is still totally sore. It's around this point that
Tom notices Summer hasn't been talking to him.

TOM
Hey.
(nothing)
What ' s the matter?

SUMMER
I just... I can't believe you.

TOM
Can't believe me?

SUMMER
You were so completely uncool in
there .

TOM
Wait. You're mad? I just got my ass
kicked for you.

SUMMER
Oh was that for my benefit? You
were protecting me?

TOM
Yes I was .

SUMMER
Well next time Tommy, don't. I
don't need your protection.

TOM
I just —
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 59

SUMMER
Look. I'm tired. Can we talk about
this tomorrow?

Tom, completely exasperated, throws his hands in the air and

walks towards the door. But then he turns around.

TOM
No, screw this. I'm not going
anywhere til you tell me what ' s
going on.

SUMMER
Nothing, Tom. Nothing is going on.
We ' re just . . .

TOM
What...? What are we?

SUMMER
We're just fr —

TOM
Oh no . . . Oh no you don 't ! Don 't
even think about saying that!
You're gonna pull that shit with
me? This is not how you treat your
friends. Kissing in the copy room.
Holding hands in Ikea? Shower sex?
Friends, my balls.

SUMMER
I like you, Tom. I just don't want-

TOM
Well guess what? It's not up to
you! I get a say in this. And I say
we're a couple goddamit .

SUMMER
Tom —

Tom makes a dramatic exit. We track with him:

89 INT STAIRWELL - SAME 89

Racing down the stairs, muttering angrily to himself the

whole time. H e passes TWO GIRLS walking up.

TOM
Anyone else wanna kick my ass
tonight?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 60

90 EXT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - SAME 90

Tom exits in a huff. H e walks down the street, continuing to

talk himself into a fury. Then he stops.

TOM
No, you know what. . .

Tom turns around. H e has more to say. H e marches up to

Summer's door and is going back up there.

Except the door is locked. Tom's shoulders sag. H e has no

choice but to buzz.

SUMMER (THROUGH BUZZER)

Hello?

TOM
It's me .

Beat .

SUMMER (THROUGH BUZZER)

Can I help you?

TOM
(reluctantly)
There's more I want to say.

Beat . Beat . Beat . Beat . Beat . Beat .

Finally, he hears the buzzer. H e opens the door, we follow

him:

91 INT STAIRWELL - SAME 91

As he walks back up the stairs. There's a lot of fucking

stairs .

92 INT HALLWAY - OUTSIDE SUMMER'S APARTMENT - SAME 92

By the time Tom gets up there, he's a little winded. Summer

meets him in the doorway.

SUMMER
Yes?

TOM
(beat)
I can't remember now.

SUMMER
I'm going to sleep.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 61

TOM
Fine.

SUMMER
Fine.

Beat .

TOM
This was very different in my head.

SUMMER
I bet you get that a lot.

And with that she shuts the door, leaving Tom outside to pick
up the pieces.

SPLITSCREEN - INT. BOTH APARTMENTS - THAT NIGHT

93 Left : Tom tosses and turns in his sleep. 93

94 Right : Summer lies awake, staring at the ceiling. 94

95 Left : Tom picks up the phone. Is about to dial when he 95

stops himself and hangs up.

96 Right : Summer looks at her phone, willing it to ring. It 96

doesn't.

97 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - HOURS LATER 97

Tom is awakened by the doorbell. H e gets up, concerned, and

goes to answer it. It's Summer.

SUMMER
I shouldn't have done that.

TOM
What?

SUMMER
Gotten mad at you. I'm sorry.

TOM
Summer. . . we don't have to label
what we're doing. I just... I need -

SUMMER
I know -
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 62

TOM
Consistency. I need to know you
won't wake up tomorrow and feel a
different way.

SUMMER
I can't promise you that. Nobody
can.
(beat)
I can only tell you how I feel
right now... or I can show you.

She comes in and kisses him. He thinks about it for a second.

Is this enough? Damn it, she wins again. H e shuts the door in
our faces .

98 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - MORNING 98

Still bruised Tom and Summer, early in the morning.

TOM
Her name was Amanda. And I just...
what can I say, I really liked her.

SUMMER
You loooved her.

TOM
(re: back of his hand)
Don't make me use this.

SUMMER
Bring it!

Tom tickles her. She squirms out of it. They return to

position.

TOM
I thought I loved her. Now I don't
know.

Silence. Tom decides to change the subject. Sort of.

TOM
What about you? You ever even have
a "boyfriend?"

SUMMER
Well... yeah, of course.

TOM
Tell me about em.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 63

SUMMER
Oh no way.

TOM
Why?

SUMMER
There's nothing to tell.

TOM
Come on, I'm interested.

SUMMER
You wanna go there?

TOM
Why not? I can take it.

SUMMER
Alright . . . well . . . there was Markus
in high school.

99 INSERT: Still photograph of MARKUS. Or at least how he 99

appears in Tom's mind. Arm cocked, about to throw the winning
touchdown pass.

100 TOM 100

Quarterback slash homecoming king?

SUMMER
He was a rower. Very hot.

TOM
And what happened to Markus?

SUMMER
He works for the Republican party.
Very successful. Just not for me.

TOM
And then?

SUMMER
Well, for a short time in college,
there was Charlie.

101 INSERT: Still photograph of CHARLIE. A s Tom envisions 101

him. Playing the guitar on stage in some hair band,
surrounded by groupies .

102 SUMMER 102

She was nice but...
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 64

Tom's eyes bug out.

SUMMER
Then there was... my semester in
Spain. Fernando Belardelli. AKA
"The Puma."

103 INSERT: Still photograph of THE PUMA. A swarthy Spaniard 103

posing in front of a Vespa moped in tight Gucci pants, his
boner clearly trying to escape.

104 TOM 104

The Puma?

SUMMER
Yeah, cause, you know. . .

Tom has no idea. And h e doesn't want to know.

TOM
And that's it?

SUMMER
The ones that lasted.

TOM
What happened? Why didn't they work
out?

SUMMER
What always happens... life.

On TOM. Silent for a few beats. Did he want to hear that?

(141)
105 EXT ANGELUS PLAZA - DAY 105

Tom and Summer walk through the park. It's a beautiful day
out, mobbed with pedestrians. They're in mid-conversation.

TOM
That's the dumbest thing I've ever
heard .

SUMMER
It ' s not dumb . It's awesome . Trust
me .

Tom is reluctant to participate in whatever this is .

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 65

SUMMER
I'll go first.

After a beat:

SUMMER
(whispers )
Penis .

Tom looks at Summer like she's insane.

SUMMER
Come on .

Tom rolls his eyes .

TOM
(only slightly louder)
Penis .

SUMMER
(slightly louder)
Penis .

TOM
(slightly louder)
Penis .

SUMMER
( louder)
Penis .

TOM
There's kids around.

SUMMER
No there isn't.

Tom looks over his shoulders. People are gonna hear him now.

TOM
Penis .

SUMMER
(no holds barred)
Penis !

TOM
Shhh, Jesus!

They get dirty looks from some passersby. Summer thinks this
is hilarious. She has no shame.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 66

TOM
You having fun?

SUMMER
Oh yeah.

TOM
This is what you used to do with
the Puma, isn't it?

SUMMER
God no... We rarely left his room.

TOM
( loud)
Penis ! !

Everyone turns and looks at them. Summer cracks up. Tom does
too. The game is kinda fun.

TOM
(to ONLOOKER)
Sorry . Tourette ' s . You know how it
is.

SUMMER
(yelling)
Penis !

TOM
She has it too.
(louder even)
Penis ! !

SUMMER
(really loud)
Peni —

Tom grabs Summer and throws her over his shoulder in an

effort to silence her. H e spins her around in the air.

SUMMER
Ok ok!

Together, they fall to the ground. Tom covers her mouth with
his fingers.

TOM
Are you finished?
(off her nod)
Promise?
(more nodding)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 66A

Tom releases her. They lay on the ground, face to face. It's
a charged moment between them. Summer smiles.

SUMMER
(the loudest yet)
Pee — !

But Tom is quick. H e covers her mouth with his. And on Tom
and Summer, kissing, laughing, rolling around on the ground,
we hear:

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
"Misery. Loneliness. Pain."

MUSIC CUE: A MELODRAMATIC INSTRUMENTAL which plays over the

following :
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 67

106 OMITTED 106

107 OMITTED 107

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 68

108 OMITTED 108

109 OMITTED 109

110 OMITTED 110

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 69

111 OMITTED 111

(273-286)
111A INT. MOVIE THEATRE - DAY 111A

Tom has taken refuge in a movie theatre, the light of the

film reflecting on his face, and we hear:

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
This was his life now. Each day,
the same dull throbbing ache of a
wounded heart.

CUT TO:

11 IB THE BLACK AND WHITE FILM 11 IB

REVEAL Tom has put himself in the film that he's watching. In
this shot, h e is dressed like Belmondo in "Breathless"
complete with cigarette and hat. H e makes serious faces at
the camera.

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
He is a song without melody. A bird
without wings . Or anything
purchased at Radio Shack.
(beat)
He is broken .

CUT TO:

ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE BLACK AND WHITE FILM

111C EXT STREET - DAY 111C

Sad Tom wanders down a desolate street holding a balloon.

There is no one else around save a SAD-LOOKING MIME. JUMP
CUTS of Tom as he walks, the Sad Mime following closely all
the while .

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

(in French w/ Subtitles)
More than broken, he is alone. For
who but h e could ever understand
the tangled, twisted mess of his
now empty soul?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 69A

The Mime's actions get increasingly more bizarre. H e requests

the balloon from Tom.

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
Now his only friend is grief . The
grief that h e carries like a badge,
a badge h e can never take off...

Tom gives him the balloon. The Mime almost immediately lets
go of it .

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
. . . which, come to think of it, is
pretty unusual for a badge. Not so
much like a badge, then, more like
a tattoo. A tatoo he can never take
off .
(beat)
Yes, that's better.

Tom looks at the Mime incredulously as if to say, "what the

fuck was that for, Mime?"

CUT TO:

HID ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE BLACK AND WHITE FILM HID

This is the famous Bergman PERSONA symmetrical face blocking

shot. Half of Tom's face looking at us and half of Summer's
looking off to the side, set against a dramatic black
backdrop .

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
In any case... suffering.

TOM ( O N SCREEN)
Suffering .

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
Endless suffering.

SUMMER ( O N SCREEN)
So much suffering.

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
The kind of suffering that never
ends .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 69B

TOM ( O N SCREEN)
Suffering .

SUMMER ( O N SCREEN)
Suffering .

MAN'S VOICE (V.O. )

( in French w/ Subtitles )
A shitload of suffering is what I'm
saying.

CUT TO:

11 IE FINAL SHOT OF THE BLACK AND WHITE FILM 11 IE

Tom playing chess against DEATH. Only it isn't Death. It's a

half-naked cherub with wings and an arrow — it's CUPID.

TOM
( in French w/ Subtitles )
Your move .

Cupid thinks for a beat then makes his move. H e wins the game
and knocks over Tom's King.

CUPID
( in French w/ Subtitles )
Better luck next time. . . bitch.

Tom hides his head in his hands. A loser at love yet again.
At which point the film burns out.

BACK TO:

11 IF INT MOVIE THEATRE - SAME 11 IF

Tom who has dozed off wakes up from the sound. Looks at his
watch. Grabs his coat. Nods a thanks to the projectionist and
leaves. Back to reality. Sort of.

(293)
FADE UP: "YOU MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE" by Hall and Oates.

112 EXT STREET - MORNING 112

Now everything fucking sucks !

Tom walks down the street. Or, more accurately, Tom sulks
down the street. Though it's sunny and warm, Tom is a sad,
broken man and the world is an awful place.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 69C

Tom checks out his reflection in a window and an ugly

cartoonish face glares back.

Tom walks by a COUPLE making out on a bench. H e grimaces.

He walks by a sign that says "TODAY ONLY: FREE BEER." He

doesn't even stop.

Cartoon Bird returns but Tom swats it away.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 70

The WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN stops to ask him for

directions. H e doesn't even look up.

Tom's parade of supporters shake their heads and give him

disapproving looks. The Cartoon Bird takes a cartoon shit on
Tom's shoulder. Tom tries to kill the bird. Can't even manage
that .

(303)
113 INT OFFICE - DAY 113

Tom sits at his desk, miserable. A NEW SECRETARY, not Summer,

comes by.

NEW SECRETARY
Tom. Mr. Vance would like to see
you in his office?

114 INT VANCE'S OFFICE - DAY 114

Tom has been called into the Principal's office.

VANCE
Sit down, Tom.
(he does)
Has something happened to you
recently?

TOM
What do you mean?

VANCE
A death in the family, someone
taken ill ... anything like that?

TOM
No.

VANCE
Look, I don't mean to pry. Does
this have something to do with
Summer leaving.

TOM
Who?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 71

VANCE .
My assistant.

TOM
(faking badly)
Your ... ?

VANCE .
Tom. .. everyone knows. Nevermind.
The reason I'm asking. . .lately your
work performance has been... a
little off.

TOM
I'm not following.

VANCE
For example, here's something you
wrote last week. . .
(reads from a card on his
desk)
"Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...
Fuck You Whore." Now, most shoppers
on Valentine ' s Day ---

TOM
(almost hopeful)
Mr. Vance... are you firing me?

VANCE
No, no, no. Relax Hansen. You're
one of the good ones .

TOM
Ok. Well, I'm sorry. Things for me
have been a little difficult.

VANCE
That's ok. I understand that. I was
just thinking. . . perhaps you could
channel your energy into... this.

He hands him some sympathy cards .

TOM
Funerals and sympathy?

VANCE
Misery, sadness, loss of faith, no
reasons to live... it's perfect for
you. Whaddaya say? Good? Good. Now
back to work you go.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 72

He quickly ushers him out of the office. Tom stands face to

face with a framed card of two hearts holding hands . The card
reads "I. Love. Us." Tom stares at it for a second.

(167)
115 INT OFFICE - DAY 115

Tom is wandering through the office whistling.

MCKENZIE
Don't you have like twenty cards to
write by Friday?

TOM
Nope. All finished.

MCKENZIE
Can you help me? I've run out of
ways to say "congrats." I've got
"Good job," "well done," "way to
go"... About it.

TOM
Why don't you try. . . "Everyday you
make me proud. But today, you get a
card. "

MCKENZIE
(beat)
Shit. That's not bad.

TOM
No worries.

Tom walks by the room marked "Religious." He's about to keep

going when h e pauses.

116 INT RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS WING - LATER 116

Workers are again all gathered around Tom.

TOM
Did you try. . . "Merry?"

ALL
Whoa/Perf ect/Yes !

TOM
What else you got?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 73

EMPLOYEE #1
Passover.

TOM
"Alay-bin oyf dine kupp. Hag
Sarneyach, meyntayera kinder."

No one knows what the hell h e just said except for one
Employee who bursts out in tears of joy.

117 INT WEDDINGS AND ANNIVERSARIES SUITE - LATER 117

All of the people who work in here are MIDDLE AGED WOMEN.
Currently, they are standing around one desk where Tom sits
helping everyone with their cards .

MILLIE
We've been stuck on this for an
hour.

Tom looks it over. Thinks.

TOM
Here's what I would say. . .

Tom sees the side of Summer's face across the room.

TOM
"I. Love. Us."
(beat)
What do you think?

MILLIE
(clutching her heart)
It's beautiful.

The Women are so moved they might faint.

118 INT OFFICE HALLWAY - LATER 118

Tom passes Summer at her desk. She waves. H e waves back. He's
so in love with her.

(306)
119 EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY 119

Tom, unshaven, un-showered, walks by himself. H e gets to his

favorite intersection and sees Summer walking towards him. As
she gets closer he sees it's not her after all and breathes a
sigh of relief.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 73A

119A EXT ANOTHER STREET - DAY 119A

Tom continues walking, passing an electronics store. Thinks

he sees Summer on all the TVs . H e continues to walk.

119B EXT BUS STOP - DAY 119B

Tom gets on a bus .

119C INT. BUS - SAME 119C

Tom sees every passenger on it is Summer. Tom really misses

her.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 74

(345)
120 INT. HOTEL FIGUEROA BAR - NIGHT 120

Tom sits alone at the bar. H e drinks vodka, waiting for

something. And pretty soon, something arrives.

ALISON
Excuse me? Are you Tom?

TOM
Alison?

Her name is ALISON, red hair, full-figured, not bad looking

at all.

ALISON
Yeah. Phew! I was afraid you were
that guy .

TOM
Nope. Hope you're not disappointed.

ALISON
No. This is much better.

TOM
Yeah totally. So, uh, shall we?

Tom grabs his coat, is about to walk out with her, but swigs
what's left of his drink before he does. Tom puts on a brave
face and they walk out into:

121 EXT DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT 121

Tom and Alison walk down the street, heading for a different
restaurant .

ALISON
I normally don't do blind dates but
Paul and Robyn spoke very highly of
you. They said you write greeting
cards. That's so interesting. I
wanted to write. I majored in
English at college but... what are
you gonna do with that degree, you
know? I went to Brown. Where did —

Tom stops in his tracks, right outside the diner.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 74A

TOM
Alison?

ALISON
Hmm?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 75

TOM
Listen... It's great to meet you,
really. You're a very attractive
girl. But I should tell you right
off the bat... this is not going
anywhere .

ALISON
Oh.

TOM
It's not you. It's me. You seem
like a real sweet girl and I, just,
I don't want you to get hurt. You
know what I mean?

ALISON
Um. . .

TOM
I know we just met like 3 minutes
ago but you ' re probably looking for
someone to get serious with,
someone with potential... someone
who will take you out to eat a few
times, see a movie, fool around a
little bit, next thing you know
you 're we ' re getting a dog and
you ' re moving in . And that ' s not
me. You want to come inside, have
some chicken fingers... awesome.
But that other stuff... I gotta
tell you up front. .. I'm just not
ready, Alison.

Alison can't believe this guy. Tom holds the door open for
Alison. Does she dare go in or does she run away now?

ALISON
(fuck it)
Chicken fingers sound fine.

122 INT DOWNTOWN DINER RESTAURANT - LATER 122

Tom and Alison, believe it or not, are now eating. There are
three empty shot glasses in front of Tom, one empty bottle of
beer in front of Alison. Tom is feeling the effects.

TOM
Maybe it's uncool to say. But, you
know what, screw it. I have
feelings . Does that make me a
woman? Hell no.
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 76

TOM (cont'd)
I cried in Jerry Maguire. That's
me, that's who I am.

Alison, listening politely, takes a very large gulp of her

beer.

ALISON
Waiter!

She signals for one more drink.

TOM
I liked this girl. Loved her even.
And what did she do? She took a
giant shit on my face . Literally ♦

ALISON
Literally?

TOM
(beat)
Not literally. Jesus, that's
disgusting, what's wrong with you?
The point is I'm messed up. On one
hand, I want to forget her. On the
other, I think she's the only
person on Earth who can make me
happy .

ALISON
Uh-huh.

TOM
Every time I think I'm over the
hump, I'll have a dream or I'll see
some girl who looks like her from
the back. And that's it. Back to
square one. And you know what. . .

ALISON
(waits to see if it's
rhetorical; it isn't)
What?

TOM
I'm gonna get her back. You'll see.

ALISON
Oh will I?

TOM
Absolutely. I think the key is for
me to figure out what went wrong.
Do you ever do this?
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 77

TOM (cont'd)
Go back and think about all the
things you did together. Everything
that happened. Replay it over again
in your mind, looking for that
first sign of trouble.

ALISON
Sure .

TOM
For example . . .

QUICK CUTS:

123 EXT ANGELUS PLAZA - (BACK ON DAY 95) 123

Summer and Tom sit in the park looking at buildings . Tom

writes on summers forearm. Summer looks directly at the
camera with a face that says "help me god."

124 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - (FROM DAY 31) 124

From the scene in which Tom and Summer first slept together.
He's sleeping like a baby, probably the best sleep he's had
in a long while. Summer lies next to him. Wide awake.
Unfulfilled.

125 INT ELEVATOR - DAY - (FROM DAY 22) 125

Tom and Summer ride in silence for a few beats.

SUMMER (V.O.)
Please don't talk to me. Please
don't talk to me.

TOM
How was your weekend?

126 INT DINER - SAME 126

TOM
Two options really. Either she's an
evil, emotionless miserable human
being . Or she' s a robot . Vicki from
"Small Wonder." Would explain a
lot, actually.

ALISON
Can I ask you a question?

TOM
Shoot .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 78

ALISON
She never cheated on you?

TOM
No! Never.

ALISON
She ever steal or take advantage of
you in some way?

TOM
Not... really.

ALISON
And she told you up front she
didn't want a relationship?

TOM
Well . . . yeah .

ALISON
Jesus Tom. . . Did she break your
heart or did you?

They're silent for a few beats. Tom downs the rest of his
vodka .

TOM
I got a great idea!

127 INT KARAOKE BAR - LATER 127

Tom is, yes, on stage singing "Train in Vain" by The Clash.

The song is usually quite peppy but Tom's version is a cross
between Henry Rollins and Alice Cooper. H e is losing his
fucking mind!

Alison sits by herself in a booth trying to hide her face,

having the worst date ever.

(360)
128 EXT - UNION STATION TRAIN PLATFORM - DAY 128

Tom runs to catch a departing train, bound for San Diego. He

has a backpack and is carrying a suit and tie on hangers. He
runs :
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 79

129 INT TRAIN - SAME 129

And starts walking through it. He's looking for someone.

Doesn't see him or her. Takes out his cell.

130 SPLITSCREEN w/ McKenzie, in Pacman Cafe. 130

TOM
You here?

MCKENZIE
Hell no.

TOM
What do you mean hell no?

MCKENZIE
I'm not going to that.

TOM
Yes you are.

MCKENZIE
It ' s gonna b e all old people .

TOM
I know! You said you were going.
That's why I'm going.

The train starts moving.

MCKENZIE
I left a message last night, said I
was sick. Like a Ninja.

TOM
Dude, now I won't know anyone at
this thing.

MCKENZIE
Maybe you '11 meet a hot
granddaughter or something.

TOM
I'm hanging up now.

He does. Tom continues to look for a seat. He's looking for

two together so he can at least lounge but so far most
doubles are taken. H e moves into:
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 80

131 INT TRAIN CAR #2 - SAME 131

Tom continues to look for a seat. So far nothing. Tom walks

by one seat and sees Summer listening to her headphones . H e
keeps walking.

ANGLE ON TOM. Fuck! Did that just happen? Is she really

there? He keeps walking. Probably wasn't her. Just his
imagination. Yeah. Finds an open seat at the back. Sits down.

Once situated, he slowly peeks back towards what he thought

was Summer. She's looking back too! They both turn away at
the same time! Tom mouths "shit!" It's totally her! Tom moves
to the seat by the window, hoping that maybe if he can't see
her, she can't see him. Quickly grabs a book from his
backpack and buries his face in it.

SUMMER ( 0 .S . )
Hi Tom.

TOM
(mock surprise)
Oh wow, Summer, hey! Must have
walked right by you.

SUMMER
Yeah .

TOM
Are you going to Millie's?

SUMMER
Yup. You too?
(he nods, trying not to
scream)
I love Millie. She's the sweetest.

TOM
God I totally forgot you knew her.

SUMMER
Yeah . We . . . worked together all
that time .

TOM
Right. Yes. I remember now.

Silence. What the hell do you say here?

SUMMER
So. . .
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 81

TOM
I mean. . .

SUMMER
How you been? I haven't —

TOM
Good. Good.

SUMMER
Good.

SUMMER
You didn't write back when I —

TOM
No. I know. It got crazy. You
know... Holiday season and all.

SUMMER
Still working for Vance?

TOM
Yeah .

SUMMER
Hmm.

Silence .

SUMMER
I was gonna go get coffee. I don't
know if you . . . Looks like you ' re
really into that...
(reading)
"The Architecture of Happiness."
Wow. That sounds great. You should
keep reading, I don't mean to
bother you —

She stops, realizes she was rambling. Which is why Tom feels
good about saying:

TOM
Yes. Let's get coffee.

132 INT TRAIN - LOUNGE AREA 132

Tom and Summer at the counter. We don't hear what they're

saying over the din of the train. But they're laughing. Both
of them. Like old times.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 82

133 EXT TRAIN STATION - LATER 133

The train stops. Tom and Summer get out. Look around.

SUMMER
The place is right over there.
Shall we?

134 EXT - BLUFF - WEDDING CEREMONY - LATER 134

GUESTS are taking their seats. Tom, in suit and tie, waits in
the corridor. A few beats later, Summer appears. Off-white
sundress. Headband. Perfect. Tom forgets to breathe.

SUMMER
You look nice.

TOM
Same here. I mean, yeah. I like
your. . . thingy.

Standing at the entrance to the room is an USHER who greets

them.

USHER
Bride or groom.

TOM
Neither.

Summer elbows Tom in the side. Tom looks down at his side,
almost surprised by her actions. It's as if we've reset to
the early part of their relationship.

SUMMER
Bride's side.

USHER
Right this way.

Tom follows Summer in to the room. They take their seats.

Soon enough, the giggles begin.

SUMMER
(whispers )
Penis .

TOM
Stop it !

135 LATER. MILLIE marries her 70-something GROOM. 135

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 83

MINISTER
You may kiss the bride.

He does. Deeply. Tom turns to Summer.

TOM
You ' re telling me you ' 11 never want
that?

Summer's face is unreadable. She says nothing.

136 EXT WEDDING RECEPTION - LATER 136

And now the party is in full swing. The band plays something
funky. The revelers dance like they're 30 years younger.

ANGLE ON Tom and Summer's table which is the kid's table.

Tom, Summer, and six CHILDREN (ages 5-8). They find this very
amusing.

137 LATER. Summer dances with one of the kids. She keeps her 137
eyes on Tom the whole time. H e shakes his head at her and
laughs. She smiles. The time machine to their past still
seems to be working.

138 LATER. The party toasts the bride and groom. Tom and 138
Summer, by the bandstand, clink glasses and shout along with
the others .

13 9 LATER. Tom and Summer at their seats, surrounded by kids. 13 9

The Kids are running around the table playing "Duck Duck
Goose . "

SUMMER
You said you liked it!

TOM
That was chicken? I thought it was
veal!

SUMMER
No it was chicken!

TOM
Jesus .

SUMMER
What else you got?

TOM
Um. . . you snore like crazy.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 84

SUMMER
I do not !

TOM
Like a jackhammer.

SUMMER
You do too.

TOM
Oh I definitely do.

SUMMER
And what about your feet?

TOM
What about my feet?

SUMMER
Your feet reek.

TOM
That one time.

SUMMER
Always. And in the morning, your
hair sticks up like this . Totally
ridiculous .

TOM
You're ridiculous. Your favorite
Beatle is Ringo.

SUMMER
Damn right.

At which point Tom is "tapped" by one of the kids . He gets up

and chases after him. The kid makes it to his seat. Tom says
"Duck" twice before immediately tapping Summer. Now she
chases him around the table. They're having a great time.

140 LATER. Millie throws the bouquet. Summer catches it. She 140
shows it to Tom and shrugs .

141 LATER. Tom and Summer are at the bar. They do shots. 141

TOM/SUMMER
1. 2. 3 . GO!

TOM
Ahh. Good stuff. You wanna dance?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 85

SUMMER
Sure .

And so they do. The song is slow, Etta James's "At Last"
(which is free to use, by the way) . The two of them don't do
much talking but there ' s a lot of thinking going on . And
then:

SUMMER
I was wondering . . .

TOM
Hmm?

SUMMER
I might have a party on Friday.
There's this really nice roof deck
that no one uses. Would you
wanna ... ?

TOM
I'd like that.

And then the song ends . Tom is about to leave .

SUMMER
Don ' t go .

And then a fast song begins to play.

TOM
No way Jose. I never dance fast.

Summer steps up to him.

SUMMER
That's ok. We'll just keep dancing
slow.

And so they do. Best wedding ever.

142 INT TRAIN - NIGHT 142

Summer is asleep on Tom's shoulder. Tom is wide awake,

looking out the window. H e looks over at Summer. Sound
asleep. Closer then they've been in months. Looks back out
the window, a wan smile on his face. They're gonna make it
after all .

CUT TO:
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 86

143 CU PAUL, TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE CAMERA DOCUMENTARY STYLE 143

PAUL
I just got lucky I guess. We met in
elementary school. We had the same
class schedule in the 7th grade and
we just. . . clicked.

CUT TO:

144 CU MCKENZIE. 144

MCKENZIE
Love? Shit, I don't know. Long as
she's cute and she's willing,
right? I'm flexible on the cute.

145 CU RACHEL. 145

RACHEL
That's a pretty complex question.
Philosophers, poets, scientists,
everybody has a theory, don't they?
I kinda like what Nietzsche said:
"There is always some madness in
love, but there is also ... always
some reason in madness." Pretty
smart. Then again, Nietzsche went
crazy from syphillis . So there's
that .

146 CU VANCE. 146

VANCE .
I've been happily married for 3 0
years. She's the light that guides
me home .
(beat)
Yes it is from one of our cards .
(beat)
No someone else wrote it. Doesn't
make it less true.

147 CU Millie 147

MILLIE
I was very much in love with my
first husband. And it was the
unhappiest decade of my life.

14 8 CU SUMMER 148
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 87

SUMMER
I think my feelings on this subject
have already been covered. Can we
please talk about something else
for a change?

149 CU MILLIE'S GROOM 149

MILLIE'S GROOM
4 1 years is a long time to wait for
the right person. I was starting to
wonder if I'd ever find her.
(thinks of something and
smiles )
4 1 years... It was worth the wait.

150 CU PAUL 150

PAUL
I wouldn't say "the girl of my
dreams ," no . The girl of my dreams
would have a better rack. Probably
different hair, could like sports a
little more . But . . . truth is . . .
Robyn ' s better than the girl of my
dreams... She's real.

151 CU TOM. H e says nothing. Just stands there. Still trying 151
to figure things out. Off his look, we cut to:

152 ANIMATION. A QUICK recap of the earlier color sequence. 152

A song begins. Slow and steady but it'll build as we CUT TO:

(366)
153 EXT SUMMER'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DUSK 153

The song continues to play. Gift in hand, Tom stands at the

foot of a four-story walk-up building, looking up at the
roof, which is wrapped by a halo of white Xmas lights. It's
already bustling with activity.

He's going up. As he does, the screen splits .

154 On the left, we see Tom going upstairs. This side is 154
labeled "Reality."

On the right, we also see Tom going upstairs. This side is

labeled "Expectations." There the same image for a beat.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 88

155 INT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - SAME 155

But then "Expectations" arrives first. Summer invites Tom

inside. She gives him a huge embrace. She kisses him, right
where the lips meet the cheek. Very close to a full-frontal
lip kiss. (ECU the point of kiss contact).

"Reality" arrives soon after. She comes over and gives him a
huge embrace. She kisses him, but her kiss lands firmly in
cheekville. (ECU the point of kiss contact) .

Both Toms give both Summers the book a s a gift. It's

"Architecture of Happiness." Both Summers accept it eagerly.

156 EXT ROOF - SAME 156

On the right, Summer introduces "Expectations" to three

or four guests . The whole party is maybe six people total and
Summer takes "Expectations" Tom to the side so they can be
alone .

On the left, Summer introduces "Reality" to a circle of seven

or eight people. (NOTE: This is the scene we saw on p. 51-
52). The party is actually quite large, with 30 or 40 people
Tom has never seen before in his life. Summer's friends,
without him.

157 While "Expectations" and Summer continue to talk 157

intimately, Summer leaves "Reality" alone as she flits around
the roof. Tom gets a drink. Smiles at a cute girl but has no
interest. Minds his business waiting for Summer's return.

On the right, "Expectations" and Summer remain locked in a

serious conversation. They don't take their eyes off one
another. Summer plays with her hair. Their knees are almost
touching.

On the left, "Reality" continues to stand by himself. H e

takes in the scene. Who are all these people? H e looks around
for Summer but doesn't see her anywhere. Still optimistic.

On the right, Summer grabs "Expectations" and pulls him away

from the rest of the party. They're all over each other.

158 On the left, "Reality" Tom looks out over the city. Tom 158
wants to tell Summer about this . Looks for her again on the
roof .

And then he sees her. While "Expectations" and Summer are

locked in some passionate embrace, "Reality" sees Summer do
something odd. She's showing some FEMALE FRIENDS a ring on
her finger. An engagement ring. (Yes, she's been wearing it
the whole time. )
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 89

Tom doesn't process this at first. H e takes a step, still

planning to tell her about her view, before realizing the
significance of what he's seeing. Then he stops in his
tracks .

Summer sees Tom and puts it all together. Her face drops. She
pulls her hand away from her friends and walks over to him.

SUMMER
It just happened!

And h e just races past her before she can stop him. The music
builds. . .

15 8A INT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - SAME 15 8A

Summer pulls "Expectations" into her apartment and shuts the

door. They fall onto the bed. END SPLITSCREEN.

159 INT STAIRWELL - SAME 159

"Reality" Tom comes running down the stairs and exits the
building.

160 EXT SUMMER'S APARTMENT BUILDING - SAME 160

Tom storms out of the building.

160A INT SUMMER'S APARTMENT - SAME 160A

Summer calls after him from her apartment doorway.

SUMMER
Tom! ?

But h e' s gone .

16 OB EXT STREET - SAME 16 OB

Tom, away from her building. As he does, his entire universe

falls apart. EX: All around Tom, Summer's building and then
the entire city is COMPLETELY ERASED, brick by brick, beam by
beam, as if by an unseen force. Tom's world is reduced to
nothing. END MUSIC.

(402)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 89A

161 INT TOM'S BEDROOM 161

The half-destroyed alarm clock goes off. Tom hits the off
button.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 90

(403)
162 INT TOM'S BEDROOM 162

Same exact thing.

(403 1 / 2 )
163 INT SUPERMARKET - DAY 163

Tom, in a robe and boxer shorts, buys milk, OJ, cigarettes,

Jack Daniels, and twinkies.

The CLERK eyes him suspiciously.

164 EXT STREET - SAME 164

Tom sees a COUPLE kissing on the sidewalk. He snaps.

TOM
Get a room!

They look at this lunatic in his robe and quickly walk away.

(404)
165 INT TOM'S BEDROOM 165

Alarm clock. We PAN ACROSS to see Tom is wide awake. H e

probably hasn't slept in a day or so. H e has no reaction to
the alarm.

166 INT OFFICE - LATER 166

Tom actually wanders in to work, wearing sunglasses and the

clothes h e slept in. People pass and say hello. H e can't
muster responses. At his desk:

MCKENZIE
I've been calling every five
minutes . Are you ok?

TOM
Great .

MCKENZIE
What happened to you?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 90A

TOM
Don't want to talk about it
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 91

MCKENZIE
You always want to talk about it.

TOM
Not this .

MCKENZIE
Well come on let ' s go .

TOM
Where we going?

MCKENZIE
It ' s Thursday !

167 INT BOARDROOM - LATER 167

Tom sits next to McKenzie and across from Vance. He's in his
usual boardroom position, which is to say, near comatose.

A female CO-WORKER, 50s, stands at the front of the room in

mid-presentation, showing slides that have something to do
with a cat in various poses. First we see, "Cat Reaching Up
for Out-of-Reach Milk Bowl."

CO-WORKER
This one says "Go for it!"

Click. We see "Cat Considering a Giant Leap."

CO-WORKER
And this one says "You can do it!"
We have a whole line of
inspirational cards featuring
Pickles, my cat. I think people
will really enjoy them. Thank you.

She takes her seat.

VANCE .
Good job Rhoda. Inspirational
stuff. Now, who's next? We haven't
heard from "Sympathy" in a while.
Hansen. . .

TOM
(reacting to his name)
Hmm?

VANCE .
The Winter collection. You have
anything to contribute?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 92

TOM
Uh... no. I really don't.

VANCE .
(disappointed)
Oh...k. We'll come back to you.
McKenzie —

TOM
You know what ... ?

VANCE .
Yes Tom.

TOM
Can I say something about the cat?

VANCE
Well sure. Go ahead.

TOM
This here is, and Rhoda, you know I
mean no disrespect... but this...
this is total shit.

MCKENZIE
Tom!

TOM
"You can do it?" "Go for it?"

He points to the screen, still showing the "Cat About to

Leap" image .

TOM
That's not inspirational. It's
suicidal. Pickles tries to go for
it right there, that's a dead cat.
No, this is all lies. We're liars !
I mean, think about it... why do
people buy these things? Not to say
how they feel. People buy these
cards when they can't say how they
feel. Or they're afraid to. And we
provide the service that lets ' em
off the hook!

Tom is getting excited. The rest of the room is growing

uncomfortable .

TOM
You know what... I say to hell with
it ! Let ' s level with America .
(MORE)
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 93

TOM (cont'd)
Or at least make them speak for
themselves! I mean, seriously,
what ' s this . . .
(picks a card off the
table )
"Congratulations on your new baby."
Eh... How bout... "Congratulations
on your new baby... Guess that's it
for hanging out. Nice knowing ya."

VANCE
Hansen, please sit —

TOM
(picks up a card)
Oh wait, what's this? Ooh look at
all the pretty hearts. Let's open
it up. "Happy Valentine's Day,
Sweetheart . I love you . " Oh that ' s
nice. Aint love grand?
(beat)
See this is what I'm talking about.
What's that even mean, "love?" Do
you know? Do you? Does anyone?

MCKENZIE
(sensing a meltdown)
Tom. . .

TOM
If someone gave me this card, Mr.
Vance... I would eat it.

Tom sits down on the desk, defeated.

TOM
It's these cards and these movies
and these pop songs . They ' re to
blame for all the lies, the
heartache, everything! We ' re
responsible!
(beat)
I 'm responsible.

Everyone shifts in their seats .

TOM
I think we do a bad thing here.
People should b e able to say how
they feel, how they really feel,
without some strangers putting
words in their mouths . Words like
"love" that don't mean shit.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 94

Tom gets up and walks to the door.

TOM
I'm sorry Mr. Vance, but I quit.
There's enough bullshit in the
world without my help.

With that, Tom gets up and walks out of the room. Everyone is
pretty stunned. Someone coughs. McKenzie tries to start a
clap. It doesn't really take.

CUT TO:

168 EXT BUILDING - MINUTES LATER 168

Tom exits the building onto the downtown street. H e stands

there for a beat. Shit. Now what?

CUT TO:

(419)
169 EXT FIELD - DAY 169

Tom watches Rachel playing soccer. H e has a notebook on his

lap and is sketching with a pencil. We hear a whistle and
Rachel comes back to the bench.

RACHEL
You're sketching again!

TOM
Just doodling.

RACHEL
We got 20 seconds. Talk to me. You
ok?

TOM
Me? I'm good. I'm great.

Rachel looks at Tom's notebook. He's sketched a flip book of

himself being stabbed repeatedly by a pitchfork-wielding
Summer (complete with devil horns).

RACHEL
Riiight .

Tom hides the book behind his back.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 95

RACHEL
You know, my friends are all in
love with you.

He sees a coven of 13-year olds eyeing him from the

sidelines .

RACHEL
Like we said, plenty other fish in
the sea.

TOM
Thanks Rach but those are guppies .

The whistle blows again. Rachel gets ready to go back. But

before she does :

RACHEL
Tom.

TOM
Hmm?

RACHEL
I know you think she was "the one."
(beat)
I don't. I think you're just
remembering the good stuff. Next
time you look back, you should look
again .

She blows him a kiss and then runs back onto the field. Tom
watches her go. Off his face, we cut to:

(240)
170 EXT ANGELUS PLAZA - DAY 170

Tom and Summer are having the picnic we saw on page 5 . This
is that fateful day Tom described to his sister and his
friends. The day it all, finally, fell apart.

They eat in silence on the bench. Summer is hardly even

looking at him. Tom tries to make eye contact. Hmm. Is
something in the air? We stay with them for a few extra beats
of silence.

171 EXT DOWNTOWN FOOD MARKET - LATER 171

Tom and Summer shopping at the fruit market. Unless we were

looking for trouble we wouldn't see any.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 96

But since we are, we might notice she lags behind him as they
walk through the aisles. His hands are in his pockets. She's
distant. But only if we're really looking.

172 INT COFFEE HOUSE - LATER 172

That day again. As we've seen before, Tom reads a newspaper.

Summer reads a novel.

TOM
It ' s playing at 5 .

SUMMER
You want to go?

TOM
I don't know. You wanna maybe go
back to your place or ---

SUMMER
I want to see it. Let's go.

TOM
Ok cool.

SUMMER
Unless you don't want to.

TOM
No, I will. That's fine.

SUMMER
Ok.

A few more silent beats. Something's in the air.

173 INT MOVIE - LATER 173

Tom and Summer watching the film. Tears begin to well in

Summer's eyes. They soon turn to audible sobs. Tom turns to
look at her, to offer some sort of comfort, believing it to
be a response to the movie. She doesn't look back.

174 EXT MOVIE THEATRE - LATER 174

Same day from the past. They walk out, at first everything's
alright. It's exactly as we saw on page 5 . But soon after
that she begins to cry again. Serious, real sobbing.

TOM
Hey.

He goes to hug her. He hugs her. It's unclear if she hugs

back.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 97

TOM
Hey Sum, it's just a movie.

SUMMER
I know. I'm sorry.

TOM
What ' s the matter?

SUMMER
It's nothing. I'm being ridiculous.

TOM
(not sure)
Ok.

They continue on.

175 INT RECORD STORE - LATER 175

Tom and a much more in control Summer walk down the aisles .
He grabs a record.

TOM
It pains me that we live in a world
where no one ' s ever heard of
Spearmint .

SUMMER
I've never heard of them.

TOM
They're on that disc I made you.
(beat)
They're Track 1.

SUMMER
Oh.

Tom shakes that off, grabs a Ringo Starr album and shows it
to her, just as we've seen in the beginning. She smiles and
they continue on down the aisles.

In CU, Tom goes to hold Summer's hand. But something happens.

It could be a total coincidence, but just as his hand
approaches hers (in SLO-MO), she moves it away and keeps it
at her side. Tom puts his hands in his pockets, unsure if
there's something to read in that.

176 EXT RECORD STORE - LATER 176

Again, that fateful day continues. Tom and Summer outside.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 98

SUMMER
So.

TOM
So . . . Now what? You hungry? Wanna
get some dinner or something?

SUMMER
I think I'm gonna call it a day.

TOM
You sure?

SUMMER
Yeah. I've got pasta at home.

TOM
(beat)
Hey Sum. . . Is everything alright
with you?

SUMMER
Yeah. I'm just tired.

TOM
If something's bothering you... you
can talk you me . You know that
right?

SUMMER
I know.

TOM
I'm here for you. I just wish you'd
let me in.

Summer looks at him sadly. And she kisses him gently on the
cheek. It's a real weird move for her. Tom isn't sure what it
means. There's an awkward silence which Tom becomes desperate
to break.

TOM
(eureka! )
I got it !
(off her look)
Pancakes .

And the rest as they say is history.

CUE UP MUSIC which plays over:

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 99

(421-464)
177 MONTAGE: TOM GETS HIS SHIT TOGETHER. MAYBE. 177

177A INT TOM'S BEDROOM - DAY 17 7 A

Tom sits in his bed, angrily throwing a tennis ball against

the wall. Rolls off his bed, lies face first on the ground
eating the carpet. Has he given up?

No.

Slowly, Tom lifts himself off the ground. Does a push-up.

Then another .

178 OMITTED 178

179 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - LATER 179

Tom erases all the greeting card paraphernalia from the

chalkboard above his bed. Looks at the empty board for a
beat .

180 OMITTED 180

181 INT TOM'S APARTMENT - LATER 181

Tom sits with his feet up on a table, headphones on his ears,

reading one of many Taschen books on innovative building
design.

181A INT TOM'S BEDROOM - LATER 181A

We now see a list of names on the chalkboard. These are

architecture firms. Tom has a phone in one hand, is sketching
something new with the other.

182 INT OFFICE LOBBY - DAY 182

Tom drops off his portfolio with the security guard in the
lobby of a high-rise.

183 INSERT: CU HANDS lacing the back of a dress. 183

184 INT - KITCHEN - NIGHT 184

Tom, Rachel, Mom and Step-dad eat dinner as a family.

185 INSERT: CU HANDS tending to the train of the dress. 185

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 100

186 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - DAY 186

Tom getting bad news on the phone. H e crosses a name off the
list. We notice several others are also crossed off. We also
notice a pretty impressive sketch now on the chalkboard.

187 INSERT: CU VEIL coming down over a face. 187

187A EXT TOM'S ROOFTOP - DAY 187A

Tom sketches the cityscape from his rooftop. H e has his mojo
back in a big way.

188 INT TOM'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 188

Tom getting more bad news from the answering machine,

crossing off yet another firm from the list. Few remain. H e
sits on the bed with his shoulders slumped. For a beat, lost
in thought. Then, as if to shut those thoughts out, whatever
they were, h e goes back to the chalkboard and continues his
sketch .

SPLITSCREEN - DAY

189 On the LEFT, Tom, alone, on a bus. Looking out the 189
window. Thinking.

190 On the RIGHT, Summer. In the wedding dress. The veil is 190
lifted. And she's a bride.

END MUSIC.

(488)
191 EXT OFFICE BUILDING - ANOTHER DAY 191

Tom, in a suit, exits a building after another dismal

interview. We can see he is frustrated but not deterred. In
the distance, his favorite spot in the city, where he took
Summer ages ago .

192 EXT. ANGELUS PLAZA - DAY 192

Tom walks over and sits down on that bench, his favorite. He
stares off, lost in thought. And then, from out of nowhere,
there's her voice.

SUMMER (V.O.)
Hey
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 100A

Summer sits like an apparition on a neighboring bench. She

may have just sat down, she may have been there for hours.
Tom isn't sure if she's real or what to do.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 101

SUMMER
I always loved this place, ever
since you brought me.

TOM
What's not to like?

Awkward silence.

TOM
So... I should probably say
congratulations .

SUMMER
Only if you mean it.

TOM
In that case . . .

He doesn't say anything. This makes her smile.

SUMMER
So . . . you ' re ok?

TOM
I will be. Eventually.

SUMMER
Well that's good.

TOM
Yeah I quit the office.

SUMMER
( surprised)
No kidding? That ' s . . . That ' s great
Tom. Really.

Awkward silence.

TOM
And you're married.

SUMMER
Crazy, huh?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 102

More awkward silence. This one goes on a beat longer. And

then:

TOM
You should have said something.

SUMMER
I know .

TOM
At the wedding. When we were
dancing.

SUMMER
He hadn't asked me yet.

TOM
But h e was in your life.

SUMMER
Yeah .

TOM
Why'd you dance with me?

SUMMER
I wanted to.

TOM
You do what you want, don't you?

Summer genuinely does feel bad about all this .

TOM
You never wanted to be anyone ' s
"girlfriend" and now you're...
somebody ' s wife .

SUMMER
Surprised me too.

TOM
( sighs )
I don't think I'll ever understand
that .

SUMMER
Tom —

TOM
No, seriously, I mean, it doesn't
make sense.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 103

SUMMER
It just happened.

TOM
But that's what I don't understand.
What just happened?

SUMMER
I... Tom... I just... I woke up one
day and I knew. . .

TOM
Knew what?

SUMMER
What I was never sure of with you.

And there's not much else to say after that.

TOM
I'll tell you what sucks, Summer.
Realizing that everything you
believe in is complete and utter
bullshit. That sucks.

SUMMER
What do you mean?

TOM
Destiny, soulmates, true love. All
that stuff. Silly childhood fairy
tale nonsense. I should have
listened to you. You were right all
along .

Summer takes a beat to let this hang there.

SUMMER
I was right?

And then, out of nowhere, she begins to hysterically laugh.

TOM
What? This is funny?

Tries to stop but it only makes it worse. Now's she's

completely cracking up .

TOM
What are you laughing at?

And she can't stop. She's totally lost control.

 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 104

TOM
(trying himself not to
laugh )
You're a crazy person!

SUMMER
You're the crazy person!

TOM
What are you talking about? !

SUMMER
One day I'm reading "Dorian Gray"
at the corner deli and this guy
sits down and starts asking about
it. Now he's my husband!

TOM
This is funny to you?

SUMMER
What would have happened if I went
to the movies instead? If I went
somewhere else for lunch? If I
showed up at the very same spot
just ten minutes later? Tom, it was
meant to be, just like you said.
And as it was happening, I knew it.
I could feel it. And I kept
thinking to myself "Wow. Tom was
right . " You were right about all of
it .
(beat)
It just wasn't me you were right
about .

Tom is speechless. Summer takes his hand. We may notice her

wedding ring. We may also notice that this is the same exact
shot as the first scene. We hold it for a few seconds more.
And then, the hands separate.

SUMMER
Anyway, I should probably be
getting back. It was good to see
you. I'm glad you're well.

Summer gets up and starts walking away from him. ANGLE on

Tom, watching her go.

TOM
Summer!
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 105

She stops and turns back. H e takes in her face, most likely
for the last time ever.

TOM
I really do hope you're happy.

SUMMER
(beat)
I know .

And she smiles and walks away. The CAMERA TRACKS AWAY with
her, leaving Tom alone in the park. He gets smaller and
farther away with every second.

FADE OUT.

A FEW SECONDS OF BLACK.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
If Tom had learned anything. . . it
was that you shouldn't ascribe
great cosmic significance to a
simple earthly event.

AND THEN WE FADE

THE FUCK BACK
IN:

(500)
193 INT OFFICE WAITING AREA - DAY 193

Tom, in a suit, with a hefty batch of architecture sketches

at his side, waits in the foyer of Allen, Prince, and Gethers
Architecture, a cool indie firm in the city that operates out
of the 4th floor of the famous Bradbury Building on 3rd and
Broadway .

Tom waits. We will notice, before h e does, a VERY CUTE GIRL

sitting in a another chair, also waiting. They see one
another. She smiles. H e smiles back.

GIRL
Are you here to interview?

TOM
Sorry?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 106

GIRL
Are you interviewing? For the
position?

TOM
Oh. Yeah. Why, are you?

GIRL
Yup.

TOM
Ah . My competition .

GIRL
It would appear.

TOM
So, uh, little awkward.

GIRL
Yeah .

TOM
Well, I hope you... don't get the
job .

GIRL
I hope you don't get the job.

They both laugh. There's a silence for a few beats. And it's
during this time that something weird comes over Tom and we
can visibly see it in his face. H e likes the look of this
girl. This girl is cute. He'd like to talk more with her.
And, he's a little surprised by it.

TOM
So, uh.. .

GIRL
Hmm?

TOM
Are you from. .. California?

GIRL
Grew up not too far from here.
Atherton, near Stanford.

TOM
Yeah I know Atherton. Nice area.

GIRL
Have I seen you before?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 107

TOM
I, uh, I don't think so.

GIRL
Do you ever go to Angelus Plaza?

TOM
I love it there . It's like my
favorite spot in the city.

GIRL
Right. Except for the parking lots.

TOM
Yes! Exactly. I totally agree!

GIRL
Uh-huh. I think I've seen you
there .

TOM
Huh. I've never seen you.

GIRL
You must not have been looking.

Tom ponders this a beat.

NARRATOR
Coincidence. That's all anything
ever is . Nothing more than
coincidence .

A MAN comes out .

MAN
Tom Hansen?

TOM
Yes .

MAN
Come on back.

TOM
Thank you .

He starts to go. But halfway through the doorway, h e pauses

and looks back at the girl.
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 108

194 ANIMATION. 1 second clip of the colored sequence. Real 194

fast. Hardly noticeable. But it's there.

195 NARRATOR 195

It took a long time but Tom had
finally learned. There are no
miracles. There's no such thing as
fate ♦ Nothing is meant to be. H e
knew. H e was sure of it now.
(beat)
Tom was . . .

Tom turns back around.

NARRATOR
. . .he was pretty sure.

TOM
(to Girl)
Excuse me.

GIRL
You again.

TOM
When this is over. . . would you like
to maybe.. .grab a cup of coffee or
something?

GIRL
Oh. I'm sorry. I'm sorta supposed
to meet someone.

TOM
(deflated)
Got it... No problem.

He turns back around and shakes that off, tries to refocus on

the task at hand. A job interview. And then he hears.

GIRL
Sure .

Tom turns back around.

TOM
What's that?

GIRL
Why not?

TOM
Yeah?
 Yellow Revised 5/14/08 109

GIRL
Yeah .

TOM
Great ! So . . . I'll wait for you
here, or you wait for me
or . . . something .

She laughs. She's cute when she laughs.

GIRL
We'll figure it out.

TOM
Ok!
(extends hand to shake)
My name ' s Tom .

GIRL
Nice to meet you . . .

She puts out her hand to meet his . They shake .

GIRL
I ' m Autumn .

And on his face...

SMASH CUT TO:

(1)
THE END.