“IN LOVE WITH A STRANGER”

Fade into MAN sitting at a table with a laptop computer. He is typing away.

V.O. MAN

My story starts off with me, at a bench, on a breezy day.

Camera cuts to MAN sitting on this bench, a quaint man-made lake in front of him.

V.O. MAN

I’m sitting in front of a small, beautiful mass of water. This is where I go to write. It’s peaceful. Serene. A place for my thoughts to just roam. I see all the beauty in front of me and it allows me to lose all insecurities and just write what I feel. I am fearless in the presence of so much beauty.

He sits there for awhile just admiring it all, occasionally leaning down to write a note. A WOMAN walks over and sits about a bench or two away from where he’s sitting. He looks at her, stricken with her beauty.

MAN

Would you like to come sit with me?

WOMAN

What?

MAN

Would you like to come sit with me?

WOMAN

Do I know you from somewhere?

MAN

I don’t believe so.

WOMAN

So you’re just some stranger asking me to sit with him?

MAN

That seems to be the case.

WOMAN

Do you mind if I ask why you want me to sit with you?

MAN

It’s a beautiful day. Thought it’d be nice to share it with someone.

WOMAN

Even with a stranger?

MAN

Especially with a stranger.

She chuckles, thinks about it, then walks over to the bench where MAN is sitting. They sit there for a little while saying nothing.

MAN

Would I be a jerk if I said that you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever met?

WOMAN

Probably.

MAN

Then I definitely won’t say that.

She chuckles again, finding all of this quite endearing.

WOMAN

Good. I hate guys who try to be charming by using those kinds of lines.

MAN

No line. I mean it.

WOMAN

What’s your name?

MAN

I can’t tell you.

WOMAN

Why not?

MAN

Because then I wouldn’t be a stranger.

WOMAN

No, I suppose you wouldn’t. (pause) Can I at least know what you do?

MAN

I write short stories.

WOMAN

Is that why you’re here? For inspiration?

MAN

That’s exactly why I’m here. Helps me think. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll find a muse.

There’s a pause while they both look at each other.

MAN

I’m going to go on a walk. Would you walk with me?

WOMAN

I don’t know. Going on a walk with a stranger. Don’t they warn you against this kind of stuff?

MAN

I’m just going to walk the path around the water.

Gets up and starts to head off. He stops and looks at her.

MAN CONT.

Besides...haven’t you ever wanted to fall in love with a stranger?

He starts to walk along the path. She looks at him strangely and then follows.

WOMAN

What do you mean fall in love?

MAN

Not in a let’s get married and spend the rest of our lives together way. But in a having a beautiful day with a stranger. To fall in love with their character and who they are. Haven’t you ever wanted to do that?

WOMAN

I don’t know. (pause) I suppose so. Deep down, I sort of always thought it would be romantic to be swept off my feet by some random stranger.

Pause.

WOMAN

You’re very forthright.

MAN

Not normally.

WOMAN

No?

MAN

No.

WOMAN

Then why all the sudden are you today?

MAN

I don’t know. I mean, you’re beautiful and I thought to myself, if I don’t talk to this woman, if I don’t take this risk, I’ll regret it.

WOMAN

How spontaneous.

MAN

I think this whole encounter has been very spontaneous.

WOMAN

(laughing) Very true.

MAN

So tell me, why did you come here?

WOMAN

Honestly?

MAN

Honestly.

WOMAN

To be alone. I needed some alone time.

MAN

I’m sorry; did I ruin your plans?

WOMAN

For the most part, yes. But my new plans aren’t so bad.

MAN

I was hoping you’d feel that way.

Pause.

WOMAN

So, what would you like to talk about?

MAN

What would you like to talk about?

WOMAN

How about we don’t talk? How about we just walk and enjoy everything around us?

MAN

What a perfect idea.

He offers his arm and she takes a hold of it.

Some time has passed and it is now dark around the area. She looks up at the sky:

WOMAN

It’s getting late. I better head home.

MAN

Stay.

WOMAN

What?

MAN

Stay here, with me.

WOMAN

(in a playful way) Why would I want to do that?

MAN

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to stay.

WOMAN

I do, do I?

MAN

Yes.

WOMAN

Are you always this confident?

MAN

No.

Pause. She smiles.

WOMAN

Why do I find it so endearing?

MAN

Stay with me.

Another short pause.

WOMAN

Okay.

Some more time has passed and the two are lying down on the grass together. They are looking at the stars.

WOMAN

They’re beautiful aren’t they?

MAN

Absolutely.

WOMAN

You’re so interesting.

MAN

Interesting how?

WOMAN

You’re beautiful. You came and swept me off my feet. And this wasn’t some ploy to try to hook up with me. We’ve been here all night and you haven’t tried to make a move at all.

MAN

No.

WOMAN

Why not?

MAN

Because...I love you.

Pause. She looks at him and takes a hold of his hand.

WOMAN

I love you too.

The camera zooms out during the monologue, finally fading out and then into MAN sitting at his desk again:

V.O. MAN

I’m not writing this to tell you what happened between her and I. I’m not going to say whether we ended up together, or if I never saw her again. The fact of the matter is for that period of time, I was in love with her. I was in love with this nameless girl. So the question I pose to you is this, my friends:

Is it possible to fall in love with a stranger?

Fade out.