Movie theater · Night Swimming (the screenplay)

INT. MOVIE THEATER -- EVENING

As they walk in, Jordan holds the tickets. Kate wanders toward the popcorn counter. He hands the tickets to the ticket collector, a 45-year-old man with an '80s mustache, large framed glasses, and gray speckles in his hair.

TICKET COLLECTOR
(laughing)
Did you drop these in a puddle or what?

JORDAN
(looks to Kate wandering off)

TICKET COLLECTOR
Ah... remember, women love confidence and hate nervousness.

JORDAN
Thank you, oh sage-like ticket man.

TICKET COLLECTOR
Don't mention it... (smiling)

Jordan, looking more confused and nervous, approaches Kate at the popcorn counter.

KATE
(holding out her hand for money)
Since I'm your date... buy me some popcorn.

JORDAN
You're not my date! You have a boyfriend!

KATE
Well, you're second string... so cough up!

Jordan reaches into his pocket and pulls out some cash, asking her what she would like.

JORDAN
What do you want?

KATE
Already ordered... just need... um... $10.57.

JORDAN
(laughs)
Um, okay... good thing I have money...

KATE
Good thing, I think... (squinting to look at the popcorn guy's nametag, which says "Eddie")
Edward here could take you in a bare-knuckle brawl.

KATE
(CONT'D)
What do you think, "Edward"?

EDWARD
(smirks)

JORDAN
Jeez... what is it with this place? Everyone's a comedian. Here’s eleven.

Eddie grabs the large popcorn and Coke, placing them on the counter. He takes the money from Kate's open hand, rings it up, and hands the change to Jordan with a smile.

KATE
Grab that, and I’ll be back... I’m going to visit the ladies' room.

JORDAN
Don’t you have to be a lady?

KATE
(gives an evil look)
More than you could handle... small timer.

JORDAN
(embarrassed)
O----k...

Kate walks to the restroom while Jordan takes the popcorn and Coke.

EDWARD
Have fun!! (smiling with a shit-eating grin)

JORDAN
Thanks, Eddie... the bare-knuckle fight will have to wait this time...

Jordan waits outside the ladies' restroom, popcorn in one hand, Coke in the other. Shortly after, Kate exits.

KATE
Wow, you were waiting for me...

JORDAN
Did you think I was just gonna sit down?

KATE
Pretty much, yeah.

They walk to Theater "3," Kate grabbing handfuls of popcorn on the way. Inside, they find an already started movie in a packed theater, spotting a sofa seat.

KATE
(CONT'D)
There we go... a lovers' seat for two!

JORDAN
I thought these were for orca-large fat people...

KATE
(shushing him)
Shhh... you're ruining it again! Just sit down and be quiet... (smiles)

During the movie, Jordan freezes up, stealing glances at Kate. High tension fills the air.

He asks for a sip of Coke; she takes a sip first and then hands it to him. He watches her lips touch the straw as she pulls away slowly. Her leg inches toward his, and she leans it against his own.

She reaches over him for popcorn, dropping some in his lap. As he reaches down to grab it, he remains confused and aroused, oblivious to her intentions.

She whispers in his ear.

KATE
(CONT'D)
I have to go to the ladies' room again... too much Coke... be right back.

She stands, turning her back to the screen and baring her stomach. Her belly button ring glimmers as she walks away.

JORDAN
(internally panicking)
Oh man...

After a moment of waiting, he stands and heads to the restroom as well, leaving the popcorn and Coke behind.

In the hallway, he sees her coming out.

KATE
(CONT'D)
Movie's not over, right?

JORDAN
Nope

, just had to go as well.

KATE
Cool, I’ll wait for you.

Jordan walks into the bathroom, rushing to the sink and turning on cold water, splashing it on his face. After drying his hands, he exits.

KATE
(CONT'D)
Ready?

JORDAN
Sure.

They head back to Theater "3," but another couple occupies their seats.

JORDAN
(CONT'D)
O----k...

KATE
Fuck it, let's just sit on top of them. (smiling)

JORDAN
I've got a better idea; let’s grab something out of that closet and sit in the aisle.

KATE
Okay, but if there’s nothing in there, we’re going back to sitting on their laps.

JORDAN
Yeah, yeah... hold your horses. (laughs)

Jordan walks to the back of the theater and opens the janitor's closet. He spots a stool and an empty plastic 5-gallon bucket.

KATE
I’ve got the stool... you get the bucket... you’re taller.

JORDAN
Yeah...

Jordan grabs the bucket and stool, returning to the aisle.

JORDAN
(CONT'D)
Your seat, madam? (gestures toward the stool)

KATE
Ah, it looks lovely, Gov'ner.

They sit and continue watching the rest of the movie. Jordan smiles broadly, forming wrinkles as they leave the bucket and stool behind and exit through the fire door at the front of the theater.

---

EXT. MOVIE THEATER -- NIGHT

JORDAN
The movie was remastered well, but the added footage was horrible.

KATE
Well, I’ve never seen it, so it’s all new to me.

JORDAN
You’ve never seen Star Wars? Wow.

KATE
I’m a lady... (smiling and talking slowly)

JORDAN
Yes, you are.

KATE
(ramming Jordan in the shoulder again)
What’s that supposed to mean?

JORDAN
Nothing but compliments... (smiles)

Kate looks down and smiles as they walk.

---

EXT. JORDAN'S STREET -- NIGHT

JORDAN
Let’s stop here... (pointing toward the park)

KATE
Yeah, okay...

They walk toward the park across the street from Jordan's house, which doubles as a police training camp. A massive tree stands in the middle, surrounded by training balance beams and tire courses on the left.

JORDAN
See this tree? (points toward it)
This is my tree... I sit in or next to this tree all the time. It’s my "Thinking Tree." I’m really not a nature person, personally... I mean, you could mow them all down and make parking lots. But if someone touched this tree, I think I would have to go on a killing spree.

KATE
Well, well... does the tree have a name?

JORDAN
Does it need one?

KATE
Of course it does... what if it moves? Then you wouldn’t be able to call out to it. Don’t these trees migrate once a year?

JORDAN
(laughs)
I sure hope not... but you name it. I trust your opinion... I think it’s a "she," though.

KATE
Marie.

JORDAN
Marie?

KATE
Yeah, as in "Marie the Tree"... it’s my middle name.

JORDAN
Well, that’s a pretty good name... Marie it is.

Jordan walks over to the tree alone, leaving Kate standing. He slumps down into the tree roots, where it’s worn from use.

KATE
Does Marie have room for two?

JORDAN
I think she’s a two-seater at heart... have a seat.

KATE
What’s on your mind?

JORDAN
I’ve fallen in love with something I can’t have.

KATE
Is it only because you can’t have it?

JORDAN
I’ve thought about that... and I’d have to say no... afraid not.

KATE
Then you should fight for it... whatever the consequences.

JORDAN
What if it was you?

KATE
Then I would fight for it...

JORDAN
No, what if the "thing" was you?

KATE
Oh... maybe I SHOULD be going.

Kate emphasizes her words with a bass layer in her voice that she rarely uses.

JORDAN
Hey, it’s just a comment... don’t think anything into it. My car’s over there... let me give you a ride home. Let’s go.

---

END OF ACT ONE