23. The Wall - Leslie

Recommended listening/viewing for this script - Rosie Thomas' "You and Me," "Pretty Dress," and "Kite Song."






• FADE IN:


• EXT. CITY SIDEWALK - NIGHT


• RYAN walks slowly next to ADRIANNA, his hands deep in his jacket pockets.


• Adrianna adjusts her pageboy hat and pulls her dusty red blazer tight.


• ADRIANNA
• You were telling me about this girl?


• Ryan pulls himself out of a thought.


• RYAN
• Yeah, yeah...
  
• ADRIANNA
• So why didn’t you ever tell her that you’d seriously fallen for her?
  
• RYAN
• You know, we’d been friends for so long, I think I was scared of ruining something...no, even more scared that she wouldn’t like, love me back.
  
• ADRIANNA
• I’ve done that too...you stay miserable and safe, because you’re afraid of being risky and suicidally miserable.
  
• RYAN
• Something like that.
  
• ADRIANNA
• So you had this thing for her...all those years, and nothing?
  
• RYAN
• Yeah, watched her with different guys, knowing I’d probably be perfect, but...I don’t think she ever did think of me the same way. I was the good friend.
  
• ADRIANNA
• You are a good friend, a great listener.
  
• RYAN
• Yeah, the professional friend.
  
• ADRIANNA
• That’s a little negative...
  
• Ryan shrugs.


• ADRIANNA
• What happened to her?
  
• Ryan shrugs again.


• ADRIANNA
• Sorry, I won’t pry; besides, we’re here.
  
• They stop in front of a townhouse.


• RYAN
• Well...
  
• ADRIANNA
• Thanks for walking me home, Ry. Thanks for listening earlier. And hey, I guess why stuff like that happens...that girl...so we can learn from it, and maybe...I dunno, do something different the next time. Push past that wall...the fear the...you know.
  
• RYAN
• Yeah.
  
• Adrianna walks up the stairs, and Ryan follows her slowly, watching her ascent.


• They stop and she gives him a hug.


• ADRIANNA
• Don’t dwell too much. And hey! Wish me luck on my date tomorrow. Aimee says he’s a great guy...it’d be about time. Wish me luck?
  
• Ryan looks at her and replies softly.


• RYAN
• Luck.
  
• She pokes him.


• ADRIANNA
• Get some sleep.
  
• Adrianna unlocks the door, turns, and waves at Ryan, then slips inside.


• Ryan looks after her, and watches the door close.


• He lets his mask drop for an instant, and touches the door as if he is trying to reach inside, as if he is touching her.


• He stays there for a long moment, then turns, and walks away.


• FADE TO BLACK.