FOREVER

An Original Screenplay

by

Eric R. Umali

1 - EXT. BOSTON COMMONS - PARK BENCH - DAY

It’s early September, and the weather is hanging on tightly to a good deal of summer’s warmth. It’s around noon, so lots of people are milling around the commons. We move through the people until we reach a park bench set a bit apart. A young Asian man of about twenty sits, a Boston University backpack by his side, eating lunch. He obviously is taking great pleasure in people-watching this day.

2 - EXT. BOSTON COMMONS - MAIN WALKING PATH - DAY

The view moves to the main walking path as the YOUNG MAN looks on. His and our attention is instantly drawn to a YOUNG WOMAN who now comes into view. She’s beautiful, and she’s taking in everything around her greedily. Soon, though, she slows, looks around and stops. The YOUNG WOMAN moves to the side of the path, pushes her sunglasses up atop her head and retrieves a small map. She wrinkles her nose as she studies it carefully. She looks up in frustration and makes eye conact with the YOUNG MAN. She starts towards him.

3 - EXT. BOSTON COMMONS - PARK BENCH - DAY

The YOUNG MAN stands as she approaches and removes his own sunglasses.

She begins to turn until she glances at the bench. She points to his bag, emblazoned with the college’s name and seal. He shakes his head, then looks up, suddenly inspired.

The bandstand? Are you going to the afternoon concert?

Exasperated, THERESA checks her own watch. THERESA scratches her chin, knowingly torturing the poor guy. She smiles again. They walk off.

4 - EXT. OUTDOOR CAFÉ - DAY

THERESA and KEN sit at one of the small tables without an umbrella-- they both seem dedicated sun-worshipppers. The WAITRESS comes by and places glasses of iced coffee in front of both and a small basket of biscotti.

THERESA nods thoughtfully. KEN smirks. Sound fades. The two continue talking animatedly until the picture fades slightly as well.

5 - EXT. OUTDOOR CAFÉ - LATE AFTERNOON

Picture fades back in, and they’re still sitting and talking. It’s later.

WAITRESS #2 arrives and KEN, despite protests, pays. They get up and head for the T station.

6 - EXT. KEN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

KEN walks up to a large Comm. Ave. brownstone and opens the door. Two brass namplates are visible, one reading "MAYASUME" and the other "GRAY".

7 - INT. KEN’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

KEN opens the door. The apartment is quite large-- it’s more like a university president’s than a university student’s. Various souvenirs from extensive world travels decorate the space: An African totem, a French sculpture, several Japanses prints. He tosses his backpack onto a big black leather couch and walks to his phone and answering machine, which has a flashing light. He presses the messages button.

KEN smiles uneasily and reaches into his pocket for a small memo recorder. KEN nearly swoons, he’s so happy. He settles for collapsing onto the couch. 8 - INT. MUSEUM - DAY

TEXT LINE appears, reading "THREE DAYS LATER".

KEN and THERESA are taking in a show at the MFA. A poster displayed announce’s it’s an "Ordinary Art" exhibit of normal, workaday objects that are art in and of themselves, from different cultures. They’re in the Japanese section, and both are gazing at the beautiful jewelry boxes and such. Suddenly, KEN stops. He looks uneasy, and starts looking around.

His gaze turns toward a rack of swords. Standing behind them, staring straight at them is a MAN. Early thirties, Caucasian, dressed expensively. He moves toward them. MORGAN kisses her hand. She looks from one man to the other and can read the animosity. THERESA remains quite cool towards MORGAN, to his chagrin. MORGAN turns to one particularly ornate katana, displayed prominently. KEN nods as his eyes go distant.

9 - FLASHBACK - MEDIEVAL JAPAN - INT. MIFUNE’S FORGE - NIGHT

Medieval Japan, c. 800-850 AD. KEN is in the forge, working a red-hot piece of steel, hammering and folding. The glow from the metal and the fire light his sweat-soaked face. After a minute, a large, middle-aged man walks in. This is the great swordmaker MIFUNE. KEN defers instantly to the man, who inspects his work and orders him to continue.

10 - FLAHSBACK - INT. MIFUNE’S WORKSHOP - DAY

In the outer part of the workshop. KEN sits, grinding and polishing the blade, while MIFUNE works on the tsuba and handle.

11 - same

The sword is complete, and sits on its own rack.

MIFUNE and KEN are in their finest clothes, and they exit to await the person coming for the sword.

12 - FLASHBACK - EXT. MIFUNE’S WORKSHOP - DAY

The two wait outside. A balck-curtained palanquin surrounded by SAMURAI GUARDS comes up. A man, exits, in the armor of a head of state: Lord SHIRO, Captain-of-Arms for the Emperor himself. SHIRO comes up to them, and MIFUNE respectfully hands him the katana. KEN is open-mouthed.

SHIRO and MIFUNE smile. 13 - PRESENT DAY -INT. MUSEUM - DAY

KEN returns from his reverie.

MORGAN shuffles in mock modesty. THERESA checks her watch and loops her arm into KEN’s. 14 - EXT. BOYLSTON ST - LATE NIGHT

TEXT LINE appears, reading: "TWO WEEKS LATER".

KEN and THERESA are walking near the commons down Boylston St. It’s apparent they’ve had an evening at the theater-- they’re dressed up and THERESA is carrying a Playbill. KEN is wearing his black trenchcoat. They walk arm in arm, w/ her away from the curb. They’re chattering away happily. There is a faint sound from a dark building. KEN hears it, and playfully spins THERESA around, away from the walls. He picks up his pace.

There is the clear sound of a gun being cocked behind them.

15 - same

Camera angle widens. KEN and THERESA are being mugged. Three THUGS stand behind them. #1, in the middle, holds the revolver. #2 and #3 have baseball bats. KEN looks immediately ready for action. THERESA looks concerned, but calm.

KEN and THERESA raise their hands. KEN slowly reaches into his pocket, THERESA into her purse. They hand over their cash. The THUGS leer at THERESA. THUG #1 points the gun at him. KEN’s hand flashes out and grabs the gun, twisting it from #1’s grasp. He kicks #1 in the midsection, then the head. #2 swings for KEN’s head. A kick sends #2 sprawling, clutching his private parts. KEN spins, and our POV changes to his. We see #3 out cold, with THERESA’s black pump resting squarely on his back. She looks down mockingly at him. KEN smiles. A shot rings out, and a red stain begins to spread across the front of his shirt. He brings his hand up to see the blood. He drops to his knees. THERESA immediately goes to him. KEN struggles to his feet. Reluctantly, she lets herself be dragged off.

16 - EXT. DARK ALLEYWAY - LATE NIGHT

KEN, still staggering, has found a hidden alleyway. THERESA is completely confused.

KEN unbuttons his shirt. The wound is already beginning to staunch and heal. After a moment, she nods, and they get up and head off. Police sirens wail in the BG.

17 - INT. KEN’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATE NIGHT

KEN and THERESA enter. KEN is looking and walking normally. Once inside, she crosses her arms.

She does. KEN pulls up a chair and sits close. THERESA shakes her head. He braces for whatever she’s going to say, but THERESA just stares at him. THERESA just sits there, thinking. KEN shakes his head, dumbfounded. KEN diappears into the kitchen for a few moments as THERESA tries to take it all in. He reappears, holding two glasses of white wine. THERESA half-drains hers in one drink. 18 - FLASHBACK - MEDIEVAL JAPAN - COUNTRY ROAD - DUSK

The old KEN is riding a slow, old horse along a silent country road. Tall grass surrounds him.

Suddenly, FOUR BANDITS strike from the grass. KEN defends himself the best he can, but BANDIT #1 gets him right through the heart. The BANDITS take his valuables and scatter.

19 - same

The sky darkens. A distant rumble of thunder gets closer and closer. The clouds roil, and KEN’s body is struck with a powerful cascade of lightning. It fades, and the sky lightens. KEN rises. He looks over himself, and finds the wound completely gone. He looks up to the gods in thanks and begins back down the road.

20 - FLASHBACK - INT. RICH PERSON’S HOME - NIGHT

KEN, looking none the worse for wear, is at some sort of small party.

KEN turns to see MORGAN staring at him. The Englishman looks like Richard Chamberlain in "Shogun." MORGAN walks up to him and places his hand on the handle of his sword. They exit.

21- FLASHBACK - EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

KEN and MORGAN exit the house, and find the shadows.

In response, MORGAN drives a knife into KEN’s stomach. KEN doubles over and pulls it out. He begins to stagger back towards the house as MORGAN stands waiting calmly. Soon, KEN starts to straighten.

What’s going on?

KEN nods. 22 - PRESENT DAY - INT. KEN’S APARTMENT - LATE NIGHT

KEN is finishing the story. THERESA listens with rapt attention. Morgan’s last words and KEN’s blend.

He breathes deeply. 23 - same

KEN puts a hand on hers.

She rises and wraps her arms around his waist. KEN caresses her arms, her shoulders, her face. They kiss, and it’s a good one-- passionate and real. It lasts until KEN reaches down and scoops THERESA into his arms and carries her off to the bedroom.

24 - EXT. BAY STATE ROAD - NEAR PHOTO DEPT. - NIGHT

KEN and THERESA are walking, arm in arm lit by a blue-white streetlamp. KEN wears his trenchcoat. They approach the U-shaped building when they hear a voice from the small atrium within.

KEN removes the katana from beneath his coat, which THERESA marvels at. MORGAN comes rushing at them. KEN is just able to dodge and shove THERESA out of the way. He casts aside his coat and swings at MORGAN, who blocks. KEN’s eyes go wide at seeing the sword. The Mifune.

25 - EXT. BSR - ATRIUM - NIGHT

KEN and MORGAN duel. It ranges all over, jumping, dodging, attacks with fist and foot thrown in. At one point, KEN is atop a bench. MORGAN swings at his legs, forcing KEN to jump, nearly costing him his balance.

26 - same

It almost seems as if they could go all night, but THERESA rushes near, sweeping MORGAN’s legs out from under him. MORGAN recovers too quickly. He slashes THERESA’s side. She falters, then falls. KEN rushes right to her, dropping his sword.

KEN collapses, weeping. MORGAN kicks his sword over. KEN places a final kiss on her lips and rests her gently on the ground. He wraps his hands around the handle of his katana. In one blindingly fast motion, he turns, rises and strikes, the swords crashing with sparks and lighting.

27 - same

The duel, but KEN is clearly the stronger now. MORGAN gets in a lucky hit, and KEN is forced back. They begin again, and KEN is ready to finish. One stroke brings MORGAN down. Another disarms him. MORGAN looks up with rage in his eyes.

KEN swings the katana. MORGAN’s headless body crumples to the ground. There are tears in KEN’s eyes. 28 - same

KEN steps back. The sky starts to thunder and lightning. Bolts strike Morgan’s body, and wisps of glowing energy carry the body up. KEN holds the katana straight before him, ready to receive the Quickening. The energy bolt shoots straight at him. Then through him. To hit THERESA. The energy holds her aloft, surrounding her in light. Her wound fades away. KEN runs over, and she drifts down to his waiting arms. He kneels, holding her. THERESA’s eyes open, and he brushes away some stray locks of hair.

They kiss.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END.