JANE & JAMES
FADE IN:
INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT
JANE (female, dumb blonde type, about 25 years old) unfolds clothes that were packed in cardboard boxes. Several other boxes are on the floor.
Jane then unpacks the dishes from the other boxes. Then, glasses. Then, bedding. Then, more clothes.
She looks at her phone and scrolls through several old pictures of herself with friends in her hometown on Instagram. The comments read:
“Love you girl!”
“Good luck in the big city!”
“Miss you already #kisses”
She wipes a single tear from her eye.
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Jane sits across from JAMES (male, “the perfect man,” tall, dark, and handsome, about 25 years old). They both hold coffee mugs.
James smiles at Jane.
JAMES
I can’t believe I haven’t seen you in 10 years.
JANE
Me either. It’s been so long.
JAMES
You were a great childhood friend. I remember when we would leave the house in the morning and not come back all day.
JANE
Or when we would come back covered in mud and our parents would be mad at us.
JAMES
Those were the good ol’ days… so how do you like the city?
JANE
To be honest, I really haven’t gotten a good start. My boss is so rude and I haven’t made any friends. I came here to escape our small suburban town after my ex broke up with me. I just wish someone would come and sweep me off my feet.
James nods and smiles.
INT. OFFICE – DAY
Jane looks sad at her desk. Her BOSS (male, extremely rude, about 40 years old) walks over.
BOSS
I’m gonna need you to finish this report by tonight.
JANE
But I still have to write 20 more pages!
BOSS
If you were a good employee, you would’ve had this done yesterday. One week on the job and you’re already giving me attitude.
JANE
I’m so sorry, I’ll have it done by tonight.
BOSS
Oh, and I’m gonna need you to come in on Saturday.
The boss leaves and Jane frowns.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Jane sits at a table in a nice restaurant with a MAN (male, average looking, wearing a suit and Rolex, about 25 years old). Jane looks sad.
MAN
I work on Wall Street.
JANE
Oh, how do you like it?
MAN
I love it. I make so much money. I can help you with your finances if you need.
JANE
That’s so nice of you, but-
MAN
(interrupting)
The stock market is up right now, you could really make a lot of money if you bought some stock. It’s an investment at first, but if you stick with it…
The man continues on about the stock market while Jane stares blankly ahead.
MAN
…And that’s why I’m so rich.
Jane snaps out of it as she realizes he’s done speaking.
JANE
Should we get the check?
MAN
Do you mind splitting it? The lobster you ordered was kind of expensive.
Jane stares blankly at him. She sighs.
JANE
Yeah, that’s fine.
MAN
Great, thanks. Also, my place is just down the block if you want to come over for a drink.
James smiles at Jane.
JANE
No, thank you. I have a huge report I should really finish.
MAN
Wow, all you women are the same.
He walks away without paying his bill and Jane frowns.
EXT. CAR – NIGHT
Jane cries as she stands next to her car on the side of the road. There is smoke coming from the front of it.
She takes out her phone and dials several numbers.
JANE (ON THE PHONE)
Hello?
SERVICE WORKER (OVER THE PHONE)
(monotonous voice)
Dave and Rick’s roadside service. How can I help you?
JANE (ON THE PHONE)
Uh hi, my car broke down on Highway 26B and I need someone to tow it.
SERVICE WORKER (OVER THE PHONE)
We don’t service that area.
The service worker hangs up the phone and Jane continues to cry as she dials another number.
30 MINUTES LATER
A car pulls up behind Jane’s car. James gets out of the car and smiles.
Jane runs over to James and hugs him.
JANE
Thank you so much for coming!
JAMES
Anything for you.
Jane shyly smiles.
JAMES (CONT’D)
What happened?
JANE
I don’t know. It started to slow down, and when I pulled over, there was smoke coming out of the engine.
James twists a few things in the hood of the car. After a few minutes, he starts the car and it starts up just fine.
JAMES
All fixed. Just a few parts weren’t screwed in right. You should really get a new mechanic.
Jane laughs.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Well, I should get going.
Jane nods and goes in to hug James.
JANE
Thank you so much.
Jane looks at James. He looks as handsome as ever, and his eyes sparkle in the moonlight.
A love song begins to play on the radio. Jane turns it up.
JANE
Oh my god, this is our song. We used to listen to this all the time when we were kids.
JAMES
Wow, you remember.
JANE
Of course, how could I forget?
James smiles and looks at Jane, whose eyes also sparkle in the moonlight.
JANE’S INTERNAL VOICE
I think he’s going to go in for the kiss.
JAMES’ INTERNAL VOICE
Maybe I should just kiss her.
JANE’S INTERNAL VOICE
He’s all I’ve ever wanted. My soulmate.
James takes a deep breath and goes in for the kiss. A huge clap of thunder stops them right as they are about to, and they both jump.
James frowns and looks down. Jane then goes in for the kiss. They kiss for a few moments, passionately.
JAMES
How does dinner tomorrow night sound?
JANE
It’s a date.
EXT. APARTMENT – DAY
Jane walks out of her apartment wearing her work clothes. She looks up and sees a billboard that reads:
“Make today great!”
Jane smiles.
JANE’S INTERNAL VOICE
Man, I love this city.
FADE OUT.
*Editor’s note: none of the content featured is written by AI
Stephanie Tokasz is a junior film, photography, and visual arts major who now heads a major AI smear campaign. You can reach Stephanie at [email protected].