ORTONA

                                      

                                       SEASON ONE

                   

                                   
                                      Created by: C-R-T

SE1x1 :  Sometimes you can’t go home

ACT I

Fade in:

EXT. Ortona Main Street- Day

People are passing by, a couple is pushing a stroller by, a few birds splash in a bird bath by a gazebo. We turn slowly to show a nice, modern car pull up.. After a few beats a young woman with long straight brown hair hanging neatly over her shoulders steps out and takes a look around after lowering her glasses.

INT. Diner- Day

A few people are sitting at the counter, others are spaced out at tables smoking and sipping steaming cups of coffee as two middle age women walk around with hot pots of it to refill. We see the woman and her car parked just outside near the curb. She looks around and then makes her way up onto the sidewalk and into the diner. After a few beats and heading turning in frame… a coffee pot breaks as one of the woman screams.

Liza: OHHHHHH MY LORD…. Allie Conner… is that you? Martha! Get out here!

Allie: No… Liza it’s ok…. Shhh… really-

Martha: Who is it? Damn it I was elbow deep in that damn grease trap!

A older woman appears from the side through a door and her mouth drops as she pulls her glasses down form her head to get a better view… she cups a hand to her mouth as she sees the girl standing there.

Martha: Allie… Why I’ll be… about time you showed your face young lady!

Allie: Martha.. I was really just-

Liza: can I get you some coffee… or we got some hot muffins.. Or how bout a bagel… you look down right skinny!

Allie: No… I know this is weird.. Considering I just appeared out of nowhere… but I need to find-

Martha: please tell me your not looking for him?

Allie stops and makes a face of confusion… then she looks around really quick.

Allie: looking for who?

Martha: Well… you know!

Allie: No I don’t.. please inform me

Liza: Jonathan dear… what are you stupid?

Martha: Liza… I think we need more coffee!

Liza looks back over the counter then turns back.

Liza: no.. we have ple- oh.. Yeah we do I guess

She catches the hint and walks away shaking her head and Martha walks to the door and waves for Allie to follow him.

EXT. Sidewalk- Day

The two slowly walk up the street passing other people and shops.

Allie: You thought I wanted to see him?

Martha: I was actually hoping… even though you couldn’t

Allie: well I didn’t… but if I did… why not?

Martha: Dear you broke his heart.. And now your just going to show up and expect him to want to see you?

Allie: Martha… don’t grill me…. I didn’t travel all the way down here from New York for people to tell me how stupid or selfish I was!

Martha: And I’m not going to… but I don’t want to see my son get hurt again… a broken heart is the closest you come to death… well I say so anyway!

Allie smiles slightly as she folds her arms as the pass two old men smoking at a table while sipping coffee outside another diner.

Allie: So… well how is he.. Just wondering?

Martha: He is good… he owns the garage now.. So he is making good money… owns the old Ford house.. So he spent about a year fixing it up… and getting married in July…

Allie stops and turns to face Martha.

Allie: He’s…. getting… oh.. Well that’s nice… good. 

There is a hidden tone in her voice.. And Martha catches onto it.. But they walk out of frame.

INT. Garage- Day

Tommy: John… did you ever find those spark plugs?

We turn the camera down past a jacked up car to show a man wheel backwards out from underneath it… he gets to his feet and wipes his hands off on a rag as Tommy, a young man, maybe 18, with sandy blonde hair appears. Jonathan nods and tosses the pack to him as he puts the greasy wrench he was using back in the toolbox sitting on the hood of the car. 

John: Tommy.. Please tell me your not wearing a pink bracelet?

Tommy looks down as his grease spotted arm and looks back up smiling.

Tommy: My girlfriend is making me wear it… make sure I’m worthy enough of her… well that’s between us

Jonathan: oh… whats his name?

Tommy: Holly… wait… shut up man…. Don’t you have a mother to go visiting anyway?

Jonathan checks his watch and then nods sighing.

John: can you watch the place without me coming back to a pile of rubble… or a frat party?
Tommy: I don’t know… I actually was trying to clear you out of here… I got a keg on its way as we speak…. Get going loser

Jonatahn laughs and nods walking out of frame.

~Charlotte: By Air Traffic

EXT. Street- Day

Allie and Martha are walking back to the diner now.

Martha: Hope I didn’t shock you.

Allie: well… duh (laughing)… but I mean… I’m happy for him… it’s not like I came back… to win him back or something.

Martha: Yeah… exactly.. Well honey… I have a shop to run… were having a fish fry tonight… you should stop on buy… even though things didn’t work out… your still like my daughter (laughing).

Allie smiles and nods as they hug… Martha smiles at her before waving and walking back into her shop.

Allie(sighing): It’s not like I came back to win him back… exactly.

EXT. Street- Day

Jonathan is humming to himself as he quickly runs across the street before a car comes… then he steps up onto the sidewalk and walks right past Allie who is standing by her car with her back to him looking for keys.

He walks into the diner and waves at Liza who is wiping the counter down… he takes a seat on the stool.. And liza yells for Martha… Jonathan smiles and after picking up a colored ad for a free carwash Sunday..he lets his eyes travel across the photos on the wall… then he happens to look out the window to the girl getting in her car.. His eyes reach the size of tennis balls  as he stops humming and sits with him mouth open slightly.. Martha appears and sighs noticing who he spotted… Allie drives away just as Jonathan is getting to his feet.

Song ends…

ACT II

EXT. Street- Day

 Jonathan bursts out the diner door and runs to the curb but it is to late… Martha hurries out behind him and quickly pats his shoulder.

Jonathan: Mom your going to think I’m crazy… but that was Allie

Martha: No… your… well it was

Jonathan: it was… wait.. How do you know?

Martha: she stopped by here… wanted to know where the best relator was.

Jonathan: How is she… wait… she is moving here

Martha: Yes… it seems so… and she asked about you… and I told her… 

Jonathan: that’s great!

Martha(interrupting)- about you getting married… you remember your engaged right?

Jonathan looks for a second like a balloon popped inside of him… then he nods and looks serious again.

Jonathan: Just surprised she is even showing her face… at least she is ok… which she isn’t suffering from the broken heart either.

Martha: take it easy on her… she is regretting it everyday… she looked so sad.. When I told her you were getting married.. But she said she was happy for you.

Jonathan: Sad!… why cause I’m not clutching her photo and crying next to a beer…. I need to get back to the garage.. Just wanted to check on you.

Martha: Ok dear… and you don’t have to do that everyday… I don’t care what my doctor says.

Ext. Oak Relator- Day

Allie’s car pulls up outside and she gets out closing her door as a woman dressed in a fancy suit comes down the steps smiling and hold 
Many folders, she shakes Allie’s hand before handin her a business card.

Lady: So pleases to meet you… Allison right?

Allie: yes.. But you can call me Allie

Lady: Allison.. Works for me…. Now.. I have some fine selections some are below your stated price range… some are above… we can go into my office and look over them.. Then the ones your interested in we can go check out in person… sound good?

Allie: Umm.. Yeah.. Sure whatever works

The woman smiles and then waves for Allie to follow her as she walks back up the marble steps into the building.. Allie sighs and follows.

INT. Office- Day

~Heat of glass: By Blondie

A woman in her early twenties… long blonde hair… gleaming green eyes… tan skin sits behind a desk typing into a computer… glancing over a typed report every so often… after a few beats her phone rings and she answers it.

Girl: Sarah Loft

She nods and then smiles.

Sarah: Oh yeah… no problem… I can meet you two there after work if that is cool….no wait.. I have to meet my fiance tonight… I can do it first thing in the morning if that is ok with her… I’m just glad somebody is interested in it… been trying to sell it forever now.

She pauses as the other person speaks.

Sarah: That’s great then.. I will be there at 8:00 sharp… yeah it’s clean… I haven’t even been there… been staying with my fiance… ok… you too…. Bye.
She hangs up the phone and sits back in her chair smiling before snapping her fingers and doing a slight dance… she takes her cell out and dials a number.

Sarah: …. Hey… Guess what!…. Somebody is looking at my apartment… I know right…. Ok I’ll let you go cutie… love you too… see you tonight…. (makes a kissing sound).

She gets up and walks out of view… we turn and zoom in on a photo on her desk to show her and… Jonathan sitting at a table kissing.

Song ends…

INT. Store- Day

We open up on spinning wheels.. .as we zoom out we see that they are shopping cart wheels and Allie is pushing it… there are some items such as a broom.. Some spray.. Candles… a shirt.. And some towels. She stops and looks as a coffee pot before moving on. She is passing a display of mixers when another cart darts out in front of her and crashes into hers.

Voice: I’m sooo sorry miss…. Let me get that

A young lady about Allie’s age with her red hair tied back in a pony tail bends and picks up the broom off the floor and puts it back in Allie’s cart. As she stands up we see freckles dotting her lightly tanned face.

Allie: Oh my god… Nicky what are you doing here?

Nicky: well… I still live here… duh’

Allie: I thought… well last I heard you were in California acting in movies… why are you back here?

Nicky: yeah… that.. Well that didn’t work out.. Now I’m living in an apartment up near Mason creek.

Allie nods holding her cart as Nicky pushes hers out farther and then stops leaning against it smiling.

Nicky: So… I take it you… and Jon-

Allie: no… me and Jonathan aren’t back together… I’m-

Nicky: your not? Well why are you back home?

Allie: why are you? (laughing)… I’m back because it felt right… that’s all you get for now!

Nicky: Well how bout we regurgitate a little more over lunch?

Allie smiles and slowly nods.

Allie: sure.. Why not… Martha’s ok for ya?

Nicky: Hey.. I might have worked in Hollywood… but my ass can still eat some home cooking (laughing)

They push their carts out of view.

EXT- Parking lot- Day

Allie and Nicky push their carts to Allie’s car… Allie hit’s the button on her keychain and opens her truck… as she starts loading her bags.. Nicky starting to hand her the bags… a Sports car passes in the background and parks in a nearby parking spot.

Nicky: Well I’ll be… so I take it you hate her by now?

Allie looks up swishing her hair behind her ears and out of her eyes..

Allie: Who?

Nicky (pointing): Her… Sarah… The Chosen one?

Allie: Yeah this isn’t Password… gonna need more hints

Nicky: Oh… you don’t know then?

Allie: That’s your acting crazy.. Yeah not I do… who the hell is she?

Allie closes the trunk as Nicky digs in her purse and pulls out a white laced paper.

Nicky: get you a eye full girl

Allie: give me that… what is this?

She looks over it then after a few beats she looks up and her mouth is hanging slightly open.

Nicky: There we go… somebody finally home in there!

Allie: Oh… well so what? I mean good luck for the both of them.

Nicky: That’s it… that scank is walking away with the love of your life.. And all you can say is… good luck… wheres the master plan to steal him bat?

Allie pushes her cart to the side out of her way and turns back smiling.

Allie: Master plan… Alright Robin… meet me in the bat cave in Ten and we’ll gun her down… what are you in Kindergarden… I let him go… I missed my chance… good for him for finding happiness… now are you gonna go load you car and meet me for lunch or what?

Nicky: Alright… keep telling your self that… Denial.. It’ more than just a river.

Allie opens her door and is getting in as Nicky is pushing her cart out of frame.

Allie: Thanks for that wisdom.. Get going! (laughing).

She closes her door and we are inside facing her now as she starts it and grips the wheel sighing deeply as she closes her eyes.

INT. Diner- Day

~Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Pat Benatar(on diner Radio)

Allie and Nicky are sitting at a window table talking over plates of lunch.

Nicky: So after the last movie… I decided it just wasn’t for me.. And poof.. Here I’am (takes a sip of water)

Allie: Poof? Well my story isn’t as glam as yours… but long story short… I thought New York was where I always… belonged… and after three years… it just seems like something is missing… and I’m woman enough-

Nicky: To admit you were stupid and made a huge mistake.. And you should be on your knees begging us to take you back?

Allie: ummm… not exactly… but I guess I deserve that!

She smiles and sips her soda as Nicky scrapes her food around with her fork… Martha comes into frame holding a jug of soda to refill Allie’s glass.

~ Song Ends

Martha: well look at this… the troublesome two-some.. Back in action are we?

She fills Allie’s glass as the two women laugh at her.

Allie: I know.. Who would have guessed?

Nicky: yeah.. My old best friend here ran me over in the store today-

Allie: hey.. You crashed into me Rambo… but yeah.. It’s good to have her back (laughing slightly)

Martha: Well have you caught up yet?

Nicky: yeah… pretty much… which means I should really be going… I have to meet my rent man today… umm… how about breakfast in the morning… here… around eight?

Allie: Yeah… that’s perfect… see ya then hoe!
Nicky: Can’t wait scank

She winks her eye at Allie and grabs her purse getting up from the table and placing a ten dollar bill near the table. Martha waits till she exit’s the door and sits down across from Allie.

Martha: So… Jonathan saw you today

Allie: What (choking on her drink)

Martha: Yeah… as you were leaving.. He was here and caught a glimpse of you through the window… but you had already pulled away.

Allie: Wow… well that totally wasn’t how I wanted to start things off again… was he mad?

She is looking scared as Martha folds her hands on the table, and older couple enter in the background and some cars pass by outside.

Martha: Well… I think shaken fits better… but Anger showed its ugly face quick enough

Allie: Wow… I should go see him… no… I should wait… right?

Martha reaches across the table smiling and pats her hand.

Martha: Allison Delilah Conner…. I hate preaching to you… but do what your heart tells you… now I love Sarah just as much as the next old fart in town… but everyone from here to China knows how this epic love story is going to end… you just have to get the pages turning again…

Allie smiles faintly as she fiddles with the wrapper off her straw. She finally looks up after a few beats and is looking both sad and serious as if she is about to spill her heart.

Allie: I.. came back for Jonathan

INT. Garage- Day

We are zoomed in on a wheel and we slowly draw out and Tommy appears kneeling as he polishes the wheel before stepping back… we zoom fully out and show Tommy standing next to Jonathan as they look at the finished car.

Tommy: Not to bad old man

Jonathan: Hey… take it easy… Your not exactly just out the cradle either… but nice work dude (he pats Tommy’s shoulder before walking over and started to put the tools on the floor back in the rusted toolbox.

Tommy: So what was with the slamming door and akward silence in the office earlier… or is it one of those engaged.. Soap opera crisis?

Jonathan: You don’t miss much… toss me the drill

Tommy does as asked then leans on the hood of the car as Jonathan closes the tool box and stands up wiping his hands.

Jonathan: It had nothing to do with me and Sarah… just… old pages of a burnt book is all

Tommy (girly): Oh how I do love for you to speak in riddles Mister Vickers… (regular voice) dude what was bugging you?
Jonathan: Clock out before I have to fire you… and don’t worry about it… just something kinda caught me off guard… anyways I have to get going.. I have to shower and all if I’m gonna meet my wife tonight.

Tommy: damn… not even married and already claiming her… your whipped.

Jonathan tosses the rag at him laughing as he walks out of frame.

EXT. Garage- Day

We cut to show Allie walking up and knocking on the garage office door.. She peers inside before turning and running her hands through her hair. We hear clanging off screen and she walks out of frame, we cut back and show her walking up to the open garage door where the cars are worked on. Tommy is bending near the fixed car and she knocks on the wall to get his attention.

Tommy spins around and smiles at her beauty thinking she is there for him.

Tommy: how can I help you… young lady

Allie: nice try… umm.. Actually I was wondering if Jonathan was around… Jonathan Vickers?

Tommy: you just missed him… he left about five minutes ago… if it’s important though I can give him a call or give you his home number.

Allie: no… that’s alright… I’m just an old… friend from school is all.. You have a nice day.

Tommy: You two.. Sorry I wasn’t any help… I mean I’am in other areas… well you get it

Allie: (laughing) take it easy

She walks out of frame as Tommy leans on the hood and folds his arms.

INT. Diner- Dusk

Martha is wiping down the counter… her diner is closed and the bright day has turned to a darkening dusk outside.
The door opens with a jingle and Jonathan walks in.. cleaned up and dressed for a special night.

Martha: Going to have to charge extra.. Were closed buster (laughing)

Jonathan: What… looking this good doesn’t score some points

Martha: Well… I guess I can let it slide… what is the get up for?

Jonathan takes a seat at the counter as Martha wipes the stove in the background down.

Jonathan: Dinner with Sarah tonight… she planned it.. But best to just go along.

Martha: well.. If you say so… how was your day today?

Jonathan: normal… got Mr. York’s car fixed at last

Martha: Normal? Hmmm that’s.. normal

Jonathan: (laughing).. No.. Allie didn’t show up today… and it doesn’t matter if she did.. That is a closed chapter… stop fishing mom.

Martha turns around and takes her glasses off to clean them on her apron.

Martha: I’ll stop fishing when I catch a big one… now you should let her off the hook… she is torn up enough.

Jonathan: You’re the one who told me to move on

Martha: well yeah… only cause it was hurting you so bad

Jonathan: So now I should just drop Sarah and take Allie back for more pain?

Martha: NO… nobody said anything about getting back together… she came home to patch things…. It would be a shame… is all if you didn’t give her a chance… 

Martha walks out from behind the counter and kisses her son’s cheek before walking towards the door.

Martha: Let her in Jonathan…. And lock up when you leave… fresh tea in the freezer…. Night!

Jonathan sits at the counter and fiddles with his hands on the counter top as he sighs. 

~ Bloody Nose: By Earlimart

INT. Motel- Night

(only music is audible… no voices) 

Allie walks up to the counter as a elderly man smiles and walks her through the set up for the night… she gives him a twenty and smiles as he hands her a key with a yellow tag on it.

She walks out the door and we cut to the parking lot to show her wheeling her suitcase up the walkway to her room for the night.

INT. Sarah’s Apartment- Night

Sarah is standing in front of the mirror in a evening dress and is carefully applying makeup to her face… her bathroom is seeping with the clear presence of somebody who is wealthy… marble floors and walls… elegant paintings.. And a abstract/artistic shower curtain.

We zoom down to the counter to show her cell phone ringing with the caller ID: JONATHAN.

INT. Nicky’s Apartment- Night

Nicky opens the door and cuts on a light so we go from dark to light on her tiny apartment. She tosses her purse over on the small couch and then bends and picks the letters that were shoved through her mail slot… she flips through them before walking out of frame.

We cut to show her entering the kitchen where she tosses the letters on the counter and then opens the fridge, grabs a bottle of wine.. And closes it… leaning against the door of the fridge sighing.

We pan down to the letters and zoom in on the first one.. A tan colored envelope with red letters saying: 

ACT III

~Winter: by Holly Conlan

INT. Hotel Room- Night

We are facing a badly painted red door… after a few beats it opens and Allie slowly walks in wheeling her luggage, she closes it and after pushing her bag near the corner table, she turns the dead bolt and latches the chain… then she turns and rests against it with her back… we zoom in on her face, tears are welling in her eyes as she slowly slids down the door till she is sitting on the floor… sobbing.

EXT. River’s- Night

Jonathan is leaning over the railing at the restaurant River’s… people are walking up the steps and in through the shinging glass doors… he is scraping at the paint on the railing his his fingers… then he looks out into the night… his facial expression is a mixture of sadness and a tragic romantic expression… both heart breaking and sexy. Then he turns.. Forcing a convincing smile as Sarah walks up the steps and we turn to face her as he walks over and she wraps her arms around his as the go through the doors.

INT. Martha’s House- Night

We slowly pan over the bookcase… old vases and books line most of the shelves… but as we go lower we reach the bottom shelf… there is a fancy lace cloth on which set a musical globe with animals inside… Martha’s glasses, some coasters stacked neatly inside a tray… and a weathered hand appears sitting a picture fram on the shelf next to the globe. When Martha’s hand moves we zoom into show a happier Allie and Jonathan hugging up together for the photo. We zoom out and pan up to show Martha smiling sadly before turning and walking out of view.

INT. Hotel Room- Night

Allie( V.O)- Sometimes there is no… yellow brick road to bring you home… sometimes the mistakes you made are just to terrible and complicated to be laid to rest. But you have to try… 

INT. River’s- Night

Jonathan and Sarah as sitting at a candle lit table… other couples and groups are in the background… fancy dressed waiters pass between the tables. Sarah is talking and smiling, we turn to show Jonathan laughing and nodding… but only half.. As if he is focused somewhere else.

Jonathan( V.O)- Then again.. Maybe mistakes are only a test on what the human spirt can take… trying to move on is just the first step… finding and rekindling that love that once was.. Is the damn hard part… but you have to try… even if… somebody gets hurt..

Fade to Darkness..