Rebecca Kaplan (mrs_greenbean@hotmail.com)

William Lemke (skateboardcrew@hotmail.com)

"In the Storm of Love"

 Treatment

This is the story of an empty relationship between Cynthia and Edward. It is apparent from the opening scene that the interactions between the two are meaningless. Though they do not communicate this to each other, we can see from the flashbacks that they both reminisce about the beginning of their love when things were simple. Edward tries to hold onto the past, while Cynthia looks for synthetic excitement. It all culminates in a scene where Cynthia tells Edward to tie her to the bed. When Edward denies her request, the two must address their differing needs.

Cast List

Edward

A 29 year old graphic designer. He is an intelligent, soft spoken man with dark hair that falls to his cheeks. He is six feet tall and in fair shape.

Cynthia

A 28 year old public defender. She has long, dark, wavy hair. She is five feet six inches tall.

Screenplay

1. INT. CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM- EVENING

EDWARD sits in front of a vanity mirror wearing a white button down shirt and suit pants. He is adjusting his tie. CYNTHIA is across the bedroom seated at her own vanity mirror. She is wearing a classic black dress and is applying mascara. The two are dressing themselves for an evening at the theatre, though throughout this scene they do not interact. The only audio is of Edward’s monotonous WHISTLING.

2. INT. THEATRE- EVENING

Cynthia and Edward seated in the audience. The do not hold hands or touch each other in any way. Both stare forward at the stage. Cynthia reaches into her purse and pulls out a wrapped mint, unwraps it (CRINKLING), and pops it in her mouth. Edward glances down at Cynthia’s lap as she unwraps the mint, then forward once more at the stage.

3. INT. CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM- NIGHT

Cynthia and Edward are in their bed, under the sheets, kissing and caressing each other. Cynthia pulls herself up onto Edward’s chest.

CYNTHIA

Tie me to the bed. Use the rope.

EDWARD

Oh, I don’t want to. It’s so sad.

CYNTHIA

What’s so sad?

4. EXT. CITY STREET- DAY

Cynthia and Edward walk casually down the street. Edward looks over at Cynthia, then looks away. Cynthia looks over at Edward and laughs.

5. EXT. PLAYGROUND- DAY

Cynthia and Edward are sitting on swings, rocking gently, conversing.

CYNTHIA

Don’t take her sarcasm so seriously.

EDWARD

I just want to make a good impression on your friends, y’know.

6. EXT. BUS STOP BENCH- DAY

Cynthia and Edward sit on a bench, waiting for the bus. Edward’s hair falls over his face. Cynthia brushes his hair behind his ear, and kisses him on the cheek.

CYNTHIA

(Audio cuts back to bedroom scene as she kisses Edward) What’s so sad?

7. INT. CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM- NIGHT

Cynthia and Edward are in bed. Cynthia is sitting up, and Edward is lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

EDWARD

That things aren’t simple, that we’re not as simple as we used to be, or used to think we’d be- and sad, too,

that tying you with this rope will only give you a momentary pleasure.

CYNTHIA

Well, that seems quite good to me.

EDWARD

But- you are a rose.

8. INT. CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S KITCHEN- DAY

Cynthia and Edward are in the kitchen, putting away groceries. She is standing by the cupboards, and Edward is putting vegetables into the refrigerator. They are both visibly irritated.

EDWARD

No- no I will not… this my home, too.

CYNTHIA

Just a couple nights, Edward!

EDWARD

This is bullshit, how could you’ve not told your parents about us?

CYNTHIA

It’s not as if I’ve never-

EDWARD

(SLAMS refrigerator door) You fucking little girl!

9. INT. CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM- NIGHT

Cynthia and Edward are in bed. Cynthia is sitting up, and Edward is lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

CYNTHIA

I’m a rose? Then tie me to this fence, and be a bee!

Continuity Script

CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM.

1. CU: from vanity mirror’s POV, Cynthia is putting on mascara. Track right to profile of Cynthia. Edward is in soft focus across the room. Focus shifts to Edward, camera tracks over Cynthia’s head, eventually pans right to Edward’s vanity mirror. Camera POV is Edward’s reflection. He is knotting his tie, and has been whistling throughout the scene.

THEATRE AUDITORIUM

1. MS: Edward and Cynthia seated in theatre audience. They do not hold hands or touch each other in any way. Both stare forward at the stage.
2. CU: Cynthia’s hands as she reaches into her purse and pulls out a wrapped mint. She unwraps it in her lap, creating a loud crinkling noise.
3. MS: Edward and Cynthia. Edward is glancing down at Cynthia’s lap as she unwraps the mint, then forward once more at the stage. Cynthia pops the mint into her mouth.

CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM

1. LS: Looking down on Cynthia and Edward in bed. They are kissing and caressing each other. Camera slowly tracks down toward the bed. Cynthia pulls herself up onto Edward’s chest.
2. MS: Cynthia on Edward’s chest.

CYNTHIA: Tie me to the bed. Use the rope. She flings herself on her back.

3. MCU: Looking down, Cynthia and Edward lying on their backs.

CITY STREET

1. LS: Camera tracks as Cynthia and Edward walk down the street. Edward looks over at Cynthia, then looks away, tracking stops as the two continue walking. Just before they exit the shot, Cynthia looks over at Edward and laughs.

PARK

1. LS: Cynthia and Edward are sitting on swings, rocking gently, conversing.

BUS STOP BENCH

1. MS: Cynthia and Edward sit on a bench, waiting for the bus. Edward’s hair falls over his face. Cynthia brushes his hair behind his ear, and kisses him on the cheek. As she kisses him we hear the first line from the next scene.

CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM

1. MCU: Looking down, Cynthia and Edward lying on their backs.

CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S KITCHEN

1. CU: Cynthia, standing by the cupboards.

   EDWARD: No- no I will not… this my home, too.

   CYNTHIA: Just a couple nights, Edward!

2. MS: Edward, putting vegetables in the refrigerator.

   EDWARD: This is bullshit, how could you’ve not told your parents about us?

3. CU: Cynthia.

   CYNTHIA: It’s not as if I’ve never-

4. MS: Edward, slamming refrigerator door.

CYNTHIA AND EDWARD’S BEDROOM

1. MS: Cynthia and Edward sitting up in bed. Cynthia is looking at Edward as he stares straight ahead.

   CYNTHIA: If, I am a rose, then tie me to this fence, and be a bee!

2. Immediately cuts to black.