Thoughts, Anyone?

So what do you think? This installment of The Purple of Life is over. Should it continue, or is it time for a new story?

The Purple of Life, scene 33

EXT. SCARY STREET - NIGHT

Andy slowly drives along a street known for criminal activity. He passes a drug dealer and slows down near a group of PROSTITUTES.

He rolls his window down. A BLOND PROSTITUTE approaches.

BLOND PROSTITUTE

You looking for a date?

ANDY

Yes, but not you.

Andy points at a prostitute with dark hair and eyes. She’s reminiscent of Diana, but a little plumper and shorter.

ANDY (CONT'D)

Her.

The blond prostitute gives way to Andy’s choice. The prostitute gets in his car.

Andy drives around the corner.

DARK HAIRED PROSTITUTE

I’m -

Andy supplies the name.

ANDY

Diana.

DARK HAIRED PROSTITUTE

Right, Diana. What do you want, honey?

Andy unzips his pants and holds up some money. The prostitute takes the money and bends over to give Andy a blow-job.

Andy leans back. He watches the nearby fire for a minute then closes his eyes while the prostitute does her job.

ANDY

(whispering)

I love you.

FADE TO BLACK

The Purple of Life, scene 32

INT. CHURCH - LATER

Five DEACONS, one of whom is Steve, Andy’s neighbor, sit in a circle in the church. When Andy walks in to join them, they immediately halt their discussion. They all stare at Andy.

ANDY

You guys look serious. You must be talking about the fires. We may have to come up with an alternative location for Sunday’s services and Mike and Isa’s wedding.

STEVE

We’ll take care of that.

ANDY

I was thinking about asking the Methodist Church down on Lincoln to loan us out some space. They owe us from when they needed worship space during their construction.

STEVE

Andy, you’re going to need to step down as Pastor of this Parish. Immediately.

ANDY

What? Why?

STEVE

I think you know why.

DEACON #2

You need some help. And probably a lawyer.

STEVE

Diana called.

ANDY

Guys, I’m in love. I was just trying to get a date.

STEVE

Andy, leave it. And us. We can’t have you as a spiritual leader.

Andy looks around at the Deacon’s.

ANDY

You can’t just decide this. What about the congregation? What about Mike and Isa’s wedding?

STEVE

We’re acting on behalf of the congregation. You’ll have to work out wedding plans on your own, but my advice would be to recommend a substitute. Go with God.

Andy realizes the Deacon’s won’t back down.

ANDY

Okay. I guess that’s it, then.

STEVE

Get some help, Andy, and work on returning to the spiritual path.

Dejected and rejected, Andy leaves.

The Purple of Life, scene 31

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - AFTERNOON

Andy, waits with two coffees. He sits at a table on the patio, just as Diana always does.

Diana arrives. Andy stands and motions her over.

ANDY

I took the privilege of ordering you some.

DIANA

(distracted)

Thanks.

They sit.

ANDY

You really didn’t sound good over the phone.

DIANA

I’m kind of going through something right now.

ANDY

You’re one of my flock. I care for you, Diana. Let me help.

Diana cries.

DIANA

I’m so embarrassed, ashamed, mad, scared...confused.

ANDY

Why?

Diana pulls out the envelope from her purse.

DIANA

These were left at my front door this morning.

Andy takes the envelope, opens it and looks at the pictures.

DIANA (CONT'D)

They’re disturbing, yet I can’t keep from carrying them around with me. It’s like...at least if I have them in my possession I have some control over the situation.

ANDY

Any idea why they were sent? Was there a note?

DIANA

(whispering)

Yes.

ANDY

What?

DIANA

It said, "you will love me."

ANDY

You don’t have to be scared, Diana. I can help you.

DIANA

How? The police said there was nothing they could do unless it happened again and some evidence was left.

ANDY

(quietly)

You could love me.

DIANA

What?

Diana focuses on Andy.

ANDY

Diana, I’m so happy you agreed to meet me.

DIANA

What?

ANDY

You are fantastic.

DIANA

(disbelief)

No, no, no...

ANDY

I realized I needed to woo you and show you how much I cared.

DIANA

You’re sick.

ANDY

I am persistent.

DIANA

You’re so sick. Stay away from me.

Diana gets up and moves back. Andy stands and reaches out towards her.

ANDY

Diana, wait, you don’t understand.

DIANA

I don’t need to. You stay away from me.

ANDY

I know we’re meant to be together. I’ve watched you for years now. You’re my soul mate.

DIANA

I never want to see you again.

ANDY

Please -

DIANA

Stop! Just stop.

(cold)

You’re finished.

Diana quickly leaves. Andy watches her go, devastated.

The Purple of Life, scene 30

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Andy writes at his desk. He takes a break and looks out the window. The black smoke from the fire is even closer.

He picks up his office phone and dials.

ANDY

Hi, Diana? It’s Pastor Andy. I’m calling to see...are you alright, Diana? You sound strange.

(he listens)

I’m sorry to hear you aren’t feeling very well. Anything I can do? Bring you soup?

(he listens)

Okay, you just let me know. So, I was calling originally to confirm that you’d still be doing the flower arrangements for Mike and Isa’s wedding.

(he listens)

You will? Great. Okay, then...

(beat)

Diana, I’ve got to be honest. I need to see you. Please meet me at that coffee shop off of Ontario. It’s important.

(he listens)

Thank you. I’ve got a meeting with the Deacons later, but I can definitely see you then.

Andy hangs up. He takes a minute then a big smile breaks out over his face.

ANDY (CONT'D)

(excited)

Score! It’s a date!

The Purple of Life, scenes 26 - 29

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Andy circles the house, looking in all the windows. He comes to Diana’s bedroom window.

He watches her get ready for bed, all the while taking pictures.

INT. DIANA’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Diana removes her clothes and goes into the bathroom to shower.

EXT. DIANA’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Andy, obsessively caught up in his passion, can’t stop watching.

Diana returns from the shower, towels off and puts on her pajamas.

She gets into bed and reads. Andy takes photos of every step.

Eventually Diana switches off her reading light and goes to sleep.

Andy clicks one last photo, then surreptitiously makes his way back down the block to his car.

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - MORNING

Diana opens her front door to leave and notices a manila sized envelope on her front step. She picks it up and opens it. She pulls out full sized photos and flips through them. Her expression goes from puzzled to horrified and sickened.

Andy watches her from down the block.

Diana runs back inside. Andy drives away.

The Purple of Life, scenes 23 - 25

EXT. GROCERY STORE - LATER

Diana, running errands, stops at the store again.

Andy follows, but he continues to secretly snap photos this time.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS

Diana drinks her coffee and reads. Andy takes photos.

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - EVENING

Diana goes into her house. Andy approaches. He looks through her windows.

He sees Diana sit down and watch TV. He takes a photo, then hides from the view of the neighbors.

The Purple of Life, scenes 20 - 22

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Andy sits at a table with Diana. They are both dressed elegantly. Andy takes Diana’s hand.

ANDY

I’m so happy you agreed to come with me.

DIANA

You were persistent.

ANDY

You mean persistence paid off?

DIANA

(chuckles)

Yes, I’d say it did in this case.

Andy gazes at Diana. He’s clearly in love.

ANDY

Diana, you are fantastic.

DIANA

(shyly)

Thank you.

Andy moves in to kiss Diana. At the last minute she puts her hand between their lips, stopping the kiss.

DIANA (CONT'D)

You still need to woo me. Show me how much you care.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

Andy wakes up from DREAM. He lets out a big SIGH.

ANDY

You know, you’re right. I’ve got to show you how much I care.

EXT. DIANA’S BLOCK - MORNING

Andy parks around the block from Diana’s house. He takes his camera, then gets out of the car and walks toward her house. He spies her working in her garden. He finds a place to hide and starts taking pictures.

The Purple of Life, scene 19

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - EVENING

Andy drives down Diana’s street once more. He slows when he comes to her house. Her car is not in the driveway.

ANDY

(to himself)

Where could she be?

He drives around the block. When he reaches her house, the car is still not there. He parks a few houses away, so that he’s got a good view of her house. He waits and watches.

ANDY (CONT'D)

(to himself)

What am I doing?

He looks over at the box of stuff he packed in preparation for the fire. He pulls out his bible, opens it and reads to himself.

He closes the bible, then closes his eyes. His lips slightly move - he’s praying.

The MOTOR of a car interrupts Andy’s quiet prayer. He opens his eyes and sees Diana’s car pull into her driveway.

Andy places the bible back into the box. As he does so, his hand touches his camera. He looks at the camera and picks it up.

He turns it on and focuses on Diana getting out of her car. he zooms in as far as he can and starts taking pictures of Diana - her face, her body, everything.

Diana goes inside. Andy brings the camera down. He replays the pictures he just took.

ANDY (CONT'D)

I love you.

He hears a dog BARK. He looks out and notices the old woman, once again out with her dog. He starts up his car and drives away.

The Purple of Life, scene 18

EXT. CHURCH - AFTERNOON

The dark smoke from the fires appears closer.

Andy, about to get in his car, sees Rachael heading towards him.

ANDY

Sorry I couldn’t go out with you last night.

RACHAEL

No worries, bud. I just wanted to drop by and let you know about Whitney’s party.

ANDY

She all packed?

RACHAEL

Not yet. We’ll probably be packing for the next couple days. You’d be surprised at the amount of shit that can accumulate over a couple years.

ANDY

You guys need any help?

RACHAEL

You can always drop by if you’ve got time to spare. Otherwise, make sure you get to the party.

ANDY

I’ll do my best.

Andy hugs Rachael goodbye, then she returns to her car.

RACHAEL

(calls over her shoulder)

Oh, and go get Diana! Don’t let my absence absolve you from action.

ANDY

(laughing)

Will do!

Rachael and Andy get in their cars.

The Purple of Life, scene 17

INT. OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Andy welcomes Mike and Isa into his office.

ANDY

Mike, Isa, welcome.

MIKE

Thanks, Pastor Andy.

ANDY

So, only a couple more days.

ISA

We’re worried about the fires. Do you think they’ll get the church?

ANDY

I’m sure the firefighters are doing all they can to avoid any fire damage to our community.

ISA

But -

ANDY

Isa, don’t worry. Even if the whole town burns down, I will still marry you guys. I am committed to your ceremony.

ISA

Thank you.

ANDY

Speaking of which, this is our last session before the big day. I’m satisfied after meeting with you both over the last couple months that you are a great match. So why don’t we use this time for any questions you may have, spiritually or not, about what lies ahead.

MIKE

Sounds good.

ISA

Sure.

Andy waits.

ANDY

Do you have any questions?

ISA

(embarrassed)

Um...we were talking the other night and...

MIKE

...and, even though we are committed whole-heartedly to one another, we were wondering...

ISA

...about, you know...the, ah...

MIKE

...well, you know how everyone always jokes about the passion waning after marriage...

ISA

...right, we don’t want that to happen...we don’t want the passion to, ah...

ANDY

Wane.

MIKE AND ISA

Right.

ANDY

I understand what you’re saying and it’s a great question. How does a couple in love keep the passion alive?

Mike and Isa nod.

ANDY (CONT'D)

Trust in your love for one another, trust in God to guide you, and trust in your own imaginations to be thoughtful and creative. Look, there’s no pat answer to this. You’ll have to feel it out, excuse the pun, as you go along.

Mike and Isa laugh.

ANDY (CONT'D)

But, with the commitment you’re making to one another, I’ve no doubt you’ll be able to meet that challenge.

Mike and Isa nod in agreement.

The Purple of Life, scenes 15-16

EXT. ANDY’S HOUSE - MORNING

Andy, dressed and ready for the day, takes his fire preparedness box out to his car. He gets in and drives off.

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - MORNING

Andy slowly drives by Diana’s house. He sees that her car is still in the driveway. He also notices the old woman, a couple houses behind him, walking her dog again.

He drives down the street more quickly to avoid the old woman.

The Purple of Life, scene 14

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

Andy’s alarm wakes him. Per his routine, he gets up, turns on the coffee pot, the television news, and does his push-ups.

NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)The winds have pushed the fires in new directions, seriously threatening the communities of Yorba Linda, Temescal Canyon and Corona....

Andy stops and goes to the TV set.
NEWS ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Evacuations are not yet mandated, but fire chiefs recommend that people start to pack up a “must have” box of valuables that can be quickly taken once the order to evacuate is given.

Andy turns off the TV and looks outside. Dark smoke plumes from the fires in the distance.

He gets a box.

ANDY
What should I take?

He gets his bible and puts it in the box. He looks around. he picks up his camera and places it in the box. He takes a few more books and a file full of documents.

ANDY (CONT'D)
That should do it for an emergency.

The Purple of Life, scene 13

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Andy WAKES suddenly to an OLD WOMAN, with a dog, knocking on his car window. He rolls down the window.

OLD WOMAN
(nearly yelling)
Are you some kind of detective?

ANDY
(taken aback)
No.

OLD WOMAN
What?

ANDY
(in a louder voice)
No, ma’am.

OLD WOMAN
Then what are you doing out here? Are you a robber, casing the joint?

Andy nervously continues the conversation. He doesn’t like having to talk so loud for the old woman.

ANDY
No, ma’am. I was just taking a quick nap before I drove the rest of the way home.

OLD WOMAN
(disappointed)
Oh. Too bad. We don’t get much action around here.

ANDY
I’m sorry for disturbing you.

OLD WOMAN
Nonsense. It was very wise of you to rest before completing your drive. Not enough people realize the dangers of motor vehicles these days.

ANDY
Thank you, ma’am. I feel pretty rested now, I should be on my way.

Andy starts to roll up his window.

OLD WOMAN
Oh, okay. Feel free to stop and rest anytime you’re weary.

Andy nods his head as he finishes rolling up his window and starts the car. He drives off.

The Purple of Life, scene 12

EXT. DIANA’S HOUSE - EVENING

Andy still follows Diana at a distance. Her car drives down a neighborhood street and pulls into the driveway of her house. Andy parks across the street a couple houses down. He watches Diana get her groceries and go into the house.

ANDY
(annoyed, to himself)
What are you doing?

His cell phone RINGS. He answers.

ANDY (CONT'D)
Hello? Hi Rach...Nope, just working on next week’s sermon. I can’t tonight. I’m kind of busy. Thanks, anyway...Bye.

He hangs up and returns his attention to Diana’s house.

The Purple of Life, scenes 10 & 11

EXT. BANK - CONTINUOUS

Diana pulls into the parking lot of a bank. Andy still follows. Watching. She runs her errand, then returns to her car and takes off again. Andy follows.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS

Diana stops at a coffee shop. She parks and goes in. A few minutes later she exits with some coffee and sits at a table in the outside patio. She pulls out a book and reads.

Andy lays his arms and head on the steering wheel and watches.

The Purple of Life, scene 9

EXT. GROCERY STORE - DAY

Andy sits in the parking lot of a big grocery store. He watches people enter and exiting the parking lot.

He spies Diana exiting and walking to her car. He ducks down so that she won’t see him. She places her groceries in her car, gets in and drives off. Andy starts his car and follows at a distance.

The Purple of Life, scene 8

INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

Andy and Rachael sit at a table with their food.

RACHAEL
Don’t tell me you’re still pining after Diana?

ANDY
It’s hard to get her out of my mind.

RACHAEL
It’s been a year, Andy. Don’t you think you should at least ask her out?

ANDY
I did.

RACHAEL
You did?! When?

ANDY
Everyday for the last week.

RACHAEL
Uh oh.

ANDY
Uh oh is right. She turned me down. Pretty definitively today. There’s no going back.

RACHAEL
Hmm. Her loss.

ANDY
Right.

RACHAEL
Seriously. She doesn’t know what she’s missing.

ANDY
It’s just that she feels so right. The moment I first saw her I knew we were meant to be together. She’s easy to talk to. She’s kind, caring, beautiful...I know we have a connection.

RACHAEL
What are you going to do?

ANDY
What can I do? She’s made her wishes clear. I’ll probably just hang around, hoping she’ll change her mind sometime.

RACHAEL
You’ve got to be more proactive than that. If you’re really meant to be together, do something about it. You can’t just leave this up to the whimsy of fate.

ANDY
You mean God? That’s exactly what I should do.

RACHAEL
No, God gives us brains and free will for a reason. Use a bit of your free will and make Diana realize what she’s missing.

ANDY
Brilliant!

RACHAEL
I know.

ANDY
So, in all your brilliance, any ideas on how to accomplish this feat?

RACHAEL
Um...I’m sure you’ll think of something. If it’s meant to be, that is.

Rachael smiles and then digs into her food.

ANDY
Thanks for all the help.

RACHAEL
Just trying to be a good friend.

The Purple of Life, scene 7

INT. FOYER - LATER

Andy greets people as they file out of the church. A young BOY, 5 yrs old, runs up to Andy.

BOY
Pastor Andy!

Andy crouches down to the boy’s level.

ANDY
Hey, my man! Did you learn anything?

BOY
(shouting)
Love is the purple of life! Love is the purple of life!

Andy laughs and raises his hand to give the boy a high five.

ANDY
High five!

The boy slaps Andy’s hand, then runs back to his parents. Andy gets up as a couple in their 30s, MIKE and ISA, approach.

MIKE
Great sermon, Pastor Andy.

ANDY
Thank you, Mike.

ISA
We are so excited about next Sunday.

ANDY
Me, too. Don’t worry, it’s going to be great.

Mike and Isa continue out of church. Diana greets Andy.

DIANA
Your sermon was a nice reminder about how complex and simple something can be at the same time. Love is a concept that people take for granted, I think. I really enjoyed it.

ANDY
Thank you, Diana. That means a lot coming from you.

Diana starts to move on. Andy pulls her back.

DIANA
Andy, no. I’m not ready to start dating again. And, even if I were, I don’t think that we’d be an appropriate couple.

Andy lets go.

ANDY
I guess you can’t be any plainer than that.

DIANA
I’m sorry.

ANDY
No, no. Just keep doing the flowers for us. They’re beautiful.

Diana smiles.

DIANA
Deal.

She moves off. Other PARISHIONERS file by and speak with Andy. Andy, a bit distracted, watches Diana leave.

RACHAEL, 35, physically fit, strong, playfully punches Andy on the shoulder.

ANDY
Don’t you know that beating up on a holy man is bad karma?

RACHAEL
Let’s get lunch, your holiness.

ANDY
Sure. Just let me finish up here, first.

Rachael waits for Andy to say his goodbyes to the last of the parishioners.

The Purple of Life, scene 6

INT. CHURCH - DAY
Andy steps up to the pulpit. He’s the Pastor of the Church.

ANDY Question - what is love?

He looks at Diana in the pews.

ANDY (CONT'D) Is it the longing you feel for someone special? The tie that binds a family together? The bond forged by the deepest of friendships? Or an epic romance between two lovers? Is it all these things? More? When I ask what is love...the answer can only be: the purpose of life. God is love. And God formed man in his image. If you turn to 1 John 4: 7-8 we read, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

The Purple of Life, scene 5

INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS

They ENTER the foyer of the building and set the flowers down.

DIANA
I better get to work.

ANDY
Yeah, me, too.

Andy backs towards his office, a room off to the side of the foyer.

ANDY (CONT'D)
Let me know if you ever change your mind about coffee.

DIANA
Okay.

ANDY
Okay, you’ll go with me?

DIANA
No, I’m sorry. I can’t right now. But I’ll let you know if I ever change my mind.

ANDY
Sure. Good luck with the flowers.

Andy EXITS into his office. Diana starts to arrange the flowers.

The Purple of Life, scene 4

EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS

Andy hurries over to Diana.

ANDY
Can I help you with those, Diana?

Diana spots Andy and smiles at him.

DIANA
Thanks.

Andy takes an armful of flowers, Diana takes the rest.

DIANA (CONT'D)
I’m just doing a quick flower arrangement for this Sunday.

ANDY
Anything will be fine. The place is much more colorful since you’ve volunteered. I really appreciate it.

The Purple of Life, scene 3

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Andy sits behind a desk, writing. He’s having difficulty concentrating on his work. He sits back and looks out the window.

He watches a beautiful woman, DIANA, late 20s or early 30s, dark hair, dark eyes, unload flowers from her van. Andy gets up.

The Purple of Life, scene 2

EXT. STREET - DAY

In his car, Andy pulls out of his driveway and drives down the street. STEVE, his neighbor, waves genially at him. Andy waves back.

ANDY
(calling out)
How you doing, Steve?

Steve, mowing the lawn, stops to chat.

STEVE
Great, Andy. You really helped me out with that thing.

ANDY
Any time, Steve. We all deserve help.

Andy waves goodbye and continues driving. Steve returns to his lawn work.

The Purple of Life, scene 1

FADE IN:

A quotation appears over a black screen:

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again.
For then the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.
- Matthew Arnold

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

ANDY, late 40s, handsome, wakes to his alarm. He gets up, opens the curtains, and lets the morning light into the room. He starts a pot of coffee, turns on the morning news, and does 20 push-ups.

The phone RINGS. He answers as he pours a cup of coffee.

ANDY

Hello?

He saddens.

ANDY (CONT'D)

That’s too bad. Don’t worry, we’ll organize a charity event. She won’t have to suffer.

He nods.

ANDY (CONT'D)

Right. See you later.

He hangs up the phone and takes a drink of coffee.

ANDY (CONT'D)

Hmm.

The news is in the middle of another catastrophic story.

NEWS ANCHOR

Fire season is upon us again, earlier than last year. Multiple fires have sprung up across Southern California and firefighters say that due to the budget cuts, they simply don’t have the numbers to keep all the fires at bay...

ANDY

This world -

He turns off the news and opens his planner to today. Under the date is the name DIANA with a question mark after it.

ANDY (CONT'D)

Needs more light in it.

He caresses Diana’s name.