"LOVE IN THE
RUINS"
by
Charles Deemer
cdeemer@yahoo.com
FADE
IN:
EXT.
NEW YORK - WORLD TRADE CENTER - DAY
Two
Muslim women approach the complex of buildings that was
the
World Trade Center. They are HAYAAM and AREEBAH, both
early
20s, dressed in traditional Muslim attire (hijab).
Hayaam
wears very bright colors, Areebah more subdued ones.
They
head for the south World Trade Center tower.
SUPER:
"8:30 a.m."
EXT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - STREET - DAY
A
cab stops near the complex.
Getting
out are WES HARDING, early 20s, and his brother,
MIKE,
a little older. They are dressed casually in slacks,
sports
coats.
They
head for the entrance into the south tower.
WES
How long you gonna be?
MIKE
He has a meeting at nine. I'll
meet you in the coffee shop.
WES
How's he like being a stock
broker?
MIKE
Jimmy likes making money.
WES
So do you, big brother.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - SOUTH TOWER - DAY
Wes
and Mike enter the south tower building.
Wes
heads for a coffee shop on the ground floor. Mike heads
for
the elevator.
Standing
at the elevator are Hayaam and Areebah.
2.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Wes
brings a cup of coffee and donut to a table. A folded
newspaper
is under his arm.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - ELEVATOR - DAY
On
the crowded elevator are Mike, Hayaam and Areebah.
The
elevator stops, the door opens, and Hayaam and Areebah
step
off.
Mike
continues up.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Wes
is reading the paper.
Suddenly
there is a loud sound, a great crash outside
somewhere.
Customers
go to windows, looking outside to see what is
going
on.
Wes
looks up from the paper but stays at the table.
CUSTOMER
My God, the north tower is on
fire!
More
people go to the windows to look outside. Wes joins them.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - OFFICE - DAY
Mike
and JIMMY stand at the window of Jimmy's high office,
looking
out at the flames consuming the north tower.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - INSURANCE COUNTER - DAY
Hayaam
and Areebah stand at the counter of an insurance
company.
They look frightened and confused as people rush
past
them to see what has happened outside.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Wes
comes back to his table. He seems uncertain what to do.
Around
him, everyone is gawking out at the fire next door.
Everyone
is talking at once.
3.
Wes
looks at his watch.
Suddenly
there is another loud crash, this one even louder
than
before.
The
room rocks, as if hit by an earthquake.
People
scream. People start moving for the exits.
Wes
abandons what is left of his coffee and the newspaper
and
joins the rush to get out.
EXT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - SOUTH TOWER - DAY
Wes
comes outside. He sees the flames rising from the north
tower.
He
looks straight up and sees flames rising from the south
tower
as well. Dark smoke billows everywhere.
A
look of realization on Wes' face: Mike is still in there.
Wes
turns and fights the flow of people rushing outside,
trying
to get back inside the building.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - DAY
Wes
manages to slip inside against the current. He sees a
stairway
and heads for it.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - STAIRS - DAY
People
are rushing downstairs. Wes fights his way against
the
flow, heading up.
A
SECURITY GUARD meets Wes on the stairs.
SECURITY GUARD
You can't go up, sir. We're
evacuating the building.
WES
My brother's up there!
SECURITY GUARD
I'm sure he's on his way down.
Come along, sir.
Wes
gives in and heads down again. He lets the security
guard
move ahead of him, then turns and heads up again.
4.
But
it's hopeless, the stairway is too crowded, there's too
much
chaos around him.
He
stops and presses himself against a wall in a stairwell,
letting
the crowd rush past him, gathering his thoughts,
catching
his breath.
He
looks up the stairs to find more and more people heading
down.
Maybe Mike will be one of them.
He
gives in and starts down again.
He
passes an open doorway at a floor level and hears a
woman's
cry for help. There's something in the tone of voice
that
stops him.
He
moves to the door and steps into a hallway.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - HALLWAY - DAY
Wes
looks up and down the hallway. The cry for help comes
again.
He moves in its direction.
He
finds the two women in Muslim dress, Hayaam and Areebah.
Hayaam
is sitting on the floor, Areebah bending over her.
(Their
English is heavily accented.)
AREEBAH
She can't walk! She twisted her
ankle!
WES
Okay, you'll be alright. Take my
hand.
Hayaam
grasps Wes' hand, and he pulls her to her feet.
WES
Can you walk at all?
Hayaam
takes a test step but falters. Wes holds her up.
WES
Okay, here we go.
He
lifts her up in his arms.
WES
You okay?
HAYAAM
Yes.
5.
Wes
carries her, heading for the stairs. Areebah follows.
INT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - STAIRS - DAY
Wes
moves back into the stairwell. He turns to make sure
Areebah
is behind him.
WES
Grab my arm.
Areebah
does.
Wes,
carrying Hayaam, enters the rush of people heading down
the
stairs.
People
cough from heavy gasoline fumes. Some hold
handkerchiefs
over their mouths.
Water
flows down the stairs from broken pipes.
EXT.
WORLD TRADE CENTER - DAY
Wes,
Hayaam and Areebah come outside. Everyone gasps for air.
Areebah
releases her grip.
Wes
carefully sets Hayaam down. She supports herself on her
good
leg.
WES
I have to go back inside. Will
you be okay?
HAYAAM
Yes. Thank you so much.
WES
No problem.
Hayaam
offers her hand.
HAYAAM
I am Hayaam. This is my cousin,
Areebah.
WES
I'm Wes. You work here?
HAYAAM
Oh no, I'm a student. And you
work here?
6.
WES
I go to NYU.
HAYAAM
Really? So do I.
WES
I have to go. My brother's in
there somewhere.
He
heads back to the entrance.
HAYAAM
(after him)
Thank you!
Wes
fights his way against the flow again.
EXT.
CEMETERY - DAY
A
GATHERING of people stands at a fresh grave. A casket is
lowered
into the ground.
In
the gathering are Wes, his father WALTER HARDING and his
mother
EVELYN. And other FRIENDS and RELATIVES.
INT.
HARDING HOME - DAY
A
reception after the funeral. A long table filled with food.
An
open bar.
In
a circle of MEN, Wes' UNCLE FRANK is holding court.
UNCLE FRANK
It's worse than Pearl Harbor
because it's right here at home,
right in our own back yard. This
will change everything, see if
I'm not right. This is a new kind
of war, and we damn well better
be ready to show the world we
have another great generation.
Wes,
listening at the edge of the circle, moves away.
INT.
HARDING HOME - MIKE'S ROOM - DAY
Wes
is alone in his brother's room. Signs that it hasn't
been
lived in for a while -- boxes stored on the bed.
7.
Wes
goes to a wall where there is an NYU pennant and a photo
of
Mike in a football uniform from high school.
ROGER,
20s, appears in the doorway.
ROGER
You okay?
WES
Well as can be expected.
ROGER
You want to get out of here? Go
for a ride or something?
WES
I'll be okay.
ROGER
I could use some air.
EXT.
NEW YORK - NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY
Wes
and Roger walk through the urban neighborhood.
WES
You have any Arab friends?
ROGER
That's an interesting question.
You mean, do I think they're
spies? Yeah, if I had any, I'd be
worried about it.
WES
When it happened, I went crazy,
thinking I could find Mike
somehow ... I didn't even know
what floor his buddy's office was
on ... anyway, I heard a call for
help and followed it. There were
two Arab women, and one of them
had sprained her ankle. I carried
her out.
They
walk a moment in silence.
ROGER
And ...?
WES
And what?
8.
ROGER
Is there a point to this story?
WES
Not really. I was just wondering
how she must be feeling.
Roger
gives him a strange look.
WES
What's wrong?
ROGER
Thousands of people got killed.
Your brother. Why are you
bringing
up an Arab woman with a sprained
ankle?
Wes
can't answer him.
EXT.
NYU CAMPUS - DAY
Wes
is walking across campus. Ahead he sees a woman in
traditional
Muslim clothing.
He
hesitates, then rushes up behind her. He clears his
throat,
and she turns. It's not Hayaam.
ARAB WOMAN
Yes?
WES
I'm sorry. I thought you were
someone else.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - LIBRARY - DAY
Wes
is studying a book at a table.
Hayaam
comes in on crutches, wearing her usual brightly
colored
hijab.
Wes
looks up and sees her. He smiles but she doesn't see him.
Hayaam
disappears in the stacks.
Wes
closes the book and gets up. He follows her.
9.
INT.
LIBRARY - STACKS - DAY
Hayaam
is having trouble maneuvering both her crutches and a
book
she's trying to get high off the shelf.
Wes
appears.
WES
Let me.
He
takes down the book for her.
HAYAAM
Thank you.
She
recognizes him.
HAYAAM
Hello! I was wondering if I might
run into you.
WES
Same here. How's the ankle?
HAYAAM
I'm supposed to let it rest. Not
so easy when you have things to
do.
Wes
looks at the book, which he's still holding.
WES
Immanuel Kant ... I'm impressed.
HAYAAM
Don't be. I'm only reading it
because I have to. I'm a
philosophy major. He's actually
quite boring.
WES
I think I remember that. Listen,
if you're not busy, I was about
to grab a cup of coffee.
HAYAAM
Tea would be nice.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Wes
and Hayaam sit at a table. Wes is telling his story.
10.
WES
I shouldn't feel guilty, I know
there's nothing I could've done.
HAYAAM
Of course there wasn't.
WES
It's just that ...
HAYAAM
What?
WES
I felt so helpless. So powerless.
HAYAAM
You weren't helpless at all. You
helped me. You probably saved my
life. I could've still been in
there when the tower fell.
Wes
looks surprised. This never occurred to him.
WES
You think so?
HAYAAM
Yes. I think you are my life
saver.
EXT.
NYU CAMPUS - DAY
They
move slowly across campus. Hayaam, of course, uses her
crutches.
WES
Where are you from?
HAYAAM
Indonesia.
WES
Indonesia.
HAYAAM
You thought I am Arab, right?
WES
I guess I did.
11.
HAYAAM
There are more Muslims in
Indonesia than in any other
country.
WES
I didn't know that.
Ahead
a crowd of FRATERNITY BROTHERS have circled around a
foreign
student. This is ABDUL-HAKEEM. They are taunting him.
Wes
and Hayaam get close enough that she recognizes it's her
brother
who is being taunted.
HAYAAM
Abdul!
She
gets the crutches into high gear.
WES
What is it?
Wes
hurries after her.
Abdul
tries to move out of the circle around him but the
fraternity
brothers keep blocking his way.
FRATERNITY BRO #1
Foreign fuck.
FRATERNITY BRO #2
Arab asshole.
Hayaam
takes a crutch and holds it over her head, a gesture
of
threat.
HAYAAM
Let him go!
The
fraternity boys find her gesture amusing.
FRATERNITY BRO #2
Hey, sweetie pie. What do you
plan to do with that?
FRATERNITY BRO #3
Why you got that scarf covering
your hair? I bet you got pretty
hair.
He
reaches for the scarf and Hayaam
strikes his arm with a
crutch.
Wes
intervenes.
12.
WES
Hey, fellas, what's going on?
FRATERNITY BRO #1
You with her?
In
the confusion, Abdul has slipped out of the circle.
ABDUL-HAKEEM
Hayaam, this is not your fight.
FRATERNITY BRO #2
Who said anything about a fight?
We just want you to go the fuck
home where you belong.
ABDUL-HAKEEM
I study here, so today this is my
home.
He
grabs Hayaam and starts moving away.
Wes
isn't sure what to do.
FRATERNITY BRO #3
Something we can help you with?
WES
No ... thanks, no ...
He
follows Hayaam and catches up with her and Abdul.
WES
What was that about?
ABDUL-HAKEEM
(to Hayaam)
Who is this?
HAYAAM
He's the one I told you about,
who saved my life.
(to Wes)
My brother, Abdul-Hakeem.
WES
Nice to meet you. I'm Wes.
He
offers his hand. Abdul hesitates before taking it.
ABDUL-HAKEEM
I give you my gratitude for
helping my sister.
13.
WES
I'm sorry for what happened back
there.
ABDUL-HAKEEM
Your countrymen decided I am a
terrorist.
Wes
can't find the words to reply.
ABDUL-HAKEEM
Hayaam, we must go.
She
smiles at Wes.
HAYAAM
Thank you for the tea.
WES
Maybe we can do it again soon.
Hayaam
smiles.
Abdul
quickly leads his sister away.
INT.
HARDING HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Seated
at the dinner table are Wes, Walter and Evelyn.
Evelyn
is just picking at her food.
Suddenly
Evelyn starts sobbing.
EVELYN
I'm sorry ...
She
gets up from the table.
WALTER
Evelyn, it's okay.
EVELYN
Stop saying everything is okay!
She
hurries off.
WALTER
I meant crying is okay.
WES
I know.
They
go back to eating.
14.
WES
Dad ... do you know any Muslims?
WALTER
We used to have a lawyer in the
firm who was Muslim. Why?
WES
If he was still in the firm,
would you suspect him of being a
terrorist?
WALTER
Of course not. Why do you ask?
WES
There was a scuffle at school
today, some jock types hassling a
student from Indonesia.
WALTER
There's going to be a lot of
that, I'm afraid. Stupidity and
patriotism make a volatile mix.
Wes
nods and eats.
EXT.
HARDING HOME - BASKETBALL COURT - DAY
There's
a basketball hoop and makeshift court along the
driveway.
Wes and Roger are shooting baskets.
WES
I ran into Hayaam on campus.
Roger
looks puzzled.
WES
The girl I carried out of the
tower before it collapsed.
Roger
stops dribbling.
ROGER
Don't tell me you're interested
in an Arab girl.
WES
She's from Indonesia. We had
coffee. No big deal.
ROGER
Then why are you talking about
her?
15.
Good
question. Wes grabs the ball and dribbles for a lay up.
Wes
tosses Roger the ball.
ROGER
Do me a favor. If you get
involved
with this girl, keep it to
yourself.
He
takes a shot.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - ART STUDIO - DAY
Wes
is working on an abstract painting, full of bright colors.
Out
the window, he sees Hayaam hobbling across campus on her
crutches.
He
thinks a minute, then slams the book shut.
EXT.
NYU CAMPUS - DAY
Wes
catches up with Hayaam on the front steps just before
she
enters a building.
WES
Hey.
HAYAAM
Hello.
WES
You have a class?
HAYAAM
Yes, that boring Mr. Kant.
WES
And afterwards?
HAYAAM
I have three hours before my next
class.
WES
Time for tea?
HAYAAM
Since when do you drink tea?
WES
Tea for you, coffee for me. Meet
you in the coffee shop?
16.
HAYAAM
That would be nice.
She
gives him a big smile and enters the building.
Wes
moves off.
From
a distance, Abdul watches him go. He looks concerned.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Wes
sits alone at a table. He looks at his watch. Thirty
minutes
after the hour. She's very late.
He
scoots back his chair, getting ready to go.
Hayaam
rushes into the coffee shop as best she can on
crutches.
She sees Wes and gets to the table just as he
steps
away.
HAYAAM
I'm sorry I'm late. You have a
class?
WES
No.
HAYAAM
You're angry with me. I don't
blame you.
WES
No, I'm glad you made it.
HAYAAM
What is it you say? Better late
than never?
WES
Yes, better late than never.
They
sit down at the table. An awkward silence.
HAYAAM
You're mad at me.
WES
No.
HAYAAM
You look upset.
17.
WES
I still can't believe what
happened.
HAYAAM
I know.
WES
It's like a bad dream.
Hayaam
offers an understanding smile but says nothing.
WES
Do you want to take a walk? I
guess it would be hard for you
...
HAYAAM
No, I would like to.
A
SERIES OF SHOTS - WES & HAYAAM
Wes
and Hayaam begin spending a lot of time together.
On
campus:
--
They walk together between classes, Hayaam on her crutches.
--
They study in the library together.
--
They have lunch in the coffee shop.
--
Wes shows her his painting-in-progress in the art studio.
In
the city:
--
They window shop.
--
They buy ice cream at a corner stand.
--
They walk in a city park.
EXT.
NEW YORK - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY
Wes
and Hayaam are having lunch at a sidewalk cafe. The
crutches
lean against the table.
HAYAAM
I take my exam next week.
WES
You have midterms already?
18.
HAYAAM
Not at University. For my
citizenship.
This
is news to Wes.
HAYAAM
I know, I didn't tell you before.
WES
Hayaam, I think that's great.
Then you're staying here.
HAYAAM
That's the plan, yes. My father
will be joining Abdul and me next
month, we hope. My mother died
last year.
WES
I'm sorry.
HAYAAM
I think my father doesn't approve
of me becoming an American, but
he knows how strong willed I am.
I will be a citizen of two
countries, Indonesia and United
States.
She
sees something in Wes' expression.
HAYAAM
What is that look?
WES
What look?
HAYAAM
Like you don't believe I'm strong
willed.
WES
I guess I haven't noticed that in
you yet. I thought ...
HAYAAM
Yes?
WES
Muslim women were more, you know,
submissive to men than in the
west.
19.
HAYAAM
Why do you think this?
WES
Like how they walk behind the men
... like how you dress ...
HAYAAM
Do I walk behind you?
WES
No, you don't. But you do wear
traditional dress.
HAYAAM
Because it's liberating.
WES
Liberating?
HAYAAM
Why does this amuse you? I dress
like this because I refuse to be
looked at as a sex object. I
refuse to be a part of the sexism
that is the basis of gender
relations in the west. If you
want a relationship with me, you
must start by engaging my mind.
There are no physical
distractions.
This is why the hijab is
liberating.
Wes
is at a loss for words.
HAYAAM
What are you thinking?
WES
I never thought about it that
way.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - GYM - BASKETBALL COURT - DAY
Wes
and Roger shooting baskets.
ROGER
That is the biggest crock I've
ever heard.
WES
There's a logic to it. Put
yourself in the shoes of a woman.
20.
ROGER
Listen to you. You're thinking
with your cock, white man.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - LOCKER ROOM - DAY
They
are dressing after their workout.
ROGER
Have you nailed her yet?
WES
We're just friends.
ROGER
Bullshit. You can't talk about
anyone else.
WES
Okay, I find her fascinating. But
we're just friends.
ROGER
Do I detect a certain sadness in
your tone?
WES
She's a Muslim.
ROGER
Exactly. You nail her, and they
stone her in the street, right?
WES
Roger, I just find her
interesting.
That's all that's going on.
INT.
NEW YORK - BOOKSTORE - DAY
Wes
looks for a book on the shelves. He finds it.
It's
called "An Introduction to Islam." He takes it.
On
his way to the cash register, he passes a table of books.
A
title catches his eye: "The Rubiyat of Omar Khayam."
EXT.
NYU CAMPUS - DAY
Wes
catches up with Hayaam, who is carefully stepping
across
campus. She is finally off crutches.
21.
WES
Hi.
HAYAAM
Hello.
WES
When did you get off crutches?
HAYAAM
Yesterday. If I am careful, I'm
fine.
They
walk a moment in silence.
WES
I think I owe you an apology.
HAYAAM
I don't understand.
WES
I know we've never really been
alone together ... I mean, we
always spend time together in
public places ... but I didn't
realize it was against your
religion to date. I thought we've
been, you know, sort of dating. I
didn't mean any disrespect.
HAYAAM
You think I am forbidden to be
alone with you?
WES
I've been reading about Islam. It
says you don't date or spend time
alone with the opposite sex.
HAYAAM
I see. This is like my hijab,
another example of my repression.
You must feel so sorry for me.
WES
I'm not trying to make you angry.
I'm trying to apologize.
HAYAAM
You are making me angry! I
consider myself a feminist. Yes,
a Muslim feminist!
(MORE)
22.
HAYAAM (CONT'D)
Whatever book you are reading, I
think you are getting bad
information.
She
moves off, leaving Wes confused.
INT.
NYU CAMPUS - LIBRARY - DAY
Hayaam
is studying. Wes appears.
He
sits down next to her and speaks in low tones.
WES
How's the studying for
citizenship
coming?
HAYAAM
Good.
WES
I'd be glad to help. Quiz you,
whatever you need.
HAYAAM
You would do this?
WES
I'd like to.
HAYAAM
Even if we must be alone to do
this?
WES
I deserve that. Yes, even if we
are alone.
HAYAAM
Then yes, you can help me.
INT.
HARDING HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
The
family at dinner. No one speaks.
Evelyn
gets up and exits to the kitchen.
WES
I've been seeing the Muslim woman
I told you about. She's studying
to become a citizen. I thought
I'd help her study.
23.
WALTER
Is that a question?
WES
I was wondering if it would be
okay to bring her here. I mean,
the way mom feels and everything.
WALTER
Of course you can bring her here.
WES
Thanks, Dad.
EXT.
HARDING HOME - DAY
Wes
and Hayaam approach the house.
HAYAAM
I think I'm nervous. I don't meet
people well.
WES
Trust me, my parents are great. A
friend of mine is a friend of
theirs.
They
walk onto the porch.
A
NEIGHBOR watering the lawn next door gets an eyeful of
Hayaam
in her traditional clothing.
INT.
HARDING HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Walter
looks out the front window, seeing Wes and Hayaam
reach
the porch. Evelyn stands behind him.
WALTER
Well, they're here.
EVELYN
I'm not ready for this.
She
hurries off. Walter starts to say something but doesn't.
INT.
HARDING HOME - FOYER - DAY
The
door opens, and Hayaam and Wes enter.
Walter
is waiting to greet them.
24.
WES
Dad, this is Hayaam.
WALTER
I thought it must be. It's very
nice to meet you, Hayaam.
HAYAAM
It is a pleasure to meet you.
WES
I'm helping her study for her
citizenship exam.
WALTER
I believe you mentioned that.
WES
Is mom around?
WALTER
She seems to have gone off on an
errand.
WES
We'll be in my room.
Wes
gestures to the stairway, and they leave.
INT.
HARDING HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Walter
comes into the kitchen.
WALTER
Evelyn?
He
sees her out the kitchen window. She's standing alone in
the
back yard. Her back is to him. She appears to be crying.
INT.
HARDING HOME - WES' ROOM - DAY
Hayaam
sits at Wes' desk. Wes sits on the edge of the bed.
He
has a booklet in his hand.
WES
"Give me liberty or give me
death!"
HAYAAM
Patrick Henry.
Wes
smiles.
25.
WES
"These are the times that
try
men's souls."
HAYAAM
Thomas Paine.
WES
You know this stuff better than I
do.
HAYAAM
Here's one that's not in the
book.
"No taxation without
representation."
WES
I know that one.
He
thinks a minute.
WES
Samuel Adams.
HAYAAM
Samuel Adams was his law clerk.
WES
Really? Hmm ...
HAYAAM
John Adams called this man
"the
First Patriot."
WES
My mind's gone blank.
HAYAAM
James Otis.
WES
James Otis?
HAYAAM
Yes. You remember now?
WES
Otis. I'm not sure I ever heard
the name!
HAYAAM
Do you know what he meant by it?
26.
WES
Of course. Since the American
colonies couldn't vote, they
shouldn't be taxed.
HAYAAM
And what did he want to do about
it?
WES
They went to war for their
independence over it.
HAYAAM
But this is not what James Otis
meant when he said, "No
taxation
without representation." He
meant, therefore the colonies
should be represented in the
English Parliament so they could
vote. He didn't want war. When
war came, he went crazy. They had
to carry him out of Boston in a
strait jacket.
Wes
is amazed at how much she knows. This is all news to him.
He
can't think of anything to say.
HAYAAM
You should read the history of
your country. It is very
fascinating.
INT.
HARDING HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Walter
is reading. Evelyn is not in the room.
Wes
and Hayaam enter.
WES
We're done. Is mom around?
WALTER
She sends her regrets. She's not
feeling well.
WES
What's the matter?
WALTER
She's not sure. Maybe the flu
coming on.
27.
HAYAAM
I'm very sorry.
WALTER
Maybe next time. How did it go?
WES
She knows American history better
than I do.
Hayaam
blushes.
EXT.
HARDING HOME - DAY
Wes
and Hayaam come out.
A
car is parked out front, waiting for her. Wes is surprised
to
see it.
HAYAAM
I told my brother to pick me up.
WES
Oh.
HAYAAM
He didn't want me to come. This
is our compromise. He's afraid
we're dating.
She
studies Wes for a response. None comes.
HAYAAM
Are we dating?
WES
It's allowed?
HAYAAM
If I choose to, yes. Remember, I
am a feminist.
WES
I keep forgetting.
HAYAAM