INT. APARTMENT – MORNING

Two hands, one a black female and the other is a white male, lay intertwined. Their wedding bands catch the light. A male voice murmuring. The sound of female’s giggle fills the room. A couple lays in bed covered by ruffled bed sheets. The man spoons the woman while they talk intimately. A phone rings.

AUTUMN (26) pulls away from JIMMY (27) and reaches for the cell phone on the nightstand. Before she can answer Jimmy reaches for her arm and stops her.

JIMMY

Just let it ring.

He attempts to pull her back into his arms. Playfully, she bats his hands away. The phone continues to ring.

AUTUMN

Nah uh, it’s my mom. What if it’s an emergency.

Jimmy makes an obscene sound doubting that emergency comment and reaches for her again. At some point, the ringing had stopped. Giggling, Autumn -wearing bra and panties- dodges him and wiggles out of bed.

AUTUMN

I’m just gonna call her back and make sure.

Jimmy flops back against the bed pillows to wait.

AUTUMN

Hello, Yeah ma what’s up? Everything alright?

(Pause)

Jimmy climbs out of bed – wearing boxers- motions to Autumn then tilts his hand up. Autumn shakes her head. He walks out of the room.

INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Jimmy walks into the living room. Autumns muffled voice can be heard. The apartment has an opened kitchen with an island for separation.

Jimmy nearly falls after tripping on a female’s shoe that sits in the middle of the floor. He picks up the shoe, makes an irritated face. He looks towards the trash can, considering, but just tosses it near the front door. 2

INT. KITCHEN – MORNING

Jimmy enters the kitchen and takes a jug of orange juice out of the refrigerator. He opens a cabinet that contains glasses. He starts to reach for one but stops.

He leans over the kitchen island to peek back toward the bedroom door. No Autumn. He closes the cabinet and drinks directly from the jug.

Autumn’s voice sounds closer. Jimmy quickly caps the jug. She enters -now wearing Jimmy’s shirt over her underwear- still on phone.

AUTUMN

I can’t right now. No bu…

(BEAT)

Christmas is …

Jimmy rushes around the island and snatches the phone from Autumn.

JIMMY

Ahh, I’m sorry Miss Lawson but Autumn’s has to call you back.

AUTUMN

(Dismayed)

What the… Jimmy are you out of your mind.

JIMMY

I’m sorry but I need to talk to you about Christmas.

Autumn puts her hands on her hips and waits.

JIMMY

Spend Christmas with me at my family’s.

AUTUMN

And have my mom scratch my eyes out? I think not. Why don’t you come with me?

Jimmy makes a -hell no- face.

JIMMY

Never mind.

He walks back into the kitchen and takes eggs out of the refrigerator. She approaches the island. 3

AUTUMN

What was that face for? You don’t like my family?

JIMMY

(Frustrated)

You really can’t be that oblivious. Baby, your family hates me.

Autumn snorts.

AUTUMN

That’s ridiculous.

JIMMY

Forget it.

Autumn silently watches Jimmy as he irritably mixes eggs in a bowl. She approaches him from behind and wraps her arms around him.

AUTUMN

Why is this such a big deal? We’ve always spent our holidays separate.

JIMMY

And you don’t think it’s strange? Three years of dating, two years of marriage and not one holiday together.

Jimmy turns in her arms to face her. They look into each other’s eyes.

JIMMY

You can still go spend Thanksgiving with them in two days. But I want you with me Christmas Day.

Autumn steps up on her tippy toes and kisses him.

AUTUMN

Okay, fine. But…

She points him in the chest.

AUTUMN (CONT’D)

You better prepare the first aid kit and a glass of whiskey, because once I tell my parents I’ll need both.

4

Jimmy smiles widely then pulls her closer. He kisses her passionately. He then lifts her up and takes her into the bedroom out of sight. The sound of her laugh fills the house.

INT. THEATER OFFICE – DAY (FOUR WEEKS LATER)

Autumn sits at her desk typing on the computer. An ink pen hangs from her lips. On her desk sits a thick notebook, opened, with a list of names. Some are crossed out. Others have words scribbled next to them. She switches from typing to scribbling in the notebook.

There is a knock at her open office door.

AUTUMN

Yes?

CLARENCE stands next to the open office door with the words “Casting Director” printed on it.

CLARENCE

You’re needed on stage. JULIAN is having one of her fits.

Autumn takes the pen out of her mouth and sticks it into her ponytail. She gets up without a word and walks past Clarence out the door.

INT. STAGE – MOMENTS LATER

On stage Julian – dress in a southern bell’s outdoor dress – viciously points a lace parasol at a man dressed in the 1800s riding breeches and coat.

Autumn enters with Clarence following closely behind.

JULIAN

You talentless hack, you thi…

AUTUMN

Julian, can I speak to you backstage for a moment.

Julian gives the man one nastier look before following Autumn backstage.

INT. BACKSTAGE – CONTINUOUS

Autumn stands next to a makeup station. Julian pushes back the black curtain and sweeps in. She immediately goes to the makeup station to check her appearance in the mirror. 5

AUTUMN

Julian, do you see that?

Autumn points to a young woman in the far corner rehearsing her lines.

JULIAN

What? Her?

Julian gives the girl a critical look.

AUTUMN

Yes her. Do you think that just because she’s your understudy that you’re better than her?

JULIAN

Of course. Otherwise, you would have picked her instead.

AUTUMN

Aaaa wrong. Honestly, she’s just as good as you if not more. But you were chosen because of your experience. She’s new to this industry and we needed someone we didn’t have to cuddle. But look at her. Hardworking while you bitch and moan about every little thing.

JULIAN

So?

AUTUMN

What do you think is going to happen if you don’t stop the bullshit soon?

Beat

Julian stares at the girl. Autumn watches Julian’s face, making sure her point got across. When she finally speaks, she says firmly.

AUTUMN

Get back to work.

INT. THEATER OFFICE – LATER

Autumn sits at heR desk working. She stops to pull open her desk drawer then grabs the half gone roll of Tums. She pops one into her mouth. As she sits the roll back into the drawer she notices the blinking light on her phone -which also sits in the drawer.

She checks her phone. Three missed calls from her mother, all within ten seconds of the other and a text that reads “pick up your phone”. She calls her back.

AUTUMN

Hey, mom. What’s up?

INT. KITCHEN – DAY 1

In a large southern style kitchen, MAPLE busies herself cooking what is a large meal. Ingredients lay around her on the kitchen counter.

MAPLE

(disapprovingly)

Why haven’t you been answering your phone?

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

AUTUMN

Mom, I’m at work. You know that.

MAPLE

I thought you were off for the holidays.

AUTUMN

That starts tomorrow. Is that really what you called me back to back about?

MAPLE

Well, you wouldn’t answer your phone. So, what time will you be here tomorrow?

AUTUMN

Come on Mom, I told you.

Autumn grimaces then gets up and grabs a bottle of Ginger ale from her mini refrigerator.

AUTUMN (CONT’D)

Me and Jimmy are going to his parents for the Christmas week.

Brandon, Autumns younger brother by a year, enters the kitchen. He eats a piece of chopped veggie from the kitchen counter and leans against the counter as he listens. 7

MAPLE

Well, that just isn’t gonna work. Your rooms ready and your father is expecting you. Are you really going to do this to him?

AUTUMN

Mom, I’m sorry but I can’t come. But look, I’ve got to get back to work. I’m sorry. I’ll call you when I’m done here.

Maple smacks the phone down.

MAPLE

Ugh.. That selfish sister of yours is about to ruin Christmas.

Brandon ignores the remark about his sister.

BRANDON

What’s wrong?

MAPLE

She’s not coming. She’s ditching us for those people. Can you believe that?

BRANDON

Yes, I can believe it considering she told us at Thanksgiving.

Maple gives Brandon a look of irritation.

BRANDON CONT

What? You didn’t think she would do it

MAPLE

Of course not. Why can’t they continue spending the holidays apart like they’ve been doing for the last two years? We’re her family. She should be with us.

BRANDON

Jimmy and his parents are her family too.

Maple disgusted storms out of the kitchen. Brandon looks after her. 8

EXT. JIMMY’S FAMILY HOME – EVENING

As Jimmy and Autumn step out of their car. Autumn’s phone vibrates. She turns it off. Noticing, Jimmy smiles and reaches for her hand. They began to walk along the path that leads to the front porch. Autumn’s hand tightens in Jimmy’s.

JIMMY

What’s wrong?

AUTUMN

I don’t know. I just feel so…

JIMMY

Nervous?

AUTUMN

No, tired. Really tired.

JIMMY

You think you’re getting sick?

Autumn shakes her head.

JIMMY

Come here.

Jimmy puts his forehead against hers, which makes Autumn smile.

JIMMY

No fever but let’s get you inside.

They ring the doorbell. Jimmy gives Autumn a quick kiss.

When no one answers Jimmy tries the door knob. He chuckles at Autumns startled expression when the door opens without protest.

JIMMY

Don’t worry. They never lock doors around here

INT. JIMMY’S FAMILY HOME

Jimmy and Autumn enter the foyer.

JIMMY

Mm, something smells good. Come on.

Jimmy grabs Autumn’s hand and takes her toward the kitchen. Along the way, Autumn looks around. 9

INT. KITCHEN – LATE AFTERNOON

GLEN, a short, petite woman in her late forties stands at the stove stirring a pot. She looks up when the two enter the kitchen. Jimmy walks to her to give her a hug and sniffs at the pot.

JIMMY

Hey Mom, Whatcha cooking?

GLEN

It’s a new recipe for seafood stew.

After hugging Jimmy, Glen turns toward Autumn.

AUTUMN

Hey, Mrs. Harr…

GLEN

Uh uh

AUTUMN

Oh sorry, Mom, I’m not quite used to it yet.

Glen hugs Autumn warmly. Then steps back with her hands still on Autumn’s arms.

GLEN

Well, it’s great that you came then. You’ve got more time to practice.

Autumn smiles and nods.

Just then Autumn looks out the glass door to see EVAN, Jimmy’s mixed best friend, appear. Evan puts his finger to his lips, signaling to Autumn to keep quiet.

Jimmy sneaks a sip of his mother’s stew.

Behind Evan, Jimmy’s father HARRY, a tall man with wide shoulders, appears. Autumn considers signaling to Evan but decides against it and only smiles.

Just when Evan attempts to sneak in to scare Jimmy, Harry catches Evan by his collar, scaring him. Autumn burst out into laughter.

Both Jimmy and Glen give Autumn confused looks. She points towards the glass doors just as Harry enters pulling Evan behind him. 10

HARRY

Look what I found lurking in our yard.

Evan wears a huge grin. Harry lets him go to kiss his wife. He then greets Autumn.

Jimmy, overjoyed to see his friend, jumps into Evan’s arms. Evan lifts him up. Bromance.

Autumn and Glen watch while smiling warmly. Harry walks over to the pot. Evan releases Jimmy and hugs Glen.

EVAN

Hey, Mrs. Harrison. Looking especially pretty in your apron. I love a woman who cooks.

Glen smirks and pushes him away.

GLEN

Go on, You.

Evan immediately reaches for Autumn.

EVAN

Hey, you. Luckily for you’re so damn sexy. After you let him catch me off guard like that I shouldn’t share my love with you.

AUTUMN

That’s what you get for disappearing like you did. Why haven’t we heard from you?

In the background, Harry and Glen bicker playfully. The tall masculine man gets reprimanded by the small petite woman.

Harry tries to sneak some stew. Glen catches him and smacks his hand. He looks wounded so she kisses it to make it better.

EVAN

Maybe I was just playing hard to get since you turned down my plea to run away with me.

Jimmy puts himself between them.

JIMMY

You trying to seduce my woman?

EVAN

(Playfully)

Oh, you don’t know? Autumn and I are secret lovers.

JIMMY

What?

Jimmy playfully puts Evan in a headlock.

Autumn walks over to the pot.

AUTUMN

Mm, smells good, can I try some?

Glen nods then ladle a little bit of stew into a tasting bowl and offers it to Autumn. Autumn begins to reach for it but becomes light headed.

AUTUMN

Uh oh

She tries to catch herself on the stove but misses. Harry catches her.

HARRY

Oh shit.

Jimmy and Evan turn toward them at the “oh shit”.

GLEN

Oh my, are you alright?

Jimmy rushes over.

JIMMY

Babe!

Autumn tries to right herself but Harry sits her in a chair. Jimmy kneels in front of her.

AUTUMN

I’m alright. Just tired.

JIMMY

Yea, u said that early but is that all? I mean you look kinda pale.

Autumn lefts an eyebrow.

AUTUMN

Pale?

JIMMY

Well, you know what I mean.

GLEN

Jimmy, why don’t you take Autumn to your room to rest?

JIMMY

Yea ok.

Jimmy leads Autumn out of the kitchen.

INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Autumn lays down on the bed and closes her eyes. Jimmy looks down at her with concern.

Beat

Autumn opens one eye to look at Jimmy. She then pats the bed next to her.

AUTUMN

Lay with me for a little.

After Jimmy lays on his back, Autumn cuddles close.

Beat.

JIMMY

Autumn?

AUTUMN

Huh?

JIMMY

(serious)

Be honest with me. Is the stress from ditching your family making you ill?

AUTUMN

No. Of course not, Baby. If it bothered me that much I would have said something. I’m probably catching a cold.

JIMMY

But you admit it does bother you?

Autumn begins to play with his hand. 13

AUTUMN

Well, of course, it does. I mean it’s my first time away from home on Christmas. At the same time, I’m pretty excited to be here with you.

Jimmy lets out a breath of relief, relaxing.

JIMMY

Good. Now, close your eyes and rest. I’ll lay with you until you fall asleep.

INT. HALLWAY- LATER

Jimmy walks down the hall toward the kitchen. No one is in there. The glass slide door is opened. He steps out.

EXT. BACK PATIO- EVENING

Harry is explaining to Evan the changes he wants to make to his man cave. Glen sits in a patio chair drinking lemonade, she waves him over.

GLEN

How is she?

JIMMY

She is passed out. She thinks she’s getting a cold but… I don’t know. I think she might be depressed.

GLEN

Huh? What makes you think that?

JIMMY

It’s not just today. she’s been acting funky all week.

GLEN

Funky, how?

JIMMY

Monday, she snapped at me for laying too close to her. She said my body heat was making her too hot. I was nearly falling off the bed before she was satisfied with the distance. But we usually fall asleep cuddling. 14

GLEN

Hmm

JIMMY

And the other day she nearly had a panic attack because she couldn’t find a sock. She hasn’t been eating as much either. I don’t know what to think. She…

Jimmy stops after noticing how quiet his mother had become. Glen looks lost in thought.

JIMMY

Mom? Mommy?

Glen finally focuses her gaze on him.

GLEN

Sweetheart, I think you may be over-thinking this.

JIMMY

Seriously?

GLEN

Why don’t you just let her rest and you relax for a while?

Glen pats Jimmy on the arm.

GLEN

Go hang out with your father and Evan for a while.

JIMMY

But Mommy I…

GLEN

I’m going to make a trip to the store.

Glen gets up to leave. Jimmy watches her go before moving over to his father and Evan.

INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM – DAY 2 – MORNING

Autumn wakes to find Jimmy’s spot sleep in but empty. She gets out of bed and enters the attached bathroom.

INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

Autumn looks at herself in the mirror, noticing that her skin does look pale. She turns away and her boob bumps the towel rack. She jumps back in pain, grabs her boob.

AUTUMN

Fuck, fuck, FUCK!

She rubs her boob some more before turning on the shower.

INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM – LATER

Autumn sits on the bed dressed and drying her hair with a towel. She picks up her phone and on it, she pulls up the WebMD Symptom Checker. On top of the list of possible problems is PREGNANCY.

Autumns tosses the phone down as if it burned her. After thinking for a moment, she shakes her head then gets up from the bed.

 

END OF EXCERPT