Why It Often Rains
“It’s true that the way we look doesn’t always reveal our feelings. Which is a problem for the movies.”
Why It Often Rains in the Movies by Lawrence Raab
FADE IN:
EXT. SKY - DAY
Clouds gather.
TITLE CARD: Why It Often Rains
CONTEMPLATIVE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC begins and will continue throughout each scene. The voice of our humble omniscient NARRATOR begins. The voice has the comforting and learned tone of Kevin Kline.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Today is April 16th, 2024.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. TERRACE - BROWNSTONE - DAY
From across a communal courtyard, we begin to ZOOM IN on ANGELA, 80s, meticulously watering her plants of all shapes and sizes. Different mismatched pots and planters surround her.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The time is just before 3:30pm as Angela Costello waters her boxwoods. She has only just returned from Dr. Siddiqui’s office, driven there and back by her downstairs neighbor Toby. He’s a nice boy in small doses. A bit chatty. Angela considers whether her peonies should be brought inside. Another strong rain could drown them. Angela has always kept a garden, but the hobby took on a new dimension after the death of her husband Martin. Part obsession, part distraction, part memorial. Martin would lounge on the terrace for hours, splayed out shirtless in a folding chair, soaking up the sun while listening to baseball on the radio. Five years ago, close to Christmas, he contracted pneumonia and was dead before the New Year. Angela was by Martin’s side for his last breath.
Angela takes a break and stares up into the sky.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Angela wonders what it will feel like when she draws her last breath. She won’t need to wonder long. “Voracious” was the word Dr. Siddiqui used to describe the tumors. Angela knows Toby will continue to water her plants when all is said and done. She will leave a note requesting he plant the peonies in direct sun.
Angela feels a sharp pain in her stomach. She picks up a pot of peonies.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Angela will soon wash up, take in the laundry, and call her daughters.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT./EXT. DINER - DAY
From the sidewalk outside, we begin to ZOOM IN as RICHARD, 40s, enters and grabs a counter seat. He sits alone with an open seat next to him and picks up the menu. A WAITRESS pours him a glass of water. We can’t hear him speak, but Richard orders a coffee with cream and sugar.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Richard Kibbert normally enjoys moments like this one. Sitting quietly with a fresh cup of hot coffee. Just another man in a diner.
Richard checks his watch and looks outside.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
When Jackson rushes in, late as usual, and their eyes meet, Richard will imagine they are meeting for the first time. The beautiful boy with the hazy blue eyes.
He appears lost in thought until the waitress brings over the coffee, mug, sugar and cream. The waitress pours a cup and Richard thoughtfully adds cream and sugar.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Richard and Jackson have been married for ten years. Three months ago, in preparation for one of their famous dinner parties, Richard used Jackson’s computer to locate a recipe for Chicken Marbella. On the computer, Richard discovered an email exchange between Jackson and another man named Oren. Richard did not know Oren, but came to learn that Oren and Jackson met in line at Trader Joe’s. They began a casual affair shortly after that took place predominately on afternoons when Jackson could claim he was attending a spin class. Upon confrontation, Jackson suggested they consider an open relationship. Richard considered throwing a dinner plate against the wall, but sat quietly instead. Jackson is currently living with his sister. He has asked Richard to meet him this afternoon for coffee. After ten years, Richard suspects Jackson will ask for a divorce.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY
From the top of the ramp, we begin to ZOOM IN on KEISHA, 30s, wandering in search of her car.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Keisha Alexander cannot remember exactly where she has parked her car. In four minutes, the cost of parking in the hospital lot will double. It has been a stressful day for Keisha, but she is not a complainer. Since she was eight years old, Keisha has kept a handwritten daily to-do list. Today’s list is nearly finished. Change the oil on the Subaru, purchase extra balloons for her niece Natalie’s birthday party, pick up her fiancé Brian’s shirts from the dry cleaner. Keisha has two brothers along with six nieces and nephews between them. Four flower girls and two ring bearers.
Keisha pulls out her key fob and listens for the distant BEEP. She hears a sound coming from the top of the ramp and ventures toward it.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The visit with the endocrinologist took twenty minutes longer than Keisha had budgeted. Doctor Gottlieb took her time explaining everything. All of the options, the studies, the data, the possibilities, the next steps. What would constitute as an empathetic and thoughtful gesture to most was instead a vague annoyance to Keisha. How long need it take to inform her that she may never be able to conceive a child? Keisha will wait three days before waking Brian in the middle of the night to tell him. Brian will hold her close and whisper that they will be alright. Keisha will believe him.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HOLE #12 - GOLF COURSE - DAY
From the flag and cup, we begin to ZOOM IN on PAUL, 60s, as he jots in his score sheet from the driver’s seat of a golf cart. He looks up to watch his friend SAM, 60s, prepare to swing his club.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Paul Melamed is currently two over par. As Sam Crane takes his approach shot, Paul considers their long, rewarding friendship. They met in a racquetball league at the West Bloomfield JCC in Detroit, 1986. At the time, Paul was a medical sales rep and Sam worked with his cousins in the printing business. They bonded mostly over sports and the market. Both men were married with young children. Paul will soon retire as Executive Vice President of Marketing for a prominent pharmaceutical company. His wife Yelena is a sought after interior decorator for the country club set. His daughter Evie is on the partner track at her firm. Sam will soon file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Two years ago, Sam bought out his cousin’s share of the printing business, shortly before defaulting on a series of loans after he was forced to replace a two-hundred thousand dollar large format offset printer. His marriage to Beverly dissolved soon after as Sam began spending most evenings drinking alone in their garage. His son Robert will not allow him to visit his grandchildren.
Sam swings and they both watch the ball fly toward us.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
After bogeying this hole, Sam will confide in Paul that he strongly considered suicide last night. He will then ask if Paul would loan him fifty thousand dollars.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
From the stacks, we begin to ZOOM IN on CAROLINE, 12, as a LIBRARIAN leads her to a desk where WENDY, 12, reads from a book.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Caroline Tsu attends PS 293. Wendy Nixon attends Parker Prep. Their families live three blocks apart, but the girls are meeting now for the first time. There is one book available in this library that contains information on the Axolotl salamander, also known as the Mexican Walking Fish.
Caroline takes a seat next to Wendy and they tentatively say ‘hi’, although we can’t hear them. Caroline and Wendy begin to read the book together. Caroline points to a page and they both chuckle. The librarian gives them both a ‘shush’.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Both girls independently chose the Axolotl for their respective sixth grade natural science assignments. Caroline is inquisitive, creative and temperamental. Wendy is playful, considerate and resourceful.
Turning the page, Caroline and Wendy can’t help but whisper.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
They do not yet fully realize it, but Caroline and Wendy will soon become the best of friends. A bond that will last the rest of their lives.
A sudden clap of THUNDER scares the girls. The MUSIC stops. We hear both girls give a SHRIEK then start LAUGHING. We PAN and TILT toward the window as it begins to sprinkle drops of rain outside.
CUT TO:
EXT. TERRACE - BROWNSTONE - DAY
We hear the overwhelming SOUND OF THUNDER. Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, Angela rushes onto the terrace as the sky darkens. She struggles to grab three small potted flowers to bring back inside. Once inside, Angela picks up her cordless home phone and relays the thrilling event to her daughter on the other end.
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. DINER - DAY
The SOUND OF STEADY RAIN begins. Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, the waitress approaches Richard and pours him a refill of coffee. Richard’s husband JACKSON, 40s, soaked with no umbrella, races in and takes a seat next to Richard. The sight of a waterlogged JACKSON makes Richard smile. They sit together and share a coffee.
CUT TO:
INT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY
The SOUND OF RAIN ECHOES in the garage. Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, Keisha sits in her car. Colorful balloons crowd the backseat.
She rolls down her window and listens calmly to the sound the rain makes from inside the garage as the rain pours.
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY
Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, Paul and Sam sit in the golf cart, swapping swigs from Sam’s flask. They hear THUNDER and LIGHTNING in the distance and begin to pack up.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - DAY
The SOUND OF RAIN FALLING HARDER.
Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, shoes stomp through puddles.
Busy COMMUTERS hurry to their destinations under the cover of umbrellas, scaffolding and newspapers.
We try to focus in on some of them, but they elude us. So many people leading so many different lives.
CUT TO:
EXT. LIBRARY - DAY
The MUSIC fades back in to mix with the SOUND OF HEAVY RAIN.
Starting close and slowly ZOOMING OUT, the librarian shoos Caroline and Wendy outside under an overhang.
Wendy pulls out an umbrella and both girls huddle together as they walk down the rainy street. They share a laugh.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The time is now 3:30pm.
FADE TO BLACK.
