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Daniel Frimpong

November 22, 2024

CRWR 160

Timing and Tango

Timing and Tango

INT. HIGH SCHOOL REUNION – NIGHT

[The gymnasium is alive with the sounds of a bustling 10-year high school reunion. The

disco ball overhead spins lazily, scattering tiny spots of light across the room. The music

is loud, an upbeat throwback to the songs that once ruled the airwaves. Tables line the

edges of the room, each one filled with small groups of people chatting and laughing,

occasionally casting a glance toward the dance floor.]

[David, a youthful 27 year old British man stands at the edge of the room, perched on a

plastic chair. He watches the dance floor from a distance, sipping his bottle of sparkling

juice. His gaze lingers on a couple dancing close together, completely absorbed in each

other. The girl smiles up at the boy with a warmth that seems to radiate between them.

He holds her hand, spinning her around before pulling her back into a gentle embrace.

They laugh, enjoying their time together. David stares at them, his eyes distant, the

corners of his lips twitching into an almost imperceptible frown. He looks away, his

fingers tightening around the bottle. He rises slowly from his seat, his expression one of

quiet frustration.]

EXT. BALCONY – NIGHT

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David: [Muttering to himself] I swear, it’s like this world is mocking me….

[David raises his bottle, and takes a sip out of it]

???: [Offscreen] Woah! Underage drinking!

[Enter Keegan, a 28 year old French man exiting the disco room and walking towards

David]

David: [Coughing] I’m not underage anymore french boy! Besides, it’s sparkling juice! Not

alcohol!

Keegan: [Smug] Uh huh. Sure, British boy…

[Kegan walks towards the table David is sitting at and sits himself down at the chair

next to him]

David: So what are you doing out here? Should you be in there dancing with Kira? You

know, being all wholesome with each other?

Keegan: [Chuckles] I just needed a bit of a break from all the glaring lights. Plus, Kira’s off

doing her own thing with her friends.

David: Ah, ok.

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[David takes a sip out of the bottle and then gestures to Keegan.]

David: You want some?

Keegan: [Gives David a concerned look] I’m sorry David, but I am in a committed

relationship. Plus, if Kira found out we had an indirect kiss, there would be no coming back

from that…

David: [Flustered] D-DON’T MAKE THIS WEIRD! YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT WHAT I

MEANT!

[Keegan laughs and then birdie’s the drink. He then stops drinking and returns the

bottle back to David. ]

Keegan: [Lays back in his chair] So, what are you doing out here? I thought you’d still be

inside.

David: Yeah, but it kinda got boring. The blaring lights and all.

[Beat]

Keegan: Do you want to talk about it?

David: [Pauses, Turning his face to Keegan] What do you mean, talk about it?
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Keegan: Well, this whole night you’ve been pretty quiet. Usually you’re up on the dance

floor doing frontflips and cartwheels, but tonight, I haven’t seen you do a single one of those

things.

David: Would you believe me if I said I was tired?

Keegan: Nope.

David: Figures. [Mutters] Guess I can’t keep anything from you can I….

[Beat]

David: It’s just ... everyone always says that there’s plenty of fish in the sea, right? [He raises

his head slightly, his expression hardening] But what if I don’t just want any fish? What if I

want a Salmon, or a Tilapia, or a Mackerel? [He looks down again, lost in thought] It feels

like everyone’s out there catching what they want, and I’m still stuck waiting for the fish I

want to take the bait.

Keegan: [Raises an eyebrow] You’re… not talking about fish are you?

David: Of course not. I’m talking about…. [Lowers his head clenches his fists on his knees]

Well, you know.

[Beat]
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David: Ok, I’m gonna say something that I’ve been doing a pretty good job of not saying out

loud.

[Keegan looks at David with a saddened face.]

David: [Turns his head to look at the disco room] There’s a girl in that room that I confessed

to a long time ago. I got turned down, obviously, and not long after that, it was clear that she

was interested in another boy. That boy is now her boyfriend.

Keegan: Dave….

David: Well, at the time, even though I knew she was out of my league, I decided to just go

ahead and tell her how I felt. [Quiet for a moment and then continues] I’m not jealous that

she’s happy with someone else, seriously, I’m not. It’s just that…. It’s just that sometimes I

wonder if it’s too late for me to find someone.

Keegan: [Straightens his back, choosing his words carefully] Are you saying that you’re

giving up on love?

David: [Looks upwards] I don’t know. It’s just that all my friends from high school are here

with their wives, and me? I’m a 27 year old man with a non-alcoholic drink as his date.

Keegan: [Opens his mouth to speak, but then immediately shuts it.]
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David: Keegan, what you and Kira have, what I thought I could have with that girl, I want

that. And I’ve been praying to God for it to happen, but it gets to a point where you feel like

your prayers aren’t being heard. Not in some, depressed “Oh, woe is me!” way, or even a

“God why are you doing this to me?” way. It’s just that… [Hesitates then speaks] everyday I

feel like I believe a little less, and a little less, and that…. Sucks.

[Keegan looks down, and David turns his head to face him.]

David: What do I do about that, Keegan?

Keegan: [Leans back, putting his hands behind his head] I’ll be honest with you David, I’m

not really good with the whole romantic advice thing. Kira would probably be a better person

to talk to about this.

David: [Laughs softly, the tension easing a little] Heh. Well at least you're honest about it….

Keegan: But as your friend, this is what i’ll say…

[Keegan pauses, looking at David seriously and David looks at him with a surprised

face.]

Keegan: When God wants you to meet someone he will make sure that it happens no matter

what. Trust him on that.

David: It’s easier said than done…

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Keegan: I know. It may not be the answer you want, but it all comes down to timing. [Looks

upwards and then looks back at David] Yeah that’s what it is. It sounds cliche and maybe

every Christian says it when it comes to love, but it’s true.

[Keegan stands up and walks towards the door where the disco is happening. He then

turns around to look at David.]

Keegan: Keep believing. You’ll get what you’ve been wanting when it’s ready. I hope that

helps.

David: [Smirks] …. How cheesy.

Keegan: WHA-

David: Did you really have to stand up and do a dramatic turn? That last bit was a bit too

much. Even for a theatre kid like you.

[Keegan’s face flushes red and begins to fumble over his words.]

David: [David laughs, and wipes the tears from his eyes] Thanks man. You’re always

looking out for me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Keegan: [Composes himself] Well, lucky for you, I’m not going anywhere. Now, enough of

this serious talk. You wanna go back inside?

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David: Deal. But no more "love advice" from you. If I get anymore my perception of you as

the “silly french boy with the girlfriend” will be ruined.

Keegan: [Laughing] Works for me. Giving advice to the usually composed British boy might

ruin my perception of you as well.

[They walk off together, the scene fading as they continue their conversation, the weight

of David’s worries slightly lifted.]

END SCENE