I wrote this in 2001. A hard drive crash wiped out the first 45 pages of something called Departure / Départ, and another full draft of a screenplay called The Americans. Variations of Paul and Michelle breaking up show up in The Pretty Girls.
_______
BLACK
PAUL
(V.O.)
She said...
E.C.U. Woman’s Lips speaking in silence.
PAUL
(V.O. CONT'D)
“One day I’m going to fly away from here,” I was with her when she bought the ticket.
INT. TRAVEL AGENCY - DAY
MICHELLE(27) an attractive bronzed brunette wearing designer sunglasses, Capri pants and halter top, enters the travel agency. She looks smart, sexy and sophisticated. Paul (28) follows in sloppy cargo shorts, t-shirt and running shoes. He is unshaven and appears to just had the wind kicked out of him.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
Can I help you.
MICHELLE
Yes. Where’s a nice place to go?
TRAVEL AGENTESS
To go, or to live?
MICHELLE
Either.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
Someplace warm?
MICHELLE
Warmer.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
Hawaii.
MICHELLE
Too American.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
The Caribbean.
MICHELLE
Too close to America.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
London. It’s kinda like Vancouver.
MICHELLE
God, no.
TRAVEL AGENT
Spain. Siesta’s and cute guys.
MICHELLE
Too much testosterone.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
Then Italy’s out.
MICHELLE
Germany too. Is France warm?
TRAVEL AGENTESS
Not warm, warm, but the Riveria is nice. April in Paris. Gene Kelly and Count Basie. For two?
The travel agent looks at Paul reading a brochure.
MICHELLE
He’s not coming with me.
Paul looks over at Michelle.
PAUL
Do you have to go to another continent?
MICHELLE
Yes, I do. This place would remind me too much of you, Paul.
PAUL
What? Canada?
MICHELLE
Yes.
(pause)
Paris would be nice. Romantic.
PAUL
(snarky)
You don’t speak any French Michelle.
MICHELLE
Voulez vous coucher avec moi c’est soir?
The travel agentess looks at the other travel agent behind the counter. Paul’s taken aback.
TRAVEL AGENT
She shouldn’t need anything else.
TRAVEL AGENTESS
(looking at a computer)
8:15 pm to Paris. Departs from Pearson International, landing at Charles De Gaulle, Paris.
EXT. PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DEPARTURES - DAY
A sports sedan pulls up quick to the sidewalk in front of the Departure Gate. A sign reads “NO PARKING-VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED”.She exits from the drivers side. Paul sits in the passenger seat dejected. She walks around the car and opens up the Passenger door. She reaches the lever on the seat to move it forward.
MICHELLE
Scoot!
Paul scoots forward and Michelle removes her new carry-on luggage out of the backseat.
PAUL
So I guess this is it?
MICHELLE
Yep, guess so. Okay, listen. I sold the car to a woman named Angela. She's going to pick up the lease. She should be by tomorrow, so don’t forget. Maybe clean it up a little. Vacuum. The papers are all signed and I left food in the fridge so you won’t starve. Tell your Mom I’ll write her. You might as well just sell or burn anything I left. Okay, bye Paul, gotta go.
PAUL
Do you even know where you’re going?
MICHELLE
Does it matter?
She turns away and walks through the automatic doors of the Airport. She drags her suitcase behind and disappears as the doors shut.
FADE OUT: