Why We Write Songs

Muted. A boy (about 14) sits on his floor with his guitar. About 20 pieces of paper are laying on the floor. The scene is muted, and we see him strum a chord and his mouth moves to sing a line. When he is done, he sits for a few seconds, the hurriedly scribbles a line onto a piece of paper.

FADE TO BLACK

TITLE: Why we write songs

FADE IN

INT. Cafeteria. Day.

The sound around the cafeteria is deafening. Girls are laughing, guys yelling. We see the boy, the songwriter, carrying a tray. He walks by a trash can and throws out his sandwich, left only with chips and a bottle of orange juice. He walks over and sits down at a table by himself. Immediately he pulls a crumpled piece of paper and a pen out of his pocket. He sits at the table, looking around, occasionally picking up a chip and eating it, when, suddenly, he looks frantically down at the paper and writes. A girl sits down at his table. He doesn't even look up.

SONGWRITER
Hey Sarah.

SARAH
Hey. Why do you sit alone every day? And what's that piece of paper. Lemme see it!

SONGWRITER
No! Its mine!

SARAH
Why won't you let me see it?

SONGWRITER
Because, if it gets out that I'm doing this, I'll never live it down.

SARAH
Come on! What is it?!

SONGWRITER
Sorry. No worries, it isn't important.

SARAH
Sounds pretty important if you won't let me see it.

SONGWRITER
Alright fine. Think of it this way. Do I lie?

SARAH
Yes.

SONGWRITER
But do I lie to you?

A beat.

SARAH
No.

SONGWRITER
Exactly.

CUT

EXT. Rooftop. Night.

We see the songwriter laying on his roof, looking at the stars. We hear the buzzing of a cell phone vibrating. He pulls it out of his pocket and answers it.

SONGWRITER
Hey.

VOICE (O.S.)
It's Sarah.

SONGWRITER
Alright, what's up?

SARAH (S.S.)
Not much, just doing homework. I hate Geometry.

SONGWRITER
Nice.

SARAH (O.S.)
What about you?

SONGWRITER
On my roof. I did all my homework already.

SARAH (O.S.)
Really?

SONGWRITER
No.

SARAH (O.S.)
Haha yeah, you never do your homework.

SONGWRITER
Nope. So why'd you call me?

SARAH (O.S.)
Just felt like it. Oh, and if X squared is equal to the square root of 36, what's X?

SONGWRITER
Really? Math help? Alright. X is the square root of six.

SARAH (O.S.)
Wait 2.445?

SONGWRITER
No, just square root of 6. Like, draw the root symbol and put the 6 under it.

SARAH (O.S.)
Alright, thanks.

SONGWRITER
But really, why did you call me?

SARAH (O.S.)
I don't know. I just wanted to.

SONGWRITER
Oh, and now that we're alone, I'll tell you what that piece of paper was.

SARAH (O.S.)
What was it?

SONGWRITER
It was a song. I'm working on writing it. It is barely started, so I don't really know what it's about yet, but I finished the guitar part a few minutes ago.

SARAH (O.S.)
That's cool. Who's it for?

SONGWRITER
I don't know yet, I haven't started on the words.

SARAH (O.S.)
Well, if you aren't writing it for anyone yet, will you write it for me?

SONGWRITER
Sure.

SARAH (O.S.)
Cool. Oh, and when are you going to play it.

SONGWRITER
Probably once it's finished.

SARAH (O.S.)
Well I knew that, but are you gonna play it for me?

SONGWRITER
I'll think about it, but I have to go write. I just had an idea.

SARAH (O.S.)
Alright, I'll see you tomorrow.

SONGWRITER
Peace.

He hangs up the phone and sighs.

CUT

INT. CAFETERIA. DAY.

Our character, the writer, sits down at the same lunch table as the day before with the same juice and chips. He opens the bag and starts to eat. A big kid comes over to his table and sits down.

SONGWRITER
Beat it Mark.

MARK
Oh, too busy writing your little song?

SONGWRITER
How do you know about that?

MARK
Sarah was telling people. She feels all special because she has you writing her a song. Amanda told me.

SONGWRITER
Great. I gotta go.

He gets up and moves to another unoccupied table. Mark doesn't follow him.

CUT

EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.

The Songwriter sits this time, head in his hands. He picks up his phone and dials. It rings twice before a girl's voice picks up.

SARAH (O.S.)
Hello?

SONGWRITER
Hey, it's me. I've been trying to get you, but you weren't on Facebook and your cell was turned off.

SARAH (O.S.)
Oh, sorry about that. My computer's broken and I can't find my phone charger.

SONGWRITER
It's okay. Wanna know what I called?

SARAH (O.S.)
Um...sure?

SONGWRITER
Why would you tell people I'm writing you a song? I was getting shit today from Mark for it, and that really wasn't the plan!

SARAH (O.S.)
I didn't know it would get around.

SONGWRITER
You told Amanda! Mark's girlfriend!

SARAH (O.S.)
Sorry.

SONGWRITER
God damn it! I'm never gonna live this down! This is how people will remember me. The guy who wrote a song for his best friend, not his girlfriend. This isn't how it was supposed to be.

SARAH (O.S.)
I'm sorry! I didn't know it had to be a secret! If it matters so much, just don't write it! People will forget and you'll be fine!

SONGWRITER
No. It's fine. I'll take it. Stuff like this blows over, right? I'll be fine. By the way, I nailed the chorus during English class today.

SARAH (O.S.)
So that's what you were hiding in your Romeo and Juliet book!

SONGWRITER
Yeah.

SARAH (O.S.)
Can you tell me any of it?

SONGWRITER
Nope, sorry. That ruins it. If you know what's coming, you'll judge it before you hear it.

SARAH (O.S.)
Please.

SONGWRITER
No.

SARAH (O.S.)
Please!

SONGWRITER
No!

SARAH (O.S.)
Fine.... Oh crap! I gotta go, my mom needs the house phone. I'd call you on my cell, but, you know, no power. Bye.

SONGWRITER
Peace.

He hangs up the phone and climbs back in his window.

CUT

INT. English classroom. day.

The songwriter pulls out a piece of paper and rips off a scrap. He writes on it "Hey, I nailed the first verse last night." He passes it to SARAH, who sits next to him. She reads it, turns it over, writes on it, and passes it back. He looks at it and it says "Awesome! Are you almost done?" He puts it in his pocket, tears off more paper, and writes "Yeah, I only need one more verse, then I'm done. Only thing is, this is a hard verse, but I'm sure I'll get it eventually." He hands it to her and she reads it. Once she's done, she pockets it.

INT. Lunchroom. Day.

The songwriter is at his usual table, with his orange juice and chips. A girl is walking around the room handing out envelopes. He sees her hand one to SARAH and all the other girls, then he sees her hand one to Mark and all the other guys. Then she walks over with the last one and hands it to him. He opens it immediately. Inside it says:

Amy's and Ellie's Pool Party

342 Oak St. Madison, CT.

Dress is casual, make sure to bring a swimsuit. Saturday at 7pm.

CUT

EXT. Pool Deck. Day.

The day is sunny, and the songwriter walks in carrying an envelope, a towel, and a bottle of sunscreen. He puts the towel down on a chair and looks around. It's complete mayhem. Other kids are running, jumping, splashing, diving, and flipping into the pool. Suddenly, a kid grabs the songwriter and throws him in the water, where he is grabbed by large, meaty hands.

MARK
Hey retard, lemme see the song!

SONGWRITER
No! It's not for you!

MARK
Fine.

He dunks the songwriter in the water and pulls him out after about 10 seconds.

MARK
Show me now?

SONGWRITER
No!

He dunks the songwriter again, this time for longer. When he comes up, the songwriter is gasping for air and coughing.

MARK
Show me the song!

SONGWRITER
No!

He dunks him in the water, holding him under for a very long time. When he pulls him out, he's unconscious.

FADE TO BLACK

First person view

EXT. POOL DECK. DAY.

Eyes open and vision is clouded. Eyes blink repeatedly and open again. A fuzzy ring surrounds vision, but he can see. SARAH is kneeling next to him, holding his hand. He looks up into her green eyes and slowly slips back into darkness.

INT. HOSPITAL BEDROOM. DAY

Eyes open again, this time he is in a room with an off-white ceiling. He is able to sit up, and once he does, he looks around. He is in a hospital bedroom. He lays down, closes his eyes, and goes back to sleep.

INT. BEDROOM. NIGHT.

Eyes open and vision is normal. He looks at the ceiling and knows that he is in his bedroom. He sits up, opens the window, and climbs out...

RETURN TO REGULAR SHOTS

EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.

...onto his roof. He reaches into his pocket and finds his phone. He turns it on and dials.

SARAH (O.S.)
Hello?

SONGWRITER
Hey, its me.

SARAH (O.S.)
Oh thank god! I thought you were going to die out there! I was so worried! You should have just agreed to show him the song! It's not a big deal! You could have died! Please, never do that to me again.

SONGWRITER
Haha alright. I just, didn't want him to read the song. I probably would have let him if he had dunked me a few more times and I hadn't passed out, but I lost all my air from coughing.

SARAH (O.S.)
Its alright, you're okay now.

SONGWRITER
Oh, and Sarah...

SARAH (O.S.)
Yeah?

SONGWRITER
I think I finished the song. I'll play it for you on Monday, alright?

SARAH (O.S.)
Yeah. That'd be great.

SONGWRITER
I gotta go. My mom is afraid I'm gonna pass out and fall off my roof.

SARAH (O.S.)
Yeah, you just almost died, why are you on your roof?!

SONGWRITER
Oh shut up.

SARAH (O.S.)
Bye.

SONGWRITER
Peace.

He hangs up the phone and climbs inside.

CUT

EXT. Soccer Field. Day.

Our songwriter sits on a set of bleachers near a soccer field. He has his guitar out, and a pen. He frantically scribbles on a piece of paper. He sighs and stands up, leaving his guitar on the ground, and walks over to the door of the cafeteria. He looks through the window and get's SARAH's attention. She touches one of her friends on the shoulder and stands up. The songwriter turns around and walks to the bleachers. He sits down and thinks. We hear him mumble a few lyrics in his head. He looks at his hands and we see that they're shaking. SARAH walks around the corner with four other girls and a guy, who also has a guitar. He sits down and starts to play. Songwriter looks at him and listens to him play. In the middle of his song, songwriter stands up and walks away. He walks into a math classroom and puts his guitar in the back of the room.

CUT

EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.

The songwriter climbs out of his window, sits on the roof, and takes out his song. He looks at it and starts to sing a few bars.

SONGWRITER
(singing)
Don't Change, Never Change, I love you the way you are...

He stops and looks at the piece of paper, he crumples it up in his hand and angrily throws it off the roof. He climbs back into...

INT. BEDROOM. NIGHT.

...his bedroom and takes a piece of paper off of his desk. He sits on the floor, picks up his guitar, and starts to play.

30 second silent MONTAGE: Songwriter playing

Music: Over my head by the fray

Fade to Black, Cut in

EXT. SOCCER FIELD. DAY.

The songwriter sits on the bleachers with his guitar. He plays, but this time doesn't seem very nervous at all. He looks at his hands. They are still. He stands up and walks...

INT. CAFETERIA. DAY.

...into the cafeteria. He walks over to SARAH and taps her on the shoulder.

SONGWRITER
Hey, I'm sorry for flaking out yesterday. I'm ready now.

SARAH
Alright. I'll be out in 5.

SONGWRITER
Cool.

He walks out...

EXT. SOCCER FIELD. DAY.

...to the bleachers and sits. He plays solo licks on his guitar and waits. She shows up soon, with the same four girls and the same guy, but he doesn't have his guitar this time. He just wants to listen. Songwriter pulls the sheet of paper out of his pocket lays it down on the ground and puts a pebble on the top and bottom to keep it from flying away. He is about to play when Mark runs over and steals the sheet of paper. The songwriter doesn't even stand up. One of the girls jumps up and grabs the song back. She holds it out to the songwriter.

GIRL
Here.

SONGWRITER
Thanks.

He puts the song back on the ground and weighs it down again. Then he starts to play:

CHORUS:

Don't Change, Never Change, I love you the way you are, You are the shining star, In my sky, And when I look at you, I see right through, All the false pretenses, To what is true

G C Em D RIFF

V1:

I look up at the sky, We're under the same stars, We will be For years to come, That's something I'll rely on, And now I sit and I look up, Waiting for the rain to come, It always does, Sooner or later

CHORUS

G C Em D RIFF

V2:

Not knowing which was up or down, Not knowing whether I would drown, But then you pulled me out, But then you pulled me out, Not knowing if I was gonna die, Ready to go up in the sky, But then I looked into your eyes... Into your (Arpegiatted G) eyes.

Songwriter shrugs his shoulders

SONGWRITER
Well, that's it.

SARAH
(sincerely)
That was great.

SONGWRITER
Thanks.

Bell rings.

SARAH
Shit I gotta go. I'll call you later?

SONGWRITER
Yeah.

CUT

EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.

Songwriter sits. Holds his phone, waiting. It vibrates and he picks it up immediately.

SONGWRITER
Hey Sarah.

SARAH (O.S.)
Hey.

SONGWRITER
What's up?

SARAH (O.S.)
Why'd you flake yesterday, but were so confident today.

SONGWRITER
Honestly, I rewrote the entire song last night. My fingers were bleeding.

SARAH (O.S.)
Why would you rewrite it?

SONGWRITER
I couldn't sing it because I didn't think it was good enough. I wrote a better one last night so I decided to sing that one.

SARAH (O.S.)
Really?

SONGWRITER
Yeah.

SARAH (O.S.)
Oh, and one more question...

SONGWRITER
Shoot.

SARAH (O.S.)
Can I come over?

SONGWRITER
Yeah, that's cool.

SARAH (O.S.
Be right there!

Our songwriter quickly jumps...

INT. BEDROOM. NIGHT.

...into his bedroom. He pulls an Oxford shirt and an AC/DC t-shirt. He pulls on Khaki shorts, then puts on the AC/DC shirt. Then he puts on the Oxford, unbuttoned, and rolls up the sleeves. He throws on flip flops and jumps...

EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.

...outside onto the roof. He sits down and waits for about 10 seconds. Suddenly, a little pebble hits him in the forehead. He looks down off the edge of the slanted roof and sees SARAH. He reaches out his hand and pulls her up on the roof. She sits next to him, very close, and puts her arm around him. He puts his arm around her and they sit there.

SARAH
That song was really sweet.

SONGWRITER
Thanks. I worked pretty hard on it.

SARAH
Yeah, I could tell. I had to ask you this last question in person...

SONGWRITER
Go ahead.

SARAH
You wrote "Don't Change, Never Change, I love you the way you are..." Do you love me?

SONGWRITER
Yeah, I do.

SARAH
I love you too.

Songwriter leans in to kiss her, and she tilts her head. He kisses her, a long one, for at least 10 seconds. He pulls away, and she puts her head on his shoulder. They lay back and look at the stars.

Zoom in: Stars

Roll Credits