TWENTY TWELVE: LOOSE ENDS
"THE MISSING MINUTE"
Author: Hotcorner
It seemed like there were a few pages missing from the final script, so I decided to write this scene that way. This scene picks up where the abrupt end of the series left off, filling in the much anticipated, but maddeningly truncated resolution to the Ian/Sally storyline.
This is just my vision, because I hate cliffhangers and love happy endings.
Caught up in planning the perfect holiday for Ian, a flustered Sally fears she has inadvertently crossed the line and hinted that she would love to accompany him. Ian seizes the moment to begin a conversation that has been long in coming.
IAN
Hang on a minute. You haven't heard what I was going to say yet.
(There is a long pause, while possibilities and dreams hang heavily in the air.)
Do you know that when Seb rang earlier to congratulate us on the Handover, and send his regrets about not turning up here today, he specifically mentioned how fortunate I was to have had you back.
SALLY
Yes, well, that's kind…
IAN
Especially since you apparently turned him down when he asked you to replace Nina.
SALLY
Yes.
IAN
Yet when Daniel called not twelve hours later, you agreed to drop everything and come back here straight away. (He reaches out and gently forces Sally to look at him.) To me. Sally, in a few weeks, everyone out there will be scattering, going back to whatever lives they have, or have left after all this. I have no idea where I go from here, I guess the next month will determine that, but what I can tell you is that I'm not prepared to let you walk away from me again.
(They stand silently, each wrestling with the emotion of the moment. Sally is near tears.)
Do you think, and maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but I think not; at least I hope not. Anyway, do you think that you might want to come with me to Italy? I mean my Italian is rubbish, and—
SALLY
(Mumbling, flustered at Ian's close proximity and honesty.)
Oh, well, I wouldn't…I've got these plants that need watering—
(She is unable to continue and looks hopefully at Ian.)
IAN
I rather think we have some unfinished business of a personal nature to sort out, don't you?
SALLY
(Crumbling.) Yes, actually. Uh-
IAN
Well, let's be honest, it's not really unfinished, I mean it's not yet begun; well, not officially anyway, but I really think there's potential here for —
Overwhelmed, Sally surprises even herself by suddenly kissing Ian, who after a moment's hesitation, is drawn quite passionately into the kiss.
They are unaware that they are being watched in the fishbowl of Ian's office by Siobhan, Nick, Graham, Kay and Fi.
Siobhan catches sight of the couple's embrace and draws the other's attention to it.
SIOBHAN
Holy shit!
GRAHAM
Classic.
NICK
(Matter of factly.)
About fucking time.
SIOBHAN
Really? I mean, who knew?
GRAHAM
(Faking it, as usual.)
Oh, I knew. Yeah, been going on for ages, that has.
FIONA
(Disgusted, having had Sally's number all along.)
Un-believable.
KAY
(Pleased at Fi's jealous reaction.)
Right. Good luck to her, then.
Ian and Sally finally separate.
SALLY
(Quite breathless.)
Yes, um, sorry. I thought we'd just have that out of the way. Sorry.
IAN
(Also recovering.)
Oh, well, yes. Quite. Most efficient.
(Getting his legs back under him.)
So, is that a yes to Umbria then?
SALLY
(Smiling a little tearfully, but confidently looking him in the eye.)
Yes, not a problem.
IAN
(Satisfied.)
Right. So, that's all good then.