…The Silent Meow…
Melinda Bruner
A few notes before we
start- Sorry about it being in script format, I just didn't feel like typing all
the little "" and things, so forgive me this once.
Summary: Daria is feeling uncomfortable around Tom but realizes that he's actually planning something.
[Stage
directions]
{Thinking}
[Scene: Daria at her computer. She is on AOL. There is e-mail from someone called Amyb123. It says:]
Hey Daria,
How are you? Is your mother okay? God, I hope
not. Anyway, I was thinking about what we talked about last night and I
realized that I need to help you. How about I come over in a week? I'll call
ya. Later.
Love,
Amy
[Pull back to show a somewhat saddened Daria. She
smiles then, and is about to turn off the computer when she gets an instant
message. It's from Tsloane00]
Tsloane00: Hey!
DariaM: Hey.
Tsloane00: Can you come over
tomorrow? I kind of need help with my exams.
DariaM: Um…Sure, what time?
Tsloane00: Any time. But, the
earlier the better.
DariaM: I'll be there.
Tsloane00: Okay, thanks! Well, I
gotta run. I just came on to check my e-mail.
DariaM: Okay, bye Tom.
Tsloane00: Bye, Daria. See ya
tomorrow!
Tsloane00 signed off
[Daria was about to turn off her computer again,
when an instant message came from FeistyCR3. She turns it off]
Daria: {Wait…Did Tom just ask me out?}
Maybe he still does love me after all.
[Scene: The next day. Daria is walking up to
Tom's doorstep and sees Kat, Angier, and Elsie drive out. Kat waves. She shrugs
and rings the doorbell.]
Tom: [Opening it] Hey Daria.
[Daria's eyes open a little wide and camera pans
to see Tom, a little sweaty, breathing heavily before her]
Daria: Hey…Tom.
Tom: Hi. Sorry, I was lifting weights. Come on
in. [He opens the door wider]
Daria: Thanks.
Tom: Daria, I'm not sure how to start, but I
didn't ask you over to study. I wanted to have a talk with you. A serious talk.
Daria: [Nods] {He's going to break up with me}
what did you want to talk about?
Tom: About us.
Daria: Oh.
Tom: [Leads her to a small living room. They sit
on a couch together. Daria looks pretty nervous.] Now, Daria, first of all, I'm
going to say the most important thing. [He takes her hand] It's hard to say,
but I need to say it. I- I- I love you. [Daria looks shocked] I love you more
than I've loved any girl ever before. But I have to know how you feel about me.
If this is going to fast, you need to tell me. If you like this pace, you
should tell me. If you want to go faster, just tell me. We haven't been too up
on communication lately and I want that to change. I want to talk to you more
often. I want to take you out more often. I- I- I want to kiss you more often.
Daria: [looks near tears] Tom, I love you too. I
was so worried you were going to break up with me…[covers her face] I doubt I
could have taken losing you.
Tom: Are you crazy? I doubt I could live without
you. God who would I talk to? You can actually make me think Daria. That's an
achievement in itself.
Daria: [hugs him] Thank you, Tom. For, for
everything you've ever done.
Tom: Daria, do you know what tomorrow is?
Daria: No…should I?
Tom: Well, yeah.
Daria: Can you just tell me?
Tom: It's our one-year anniversary. Don't you
remember?
Daria: Has it been one year already?
Tom: It's hard to believe. Time just flies,
doesn't it?
Daria: Yeah.
Tom: Well, I've got a little something planned.
Be up tomorrow by 10 A.M. sharp.
Daria: Okay.
Tom: You'd better run along now. Get some sleep.
[Gives her a quick kiss on the lips] I'll walk you out.
Daria: Okay. [They get to the doorway and stop]
So I'll see you, tomorrow.
Tom: Yeah.
Daria: Okay.
Tom: So, you have to go now?
Daria: You're making this pretty hard.
Tom: I should be sorry.
Daria: Exactly.
Tom: All right, then.
Daria: Okay.
[Tom grabs her by the waist and pulls her in. He
kisses her full force on the lips. It lasts for a while, and the camera sees
Tom's hand lower to her butt. They pull away from each other for a second;
Daria wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him in again. After awhile they
break away and Daria looks wistful]
Tom: Daria…
Daria: Tom, I'm going to miss you. Until 10.
Tom: Bye.
[Daria leaves. Cut to: the next morning. Quinn's
room. Daria, stills in her PJ's sneaks in and rummages though her closet]
Daria: (Various No's) Yes! [She pulls out some
stretch jeans and a backless silver mesh shirt] Today's a special day, all
right.
[Cut to Daria's room. Music: Mya, Takin' me over.
We see a towel drop, then Daria picking up the jeans, then the shirt. Then she
looks up into the mirror, and smiles. The shirt shows off her figure without
looking too trashy. Daria puts on black mascara and eyeliner, then clear
lip-gloss. She pulls her boots on, and looks at the clock. It says 9:54. She
brushes her hair and blow-dries it. Then the doorbell rings. She rushes
downstairs]
Daria: (OS) If there are any cameras they'll
never see the light of day ever again. [She walks down the stairs, gripping the
rail] Hey, Tom. [Tom is holding twelve pure red roses. Helen has a bouquet of
jonquils]
Tom: Daria! [He walks up to the foot of the
stairs and takes her hand] You look absolutely gorgeous. [He gives her the
flowers] These are for you.
Daria: Tom, I'm amazed.
Tom: You have always amazed me, Daria.
Helen: Oh, Tom, thank you once again for the
flowers. I love jonquils.
Daria: You brought my mom flowers. All, right,
Jake, get out the camera. I don't care what I'm wearing, and I want to remember
this day forever.
[They take a few pictures, Tom with his arms
around Daria's waist, Tom and Daria kissing, etc., etc.]
Tom: I hate to break this up but Daria, we have
to go. Bye Helen, Bye Jake.
Daria: Bye, Mom, Dad. [She takes Tom's arm and
leaves]
Helen: Why can't Quinn's boyfriends be like that?
[Cut to: Tom's car. They are driving]
Daria: [Smelling her roses] Tom, I don't know
what to say. We've been together a year, and you still surprise me every day.
I've never gotten roses before in my life. Thank you.
Tom: You're welcome.
Daria: Where are we going?
Tom: You'll see. I have this day all planned out,
and you probably wont know one thing we're doing till we do it.
Daria: Wait, thirteen roses? Isn't it usually
twelve?
Tom: Well, you've never been a conformist so I
thought, hell, you should have conformist roses.
Daria: Talk about logic. [Smells the roses again]
Tom: Here we are. [He pulls into a stable]
Daria: Horseback riding?
Tom: Yeah. We're going for a long walk to talk.
[Cut to the stable]
Tom: This one is mine.
Daria: Tom, I didn't know you rode horses.
Tom: Yeah, my family does together. That's
Elsie's named Chad [Points to a cream colored pony with white hair] that's my
mom's, Green-spire, [points to a brown and white horse] and that's my dad's,
Rocky [points to a gray gelding] this is my horse, Kismet. [Points to a black
horse with black hair] But I call him Kizzy.
Daria: Whom am I riding?
Tom: Kizzy.
Daria: Then whom are you riding?
Tom: Kizzy.
Daria: Oh. Oh!
Tom: If you don't want to, I can ride Chad or
Rocky…
Daria: No, that's fine.
Tom: Great.
[Cut to: Outside. Kizzy has a gray blanket on and
a bridle. Daria looks worried]
Tom: Here, I'll help you up. [cups his hands] Put
your left foot here.
[After a struggle, Daria is mounted]
Daria: This is really high, Tom.
Tom: You'll get used to it. [He jumps on behind
Daria] Now take the reins and make Kizzy move by pressing your heels just a
little.[After awhile they are going at a slow pace. Tom has his arms around
Daria's waist. Daria has a death grip on the reins.] How are you feeling?
Daria: Pretty good. This is actually pretty fun.
Tom: Yeah. So how are things going today? Are you
happy so far?
Daria: Yeah.
Tom: Good. But the best is yet to come.
Daria: It's hard to believe we've been more than
friends for a year.
Tom: Kissing you was one of the smartest things
I've ever done, I think. Considering the circumstances, if I broke up with
Jane, then asked you out you'd have said no in a second.
Daria: Yeah.
Tom: But that doesn't mean it was right.
Daria: [shrugs] Doesn't mean it was wrong.
[Cut to: Back at the stable. Daria and Tom get
into Tom's car]
Tom: Fun?
Daria: Yeah. But now where?
Tom: You'll see.
[The car pulls into Pizza King]
Daria: Real Class, Tom.
Tom: Lunch.
Daria: Okay.
[They sit at the regular booth and get their
pizza. Tom puts his hand on top of Daria's as their pizza comes. It is covered
with pepperoni]
Tom: 365 Pepperoni's. Count them if you don't
believe me.
Daria: One for each day…
Tom: …we have been together.
[They laugh and start eating their pizza. Cut to
Tom's Car again.]
Tom: Here we are, again.
Daria: (Leaning on Tom's shoulder] Ugh. I ate too
many days.
Tom: Well, you better perk up for where we're
going next. It's going to be fun.
Daria: [Leans closer to Tom and grips his arm] I
don't do 'fun.'
Tom: Here we are. This is one of the parts I've
been waiting for.
Daria: A psychic, Tom? You know I don't believe
in that crap.
Tom: I know, but I do, and I want to see what's
in the future for us.
Daria: Well, you will have a slow agonizing
death.
Tom: And leave you a widow? I don't think so.
[Takes her arm] Now come on. [They walk in and talk to the secretary. Her
nametag reads Heaven L. Angel] Appointment for Sloane/Morgendorffer.
Heaven: Yes. Go on in through the blue beaded
curtains.
Tom: Thanks.
[They enter, and sit on small pillows. Madame
Tara is sitting cross-legged and shuffling Tarot cards]
Daria: I love what you've done to the place.
Tara: Thomas, is it? You'll go first, then I'll
do Daria's, then a couple reading. Shuffle these. [Gives him the Tarot cards.
He does, and Tara starts] this first card is the Present Influence. Ah, the
Sun. This card means you live in wealth, triumph and happiness. The second card
is your immediate obstacle, represented by the reversed fool. That means you
did something stupid, but it worked out well. Next is the immediate goal. The
world? Are you a perfectionist, Tom? [He nods] Well, it shows. Your ultimate
goal is too be perfect. Card number 4 is past Events. Oh, this is not good. The
Hanged man…I suspect you've hurt someone in the past. Hurt someone very badly.
[Daria and Tom look at each other in disbelief and then turn back to Tara]
Don't worry about it. Card 5 tells of Past Foundation-What happened in very far
past. Death…I suspect someone died at a very young age for you, Tom. [Tom's
mouth hangs open. Daria takes his hand] we are now on card 6, which are future
events. The Wheel of Fortune represents your card 6. The Wheel of Fortune symbol
symbolizes luck and Fate. The next card is about how people around you treat
you. Temperance, this means Patience and friendship. People want to be close to
you but can't open up well enough to show their true feelings. Your next card,
Card 8 is about how others see you. The pope! How wonderful! People look to you
for advice. Now this card is very important. It shows your greatest hopes and
fears. The Emperor? Thomas, you will be a great accomplisher. One of the most
successful men ever. Now, the final card. This is the Final Result card. It
symbolizes what is most important to you at this point in time. The lovers?
Tell me, Thomas, is the most important priority in your life right now Daria
over there?
Tom: Yes! How did you know that?
Tara: It's all in the cards and I see you've been
putting her ahead of your family a lot.
Tom: Yeah.
Tara: That's great, kids. Okay, Daria. Shuffle
the cards. [She does] Card 1…
[Cut to after Daria's reading has been finished.
Daria looks scared to death. It was obviously a very grounding experience.]
Tom: Daria? Are you okay?
Daria: I'm- I'm fine.
Tara: Sorry, but I just read the cards.
Daria: Well, thank you, but we really need to go.
Tom: Hold on Daria! We need to see what's in the
future for…us.
Daria: Oh yeah. Well, okay.
Tara: Thomas, pick two cards, Daria pick two
cards. [They do so] Thomas, turn your first card over. [He does] This card is
your first girlfriend. I see it wasn't a pleasant experience, no? Daria, turn
your first over. [She does] You are destined to be with your first boyfriend.
Get back together with him and see how things have changed. Now, turn your
cards over to see what is in store for you both. [They do so, revealing an
identical gold ring on both cards. Tara rubs her eyes in disbelief] Oh my
stars!
Daria: We aren't going to die, are we?
Tom: Tara, what does that mean?
Tara: [Calling to the secretary] Heaven! Heaven
get in here now before I faint! [She starts fanning herself]
Tom: What is it?
Heaven: [Entering] Tara? Are you all right?
Tara: No. No, I'm not. Look at the cards.
Heaven: (Wistfully) The double rings…
Tara: The double rings…
Daria: The double rings? [Long Pause]
Tom: I gather it's my turn now?
Heaven: The double rings. You don't understand.
You couldn't understand.
Daria: Tara?
Tara: There is no way you could have gotten the
double rings unless you are [Long pause] Soul mates.
Daria and Tom: What?
Heaven: That's right. The double rings have
barely ever come up. Ever.
Daria: Soul mates? Me…Tom?
Tom: Daria, I…
Heaven: This is phenomenal.
Daria: Oh, yeah. This is phenomenal.
[Cut to: Tom's car. Tom is driving]
Tom: (Holds out a penny) Penny for your thoughts?
Daria: Don't get cheap on me, Sloane.
Tom: (Nods) All right. (Takes the penny back) I
withdraw my penny.
Daria: I was just thinking about the double
rings. You know, soul mates.
Tom: I was too.
Daria: Never mind. So what's next on our ever
fun-filled agenda?
Tom: Now is the tricky part. You have to go
somewhere until I'm ready for you to come to my house. So- you want to go back
to your house or what?
Daria: Ugh. Um, how about the mall?
(Cut to the mall. Daria's just getting out of the
car)
Tom: So I'll pick you up at six.
Daria: Okay. Bye.
(Cut to: Later in the evening. Tom already picked Daria up. Daria and Tom have already had dinner at Tom's house. Daria's about to leave when Tom stops her.)
Tom: Wait.
Daria: Tom I have to get home.
Tom: Just wait a second, Daria, there's
something I have to give you.
Daria: What?
Tom: This. (He pulls out a box)
Daria: You're not proposing are you?
Tom: Not exactly. (He opens the box to show
the glistening diamond bracelet, lying on a soft bed of cotton)
Daria: Tom- I can't take that! It's- it's
expensive!
Tom: That's why I want you to have it.
Daria: Tom- I can't. It's not right.
Tom: Daria you don't need to do what's right
all the time. (He slips the bracelet around her wrist) Now just be grateful.
Daria: If there's anything I'm grateful for-
it's you, Tom. It's you.
Tom: I know. I hate to do
this- but you better go now. Your mom's probably worried to death. Not to
mention your dad. I'll drive you home.
(Cut to: Daria's front
porch)
Daria: Well, Tom, It's been-
unbelievable. Next year it's my turn.
Tom: It's okay, really.
Goodnight, Daria. (He kisses her, then she pulls back and kisses him, his hand
trailing downward… Daria pulls away)
Daria: Night, Tom.
Tom: Goodnight. (Daria's
about to go in) Oh, and Daria- look in the box your bracelet came in later,
okay?
Daria: Sure.
(Cut to: Daria in her room.
She opens the midnight blue velvet box and pushes back the soft cotton. There
is a note underneath. She takes it out and reads it)
Daria: (VO) Dear Daria, this
is just something I've wanted to give to you for a long, long time. I don't
expect anything from you in return, just your love and respect. Happy
Anniversary, Ms. Morgendorffer. Love, Tom. (Daria clenches the note to her
hand. She gets an idea and walks into Quinn's room)
(Cut to: Quinn's room. Quinn's
laying on the floor listening to BSB's The Call)
Daria: Look at this, Quinn.
(She shows Quinn her wrist)
Quinn: Where'd you get
that?!?!
Daria: My boyfriend. (She
smirks) It's pure diamond and gold. Worth a fortune. You can look at it sometime
if you want.
Quinn: (Angry) Ooooh!
…The End…
