BEASTARS
Episode 7 - "(Our Love is) No Walk in the Park"
Written by
Ferrous Patella
Jun. 15, 2021 CE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FADE IN
INT. Bellona's Apartment, College-town. Early evening, Fall, Bellona's sophomore year in college
The door rattles and opens. Bellona enters, putting away her keys in her purse and carrying a large stack of textbooks on her hip. She sees an envelope on the floor just inside the door. She sets her books down on a table by the door and, with curiosity, picks up the envelop and slips a letter out to read it.
Hina (V.O.)
Dearest Bell,
It is important to me that you know that I kept my promise to you. This time, it was not a stunt. I really wanted it this time. Do not worry if you do not understand right away. You will soon enough.
Hina
Flashback to: Bellona's Junior year of high school
EXT. Cherryton campus, Night of the first annual Coexistence dance
Bellona and Hina stand facing one another in front of Hina's dorm. Hina's hand has a strip of cloth tied around the palm of her hand.
Hina
I promise.
Bellona
What do you promise?
Hina
I, Hina the red deer promise to you, Bellona the Gray Wolf, that I'll never again pull a stunt where I try to tempt a carnivore to bite me or in any way try to trigger their predatory instincts.
Bellona
Very good.
Return to scene
Bellona is having trouble breathing steadily. She closes her eyes and her shoulders shudder a bit.
Bellona
You dumb! Dumb! Doe!
Bellona pulls a phone out of her purse and starts a call. There is no answer. She rushes out of the apartment, neglecting to close the door.
EXT. Residential neighborhood. Twenty minutes later
Bellona is pounding continuously on the door of a very small house. An ibex doe opens the door.
Bellona
(demandingly)
Where's Hina?!
Ibex
My! Isn't Hina popular with the carnivores tonight.
Bellona (V.O.)
Damn! I hoped I was wrong.
Bellona
Who is she with?!
Ibex
I'm not sure that's any of your business.
Bellona's eyes flare red. The Ibex backs away from Bellona in a panic until she hits a wall.
Bellona
(through a growl)
She's in trouble! You tell me where she is and who she's with or, I swear, I'll be back and make sure whatever happens to her happens to you too.
Ibex
(stammering)
She, she left with a, a, a, 'gator 'bout ten minutes ago. I, I didn't get her name. I don't know where they were going.
Bellona's eyes fade to normal and she sighs.
Bellona
Listen...sorry about the fangs. It's just that there's no time to waste. If you do see Hina, tell her she really needs to call Bellona.
The ibex slams the door shut on Bellona.
Bellona
Hmph.
Well, at least an alligator will be easy to track. They stink to high heaven.
Montage - EXT. College-town
-Bellona paces back and forth in front of Hina's house. She stops and sniffs the air. She turns and crouches to sniff the ground. A bright green alligator shape forms in her head. As she stands, a trail of bright green footprints are visible leading down the sidewalk. A trail of faint pink footprints run along beside the green ones. Bellona trots off to follow the trail.
-Hina trots as she follows the footstep trail down the sidewalk of a busy suburban business street. The green steps show clearly while the pink prints get mixed in with a jumble of other color footprints.
-A trail of green and pink footprint leads into a park entrance.
EXT. City park
Bellona follows the footprints along a park path. They turn off the path onto a dark field. Following them Bellona becomes only visible by outline but both the green and pink prints show brightly. A pink aroma in the air forms a deer outline in Bellona's head. She starts to run after the trail of prints.
Bellona
(calling out)
Hina?
As Bellona runs, the deer outline begins to drip red drops.
Bellona (V.O.)
No!
Bellona
(desperately)
Hina! Hina!
Bellona (V.O.)
No! No! No! No! I can't lose another one this way!
Bellona sees the alligator and Hina struggling on the ground and runs for them as her eyes flare red. The alligator, its eyes also red, is biting Hina by the thigh and is rolling from side to side, trying to rip away some flesh. Hina desperately but feebly kicks at the alligator with her free leg. Her raised leg waivers, then Hina goes limp. Bellona leaps the last couple of meters to the alligator.
Bellona
(shouting)
She's mine!
Bellona lands on the alligator's back all three roll once sideways with Bellona back on top. She bites the alligator on the back of the neck but the alligator hardly notices and continues to tear at Hina's leg. Bellona stops biting the alligator and hooks her arm and tries to pry her off of Hina. Bellona exposes the alligator's underside and Bellona goes to bite the alligator's throat. This time the alligator yelps in pain and let's go of Hina. Bellona and the alligator continue to struggle on the ground as the alligator bellows loudly. The alligator tries to bite at Bellona but cannot get at her. So the alligator starts pounding on Bellona any way she can.
Bellona (V.O.)
Damn! I can't get through this skin but I don't dare let go.
A police siren can be heard approaching in the distance. The alligator stops hitting Bellona and struggles to get to her feet and get away. Bellona lets her go and the alligator runs off. Bellona looks around and sees several animals with their phones out, either making a call or taking a picture, before she spots Hina. Bellona runs to her.
Bellona
Get help!
Unseen speaker (O.S.)
It's on the way.
Bellona is panting when she gets to Hina. Bellona sees a large ragged gash in Hina's thigh through a rip in her skirt. Bellona falls to her knees and presses on the gash with both hands. Her breathing becomes irregular and she closes her eyes.
Bellona (V.O.)
I can feel a pulse! She's alive. She's got to make it! I can't lose her! Not like this!
INT. Hospital ICU - midnight.
In the hallway outside Hina's room, a kangaroo jill doctor talks to Bellona
Doctor
I cannot say for sure that your wife is going to make it. We've closed all the wounds and replaced most of her blood. She should be doing better but I'm just not seeing a will to live. If we can keep her alive through the night, she'll probably start getting better slowly in the morning.
Bellona has lost control of her breathing.
Doctor (CONT'D.)
I'm sorry. I wish I had better news. We're doing everything we can for her.
Bellona
(between gasps)
I...know.
Thank you.
The doctor places a hand on Bellona's shoulder for a moment before she goes. Bellona goes into Hina's room and sits on the edge of her bed. Bellona gently strokes the side of Hina's face.
Bellona (CONT'D.)
(still struggling to breathe steadily)
Hina, why?! I mean...I know why...but you must know how much I...you mean to me...even if it's not the way...
(tries to catch her breath)
I want you...I, I want you to live until morning.
Hina stirs slightly.
Bellona (CONT'D.)
(agitated)
Ooooh, Hina! Do you hear me?! You need a reason to live? I'll give you one! I Bellona the Gray Wolf promise to you Hina the Red Deer that if you pull through this, that I will love you. Not just love you but want you. Want you the way you want to be wanted. I'll show you just how much ...
Hina remains motionless as Bellona starts gasping again and her shoulders shake but her eyes remain steadfastly dry.
Shot - Full moon setting behind the hospital
INT. Hospital ICU. Next morning
Bellona is coming up the corridor drinking from a large paper cup of coffee. Her eyes are very red. The kangaroo doctor is coming up the corridor the other way and motions to Bellona.
Doctor
Good morning. We've moved Hina out of intensive care. She's doing much better this morning. She really snapped back overnight.
Bellona closes her eyes and breathes a huge sigh of relief.
Bellona
Thank you!
Doctor
No worries. Just another day on the job. We like it when they turn out this easy. We're just going to watch her for awhile to make sure her blood pressure remains stable. After that, you can take her home. Check at the desk to see where they've taken her.
Bellona
Thank you so much!
Doctor
You'll welcome. Take care...and take care of her.
Bellona
I will!
INT. Hospital room. A few moments later.
Hina is sitting up in bed, looking at her phone. Bellona knocks on the frame of the open door. Hina looks up.
Bellona
Hey you.
Hina
So it was you!
Bellona
Huh?
Hina
Imagine my confusion when they told me my wife had been sitting up with me all night long.
Bellona
Yeah. I figured that was the only way they would let me stay with you. Sorry if that was...awkward.
Hina
Not at all. I was kind of hoping we had gotten blind drunk last night and had done things we would regret in the morning.
Bellona
Seriously? You were on death's door overnight and now you're already flirting with me first thing in the morning.
Hina
(playfully)
I only do it to show I care...
(a little vaguely)
...and that I'm back to normal.
Beat.
Bellona
About that, can we talk?
Hina
About last night? I'm so over it.
Bellona
Really?
(beat)
And it wasn't some stunt just to get my attention.
Hina
No...no, I really didn't think you would figure out my note until...
Bellona
You scared the crap out of me!
Hina
Yeah, me too. You hear about animals who've been attacked and blank out. I thought I'd see one last look of desire and that would be it. Turns out I just became more aware...aware of the fear, the pain. I had a lot more desire to live than ever before in my life. So I fought...for whatever good that did. And I did see that look of desire. But it wasn't me she wanted. I could see it in her eyes. I was just a thing. So, yeah, never again.
Bellona continues to give Hina a look of concern.
Hina (CONT'D.)
I promise. I'm all better now.
Bellona
That's not the promise I need to hear.
Hina
No?
Bellona
If you got better that easily, you can get worse again just as easily. I need you to promise me that if you are ever feeling that way again, that you talk to me. I realize that I am part of the problem but that doesn't mean that I can't help, be part of the solution.
Beat.
Hina
You want the full promise, don't you?
Bellona chuckles.
Bellona
Yeah, I would like that.
Hina
I, Hina the Red Deer promise to you Bellona the Grey Wolf that if I ever feel...
(takes a big breath)
suicidal, there I said it, if I ever feel suicidal again that I will talk to you instead of...doing something drastic.
Bellona bites her lip and fights back tears.
Bellona
Thank you.
Bellona and Hina hug.
Hina
I am sorry. And not just for scaring you and doing something so stupid. I'm sorry about being such a pest and not accepting how you feel about me. I should be content that you are such a good and generous friend to me.
Bellona
You can't help the way you feel. And you're not a pest. Frankly, I adore the way you feel about me. I just feel bad that I haven't been able to return the feelings the same way, the way you deserve. And you do deserve it, Hina. You deserve to have someone love you as much as you love me, to feel the joy of making someone happy by giving them that love.
Bellona (V.O.)
I'm going to do it, aren't I? As much for myself as I would do it for her.
Shot - Long shot of College-town park with tree showing fall colors.
INT. Hina's apartment. Saturday Evening, one month later
Hina is dressed in a casual blouse and skirt, standing in front of a hall mirror, smoothing her fur. There is a knock on the door. Hina goes and opens the door. Bellona is standing at the door dressed in a very red, very short, shoulderless cocktail dress and high heels to match. The heels leave Hina's nose level with Bellona's cleavage. Hina takes a step back to take in Bellona. She gets stuck staring at Bellona's legs.
Bellona
Um...hi?
Hina
Don't you doll up nice! Just what did you have in mind for tonight?
(realization dawns)
This is about your promise to me at the hospital, isn't it?
Bellona
Oh good. So you did hear me. I was afraid I was going to have to explain from scratch.
Hina
Until right now, I thought I dreamt it. Between that, the nurses telling me I had a wife, and some pretty good pain killers, me and reality weren't in close touch with one another that morning.
(sighs)
You don't have to do this, Bell. It's enough to know that you are willing to do this for me.
Bellona
Of course I don't have to do it. I want to do it.
Hina
But you don't need to prostitute yourself just to keep me from...doing something stupid.
Bellona
(with a slight edge)
I'd set up shop on a corner of the Neon District if that's what it took to keep you in my life.
Hina looks down at the floor, Bellona sighs and softens her posture. She gently lifts Hina's chin with a couple of fingers.
Bellona (CONT'D.)
Look at me. You know me, Little Miss Straightforward. There is no way I could fake this. I want this. I want you.
They lock eyes. A realization slowly dawns on Hina.
Hina
Oh, you do, don't you?! You really mean it!
Hina bites her lip and hugs Bellona hard. Bellona caresses Hina's ear. Hina breaks the hug and looks a Bellona with a pursed-lipped smile while holding Bellona's hand.
Hina (CONT'D.)
I assume this is just for tonight...
Bellona
Just to be clear, I love you but yes, Bela is the love of my life and I am not leaving him for you.
Hina beams.
Hina
Oooh!
Bellona
What?
Hina
You don't even realize what you've just done, do you?
Bellona slowly shakes her head.
Hina (CONT'D.)
That's the first time you've said, "I love you" to me.
Bellona
Heh! And that's why I love you. Only you could pick out a silver lining out of someone declaring a one night stand with you. Well?
Hina
Well what?
Bellona
Aren't you going to return the favor?
Hina
I have always loved you. Well, not at first. That may have been more about lust.
I remember seeing you and Lucina walking around campus. It was clear that the both of you cared a lot about each other and it never occurred to me that you might be sisters. So I thought, "Here's someone who is not only into girls but is pretty okay with herbivores. When I found out that Lucina was your sister, I thought you were available, conveniently forgetting that I no longer had any reason to think you liked girls.
Bellona
So, you had your eye on me before the dance?
Hina
Not seriously until I saw you with Lucina. That's why I asked you to go to the dance with me.
That was a wild night. It's when I actually began loving you. After all my flirting and my ...stunt, you were still so kind to me. That surprised me coming from a wolf. You made it clear that you didn't hold it against me. You even allowed me a sliver of hope, hope that...well, this could happen.
I still think of No Walk in the Park as our song. Although that takes on new meaning after what I...last month.
Beat.
Bellona
That's okay. I'd like to think that's behind us.
So, what will it be? Maybe a quiet night in with a movie and chill or would you rather spend the night out showing off your colossus arm candy to your friends?
Hina
You know me all too well. Give me 15 minutes to change...no 10!
Bellona
Don't rush on my account.
Hina
I'm just going to skip sweating the details on my makeup. Nothing says "I've got mine" like letting your looks go just a little bit.
INT. Nightclub. Later that evening.
The club is an underground dimly lit jazz club. An all carnivore trio plays in front of a mostly empty dance floor but full tables. The patrons are all herbivores dressed in anything from artfully torn clothing to sharp suits and cocktail dresses. About a third of the couples dancing are same sex couples.
Junko (white tailed deer doe), Azbana (female raccoon), and Rosey (spotted rabbit doe), are chatting with drinks at a table near the dance floor.
Junko
Will you look at who Hina just arrived with?!
The other two women turn to see Hina (now in a black cocktail dress of her own) and Bellona make their way to the three women's table. Most heads in the club turn to watch them as they pass, some with undisguised anxiety. Hina smiles puckishly as she raises her hand and wiggles her fingers as a wave to her friends. Bellona watches her in mild amusement and ignores the stares. Rosey watches them open-mouthed as they approach.
Azbana
(friendly aside to Rosey)
You're gaping.
Rosey snaps her mouth shut. When Hina and Bellona get to the table, they stand behind the open chairs between Junko and Rosey. Rosey looks like she wants to be invisible as Bellona looms next to her.
Junko
Well, who do we have here?
Hina
This...
(gives Junko a warning look)
is my date tonight, Bellona. Bell, meet Junko, Azbana, and...
(leans to look around Bellona)
Rosey. I almost didn't see you there.
Bellona
Hi guys!
Junko
(very friendly)
Hello there!
Bellona broadens her smile as she takes Hina's hand. Hina glances down at their hands, then up at Bellona with a grin of her own.
Azbana
Nice to meet you, Bellona.
Rosey
(staring straight ahead)
Hi.
Bellona tries to give Rosey a reassuring smile but it goes unseen.
Bellona
(to Hina)
I need to hit up the restroom before I sit. Which way?
Hina
I'll come with.
Bellona
(teasing)
You don't trust me with a room full of herbivores?
Hina
(slyly)
I don't trust them with you.
Hina leads Bellona away from the table by the hand. An otter waiter comes up to the table.
Otter
Same again?
Azbana and Rosey nod.
Junko
Yes, please. Also, a Chablis and a...a Bloody Mary.
Azbana about spit takes her drink as she snorts a laugh while the otter goes.
Azbana
That's not funny!
Junko
It's hilarious. Between the literally mixed metaphor and watching a wolf figure out what to do with a glass of vegetable juice...
Rosey
(worriedly)
We don't want to provoke her.
Junko
Something tells me she'll not be a problem. She seems awfully relaxed for a carnivore in a herbivore joint. Most carnivores we see come in here are, if not a little anxious, at least on their best behavior.
The three women watch the band finish a number to a round of applause. As the band starts another song, the otter arrives with a tray of drinks and distributes them around the table. Rosey extends a hand towards Junko, palm up and fingers beckoning.
Rosey
Keys!
Junko rolls her eyes and fishes a ring of keys out of her purse.
Rosey (CONT'D.)
Sometimes I think you only bring me along as your permanent designated driver.
Junko
(playfully)
Hmm. I thought I've made it perfectly clear just what you mean to me.
Azbana
Junko, behave!
Behind her drink, Junko's eyes twinkle. Hina and Bellona arrive back at the table and sit between Junko and Rosey. Rosey stiffens slightly and leans ever so slightly away from Bellona. Bellona eyes the Bloody Mary in front of her.
Bellona
Is this mine?
Junko
Yeah. We didn't know what to order for you.
Bellona takes a long pull from her drink. Junko watches closely with amused surprise. Hina suppresses a smile behind her glass as she takes a sip of wine.
Bellona
Mmm. I'd forgotten how much I like these.
Azbana
You've had Bloody Marys before?
Bellona
Yeah. My mom used to make them, well Virgin Marys, for us when I was a pup. Mind you, it's even better made with veggies juiced fresh from the garden.
Junko
Your family had a vegetable garden?
Bellona
Not just vegetables, all sorts of flowers and plants too. It's Gardener's. You know, that shop not far from Cherryton Academy.
Azbana
Oh! You're that wolf! The one raised with rabbits in a garden shop!
Rosey
Gardener's?! I love that place! I go there all the time.
(beat)
I think you've helped me load stuff into my car a couple times. Sorry. I didn't recognize you. You're dressed so much more...
(with a quick glance at Bellona's cleavage)
glamorously tonight.
Bellona
That may have been my dad. He's an owner of the shop too.
Rosey
(embarrassed)
Oh. I've done the "all wolves look the same" thing, haven't I?
Bellona
No worries. Even other wolves mistake us for one another.
Rosey gives Bellona an embarrassed smile which Bellona returns with a warm smile of her own. The band strikes up a hot swing number. A large male lemur comes up to Azbana.
Lemur
Would you like to dance?
Azbana gives the Lemur a quick look up and down then glances at Hina and Junko. Hina gives a barely perceptible shrug while Junko continues to look him over with an appreciative smile.
Azbana
Sure.
The Lemur leads Azbana to the dance floor.
Junko
(to Hina)
Can I tear you away from your date for a dance?
Hina
(to Bellona)
You don't mind, do you?
Bellona
Not as long as you save a dance for me.
Hina smiles wistfully at Bellona then hops up with Junko to head to the dance floor. A silence builds between Bellona and Rosey as they work on their drinks. Rosey begins to idly kick her feet a little bit. As Bellona watches Hina and Junko dance, Rosey looks her over and appears to reach a decision.
Rosey
Do you want to dance?
Bellona
I don't know how to dance to this stuff.
Rosey
Perfect! Neither do I. Come on!
Rosey hops out of her chair. Bellona hesitates a moment before getting up. As they make their way to the dance floor, every head turns. Some even bob up and down as they take in the height difference between Bellona and Rosey. On the dance floor, they take hands and dance amateurishly to the music. Bellona gives Rosey a couple of awkward twirls. Rosey hops up and Bellona ducks under when Rosey gives Bellona a twirl. Bellona hooks under Rosey's arms and spins her with her feet flying in the air. Rosey squees with delight. Bellona ends the spin with Rosey resting on her hip and continues to sway to the music. They lock eyes. Bellona's smile freezes, then her expression fades to a determined stoicism.
Rosey (CONT'D.)
Are you okay?
Bellona sighs.
Bellona
It's just...it's been a while since I've seen rabbit eyes up close. Yours look just like my sister's. I...I lost her to a devouring.
Rosey
(a little shocked)
Oh.
Bellona (V.O.)
Why did I tell her that?! I've never told anyone.
Bellona is nearly in tears as the band finishes the swing tune and starts in on a slow torch song.
Bellona
Can we do another dance? I don't want Hina to see me like this. Not tonight. I need a minute to recover.
Rosey
(compassionately)
Sure.
Rosey hugs Bellona as they sway vaguely to the music and speaks into Bellona's ear.
Rosey (CONT'D.)
I'm sorry.
Bellona
Thanks.
Rosey
Well, yeah. You have my sympathies but also, I'm apologizing.
Bellona
What for?
Rosey
I don't know if you could tell but I was a little freaked out when you first got here.
Bellona manages a little chuckle.
Bellona
I might have noticed a little.
Rosey
I had a close cousin who was devoured recently too. Ever since then, I've been really nervous around carnivores. I can't help it. And now I find out the same thing happened to you. We have a lot more in common than I ever could have imagined.
Bellona bows her head and gives Rosey a little hug.
Rosey (CONT'D.)
It was a couple of years ago.
A look of realization overcomes Bellona
Bellona (V.O.)
Oh god! No!
Flashback to: two years ago
Series of shots, various
-INT. Juno's apartment. Late evening. Bellona is talking on the phone.
Bellona
I'm why we lost her.
Rosey (V.O.)
It was during that series of rabbit devourings a while back.
-EXT. Dark alley, nighttime. There is a large pool of blood and the shredded remains of Lucina's dress. Legoshi sinks to his knees next to the dress. He sobs uncontrollably. Bellona comes up behind him.
Rosey (V.O., CONT'D.)
They think it was a tiger that got her but they never charged anybody.
-INT. Modest apartment, late night. Bellona bites a tiger's face, trying to tear at it by jerking her head side to side. In a panic, the tiger tries to fight off Bellona, allowing Legoshi to get at the tigers throat and rip it open. The tiger stops fighting and his arms go limp to is sides.
Rosey (V.O., CONT'D.)
But they say a wolf gang was killing the cats who were devouring the rabbits. Some kind of turf war.
Return to present
Rosey leans back to look at Bellona.
Rosey
Um, did I say something wrong?
Bellona
I...ah...
Rosey's jaw drops.
Rosey
Were you in that wolf gang?!
Bellona
There was no gang. We were all family. Her family. My...rabbit sister's family. We...took matters into our own hands.
(beat)
I'm pretty sure we got that tiger.
Rosey
I...I don't know what to say to that. I mean...it scares me a little bit to know you're capable of doing that but a part of me is glad you did.
Bellona
I get it. I've lived with enough herbivores to know that even the meekest has a little bit of beast in them.
I only wish we got that tiger before he got your cousin.
Rosey
But you got him. You got him before he devoured someone else. And out there somewhere, there's someone still with their loved ones because of you.
Bellona
That's...that's a very hopeful way of looking at it. Thanks. It makes me feel a lot better. You really do remind me of my sister.
Rosey gives Bellona a hug as the song ends. Bellona sets Rosey down and they head back to their table. By the time they get there, Bellona is managing a stoic smile.
Hina
(to Bellona)
Are you ready to dance with thems that brung ya?
Bellona's smile grows into one of genuine amusement.
Bellona
Yeah! I thought you'd never ask.
Hina
Ha! As if!
As Rosey hops up into her chair and begins to play with her drink, Hina gets up and leads Bellona back to the dance floor by the hand. Moments later, Hina is leading Bellona in a swing dance with somewhat more grace than Bellona and Rosey were achieving. The song ends and there is a round of applause from dancers and drinkers. The band starts in on another slow torch song. Smiling at one another Hina and Bellona begin to dance very close. Hina takes a moment to look up at Bellona, then nestles her cheek on Bellona's chest. Bellona rests her chin on top of Hina's head. Hina slides a hand down Bellona's leg and shifts a little so she can trace a finger along the inside of Bellona's thigh. Hina looks up to see Bellona's reaction. Bellona slides her own hand down and gently strokes the back of Hina's hand with a couple of fingers.
Hina (CONT'D.)
(a bit surprised)
Really?
Beat.
Bellona
What do you say we call it a night?
Hina's eyes go a little wide. With the slightest bit of urgency, Hina leads Bellona back to their table. Hina picks up her handbag, retrieves a 10,000 note and lays it on the table.
Hina
Drinks are on me tonight. We need to go.
Grab your bag, Bell.
Junko, Azbana, and Rosey exchange surprised and amused looks as Hina and Bellona go.
EXT. City street. Moments later.
Bellona and Hina are walking down a sidewalk with linked elbows.
Hina
You know, you're quite the seductress.
Bellona
Well, you're an easy target.
Hina
Not me. Rosey. I thought she was seriously off-market. And she looked a little intimidated by the big bad wolf earlier tonight. Next thing I know, you two end up slow dancing very close in a dark corner.
Bellona
Oh that. We were just having a shared moment over...what it's like to grow up with rabbits. We found we had a lot of common ground.
Anyhow, you were the one doing all the "seducing".
Hina
I actually thought I still might be calling your bluff, that you'd chicken out when the rubber hit the road, especially in public like that.
Bellona
Hmph. I don't care if the whole world knows I'm yours.
Hina
(mischievously)
The whole world? Even Bela? I wonder what he would say about this.
Bellona
Good luck if you're thinking of blackmailing me. I've seen his browser history. Mostly what he'd say is, "Can I watch?"
Hina
Ha!
(beat)
Although, I'm kind of with him on that. I'd love to be able to do you and watch at the same time.
Bellona
Hmmm.
Bellona stops walking and gently presses Hina's back to a wall. Bellona retrieves her phone out of her purse, pokes the phone a few times, then holds it out to her side at arms length to shoot a selfie.
Shot. POV - The phone screen.
Bellona leans in on Hina. With her free hand, Bellona strokes the side of Hina's face. They kiss. As they become more engrossed in the kiss, the camera shot slowly drifts down their bodies to the ground, where Bellona's foot slides further between Hina's feet.
Montage - Various
-INT. Hina's apartment, the next morning. Hina and Bellona are hugging by the front door. Hina is wearing a bath robe and Bellona is wearing Hina's sweatshirt and wrap-around skirt, both of which are short on her. They kiss when the hug ends and Bellona picks up a bag and leaves. Hina stares at the door a long while after Bellona is gone.
-Split screen - INT. Bellona's apartment/INT. Bela's apartment. Evening, three weeks later. Bela and Bellona are talking on the phone. Bellona looks a little happy and a little sad at the same time. Bela is earnest and encouraging. Bellona brightens greatly as he talks.
-INT. Bellona's apartment, daytime, two days later. Hina is helping Bellona pack her belongings into boxes.
-EXT. Garden shop garden, summer afternoon. A couple score of a well dressed mix herbivores and carnivores sit in rows of chairs with an aisle down the middle. In the front row, Haru sits next to an empty chair. Jack and Els sit across the aisle from her. The three of them beam when they look across the aisle at each other. Bela and The Boys, dressed in tuxedos stand by an arch of flowers in front of the crowd. Everyone turns to see Legoshi, also dressed in a tuxedo, linked elbows with Bellona, who is dressed in a wedding gown. They are followed by Spring and Hina, who are wearing matching dresses.
-EXT. Hina's apartment, fall afternoon. A pickup with a Gardener's Shop logo on the side pulls up to the front of the building. Hina walks up as Bellona and Junko get out of the truck. Hina gives Bellona a hug and then gives Junko a much longer hug and a kiss. Hina and Junko load a table off of the truck and head inside as Bellona grabs a couple of boxes and follows them.
INT. Bellona and Jack's home, kitchen, a spring Saturday morning.
Bellona is talking on her phone as Bela reads a tablet.
Bellona
Bela.
He looks up.
Bellona (CONT'D)
Hina is inviting us on a double dinner date to celebrate Junko's birthday next Saturday. They can put us up for the night and we can go visit the folks at the shop in the morning.
Bela
That sounds great.
Bellona
(to the phone)
We're on. We'll take the four o'clock train and meet you at the station around five? Great! See you then.
Series of shots. Various, Cherryton. Evening a week later.
-INT. Train station, early evening. Hina, standing next to Junko, waves at Bellona and Bela to get their attention as they get off a train.
-INT. a very nice restaurant, dinner time. Hina, Bela, and Bellona watch Junko blow out candles on four large cupcakes.
-INT. discotheque, mid evening. Hina dances with Junko while Bellona dances with Bela.
-INT. subway car, late evening. Bellona, Bela, Hina, and Junko chat while riding in facing seats.
EXT. Hina's apartment building, a half hour later
While Hina uses a passcard to open the front door, Bellona checks her phone.
Bellona
(teasingly)
You really are getting old, Junko. It's only 10:30 and we're already calling it a night.
Hina
Oh, we're not done. I booked the clubhouse for the night.
Junko
Realy?!
Bela
Clubhouse?
Junko
Yeah! It's got a pool table, a sauna and a whirlpool, a mini-theatre with a huge screen, and a little dance floor with a killer sound system.
Hina
And I've stocked the mini-bar with miniatures and splits and beer and mixers. And I got a deli tray and a bunch of snacks. So we are set to party on.
Junko gives Hina a peck on the cheek.
Junko
Thank you! This is a great birthday!
Montage - Clubhouse, over the next few hours
-Bela, Bellona, Hina, and Junko sit four abreast as they are enthralled watching a romance movie. Hina passes a large bucket of popcorn to Bellona as Bela tries to surreptitiously wipe a tear from his eye.
-All four are playing pool. Bela winces as he misses a shot. Junko raises a eyebrow and grins as she goes to take a shot.
-Hina is dancing with Bela and Bellona with Junko on the dance floor.
Scene continues
The dance song ends and a slow song starts. Bela wanders over to Bellona for the next dance.
Junko
I'm ready for a hop in the tub.
Hina
It's your party. I've got frozen daiquiris in the freezer. Do you want one while you're in there?
Junko
Sounds perfect!
Hina
Are you guys going to want one too?
Bela
Um...yeah. Sure.
Hina
Be right back.
As Hina leaves, Junko starts to pull her dress off over her head by the tub. Bela looks at Bellona slightly wide eyed. Bellona smiles and gives her head a little shake. She stops dancing and leads Bela over to the whirlpool by the hand. By the time they get there, Junko is already in the tub and looks like she has melted with her head lolled back and her eyes closed. Bellona and Bela start to pull their clothes off.
Moments later, they are likewise relaxed as they sit next to one another. Hina comes up with a tray of drinks.
Hina
Here's your drink, Bell.
Without opening her eyes, Bellona reaches up. Hina places a glass in Bellona's hand and she takes a long pull from it.
Bellona
You're right Junko. This is perfect!
Time and space become fluid. The music playing in the background sounds distant.
A splash causes Bellona and Bela to open their eyes. Submerged to her neck, Hina is slowly wading toward them.
Shot - from behind Hina and facing Bellona and Bela.
When Hina is directly in front of Bellona and Bela, she slowly rises up out of the water. Bellona's gaze follows Hina's eyes as she rises while Bela stares steadfastly at the waterline.
Shot. EXT. Half moon rising over Hina's apartment building, which dissolves to the sun rising over the building
INT. Bellona and Bela's bedroom. Bedtime the next evening.
Bellona is sitting up in bed with a book face down in her lap and staring at the far wall. Bela is putting on a pair of pajamas.
Bellona
Bela, can we talk about last night?
Bela freezes with only one leg of his pajamas on.
Bela
Um...Did I do something wrong?
Bellona
(absentmindedly)
No...
Bellona glances at Bela to see him still frozen with only one pajama leg on. She pats the bed next to her.
Bellona (CONT'D.)
(reassuringly)
No...no.
(absentmindedly again)
I just need a little reassurance.
Bela finishes putting on his pajamas and gets into bed.
Bela
That's a first. This must be serious.
Bellona
I assume that last night was your first time to have sex with anyone other than me.
Bela grins with a hint of mischief.
Bela
Well, that's a true statement.
Bellona
It's just that, after Hina and Junko, I was afraid that...I might pale in comparison.
Bela
Are you kidding! You were the star last night. Everybody wanted to be with you.
Bellona
Well...that kind of plays into it. I've never had trouble getting women to think I'm attractive. That doesn't leave me feeling very...feminine.
Bela
Ah. I see what you're getting at. It's true. Both Hina and Junko are really cute and cute is a word I would only occasionally apply to you...
Bellona looks disappointed.
Bela (CONT'D.)
...but you are just as pretty as they are and you are more beautiful.
Bellona
I'm not sure I get the distinction.
Bela
It's like how your mom is really cute but your mom is very beautiful.
Bellona
Wait. You're saying my mom, Haru, is cute but my mom, Juno, is beautiful?
Bela
Yep. That's it.
Bellona gives her head a little shake, as if trying to clear it.
Bela (CONT'D.)
You know, you do that to me all the time.
Bellona
Yeah. Sorry. It's a habit from when I was little, especially around Lucy. She always seemed to know which mom I was talking about.
(sighs)
I don't know why I'm asking you about it. Of course you think I'm beautiful, with that whole 'love is blind' thing.
Bela
Maybe. But who else are you trying to impress? Should I be worried?
Bellona
(reluctantly)
No. Fair point.
Bela
You do raise an interesting point though. Did I fall in love with you because I think you're beautiful or do I think you are beautiful because I fell in love with you? I remember the day we met, which would have been memorable even if we didn't end up getting married. I couldn't stop looking at your eyes.
Bellona
Hmph. The one thing I got from my beautiful mom. Everybody says I look like Dad.
Bela
You could do worse. He's a good looking guy, and not in the most macho, he-man kind of way.
But the first time I really thought you were pretty, and maybe wanted you to be my girl, was the first time I saw you with a big smile. I think it was at a gardening club meeting. It was like pure sunshine.
Bellona
That was the first time you saw me smile? That must have been weeks after we met. Do I really smile that rarely?
Bela
It's true you don't smile a lot in general but you smile a lot around me.
Bellona smiles broadly.
Bellona
Oh, Bela!
Bela
Yeah! Like that.
And as far as beautiful goes, well those school uniforms, by the time you get one big enough for how tall you are, they don't exactly end up being form fitting, do they? And even in street clothes, you didn't exactly dress to show yourself off.
Bellona
(discouraged)
Yeah. My height is another thing I get from my father. I guess I'm trying to downplay just how big I am.
Bela
You seem normal size to me. We're the same height.
Bellona
I'm taller than you are!
Bela
I'm five foot eleven. How tall are you?
Bellona
I think someone is rounding up.
Bela
(insistently)
And you?
Bellona
(almost mumbling)
Five foot eleven and seventeen sixteenths.
Bela
There! We're the same height. What's a fraction of an inch between almost six-footers?
Bellona rolls her eyes.
Bela
Anyhow, the first time I thought "Wow! She's beautiful!" was that shower we took at your folks' place. I'd like to think it wasn't because it was my first time with a naked girl but I remember thinking that you could be a model for a statue of your namesake.
Bellona
So statuesque? That doesn't sound very pretty.
Bela
Have you seen those statues?! They're literally the epitome of feminine beauty.
Bellona
"Literally the epitome of feminine beauty"? You've has been hanging out with Spring.
Bela
Yeah. You grow up with a bunch of wordsmiths, you learn a couple of things by osmosis.
So? We're good? One hundred percent of your target audience, and then some, thinks you're hot.
Bellona
Yeah, I guess.
(beat)
You know, I think we really got used by Hina last night.
Bela
Really? How so?
Bellona
I'm pretty sure you were Junko's birthday present.
Bela
Um...
Bellona
Not so much you, per se, as permission to do you. I think Junko pines for the occasional guy in her love life and Hina set it up so she could have one night guilt free.
Bela
Ah...
Bellona
Although, ultimately, I think the entire evening was just a ploy on Hina's part to get into my pants again.
Bela
Again?!
Bellona sighs.
Bellona
Yeah. It's past time I told you. It was back in college and Hina was going through a rough patch. I mean, really rough, like self destructive. I don't have to spell it out, do I?
Bela
I've only seen her be upbeat but yeah, I can imagine. She doesn't do anything by half measures.
Bellona
What you have to understand is that it has taken all three of you, you, Spring, and Hina, to fill the hole left in me when we lost Lucy. You have given me someone to love as much as I loved her and shown me how to love myself. Spring became that confidant, my go-to friend about, you know, girl stuff. Another sister, really. And Hina, with her playful spirit, her joy of life, kept me from taking myself too seriously. I need all three of you.
Well, Hina's deal was in part wrapped up with me and how she felt about me. And I'm not telling you the whole story but the way she was going about it, it got to me and I needed to help her, for my own sake as much as hers.
At first, it was just an impulsive idea, a desperate way to keep Hina in my life. But the more I thought about it, I realized I could do it. I loved her. It was just a matter of how I let her know that. And it wasn't exactly about the sex anyhow. She just needed to be wanted. The sex was just a way of driving the point home.
Bela
Wow. So you, what, forced yourself to be gay for a day for her sake?
Bellona
Not forced. It was somewhere between convincing myself and allowing myself to...want her. I don't know, it's hard to describe. I just know that by the time I knocked on her door that night, I wanted her so bad that it left her with no doubt how much she means to me.
You can understand that, can't you?
Bela
(a little reluctantly)
Yeah...but I am a little disillusioned. I always thought it was kind of special that you and I were the only ones. I guess that's out the window anyhow, after last night.
Bellona caresses the side of Bela's face.
Bellona
You're still the only man I've ever slept with.
Bela
Yeah. That works. Although now I can't say that about me and women.
Bellona grins.
Bellona
Neither can I.
SERIES OF SHOTS - various
-INT. Hina's apartment living room. Evening, eight months later. A dozen herbivore and carnivore women are seated around the living room. Spring hands a wrapped present to a very pregnant Bellona. As Bellona opens the present, Hina makes a note on the back of its card.
-INT. Bellona and Bela's bedroom. afternoon, one month later. Bela is sitting on the edge of the bed watching Bellona nurse their new born puppy. Hina enters carrying a casserole dish and proffers it to Bela. Bellona finishes feeding the puppy and hands him over to Hina, who burps him, then cradles him in her arms and glows as she admires him.
-INT. Hina's Apartment. Daytime, two years later. Hina and Junko hug by the front door as Bellona watches. Junko breaks the hug, picks up a box next to her, and leaves. Hina stares at the closed door and slowly begins to cry. Bellona wraps her arms around Hina from behind. Hina leans her head back onto Bellona's chest.
-INT. Wedding chapel. Daytime, A year later. In front of a seated crowd, a well dressed white tail stag slips a ring onto Junko's finger. They kiss. Truck back to the back of the crowd where Bela, two puppies, Bellona with an infant in her lap, and Hina sit. Hina is wearing a very brave face. Bellona glances at Hina, then takes her hand. Hina's shoulders begin to shake.
-INT. Hina's Apartment. Midnight, New Year's Eve, ten years later. A room full of party-goers countdown to midnight, cuminating in streamers flying and balloons dropping. Bela and Bellona kiss as Hina and Jasmine kiss.
-INT. Bellona and Bela's living room. Evening, four years later. Bela, in a suit, and Bellona, in a nice dress, are by the front door. Hina sits on the sofa with one of Bela and Bellona's sons snuggled up on each side of her and the youngest in her lap. Bela and Bellona wave at the boys and leave. Hina starts reading aloud from a book.
-INT. Hospital room. Late Evening. ten Years later. Bela is asleep in the bed with an IV stuck in arm. Bellona is asleep in a chair in the corner of the room. Spring is sitting on the edge of the bed, stoking Bela's head. Hina comes in holding a large bouquet of flowers. Spring looks up, holds a finger to her mouth, and goes to Hina, where they hug.
-INT. Funeral home chapel. Daytime, five years later. The chapel is adorned lavishly with flowers. A portrait of Bela sits atop a casket. A score of mourners sit in the pews. Bellona's three grown sons, Bellona, Spring and Els sit in the front row. The Boys, Haru, Legoshi, and Hina sit in the pew behind that.
INT. Bellona's Kitchen. Friday Evening, Two months after Bela's funeral
Bellona is cooking in the kitchen when there is a knock at the front door.
Bellona
Come on in!
There is the sound of a door opening and closing.
Hina (O.S.)
(calling out)
Hello?
Bellona
I'm in the kitchen.
Hina enters and sniffs.
Hina
Mmmm. Smells good! What's for dinner?
Bellona
Cookies!
Hina
Cookies?
Bellona
Yeah. I stocked up on all sorts of ingredients and stuff to decorate with. We can make any kind you want. I figure we'll just bake all night and graze are way through the results.
Hina
Sounds like fun. I love being a grown up and not having to follow the rules.
Bellona
Yep. At our age, not acting our age is acting our age.
Beat.
Hina
(compassionately)
How are you holding up?
Bellona
Oh...I'm coping. I guess I should be more sad but Bela and I had a lot of good times together. Yeah, we could've had a lot more but that seems to pale when I think about what we did have. You know, with Lucy, what made me so sad was regretting never telling her how much I loved her. I made sure I didn't make that mistake with Bela.
The hardest part now is how quiet it gets around here at night.
Hina
Ah! So that's why you invited your noisy friend over for dinner!
Bellona
I'm so busted.
So, what kind of cookies do you want to make next?
Hina
Peanut butter is my favorite.
Series of shots. The evening continues.
-Bellona dons a flowery pink apron with ruffles as Hina points and smirks. Bellona hands Hina a blue denim shop apron.
-Bellona mixes ingredients in a bowl as Hina reads a recipe aloud while looking at her phone.
-Hina pulls a cookie sheet from the oven and burns herself. As Hina waves her hand to cool it off, Bellona breaks the tip off the leaf of an aloe plant and hands it to Hina.
-Bellona and Hina are sitting on a sofa, watching TV and eating cookies. Simultaneously, they both break out into huge laughter.
-Hina mixes ingredients in a bowl as Bellona pulls a sheet of cookies from the oven.
Return to scene
Hina is leaning close to a tray of cookies she is decorating with a piping bag. When she straightens up, she has icing on her nose.
Bellona
Hold still.
With her finger, Bellona wipes the icing off Hina's nose and holds it up for her to lick off. Grinning mischievously, Hina gently holds Bellona's hand and takes her entire finger in her own mouth, then slowly pulls it out. Bellona matches Hina's grin. Hina tilts her head.
Hina
Hmph? No sardonic chuckle? No eye roll? You're no fun to tease tonight.
Bellona leans in close, almost nose to nose with Hina. Hina's eyes go a little wide. Bellona gives Hina a peck on the cheek. Beat. They both kiss and hug for a long hard kiss and hug. Hina breaks the hug and gently holds Bellona away with a hand on her chest. Hina takes in a sharp breath.
Hina (CONT'D.)
Bell, I can't do this. I know you were there for me so many times when I needed it. And I so want this and to be there for you after you...but at this point in my life, my heart can't stand the roller coaster ride of another one night stand with you.
Bellona
I was thinking of a whole lot more than a one night stand.
Hina
What?!
Bellona sighs.
Bellona
I wasn't going to mention it until morning but...what do you think about moving in together?
Hina
What?! No going on a couple of dates, maybe a sleep-over or two first.
Bellona
Hina, we have known each other for thirty years. I think we're past the "first coffee date, getting to know you" stage.
Hina
Still, there should be a little something to warm up to the idea with.
Bellona
I was thinking that moving in together as being the warm up.
Hina
A warm up for what?
Bellona
The thing is, I have always thought that I was a pretty independent woman. But looking back on my life, I realize that that's a lie. I have always been surrounded by family. And their support and knowing they will catch me when I fall has always given me the courage to, well, be me. And now The Boys have families of their own, my boys have all moved out, and ...
(sighs)
...and now that I have lost Bela, I realize that the only one I have ever loved outside of family is you. I've been your lover once before but now...now I want you to be family. I'd like it if...we got married.
Hina is shocked and waves her hands frantically.
Hina
Ooooooooh!
Hina hugs Bellona and begins to sob hard. Bellona hugs her back.
Bellona
Um...those don't sound like happy tears.
Hina
Maybe they'll come later but right now...All my life, I've had to keep my real love hidden...tamped down. Even with Junko and especially with you, I have had to accept whatever love was given and not the love I so desperately wanted. And then you do this out of the blue. It's like being caged all your life and then suddenly set free. It's a bit overwhelming.
Bellona
I'm sorry. I really did mean to work up to this slowly.
Hina breaks the hug and sniffs a noisy sniff.
Hina
It's okay. I pretty much forced your hand.
Beat.
Bellona
Sooo?
Hina
Yes, you silly wolf! Yes! Yes! Yes, I'll marry you! Let's go buy rings tomorrow!
Bellona
You know, I have rings.
Hina
(with reservation)
The rings Bela got for you? Second hand?
Bellona
More like third or fourth hand. They were my grandparents' rings. Mom gave them to us when we got married. Bela's ring would fit me and we can refit my ring for you.
Hina
(overjoyed)
Ooooooh! You want me to wear your ring?! Your family heirloom?!
Hina hugs Bellona and begins to cry again.
Hina (CONT'D.)
These are the happy tears!
Bellona hugs Hina and smiles.
Bellona
Yeah. I can tell.
Hina breaks the hug, takes both of Bellona's hands and gazes deeply at her.
Hina
Can we still go to the jewelers tomorrow? I can't wait for the whole world to know that I'm yours, that you're mine!
Bellona
About that, I want to talk to my boys before we make any announcements.
Hina
You think they may have a problem with us?
Bellona
I'd like to think that I raised them to be okay with same-sex stuff...and the herbivore/carnivore thing. And they like you, a lot. But no matter who I remarry, it won't be their dad. They're grown boys, so it shouldn't be a problem but I'd rather they heard it from me rather than reading about it in the society column.
Hina
As if!
Bellona
Don't be surprised. Bela and I made the papers when we got married, although that was mostly Els's doing. But Spring is going to crap little pink cupcakes when she gets wind of this story. And even if she didn't cover it, between being a wealthy widow and 'The Wolf Raised in a Garden Shop Who Refused to be Beastar', you're going to get painted as the same-sex gold-digger by someone in the media.
Hina
Oooo! Gold-digger. I like that. It makes me sound hot.
(with mock casualness)
So, you're wealthy?
Bellona
Yeah. Don't let the suburban bungalow fool you. Bela was heir to half of the Drayton fortune. Plus my share of the garden shop is nothing to sneeze at.
Hina
Hmmmm. Did I make it clear that I really, really want to marry you?
Bellona rolls her eyes.
Bellona
It may have come up.
Hina
There's that eye roll I was going for earlier tonight. I have to admit, I am going to miss being able to tease you just by flirting with you.
So, after all these years, you finally figured out you are bi after all?
Bellona
Ah...I'm still kinda stuck on, "No, but for you I could be."
Hina
Aaaaw! Actually that's...that's sweet! It makes me feel very special.
Hina starts to tear up again.
Bellona
You know, you're never going to seduce me if you keep bursting into tears every couple of minutes.
Hina
Oh, as if!
They kiss and hug. Hina breaks the hug and leads Bellona off screen by the hand.
Bellona (O.S.)
(rapidly)
Wait! Wait! Wait!
Bellona pulls a somewhat resisting Hina back on screen. Bellona opens the oven door and peers inside.
Bellona
Close enough.
Awkwardly, with one hand, Bellona grabs a hot pad, pulls a cookie sheet out of the oven and places it on the stove top. She uses a spatula to slide a couple of cookies onto the counter, then picks them up.
Bellona (CONT'D.)
Okay. Now, where were we?
Hina gives a humorously exasperated sigh and starts to lead Bellona off screen again. Bellona grabs one of the cookies with her mouth and holds the other for Hina to grab with her mouth.
INT. Bellona's bedroom.
Hina and Bellona and hugging. Hina leans back a little to gaze into Bellona's eyes.
Hina
Can we still go to the jeweler tomorrow?
Bellona
Of course.
(beat)
Would you like to see the rings?
Hina inhales sharply, bites her lip, and nods. Bellona retrieves a small box from a drawer in a bed stand and holds it open for Hina to see. Hina's hand goes to her mouth. Bellona pulls the woman's ring from the box, gently takes Hina's hand and slides the ring on her finger, where the ring is way too big. With her other hand, Hina holds the ring in place and admires it. She slides the ring off and holds it to her breast with both hands, then replaces it in the box. She pulls the men's ring out and with her chin tucked a little bit, she slides the ring onto Bellona's finger. Hina looks up to see Bellona beaming. They hug for a moment then hold hands and gaze at one another.
Bellona
You don't mind me having a keepsake of Bela's, do you?
Hina
Oh, I was a wee bit jealous of him but mostly...I admired him. He was the one who met your impossibly high standard, made you happy. And you two were so, so good together.
Bellona
You know, other than that one invasion of yours into our marriage , Bela and I were monogamous. I was hoping you'd be able to...
Hina grins wickedly.
Hina
I may not be monogamous by nature but for you, I could be.
Bellona looks like she cannot decide between laughing or crying. She opts for both. Hina and Bellona hug.
FADE OUT