EXT. THE SHOULDER OF THE 110 - NIGHT
Vaughn gets out of the car to meet the tow truck driver. The driver is a middle-aged white guy with an open a friendly face. The name on shirt says, "Tony." He smiles as Vaughn walks up.
TONY
Hi, my name is Tony.
They shake hands.
VAUGHN
Mike.
TONY
Well, Mike they told me you had a flat tire.
Vaughn indicates the flat tire as Syd rolls down her window to see and hear what's going on. Tony walks over to the tire and glances over at Syd to nod. But he practically does a double take when he sees how hot she looks.
TONY
Um, hi.
Syd smiles.
SYDNEY
Hi.
Vaughn's just looking at Tony when Tony finally snaps out of it and turns toward the tire. But as he does he tosses an impressed look in Vaughn's direction. He squats down and shines a flashlight on the flat.
TONY
Don't worry we'll change this and get you... Aw, hell.
He looks up at Vaughn.
VAUGHN
What?
TONY
How long did you drive on this after it went flat?
VAUGHN
I don't know. We were in the far lane so however long it took us to get over to the shoulder.
Tony stands up and sighs.
TONY
Well, it looks like it took you a little too long. The tire was shredded almost clean off and you must have been driving on the rim cause it's all bent out of shape. I'm going to have to tow you somewhere to get it fixed.
Vaughn looks at Syd with concern and then back at Tony. The forehead wrinkles are out in full force.
VAUGHN
You're sure there's nothing you can do?
TONY
Sorry. I wish there was. I know a great garage not more than ten minutes from here that should be able to have it fixed for you around noon tomorrow.
VAUGHN
Noon tomorrow?
TONY
Hey, it's a Friday night. Most shops aren't even open.
VAUGHN
That's okay. I know one just south of downtown. You can take us there.
TONY
Alright, just give me a minute to get the car hooked up.
Vaughn opens the door so Syd can get out and they step back so that Tony can get to work. They're facing him and the car. Vaughn looks at his watch and sighs.
VAUGHN
There's no way we'll make it in time now.
Sydney rubs his back.
SYDNEY
I'm sorry. I know you were trying to give me the perfect evening.
VAUGHN
I should have known better. Nothing with us ever seems to go right.
SYDNEY
I don't know. I've had a pretty good time so far.
He turns toward her in shock.
VAUGHN
You have?
Sydney shrugs.
SYDNEY
I've spent the evening with a well-dressed good-looking man. What's there to complain about?
Vaughn can't believe it. He looks over at Tony as he hooks up the car.
VAUGHN
Well, at least one of us is having fun.
Syd puts on her best fake pout.
SYDNEY
You're not enjoying my company?
He turns to her thinking that she was serious.
VAUGHN
No, of course not. I just wanted something between us to go as planned. For once.
She smiles. He's so sweet. But she's tired of all the negativity.
SYDNEY
You know what I thought when you told me that story about how you learned to skate? I thought, that describes us perfectly. So many crazy twisted horrible events had to occur to bring us together, both before and now. Now we could fear it and fight it and question it or we could just learn to enjoy the fall.
He looks at her skeptically.
VAUGHN
You're really having a good time? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?
SYDNEY
Vaughn, as much as I love all the effort you put into this I would have been perfectly happy just sitting on the couch eating pizza and watching the game with you tonight.
Vaughn sighs.
VAUGHN
Now you tell me.
He tries to sound light but he's too tired and frustrated to pull it off. Syd grabs both of his hands in hers and makes sure that he's looking at her.
SYDNEY
I didn't mean to imply that I don't appreciate this, because I do. It's nice to know that you care enough about me to make the effort. (She smiles) And, let's be clear, I don't want you to stop. (beat) I guess what I'm trying to say is that [I]this[/I] isn't the reason I want to be with you. [I]You're[/I] the reason I want to be with you. Because no matter what I've been through or how crappy I feel everything always gets better when you're around. I can't explain it and to be honest I don't want to. I'm just grateful for it. I'm grateful for you.
He looks at her with uncertainty at first but then she smiles and nods as if to say, "Yes, I mean it." A slow smile spreads across his face and he leans in and kisses her tenderly. When he pulls back he's practically beaming. He starts absently swinging their arms ever so slightly.
VAUGHN
You know I love you, right?
She smiles.
SYDNEY
I had my suspicions.
He laughs lightly.
VAUGHN
Well, now you have confirmation.
Now it's her turn to laugh.
SYDNEY
I love you too.
After everything that's happened Vaughn is finally relaxed and he decides to have fun with this. He adopts a look of exaggerated suspicion and then shakes his head.
VAUGHN
Nah. I don't believe you.
Syd's surprised at first but then she too decides to have some fun. She crosses her arms and looks at him in disbelief.
SYDNEY
Oh really?
VAUGHN
Yes, I think I require a little more concrete intelligence.
SYDNEY
You do, do you?
VAUGHN
One can never be too sure.
Almost before he can finish she pulls him in for a kiss. Think The Deleted Kiss only initiated by her and if possible even hotter and more intense. And longer. In the background we see Tony look up in surprise and cars start to honk as they drive by. Finally they come up for air and rest their foreheads together.
SYDNEY
Was that concrete enough for you?
He smiles, licks his lips, and glances down just slightly for a second.
VAUGHN
Almost.
She looks at him in amused shock. The look he's giving her can only be described as playfully dirty.
VAUGHN
I think I'll have to do some follow-up reconnaissance later this evening though.
She pulls back with a smile.
SYDNEY
My, aren't we optimistic all of a sudden.
He shrugs.
VAUGHN
Hey, you're the one that told me I should learn to love the fall. Can you blame me for taking your advice?
SYDNEY
When you apply it like that? Yes. I can.
He laughs.
VAUGHN
Admit it, you like it when I apply myself [I]like that[/I].
Syd returns his playful look.
SYDNEY
Not as much as I like it when you apply yourself in other ways.
He raises an eyebrow and smiles.
VAUGHN
All you have to do is ask.
She chuckles and says sarcastically:
SYDNEY
Now, don't try to play hard to get or anything.
VAUGHN
There are many things for which I have my standards. And then there are other areas where I'm much more... flexible.
Now she really laughs and shakes her head.
SYDNEY
Men really are pigs. Even the good ones.
He imitates the look she gave him earlier in the car.
VAUGHN
Why thank you. And besides you know you love it.
And she's more than happy to return his look as well as his words.
SYDNEY
I never said that I didn't.
He looks at her like, "Oh really?" And then Tony walks up and gets pelted by whatever shippers have in their hands at the moment. Or he just clears his throat and says:
TONY
Um, we're all set to go here whenever you're ready.
Vaughn grins at Syd.
VAUGHN
Ready?
She grins right back.
SYDNEY
Whenever you are.
He laughs and they walk toward the tow truck his hand on her back. Tony just shakes his head in a mixture of envy and amusement before following them.
CUT TO:
Vaughn gets out of the car to meet the tow truck driver. The driver is a middle-aged white guy with an open a friendly face. The name on shirt says, "Tony." He smiles as Vaughn walks up.
TONY
Hi, my name is Tony.
They shake hands.
VAUGHN
Mike.
TONY
Well, Mike they told me you had a flat tire.
Vaughn indicates the flat tire as Syd rolls down her window to see and hear what's going on. Tony walks over to the tire and glances over at Syd to nod. But he practically does a double take when he sees how hot she looks.
TONY
Um, hi.
Syd smiles.
SYDNEY
Hi.
Vaughn's just looking at Tony when Tony finally snaps out of it and turns toward the tire. But as he does he tosses an impressed look in Vaughn's direction. He squats down and shines a flashlight on the flat.
TONY
Don't worry we'll change this and get you... Aw, hell.
He looks up at Vaughn.
VAUGHN
What?
TONY
How long did you drive on this after it went flat?
VAUGHN
I don't know. We were in the far lane so however long it took us to get over to the shoulder.
Tony stands up and sighs.
TONY
Well, it looks like it took you a little too long. The tire was shredded almost clean off and you must have been driving on the rim cause it's all bent out of shape. I'm going to have to tow you somewhere to get it fixed.
Vaughn looks at Syd with concern and then back at Tony. The forehead wrinkles are out in full force.
VAUGHN
You're sure there's nothing you can do?
TONY
Sorry. I wish there was. I know a great garage not more than ten minutes from here that should be able to have it fixed for you around noon tomorrow.
VAUGHN
Noon tomorrow?
TONY
Hey, it's a Friday night. Most shops aren't even open.
VAUGHN
That's okay. I know one just south of downtown. You can take us there.
TONY
Alright, just give me a minute to get the car hooked up.
Vaughn opens the door so Syd can get out and they step back so that Tony can get to work. They're facing him and the car. Vaughn looks at his watch and sighs.
VAUGHN
There's no way we'll make it in time now.
Sydney rubs his back.
SYDNEY
I'm sorry. I know you were trying to give me the perfect evening.
VAUGHN
I should have known better. Nothing with us ever seems to go right.
SYDNEY
I don't know. I've had a pretty good time so far.
He turns toward her in shock.
VAUGHN
You have?
Sydney shrugs.
SYDNEY
I've spent the evening with a well-dressed good-looking man. What's there to complain about?
Vaughn can't believe it. He looks over at Tony as he hooks up the car.
VAUGHN
Well, at least one of us is having fun.
Syd puts on her best fake pout.
SYDNEY
You're not enjoying my company?
He turns to her thinking that she was serious.
VAUGHN
No, of course not. I just wanted something between us to go as planned. For once.
She smiles. He's so sweet. But she's tired of all the negativity.
SYDNEY
You know what I thought when you told me that story about how you learned to skate? I thought, that describes us perfectly. So many crazy twisted horrible events had to occur to bring us together, both before and now. Now we could fear it and fight it and question it or we could just learn to enjoy the fall.
He looks at her skeptically.
VAUGHN
You're really having a good time? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?
SYDNEY
Vaughn, as much as I love all the effort you put into this I would have been perfectly happy just sitting on the couch eating pizza and watching the game with you tonight.
Vaughn sighs.
VAUGHN
Now you tell me.
He tries to sound light but he's too tired and frustrated to pull it off. Syd grabs both of his hands in hers and makes sure that he's looking at her.
SYDNEY
I didn't mean to imply that I don't appreciate this, because I do. It's nice to know that you care enough about me to make the effort. (She smiles) And, let's be clear, I don't want you to stop. (beat) I guess what I'm trying to say is that [I]this[/I] isn't the reason I want to be with you. [I]You're[/I] the reason I want to be with you. Because no matter what I've been through or how crappy I feel everything always gets better when you're around. I can't explain it and to be honest I don't want to. I'm just grateful for it. I'm grateful for you.
He looks at her with uncertainty at first but then she smiles and nods as if to say, "Yes, I mean it." A slow smile spreads across his face and he leans in and kisses her tenderly. When he pulls back he's practically beaming. He starts absently swinging their arms ever so slightly.
VAUGHN
You know I love you, right?
She smiles.
SYDNEY
I had my suspicions.
He laughs lightly.
VAUGHN
Well, now you have confirmation.
Now it's her turn to laugh.
SYDNEY
I love you too.
After everything that's happened Vaughn is finally relaxed and he decides to have fun with this. He adopts a look of exaggerated suspicion and then shakes his head.
VAUGHN
Nah. I don't believe you.
Syd's surprised at first but then she too decides to have some fun. She crosses her arms and looks at him in disbelief.
SYDNEY
Oh really?
VAUGHN
Yes, I think I require a little more concrete intelligence.
SYDNEY
You do, do you?
VAUGHN
One can never be too sure.
Almost before he can finish she pulls him in for a kiss. Think The Deleted Kiss only initiated by her and if possible even hotter and more intense. And longer. In the background we see Tony look up in surprise and cars start to honk as they drive by. Finally they come up for air and rest their foreheads together.
SYDNEY
Was that concrete enough for you?
He smiles, licks his lips, and glances down just slightly for a second.
VAUGHN
Almost.
She looks at him in amused shock. The look he's giving her can only be described as playfully dirty.
VAUGHN
I think I'll have to do some follow-up reconnaissance later this evening though.
She pulls back with a smile.
SYDNEY
My, aren't we optimistic all of a sudden.
He shrugs.
VAUGHN
Hey, you're the one that told me I should learn to love the fall. Can you blame me for taking your advice?
SYDNEY
When you apply it like that? Yes. I can.
He laughs.
VAUGHN
Admit it, you like it when I apply myself [I]like that[/I].
Syd returns his playful look.
SYDNEY
Not as much as I like it when you apply yourself in other ways.
He raises an eyebrow and smiles.
VAUGHN
All you have to do is ask.
She chuckles and says sarcastically:
SYDNEY
Now, don't try to play hard to get or anything.
VAUGHN
There are many things for which I have my standards. And then there are other areas where I'm much more... flexible.
Now she really laughs and shakes her head.
SYDNEY
Men really are pigs. Even the good ones.
He imitates the look she gave him earlier in the car.
VAUGHN
Why thank you. And besides you know you love it.
And she's more than happy to return his look as well as his words.
SYDNEY
I never said that I didn't.
He looks at her like, "Oh really?" And then Tony walks up and gets pelted by whatever shippers have in their hands at the moment. Or he just clears his throat and says:
TONY
Um, we're all set to go here whenever you're ready.
Vaughn grins at Syd.
VAUGHN
Ready?
She grins right back.
SYDNEY
Whenever you are.
He laughs and they walk toward the tow truck his hand on her back. Tony just shakes his head in a mixture of envy and amusement before following them.
CUT TO:
