INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
The plane is packed with people. I've scanned over to see people yawning, sleeping, bored, and talking on their cell phones.
Panning over to LIZ, a young girl next door woman with her forehead pressed against the window, wide eyes with excitement as the glass reflects the Seattle Space Needle.n
A sudden dip of the plane rattles and causes people to gasp or grip their armrests.
CLOSE UP:
Liz is uncomfortable, shuts her eyes, counts to three, and then opens her eyes.
PAN TO:
BRANT - Liz's husband, a tall man with a dad's body and a cocky attitude. He leans over to try and see out the tiny airplane window. He catches Liz staring at him and smiles at her.
BRANT
Are you excited?
Liz leaned in with a smile and gave him a kiss.
LIZ
I still can't believe how you pulled this off.
Liz holds the birthday card with the folded papers of their stay, plane, and Space Needle tour tickets.
BRANT
It's a bucket list trip.
The plane comes to a landing, people react in movement.
LIZ
(Serious)
How much is this trip costing us?
Brant kisses Liz on the nose as he unbuckles.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE EDGEWATER HOTEL - NIGHT
The surrounding water is glistening with the lights from the dock and the city lights around the bay to show an upscale resort at the waterfront.
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - CONT.
Brant is carrying a backpack and pulling the luggage down the hallway with a grin. He looks back to Liz who is in awe, but clearly something is on her mind.
Brant stops.
BRANT
What is it?
LIZ
The Edgewater isn't cheap, Brant. Are you sure about this?
Brant walks over, dips Liz, and plants a kiss on her lips.
BRANT
And I thought I was the frugal one.
Continuing down the hallway, Brant taps the key card to the junior suite.
Liz's eyes light up as she pushes Brant out of the way to be the first to enter.
LIZ
(From inside the bedroom)
Wow!
CUT TO:
INT. JUNIOR SUITE - CONT.
Brant enters the room as Liz's mouth drops open at the twelve hundred square foot room with a giant rock fireplace that stretches to the ceiling. An upscale cabin feel with beautiful bay windows overlooking Elliott Bay.
Liz is gazing out the window, enjoying the view of the light reflecting off the water.
Brant is getting them settled in the room and putting away clothes.
LIZ
It makes sense now why you've been working longer tutoring hours.
Liz turns and looks at Brant.
LIZ
You've been working to afford this trip.
The guilt is shown on Liz's face.
BRANT
Some haven't paid just yet, I had to pull money out of savings for the time being.
CLOSE UP:
The color washes from Liz's face. She is in shock.
PAN OUT:
Liz crosses her arms standing by the windows, Brant notices her expression and pauses from putting away the clothes.
BRANT
What?
LIZ
How much did you take from savings?
BRANT
It doesn't matter.
LIZ
Yes, it does. We've been pinked, slipped from the district, and can only get part-time work. We can't afford this trip.
Brant shoves the clothes in the drawer and slams it shut.
BRANT
(Raises his voice)
I know!
(He calms himself)
I'm sorry. I'm usually the one who won't spend extra money, but we needed to get out of Los Angeles and a break from the boys.
Brant walks over, puts his arms around Liz's waist, and kisses her neck.
BRANT
You know we can walk around naked.
The thought brought a smile to Liz's face. She is closing her eyes, enjoying the kisses.
Brant spun Liz around, picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the white feather bed.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - BED - CONT.
Brant lays Liz carefully on the bed. He hungrily unbuttons her pants as she removes her sweater.
Liz lays down on the bed as Brant leaves a trail of kisses down her torso. Her pants come off as he pulls his shirt off, continuing to kiss her.
CLOSE UP:
Brant is pulling off Liz's underwear as he continues to kiss her, inching closer to her lower abdomen.
CLOSE UP:
Liz's face as we hear the sound of kissing and teasing. Liz is enjoying Brant pleasing her.
CUT TO:
INT. Restaurant - NIGHT
Brant and Liz are all smiles as they are sitting at a table in a five-star restaurant.
A waiter comes by and pours the last remnants of the red wine into Liz's glass.
WAITER
Another beer sir?
Brant takes a swig of his IPA in the tall glass.
BRANT
Please.
Liz sits back with her wine, not amused.
Brant sees her look and is trying not to sour the mood.
BRANT
Something the matter sweetheart?
LIZ
(Playing off)
Nothing.
BRANT
(Annoyed)
Don't do this.
LIZ
Don't do what?
BRANT
This...
(mimics her actions)
You look pissed and ungrateful.
LIZ
(Holding in her temper)
You ordered the market-value surf and turf.
BRANT
So.
Liz leans into the table to keep her voice down.
LIZ
Brant...this isn't like you. You don't spend money like this.
BRANT
It's your birthday weekend.
LIZ
So, I'm thirty. Big deal.
Liz realizes her words, she takes a second to register.
BRANT
Exactly. It's a big milestone.
LIZ
Are you dying and this is why we are spending money?
BRANT
Why are you so worried about savings? I'm billing out for my tutoring and will collect when we get back.
LIZ
Are they all still the same clients?
BRANT
(Presses his lips together)
Why?
Liz sits back in her seat and gulps her wine. Disappointed.
LIZ
Only because these clients don't ever pay in full.
BRANT
Again, why are you upset?
LIZ
(Blurts)
Because that money was for the treatment.
Liz regrets the words the second come out.
The waiter comes over with the buser to set down their meals.
Brant is holding in his temper.
Liz gives a slight smile.
WAITER
I have the surf and turf, mashed potatoes on the side.
LIZ
It looks lovely, thank you.
The waiter takes notice of the tension at the table and excuses himself.
Leaning back in her chair, a couple a few tables over sit down with their toddler and settle it in a highchair.
CLOSE UP:
The sorrow is in Liz's eyes.
PAN OUT:
Brant follows Liz's direction and sighs, annoyed.
BRANT
(Long emphasis)
Great.
LIZ
What?
BRANT
Why are you staring?
Liz looks back over at the couple with the baby and smiles.
LIZ
I would like that to be us, one day.
Brant cuts into his steak, glaring at Liz. His knife pierces the plate, surrounding neighbors are bothered by the sound.
Liz is embarrassed.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - BAR - NIGHT
Liz and Brant are walking through. She's tired and drunk, and the ground is unstable for her.
Brant watches Liz lean against the pole of the lobby bar.
BRANT
You want to stop inside and have another drink?
LIZ
(Annoyed)
Oh, now you want to speak to me? Typical, when it comes to alcohol, you're always down for a good time.
BRANT
(Seethes)
Will you behave yourself?
Brant grabs Liz by the arm and yanks her toward him.
This gets the attention of another gentleman, STRANGER, Brant's size, stature with a business look.
STRANGER
Miss, are you all right?
LIZ
I'm fine, this is...
BRANT
This is my wife, she's had a little too much.
STRANGER
By the way, you're holding her, it's drawing attention. The wrong kind of attention.
Brant's eyes scan the room at the well-to-do people who are looking in his direction, judging him.
LIZ
(Yanks free)
Let go of me.
STRANGER
Miss, if I may--
Brant takes a step toward the Stranger.
LIZ
I'm not allowed to spend our money.
Brant and the Stranger are caught off caught and look at Liz.
LIZ
He's mad because I've been saving for treatment on IVF and can't spend a dime, but he can do what he wants and take me on a nice birthday vacation that I should be greatful for.
The Stranger takes a step back.
STRANGER
It's best to get to your room.
BRANT
Agreed.
Brant comforts Liz around the waist to walk her to the elevators.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - ELEVATOR - CONT.
Brant and Liz stumble into the elevator with another couple.
BRANT
Four, please.
Liz doesn't notice the other couple. The elevator doors close.
LIZ
That guy didn't look happy.
Brant pleads with the couple with his eyes.
BRANT
He did not.
LIZ
I wonder if talking to a stranger about our problems, who he would whey in on.
(Re-thinking verbiage)
The elevator dings to the fourth floor. All four people go to walk out at once, startling Liz.
LIZ
(To female)
You've been in here with us the whole time?
BRANT
All right, let's go.
Brant helps escort Liz out of the elevator.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - HALLWAY - CONT.
Brant's hands are searching for the room key in his blazer as Liz is leaning against the wall as she walks.
The other couple are behind them.
LIZ
I'm not going in.
Brant stops and sighs. He turns to Liz.
BRANT
Let's wait until we are in the room.
Liz shakes her head. Sinks down on the floor.
Brant is trying to keep his temper in check.
BRANT
Liz, we are in the hallway of the hotel. We should be in our room.
Liz shakes her head. When the couple passes by her, she feels their judgment.
LIZ
You don't care.
BRANT
(Kneels down)
If I didn't care, I would leave you here. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have spent money on your birthday. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have planned this
(Raising his voice)
damn fucking trip to begin with!
(Wiping hands over face)
Obviously, I care.
Liz manages to get to her feet as the other couple are two doors down.
The woman peers out into the hallway.
Liz swats away Brant's hands from trying to help.
LIZ
The only reason why you took me on the damn trip, was to get my mind off the treatment plan.
Liz marches down the hall to the junior suite.
Brant smacks the wall out of anger and marches down the hall.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - JUNIOR SUITE - CONT.
The door flies open as Brant marches in, pissed.
BRANT
Why do you have to bring this subject up?
He tears off the blazer and throws it on a chair.
Liz closes the door, embarrassed by her neighbor and their behavior.
LIZ
Brant please, keep your voice down.
(Closes and locks door)
We are not doing ourselves any favors.
Brant is pacing the room, stressing.
Liz removes her heels, relief floods her mood.
LIZ
Seeing the people with their baby and I just...want something like that.
BRANT
(Rubbing his face)
We've been over this, we can't afford the treatment.
LIZ
We would be able to if you hadn't dipped into our savings for this trip.
BRANT
That is for you!
LIZ
(Realization, teary eyes)
You knew what I wanted to save for, but there will always be excuses, isn't that right?
BRANT
We are just getting back into the swing of things and being comfortable. Each year, the popularity of this procedure increases by six percent. Can you believe it, we'll never be able to afford it.
LIZ
We can take a second out of the mortgage?
BRANT
(Shocked)
Are you insane? I have ten years left. I'm not about to refinance with these rates.
LIZ
(Anger)
You told me we could have a baby!
BRANT
(Sympathetic)
We have two boys, who love you and call you mom.
Liz flushes out anger and stomps over to the bed. She tries to unzip her dress but is having a difficult time.
LIZ
I want to carry my own. I want to give birth to something we created.
Brant walks over with caution.
BRANT
(Shaking head)
All you'll do is complain. You'll be uncomfortable, bloat, gain weight, and have weird cravings.
Liz looks over to Brant strangely.
LIZ
Are you man-splaining to me right now about being pregnant?
Giving up on the dress, Liz began to take off her black pantyhose.
Brant ignores Liz and points out more reasons on his fingers.
BRANT
You'll have mood swings because we can't afford the less cost-effective way and have to endure those shots and the risk is too high for you to miscarry.
Liz yanks off the last bit of her pantyhose by yelling out.
BRANT
If we were financially stable--
LIZ
You would still try to convince me otherwise, wouldn't you?
Liz turns to look at Brant.
LIZ
You thought I would change my mind because you brought two boys to the table. Didn't you?
BRANT
I thought at one point we could be ready but...
Liz has had enough, storms into the bathroom, slams, and locks the door.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - ROOM - BATHROOM - CONT.
Liz climbs into the porcelain claw tub to sulk.
Outside of the room, there is a bang on the door. Twisting the door handle Brant cannot enter.
Liz sits in the tub and begins to cry.
The slamming of the door to the room is heard, Liz jolts and then cries into her hands.
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