Grate Love

EXT.SIDEWALK – AFTERNOON

Boyfriend and Girlfriend walking down sidewalk. They are a cute couple, average. The girlfriend appears excited, though cautious. The boyfriend is nervous. They stop at a spot on the sidewalk in front of a fenced parking lot. There is a grate in the sidewalk nearby.

Girlfriend

This is it? You want to do it here? Where we first met? Not where we ate that night? Or in the park where we first kissed?

Boyfriend

I mean, okay, yeah… um, okay if you want…

Girlfriend

no. no no this is cool – this is where we first saw each other… I was standing right….here.

She stands against the iron-fenced wall of a parking lot, not far from the grate in sidewalk.

Boyfriend

Ok, um, ok let me get it… ok so…

He reaches in his pocket and takes out an engagement ring box and opens it, displaying an engagement ring. She is enjoying the moment.

Boyfriend

Honey, will you… oh wait

He moves to get down on one knee but loses his balance on the way down and drops the ring box.

Boyfriend

Shit!

Girlfriend

(gasp)

The ring box topples over and the BF grabs it.

Boyfriend

(proudly) Got it!

He looks at the ring box – the ring is gone.

Boyfriend

Shit!

Girlfriend

Oh My God! (looking around hysterically) Oh My God! (sees the grate) It fell in the grate!

They both rush over to the grate; the GF takes command, while the BF gets on his knees peering into the grate. He tries lifting it but it doesn’t budge.

Girlfriend

Pull harder! See I told you you should start bench pressing!

We see Man#1 crossing over from opposite side of the street. Throughout the scene the GF’s hysteria grows.

Girlfriend

(to Man #1) Excuse me sir, did you see what just happened? Did you see the ring fall in the grate? Did you? Could you help my fian..my boyfriend pull this grate up?

Man #1

Sorry no didn’t see what was it? A ring you say? (he moves to help the boyfriend with the grate)

Girlfriend

yes my ENGAGEment ring

Boyfriend

It’s not gonna open.

Man #1

We need a stick or something

Just then another passerby, woman #1 is passing - meanwhile, Man #1 has grabbed a stick from the sidewalk and is poking around through the grate.

Woman #1

(to GF) What happened

Girlfriend

My boyfriend dropped my engagement ring down and it went down the grate

Woman #1

Oh no…(looking into grate)… is it gold or silver?

Girlfriend

Platinum. 4 carat Round brilliant with square cut channel set band

Boyfriend

(looks with disbelief at GF. That is not the ring he got)

Man #1

Whew doin well my man doing well… pats BF on the back

Woman #1

(Peering down grate) Wait - I think I see it! Look there – move to the right, no left…

Man #2 stops to see what’s happening.

Man #2

What’s going on?

Woman #1

This poor woman’s engagement ring fell down the grate

Man #2

Here, let me help (he grabs a stick and starts poking the grate – pushing the BF back a bit)

Woman #2

(walking down street, leans over the crowd looking in grate) What’s down there?

Man #2

This lil lady’s engagement ring that’s what.

Woman #2

oh no, what kind?

Woman #1

Big. 4 carat. Platinum. (sing songy) Tiiiifanyyys

Woman #2

(more interested) ooooh let me help, here put my gum on the stick.

The Woman #2 has completely pushed the BF out of the way. Woman #2 and the crowd begin constructing outrageous Macguyver-like ways of getting the ring. The GF is shouting commands at the helpers while simultaneously yelling at BF “Did you even get it insured?” “Who proposes on the sidewalk?” etc. The BF slumps down against the wall with head in hands, defeated

** Add more comments from crowd etc

Commotion continues.

We watch as a gorgeous woman, Woman #3, walks toward BF, curious about the scene. She is calm. The crowd is not. They have gotten louder and the GF is nearly out of control.

Woman#3

What’s going on?

Boyfriend

(not looking at her) I dropped the ring.

Woman #3 looks down at BF, looks up at crowd, taking in scene, notices a small, simple diamond ring sitting on the sidewalk outside of the crowd. She picks it up, stands in front of BF and holds it out to him.

Woman #3

This ring?

BF, looking up suddenly, holds hand out for ring, mouth dropped open. He looks up at the woman #3.

Woman #3 smiles and walks casually away.

BF stands up with ring and walks toward GF to tell her what happened, sees her craziness, and the mania she has created in the crowd, and puts ring in his pocket before she can see. He stares off in distance of woman #3.

FADE OUT