The key to my heart: A short film script

Anna & Jim (Script)

Anna and Jim (Treatment)

Jim, an African-American, and Anna, a white woman, meet at a cozy jazz nightclub. And are immediately attracted to each other. Jim is a solid and calm; Anna is intelligent and sincere. Two years later, Anna and Jim celebrate the anniversary of their meeting at the same nightclub. She refuses food because she feels "queasy." Jim suggests the flu. She tells Jim she is going to the doctor tomorrow.

He gives her a gold "Key to My Heart" necklace. She tells Jim her parents want him to come for dinner tomorrow evening so they can get acquainted and take a trip with them over the weekend. Jim asks if she has told them he's black. Anna says no, but she doesn't think her parents will have any problem with it. Jim agrees to go. Jim picks up Anna outside the doctor's office. As they walk to the car, Anna tells him she is pregnant. He's so surprised they almost get hit by a car.

Anna's parents live in a mansion with big trees and a large garden. Her father is a rich CEO. The home is big with an upstairs, clean and comfortably furnished. Her mother does a double-take but quickly recovers when she meets Jim. Her father comes down from upstairs, stops short, shocked and dismayed. When Anna introduces him to Jim, he refuses to shake hands. He confronts Anna. Anna reacts defensively. Distressed, her mother tries to smooth things over. Jim is embarrassed and insulted and leaves. Anna quarrels with her father. Defiantly, she tells him she is pregnant and will marry Jim. Her father is so angry he calls her a slut and tries to slap her. His hand catches in her necklace and breaks the chain. The gold Key drops on the floor. Shocked at himself, her father apologizes. He advises her to get an abortion. Anna's mother disagrees. As the parents begin to quarrel, Anna reaches for her Key on the floor.

The Key to My Heart

EXT SUNSET NIGHTCLUB NIGHT

It's a hot summer night in the city on a well-lit downtown side street. Sounds of traffic can be heard. The sign beside the door reads "Sunset Club - Jazz Nightly." ROY, the doorman/bouncer stands in front. ANNA, an attractive 22-year-old woman, and her best friend CINDY, both dressed for a night out, stop in front of the door.

ANNA

Roy. How are you?

ROY

Just fine, ma'am. Haven't seen you two in a while.

ANNA

Too long.

He opens the door and the women go in.

INT SUNSET NIGHTCLUB NIGHT

The light is dim inside. A small band plays jazz amid the tinkle of glass and low murmured conversations. JIM, a handsome well-dressed black man with drink in hand, sits alone at a table near the band, sips, and listens. His attention is caught by the sight of Anna and Cindy as they make their way to a near-by table and sit down. He watches as Cindy spots someone she knows across the room and goes to talk, leaving Anna alone. Jim motions to the WAITER. The waiter responds and bends to listen as Jim gives him some instructions and nods toward Anna.

INT SUNSET NIGHTCLUB NIGHT

Sultry jazz music continues as the waiter speaks to Anna. She looks up and sees Jim. She and Jim make eye contact. She smiles at him.

EXT SUNSET NIGHTCLUB NIGHT

TWO YEARS LATER Roy opens the door as Anna and Jim, who hold hands and walk close, enter the nightclub.

ANNA

My mother wants you to come for dinner tomorrow night and we'll go on a trip with them to the cottage, maybe go out on the boat. Daddy thought we'd go to the casino Saturday night.

Sound like fun?

JIM nods)

Anna, do they know I'm black?

ANNA haven't told them. it's not that I'm avoiding it, but it's just so meaningless. I'm sure they're going to be all right with it.

JIM

What makes you think so?

ANNA

They've always had black friends who came to the house. I've never known either one of them to make a slur or tell a racial joke. Daddy contributes to the N-double-ACP.

JIM

And that's gonna make it okay?

EXT in FRONT of DOCTOR'S OFFICE DAY

Anna comes out of the doctor's office where Jim waits. They kiss, then hold hands as they walk toward Jim's car.

JIM

Well?

ANNA

Remember I told you Dr. Cochrane said could never have kids?

They step off the curb to cross the street.

JIM

Yes?

ANNA

I'm pregnant!

Jim is surprised and doesn't believe her at first. He stops.

JIM

You're *****tin' me! Really?

They jump back as suddenly a car with screeching brakes and blaring horn nearly hits them! The DRIVER puts his head out the window angrily and shakes "the finger" at them.

DRIVER

*****s! Why'ncha watch where yer goin'?

EXT ANNA'S PARENTS' HOME DAY

Anna's parents live in a two-story mansion on a quiet tree-lined street.

INT ANNA'S PARENTS' HOME, LIVING ROOM DAY

Anna's parents home is spacious and opulent. Anna's MOTHER, a well-dressed, charming fifty-year-old woman comes in from the garden where dinner has been laid. She appears momentarily stunned when she sees Jim, then recovers her poise, and reaches out graciously to shake hands with him.

MOTHER

So this is the young man she's been hiding from us. I'm so happy to meet you at last.

She turns and calls upstairs.

MOTHER (cont'd)

Howard? They're here, dear. And dinner is waiting in the garden.

FATHER (o. s.)

Coming.

Father comes down the stairs smiling, but stops short when he sees Jim. He is shocked and dismayed. He looks at Anna questioningly.

ANNA

Daddy, I want you to meet somebody special. This is Jim.

FATHER

You can't be serious.

MOTHER

Howard!

FATHER to Anna)

What's the matter with you? Are you crazy?

ANNA

What's the matter with you? I bring home the man I love, and you act like this?

JIM to Father)

Sir, I guess this is a shock for you. I apologize you weren't warned

FATHER

Warned? That she's bringing home a nigger?

Jim turns to Anna.

JIM

That's it. I'm outta here.

ANNA in tears)

Jim, no! What about our trip?

He opens the door and turns back. A guard dog snarls and barks discordantly outside.

JIM

I'm not going anywhere with these folks.

He leaves, and Anna confronts her father.

ANNA will never forgive you!

FATHER

Forgive? You're the one brings a nigger home.

MOTHER

Howard, since when do you talk like that? If she's in love with him

FATHER to Anna)

Don't you dare ever bring another -- colored -- home, is that clear? We are not that kind of people!

ANNA

What are you talking about? I love him. I'm pregnant with his child. Your grandchild!

FATHER

Why you slut.

Enraged, he tries to slap her. Anna screams and ducks away from his blow. Father's hand catches in her necklace, breaks the chain, and the KEY falls to the floor. He stops, shocked.

FATHER

My God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. Really.

He reaches to take Anna in his arms, but she refuses him.

FATHER (cont'd)

Listen to reason, Anna. You can't have a colored baby. You'll have an abortion. I'll pay for it.

MOTHER

Howard, no! A child conceived in love should never be aborted. Long ago, we agreed on that.

Anna sees the KEY on the floor, bends down and reaches for it as her parents continue to argue.

HOWARD

Love -- sure, love between people of the same race.

MOTHER

No, love between people, between two human beings.

Anna's hand closes over the KEY [c.u.] END