David
By William P Coleman
FADE IN:
EXT. JAKE'S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING
A fisherman's house on an island in Maine. There are nets and tackle on the dock and a boat in the slip. A light first snow of winter is on the ground. There is cold in the thick fog.
A car pulls to a stop by the road in front. PETER (in his forties; a tan, trim body from tennis and gym workouts) gets out, and knocks decisively on the door. He wears an elegant Italian suit that's out of place in this scenery.
JAKE (the same age; a lean, hard body from work) answers. He wears jeans with two wool plaid shirts in layers. Jake acts quietly surprised at seeing Peter.
JAKE
Peter, it's been years since you've stopped to visit me.
PETER
I know, Jake. Look, this isn't a vis --
JAKE
Nice clothes you wear now.
PETER
Jake, I need a favor.
JAKE
We never failed each other in high school. Why start now?
Calm but curious, Jake continues to look Peter over.
PETER
Can you run me to the mainland?
JAKE
What happened to your boat?
PETER
Maybe I could explain after we're underway.
Peter moves toward Jake's boat. Jake ducks into the house and returns with severe-looking black rubberized raingear that he pulls on as he follows Peter.
AT THE BOAT
Jake starts the engine.
JAKE
Peter, could you cast off the lines?
Peter stares at Jake and then indicates his expensive suit. He replies deadpan, like he's chatting with a friend after a game of squash at the Athletic Club.
PETER
You like it? Armani. It's surprisingly practical in a variety of situations -- but not working around boats.
Imperturbable, Jake smiles, shrugs, and takes care of the lines himself.
PETER
My boat's engine died, Jake. It wasn't a good moment to fix it.
EXT. JAKE'S BOAT; MOVING - LATER
Dense fog. Jake is at the wheel. Peter stands behind him and speaks over Jake's shoulder.
PETER
I'll see David this trip.
There's a flicker of interest in Jake's calm eyes. He nods acknowledgment to Peter without turning to look at him.
JAKE
How is he?
PETER
Good. He's good.
They stand in silence for a long minute.
PETER
I'm hoping he and I can get back together.
This time Jake does turn. He smiles warmly.
JAKE
That would be great, Peter.
Peter, though appreciating Jake's sincerity, seems to need to justify himself.
PETER
It was me who left him -- not him me. So, maybe.
JAKE
I didn't know that.
PETER
After I lost the election -- after four goddam good terms in Congress when they suddenly didn't want me any more -- I couldn't face him -- couldn't let him see me like that.
Jake gestures out ahead of the boat, through the fog.
JAKE
There's Highport.
PETER
Yeah.
JAKE
David isn't judgmental. He wouldn't have turned on you.
PETER
I know that now.
They pull up to the dock. Jake ties on the lines. Peter lingers.
PETER
(softly)
Jake, you were the one David wanted, back in high school. I'm not his type -- too fast, too self-absorbed.
JAKE
Maybe.
PETER
You never put the moves on him. He waited. He tried.
Jake stands with calm dignity.
JAKE
I was afraid to let him know.
Peter stares at Jake, who stares back but doesn't say more.
FADE OUT