Those Were The Days by Petra Michelle

FADE IN:

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

With the television on, two mature FEMALE FRIENDS, since their days at college in the 1970's, are sharing birthday cake.

SUSAN Remember the love-ins?

CYNTHIA How can I forget? I met Jake at one.

SUSAN How's it been since the breakup?

CYNTHIA I miss him, Susan.

Susan nods sympathetically. After a brief silence, a program grabs her attention.

SUSAN (enthusiastically) Look what's on?

INSERT TELEVISION PROGRAM

MICHAEL DOUGLAS For this entire week, our special guests are John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Welcome back, John, Yoko.

BACK TO SCENE

SUSAN Remember the episode where John and Yoko spread the word of love by randomly calling people and saying I love you.

CYNTHIA We were so idealistic then.

SUSAN Let's do it!

CYNTHIA Do what?

SUSAN Make calls and say I love you.

CYNTHIA It's silly.

SUSAN It wasn't then.

CYNTHIA It's different now.

SUSAN What jaded adults we've become. Well, I say, as adults, it's up to us to keep that flame of love burning. (enthusiastically) I feel like burning incense and turning on a lava lamp.

While Cynthia lightheartedly rolls her eyes, Susan runs her finger down a list of names, then stops.

SUSAN Helen Davis.

CYNTHIA Don't frighten her.

SUSAN Hello? Is this Helen Davis?

HELEN (O.S.) Yes?

SUSAN My name is Susan Turner. I'm calling to say I love you and if you would spread the love by... (agape) She hung up!

CYNTHIA You know that's all we're going to get.

Cynthia's eyes widen.

SUSAN What?

After she dials, Cynthia hears a man's HELLO.

CYNTHIA Jake?

JAKE (O.S.) Cynthia?

CYNTHIA (slowly) I wanted to call to tell you... (hesitates) I love you and if you would spread...

JAKE (O.S.) (laughing) So you're watching the old Michael Douglas Show with John and Yoko too. 

CYNTHIA (smiling) Susan and I are.

JAKE (O.S) Those were the days.

CYNTHIA I'll never forget them.

JAKE (O.S.) Happy birthday, Cyn.

CYNTHIA You remembered.

JAKE (O.S.) I'll never forget. (after an awkward second) Night, Cyn.

CYNTHIA (in a whisper) Good night, Jake.

When she hangs up, she begins to CRY. Susan holds her comfortingly. The telephone RINGS. Answering it,

CYNTHIA Hello?

JAKE (O.S.) I love you too, Cynthia.

FADE TO BLACK