Features

INT. WALK-IN CLOSET--EARLY MORNING

The air is still.

Hundreds of clothing items hoard 3/4ths of the walls. A mirror covers the remaining 1/4th. In front of the mirror lies a deteriorating box with a faded, white navy uniform inside.

APRIL (18) sits next to the box, examining it.

April's eyes study the uniform. Her hand grazes on its stains and wear. She gracefully picks it up by the sleeves, revealing a button up shirt with the collar down.

The tag on the neckline presents: ARTHUR SIMON.

Suddenly, April's head swings toward the doorway. Footstep’s creek louder and louder. LAUREN (49) walks in, wearing a stained "Royal Bakery" shirt and holding a laundry basket.

April, with her mouth struck open, stares at Lauren.

Lauren

April—

Lauren places the laundry basket down.

Lauren

Again? You can't just go around touching Grandpa's things.

Lauren takes the uniform from April and hesitantly folds it. She's barely touching it, revolted by the dirty stains.

Lauren places the lid on the box, and stares at the short piece of pink twine that's tied to it; it's jagged and cut.

She puts it back on the shelf, ignoring the twine.

Lauren rubs her hands on the side of her pants, then grabs a black "Royal Bakery" shirt from the laundry basket. She holds it up, slightly wiggling the shirt.

Lauren

So... you ready? April nods, forcing a smile. Lauren tosses the shirt to her.

Lauren

Bring that with you.

April

Can't you just have it at the shop for me?

Lauren

You coming right from school is already cutting it close, I'm not wasting any time today.

Lauren walks towards a jacket on a hanger and puts it on.

Lauren

Alright, I'll see you later!

Lauren walks out.

April, still sitting on the floor, looks at her reflection. She stands up and leaves with the "Royal Bakery" shirt clenched in her fist, hanging low.

INT. APRIL'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

April walks into her bedroom and stuffs the shirt in her backpack. Her phone, sitting on her bed, starts ringing.

April

(picking up the phone) Hello?

Jennifer

(from the phone)

Hi, I'm looking for April Thomas?

April

(into phone) Yes, that's me.

April zips her backpack up.

Jennifer

(from the phone)

This is Jennifer Mills from the United States Naval Recruitment Office in Freehold. You had an appointment to take your Aptitude Battery Test this coming Monday, but due to the impending storm tomorrow we'll be extending our weekend closure.

April

(into phone) Oh, okay.

April holds the phone between her shoulder and ear as she slides her jacket on.

Jennifer

(from the phone)

However, we had a cancellation if you'd like to come in today. If not, our next available date would be after the new year, January 3RD.

April looks at today’s date on her calendar, December 2ND, labeled "Grand Reopening.”

April

(into phone) Um...

Jennifer

(from the phone)

It's at 3:15, do you want it?

April's eyes move down and lock on a photo; it's of her younger self with her grandfather.

April

(into phone)

--Yes, I'll be there.

Jennifer

(from the phone)

Great, I'll put you in. See you then.

April hangs up, throws her backpack on, and rushes out.

INT. SIMON'S BAKERY -- LATER

The bakery is studded with decorations. A banner labeled “SIMON'S BAKERY, GRAND RE- OPENING!” hangs behind the counter.

A bell rings as April's father, ZACHARY (50), enters.

Jennifer

Look what was just delivered.

Zachary is holding a box and places it on the counter. He reaches inside and pulls out a sparkling "Simon's Bakery" t-shirt. Lauren is beaming.

Lauren

These look amazing!

Jennifer

I know, I wasn't expecting to get them until tomorrow.

Lauren

Well now we can wear these for pictures, April should be here soon.

Lauren happily stares at the new shirts.

INT. APRIL'S CAR -- AFTERNOON

April's driving, and glances at the time on her dashboard: 3:09 PM

She pulls into a parking spot, and stares at the storefront labeled "ARMED FORCES CAREER CENTER".

April takes a scrunchy off her wrist and ties her hair back. She then grabs her backpack and exits her car.

INT. SIMON'S BAKERY -- LATE AFTERNOON

Lauren is at the counter wearing the crisp new bakery shirt. She walks towards the front door and flips the OPEN sign to CLOSED.

A REPORTER (26) with a pen & paper approaches the door.

Reporter

(through the door)

Tri-town news, is this a good time?

Lauren nods and waves him inside.

Lauren

(shouting) Zachary!

Reporter

So, congratulations on the grand re-opening, can you tell me about it?

Lauren

Well, this bakery used to be a part of the Royal Bakery chain— Zachary walks towards Lauren, also wearing the new bakery shirt.

Lauren

--and my father started working here when he finished his service from

the Navy. He really loved it and worked his way up to manager.

Zachary

But it was always his dream to have his own family bakery.

Reporter

Was this place a big part of your childhood?

Lauren

Not exactly. My mom and I followed my dad around during his service, so I didn't start here till I was 16.

Zachary

And I started out as a part-time employee! Then I ended up marrying the boss's daughter.

Lauren

April has been helping out since she could walk—

Reporter

(looking around) April...?

EXT. SIMON'S BAKERY -- CONTINUOUS

April is sitting in her car. She picks up her phone: 7 missed calls from MOM. The time on her phone says: 5:04 PM

She takes her shirt off and pushes it into her backpack. Then she takes out the "Royal Bakery" shirt and puts it on.

April pulls her sun visor down and opens her mirror; she rushes to unravel her hair. Next to the mirror is an "In Loving Memory of Arthur Simon" card.

A manila folder lies flat on the passenger seat. Pamphlets labeled, "How to pass the ASVAB" are spilling out of it. April opens her bag wide and forcefully stuffs it inside.

April grabs her backpack and slams the car door shut.

INT. SIMON'S BAKERY -- CONTINUOUS

Lauren

(to the Reporter)

My father was... very special. I know everyone says that about their Dad but… he really was loved by everyone. So, when he passed, we decided to scrape together everything we had and buy the shop—

A bell rings. Lauren’s eyes look over at the door. April walks in, wearing the old bakery shirt.

Lauren (O.S.)

--We couldn't do it in his lifetime but... what better way to honor his memory.

April passes a table with a red ribbon cut into two, then approaches the counter, putting her keys and backpack down.

Zachary (O.S.)

He served for over 25 years and deserved for this place to be named after him.

April joins the family. Lauren grabs her shoulders, holding her like a trophy.

Lauren

And this is April, our girl. She's been making cookies since she was 6.

Reporter

April! Tell me, what's your go-to treat here?

April

(startled)

Oh-uh, definitely our cupcakes! We make them fresh daily, and we offer uh- different flavors each week.

Reporter

Noted, thank you!

The Reporter finishes writing in his notebook.

Reporter

Alrighty, you can find this on our website next week. Have a good one!

The Reporter exits. Lauren then turns to April.

Lauren

(worried) Are you alright?

April

yeah- I'm sorry.

Lauren

Where were you?

April gathers her thoughts.

April

You know how Grandpa always said that his biggest regret wasn't staying in the Navy longer...

Lauren

(rolling eyes) Yes—

April

And how, when his ship docked for the last time, he didn't want to get off?

Lauren

--yes?

April

Well-- I—

Lauren

What does that have to do with today?

April

I-- Sorry I lost track of time.

Lauren

This is what Grandpa wanted, April! I was expecting you to be here, how could you not want t—

April

--I did want to be here!

Lauren

(growing angry)

Do you even know how hard it was without you here?

April

No—

Lauren

Do you know what it was like having every customer ask about you?

April is conjuring up words to say. Her mother’s voice grows louder.

Lauren

All I asked was for you to be here.

April

I'm here now—

Lauren

--and what about my calls? For God's sake April all you had to do was show up!

April grabs her keys from the counter and storms out. Lauren stares at the door, then leans against the counter, extinguishing her flames.

Zachary gently puts his hand on her back.

Zachary

You okay?

Lauren lets out a large sigh.

Lauren

I'm going to start cleaning.

Lauren walks away, but trips on April's backpack. She rolls her eyes and kicks the bag away.

Zachary stares at April's backpack, her belongings now spilled out at his feet. A manila folder prominently sticks out with papers falling out. He examines the material.

INT. APRIL'S ROOM -- NIGHT

April is digging through her drawer and pulls out a flash drive. She plugs it into her computer and opens the file. Suddenly, footage of navy sailors dance on the screen.

April is mesmerized.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY

A YOUNG APRIL (7) sits on a couch with her legs dangling.

ARTHUR (70) is on his knees, fiddling with the box TV. Suddenly, the blue error screen starts playing an old film.

Arthur

There we go!

Arthur slowly stands up. He sits aside Young April.

Arthur

So those are my buddies right there, and… that's me!

Young April

(amazed) Wow.

Young April stands up and makes a superhero stance.

Young April

I'm going to be a sailor just like you Grandpa!

Arthur

You think you're cut out for it? Endless adventure and traveling? But still serving your country?

Young April spins in circles out of excitement.

Young April

Oh yeah, I can do it!

Arthur

Alright my future sailor, come sit so we can watch the rest.

Young April sits down next to Arthur with a smile.

END FLASHBACK

KNOCK. KNOCK.

April jolts, closing out of the video.

April

It's open.

Zachary opens the door holding April's backpack.

Zachary

I think you might need this for your homework.

April

Oh, thanks.

Zachary, still in the doorway, takes his other hand out from his back, revealing the manila folder.

Zachary

You also want to tell me about this?

April

I can explain—

Zachary

I don't think I'm the one you have to explain it to.

April

Did you show this to her?

Zachary

No... you should.

Zachary approaches her. April shakes her head and looks back at her computer. Zachary puts the backpack down and sits on her bed.

Zachary

I didn't know you were this serious about it.

April continues to look away.

Zachary

Look I- I want you to have options and follow your heart, but your mom is so head-over-heels with this bakery

I think she's blind to the idea of you pursuing anything else.

April finally faces her father. He hands her the folder.

Zachary

You can't keep this from her anymore.

April

I know, but she's not going to listen—

Zachary

Because you guys have been talking at each other, not to each other.

Zachary stands up and approaches the door.

Zachary

You are just as stubborn as she was.

April

Dad, do you think I'm doing the right thing?

Zachary

I'm always going to be on your side, but you have to figure that out yourself.

Zachary walks out. April stares at the folder.



INT. STAIRCASE -- NIGHT

April slowly walks down the stairs but stops to unravel her hair. The manila folder is clenched in her fist.

April closes her eyes and breathes.

INT. KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS

Lauren is sitting in a yellow, ill-lit kitchen. She's hunching over her laptop, drinking stale coffee. April slowly enters the kitchen, walking towards Lauren. Lauren looks over from her computer.

Lauren

Hey Hun.

April sits down next to Lauren. She places the folder down and slides it towards her. Lauren breaks her focus.

Lauren

What is this?

April

I went to a recruiting offi- Lauren opens the folder, examining the material.

Lauren

Is this where you were after school?

April

...Yes. But mom just-ju-

Lauren

(shocked) April—

April

I've thought about this for so long, and I really want to do this.

Lauren is stumbling for words to say.

Lauren

(sincere)

I never told you what it was like—

April

Yes, you have.

Lauren

But not the time when we were in Iowa, or when we were in New York, and I had moments where I thought Grandma would be a widow.

April

I know, and I hear you—

Lauren

This is a decision that will affect your whole life—

April

So is the bakery.

BEAT.

APRIL

Grandpa spent so much of his time telling me about the adventures he went on and the obstacles he went through-

Lauren

It's not a vacation, April.

Silence.

April

Well, I failed the test anyway so maybe it's a sign...

Lauren

What test?

April starts to pile everything back into the folder

April

It's an entrance exam, if you pass, you're eligible to enlist.

BEAT.

April stands up holding the folder, but Lauren grabs her wrist, sitting her back down.

Lauren

So, you're just going to give up after one try--? Did you pass your driver's test the first time?

April

That's different...

Lauren

But who stayed with you all night outside the high school trying to perfect your parallel parking?

April

You.

Lauren

Look at me.

April stares into her mother's eyes.

Lauren

We don't give up... ever.

April nods, realizing she's right.

Lauren

Where's my daughter that refused to let anyone help her when she was learning to frost a cupcake, hm? Or when you insisted on taking the training wheels off your bike?

April

I know where I get it from.

April laughs with her mother, a smile finally emerging from their faces. BEAT.

April points at her mother's mug.

April

Is that coffee from this morning?

April gets up and walks to the coffee maker.

Lauren

Oh, yeah. It is.

April

I'll make a fresh pot for you.

April empties the remaining liquid from the coffee pot into the sink, then putting it back under the machine.

Lauren

Oh, April that's okay re—

April

Are you planning on going to bed anytime soon?

Lauren smirks, knowing she's right. Lauren ponders, then exits the room.

INT. WALK-IN CLOSET -- CONTINUOUS

Lauren turns on the light; it echo’s through the small room.

Underneath a pair of shoes sits a shoe box. Lauren moves the shoes and opens the box.

Old notes, pictures, and letters are inside. She pulls out a small card with a jagged, pink piece of twine attached. The card, in shaky handwriting, says:

To my sailor, April, here’s mine until you get your own. Love, Grandpa.

Lauren fiddles with the paper in her fingers. She then looks up at the old box on the shelf where her father's uniform is.

Lauren takes the box down.

She takes the pink twine from the card and reties it to the matching pink piece attached to the box.

She whisks out of her closet, holding the box tight.

THE END

Annie Fleisch's script won second prize in the Ninth Annual Humanities and Sciences Writing Contest. Annie is a sophomore majoring in Film Production at the School of Visual Arts. She was born and raised in central New Jersey and recently filmed her script Sailor there.