Screenplay

NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY

Written by

Emily Teng

FADE IN:

EXT. VOLCANO - NIGHT

It’s a starless night. Standing at the very edge of a volcano is a lone woman, ROWAN (25, looks like it hasn’t been her year for several years running).

She’s rifling through a thick journal, long hair being whipped about by the wind. The book’s pages flutter excitedly too, as if they’re desperate to escape the confines of their binding. Rowan’s eyes frantically scan through her writing.

ROWAN I can’t keep doing this.

The wind picks up even more, and Rowan shakes her head in frustration. She starts tearing out pages and throwing them into the volcano -- the wind carries most of them off, creating a flurry of paper scraps set ablaze by the lava.

ROWAN (CONT’D) I can’t keep doing this! How do I make it stop??

In her anguish, Rowan snaps her journal shut and raises it above her head, poised to throw it into the volcano. But just as she’s about to do so--

An earthquake hits. The ground shakes, rocks tumble down the slope of the volcano, and Rowan nearly loses her footing. She drops down to her knees to avoid toppling off the edge, clutching the journal to her chest.

The violent winds rip out a couple more pages from the book, and Rowan watches with wide eyes as the paper scraps are carried off toward the direction of the city below. She stumbles back to her feet to get a better look at her home.

The town looks tiny from where she is -- just a sea of houses and warm golden lights. But one by one, all the lights flicker out, until she’s just looking out into darkness.

ROWAN (CONT’D) How do I make it stop?

All the fight has left her; she’s almost whispering now. A tear slips out, and she shakily turns back toward the now rumbling volcano.

2.

Calmly, she widens her stance and raises her chin. She’s just a black silhouette against the blue night sky. And then -- the volcano erupts, spewing molten gold. It engulfs Rowan, and everything cuts to black.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Rowan wakes up with a gasp. She sits up, turns on her phone to check the time and date, and immediately slumps back down into her pillows with a sigh.

ROWAN So I can’t die, either.

After a beat, she musters the motivation to roll out of bed. When she steps barefoot onto the carpet, there’s a distinct CRINKLING sound with every step she takes --

Because every inch of her bedroom floor is covered in paper. Diagrams, pages filled with scribbling, post it notes, photos, and research articles are strewn about the floor. Rowan pays it all no mind.

There’s an old 35mm camera sitting on the floor, right next to a cluttered desk. She absentmindedly pushes it away with her foot so that she can pull out a chair.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Now what, genius?

She opens a drawer and rummages around. Her hand feels around tangled jewelry, a framed family photo with a figure torn out, an epipen, crumpled receipts, and a polaroid photo of her kissing another smiling woman. Finally, she pulls out what she was looking for: an old cassette recorder.

She leans back in her chair, holds it up to her mouth, and hits record.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Hey Mom. I’m still not any closer to figuring out what the hell is going on.

Rowan tears off the topmost page of the day-by-day calendar on her desk, looking at it intensely. March 4th.

ROWAN (CONT’D) It’s the eighth March 4th in a row. And it’s always the same.

3.

She flips through the same journal she brought to the volcano, revealing a detailed log of notes with a series of repeated times and events circled in red.

ROWAN (CONT’D) I mean, I’ve been trying to change things. To figure out why this is happening. I can control what I do, to a certain extent, but the major events are always the same.

She traces the lines carefully with her fingers, even though she probably already knows every word by heart by now.

ROWAN (CONT’D) I wake up at 8:02. I go about my day in different ways, but it always ends the same way. The earthquake hits at 11:33. Then the blackout. And at 11:35, the volcano erupts, and the day resets.

Rowan runs a hand through her hair. She sighs, getting up and rifling through her wardrobe.

She sets down the recorder briefly as she shrugs off her shirt, revealing a small quote tattooed on her right shoulder blade -- “leaf subsides to leaf”. She continues chatting as she puts on a clean button down, sounding as casual and conversational as if she were talking about the weather.

ROWAN (CONT’D) And now I know that even dying doesn’t stop it. But nothing in life has ever been that easy, has it?

Rowan shimmies into a pair of jeans and slips her hands into the pockets, frowning as she pulls out a folded up piece of paper. She smooths it out and looks at it thoughtfully -- it’s a pamphlet for the Natural History Museum.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Maybe I’m the one who could use some schooling.

She opens the pamphlet, looking at the section on geology for a beat before shaking her head with a humorless laugh.

ROWAN (CONT’D) God, I hate research. Anyways, I’ll talk to you later, Mom. And with any luck, it’ll be after today.

4.

She grabs the cassette recorder and hits stop.

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

It’s beautifully picturesque outside, all clear blue skies and bustling city life -- and Rowan doesn’t pay heed to any of it. She’s far too wrapped up in her own thoughts.

She locks her car door, bag tucked under one arm. Rowan then hurries across the street, moving with the sort of determination that makes everyone else move out of her way.

She walks into the open doors of a large brick building: Shasta Elementary School.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Rowan strides into an already full classroom.

KID #1 Good morning, Rowan!

KID #2 Mooorning, Ms. Rowan.

Rowan sets down her coffee and bag. She CLAPS together her hands and beams in an overly cheesy way that doesn’t quite meet her eyes -- like a teenager forced to babysit on a Friday night.

ROWAN Morning, class! I think the weather outside is so nice today that it would be a shame to waste it cooped up indoors. Sooo.. who wants to go on a field trip!

The kids take a beat to process what Rowan just said, before they burst with excitement all at once. The classroom explodes with dozens of children talking at once.

One girl raises her hand. It takes Rowan a second to notice, as she’s already preoccupied with grabbing her bag and getting ready to leave. She purses her lips for a second, a sort of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it display of annoyance.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Yes, Marie?

MARIE Don’t we need field trip slips?

Rowan gives an uncomfortable, forced smile and adjusts the bag on her shoulder. She just wants these kids to cooperate so she can get to the museum and do her research.

5.

ROWAN Normally, yes, but only if we’re going somewhere far away. Today we’re going to the Natural History Museum, which is only a few blocks from school. So we don’t need the permission slips!

Marie frowns. It doesn’t seem right, but she doesn’t say anything to question it.

MARIE Okay.

Rowan smiles, happy that the lie worked.

ROWAN Alright everybody, choose a partner and hold their hand! You’re responsible for making sure your buddy doesn’t get lost. Got it?

There’s a slight commotion as kids shuffle around. Plastic chairs scrape against the floor as the children pair up and link grubby hands.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Don’t get lost. If we can make it through today with no bad behavior, I’ll throw us a pizza party on Friday. Deal?

The kids start to CHEER, and Rowan grins. The bribe worked.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Alrighty then. Follow me, everybody!

Rowan holds the door open as the children file out of the classroom.

EXT. NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM - DAY

Rowan walks down the street at a pace that’s slightly too brisk for the kids following her. She doesn’t notice, though, as she’s much more invested in the directions on her phone.

After her phone emits a chipper BLEEP, Rowan stops on a dime, causing a few kids to bump into each other. Rowan looks up from her phone with a grin. Right across the street is the National History Museum, a huge, regal looking building made of marble brick.

6.

ROWAN We made it! Everyone still here?

She does a quick headcount, mouthing the numbers as she tiptoes to check the very back of the line. She nods.

The light at the intersection changes to green, and Rowan walks backwards across the street so she can talk to her class.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Okay! So here’s what we’re gonna do. I have some very important work I need to do in the museum, but I’m going to set you up with a nice tour guide! And then I’ll meet you afterwards, and we can do that pizza party on Friday. That sound good?

The kids exchange confused looks.

ROWAN (CONT’D) You all still have your buddies? Yeah? Good. Remember, don’t lose them. Just for today, that person is the most important person in the world to you. Don’t lose track of --

At that moment, Rowan’s back collides with NOAH (44, the kind of man you know reeks of alcohol just by looking at him).

Both Rowan and Noah stumble -- Rowan’s phone lands on the ground with a fatal CRACK, and Noah almost loses his grip on the huge duffle bag slung across his back. A couple items fall out of his bag and CLATTER onto the asphalt. A car HONKS at them.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Hey! Watch it!

She swoops to pick up her cracked phone from the street, desperately trying and failing to turn it on. It’s dead. She glares daggers at Noah, pinpointing her anger on him.

ROWAN (CONT’D) What the fuck, man?

Noah glares back.

NOAH Watch your language, girl. I don’t think you’re fit to be teaching these preschoolers.

7.

Noah bends down to pick up his fallen items: a spatula, a beat up wallet, and a toilet plunger. He places them carefully back in his overstuffed bag.

ROWAN They’re kindergarteners. And I don’t think you’re fit to be judging anyone. I bartend too, I can smell an alcoholic a mile away.

Noah shakes his head, rolling up a grimy sleeve to reveal hairy, scarred forearms. He gives a single humorless chuckle.

NOAH You think you’re better than everyone, yeah? That you’re always in the right? Well I’ve got news for you, kid. You keep living with your head up your ass and you’re gonna die sad and alone.

Rowan rolls her eyes, ushering her kids ahead of her across the street. The same car HONKS at the pair to get a move on, and she flips the driver off.

ROWAN Oh yeah? You think I should smile more, make myself all sweet and pretty and palatable so I can get a nice man to settle down with? Please, I hear enough of that from my mom already.

Noah crosses his arms.

NOAH Well maybe you should listen to her.

ROWAN Maybe you should mind your own business instead of giving unsolicited advice to strangers. Entitled prick.

Rowan turns away from him and continues across the street to catch up with her class. Noah shakes his head, yelling a final comment after her receding form.

NOAH What, your daddy never taught you any manners? Good to see that you’re the kind of person teaching the next generation.

8.

Rowan turns at that, walking backwards again to yell back a response with her arms spread wide.

ROWAN Hey man, from where I’m standing, you’re the one who’s gonna die sad and alone. So kindly fuck off! Have a nice life!

She flips him off before turning back around and hurrying over to her kids. They’re uncomfortably milling around the base of the museum steps, and they quietly follow her as she takes the lead and jogs up toward the front doors.

Behind them, traffic resumes as Noah finishes crossing the street, shaking his head. He opens up his wallet -- which is empty, save for a folded up photo that he pulls out. He looks at it for a beat before refolding it, carefully sticking it back into the wallet and pocketing it.

INT. NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM - DAY

Rowan enters the museum, which is bustling with people. She weaves her way through the crowd to the front desk, where she attempts to flag down a staff member.

ROWAN Excuse me! Excuse me --

She sighs. The staff member is too preoccupied with a clueless tourist to notice her. Rowan perks up when she sees a young tour guide, JACKIE (19, probably achieved way too much in high school), in the midst of giving a tour. Rowan practically runs over and taps her on the shoulder.

ROWAN (CONT’D) Excuse me -- Hi, how do I get a group tour?

JACKIE Uh, hi. You actually have to call and make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance, I can give you the number --

Rowan laughs strangely.

ROWAN Um, yeah, that doesn’t work for me. Can’t my group just tag along with you --

9.

JACKIE Ma’am, I’m sorry, but my tour group is already full. Now, I have a tight schedule, so did you still want the phone number or --

Rowan puts both her hands on Jackie’s shoulders, which startles her. Jackie is clearly uncomfortable by this point, and looks like she’s considering calling security.

ROWAN Listen --

Rowan scans the nametag on Jackie’s uniform.

ROWAN (CONT’D) --Jackie. I’m a kindergarten teacher. The damned district recently cut our funding, so I’ve really had to get down on my knees to make this little field trip work. And you, you’re young, you get the importance of education! You in college, Jackie?

Jackie blinks at her, taken aback.

JACKIE Uh, yeah.

ROWAN That’s great, that’s great. History major?

JACKIE Um, undeclared, actually.

ROWAN Hey, good for you! Exploring your options. Gotta expand your horizons, right? Well, this field trip could really open these kids’ eyes. Maybe it’ll inspire one of them to be a history major! How about that!

JACKIE Uh, yeah, that’d be cool.

ROWAN So please. Woman to woman. I get that you don’t make the rules, but can’t you pull a couple strings? For the kids?

10.

Rowan desperately searches for something in Jackie’s eyes. Jackie sighs, shoulders slumping.

JACKIE I’ll talk to my manager, see what I can do.

Rowan embraces Jackie, who’s as uncomfortable about the situation as ever.

ROWAN Thank you! I’ll just leave the kids with you, then --

JACKIE Wait, what?? You can’t just leave them --

The museum alarm BLARES then. People start rushing out the front door, and a few of Rowan’s students SCREAM in surprise. A security guard runs past Rowan and Jackie, talking hurriedly into his walkie talkie.

SECURITY GUARD Is the robber armed?

ROWAN What the -- this hasn’t happened before.

JACKIE This isn’t supposed to happen.

Rowan and Jackie whip their heads around upon hearing the other speak. They study each other with wide eyes for a beat.

JACKIE (CONT’D) This isn’t your first March 4th... is it?

An earthquake strikes, shaking the building and making more people SCREAM. Chaos erupts, but Rowan and Jackie remain relatively calm at the center of it all.

The volcano ERUPTS in the far distance, and Rowan watches the all-too-familiar gold stream spout from its core. Panicked museum goers stampede past her to get to the door, but Rowan stands in place, her hands still on Jackie’s shoulders.

Rowan checks her watch. It’s 3 PM -- hours before the volcano is supposed to erupt. She looks at Jackie.

ROWAN This definitely hasn’t happened before.

11.