Common Ground

Written by: Juana


Story Summary: Ben takes the decision out of Felicity’s hands after his jealousy causes him to lash out. But a close call for Felicity brings Ben closer to opening up and bonding in true friendship with Felicity. Noel releases Hannah because of his feelings for Felicity.

Disclaimer: Character belong to the WB. Except for the small secondary characters of Pete and Max.


FELICITY AND JULIE ARE SITTING IN HER ROOM. THEIR IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

FELICITY: Come in.

BEN OPENS DOOR AND WALKS IN.

BEN: Hey…I was hoping you would be here. Hey Julie.

JULIE: Hi…(watches Felicity and Ben staring at each other) I was just leaving.

FELICITY: (still staring at Ben) Okay…bye Julie.

JULIE WALKS OUT AND CLOSES DOOR.

BEN: I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go get a cup of coffee with me.

FELICITY: Um…sure, why not. I’ll just grab my coat.

FELICITY TURNS AROUND TO GET HER COAT. WHEN SHE TURNS BACK AROUND BEN IS RIGHT THERE.

FELICITY BUMPS INTO BEN.

FELICITY: Oh…sorry.

BEN: No problem…(Ben takes Felicity into his arms and begins kissing her)

FELICITY: (breaks away) Ben…I…I…still haven’t decided about us.

BEN: I know…I just needed to do that…I’m sorry.

FELICITY: No…please. Don’t be sorry.

BEN SMILES AND STARTS TO KISS FELICITY AGAIN.

NOEL WALKS IN WITH A GIRL.

NOEL: Oh…geez…I’m so….so…sorry. I just…well… I mean I…I’ll just come back later.

FELICITY: Noel wait…you can come in.

BEN: Yeah man…come in.

NOEL ENTERS WITH THE GIRL.

NOEL: Ok…well Felicity this is Story Maxwell the girl you agreed to host this weekend.

FELICITY: Wow…I’m sure I’ve made a great first impression.

STORY: Actually…I’m impressed…(to Noel) Does every room come with a good looking  guy like him?

BEN LAUGHS.

BEN: Actually…I’m Felicity’s boyfriend…I mean boy…friend. A boy who is a friend. That’s it.

STORY: Bummer…(to Noel) Any chance of negotiating a bed warmer like him?

NOEL: Not to the best of my knowledge…I’ll have to get double check the application rules…and get back to you.

FELICITY: Story…we were just about to go…get some coffee…would you like to join us?

STORY: An erotic greeting and a caffeine fix? I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.

FELICITY: Okay…good. Noel would you like to come?

NOEL: Sure…if Ben doesn’t mind.

BEN: Any reason I should?

NOEL: Not unless you want Felicity all to yourself.

STORY: Oh…male bonding is so intoxicating. Speaking of intoxicating…Any great dance clubs around here?

NOEL: Clubs?…it’s New York…what do you think?

STORY: Will we get to see any celebrities? I heard Leo lives in New York.

NEXT SCENE: JULIE IS PLAYING HER GUITAR IN THE MEETING ROOM. COLE WALKS IN.

COLE: Julie?…(waits) Julie?

JULIE: (looks up) What?…Cole…what are you doing here?

COLE: I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you.

JULIE: Me?…sure. What’s up?

COLE: I’m just going to cut straight to the point here. I know that you are dating Zack…and that Zack is my friend…but I really like you.

JULIE: What?

COLE: I want to get to know you better.

JULIE: Wow…Cole I’m flattered to say the least…but I really like Zack.

COLE: Won’t you even consider giving us a chance?

JULIE: Um…no. I’m sorry.

COLE: I see.

COLE WALKS AWAY. CUT TO FELICITY, BEN, NOEL AND STORY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE.

FELICITY: So Story…that’s an unusual name…what’s the…ok absolutely no pun intended here….but what’s the story behind it?

STORY: Well my mom and dad were comedians…literally comedians…that was their job… and the day my mom found out she was pregnant my dad came home and told her all about the bad day he had and she responded with “If you think your day was exciting…boy have I got a story for you…and the rest is history.

NOEL: Funny…almost the exact reason I imagined.

FELICITY: So why do you want to attend the University of New York?

STORY: Why does anybody…why did you?

FELICITY AND BEN LOOK AT EACH OTHER. NOEL COUGHS.

FELICITY: It’s a long….reason.

STORY: I have the whole weekend. Come on tell me. I’m curious.

FELICITY: Maybe later.

STORY: Okay…I promise you I’ll hound you till I know.

FELICITY: Some how…I’m sure you will.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY AND STORY ARE SITTING IN HER ROOM. MEGAN WALKS IN.

FELICITY: Megan…hi. This is Story…she’s a host student this weekend.

MEGAN: Is there any lame ass human help program you won’t sign up for? Keep her on your side of the room…got it?

FELICITY: Sure…no problem.

MEGAN LEAVES THE ROOM.

STORY: Ooh…I hope if I decide to go here I get a roomie just like her.

FELICITY LAUGHS. MEGAN POPS BACK IN.

MEGAN: I heard that! (slams door)

STORY AND FELICITY BUST OUT LAUGHING.

NEXT SCENE: IT IS LATE AT NIGHT AND FELICITY HEARS NOISES IN THE ROOM.

FELICITY: Megan…is that you?

STORY: No…it’s just me and Eduardo.

FELICITY: (Flips on light) Eduardo?

STORY: Hey…Felicity this is Eduardo.

EDUARDO AND STORY CAN’T KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF EACH OTHER.

FELICITY: I can see that Story…what is Eduardo doing in my room?

EDUARDO: Oooh…Senorita if you are feeling lonely…you are welcome to join me and my new chiquita in a little lovemaking.

FELICITY: Ok…apparently you have mistaken this room for some kind of palace of pleasure…GET OUT NOW!

STORY: What’s your trauma? I didn’t think you would mind…after what I saw this afternoon when I got here.

FELICITY: You saw a kiss…a friendly kiss….it was harmless…Eduardo here is planning a smut fest….Hey get off of Megan’s bed…she’ll kill you….don’t touch that box!

STORY: Come on Felicity…be a good host. Just give us a half-hour and I promise you Eduardo will be gone.

FELICITY: Absolutely not…I’m going to get Noel…when I get back he had better be gone.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY BARGES INTO NOEL’S ROOM.

FELICITY: Wake up Noel.

NOEL: (turns over and put head under pillow) Go away!

FELICITY: (pulls pillow off of him) Noel…this is important.

NOEL: So is my sleep…if I don’t get a good eight hours…well you just don’t want that to happen.

FELICITY: Please Noel…I wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t important.

NOEL: (Sits up in bed) What is it?

FELICITY: It’s Story…she went clubbing and she brought a guy back to the room.

NOEL: Wow…really? We’ll what do you want me to do?

FELICITY: Kick him out!…there has to be some sort of dorm rule against it.

NOEL: A dorm rule about guys and girls in the same room together…you’re kidding right?

FELICITY: You mean…I have to let her do this.

NOEL: Well you should probably talk to her…now’s probably not the best time.

FELICITY: Eewww…It’s not fair. I haven’t even….well you know….done that….in there.

NOEL: Ok…that’s really much more information then I need.

FELICITY: Where am I suppose to stay?

NOEL: You can crash here if you want…

FELICITY: You really wouldn’t mind?

NOEL: As long as you understand…I’m not sleeping on the floor and I…snore.

FELICITY: Thanks Noel.

FELICITY LAYS DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED AND GOES TO SLEEP.

NEXT SCENE: EARLY MORNING. NOEL IS SPOONING WITH FELICITY. NOELS DOOR IS OPENED AND A GIRL JUMPS IN YELLING SURPRISE.

HANNAH: Surprise!….oh my god…what’s going on here?

NOEL BOLTS UP AS WELL AS FELICITY.

NOEL: Hannah!

FELICITY: Whose Hannah?

HANNAH: Noel…what the hell are you doing with a girl in your bed?

FELICITY: It’s not what you think….I just asked him If I could share his bed….I mean…use him…I mean use his bed…

NOEL: I’m pretty sure you’ve said enough Felicity.

HANNAH: Felicity?…this is Felicity?

NOEL: Hannah can we discuss this more privately…like with the door closed.

FELICITY: Can I go first.

NOEL: Sure what did you want to say?

FELICITY: No I mean…can I leave before you close the door?

HANNAH: I think that would be a good idea.

NEXT SCENE: JULIE WALKS UP TO FELICITY IN CAFETERIA.

JULIE: Hey Felicity…can I talk to you for a minute?

FELICITY: Sure what’s up…hey is it just me or is everyone and I mean everyone staring at me?

JULIE: I heard something today…something well…kind of surprising.

FELICITY: What are you talking about Julie?

JULIE: I heard that you and Noel were sleeping together and his girlfriend walked in on you.

FELICITY: Who told you that?

JULIE: Everyone…my roommate….Zack….the mailroom clerk. You name it.

FELICITY: This is so horrible. Please tell me you don’t believe the rumors.

JULIE: We’ll I know that Noel likes you…but I kind of thought you were going to work it out with Ben.

FELICITY: Oh my god Ben…do you think he’s heard this too?

STORY AND BEN WALK INTO THE CAFETERIA. A GUY FROM BEN’S ENGLISH CLASS STOPS HIM AND TELL’S HIM THE RUMOR.

JULIE: Yeah…I’d say he’s heard.

BEN TURNS AROUND AND WALKS OUT. STORY COMES OVER TO THE TABLE.

STORY: Wow…is it true….did you do the RA while his girlfriend was in the room?

FELICITY: What?…No! Is that what that guy told Ben?

STORY: Yeah…something like that.

FELICITY: I have to go find Ben…Story stay here with Julie…you’ve caused enough trouble already.

STORY: I don’t need a babysitter.

FELICITY: Just stay!

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY IS RUNNING DOWN THE HALL AND RUNS INTO NOEL.

NOEL: Whoa…slow down…

FELICITY: Sorry…I was looking for Ben…have you seen him?

NOEL: No…I don’t think so. Is everything all right?

BEN COMES AROUND CORNER AT THAT POINT AND SEES FELICITY AND NOEL TALKING.

FELICITY: (sees Ben behind Noel) Ben…can we please….

NOEL TURNS AROUND AT THE MENTION OF BEN’S NAME AND BEN PUNCHES HIM.

FELICITY: Ben…why did you do that…Noel are you okay?

BEN: (to Felicity) As far as I’m concerned…you’ve made your choice…whatever it was that we were doing…well it’s…it’s done.

FELICITY: (has Noel’s’ head in her lap) Ben…please wait…(get’s up and Noel’s head hits the floor)

NOEL: Ouch!

FELICITY: Noel…I’m sorry…I’ve got to go talk to Ben.

NOEL WAVES FELICITY OFF JUST AS JULIE COMES THROUGH THE CAFETERIA DOOR.

JULIE: (to Noel) Are you okay?

NOEL: Nothing a little cyanide wouldn’t cure.

NEXT SCENE: NOEL IS SITTING IN HIS ROOM NURSING HIS WOUNDED NOSE AND HANNAH WALKS IN.

HANNAH: Julie called me at my hotel…are you okay?

NOEL: I’m sure it’s nothing you feel I don’t deserve.

HANNAH: True…but it would have been so much more rewarding if I could have actually done it myself.

NOEL: Did you come here to gloat?

HANNAH: No…I came here to be a friend…because no matter what else happens…you'restill my best friend.

NOEL: I’m so sorry Hannah…I never meant to hurt you.

HANNAH: I know…we both knew this would be hard. I just can’t believe it’s over.

NOEL: I know I can’t either…I’ll always love you.

HANNAH: So are you going to start dating Felicity?

NOEL: Probably not…I don’t know.

HANNAH: It’s seems so unfair that this is all over for a feeling. I mean what if she never returns your affections…then what.

NOEL: Hannah…if it wasn’t Felicity…it would be someone else…maybe this time for you. It’s just too hard to do this with you long distance.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY IS RINGING BEN’S BUZZER.

SEAN: Yes?

FELICITY: Sean? It’s Felicity…buzz me up.

SEAN: I’m sorry Felicity…I can’t do that…Ben’s orders.

FELICITY: Well then can I please talk to him?

SEAN: Just a second…(Sean is gone for a few minutes) Sorry Felicity he say’s he doesn’t want to talk to you.

FELICITY: This is ridiculous…just leave the intercom on then so I can say something.

SEAN: All right.

FELICITY: Ben…BEN! God I hope you can hear this. I know you think something happened with me and Noel…but it didn’t.

PEOPLE ARE WALKING BY ON THE STREET GIVING FELICITY WEIRD LOOKS.

BEN IS STANDING BY THE INTERCOM LISTENING.

FELICITY: Ben…please don’t make me explain this over the intercom.

INTERCOM CLICKS OFF. FELICITY STARTS FRANTICALLY RINGING THE BUZZER.

FELICITY: Ben!…Ben!…Ben!

BEN WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEX DOOR.

BEN: You're going to break that.

FELICITY: Ben…thank god.

BEN: Look Felicity…I just came down here to tell you…don’t do this. I owe my room mates that.

FELICITY: Ben if you would just let me explain…I could straighten everything out.

BEN: There’s nothing to straighten out…it doesn’t matter to me anymore.

FELICITY: How can you say that?

BEN: Because I reached the point.

FELICITY: The point?

BEN: I just think I read a lot into my feelings because of the circumstances. College being so new and you being the only familiar face.

FELICITY: I don’t follow you.

BEN: Felicity…I know you want me to be this great guy you imagined…but I’m not. I don’t want this complicated mess that your making of my life. Did you know I haven’t hit a guy since the seventh grade. I’m in college and you have me acting like I did in junior high.

FELICITY: I did not ask you to do that…you did that all on your own.

BEN: That’s my point. I’m making out like a teenager. I’m running around socking guys cause I think they messed around with my girl. I just want to be a college guy. Going to parties…picking up a different girl every time I go out. No strings…no complications.

FELICITY: What am I suppose to do with this information?

BEN: Whatever you want…because this is what I intend to do.

BEN TURNS AROUND AND WALKS BACK INTO APARTMENT.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY WALKS INTO HER ROOM AND STORY IS THERE WITH MEGAN AND THEY ARE BOTH SITTING ON HER BED WITH THE BOX OPEN…LAUGHING. AS SOON AS FELICITY COMES IN MEGAN SLAMS THE BOX  SHUT.

FELICITY: I do not care what is in that stupid box!

MEGAN: So you say. I think I’ll just follow my instincts on this one. (megan locks the box and puts it back into closet)

STORY: So how did it go with Benji?

FELICITY: Horrible…he hates me. This is all your fault you know.

STORY: Not following you…my fault?

FELICITY: If you hadn’t brought Eduardo home…I wouldn’t have stayed the night at Noel’s and none of this would have happened.

STORY: We’ll sure if you think about it in those terms…but nothing happened with you and the RA so Benji should be okay.

FELICITY: It was sort of the final straw thing…you know?

STORY: Nuff said…you know what you need?

FELICITY: What?

STORY: A night out with the girls. Meg and I are going to the “Boombox”…you should come too.

FELICITY: I don’t know.

STORY: Come on…we’ll raise the roof.

FELICITY: All right…Can Julie come too?

MEGAN: So long as she understands…I don’t like her…she’s too Pollyanna…kind of like you.

FELICITY: Ok.

NEXT SCENE: MEGAN, STORY, FELICITY AND JULIE ARE AT THE BOOMBOX.

STORY: This place is premium. I love this song. Come on Megan lets dance.

STORY AND MEGAN GO OUT TO THE DANCE FLOOR. JULIE AND FELICITY ARE SITTING AT A TABLE.

WAITRESS: What can I get you to drink?

FELICITY: Nothing thanks.

WAITRESS: We have a three drink minimum.

FELICITY: Oh…ok…I guess I’ll have a strawberry daiquiri.

WAITRESS: Ok…and for you?(to Julie)

JULIE: A Long island ice tea please.

FELICITY: What’s in a Long Island Ice Tea?

JULIE: A little bit of everything…I’ll let you taste.

FELICITY: (to waitress) No wait…I’ll have one of those too.

WAITRESS: Cancel daiquiri…two Long Islands.

WAITRESS WALKS AWAY.

GUY WALKS UP TO JULIE AND FELICITY.

MAX: (to Julie) Would you like to dance?

JULIE: Sure…(to Felicity) I’ll be back.

FELICITY: Have a good time.

FELICITY IS SITTING AT TABLE. WAITRESS WALKS UP AND BRINGS DRINKS.

WAITRESS: That will be $7.00.

FELICITY: (digs in purse) Here you go…thanks.

GUY WALKS UP TO FELICITY.

PETE: Hi.

FELICITY: Hi.

PETE: My names Pete…what’s yours?

FELICITY: Felicity.

PETE: Well…Felicity would you like to dance?

FELICITY: Sure.

FELICITY WALKS AWAY WITH PETE TO DANCE. A GUY COMES UP TO TABLE AND POURS SOMETHING INTO JULIE’S DRINK. STIRS IT UP AND LEAVES.

JULIE: (to Max) Thanks for the dance.

MAX: Sure…mind if I sit with you for a while?

JULIE: Okay…would you like a drink?

MAX: Sure…but I’ll get my own don’t worry.

JULIE STARTS TO TAKE A SIP OF HER DRINK AS MAX WATCHES HER. FELICITY AND PETE COME OFF DANCE FLOOR. FELICITY TAKES DRINK FROM JULIE AND TAKES A LARGE SIP.

FELICITY: Thanks…I needed that.

JULIE: Max this is Felicity and Pete.

PETE: Hey man….what are you doing here?

JULIE: You two know each other?

MAX: Yeah…were old dorm mates.

FELICITY STARTS TO DRINK HER DRINK. BEN WALKS INTO THE BAR WITH HIS ROOM MATE SEAN. FELICITY SEES HIM. BEN WALKS OVER.

BEN: Hey…I didn’t expect to see you here?

FELICITY: We came with Story and Megan.

BEN: Well…you have a good time.

FELICITY: Don’t worry…I will.

BEN WALKS AWAY.

STORY AND MEGAN WALK UP

MAX: Any clues as to who that was?

JULIE: It’s her old boyfriend.

FELICITY: He wasn’t my boyfriend…just a guy I dated.

JULIE: And followed three thousand miles to college.

MAX AND PETE BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN MEGAN WALKS UP.

STORY: Ben’s the reason you came to the University of New York….that’s priceless.

MEGAN: You hauled your cookies all the way to New York for Tiger Beat boy?

FELICITY: You make it sound so pathetic.

MEGAN: Perhaps because…it is.

MAX: Could you ladies please excuse us for a moment?

MAX AND PETE WALK AWAY.

MEGAN: So what were you two doing with the roofie boys?

JULIE: The who?

MEGAN: God you really are Pollyanna…New York is going to have you for breakfast.

FELICITY: What are you talking about?

MEGAN: That was Max Tripp and Pete Bitterman…they’re brothers in a fraternity…I can’t remember what the real name is…most people just call it the roofie house.

JULIE: Why?

MEGAN: Because all the frat boys used roofies on their dates…it’s a drug that causes….hey you don’t look so good.

FELICITY: I don’t feel so good….everything is spinning.

MEGAN: (to Julie) Did you guys ever leave your drinks alone?

JULIE: When we were dancing.

MEGAN: Felicity…can you hear me?

FELICITY: What?…everything is fuzzy…what’s wrong? (Felicity tries to stand up and passes out)

MEGAN: She is going to have one major hang-over.

BEN WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING FELICITY. WATCHES HER PASS OUT AND RUNS OVER.

BEN: (bends down) Felicity?…what happened to her?

MEGAN: Some guys roofed her.

BEN: What?…who?

JULIE: Is she going to be okay?

MEGAN: She’ll be fine…nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.

NEXT SCENE: BEN IS EXITING THE ELEVATOR WITH A STILL UNCONCIOUS FELICITY. ENTERS HIS APARTMENT AND TAKES HER TO HIS ROOM. LAYS HER ON BED.

FELICITY: (stirring) Where am I?

BEN: At my place…just try and get some sleep. I’ll be on the couch if you need anything.

FELICITY: Please…stay with me. I don’t feel very good.

BEN: I don’t think that such a good idea…I promise if you need me…I’ll just be one room away.

FELICITY: Please…don’t leave.

BEN: Felicity…I can’t stay…you need to get some sleep.

FELICITY TURNS OVER AND STARTS CRYING. BEN STARTS OUT THE DOOR. BUT INSTEAD OF EXITING CLOSES IT. FRUSTRATED HE WALKS BACK OVER TO THE BED AND LAYS DOWN PUTTING HIS ARMS AROUND FELICITY.

BEN: It’s gonna be okay.

FELICITY: Thank you Ben…for being there for me.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY WAKES UP IN BEN’S ARMS. SHE CAREFULLY GETS UP AND LEAVES. LEAVING BEN A NOTE.

NEXT SCENE: JULIE IS KNOCKING ON FELICITY’S DOOR. MEGAN ANSWERS.

MEGAN: This had better be good.

JULIE: I was just checking on Felicity…is she back yet.

MEGAN: No…now go away.

JULIE: Is Story here?

MEGAN: She’s asleep…don’t you have someone else you could annoy?

MEGAN SLAMS DOOR. FELICITY COMES WALKING DOWN CORRIDOR. JULIE SEES HER AND GOES UP TO HER.

JULIE: Are you okay?

FELICITY: What happened last night?…why was I at Ben’s this morning?

JULIE: What do you remember?

FELICITY: I remember dancing with some guy…then it just seems really fuzzy.

JULIE: That guy you danced with drugged you.

FELICITY: Why would someone do that?

JULIE: Megan said the frat house uses it…I guess it called the date-rape drug.

FELICITY: Your kidding…where does Ben fit into all this?

NEXT SCENE: BEN IS READING THE NOTE FELICITY LEFT FOR HIM.

FELICITY: (VOICE-OVER) Ben…I can not for the life of me imagine how I got here. I know there must be a good explanation…but it’s all kind of fuzzy. I’m sure somehow I owe you some sort of gratitude. I’m really sorry if I involved you in yet another mess in my life. We’ll anyway I guess that’s it. Thanks, Felicity.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY IS IN HER ROOM. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

FELICITY: (opens door) Hey Noel…what’s up?

NOEL: Can I come in?

FELICITY: Sure…what’s on your mind?

NOEL: I heard about last night…are you okay?

FELICITY: I’m fine…really. I understand it could have been a lot worse…but I’m fine.

NOEL: Are you going to report them?

MEGAN WALKS OUT OF HER CLOSET.

MEGAN: I already did…last night to the bartender…he’s obligated to report it and keep them from coming into the club again.

FELICITY: Thanks…thanks a lot.

MEGAN: This doesn’t change the way I feel about you…so don’t go getting any ideas were friends now. You stay on your side of the room and I’ll stay on mine.

FELICITY: Sure…Okay.

NEXT SCENE: COLE IS AT THE FRAT HOUSE TALKING TO MAX AND PETE.

COLE: So what happened? I paid you good money to get Julie here last night.

MAX: No good…you didn’t tell us Megan Rotundi was going to be there with her.

COLE: Who the hell is Meagen Rotundi?

PETE: She knows us you dufus…she got us banned from the bar for the little stunt you paid us to do…so sorry but no refund.

COLE: Well I want my money’s worth…so think up another way to get Julie here…understand?

MAX: Look man it’s not happening…maybe you should just try this little plan on your own…Pete and I are out.

NEXT SCENE: BEN IS KNOCKING ON FELICITY’S DOOR. NOEL ANSWERS IT.

BEN: Hey…is Felicity here?

NOEL: She should be back in just a second…she went with Julie to the nurse to get checked out.

BEN: Okay….thanks. Hey man sorry about the punch.

NOEL: It’s okay…I’ll be fine as soon as I get over the….well the humiliation.

BEN: Look…I know were not friends…

NOEL: No were not.

BEN: I just wanted to ask you to look after Felicity…you know make sure something like this doesn’t happen to her again.

NOEL: I would have done that anyway.

BEN: Good…she needs someone solid like you.

FELICITY, JULIE AND STORY ARE WALKING DOWN CORRIDOR. BEN AND NOEL SEE THEM.

FELICITY: Ben…what are you doing here?

BEN: I really just wanted to make sure you were okay.

FELICITY: I’m fine…really. Julie told me what you did for me last night…Thanks.

BEN: Your welcome…we’ll I have to go. I’ll see you around.

FELICITY: Yeah….I’ll see you around.

NOEL: I really hate to say this but…that guy really cares about you.

FELICITY: Yeah…lot of good that does me…(to Julie) How am I ever suppose to get over him?

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY IS DOING A RECORDING TO SALLY.

FELICITY: Sally…for the first time in a very long time…I’m speechless. I want to be this strong person…but last night made me realize I’m really not. I think about how bad this whole situation with the drugged drink could have turned out and I get really…really scared. The last time I felt this way though you were there for me….remember?

NEXT SCENE: NOEL IS RINGING THE BUZZER AT BEN’S.

BEN: (over intercom) Yeah.

NOEL: Ben it’s Noel…I need to talk to you.

BEN: I don’t think so man.

NOEL: It’s important.

BEN: And it’s about Felicity…right?

NOEL: Well…yes.

BEN: Noel…I appreciate that you want Felicity to be happy…That’s really all I want too.

NOEL: Then talk to me.

BEN: I’m not that person Noel…the one to make her happy…believe me.

NOEL: Felicity thinks you are.

BEN: I’m not…Felicity doesn’t know me as well as she seems to think she does…tell her that.

NEXT SCENE: FELICITY IS SITTING IN LUNCHROOM. JULIE WALKS UP WITH STORY.

JULIE: Hey.

FELICITY: Hey…what’s going on?

STORY: It’s time for me to say goodbye…I had a great time…and I’m going to apply here next year.

FELICITY: That’s great.

STORY: I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you and Benji.

FELICITY: Thanks.

BEN WALKS INTO LUNCHROOM. STORY SEES HIM.

STORY: Hey…there he is now.

BEN WALKS OVER.

BEN: Hey…Julie…Story…(locks eyes with Felicity) Felicity…how’s it going?

FELICITY: Fine.

BEN: (to Felicity) How are you feeling?

FELICITY: I’m okay…thanks.

BEN: We’ll I should probably go…

FELICITY: I know…you have a lot of studying to do.

BEN: Right.

BEN STARTS TO WALK AWAY. FELICITY GETS UP TO GO AFTER HIM AND RUNS INTO PETE FROM THE CLUB.

FELICITY: You!…what are you doing here? (Ben turns around when he hears this.)

PETE: It’s not what you think…

BEN THEN JULIE  RUN TO FELICITY’S SIDE.

JULIE: Ben that’s him…the guy who drugged Felicity.

BEN: (to Pete) Is that true?

PETE: It’s not what you think man.

BEN: I think what you did was illegal…and that you deserve to be beaten to with in a inch of your life…that’s what I’m thinking.

PETE: I came here to apologize…and that is all.

FELICITY: (to Pete) What you did to me was horrible…and what you probably intended to do was worse…I’m sorry but I refuse to make this any easier for you….or to alleviate your guilty concious.

BEN: My advice to you is to leave…before I do something you may regret.

PETE : Fine…I came here to help you and Julie…but if that’s your attitude.

BEN: That’s it. (Ben punches Pete and sends him to the floor) I suggest if you don’t want more…you just crawl out of here.

PETE GETS UP AND WALKS OUT HOLDING HIS BLOODY NOSE.

FELICITY: Thank you Ben.

BEN PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND FELICITY AND SHE STARTS TO WEEP.

NEXT SCENE: FELCITY IS RECORDING TO SALLY.

FELICITY: Everyone thinks I need help…that this has affected me worse than I’ll say. I guess it’s really just a trust issue. Seeing Pete at school…near where I live…having no remorse….it eats away at me that I was such an easy target.  I’ve started to feel like that’s how everyone views me now….as the victim…again.

THERE IS A KNOCK AT FELCITY’S DOOR.

FELICITY: Just a second…(shuts of recorder…goes to open door) Ben…come in.

BEN: I hope I’m not interrupting anything…you weren’t in class today….so I offered to bring the assignment to you.

FELICITY: Thanks…that was very sweet of you.

BEN: So…what did you do today?

FELICITY: I just hung around here…recorded a tape to Sally…I wasn’t feeling well…that’s the only reason I missed class…I know your concerned Ben…but I’m fine.

BEN: I’m not here to preach to you Felicity…I’m here as a friend….I understand what it’s like to lose that element of safety…I just don’t want you to feel like this is your problem alone…people care about you.

FELICITY: I just need to work through this Ben…What Charlie tried to do to me was wrong and I don’t think talking about it is going to help.

BEN: Charlie?…whose Charlie? I thought his name was Pete.

FELICITY: That’s what I meant…what Pete tried to do.

BEN: But that’s not what you said…what’s going on here Felicity?

FELICITY: It’s nothing…really.

BEN: Felicity…whose Charlie?

FELICITY: I don’t want to talk about this Ben…the only person I’ve told was Sally.

BEN: I know I’m no substitute for Sally…but I’m willing to listen.

FELICITY: All right…it happened my junior year…a senior named Charlie Phillips asked me out on a date.

BEN: You went out with Charlie Phillips?

FELICITY: You know him?

BEN: I know of him…I’ve always thought he was kind of a jerk.

FELICITY: We’ll what I’m about to tell you will confirm it.

BEN: Did he hurt you?

FELICITY: He wanted to have sex with me…I said no and he got….we’ll aggressive. Luckily he was so drunk I was able to fend him off….Sally was really there for me and she helped me get through it. I mean nothing really happened…but I became completely reserved. I refused any dates and just studied.

BEN: So that’s why you didn’t go to parties your senior year?

FELICITY: Yes…mostly.

BEN: I wish we had been friends….it’s funny but I can almost remember watching you become withdrawn…I just thought it was my imagination and that you had always been shy. 

FELICITY: I wish we had been friends too…but a lot worse things have happened to people than what happened to me.

BEN: Felicity what Charlie tried to do was out of line….you shouldn’t think it’s any less of a crime because he wasn’t successful. Just the attempt alone to hurt you was enough to shatter your trust….that’s a tragic event.

FELICITY: I really thought it was long buried for me…I swore to never be the victim again…but bingo here I am back in the hot seat.

BEN: I understand…believe me as the sole owner of the hot seat…I know what it does to relationships and trust…we can work through this together…because we are friends now.

FELICITY: Where do we start?

BEN: We already have…coming to New York…that’s a huge step….we just need to talk to each other…because I trust you and I hope you trust me…I would never hurt you.

FELICITY: (hugs Ben) I’m so very lucky to have a friend like you.

BEN: Ditto…I’ve always had friends…but never a close one…never one I trusted enough to tell everything….until now.

SALLY: (VOICE OVER) Felicity…tragedy brings two souls together…very poetic. I regret that I can’t be there for you this time….but I think spending this time with another victim…Ben… will be very much a growing experience for you. Remember to forgive yourself…this is not you…this is someone else’s problem that they dragged you into. You are the victim….not the reason. I feel much better knowing there are so many people looking after you…Friends are the key to life. Each one opens a different door to you and each one is unique and has a different lesson to teach you.


Next Story