Scene: Café Serra – Friday Evening
G.I. Joe sits across from Nelly, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. He looks tired, like the weight of the world—and maybe his wallet—is pressing down on him. Nelly watches him, sensing there’s something on his mind. Finally, he exhales and leans forward.
G.I. Joe:
“I couldn’t stay for the full opening of Invictus… My Croatian soldiers crippled some Canadian soldiers. I didn’t want to rub salt in the wound.”
Nelly raises an eyebrow, sensing the guilt behind his words. Joe sighs, shaking his head.
“And paying for those tickets made me broke.”
Nelly smirks slightly, resting her chin on her hand.
Nelly: (Teasing.)
“So, what, you’re living off rations now?”
G.I. Joe: (Chuckling.)
“Basically. But I did manage to get tickets to the volleyball match on Saturday—February 15th, 8:20 a.m. Only ones that weren’t sold out.”
Nelly: (Playfully dramatic.)
“Oh wow, prime time.”
G.I. Joe: (Rolling his eyes.)
“Yeah, yeah. Not exactly the Super Bowl, but at least I got something.”
He pauses, drumming his fingers on the table before finally looking her in the eye.
“But there’s something else… My little brother’s getting married that same day. St. Joseph’s. 1 p.m. You know that church, right?”
Nelly nods slowly, remembering.
Nelly: (Softly.)
“That’s where we met.”
G.I. Joe: (Nods.)
“Yeah… And I don’t wanna be that guy—the loser who shows up alone to another wedding.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“I always am.”
Nelly leans back, watching him. There’s something real in his voice—something vulnerable. She takes a sip of her drink, letting the moment hang for a second before finally responding.
Nelly: (Smirking.)
“Well, Joe… are you asking me to be your date, or just hoping I read between the lines?”
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene: A Quiet Park Bench – Nighttime
Joe and Nelly sit side by side, the cold night air wrapping around them. The distant hum of the city fades into the background. Nelly’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, her hands clenched together in her lap. Finally, she breaks the silence, her voice trembling.
Nelly: (Sobbing.)
“All I wanted was a cure… but instead, they put me in the psych ward.”
Joe stays silent, letting her speak. She shakes her head, wiping her tears angrily.
“I will only date a guy who will never put me there.”
She turns to Joe, her eyes searching his face, desperate for something real.
“You’re a guy in the same boat… so I trust you.”
Joe exhales, running a hand through his hair. He doesn’t have the right words—he never does. But he knows one thing:
“Nelly… I’m not gonna let them lock you away again.”
She studies him, looking for any hesitation, any trace of doubt. There’s none. Slowly, she nods, resting her head against his shoulder. The world may be against them, but at least, for now, they have each other.
FADE TO BLACK.