ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay by Mehul Desai Read Free Book Online Page A

of her.
     
    Two women approach, gossiping amongst themselves. Arianna refills their drinks, keeping her head low. The women move off, neither acknowledging her.
     
    Dance floor, Sophie, 21, turns and smiles, offering her hand.
     
    SOPHIE: No more waiting.
     
    Kylan rolls his eyes and sets down his drink.
     
    Sophie draws him onto the dance floor and twirls under his arm.
     
    Arianna looks across at them.
     
    Everyone clapping and cheering as the two dance hand in hand.
     
    A perfect couple.
     
    On the far side of the square two teenage girls turn their heads and smile as tall broad shouldered figure approaches.
     
    RIVALEN, late 20s, nods at the two girls as he passes.
     
    RIVALEN: Miladies.
     
    The girls blush.
     
    Rivalen smiles, sipping his beer.
     
    Dance floor, the band finish the song, everyone applauding.
     
    Sophie hugs Kylan and kisses his cheek.
     
    SOPHIE: (low) I need to speak with you. In
    private.
     
    Kylan nods, allowing her to lead him away.
     
    Tuck stumbles by and trips into Rivalen, almost spilling his drink.
     
    TUCK: Sorry, I'm sorry.
     
    Rivalen laughs, helping him stand.
     
    RIVALEN: That's perfectly fine my friend.
     
    TUCK: (moving off) Towani, pour me
    another beer!
     
    Rivalen turns his head and sees Arianna by the punch table.
     
    Her pale hair drawing his attention.
     
    Sophie looks through the crowds, still holding Kylan's hand.
     
    KYLAN: (beat) Is it your father? I can meet
    you somewhere if you prefer.
     
    SOPHIE: That may be wise.
     
    She points to an small alley to the side.
     
    SOPHIE (CONT'D): Give me a minute.
     
    She releases his hand and draws back.
     
    SOPHIE (CONT'D): (smiling) I'll pass by
    him with Sebille then come around.
     
    Kylan smiles.
     
    A shadow falls over Arianna's table.
     
    She reaches out for the glass then stops.
     
    Rivalen smiles.
     
    RIVALEN: Good evening.
     
    Arianna looks up at him, surprised to be seen let alone spoken to.
     
    RIVALEN (CONT'D): What's your name?
     
    Arianna lowers her eyes, uncomfortable with the attention.
     
    RIVALEN (CONT'D): (smiles) What is it, are
    you afraid to talk?
     
    A hand squeezes his ass.
     
    Rivalen looks back and sees Sebille walking away with Sophie.
     
    He turns back to Arianna and smiles again but she's already back to serving others.
     
    He draws back, curious eyes still on her.
     
    Arianna glances at him as he goes, relieved to be left alone.
     
    EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY
     
    Kylan reaches into his pocket and takes out Alana's silver ring, the music from the Festival just around the corner.
     
    He looks down at the ring and takes a deep breath.
     
    EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ELLORA - NIGHT
     
    Tuck slouches on a bench, a glass of ale still in hand.
     
    Rivalen takes a seat beside him. His eyes still on Arianna across the square.
     
    TUCK: (toasts, drunk) To a good harvest.
     
    He taps his glass against Rivalen's.
     
    RIVALEN: (smiles) A good harvest. (sips)
    Tell me my friend. (nods to Arianna) Who is
    the fair haired one? She doesn't appear to be
    from these parts.
     
    TUCK: She's not, she's a Nomad.
     
    RIVALEN: A Nomad? In Ellora?
     
    TUCK: A friend of mine (burps) His family
    found her when she was 8 or 9, took her in as
    a servant girl.
     
    Rivalen looks at her again.
     
    RIVALEN: Intriguing.
     
    TUCK: They marked her too. The Nomads I
    mean.
     
    RIVALEN: In what way?
     
    TUCK: Her face, that's why she hides it.
     
    He finishes his drink and tries to stand.
     
    TUCK (CONT'D): Hey Sebille! Care to
    dance?
     
    Sebille heads back to the dance floor.
     
    SEBILLE: No Tuck.
     
    Tuck goes after her.
     
    Rivalen slowly looks back at Arianna.
     
    Her long hair draped over the left side of her face.
     
    CUT TO.
     
    EXT. QUIET SIDE ALLEY
     
    Footsteps.
     
    Kylan turns.
     
    He drops the ring back into his pocket as Sophie emerges from a side street, checking the far end of the alley
     
    SOPHIE: I don't think father saw me.
     
    KYLAN: If he did I doubt I'd still be