And here we are in the month of Love. All at once the most powerful of emotions, a force so powerful that it has ended empires, influenced history, and become the inspiration for some of the most beloved stories of all time. It’s also something I can’t imagine my life without as the love I feel for and from others is a defining fuel source for my SPARK.

To kick off my February posts, I’ve decided to share the next couple of scenes from the film script I’m writing (and if you need a refresher, here’s the first scene). As a gay man, I have been so inspired by the many recent stories that have been told on stage, screen and TV about gay relationships, and in ways that finally go beyond the coming out trope and into everyday normal parts of our lives. My script is very much in this genre.

Arthur kneels and places Ben back on the ground, snapping a leash onto Ben’s harness. Back on the ground, Ben continues exploring his surroundings, then pulls Arthur forward. Arthur and Jane continue along the path, passing various PEOPLE and DOGS of all abilities, colors, shapes, heights and ages.

JANE
So Arthur, have you thought any more about Sarah’s offer to set you up with...what is it this time? Her doctor’s brother?

ARTHUR
Yeah, that’s a no.

JANE
You mean you don’t want a repeat of the last blind date she set you up on?

ARTHUR
Haha, very funny! I know she means well, but it’s like finding me a man has become her new mission in life. I’m happy being single. I have Ben, my career, a great family and friends, and…

JANE
And a fabulous best friend!

ARTHUR
Yeah, Jane, you’re not too bad. Ben, what do you think? Should we keep her?

Ben barks in agreement. Jane smacks Arthur on the arm. Arthur and Jane both laugh. Ben, noticing a bushy squirrel nearby let’s out a series of excited barks, and pulls Arthur towards the squirrel. Jane follows.

CUT TO: EXT. ROTHNEY ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY/PRESENT DAY – LATE EVENING
Across the darkness of the night sky, a blanket of stars, like dots of white, blue and purple appear across a celestial canvas, glimmering across time and space. This view of the night sky back comes from looking through one of the observatory’s large silver robotic telescopes. A sign lit with white LED lights welcomes visitors to the observatory’s “Stargazing & Storytelling” night.

A PERSON in silhouette walks by the sign, and a small amphitheater stage comes into view. The stage is carved into the hill the observatory sits on and complements the natural landscape, the stage floor is wooden, and the stage is backlit with white LED lights to add ambience and atmosphere, but not interfere with seeing the beauty of the night sky. TOM WILLIAMS (37) is standing center stage. Tom is a theatre kid at heart and an academic, has a medium build, a short well-kept beard, hair that can best be described as “bro flo” meets windswept, is wearing a dark blue button up denim shirt, burgundy red traveller pants, an orange/red/brown checked scarf around his neck, and brown slip-on sketchers. Tom is at the beginning of a talk on storytelling.

TOM (launching in grandly)
How do stories bring meaning to our lives, and how do we tell our stories? (pause for dramatic effect) Tonight, we’re going to explore these questions under the canopy of the night sky. The concept of storytelling actually predates writing, with some of the earliest forms of story being told through a combination of oral narrative, music, rock art, dance and of course the stars and constellations – all of which helped ancient cultures make meaning of human existence. Finding this meaning is something we each still look for. And of course, we also love stories that feature an epic romance!

CUT TO: EXT. ROTHNEY ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY PARKING LOT/WHILE TOM IS GIVING HIS TALK
Arthur and Jane walk in from the observatory’s parking lot, wearing the same clothes from earlier that day by the river. Arthur catches the last line of Tom’s talk about “stories and epic romance” but from where they are, doesn’t yet see Tom.

ARTHUR
Blehhhhh. So corny!

JANE (without missing a beat)
Says the person who watches Hallmark movies every weekend, and gets all the feels when the couple gets together at the end of the movie!

ARTHUR
Just because I’m happily single doesn’t mean I can’t also be a hopeless romantic.

JANE
Uh huh.

ARTHUR
What?!

JANE
Listen, I know you’re happy in your life, and on the “independent don’t need a man to be happy train,” but Arthur, you’re such a special guy. I think you’d be an amazing partner, and I just don’t want to see you shut off the possibility of finding a great guy who complements you.

ARTHUR
It would be nice. Who knows? Maybe he’s out there somewhere.