Big Fish

“THIS IS A Southern STORY, FULL OF LIES and fabrications, BUT TRUER FOR THEIR INCLUSION.”

EDWARD BLOOM: “There comes a point where a reasonable man will swallow his pride and admit he's made a terrible mistake. The truth is, I was never a reasonable man”

“They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops. And that's true. What they don't tell you, is that once time starts again, it moves extra fast to catch up”

Edward stands with a bouquet of daffodils in front of a half-open door. Through the crack we can see the edge of a YOUNG WOMAN, talking in hushed tones with another girl we can't see. Finally, a decision is reached. The door opens to reveal the woman of Edward's dreams, Sandra Kay Templeton. She's effortlessly beautiful, pure and simple as sunlight. He can't believe he's finally reached her. He half-laughs, nervous. That makes her laugh, not sure what's going on.

EDWARD: “You don't know me, but my name is Edward Bloom and I am in love with you. I've spent the last three years working to find out who you are. I've been shot and stabbed and trampled a few times, had my ribs broken twice, but it's all worth it to see you here, now, and to finally get to talk to you. Because I am destined to marry you. I knew that from the first moment I saw you at the circus. And I know it now more than ever.

ON SANDRA, overwhelmed. All she can finally think of to say is...

SANDRA: I'm sorry.

EDWARD: Don't need to apologize to me. I mean, I'm the luckiest person you're going to find today...

She puts her hand on the door frame. On her left ring finger, we see a diamond.

SANDRA: No I'm sorry, I... I'm engaged to be married.


ON EDWARD as his heart falls 20 floors. He tries to suppress the reaction, put on a brave front.

EDWARD: Oh. Well. Congratulations. I'm sorry to have bothered you.

Fate has a cruel way of circling around on you. After all this work to leave Ashton, the girl I loved was now engaged to one of its biggest jerks.

He EXITS FRAME, leaving only the sorority house in the background.

EDWARD: There's a time when a man needs to fight, and a time when he needs to accept that his destiny is lost, that the ship has sailed, and that only a fool would continue. The truth is, I've always been a fool.

We CIRCLE as he shouts:

EDWARD: Sandra Templeton! I love you! And I am going to marry you!

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Sandra walks out to him. She's smiling, confused, joyful and scared. All down Greek Street, STUDENTS are coming out to see the display.

SANDRA: Daffodils?

EDWARD: They're your favorite flower.

SANDRA: How did you get so many?

EDWARD: I called everywhere in five states and explained this was the only way I could get my wife to marry me.


Out of nowhere, a tear drops down Sandra's cheek. She wipes it off.

SANDRA: YOU DONT EVEN KNOW ME.

EDWARD: I HAVE THE REST OF MY LIFE TO FIND OUT.

(…) The thrashing continues. Edward somehow fights his way back to his feet, ready to be knocked down again.

SANDRA: Don!

Don is about to slug Edward again when he turns. Sandra pulls off her engagement ring. There's an audible AHH! from her sisters, and an OHH! from Don's brothers.

SANDRA: I will never marry you. A beat. Don stands stunned, his mind reeling.

Edward, whose eyes are swollen almost shut, keeps waiting for the next punch. Where is it? What's going on?

DON PRICE: What. You love this guy?

SANDRA: He's almost a stranger and I prefer him to you.

She hands him the ring. Another beat, then Don storms off. But not before decking Edward one last time. Sandra leans over Edward's broken body. His head lies on the daffodils.

SANDRA: HOW CAN I CONVINCE YOU TO STOP?

EDWARD: GO OUT WITH ME.

He smiles, his teeth bloody.

SANDRA: Okay.

As the crowd of students APPLAUDS and CHEERS, we CRANE UP above the flowered battlefield.

EDWARD: As it turned out, Sandra was able to keep her same date at the chapel. Only the groom had changed.


Salutes