The Bells Won't Ring for Us (Script version)

INT. CHURCH SANTUARY- MID AFTERNOON

 We open to a traditional wedding. The soon-to-be husband  (Calvin,26) and wife (Yvette,24) stand in front of a priest and are surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen on either side as the congregation eagerly watches the ceremony. 

Yvette fidgets with the sleeves of her dress as the priest speaks.

 PRIEST

 Dearly Beloved, we are gathered 

here today in this house of God to 

witness the matrimony of this man,

 The priest turns slightly to Calvin. 

PRIEST (CONT'D)

 And this woman.

 The priest turns slightly to Yvette.

 PRIEST (CONT'D)

 If there is anyone that objects to 

this union, speak now or forever 

hold your peace. 

The congregation is silent. 

The bride almost opens her mouth in objection.

 The groom gives her a puzzled look. 

She plays it off as a sigh of relief. 

PRIEST (CONT'D)

 (nodding with a sigh)

 Ah, that's a relief. 

The priest's voice fades out as her recites a long series of matrimonial prayers. 

Yvette's eyes dart nervously around the sanctuary, gauging the happiness of those witnessing the union. Her eyes land on the maid-of-honor, her mother. Her mother's outward happiness does not sooth her. 

The Priest's voice fades back in.

 PRIEST (CONT'D)

 (voice fading in)

 And now the vows.

 The Priest nods towards Calvin.

CALVIN

 Alright, alright. 

Calvin flashes a quick smile at Yvette. She looks visibly uncomfortable for a moment.

 CALVIN (CONT'D)

 Yvette, from the day I met you all 

those years ago in that medic tent 

during the war, I just knew I 

couldn't spend another day without 

you by my side. 

He takes Yvette's hand into his. 

CALVIN (CONT'D)

 From your smile to the way your 

presence seemed to cure all the 

wounds I suffered out on the field, 

you gave me a reason worth fighting 

for. A light at the end of a very 

dark tunnel. 

The congregation were in awe at his display of affection. Calvin's mother and father look towards him with such admiration it makes Yvette sick.

 The priest turns slightly towards Yvette, signaling her turn for vows. 

YVETTE

 (visibly nervous)

 I...umm...

 She takes a deep breath to try calming her nerves. 

Calvin soothingly rubs his thumb over the back of her hand, it does little to sooth her. 

YVETTE (CONT'D)

 (slightly confident)

 ...When I first met you Calvin, I 

saw a wounded...

 She pauses attempting to find the right words to describe him.

 YVETTE (CONT'D)

 (hesitant at first)

 ...Charismatic soldier that somehow 

always saw the light in the world 

in its darkest hours.

 YVETTE (CONT'D)

 You brough light into the darkness 

and despair of that medic tent. A 

sense of hope for us in a senseless 

world. 

Her focus shifts away from Calvin.

 YVETTE (CONT'D)

 And now....

 Her eyes lock themselves onto a woman towards the back of church. The two women gaze at each other the way long lost lovers do. 

For a brief moment Yvette looks happy. 

The happiness fades when she focuses back on Calvin.

 YVETTE (CONT'D)

 ...And now your light will brighten 

my heart...

 YVETTE (CONT'D)

 (hesitant)

 ...Forever. 

The congregation is moved by Yvette's words. The woman towards the back is not. Calvin raises an eyebrow at her.

Calvin pulls Yvette close. 

CALVIN

 (whispering)

 The hell's gotten into you? You 

were all for this before the 

ceremony, now your hesitating? 

What's gotten into you?

 YVETTE

 (whispering dismissively)

 Nothin's wrong with me Calvin, I'm 

fine. Its just I've been...

Yvette's eyes wander back to the woman. They stare at each other with a deep longing sadness. Yvette breaks the connection, focusing back on Calvin. 

YVETTE (CONT'D)

 ...I just have a lot on my mind, 

alright?

Calvin glances over the congregation trying to find whoever it was Yvette was staring so intently at. He does not find them. 

The congregation begin to grow wary seeing the couple whispering to each other in such a manner. 

The priest clears his throat, ready to move the service along. 

PRIEST

 Do you, Calvin Bentley, take this 

woman to be your lawfully wedded 

wife? To love and serve her 

faithfully in joy and in sorrow, in 

sickness and in health, as long as 

you both shall live?

 CALVIN

 I, Calvin Bentley, do take you, 

Yvette Alexander, to be my wife, 

and I do promise and covenant, 

before God and these witnesses to 

be your loving and faithful husband 

in plenty and in want, in joy and 

sorrow, in sickness and in health, 

for as long as we both shall live. 

PRIEST

 And do you, Yvette Alexander, take 

this man to be your lawfully wedded 

husband. To love and serve him 

faithfully in joy and in sorrow, in 

sickness and in health, as long as 

you both shall live? 

YVETTE

 (hesitantly)

 I, Yvette Alexander...

Yvette's eyes dart all over Calvin's face, desperate to grasp at something that will make this union worth it in the end. 

They don't find anything. 

She sucks in her breath. 

YVETTE (V.O.)

 Brace yourself Eve. 

She locks eyes with Calvin.

 YVETTE

 I don't take you as my husband 

Calvin. 

Gasps and whispers of shock fill the room. 

Calvin's face contorts.

 CALVIN

 (angrily)

 The hell you mean "You don't"? All 

this damn planning, all that 

fucking work to get this shit 

goin', and YOU got the audacity to 

call it off?

 YVETTE

 (defensive)

 I just CAN'T, Calvin. I can't. I 

can't stand here and marry your ass 

and pretend to be your oh-so-loving 

wife knowing full and well my heart 

has not and WILL NOT belong to you. 

Yvette begins to storm off the altar, throwing the bouquet down as she does. 

YVETTE (CONT'D)

 Never. 

Calvin angrily follows behind her. 

Their arguing can be heard as they make their way out of the sanctuary. 

The congregation converse in shock. 

The woman smiles sadly to herself.