“One last time”

Written By

Yanis Djekboubi

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 YANIS DJEKBOUBI. No portion of

this script may be performed, published, reproduced, sold or
distributed by any means, or quoted or published in any medium,
including any website, without the prior written consent of YANIS
DJEKBOUBI. Disposal of this script copy does alter any of the
restrictions set forth above.
INT. IN USA TO FRANCE PLANE - NIGHT

CAMERA IS ON A SHOULDER LEVEL SHOT IN FRONT OF A MAN, YANIS, SLEEPING.

HE OPENS HIS EYES AS HE WAKES UP WHEN WE HEAR A VOICE COMING FROM THE
MIDDLE ALLEY.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
What would you like to drink, sir?

THE CAMERA TURNS TOWARD THAT VOICE AS HE LOOKS AT IT, SO THAT WE CAN
HAVE BOTH PEOPLE IN THE FRAME. YANIS LOOKS AT HER, LOOKS AT THE DRINKS
ON THE CHARIOT AND THINKS FOR A SECOND.

YANIS
I’ll take a.. Pepsi, please.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(SMILES) It's always the Pespi.

YANIS DOES A RESPECTFUL SMILE.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Will this be it?

YANIS
Um.. do you have anything else?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
No.

YANIS
Oh.. well I guess that’ll be it haha.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Are you sure?

YANIS
Um- I mean.. Yes?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Okay.
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT CONTINUES HER WAY BACK TO HER LOUNGE. YANIS LOOKS
BY THE WINDOW. WE HEAR SOME NOISE FROM HIS RIGHT. AS HE LOOKS AT IT WE
REALIZE IT IS THE PASSENGER AT THE OTHER END OF THE SEAT ROW. THERE
NOBODY BETWEEN THEM, SINCE HE WAS USING THE MIDDLE SEAT TO LAY HIS HEAD
ON. HE IS TRYING TO FIND A GOOD POSITION TO SLEEP, AS HE KEEPS MOVING
HIS PILLOW.

SAMUEL
Pfff.. how are you even supposed to sleep with these
pillows?

YANIS
(LAUGHS) You don’t.

SAMUEL SMILES.

SAMUEL
You’re telling me you’re not going to sleep in an
eight hours flight ? Good luck with the jetlag, man.

YANIS
(LAUGHS) I'm way too happy to be going back to France
and see mom, no way i'm sleeping. I mean, I couldn’t even if I wanted
to (LOOKING AT THE PILLOW)

SAMUEL
I mean yeah she missed you a lot, we all did. It’s
been what? A year already?

YANIS
(SMILES) Yeah, a little less than a year.

SAMUEL
And did you like it?

YANIS
Like what?

SAMUEL
Being an exchange student! I mean my year is about to
begin.. I wanna know what to expect, you know.

YANIS
Oh yeah right, why Germany though-?
 SAMUEL
I don’t know.. I guess I wanna taste their food.

Yanis
(LAUGHS) You better not get tempted by the beer.

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Yeah we’ll see about that.

YANIS
(SMILES) I mean, you’ll have to deal with mom so i’d
be careful if I was you.

SAMUEL SMILES.

SAMUEL
So, um.. How was it?

YANIS
I already told you Sam, probably one of the best years
of my life to be honest.

SAMUEL
I know, but everybody says that it’s an “unforgettable
adventure”. I just hope mine is gonna be as good..

YANIS
Don’t worry it will ! You’re going to meet a lot of
people, some that you like, some that you don’t, but in the end you
will experience the best moments of your life I promise you.

SAMUEL
What’s yours ?

YANIS
My..what?

SAMUEL
Your favorite moment.

YANIS
Um.. that’s a though one-
 SAMUEL
Like, the thing you did that makes you smile everytime
you think about it.

YANIS
Um, I.. did this class... called “creative writing”.
As the names very efficiently displays it, it was a class where we
wrote creatively-

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Oh, yeah thanks for precising it.

YANIS
(SMILES) Yeah I figured it was needed.

THEY BOTH SMILE. WE CAN SEE THAT THEY ARE CLOSE, BUT NOT TOO MUCH.

SAMUEL
And, so did you.. um, write.. things? Like a book or
something?

YANIS
Yeah, actually I- I-.. I—-

YANIS TRIES TO CONTINUE TALKING BUT HE IS DISTURBED BY THE CEILING

LIGHT AS IT STARTS BLINKING. HE LOOKS AT IT, VERY SURPRISED. WE CAN SEE
THAT NOBODY ELSE, INCLUDING SAMUEL, CARES ABOUT IT. WE CAN FEEL A WEIRD
TENSION AS YANIS FIXES IT AND THE CAMERA IS ALSO GOING CLOSER TO IT,
UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY TURNS OFF. YANIS IS STILL LOOKING AT THIS, AND SO
IS THE CAMERA. WE CAN SEE HAND COMING INTO THE FRAME TO SWITCH IT ON.
IT’S SAMUEL’S. HE DOESN’T SEEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE YANIS’ CONFUSION.

SAMUEL
We can’t see nothing in here. So, what did you write?

YANIS IS STILL CONFUSED BY WHAT JUST HAPPENED BY EVENTUALLY JUST TRIES

TO CATCH UP.

YANIS
What did I write..? Oh right, I.. wrote a script,
actually, in this class!

SAMUEL
Oh right, mom told me about it. She said it’s really
good.
 YANIS
I mean— I hope it is! I put all my soul in it, and my
teacher said she liked it so.. I suppose haha.

SAMUEL
What is it even about?

YANIS
Um.. it’s a bit complicated, but basically it’s about
a woman and her boyfriend talking in the kitchen and they desperately
try to eat a roast chicken..

SAMUEL
Um.. okay?

YANIS
Yeah, I mean then we learn that she killed him because
he was toxic to her, so he was dead the whole time and she was talking
to his body.. You know, just your.. basic light hearted story.
(LAUGHING)

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Yes of course, as expected! Wait, do you have
it? Cause it seems great!

YANIS
Yeah, I mean it’s my suitcase. Wait let me get it.

SAMUEL
I don’t think you can-

YANIS STANDS UP ANYWAYS.

SAMUEL
Nevermind.

YANIS STARTS OPENING THE DRAWER TO GET THE SUITCASE OUT. AS HE IS ABOUT
TO TOUCH THE SUITCASE, WE HEAR A VOICE SCREAMING :

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Yanis, sit down!
YANIS IS SURPRISED, BUT DOESN’T HAVE TOO MUCH TIME TO REACT BECAUSE A
TURBULENCE SHAKES THE PLANE AND MAKES HIM ALMOST FALL. HE MANAGES TO
HOLD HIMSELF AND GET BACK TO HIS SEAT AS THE TURBULENCE EASES DOWN.

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) I tried to tell you.

YANIS
Yeah yeah whatever..

SAMUEL
So, what about the script?

YANIS
(LAUGHS) Well, I just almost died so I’ll try to get
it later if the plane allows me to.

SAMUEL
Oh okay. Mom told me you’re gonna.. film it?

YANIS
Yeah, we’re, uh, gonna do it in Paris, actually. I
managed to get a location and some actors. I think it’ll work out.

SAMUEL
Why didn’t you just film it in America?

YANIS
Why are you asking so many questions-?

SAMUEL
I don’t know,I haven’t seen you in a year.. just
trying to be nice. You should take advantage of it, it’s not gonna last
long.
YANIS
Yeah, no I’m sorry I'm happy to be with you too. And..
I didn’t film it in the states cause I found a great actress in
France.. As easy as that.

SAMUEL
(SMILES) Oh who will play the main character? Wait let
me guess... Jennifer Lawrence?
 YANIS
(LAUGHS) Yeah, nope. She asked to be in it but I had
to decline, you know. Business is business. Had to decline Zendaya
too..

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Yeah, of course

YANIS
Yeah, no but that class was honestly so good. I- I
don’t know! It's just my element, you know.

SAMUEL
Yeah I see.

YANIS
And like I arrived late to the class because I changed
high school so I didn’t get to do too much, but I really enjoyed every
day I was there. Having a whole class dedicated to my passion was an
unthinkable thing.. It really was a dream come true.

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) What was your favorite thing you did there?

YANIS
(SMILES) Um.. well, I wasn’t there for too long so I
really did one real project, which was my script. Oh, and I also
created a..website?

SAMUEL
A website? But-

YANIS
(LAUGHS) Yeah, don’t ask me, I don't know bro. But it
was a good experience! If you need someone to make one for you I’m your
man!

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) I hope I’ll get a discount..

YANIS
(LAUGHS) Um.. we’ll see about that haha
 SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Oh come on !

YANIS LAUGHS. AS HE LOOKS BACK AT SAMUEL, WE REALIZE HE IS STILL

STARING AT YANIS.

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Oh come on!

YANIS IS CONFUSED. HE DOESN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) Oh come on!

YANIS IS VERY CONFUSED, HE IS STARING AT SAMUEL. SAMUEL IS STARING AT

HIM TOO WITH A BIG SMILE. TENSION RISES. THE VIEWER DOESN’T UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS HAPPENING. AS THE TENSION GETS TO ITS PEAK, IT’S GETS BROKEN BY
A VOICE.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
What would you like to drink, sir?

YANIS IS VERY CONFUSED, AND LOOKS AT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT. TENSION IS

BACK. WE DON’T KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING.

YANIS
Th-that’s not-

SAMUEL
(BREAKING THE TENSION, LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED) Did you
miss us?

YANIS LOOKS AT SAMUEL, STILL VERY CONFUSED. AS HE LOOKS BACK TO THE

FLIGHT ATTENDANT, HE REALIZES SHE IS ALREADY ON HER WAY BACK TO HER
LOUNGE. HE DOESN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO HE TRIES TO CATCH UP.

YANIS
I—- y-yes, I did. A lot.

SAMUEL
That’s my biggest fear about this adventure, I know
we’ve never been too close- mostly since dad.. I mean, you know. I
just- I realized that I missed you when you were gone. And to be honest
it did make me happy to be with you this past week, even though we
fought over dumb things.
 YANIS
(LAUGHS) I mean you looked for it.

SAMUEL SMILES.

SAMUEL
I just don’t know how I'll feel to be that far from
you guys for such a long time again..

YANIS
(PUTTING HIS HAND ON SAM’S SHOULDER) It’ll be fine,
don't even worry about that. And we’ll call everyday. Samuel this is
going to be such a great year for you, you need to think positive.

SAMUEL
Yeah I guess, just don’t forget me haha.

YANIS
(LAUGHS) I don't think we could even if we wanted to.
And don’t worry, as soon as you come back we’ll throw the biggest party
you’ve ever seen. (HIS HAND IS ON SAM’S HAIR, AS AN AFFECTION SIGN

SAMUEL
(LAUGHS) With some good music I hope.

YANIS
(SMILES) With some good music.

THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER, SMILING. WE SEE THAT THEY STILL HAVE A BOND AS
BROTHERS. WE HEAR THE CAPTAIN TALKING OVER THE MIC FROM THE COCKPIT.

CAPTAIN
(STRESSED) Two minutes left!

NONE OF THE VIEWER OR THE CHARACTERS KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. YANIS IS
CONFUSED BUT DOESN’T HAVE TIME TO THINK AS SAMUEL TALKS. HE IS PUTTING
HIS SEATBELT ON, HE IS STRESSED.

SAMUEL
Oh god!

SAMUEL REALIZES THAT YANIS HASN’T PUT HIS SEATBELT ON.

SAMUEL
 What are you doing, put it on!

CAPTAIN
Prepare to brace!

YANIS DOESN’T UNDERSTAND.

YANIS
What..?-

SAMUEL
Your seatbelt! Put it on!

EVERYBODY IN THE PLANE IS STARTING TO PANIC. YANIS IS SHAKING AS HE

TRIES TO PUT HIS SEATBELT ON. HE CAN’T MANAGE TO DO IT. SAMUEL REALIZES
THAT AND TAKES HIS SEATBELT OFF TO GO HELP YANIS. AS HE MANAGES TO GET
IT, HE GOES BACK TO HIS SEAT, YANIS WATCHES HIM. WE REALIZE THAT SAMUEL
CAN’T MANAGE TO PUT HIS BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO BE BROKEN. SAMUEL LOOKS AT
YANIS, THEY STARE A SECOND AND WE HEAR SCREAMING :

YANIS
(VERY PANICKED) The middle!

SAMUEL TAKES A SECOND TO REALIZE. AND, AS HE FINALLY STARTS STANDING UP

TO GO TO THE MIDDLE, WE CAN SEE THAT THE PLANE CRASHES, AS SAMUEL GETS
“EATEN” BY FIRE. EVERYTHING SAKES, EVERYTHING GETS OUT OF CONTROL. THE
SCREEN GOES BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BLACK AND SHOWING THE PLANE
CRASHING. IT EVENTUALLY GOES BLACK.

NO NOISE.

WE HEAR A FEMININE ROBOTIC VOICE :

FEMININE ROBOTIC VOICE

Session over.

INT. KIND OF A CENTER - EVENING

THE SCREEN IS BACK ON. WE ARE IN FRONT OF A PERSON WITH A BIG HEADSET
ON. WE ARE ON A CLOSE UP. AS THEY TAKE THE HEADSET OFF, WE RECOGNIZE
THAT FACE. IT’S YANIS. A PART OF HIS FACE IS COVERED WITH SCARS. BURN
SCARS. HE PUTS THE HEADSET DOWN. HE SEEMS DESTROYED INSIDE. WE CAN SEE
TEARS IN HIS EYES.

HE GOES TO THE SELLER TO PAY. AS HE GETS TO IT THE SELLER SMILES TO

YANIS. YANIS STARTS TO GET HIS WALLET OUT, IT’S NOT VERY FULL.

SELLER
What are you doing?

YANIS
Getting my money..?

SELLER
No, no you don’t need to. It’s on me.

YANIS
Ivan. We’ve talked about this before. I come in, I
pay. Like anybody else.

SELLER (IVAN)
No you- Listen. You just don’t need to, it’s as simple
as that. And your session was very buggy today anyways. We still need
to buy these new gen headsets.

YANIS
Yeah, these bugs got me pretty lost imma be honest.

IVAN
This was a really messy one. Is that good enough of a
reason for you not to pay?

YANIS SMILES, EVEN THOUGH WE SEE THAT HE IS STILL HURT AND IN PAIN.

YANIS
Thank you.

IVAN
Why this memory again?

YANIS
Uhh, here we go again.
 IVAN
No, really I don’t follow you man. You have so many
great memories with him. Why are you inflicting this one to yourself?

YANIS IS TEARING AGAIN.

YANIS
I.. I need to.

IVAN
No you don’t. Listen, Yanis.. you know I love you. I
want the best for you. But this.. this is not good. I mean you’re
reliving this memory everyday, you know it can’t be good!

YANIS
Sam—-

IVAN
Sam is gone. I know it’s not beautiful to hear, but
that’s the truth. He is gone. That’s it.

WE CAN FEEL THE PAIN IN YANIS’S VOICE :

YANIS
He is.. gone. Because of me. And this.. this moment
was one of the rare real one we’ve had together.

IVAN
What do you mean you-

YANIS
I—- was so proud.. of him. So proud. And he was too.

THERE’S SAD PIANO MUSIC AS HE TALKS

YANIS
And—- I.. managed to.. kill him.

IVAN
It is not your fault, do you understand that? You need
to get this idea out of your mind. You had a panic attack, and he loved
you enough to risk his own life to help you. You need to accept it.
YANIS DOESN’T ANSWER.

IVAN
And, coming here.. Everyday to relive it is not going
to help. Trust me. I’ve been there.

YANIS
I know.

IVAN
So please think about it Yanis, it really does hurt me
seeing you like this.

YANIS IS LOOKING AT HIM. DOESN’T ANSWER.

IVAN
Okay you should go home now, I’ll see you next time.

YANIS STARTS PUTTING IS WALLET BACK IN HIS POCKET AND WALKING TOWARDS
THE DOOR.

IVAN
(LOUDER) Please think about it man.

YANIS
(AT THE DOOR) Good night, Ivan.

IVAN
(SILENTLY) Good night.

AS YANIS IS LEAVING THE STORE, AND GETS TO THE STREET, HE PUTS HIS HOOD
ON AND STARTS WALKING. WE CAN SEE THE WORLD. IT’S A VERY FUTURISTIC
WORLD, WITH FUTURISTIC CARS FLOATING. THE BUILDINGS ARE COVERED WITH
LIGHTS AND LEDS. THERE'S NOT MANY PEOPLE, BUT THERE ARE MANY CARS. AS
HE GETS FURTHER FROM THE STORE, WE CAN SEE IT COMPLETELY IN THE FRAME.
WE CAN READ THE STORE’S NAME IN BIG :

“ ONE LAST TIME

Memory center “