INT. CABIN - BACK PORCH - DAY
Cory's working out. He struggles with lifting some weight with his injured leg.
A car pulls up outside his cabin. Michelle exits with some carryout. She walks up to the porch and opens the door.
MICHELLE
I brought some dinner. I know how you get when you're training.
Cory sits up, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel.
CORY
Thanks.
MICHELLE
I also thought we could look for a flight to LA.
CORY
Flight?
MICHELLS
Lainy's out of rehab.
EXT. GOODWIN HOME - DAY
Olivia exits the home. Cory stands outside on his crutches.
CORY
Is she okay?
Olivia takes a deep breath.
OLIVIA
She's put on some weight but she has a long way to go to heal.
CORY
Does she know I'm here?
OLIVIA
She said to tell you that she's not ready to see you. I'm sorry. She's in a very fragile state. It's only been a month since the Olympics. Give her some time. How are you doing?
CORY
I'm fine. Could you please give her this?
He pulls out a jewelry box and hands it to Olivia.
OLIVIA
I will. I think the best thing you can do right now is take care of yourself. Maybe your success will inspire Lainey?
Cory nods and turns and heads back to his car.
INT. GOODWIN HOME - LAINEY'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Ted rolls his wheelchair into Lainey's room. Lainey's watching Cory and her Mom from the window. Tara rests at her feet.
TED (O.C.)
You know, I felt pretty depressed after I lost the use of my legs.
Lainey turns to her dad.
LAINEY
You think I'm pretty lame, don't you?
TED
Trust me, I know how you feel. When I had my accident and they told me I'd never walk again I thought I'd lost my purpose. But, it'll get better. I promise.
Ted reaches out and grabs Lainey's hand.
TED (CONT'D)
I don't know what I'd do without you. (a beat) You know, I psyched myself out that I didn't belong attending the Olympics. I regret not going.
LAINEY
I'm glad you weren't there. What a disaster.
TED
Oh now, come on. You won silver. That's an incredible achievement. Want to know a secret? I'm not perfect either.
Olivia enters.
OLIVIA (to Lainey)
He's gone. He brought this for you.
She leaves a black velvet jewelry box on Lainey's bedside table. Lainey looks over at it.
LAINEY
Who won the World Championships?
OLIVIA
Is that really important right now? Competition should be the last thing you should be worrying about.
LAINEY
Just tell me.
OLIVIA
Annika. Annika won.
Lainey nods.
OLIVIA (CONT'D)
Did I put too much pressure on you growing up, with your skating?
LAINEY
I put too much pressure on me. (a beat) I think I need to rest.
Lainey's parents leave the room.
Lainey picks up the black box from Cory. She looks at it but can't bring herself to open it. She puts it in her jewelry box.
Tara jumps up, putting her front paws on Lainey's stomach. Lainey leans her head onto Tara's, looking into her eyes.
LAINEY (CONT'D)
Why is life so hard?
Tara licks her face and Lainey can't help but smile.
INT. REHAB CENTER - NEXT DAY
Cory works with Martin on rehabbing his leg. He's sweating hard from an intense workout.
MARTIN
Alright that's enough for today.
CORY
I can keep going. Come on.
MARTIN
Nah, man. Let's wrap it up.
CORY
What would it take to be ready for the next Olympics?
Karen walks up.
KAREN
That's a great question.
Cory and Martin look at Karen.
MARTIN
Excuse me, I'm going to grab an ice pack for your leg.
CORY
No, don't leave me here...
Martin takes off.
KAREN
It looks like you're doing a good job of punishing yourself.
CORY
Working out in a state of the art facility isn't punishment. Sochi's downhill course was punishing. You couldn't take that one easy or you'd die.
KAREN
I'm going to recommend a change of scenery for you and Martin. How does Hawaii sound?
EXT. HOMETOWN ICE ARENA - DAY
Lainey stands in front of her hometown ice rink. She looks unsure.
She grabs her skating bag close to her side and puts one foot in front of the other and she walks inside.
INT. HOMETOWN ICE ARENA - CONTINUOUS
Lainey enters as a GROUP OF YOUNG GIRLS push their way past. They're laughing and full of energy. Lainey looks at them. They don't notice her.
INT. HOMETOWN ICE ARENA - MOMENTS LATER
Lainey gets to the edge of the ice and kneels down. She leans over and rests her hands on the cold surface of the rink.
Lainey feels the grooves in the ice from the skates that have run over it. She puts her finger in one of the holes created by a toe pick.
Lainey heads to the bleachers where she pulls out her skates. She puts the skate down on the ground and she places her foot in the boot.
She laces up her skates. Right first, then left. She unties them. Right first, then left.
INT. HOMETOWN ICE ARENA - SECONDS LATER
Lainey steps out onto the ice. She glides around the rink, letting her legs warm up. Each time around, she goes faster-- her body falling in step with her feet.
She goes backwards and on instinct she turns into a scratch spin. Faster, faster, faster she spins. Exhilarated, she slams her toe pick into the ice and ice chips go flying.
A SKATING MONITOR skates up to her.
SKATING MONITOR
Hey! Lainey?! I'm sorry... You're skating too fast during a public session. You need to slow it down.
LAINEY
Can I just do one more thing? Please? I haven't been on the ice in over a year.
She gives him a cute smile. The music ends and an announcement comes on that it's time to go.
As the Skating Monitor is busy escorting everyone off the ice, Lainey squeezes in one last double flip. Something happens mid-air and when she lands, she lets her body fall to the ice.
Instead of getting up, Lainey laughs. She laughs so hard, she can't stop.
The Zamboni driver pulls out onto the ice. He sees Lainey and stops. He stands and yells.
ZAMBONI DRIVER
Hey, are you okay? Lainey, is that you?
The Skating Monitor skates back out toward Lainey. She laughs again.
LAINEY
Yeah, Zeke, I'm fine. I'm just ... back. That's it. I'm back!
YOU ARE READING
Olympic Conquest
Romance"You already are the person I want you to be. I see so much more in you that you won't allow yourself to see." Lainey is on her way to her first and probably only Olympics. At twenty-two, she has finally made the U.S. Figure Skating Team after yea...
