US DESERT – SANDSTONE CLIFFS – AFTERNOON
Joel is next to Lin at the foot of a massive rock wall. To their sides are other pairs of climbers, also getting ready.
Lin performs a partner check, studying and tugging at various parts of his gear, mainly around his pelvis...
LIN: Looking good.
...before he returns the favor. Some good tension involved...
JOEL: You're good as well.
Joel takes off his shirt. Tosses it next to a water bottle. Claps his hands, sending a cloud of chalk flying.
JOEL: You ready?
Lin tries to bury that deep grin, looking at him.
LIN: Mm-hm...
JOEL (starts climbing): OK. Climbing!
Lin peeks to her left. Her girlfriend is securing the neighboring route.
GIRLFRIEND: He can tie me in any time...
Lin playfully sticks out her tongue at the girl and returns her focus to securing Joel.
CLIFF – OPPOSING SIDE OF THE CANYON – CONTINUOUS
Cathy is lying on the ground. Desert camo clothing, binoculars in hand. Spying on Lin and Joel.
Sounds of someone approaching over the rocky terrain.
She turns. Sees Matt coming toward her. Immediately stiffens and turns back to her binoculars.
Matt stops next to her.
MATT: What are you doing?
She keeps staring into her binoculars.
MATT: You took off your watch!
Cathy puts down her binoculars and turns to Matt.
CATHY: – yeah, I did. My wrists were sore, and the band was chafing. Relax, I got it under control!
Matt reaches into a pocket, pulls out a smartwatch, similar to the one he is wearing. He hands it to Cathy.
She holds it in her hand, stares at it for a moment.
THE WATCH FACE
doesn't show a regular watch, but the text "INACTIVE USER. TIME TO GPS ALERT: 07:32" and counting down by the second.
CATHY
sighs. Puts on the wristwatch. The timer immediately disappears, and a regular watch face replaces it.
CATHY: I just needed a break, okay?
Matt studies her.
MATT: Were you thinking of...?
He stops mid-sentence and completes the rest with gestures. Fingers pretending to be a person running away, then making a big jump as he points far "over there."
CATHY: No! Of course not! I would never dare to –
Matt lowers his shoulders, stands, and looks calmer.
CATHY: – I love you... (beat) ...guys...
Long silence.
MATT: So... what are you doing then?
Cathy doesn't answer.
Matt can see the other climbers across the valley.
MATT: That's your guy?
CATHY: I don't have a guy.
Matt grabs her binoculars.
MATT'S POV THROUGH BINOCULARS
Shirtless Joel is climbing high up on the sandstone wall.
MATT (V.O.): He seems fuckable.
CATHY
gives her brother a look.
MATT: I mean, looks like he's got good genes... good for survival...
CATHY: Right.
MATT'S POV THROUGH BINOCULARS
Joel is lowered to the ground. Lin gives him a big hug.
They untie and change roles.
MATT (V.O.): Uh, oh...
Lin takes off her shirt. Prepares to climb.
MATT (V.O.): Whoa! What's up with all the climbers hating shirts?
Lin starts climbing, with Joel securing her.
CATHY (V.O.): I really want him as a boyfriend.
MATT
MATT: Sure you do, sis.
CATHY: Fuck you! The combo, OK? Good genes, computer skills... you know, exactly what Dad ordered. Gets me off the hook in an instant; I can just fake it and play along. No more work.
MATT: Sure...
MATT'S POV THROUGH BINOCULARS
Joel is having fun, chatting with Lin, who is performing like a weightless, feminine contortionist up at the wall.
YOU ARE READING
Love/Survival
RomansaOn paper, 20-year-old twins Cathy and Matt have everything going for them. Their mom is a Brazilian supermodel, and their dad is a decorated Navy SEAL. In reality, though, Mark, their dad, is retired with PTSD, and their mom, Sabrina, split long ago...
