Ramona & The Silver Screen | ✔︎

Act 4.3

CUT TO:

INT. SUNNY SIDE UP DINER – NIGHT

The cast and crew are celebrating their last night of filming. They're all sitting around a long table, plenty of food in front of them. Simon sits next to Ramona, an arm on her chair's backrest, his thumb rubbing circles on her arm. Leo stands up, raising his chocolate milkshake in the air.

LEO: I'd like to make a toast.

Everyone looks up at him.

LEO: To the cast. For doing such a fine job of portraying the characters. Simon, Amelia, you guys kicked ass.

Everyone lifts their drinks. Ramona has a smile on her face.

LEO: To the crew, for all their efforts and the long nights going through the clips and setting up and cleaning up day in and day out.

They raised their drinks higher. Simon leans in to whisper in Ramona's ear.

SIMON: I think he spiked his drink.

Leo looked at Ramona.

LEO: And to you, dear Ramona. None of this would have been possible without your wit and your brains.

Everyone cheered. Ramona felt her cheeks flush. After she takes a drink from her soda, Simon leans in and kisses her temple.

SIMON: To you.

LEO: Let's win that fucking award, guys!

CUT TO:

INT. KENNY'S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

The whole cast and crew, as well as Kenny, Haley, Jacob, and Duncan, are in Kenny's family home, getting ready to watch the finished film. Simon is sitting on the couch with space between him and Haley. Leo's on the floor, holding the remote.

CUT TO:

INT. KENNY'S KITCHEN – NIGHT

Ramona is waiting for the popcorn to finish heating up. Amelia appears behind her.

AMELIA: Hey.

Ramona glances behind her and sees Amelia.

RAMONA: Oh. Hi.

Amelia presses her lips together and leans over the kitchen island.

AMELIA: So you and Simon.

Ramona purses her lips and stays silent.

AMELIA: He's a really good guy, Simon.

RAMONA: I know.

AMELIA: I was stupid to let him go.

RAMONA: (hesitates) You were.

Amelia laughs.

AMELIA: I see why he likes you. (pause) You guys make a cute couple.

The microwave dings, but Ramona stays frozen in her spot, just looking at Amelia.

AMELIA: I was harsh on you.

RAMONA: You weren't really.

Amelia continues without acknowledging her.

AMELIA: You're a great girl, and I'm happy for the both of you. I was just... jealous, I guess. I hadn't seen him in so long, and when I saw him, he was looking at you, and I remember thinking: He never looked at me like that.

Ramona stares at her feet.

AMELIA: He really likes you. I can tell.

Amelia smiles bittersweetly.

RAMONA: I—

AMELIA: I'm sorry. About everything. About the Instagram posts, the hugging him when you were there. You were nothing but nice to me.

RAMONA: Did Simon put you up to this?

Amelia shakes her head.

AMELIA: I just wanted to apologize. And to thank you, for giving me a chance to act in your film.

RAMONA: It was Leo, really.

Amelia chuckles.

AMELIA: I know. Leo's... He's had a crush on me since we were kids. When I found out he was making a movie with Simon, I... Well, I guess I took advantage of that.

Amelia frowns.

AMELIA: I'm not proud of it, but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. But you could've said no and put your foot down at any time. I don't know if you're just really nice, or really stupid, but thank you anyway. I appreciate it.

Ramona grimaces.

KENNY: (distant) Yo, Ramona, where's the popcorn?

RAMONA: Shit.

Ramona turns to take the popcorn bag out of the microwave and opens it to put in a bowl.

AMELIA: I'll handle this.

Amelia takes the sodas and carries them out the kitchen. Ramona finishes pouring the popcorn in the bowl and watches Amelia walk away, dumbfounded.

CUT TO:

INT. KENNY'S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Ramona enters carrying a big bowl of popcorn and hands it to Kenny. She claims her seat next to Simon, who drapes an arm over her shoulders. Ramona looks at Haley, who smiles at her and places a hand on her knee. Leo presses play, and the film begins.