Interior: Crowded nightclub in Flatiron district. Occasion: Vance Garrett's birthday party. Pulsing electronic beats. Close up on Jamie, sipping a vodka cranberry, leaning against bar. Josh notices Jamie, recognizes him, approaches him.

JOSH: Hey, we've met before -- at Mark's Halloween party...Jamie, right?

JAMIE: Yeah, oh my god, I totally forget your name.

JOSH: Josh. (Pause) So, how do you know Vance?

JAMIE: We did a marketing job together. What about you?

JOSH: College.

The conversation continues, and Josh and Jamie find themselves leaving the club together at 3:30am. Exterior: 5th Avenue. A late-autumn evening. The boys walk in stride down the avenue toward the Village.

JAMIE: So, where did you spend Thanksgiving?

JOSH: At my cousin's house in Atlanta, with my mom's side of the family. I just got back today. What about you?

JAMIE: Actually, I just got back from Australia. I'm so jet-lagged. Had no intention of coming out tonight.

JOSH: Wow, Australia! That's amazing. I've never been. Were you in Sydney?

JAMIE: Yeah. I love it...

Entrenched in conversation, the young men reach the corner of 12th Street and 5th Avenue, from where Josh will proceed to his village in the East and Jamie to his village in the West. As they are about to exchange numbers (???), a young girl comes running frantically down the side walk, weeping audibly. Mascara running down her cheeks, she thrusts herself into the middle of the flirtation.

SAD, DRUNK GIRL: I HATE THIS CITY! Why are people so horrible?!? People are SO MEAN!! Look at me. I'm a mess!!! I just got back from Thanksgiving in Michigan with my family, and now I am here in this awful place!!! NO ONE CARES about me. Everyone SUCKS!!

JAMIE: Can we help you?

JOSH: Calm down. It's okay...

The sad, drunk girl continues to pour her sob story out on the boys. Josh and Jamie listen and walk with her, calming her down, occasionally cracking a joke, comforting her. This continues for nearly 45 minutes. Eventually, she regains her composure.

JAMIE: Let us find you a cab.

JOSH: You need to get back to your dorm.

JAMIE: Here is some money.

JOSH: Taxi!

A taxi pulls up to the corner of 12th and 5th. Josh gives the driver instructions to drop the girl off at her dorm on the east side. Jamie helps her into the cab. The door slams. The taxi takes off.

Pause.

Silence.

The boys say nothing. They look into each other's eyes. They sigh in unison. They embrace. They know.

THE BEGINNING