Vanilla Sky Deleted Scenes – Sofia Introduction (Extended)

INT. DAVID’S APARTMENT/BACK ROOM OFF KITCHEN – NIGHT

From the darkened back room, David Aames appears with ice, and
re-enters his party.

DAVID

Who needs ice?

Aames moves – swirls is more like it – through into his party, which is
nicely underway. Upscale. Part literary crowd. Part fashion crowd.
He’s great in a crowd. Surrounded by people, David Aames comes
alive.

On Colleen chatting with Older Editor – Type.

COLLEEN

Is that weird for you? To be the editor of a magazine
like Rise? I mean, it’s sorta for teenage boys.

EDITOR

You know – that’s a fascinating observation. I think I’ll kill
myself now.

David moves through the party, catching the attention of a model (Lynette). 

LYNETTE

David! Happy Birthday.

 DAVID

Jesus, you have the greatest taste in shoes I’ve ever seen.
Bar none. Anywhere.

A Woman Caterer in Whites (Emma) slips by with a knowing smile.

EMMA THE CATERER

          The old place sure looks more crowded with people in it.

          DAVID

          Emma, do you know Lynette?

          EMMA THE CATERER

          No, but I shudder to think what we might have in common.

DAVID

How was your sister’s graduation?

EMMA THE CATERER

You remembered?

David notices that Brian Shelby has arrived with a guest, a Woman
who struggles with a package and a very large coat. On first glance,
she’s just another girl. On second glance, she’s a killer. He notes her
oddly funny behavior. She removes the coat to reveal a very simple
natural beauty. She is SOFIA SERRANO, a twenty-seven-year-old city girl
with a barely containable life-force. Enter PETER BROWN, David’s male
assistant with surreptitious headset.

PETER BROWN

          The Living Stereo system is online and looking great. It’s
an amazing prototype. They’d love an article on it if you
like it.

Angle on a holographic display connected to stereo. An odd and
disarmingly beautiful display of Coltrane performing ‘My Favorite
Things’ in David’s living room. David passes a hand through
Coltrane’s image, admires it.

PETER BROWN

And we have to discuss your schedule for next week.

David nods, still focused on Sofia. Suddenly, he finds he can’t take his
eyes off her.

DAVID

Who’s that girl, Peter?

PETER BROWN

I do not know. But your schedule –

DAVID

Peter?

PETER BROWN

Yes, sir.

DAVID

I say this kindly. Fuck off.

PETER BROWN

         I will do that. And happy birthday, sir.

Angle on front entrance, as David arrives to greet Brian and his
guest.

          BRIAN

          Hey, man. Happy birthday and all
the usual shit people say to each other. How you doing?

          DAVID

          Livin’ the dream, baby. Livin’ the dream.

The two friends hug. David shares a quick glance with Brian’s date,
who is still burdened with coat.

          BRIAN

          (to Sofia, as in ‘meet the notorious…’)

          Meet David Aames.

          DAVID

          (can’t help but flirt)

          And to what do I owe this pleasure, the pleasure of —

          SOFIA

          (playful)

          — the pleasure of Sofia. Serrano.

          BRIAN

          We met today at the library, if you can believe that —

          SOFIA

          I’m sorry about my coat. It’s too big for your closet.

          BRIAN

          – we were both pretending to be intellectuals.

          DAVID

          No no, I think it’s amazing. I love your coat.

          SOFIA

          I overdressed.

          BRIAN

          I’ll just continue like you’re both actually listening to me.

          SOFIA

          (to David)

          Do you have another room to put it in?

          BRIAN

          (invisible, re their chemistry)

          I have ceased to exist.

          DAVID

          Well, Madison Square Garden is nearby, it might fit there.

          SOFIA

          (shoves David playfully, as in ‘touche’)

          Happy Birthday.

Her upbeat physicality is intoxicating. Sofia hands David her present.

          BRIAN

          We picked it out together.

Neither look at Brian. Brian takes a breath. He’s been here before.

DAVID

Thank you.

BRIAN

Stop flirting and open it.

DAVID

Mind if I open it later?

SOFIA

Not at all.

DAVID

Okay.

BRIAN

Let’s get a drink.

SOFIA

Okay.

DAVID

I’ll leave this upstairs.

David exits. They are left to consider his personal charisma.

SOFIA

Jesus, I . . . feel like I just had sex with him –

BRIAN

Yep. Yep. I’ve known him twenty-five years, we went to
school together, and I’m still the same way –

SOFIA

– and I could be pregnant. Quick, tell me something awful
about him.

BRIAN

I can’t.

SOFIA

Are you being loyal?

BRIAN

Just honest. He’s a great guy.

SOFIA

It must be horrible for you.

BRIAN

(smitten, she understands)

It is.