THE ROOMMATE

Written By

Kellie Cunningham

Jacob Berne

Kelsey Holder

Will Neithammer

1 INT. ADMISSIONS OFFICE- DAY 1

In 1993, ADVISER sits at his desk, finalizing all

incoming freshmen room assignments. The envelopes are

licked and sealed. Stamped and ready for delivery, the

MAILMAN goes through his routine, but for TESS, an

exciting change is happening.

Tess waits on the couch, staring out the window. Her

mom Lynda is in the kitchen cooking delicious treats

for her to take to school. It's noon, and the mailman

comes. She runs to the mailman, and conversation is

exchanged. Her mother, LINDA, watches from the window.

She opens her letter and sees the name: TAYLOR WHITE.

2 INT. DORM ROOM - DAY

2

Tess unpacks her belongings in her new dorm room. Her

family exits. Linda weeps.

Tess flashbacks on her life thus far and ponders the

appearance and personality of her new roommate.

3 EXT. MINIVAN- DAY 3

TAYLOR sits in the backseat, staring out the window.

Her foster parents, GREG and GAIL sit in the front.

Surrounded by all of her belongings and listening to a

Sony Walkman, she flashes back to her life.

4 INT. DORM ROOM - DAY

4

Taylor arrives in the dorm room. She drops a moving

box to the floor and sighs.

TESS

Hi! You made it.

TAYLOR

Yeah, long drive. It's nice to meet you. (hug)

Tess

I can't believe we're finally here.

Taylor's foster parents enter with more boxes. Taylor

introduces them.

TAYLOR

These are my foster parents, Gail and Greg.

TESS

Oh? (beat and confusion) Nice to meet you. Do you need

help carrying stuff up?

GAIL

Sure, sweetie. That'd be great.

GREG

Now if we could only get Taylor to help out like this

at home.

TAYLOR

As if!

5 INT. DORM ROOM- NIGHT 5

That night Tess and Taylor stay up and bond in their

dorm room. Taylor pulls out a dress.

TESS

Like, oh my god. I'm so diggin' it. Where'd you get

it?

TAYLOR

Thanks! Just this place by my house.

TESS

That is soo cute. I totally have to borrow that

sometime.

TAYLOR

Sure, go right ahead. (beat) I've never really had

anyone to share clothes with anyone before...

TESS

Really? Well that dress is gonna be in my closet

before you know it. (both giggle)

TAYLOR

So, do you have any siblings?

TESS

No, I'm an only child. But my boyfriend has a family

that I'm reallyyy close with.

TAYLOR

I've never had a boyfriend before...

TESS

Are you serious!?!?! Well we are definitely gonna find

you one. He is totallyyy gonna be hot.

TAYLOR

Well, I better unpack. I have a busy day tomorrow.

TESS

Tell me about it. Church is at 9 tomorrow morning. I

gotta find all of my classes tomorrow too.

TAYLOR

I was gonna do that tomorrow! We should go to church

together, snag a bite, and then walk around campus to

figure out our classes!

TESS

That's like... a perfect plan. I'm sure all the jocky

guys will be out tomorrow anyway. They'll know some

down places to party.

TaYLOR

Umm, ya sounds good. (hesitation)

TESS

What's wrong? Aren't you excited for freshmen year?

Boys, parties, this is gonna be the best 4 years of

our lives!

TAYLOR

I know, just nervous I guess.

TESS

Well don't be. You're totally gorgeous and everyone is

gonna love you.

The girls finish unpacking. They make their beds, get

in their pajamas, and pop in The Breakfast Club.

Conversation is exchanged as the scene fades out.

5a INT. DORM FLOOR – DAY 5

The rest of the floor is moving in, and Tess and

Taylor are up early for church. As they are walking

out they run into 4 girls

(JACKIE,BROOKE,KELLIE,KIMBERLY). Collectively, all of

the girls introduce themselves.

TAYLOR

Oh, I'm sorry, s'cuse us.

TESS

Where are you guys headed? 3rd Floor?

4 Girls

Actually yeah, we are.

TESS

Ahh Floormates!! What are all of your names!??! This

is Taylor and I'm Tess.

JACKIE

I'm Jackie

BROOKE

Brooke

KELLIE

Kellie

KIMERLY

Kimberly

TESS

Where are you guys all living? We are in room 307.

JACKIE

Brooke and I are accross the hall. Room 310.

KELLIE

Kimberly and I are in Room 309.

TESS

That's so exciting! We totally have to hang out, we

are going out but we should all meet up later tonight.

KELLIE

Sounds fab, see ya later.

The girls all get along the rest of the semester.

6 INT DORM ROOM - EVENING

(Flash Forward) It is almost fall break. Taylor goes

home with Tess for the week. They have become best

friends and do everything together.

TESS

Hey Tay, when is your last midterm?

TAYLOR

Thursday ,why?

TESS

I want you to come home with me for fall break. I

can't imagine spending a week without you anymore.

Plus, I want you to meet my boyfriend.

TAYLOR

Ok, sounds great

TESS

You're gonna love him. He's all that and a bag of

chips. He was totally there for me these last few

years. He has a brother if you're interested...

TAYLOR

Againnn?

TESS

C'mon Tay I just want you to be happy. You deserve to

have some spice in your life.

TAYLOR

ok fine, we can play it by ear

Midterms are over. Tess and Taylor pack up to head

back to Tess' house.

7 INT. TESS' HOUSE - EVENING

7

TOMMY, Tess's boyfriend, calls her to make plans the

night Tess gets back. The phone rings.

TAYLOR

Hello?

TOMMY

Hey, it's Tommy. Is Tess there?

TAYLOR

Oh my gosh! Yes, here she is. I've heard such good

things about you.

TESS

Hi babe! Whats up?!

TOMMY

Just got off work. How about I pick you up in ten?

TESS

I can't, Taylor's here and I want to hang out with her

tonight.

TOMMY

Are you serious? I've been waiting for you to come

home for the last 2 months.

TESS

I'm sorry...I just can't

TOMMY

We have been together for 4 years, you just met this

girl. (beat) Suit yourself, I'm going out with the

guys.

Tommy hangs up the phone. On the other line, Taylor

looks at Tess with concern.

TAYLOR

What was that all about?

TESS

Nothing. He's just being a jerk as usual.

TAYLOR

You can totally hang out with him. I feel bad...

TESS

Don't be silly. I can't wait for tonight. I have so

much to show you!

Tess and Taylor look at old picture albums and tell

stories about high school. They fall asleep on the

living room couch.

7a INT. CHEAP EAT RESTARAUNT- EVENING 7A

The next day Tess and Taylor decide to go out to

dinner with Tommy and his younger brother DANNY. They

arrive at the restaurant and slip into the booth.

Taylor sits by Tess. A dirty look is exchanged from

Tommy to Tess, and they step outside for a smoke.

TAYLOR

What's going on with them?

DANNY

I don't know he has been struggling the last few

months. I think it's hard that shes far away...

TAYLOR

Oh really? I always thought they were so in love?

DANNY

Well it sure didn't look like that last night.(trying

to impress Taylor and look like a better guy)

TAYLOR

What do you mean?

DANNY

All I'm saying is that if I were a girl and he was at

a party, I sure wouldn't expect that he had a

girlfriend.

TAYLOR

Oh geeze! Well that's news that I dont want to be the

bearer of.

DANNY

You're telling me. She hasn't been with hundreds of

guys already? With the look she has, there's got to be

guys all over her.

TAYLOR

Why would you say that? She loves Tommy.

Tess reenters with fury, and Tommy is lugging behind.

TESS

Taylor, lets go!

8 INT. TESS’ ROOM - EVENING 8

TESS

I just don't think its going to work.

Taylor

Yeah...

TESS

We are just too far away, and we don't trust each

other enough.

TAYLOR

So, you know?

TESS

What are you talking about? (angrily)

TAYLOR

I mean, I don't know. You both just seem unhappy?

(hesitantly) Like it doesn't click anymore.

TESS

I know you better than that, Tay, what do you know?

Tell me!

TAYLOR

Well okay, I mean I don't know if it's true. Just,

Danny made it seem like he hasn't been all that

faithful.

Tess runs to the phone and calls Tommy.

TOMMY

Hello?

TESS

Hey, I have a question. Be real.

TOMMY

Okayy???

TESS

Have you been cheating on me?

TOMMY

No, where did you hear that?!

TESS

How could I not? Everyone's talking about it.

TOMMY

Tess (beat) I'm sorry... It was just last night. I was

drunk. I don't even know her name!

TESS

Wow! We're done bye!

TOMMY

Tess, no wait! (fades out with Tommy bargaining)

Tess cries and Taylor consoles her. They lay in bed,

and Tess cries herself to sleep in Taylor's arms.

9 INT. COSTUME STORE - DAY 9

(Flash forward) It is October. Tess and Taylor are

shopping for Halloween costumes. Taylor isn't sure

about the choices and Tess picks one for her.

TAYLOR

(looking in mirror) Does this look okay on me?

TESS

Come out here. Let me see?

TAYLOR

I dont know. I'm self-conscious.

TESS

Oh my gosh, no, you look amazing! (Tess looks at

Taylor in a different way and notices the change in

herself.)

TAYLOR

Okayyy...(hesitant)

They purchase the costumes and catch the bus back to

campus.

10 INT. HALLOWEEN FRAT PARTY - Evening

10

Tess and Taylor arrive at the fraternity for the

party. They get drunk, and Tess falls onto Taylor. The

FRAT BROS dare them to kiss jokingly. Tess laughs and

does. She realizes that she liked it.

11 INT. DORM ROOM – LATE NIGHT

11

Tess and Taylor come back to their dorm room. They

strip down for bed. When Taylor rips off her costume

without thinking, Tess captures a glimpse of Taylor in

the mirror. Taylor has a penis. Tess internally freaks

out, rolls over, and lies awake all night.

12 INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING

12

The next morning major tension fills the room. Already

confused about having feelings for a girl, Tess is in

a state of oblivion to Taylor's secret. Tess pulls

herself away from Taylor. No words are exchanged.

13 INT. WINTER BREAK - DAY

13

(Flash forward) It is December, and Tess and Taylor

are packed for winter break. The tension still exist.

Taylor exits with a duffel bag and strained goodbye to

celebrate the holidays with Gail and Greg. Tess goes

home to her family and Tommy.

TOMMY

Just hear me out? I made a mistake! And it will never

happen again! I promise.

TESS

How am I supposed to believe you when we didn't see

each other for 3 months and then you only want to "try

and make things work" when I'm home. But when it's not

convenient, you cheat!

TOMMY

Babe, it was just dancing. Get real!

TESS

GET REAL! I'll get real. I'm not the one who was

slutting around with little miss priss.

TOMMY

Little miss priss? You're the only one with the

attitude here.

TESS

Oh, so now you're standing up for her. Just go

and hang out with your new flavor of the month.

TOMMY

Fine. At least she wants me.

TESS

Been there. Done that. Plus, I've seen bigger.

Tommy slams the door, gets in his car, and speeds off.

14 INT. DORMITORY - DAY

14

(Flash forward) The floor comes back from break, and

Tess makes friends with the other floor mates, in

attempt to branch out. She explains she is depressed

because of her boyfriend, although it is because of

her feelings for Taylor. The floor mates convince her

to try to make things work with her boyfriend.

Tess enters room 310.

JACKIE

Hey! How was your break?!

TESS

Oh, fine. It was good to be home, but I'm so glad I'm

back.

BROOKE

Don't you have a boyfriend back home?

JACKIE

Oh please! A girl like this doesn't need to be tied

down.

TESS

Well, actually, Jackie, I did have one but it's kinda

over now.

BROOKE & JACKIE

Aww what happened ?

TESS

Kinda a long story...

JACKIE

Well you need to start hanging out with us more

anyway, so spill it.

Tess tells the story, and we see Taylor. She is in her

room, secluded and painting her nails.

She hears laughter from other room. Upset, Taylor lies

down for a nap. During her nap, the girls decide to go

out for the night. Tess tip-toes in while Taylor is

sleeping and leaves before she awakes.

15 INT. DORM ROOM – NIGHT 15

Taylor wakes up to a pitch-black room with street

lights streaming in from the window. She slept for

hours and awoke to find no one around. She goes to the

end of the hall where she sees an open door.

TAYLOR

Hey, where is everyone?

FLOORMATE #1

Oh, didn't they tell you? I assumed you were with

them. They went out tonight.

TAYLOR

Oh yeah, that's right. I remember, I was in the

shower. I'm sure they didn't mean to leave me.

(hesitantly)

FLOORMATE #1

Well, you want to hang?

TAYLOR

No, no. It's okay. I really do have a lot of work to

do.

FLOORMATE #1

Okay, suit yourself. Have a good night!

TAYLOR

Thanks.

Taylor goes to bed.

16 INT. DORMITORY – LATE NIGHT

16

The girls come back and congregate in room 310,

chatting and giggling. Taylor wakes up and pops her

head in to a conversation about her.

JACKIE

I always thought she was a little off.

BROOKE

Yeah, why do you even hang out with her? It's not like

you're in a relationship.

JACKIE

Yeah, that's the whole reason I lived with someone I

knew. No sense in getting some rando potluck girl. And

like, what was she wearing today anyway?

BROOKE

Yeah, like you would never catch me in that pathetic

excuse of a dress.

TESS

Come on guys, stop.

Taylor enters with a stone cold look on her face. Tess

goes out in the hall to talk to her.

TESS

Um... Hey, how was your night?

TAYLOR

Don't "hey" me! I totally heard you guys ragging on

me.

TESS

No, I wasn't.

TAYLOR

Yeah, sure, save it. Soon you'll be walking around

with your nose in the air, just like Jackie's walking

accessory. Don't worry about me. Just go back to your

little pow wow.

TESS

But I don't want to hang out with those girls!

Girls lean their heads out and exchange nasty looks

and looks of concern.

JACKIE

Woah, I thought you were cool. I thought you were

gonna be one of us.

TESS

NO! Stop everyone! I want you Tay!..... I mean, I want

you to toooo be honest.

Taylor leans in for a kiss.

FLOORMATES

Okay, that's our cue. Wow! We were so wrong about her.

(the door closes)

Tess and Taylor are left standing in the hallway in

shock.

17 INT. DORM - MORNING AFTER KISS 17

BROOKE

Wow, that was a crazy night. Did that really happen? I

thought that only happened in movies.

JACKIE

Yes, it happened. I knew all along she was a freak.

KELLIE

Oh, please, you totally wanted her in our gang.

JACKIE

As if! That girl is sooo lame!

KIMBERLY

You are way cuter than her Jackie.

BROOKE

Well, what happens now?

JACKIE

One thing is for sure... We don't talk to them...

Freaks...

18 INT. DORM - NIGHT

18

Taylor and Tess watch a movie in their room. The rest

of the floor giggles as they leave for the night,

discussing their plans.

Tess looks at Taylor, and Taylor hugs her

reassuringly. Tess breaks down crying. They are all

each other has. Tess does not like being alienated.

This is new for both of them.

TESS

This isn't fair.

Taylor

I know, babe, but we have to roll with the punches.

TESS

If we want to make this work...

TAYLOR

We will. Don't worry. This is all going to be a

distant memory soon enough.

TESS

They are such...such...such...

TAYLOR

Bitches

19 INT. FLASH FORWARD – LAST DAY

19

(Flash forward) It is Move Out Day. Boxes are all

around them, and they are hugging affectionately. The

door opens and they part.

TESS’ PARENTS

Are you girls ready to go home?

Girls look at each other and smile.

TESS and TAYLOR

Yes!