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Living Strong
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SYDNEY
But will you recognize when you are? Someday you’ll have to accept that only you can determine your own happiness. It’s a state of mind—not a damn thing more. No one ever said life would be easy, Jenny, but I promise you it will be worthwhile.
JENNY
I’m just not as lucky as you are.
SYDNEY
Luck comes from the energy we create—we make our own.
An airport traffic cop approaches Jenny
AIRPORT COP
Lady, you got’ta move this car.
SYDNEY
Jenny, it’s the journey that brings us happiness, not the destination.
Stop waiting for your life to start—it just did.
A confused Tasha, Max, Helena, and Alice watch as Jenny softly kisses Sydney on both cheeks, then quickly gets in her car and drives away. An equally surprised Sydney walks back to join them.
ALICE
What was that about?
SYDNEY
I don’t know.
They all shuffle nervously.
TASHA
Well, I guess this is it.
Helena begins to cry.
HELENA
Don’t mind me. I’m always a walking waterworks when it comes to good-byes.
They all laugh. Sydney hugs Helena.
HELENA
Please consider joining me, mummy and the children in New York for the holidays.
Tasha and Alice roll their eyes.
SYDNEY
(pulling away from Helena)
It’ll be nice to have something to look forward to. We’ll be in touch.
ALICE
A winter visit in New York might bring you scurrying back to L.A.
They all laugh. Sydney hugs Alice and whispers in her ear.
SYDNEY
(embracing Alice)
Take care of your family…you’re the tribe’s heart and soul, you know.
Sydney releases Alice and turns to Max and Tasha.
SYDNEY
Come on you two, group hug!
Syd, Tasha and Max jointly embrace.
SYDNEY
(embracing Tasha and Max)
Call me if you need anything…
Sydney pulls away from Tasha and Max just enough so they are face to face.
SYDNEY (CONT’D)
(teasing)
But don’t make a habit of it!
Tasha and Max cross their hearts and raise their right hands in scout salutes.
TASHA
(smiling)
We promise to be good.
SYDNEY
And if you can’t be good..,
ALICE, TASHA, MAX & HELENA
(playfully in unison)
Be careful!
Sydney smiles and turns to walk into the terminal.
EXT. AIRPORT PARKING LOT – CONTINOUS
Alice, Tasha, Max and Helena are walking in the parking lot.
HELENA
(dramatically)
I just still cannot believe Shane didn’t come to say goodbye.
TASHA
(chastising)
Helena get off it, already. Everyone deals with grief and goodbyes differently.
HELENA
But really…
MAX
(interrupting)
Enough!
Alice is walking behind Helena, Tasha and Max when her eye catches sight of Shane’s jeep in the parking lot. Alice glances backwards and sends a broad smile toward the terminal.
EXT. AIRFIELD – CONTINUOUS
Sydney is following other passengers on the tarmac toward a small prop plane. The wind blows in her hair and she smiles softly when her eye is caught by a flying Monarch Butterfly. Sydney slows her gait, and follows the butterfly’s flight toward the terminal until her gaze rests on the American flag dancing in the breeze. She stops as she notices a person standing on the outdoor observation platform below the flag. Sydney squints to make out the figure,and smiles as she recognizes Shane.
EXT. TERMINAL OUTDOOR OBSERVATION DECK – CONTINUOUS
Shane is alone on the observation deck. She is standing at the railing looking down at Sydney on the tarmac. Shane softly beats her fist against her chest twice, presses her pointer and index fingers to her lip, then points the two fingers toward the sky.
EXT. AIRFIELD TARMACK – CONTINUOUS
Sydney smiles slowly and responds by repeating Shane’s gesture. Sydney turns and boards the plane.
EXT. TERMINAL OUTDOOR OBSERVATION DECK – MOMENTS LATER
Shane clutches the railing with both hands. She leans back, her primal scream is drowned out by the noise of Sydney’s jet as it passes above.
FADE TO BLACK
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It took me a while to get through the entire story, but it was well worth it. I actually read it last night, but needed to think about all that went on in the story before commenting. Usually I don’t read Shane stories-not because I don’t love the character but because it always goes pretty much the same way. Shane always messing up her relationships and not being able to curb her libido. While this story touched on that, it allowed for this character to grow and show some depth. I also loved that the doctor was a mature woman who knew what she wanted, accepted what life gave her and was able to lead a productive life in spite of some tragedies in her life. I don’t know if you will get many people reading to the end, but if they don’t, its their loss. Thanks.
This is lengthy & the dialogue fluctuates between (mostly) thought provoking and (occasionally) contrived. You wonder where “Syd” is taking you—but BE PATIENT as the journey weaves into a heart warming and heart wrenching conclusion. Well worth the investment of time—5 ++
I read each word,I will say that the wonderful Dr was very well verse in human behavior. She seem to know and understand the heart of everyone. Yet was ready to imbrace life and live it to the fullest. thanks
Just completed reading this story and the sun has come up in the last few minutes. This story was wonderful and it took about 5 hrs to read it and it was worth every minute spent reading it. Wish everyone could read this it was quite educational to understand that the doctor understood man’s foibles yet continued to seek the best out of life for herself and friends and was not afraid to take the chance. Remarkable woman, hope we see her again in the future.
Ilene Chaiken, this is worth a look—The L Word comes of age. This really moved me, made me cry, made me think, and made me want to know more about this mysterious, militant, yet mild-mannered medicine woman. Where has she been & where is she going…and what L Word character will she end up with?????Thanks for the encouraging reviews. I stuck with this and ended up savoring it during a soggy afternoon—it kept me scrolling with its own sadness and sunshine.