RADIO ROMANCE SAMPLE

SFX: Sounds of the airport, mild chatter, bags rolling, flights taking off.

NARRATOR

Mia struggled to hold her overstuffed bag as she waited to board at her gate. It had been five years since she’d graduated college and moved to New York but somehow she still managed to overpack whenever she visited her family home in California. However, as it was her baby sister’s wedding and she was dateless (as always), she figured she’d make up for it with some stunning outfits. She was in the fashion industry after all.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Boarding group B, for San Francisco, CA. Group B.

MIA

That’s me.

SFX: Mia walking down the plane’s aisle as she looks for her seat. She’s breathy, as she attempts to carry her heavy bag.

MIA

(to herself)

Okay, 34C... 34C... Okay, looks like it’s right up there, now I just have to get this bag up into overhead...

SFX: Sounds of Mia wrestling her bag into overhead storage.

MIA

(to herself)

Oh my god, come on what were all those pilates classes for if I can’t even get my bag into-

JACK

Can I help you?

MIA
No thanks, I got- AH!

SFX: Sound of bag coming crashing down when-

JACK
Got it.

NARRATOR
Mia felt the stranger’s arms around her as he held up her bag and tucked it gracefully into the overhead compartment. She blushed, feeling his strong chest behind her and caught the scent of his cologne, which felt comforting and a little reminiscent of home. Mia turned to see:

MIA

Jack Armstrong?

JACK

Uh... Yeah?

MIA
Sorry to full name you, I’m- It’s Mia. Mia Robbins? Brookside High?

JACK

Omg, Sia Mia??

MIA
Okay, well, no one calls me that-

ANNOYED PASSENGER

Umm, EXCUSE me!!!

MIA

Okay, I’m going, I’m going, let me just-

JACK

I guess I should sit back down. Well, uh, nice seeing you, Si- um, I mean, Mia.

SFX: Jack sits and buckles his seatbelt.

MIA

Actually, this is- I’m- I’m 34C.

JACK

Oh, so you’re-

MIA

Next to you, yes. Oh, no, don’t get up!

JACK

(unbuckling)

No, here.

MIA

No, no, I’ll just scoot past you!

SFX: Mia attempting to climb over Jack.

ANNOYED PASSENGER

Move it!

MIA
Hey! No need to shove! Whoa!!

SFX: Sound of Mia falling.

JACK

Uh, Mia?

MIA

(embarrassed)

I’m sitting in your lap, aren’t I?

JACK

Yeah.

MIA

Great. Sorry about that.

JACK
Just as clumsy as ever I see.

MIA

Hey, I wasn’t clumsy!

JACK
Come on, you could trip on an eyelash. You fell reaching for your diploma at graduation!

MIA
And here I thought you didn’t remember me.

JACK

(laughing)

Well, you were pretty quiet in school. Except for that one party. Hey, how did you get on top of that chandelier?

MIA

They serve alcohol on this flight, right?

JACK
Just don’t drink too much. Don’t want to see you swinging from the cockpit or something.

MIA

(half-joking)

And this is when I turn to my US Weekly and pretend we don’t know each other.

SFX: Sound of Mia opening up a magazine.

JACK

I’m sorry. You were always easy to tease. Old habits die hard.

MIA

So, I see.

JACK
So, you visiting family or you live in New York these days?

MIA
Visiting. My little sister’s getting married.

JACK

Ah, congrats.

MIA
I guess. I don’t know. I don’t really believe in it.

JACK

Marriage?

MIA

Yeah.

JACK

Hm, so it’s like the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and marriage?

MIA
Basically. What, don’t tell me you’re a romantic?

JACK
A little. Why is that surprising?

MIA
You dated like a million girls in high school.

JACK

You noticed?

MIA
No. Well, it was hard not to. It was like you had a bet with yourself or something.

SFX: Jack laughs.

JACK
Maybe I was just in search for “the one”.

MIA
Oh, god, what a liiiiine.

SFX: Sounds of the engine starting up and the plane beginning take-off.

JACK

Oh, god.

MIA
Uh, Jack?

JACK
I’m holding your hand, aren’t I?

MIA

Yeah.

JACK
Sorry, I- I’m a bit of a nervous flyer. People think it’s embarrassing but we are in a hunk of junk just hurtling through the sky with endless possible ways to die. Sorry. I’ll let go.

MIA
Uh, no. It’s okay. I get a little nervous too.

NARRATOR
Mia’s heart skipped a beat. Of course, she had always liked Jack. Handsome, warm, funny. He was the kind of guy you’d dream of going to prom with. Mia blushed. She felt like a teen again. His hand was much larger than hers yet he held hers gently. How many times had she envisioned something like this happening between her and Jack in high school? Thought of him holding her, kissing her with his soft lips. Suddenly, he gave her hand a squeeze and let go.

JACK
Looks like we’re finally cruising. Thanks for being my emotional support seat mate.

JACK

Yeah. Anytime.

JACK
I’ll stop bugging you and let you get back to Brangelina.

MIA
Brangelina?? You are way behind the times, sir. You know Brad’s

considering getting back together with Jen, right?

JACK
Dang, we really are back in high school.

SFX: Sounds of the drink cart.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Something to drink?

JACK

Whiskey, neat.

MIA

White wine, please.

SFX: Sounds of drinks being passed out.

MIA

Thank you.

JACK

Cheers.

MIA

Cheers.

SFX: They clink and drink.

MIA
I didn’t realize you were living in New York. We could have had this awkward exchange months ago!

JACK
Oh, I don’t live in New York.

MIA

(disappointed)

Oh.

JACK
I was out for a job interview.

MIA

(excitedly)

Oh! For?

JACK

Photojournalist. Kiiiind of my dream job. I’ve been a wedding photographer for way too long.

MIA
I’d think that’d be the perfect job for a romantic like you.

JACK
Yeah, well, I’m getting a little sick of photographing other people’s love.

MIA
So, are you going to take the job?

JACK
(taking a swig of his drink)
Mm. Yeah, I’d like to but uh, my girlfriend doesn’t want to move to New York.

MIA
Oh, well, she sounds dumb. Just kidding of course! She sounds great. Or, I mean, you haven’t really described her but I’m sure she’s the best.

JACK
Yeah, no, she is. Uh, what about you? Boyfriend?

MIA

Yep.

JACK

Oh yeah? How long?

MIA
Oh, what? No. I mean, sorry, I meant, yes, I do not have a boyfriend.

JACK

Huh. Surprising.

MIA
Now you’re teasing me again.

JACK
No, I’m serious. You’ve always had a very lovable quality. I’m sure there are tons of guys out there in love with you and you don’t even know it.

SFX: Sound of turbulence.

NARRATOR
Before Mia could respond the plane dipped into a fit of turbulence. Jack grabbed her hand again and Mia held on tight. Even though she was scared she felt a safety and comfort she’d never experience before as she held Jack’s hand. And even as the plane regained control and continued to sail on, she felt a turbulence in her heart, a storminess, that now awoken, wouldn’t be soothed easily.

END OF SAMPLE