Bill Hunt THE EXCHANGE STUDENT

Cast of Characters: Les Hunt, Anne Price

Description of Characters: Les Hunt: A boring, nice guy. Honest, a boy scout. Passionate, loving, lonely. Never had much luck with the ladies. Good looking, hardworking, extremely smart. Engineer and planner.

Anne Price: Quiet and bookish. Nice. Studies languages. Red hair, green eyes, rather buxom. A Scot studying at the University of Dublin in Ireland.

Scene 1. Medford and Vicinity The scene opens at the Medford Regional Airport. It is 4:00 am. It is early July and the night air is still balmy at 75°. Les has come down to pick up a young lady, one Anne Price, a Scot exchange student studying in Dublin at Trinity College. He sits in one of the uncomfortable seats at Gate 1 and tries to stay alert. He is extremely tired, but sitting on pins and needles. He is nervous at meeting Anne, whom he has never met. The scene changes to a series of flashbacks. Flashbacks 1 and 3 are of Les sitting at his computer reading E-mails and letters. Flashbacks 2 and 4 are of Anne similarly reading correspondence from Les. This is to let the audience know what has led up to this point and to set the mood of expectation and excitement. Flashback 1: The setting is Les' study in his house. He is sitting at his computer and is reading a letter. The mood should be cozy, suggest late in the night and be calm/peaceful. As he looks at the letter, Anne's voice will be used in reading it aloud. Anne's Voice:"... I was happy to receive your photos. You are so handsome. Tell me, why are you not married? The pictures you took of the mountains were beautiful. Someday I wish that I could see them. The United States must be a lovely place. All we see on the Telly is the crime or occasionally Washington D.C. and that foolish President of yours.. What is the U.S. really like? I would love to visit you. Perhaps one day you could visit me, too... Anne." Flashback 2: The scene is similar to Flashback 2, but it is Anne's room in the boarding house that she is staying in. Les' Voice: "... fine. I don't know, what can I say about my home...? Yes, it is beautiful in many places. I'd be more than willing to show you around. Why don't you come visit me? I have some vacation time in August. I'd dearly like to meet you face to face...." Flashback 3: Les is at his postal box, reading a letter from Anne. Anne's Voice: "... I can come this Summer, say the end of July. You describe so many interesting places: Crater Lake, the Cascades, the forests and mountains. Here, we have no real mountains and the forests are what you would call tree farms. Everything is tended and controlled in one way or another, from rivers to trees... Can we see your National Parks? I watch birds; what kinds do you have there? I cannot wait to see you. Flashback 4: Anne is lying on her bed reading Les' next letter. She is on her back and is toying with a shoe with her foot while she reads. She has a smile. Les' Voice: "... So, the last of July you'll be here for a month? I'll meet you at the local airport in Medford. I've saved some money and I can show you some of our attractions...." Scene 1, Continued: And so Les is waiting at the airport, trying to keep from fidgeting, and looking at his watch every few moments. He watches a small plane land and taxi up to the loading apron. A set of stairs is motored into place at the aircraft's side. Les is sitting on pins and needles at this point, praying that everything is right. Hair, clothes, aftershave... etc. ad nauseum. He runs a brush through his hair one more time. Only a handful of travelers disembark from the plane. None of them look familiar. The passengers come into the lounge. Some are met and others walk on out into the concourse past the metal-detector checkpoint. Les: Where was Anne? As a few minutes went by, he began to worry. Did she miss the plane or get stuck somewhere? Finally, a woman of medium height comes down the stairs. She looks like the photo of Anne. Les: Gets up and goes to the door. It's her! Anne: Walks in the door, carrying a purse. "Hello." She says somewhat shyly, uncertain if this is the person she is to meet. "Are you Les?" Les: Smiling in welcome. "Yes, Miss Price. Welcome to Oregon." He holds out a hand for her to shake. Anne: Eschewing the hand, she gives Les a hug and smiles in return. "I'm Anne, not Miss Price. And I am glad to finally meet you." Les: Takes her bag. "When you didn't come off the plane, I started to worry if you'd gotten stuck someplace." Anne: Snorts, half-irritated and half in humor. "Oh, the dratted seat belt wouldn't release. I was trapped in the seat. They didn't want to cut it or damage it and they dithered until a maintenance fellow came along and unbolted it from the floor." She grins. "Nice to start off things right." Her grin is infectious and Les has to laugh. Les: Looks at his watch. "Well, let's get your bags before they end up in Outer Mongolia." Anne: "Or Australia." The two walk over to baggage claim, where the two suitcases appear quickly. Les picks up one; Anne grabs the other before he can pick it up, too. Les: "How was your trip?" Anne: "Long. Unfortunately, it was at night and I couldn't see anything but lights when I was awake. I slept most of the trip." The two start walking toward the parking lot entrance. The two hit it off right away as friends. They walk out to his pickup and put her luggage in the back seat. Anne: Pickups are not common in Europe. "I've never driven in a lorry like this. It's nice." Les: "It get's me where I want to go." He patted the dash. "It's also very solid. It's a lot safer than most vehicles on the road." Anne: "Safer?" she says, not understanding. Les: "Oh, just that it has a strong frame and a lot of metal. Most American cars are small and they won't protect you in an accident." Anne: "Oh." They leave the airport, turning onto Table Rock Road, heading for Medford. Anne: Looking at the trees and mountains surrounding the valley: "It's beautiful. Where is your home?" Les: He points toward the mountains to the south. "Down there by Ashland, at the south end of the valley. My house is at the summit of the pass going down into the next valley." Anne: "You mean California?" Les: "About two miles, er.. 3 kilometers north of the California border." By now, they've wended their way to I-5 at the Central Point exit. They turn south, feeding into the sparse early morning traffic. Les: "This is the town of Central Point. Medford is south a couple of miles. There are all sorts of things to see around here." Anne: "I can't wait to see them." Les: "You feel like breakfast or is jet lag catching up to you? If you need a nap, I've got the spare room at my place fixed up." Anne: "I'm tired, but it probably would be better if I stayed awake until tonight to get used to the time zone. Breakfast sounds good." Les: "We'll stop at Medford for a bite." The scene flashes to the outside of the truck. They drive on to the Barnett exit in Medford and turn off. They stop at a local 24- hour restaurant. They eat a light breakfast and talk. Scene 2: Les' Home The house is on the ridge of the Siskiyous just off of I-5 and hwy 99. It is an attractive area of evergreen forest and grassy meadows. The ridge straddles the Siskiyous. Mt. Ashland, Mt. Shasta, the Salmon Mountains and the Trinity Alps are in view from the windows. Anne: Impressed. "This is so neat. How did you ever afford a place like this?" Les: "Actually, I bought the land fairly cheaply and I designed and built the house. I actually lived in a tent during last summer while I put the walls and roof up." He opens the door for her and they enter. Anne: Looking around at the nice, neat appearance. "It's great! You built this?" Les: "Actually, yes. I was an engineer for several years before I came to work for the water department. I figured it was better to buy some land and have a mortgage, rather than just paying rent. I wanted my own place. It's not finished yet." Anne: "Well, admittedly, it could use a little decoration, but it's very nice. I'd love to live in a place like this. It reminds me a little of my home in the Grampians. Do you get a lot of snow." Les: "Oh, yes. In fact, Mt. Ashland ski area is just over there about six miles. " He points out a window at Mt. Ashland to the west. Anne:" It's beautiful. Thank you so much for inviting me to come." Les: "Well, what would you like to see first?" End of Scene Scene 3: A series of short clips of the two becoming friends and eventually lovers. Les is taking Anne about the area, taking her to parks and lakes, restaurants and other places of interest. And a great deal of talking as if they had been friends for years and not just days. Each clip should be ad lib except as noted and will show the growing bond between them. Clip 1 The summit of Mt. Ashland (by road). Anne is impressed with the view of the Cascades, Trinities, Coast Ranges, Castle Crags, etc. Clip 2 Walking up to the lookout at Dutchman Peak and talking with the lady on duty there. Spectacular views. A quick peck on Les' cheek by Anne should be included (first overt sign of affection in the storyline). Clip 3 Swimming in the Rogue River near Tu Velle State Park. Clip 4 Looking at the birds and other wildlife at Denman Wildlife Refuge. Handholding begins in this clip. Clip 5 Sight-seeing at Crater Lake National Park. Clip 6 The Pinnacles at Crater Lake. First passionate kiss. Clip 7 Hiking up Mt. Lassen. Much kissing and holding at the top. Clip 8 Skinny dipping in one of the hot springs on the north face of Mt. Lassen. Kissing. Some petting. Clip 9 The limestone caverns at the McCloud Limestone at Shasta Lake/Whiskeytown. Arm in arm. Clip 10 The Three Sisters Wilderness up by Mackenzie Pass. Clip 11 Terwilliger hot springs. Much kissing and massage. Scene 4: Oregon Coast/ First Bedroom Scene The scene opens in the oceanside town of Brookings. The dinner is over and they are driving about town looking for a place to stay for the night. It is just after sunset, with some light left. The ocean is calm and the horizon seems infinitely far away. The car pulls up to a small seaside mom-and-pop motel. The place is old, and somewhat battered, but clean looking. Anne: Leaning over to kiss Les. "Think there is a room here?" Les: "Well, the sign is no vacancy. Let's go in and see." He gets out and opens the car door for her. The two walk up to the entrance. On closer examination, the place, while small, looks cozy and well-kept. 1940's architecture. He opens the door for her. The office is small and there is a small desk inside with a middle-aged woman watching a portable TV. She looks up as they come in. Owner: "Hi, what can I do for you?" She is cheerful, and bright. Les: A little nervous (he's always rented rooms alone before). "Hi, do you have any rooms left for the night?" Owner: Checks her roster. "Well, I've got a single available. $50 plus tax. Its fifty feet from the sea." Les: A single room? Oops. "Well, It sounds good, but-" He is about to refuse. Anne startles him by interrupting. Anne: "It sounds perfect." She meets Les' eyes, an unspoken request there. Les: Smiles nervously, wanting to oblige her, but afraid at the same time. "O.K., you take VISA?" The bill is paid and the owner hands them a key. "Checkout is at eleven, in case you two decide to sleep late." She winks. "The tide is out early, though. You might take a stroll along the beach around eight or so. Lot's of good tide pools." Les and Anne: "Thanks." They go out the door to the car and repark it. They find the right door easily and move their bags in. The room is small with a single bed, a nightstand and a couple of lamps and TV cabinet. The bathroom is large by comparison, with a large tub/shower. Anne: Sits on the bed. Les: Sits and then leans to kiss her. Anne: Face is close to Les'. "Let's go for a stroll on the beach before we turn in." Les: "Sure. It's a pretty enough night." Anne: Springs up and rummages through her bags. She removes some clothing. "Give me a second to get ready." She disappears into the bathroom. She strips down and quickly puts on a sweatshirt and sweatpants and walking shoes. She comes out a moment later. Les gets out his lantern and checks the battery while she is in the bathroom. Les takes her hand and they make their way down to the beach, walking a well- marked path leading from the bluffs down to the beach. It is somewhat chilly at 50 degrees or so and the air is still and heavy with the promise of dew and morning fog. There are no lights near the beach except a porch light at the motel and the two use the flash light. They hold hands and investigate the edge of the sea, turning over a bit of seaweed here, a shell there. They walk along the beach, discovering the little bits of life, the drift wood, the plants, etc., fascinated, both by what they find and by each other. Occasionally they squeeze together as they walk, arm in arm. The lights of Crescent City to the south and the lighthouse to the north provide a slight, ghostly illumination. At some point, after a few minutes of exploration, they stop. They take each other into each other's arms and passionately kiss. They hold each other for a long time, each filled with joy and peace. Finally, they part and Anne takes his hand, gesturing back toward the motel. They walk back, hand in hand, burning passion and expectation causing their hearts to race and their blood to burn. They walk quickly back, trying to be hasty, but wanting to run, hardly being able to stand to wait. Once inside, the two kiss for some time. When at last they part somewhat, Anne blushes. Anne: Shyly. "Perhaps we could clean up a bit." She reaches up and unbuttons his shirt, her fingers trembling and almost unable to perform the task. Les: Reaches down and unzips her sweatshirt. Swallows hard against a sudden lump in his throat and gently draws it down her shoulders and drops it on a chair. Anne: Pulls Les' shirt off. She sits on the bed and puts a leg up. Les: Removes her shoes and socks, kissing her on the lips from time to time. Anne: Stands up and makes him sit. She smiles, her face beaming and flushed. She takes his shoes and socks off as well, leaning over to kiss him, her long red tresses spilling over her head and obscuring her face as she works at her pleasant task. She pauses and kisses him long once more. Then she unbuckles his belt and begins to slide his pants off. She meets resistance after only sliding the fabric an inch or so. She giggles. Les: Laughs. "Oops." He blushes fiercely. He reaches down and tries to flatten his penis enough for the pants to slip over them. It's too hard to be bent much and hurts. Anne: Eyes close and her face crinkles. She snorts and laughs; it's so funny. She wants to make love to Les, but she can't get his pants off. Les: Can't resist her infectious laughing and guffaws. That sets the two of them off. She collapses into his arms and laughs until her sides hurt. He cannot stop laughing for a minute. Anne: Wiping her eyes. "Well, this must be one of those unforgettable moments." The two begin chuckling again. Les: With some effort, he stands up and frees himself, taking off his briefs. His organ is pulsating with every beat of his heart, the blood straining to escape from the tautly-stretched skin. Anne: She takes off her T-shirt, her ample breasts swelling somewhat as her heart raced. Les helps her remove her remaining clothes- bra, sweatpants and panties. Les: Embraces her, white fire washing through his body. Wanting to make this wonderful person his own. He looks down at her beautiful face and tears begin at the corners of his eyes. "I love you, Anne." Anne: Her cheeks tracked with a pair of tears, face radiant, intones, "I love you, too, Les." Still embracing, they lower themselves down to the bed, Anne laying down on her back. He locks his lips to hers and lies atop her. Anne reaches one hand down and grasps the base of his penis. He makes a funny moan. He enters her with a strong, gentle push, her body wrapping tightly around him. She expected it to hurt, but it didn't. She didn't know what to expect, really. It was the most wonderful feeling she had experienced. She felt part of him. She gasped and cried out, grabbing him tightly. He began thrusting, slowly at first, and building speed. Les loses control and pumps away fro all he is worth. Anne loves it. That first time, it only lasts perhaps five minutes. At the end, Anne cries out and Les gasps. The two hold each other for long seconds as their breathing slows down. Anne: The look on her face is angelic. Her hair is sweaty and the brilliant red color somewhat darkened, but her green eyes are piercing. Her joy seems to radiate. "Oh, Les, I love you so much." The two kiss and stroke each other for some time, warm and lazy. Les: Looking into his love's face. "I never dreamed that I would meet someone like you- So good, so nice." Anne: Doesn't reply, but nods a bit. They hold each other for a while longer, savoring each other's closeness. Withdrawing from Anne, Les starts to get up. Anne keeps ahold of him and the two stumble off to the bathroom, arms entwined. The next part of the scene occurs in the bathroom. Anne: "We should clean up a bit, Les. How about a nice, relaxing shower?" She stoops and turns on the water. She adjusts it and draws back the curtain. Les: Thinking about how incredibly beautiful she is, takes hold of her and they step together into the shower. They wash each other, soaping each others' bodies, stroking, exploring. Eventually they fill the tub and lie back, Anne in Les' lap and Les' arms about her. They lay like that for a time, content, smiles on their faces. Finally, they get out and dry each other off. Les blow dries Anne's hair. Les: Brushing out Anne's luxurious hair. "Anne, you have the prettiest hair. It's like mixing gold, silk and strawberries." Turning to pick up a comb, he asks, "Shall I part it in the center or on the side?" Les really was enjoying grooming Anne. Amazing how such a simple task could be so absorbing. Les loved to touch her. Anne: Turns and runs her fingers through his hair. "On the left side a bit, dear heart." Her eyes positively glowed. She picked up a comb and starts to comb his hair. The two giggle as their efforts to groom each other interferes in a tangle of limbs. Les: Desire is taking hold again and he puts both arms around her torso, kissing her between her breasts. Anne: Sighs. Puts her arms around his head. She leans back against the bathroom wall and kisses him so hard it leaves a bruise on his lips. Les: Turns Anne around and enters her from behind, causing her to gasp. The two move together for a couple of minutes, sighing and talking softly in gasps. Arms around Anne's waist, Les guides her away from the wall and the two awkwardly move into the bedroom, Les' penis still firmly inside Anne's body. Part way there, they lean against the TV cabinet and thrust away for a bit. Les pulls her away from the cabinet and sits down in the easy chair, still pumping away. After a few more minutes, the two go down to the carpeted floor, Anne kneeling in front of Les, and Les thrusting like a prize stallion or stud. Eventually, having tried several positions and places around the room, the two end up in bed once more. The two make gentle, passionate exploration of each other, learning to please each other. Around midnight the two fall asleep. Scene 5: Goodbye at Portland International Airport This scene opens in Portland in a cafe near Gresham. All good things must come to an end at some point and Anne's visit is about over. The two are sitting at a table, drinking tea. Les' hands are holding Anne's in the middle of the tabletop. Les: Very aware that time is passing and Anne will be leaving soon. "It's been so wonderful, Anne. I wish we had another month or two." Anne: "I don't know where the time went. I remember it all; most of all, I remember you, but it seems like I just got here." She looks down for a moment and then meets his gaze intently. "It seems that I've known you forever, though." Les: "It does seem that way. Kindred spirits, perhaps? In a way we've known each other for a year, but only through the mail and phone." Les is trying to get up the nerve to propose, but cannot find the right words to say. Anne: Desperately wants to stay, but knows she shouldn't. "I could stay with you, here." Les: Very touched. "Oh, Anne, that is so generous. But, you've only got three months to get your degree. Finish that first." Anne: Knows he right, but... "I shall, but I will miss you terribly. When do you think we could see each other? Perhaps you could come to see me in Scotland?" Les: Decides that he can't wait any longer; he must say something. "I would like that. Perhaps we could see Scotland as part... " He reaches under the table and brings out a small jewelry box. "... of our honeymoon." He opens the box and takes out a gold ring with a solitaire 2kt. diamond. Anne: She is speechless for a second and eyes wide, stares at the ring and then him in surprise. Then she extends the fingers on her left hand. Les: "Will you marry me?" He slips the ring on her finger. Anne: Face becomes radiant. She sniffs a tear back. "Yes." The two clasp hands across the table again. The scene flashes to I-205 and their car as they drive toward the airport. They make their way to the terminal and sit in the departure lounge. The two are seen to be talking and holding hands as they wait for the call to board the plane. Finally... Overhead Speaker: "Attention. Flight 704 is now boarding. Departing for Chicago, New York and Dublin. Please have your flight pass ready. Attention. Flight 704..." Anne: "Well, I guess this is it." She gets up, followed by Les. There is only a short line to wait in and she gets in line. The two kiss a last time; brave smiles and brimming eyes. And then she is gone. Les sits in the lounge and watches the aircraft taxi to the runway. He hurries over to the lounge on the opposite side of the building and watches the plane take off. He watches for a long time after the plane disappears from sight. Scene 6: Wedding Scene The scene opens in a small church. There is a group of about 30 relatives and friends in the pews. The trappings are traditional- a flowing white dress for the bride, tuxedo for the groom, dresses and suits for the other participants. Most of the guests will be reasonably well dressed. The decor is tasteful and romantic, without being overly showy or garish. The wedding is small, but intimate. One unusual touch is that some of Anne's family have brought some traditional instruments and are playing traditional Scottish airs when appropriate. The processional is underway as the scene opens. Les and Anne meet at the altar. A middle-aged minister is there in a white suit. Pastor: "We are gathered here today..." Eventually, he comes to the vows. "Do you..." Anne: "I do." Pastor:" Do you..." Les: "I do." Pastor: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The two kiss for a long moment. The scene ends with the two coming out the door of the church and driving off in their car. Scene 7: Wedding Night The two drive up to what was Les's home, now Anne's as well. Positively beaming, Les opens the door for Anne and the two proceed to the door. Les unlocks the door and then picks up Anne and carries her through the threshold. They stand in the open doorway and kiss for a time, Anne in his arms. Then (his arms getting a little shaky) he lowers her to sit on the sofa. He kneels before her. He removes her veil and she looses his tie. He slips off her shoes and begins the arduous task of removing her from her wedding dress, kissing her all the while. The zipper sticks on the back of her dress, causing her to giggle, but it is quickly loosened. Then he removes her stockings and garters, kissing her thighs and legs. Clad only in a satin bra and panties, Anne takes Les' place kneeling on the floor. He sits on the sofa where she had been. She takes his shoes off and pulls his shirt from his torso, kissing as he had done. Then she unbuckles his belt and slides his pants and finally his briefs. She kisses his penis once and he motions for her to lie down. He begins to massage her body, starting from her toes and working his way up to her forehead. He takes his time and makes sure she is enjoying it. She rolls over onto her back and he repeats the process in reverse. Anne gets up and directs Les to lie on his back. She massages him in similar fashion. The two get up and begin to dance, cheek to cheek, chuckling and smiling. After a couple minutes (and a couple of stubbed toes), Les opens the door and gestures to the outside. Anne: "Oh, we cannot go out there." Les: "Why not. It's warm enough. I want the world to know I love you." Anne: "Well..." Giggling, the two step outside and dance on the sidewalk in front of their home. Given the forest that surrounded the house, it was unlikely that anyone would see them. Still it was exciting. Soon they were too involved to care. They walked body to body to the overlook next to his house. The moon was out and they could see the lights down below and the still-snow covered Mt. Shasta in the distance. Les leaned against a rock and lifted Anne up into his arms, her legs straddling his waist and his penis entering her. For several minutes, the two make love there, until they notice that the rock is rather a hard spot on the back. Still inside her, they move awkwardly back to the house and collapse on the floor. Anne sits on him and rocks back and forth... The two will make love in various positions and speeds and places for at least an hour. The actual detail can be planned later. When the two climax, they hold each other for a very long time and then the video ends with them kissing- Freezeframe.