Alone Together

[Open Int. Beach House]

Pearl: *snaps fingers* A 5-6-7-8!

(Steven and Amethyst try to dance in unison.)

Pearl: Synchronize! *still snapping fingers*

(Amethyst tries to lift Steven, but Amethyst drops him and he falls. They both laugh.)

Pearl: Be serious!

(Steven and Amethyst continue dancing. Pearl continues snapping her fingers. Amethyst successfully lifts Steven, but they both start laughing again. Pearl stops snapping and frowns.)

Pearl: *standing near Garnet* Pay attention now, Steven.

(Pearl and Garnet perform a ballroom dance. Garnet briefly lifts Pearl. Pearl backs into a wall. Garnet leans against the same wall; her hands on either side of Pearl's head. Pearl slightly blushes.)

Pearl: *looks at Steven* See? *beckoning gesture*

Steven: *stares at Pearl wide-eyed for a second, but then looks determined* Hmm.

(''Steven tries to dance with Pearl and copy Garnet's moves. He's too short and needs help with some of the poses. Pearl smiles hesitantly and looks at Garnet. Garnet rests her chin in her hand in thought. Steven and Amethyst do a dance similar to the Macarena. Steven follows pretty well but isn't as limber and flexible as Amethyst. Steven tries dancing with Garnet but cannot keep up with the speed of her hand movements. Pearl tries to do a duet with Steven but accidentally hits him in the face with her leg since he's too short. Steven lands on his side. Pearl looks apologetic and concerned. Pearl takes a step towards Steven with an apparent intent to comfort. Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst snap in unison; Steven is a bit off beat. Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst each put one foot forward; Steven puts forward his left hand. Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst run in unison and exit stage right. Steven enters the frame from stage right, realizes he's going the wrong way, turns around, and tries to catch up with the Gems. Amethyst, Pearl, and Garnet in unison slide, leap, and pose in midair. Steven tries to jump and pose as well but quickly falls to the ground.'')

[Trans. Int. Steven's Kitchen]

(The Gems walk towards the kitchen.)

Steven: *carrying a towel around his neck* I don't get it, I thought I almost had it.

Pearl: *walks in and leans against the island counter* Nobody expects you to be able to perform fusion right away, Steven.

Amethyst: *trots in and hops on top of the counter* Yeah! It's really hard, even for us.

Garnet: *enters and leans against the cabinets* Not for me.

Pearl: We'll keep working on the dance for now, and who knows, in a few years... *pauses and put finger on chin* I wonder though if Steven's body is capable of fusion. Fusion merges the physical forms of gems, but Steven is half-human. He's organic.

Steven: *pops in* Organic?

Amethyst: Aw, come on! It's Steven! *in a funny voice* Who knows what's gonna happen? *laughs heartily*

Garnet: *walks forward and stands next to Steven* Well, I think Steven can do it. *looks over at Steven*

(Steven looks back up at Garnet with a worried expression.)

[Trans. Int. The Beach]

[Shot of Steven's flip-flops, Connie's flats and her glasses on the sand. Camera pans up to show Steven and Connie sitting in the sand, facing each other]

Connie: Can you get them to write out the steps?

Steven: No... I don't think it's just about the dancing. When they fuse, they glow and kind of... *puts hands together* phase into each other. I don't know if I can even do that.

Connie: Well, I think it's amazing you were able to dance with them at all. I could never do that.

Steven: Huh? What do you mean?

Connie: *looks to the side, holding her arm* I've never danced in front of anyone before.

Steven: Really?

Connie: Yeah. *looks at the sky* There was a dance at my school, and I was really excited about it...but, I just couldn't bring myself to go. *looks down and closes her eyes* I just couldn't stop thinking about everyone staring at me.

Steven: Well... no one's staring right now?

(Connie looks up; Steven is staring at her.)

Connie: Um. You are.

Steven: *looks away blushing* Oh...yeah. Oh, one sec.

(Steven reaches into his pocket, pulls out his smartphone, taps it a few times, and sticks his phone in the sand. "Alone Together" starts to play.)

Steven: *stands and walks away a few paces* So, what I was trying to - *turns to face Connie, hides face in hand* - say was... *face still covered, offers hand to Connie, blushing* ... come dance with me.

(Connie hesitates, then reaches for Steven's hand. Steven peeps through his fingers, then smiles at Connie. Connie, blushing, smiles back. Steven pulls her forward. Steven and Connie begin to dance. Steven twirls Connie. Steven laughs gently and does a little jig. Connie has her own dance solo as well. Steven and Connie run around, carefree. They bump into each other; Steven starts to fall, but Connie catches him. They both pause for a beat, blushing. Steven smiles. Connie giggles and rests her forehead on his, they both blush and lean closer. Steven's gem begins to glow... Screen fills with pink light.)

[Trans. Int. Black Screen]

[Iris Wipe reveals a pair of rosy-brown legs]

Stevonnie: Whoa. Why am I-? Why is... *hand enters frame and picks up Steven's flip-flop* - your sandal too small for my - your feet?

(Stevonnie touches their feet, knees, shorts, and stomach.)

Stevonnie: Steven? *hands in hair* Connie! *looks down* I - I did it! You did it? *struggles to get up* Wait. Ugh, this - no. This is gr-great! Oh my gosh, look at you now! *finally stands up straight and looks up serious* I'm a fusion.

(Stevonnie throws their hands up in the air laughing and begins to run around the beach. Stevonnie trips and falls behind a rock. They quickly pop up looking determined.)

Stevonnie: I have to show everybody.

[Trans. Int. Beach House]

(Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst stare at Stevonnie with surprised looks on their faces. Stevonnie smiles confidently.)

Stevonnie: Pretty cool, right?

Pearl: He fused? With his friend Connie?

Amethyst: *laughs* *leans over* Pearl, look at Garnet.

(Garnet has her hands clasped together and a huge grin on her face. Pearl's gaze moves from Garnet back to Stevonnie.)

Pearl: *walks up to Stevonnie, chin in hand peering at Stevonnie* This is unprecedented. (Pearl begins to examine Stevonnie.) *touches Stevonnie's arms* A Gem fusing... *touches Stevonnie's right leg* with a human... *stares at Stevonnie while crouching* being? *stands up straight* It's impossible! *looks away with hand cupping face* Or at the very least inappropriate.

Amethyst: *while laughing* (Amethyst goes up and puts her hands on Stevonnie's abdomen.) Wow! You two look great together! How does it feel Steven? Connie? ... Stevonnie?

Stevonnie: It feels amazing!

Pearl: *uncomfortable* Yes. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves, but you two should un-fuse this instant.

Stevonnie: Wait. What? *straightens up, serious* Pearl. You were so worried Steven wouldn't be able to do this. Aren't you proud of him?

Pearl: Of.. course I am! I - *looks at Garnet with a worried look on her face* - Garnet, help me out here.

Garnet: Stevonnie. *walks up to Stevonnie; Amethyst and Pearl back away* Listen to me. *cups Stevonnie's face in hand* You are not two people. And you are not one person. You... are an experience! Make sure you're a good experience. Now... Go!... Have!... Fun! *grins*

[Trans. Ext. Beach City]

(Stevonnie running while "Twilight Run" plays in the back. Only their feet are visible. Camera zooms out to reveal all of Stevonnie, running with a determined expression. Stevonnie starts sprinting and grins. Stevonnie leaps into the air and completes a string of cartwheels. Camera zooms out further to reveal that Stevonnie is cartwheeling towards the edge of a high cliff. Camera zooms into the cliff's edge. Stevonnie peeps over the edge, then jumps off the cliff.)

Stevonnie: *screams excitedly*

[Trans. Int. Ocean Shore]

(Floating on their back, Stevonnie is brought into the frame with the tide, laughing like Steven, then like Connie, and back to Steven. Their stomach growls.) Stevonnie sits up and looks towards the Big Donut.

[Trans. Int. Big Donut]

(Sadie and Lars are in the middle of a conversation. They are huddled together. Both of them are leaning on the counter. Lars is smiling; Sadie is not.)

Sadie: No -

Lars: - Sure!

Sadie: Lars -

Lars: - I don't - I don't think that's -

Sadie: - Seriously -

Lars: - Okay! -

Sadie: - He's very nice.

(Door chimes. Stevonnie walks into the shop, hair still wet from swimming in the ocean. Sadie and Lars both stare at Stevonnie with wide eyes. Stevonnie walks up to the counter.)

Lars: *blushing and stammering* Ha- ha- how can I - help... me?

(Sadie and Lars blush. Lars sweats a little. Stevonnie flips their hair and squeezes some water out of it.)

Stevonnie: Two doughnuts. Please.

(Sadie and Lars are still staring. Sadie's mouth is slightly open. Lars reaches into the case with a round and slightly deformed head and drops a bag of two doughnuts on the counter with tiny fingers/hands. Stevonnie moves even closer to the counter, holding some Dollar Bills and Coins. Lars nervously stares at Stevonnie, unsure of what to do.)

Stevonnie: What do I owe you?

Lars: Uh- ah- uhhhh-

(Sadie is still blushing and slams her hands onto the counter. Stevonnie and Lars both look at her in surprise.)

Sadie: Oh nothing! *looks away and gently pushes Stevonnie's hand aside* It's on the house.

Stevonnie: *incredulous* Really?

(Sadie and Lars nod their heads in unison.)

Sadie and Lars: *in unison* Mmm-hmm.

Stevonnie: *shrugs* Okay.

(Stevonnie grabs the doughnut bag off the counter. At the door, Stevonnie pauses.)

Stevonnie: But just so you know - *looks back at Lars and Sadie over her shoulder* - that isn't a very sound business practice.

(Sadie and Lars stare at Stevonnie, stunned. Both are wide-eyed with their mouths wide open. The door chimes and closes behind Stevonnie. The 'OPEN' sign swings into place and obscures Sadie and Lars' faces.)

[Trans. Int. The Boardwalk]

(Stevonnie is walking, reaching into the doughnut bag.)

Stevonnie: Sweet, two doughnuts! One for me and one... for... uh, me.

(Stevonnie pauses by a wooden bench and looks to the side, uncertainly. They look down at the doughnuts in their hands. Camera focuses on the two doughnuts, which are touching each other slightly.)

Stevonnie: Are you okay? *blinks*

(Stevonnie pulls the doughnuts apart.)

Stevonnie: We can stop if you...

(Stevonnie puts the doughnuts together.)

Stevonnie: No. No.

[Camera zooms out]

(Stevonnie looks to the side.)

Stevonnie: Don't worry.

(Stevonnie sits down on the bench, crosses their legs, and bites into a doughnut.)

Stevonnie: Mmmm.

(Stevonnie takes another bite and looks off into middle distance. Sour Cream walks into frame. Stevonnie feels someone's presence and looks up in surprise.)

Stevonnie: Oh hey, Sou- er... hey, stranger. *puts doughnuts down* Wow, cool pants!

Sour Cream: *nervous* Cool. *looks away* Rave, tonight.*hands Stevonnie a flier*

Stevonnie: *reads flier* Like, a dance?

Sour Cream: *blushing* Yeah, at the warehouse. I'm DJ-ing, and a bunch of my friends from the internet are gonna be there. There's gonna be free.. glow sticks...

Stevonnie: Yes! I'll definitely be there! Yes. Thanks!

(Stevonnie exits stage right.)

Sour Cream: *flustered* Cool.

[Trans. Int. The Warehouse]

(Stevonnie walks up to the warehouse. They take a moment at the partially collapsed wall to scope the rave. About a dozen people are dancing. DJ Sour Cream is playing chiptune music with different variations of the Game Boy. Ronaldo is free styling. Kevin is leaning against the wall and looks bored. He notices Ronaldo's dancing.)

Kevin: Yeesh. *walks away*

(Jenny and Buck are dancing. DJ Sour Cream is doing his thing. Camera cuts to Sour Cream's chiptune equipment: a soundboard, a keyboard, and three handheld video game consoles; similar to Game Boys. Sour Cream turns a dial and transitions the music into an upbeat song; the crowd cheers.)

(Stevonnie is still hanging out by the entrance and stares. They put on a brave face and step forward. *a lime green beetle on a rock near Stevonnie's ankle flies away as Stevonnie walks by.* Members of the crowd pause as Stevonnie passes them. Stevonnie walks up to Jenny and Buck and begins to dance. Jenny and Buck stop dancing and back away, but Stevonnie doesn't notice and continues to dance fantastically.)

Sour Cream: *watches Stevonnie dancing* I'm amazing... *adds a sweet descant to the beat*

(Stevonnie has an inadvertent dance solo. Stevonnie twirls, knee-slides, and flips their hair. Sparkles seem to appear with every move they make. After launching themselves and twisting in the air, Stevonnie lands with satisfied sigh. Stevonnie stands up and notices everybody in the room staring.)

Stevonnie: *laughs nervously* I- thought this was a dance party. *looks around* Why isn't anyone else dancing.

(The people in the crowd are speechless and continue to stare.)

Stevonnie: *starting to panic* This is what being cool at a cool dance is, right? This is how it's supposed to be... Why isn't it like it's supposed to be? *hyperventilates and closes their eyes*

(The people around Stevonnie transform into huge looming shadows. Shards of glass rise out of the floor and grow taller. Strips of a disco ball appear and envelop Stevonnie.)

[Trans Int. Disco Ball]

(Stevonnie opens their eyes. Lights spin around the inside of the disco ball.)

Stevonnie: *looking up* ... Uh.

(Stevonnie is disoriented. Kevin phases through the wall of the disco ball and steps inside. Kevin sizes Stevonnie up.)

Kevin: Hey, baby.

[Trans. Int. The Warehouse]

(People in the background are chatting amongst themselves. Hand on his hip, Kevin smugly awaits Stevonnie's response.)

Stevonnie: *put off* Huh?

Kevin: *leans in and offers Stevonnie his hand* Get ready. *slides around Stevonnie* it's Kevin Time. *smirks*

(Kevin starts dancing arrogantly as the song changes. People in the crowd take notice. Stevonnie is uncomfortable. As Kevin dances he inches closer and closer to Stevonnie. Stevonnie runs off of the dance floor and, bent over, leans against a wall to catch their breath.)

Stevonnie: *pants* I don't understand what's wrong. You have fun dancing but this dance isn't fun. You're supposed to like this. Why- don't we like this?

(Stevonnie sighs and stands up.)

Stevonnie: *sad* I wish you were here. *anxiously crosses arms and slumps against the wall* If we were together, it would be okay. But we are together, and it's not. *voice quivers* ''I'm alone. *closes eyes*''

(Kevin puts his hand against the wall near Stevonnie's head. Stevonnie's eyes pop open.)

Kevin: Not tonight. *smirking* Hey baby, why'd you leave me on the dance floor?

Stevonnie: *nervous* I don't - *pushes Kevin's hands away, becomes stern* I don't want to dance anymore.

Kevin: What are you talking about? *brushes fingers through his bangs* We're the best thing that's ever happened to this place. Come back out with me.

Stevonnie: *defiant* Why should I?

Kevin: *patronizing tone* Because we're angels walking among garbage people. We're perfect for each other.

Stevonnie: *angry* How can you say that!? You don't even know us!

Kevin: Oh, whoa. I'm just looking for a dance! *accusatory* Don't get crazy.

Stevonnie: No one is crazy. I just don't like feeling alone here!

Kevin: If you're so lonely, then dance with me!

Stevonnie: Ugh! Fine. *glaring* You wanna dance? Let's go.

(Stevonnie grabs Kevin by the arm and drags him onto the dance floor. Stevonnie turns around and looks down their nose at Kevin.)

Stevonnie: And it's Stevonnie; I am not your baby.

(Stevonnie starts dancing aggressively, kicking and punching the air while grunting forcefully. Kevin turns blue in the face. Stevonnie ignores him.)

Kevin: Okay, bring it back, girl.

(Stevonnie ignores Kevin and starts jumping up an down. Stevonnie's gem begins to glow. Stevonnie disappears and Steven and Connie fall to the ground, stunned. The crowd notices the commotion. Kevin, still blue in the face, is taken aback. Jenny, Buck, and the rest of the party goers gasp at the sudden dissolution of Stevonnie.)

Kevin: *holds up both hands* It's two kids! I'm out. *exits*

Steven: *sits up* We're back...

(Connie starts laughing nervously, then laughs hysterically. Steven stares for a moment, then starts cry- laughing. Steven stands up as Sour Cream cheers, saying "Y-e-e-e-ah!" and starts throwing glow sticks from his backpack. Steven and Connie continue laughing raucously and dance in the rain of glow sticks. The crowd stares, stunned. Steven and Connie ignore everyone, lost in their euphoria.)

[END