The Vanilla Theory

This is the original story for a film we did in the BYU-Idaho Film Workshop. We ended up not using this story, even though I got it copyrighted.

Roger sits in the MC observing couples as they pass by. He muses about how they all met. Were they soul mates? Was it destiny? He’s convinced that people are in the right place and the right time when they meet “the one”. He leaves the MC to go to class.

In the Taylor. Roger checks out a lot of the girls in class. He’s shallow. Class ends and nothing happens. He leaves, feeling like he failed. He passes Trenna as she enters the classroom. He doesn’t notice her.

That night, Trenna practices an instrument in the Snow for open Mic Night at the Box Club. Roger tags the side of a building in Rexburg. They stop for a moment because they “feel” each other, but brush it off.

The next night, Roger’s still in a funk. Nothing seems to be working. Brad, his roommate, walks out, ready to go on a date with Rachel, Trenna’s roommate. Rachel knocks on the door. He looks out and sees Trenna with another guy. Their eyes meet and Roger sees sparks fly. She has gotta be it. They all leave as Roger starts to think about his roommate and then about Trenna. He grabs his tagging stuff and leaves.

The Box Club. Trenna gets on stage and begins to play. Roger passes by as she starts playing. He’s still depressed. He climbs to the roof to begin his own work.

A few days later in the Benson’s “Jungle Room”. Roger is studying as Trenna rushes in to water the plants. This is his chance. He musters the courage and asks her out. She tentatively agrees.

Craigo’s. Roger and Trenna sit in a booth getting to know each other a little bit. Roger asks if she wants to be exclusive. She turns him down flat. Roger’s shocked and crushed. His system failed.

Roger lays in his bed one night mulling over what Trenna told him. He sends her a text, asking what she’s up to the next night. She’s busy. Brad walks in doe-eyed. He just proposed to Rachel. Roger asks how he knew that Rachel was supposed to marry Brad. Brad explains the “Vanilla Theory”. Roger has a hard time accepting it.

A few days later, Roger gets a call from Trenna. She asks if he’s busy that night. He gets excited. Maybe his theory works after all.

He knocks on Trenna’s door. She answers, but looks like she’s more ready for bed than a date. She calls Emily out. The classic “Bait ‘N Switch”. Roger’s disappointed, but goes with her anyway.

He walks into his apartment. He just had a blast with Emily. He even has another date with her. He comes to terms with the “Vanilla Theory”.

Roger sits in the Crossroads pondering this recent revelation. He scans over the crowd and sees plenty of eligible girls, new prospects. He spots one, approaches her and starts talking to her, setting up a date with her.

The End