HER
Written by
Spike Jonze
INT. UNKNOWN SPACE
Close on THEODORE'S face (30s). We hold on him for a long
time. He's looking at something off camera, deep in thought.
He starts quietly dictating a love letter into a small
microphone.
THEODORE
To my Chris, I have been thinking
about how I could possibly tell you
how much you mean to me. I remember
when I first started to fall in
love with you like it was last
night. Lying naked beside you in
that tiny apartment, it suddenly
hit me that I was part of this
whole larger thing, just like our
parents, and our parents' parents.
Before that I was just living my
life like I knew everything, and
suddenly this bright light hit me
and woke me up. That light was you.
Theodore, searching for the right words, quietly enjoys
writing the letter. As he continues, he is moved by the
memories he's describing.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
I can't believe it's already been
50 years since you married me. And
still to this day, every day, you
make me feel like the girl I was
when you first turned on the lights
and woke me up and we started this
adventure together. Happy
Anniversary, my love and my friend
til the end. Loretta. Print.
Cut out to reveal a computer monitor he's sitting at. On the
screen we see the letter he's been dictating, transcribed
into a handwritten letter on blue stationery.
As he says "Loretta," we see "Loretta" being handwritten at
the bottom of the letter. He proofreads his letter. Also on
the screen are photos of a couple in their 80s. The couple is
tagged "Chris" and "Me - Loretta." Underneath is a bullet
point email from Loretta: anniversary letter to husband
Chris, married fifty years, love of my life, met right after
college, have had the greatest life together.
Theodore pushes print and the letter comes out on a beautiful
robin's egg blue piece of stationery, with ball point pen
handwritten older-female cursive. He looks at it, not happy.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 2
CONTINUED:
He puts the printed letter on a stack of other printed
letters to Chris and starts a new one. There is also a stack
of finished letters in their envelopes - an assortment of
beautiful stationery in all shapes and sizes.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Chris, my best friend. How lucky am
I that I met you fifty years ago?
How lucky are we...
We track off of Theodore, down a line of cubicles, hearing
bits of letters being written and seeing photos of who
they're being written to on the screens.
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN LETTER WRITER
Dear Nana, Thank you so much for my
truck. I love the color and I play
with it every day. It's the best
truck I've ever seen. Love, Tommy.
We see photos of Tommy and Nana on the screen, and five-year
old hand writing. Moving off of her, we find another letter
writer.
LETTER WRITER 2
What a beautiful wedding and what a
gorgeous bride. There wasn't a dry
eye in the house, especially mine.
Your aunt and I are so proud of
you. I hope you and your lovely new
wife will come visit us in Florida.
LETTER WRITER 3
He served our country with honor
and dignity. I'm grateful I was
able to fight along side him. He
will live always in my heart.
We continue tracking, revealing dozens and dozens of cubicles
full of letter writers. We hear someone answer the phone.
RECEPTIONIST (O.S.)
Beautifulhandwrittenletters.com,
please hold.
LETTER WRITER 2
Love, Uncle Doug.
Her pg. 3
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - EARLY EVENING
Theodore walks through the reception area. The office is
almost empty except for him and the receptionist, PAUL.
Theodore begins to scan each letter through a scanner on the
front desk, then puts them in the outgoing mailbox.
Paul is sitting at a desk across the room, reading
handwritten letters on a computer monitor.
PAUL
Theodore! Letter Writer 612.
THEODORE
Hey, Paul.
PAUL
Even more mesmerizing stuff today.
(re: letter on his screen)
Who knew you could rhyme so many
words with the name Penelope?
Badass.
THEODORE
Thanks, Paul, but they're just
letters.
(beat)
Hey, that's a nice shirt.
Paul is wearing a bright yellow button down shirt.
PAUL
(lighting up)
Oh, thank you. I just got it. It
reminded me of someone suave.
THEODORE
Well, now it reminds me of someone
suave. Have a good night, Paul.
PAUL
Buh-bye.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
Theodore enters an oversized, corporate elevator. He puts a
hands-free device in his ear. There are a few other people in
the elevator with the same devices in their ears.
THEODORE
Play melancholy song.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 4
CONTINUED:
Melancholy song starts. Long beat.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Play different melancholy song.
Different melancholy song starts. Hold on everyone in the
elevator, they're all murmuring inaudibly into their own
devices.
EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - DUSK
Slightly in the future, the city's been developed even more
with massive office, apartment and mall complexes. It's a
city designed for comfort and ease. The LA basin is more
crowded and dense, resembling Shanghai, with buildings as far
as the eye can see. Construction cranes loom overhead. Close
on Theodore walking through the commuter crowd.
THEODORE
Check emails.
An awkward text voice reads to him. It accents wrong
syllables, making everything it says sound a little off.
TEXT VOICE
Email from Best Buy: Check out all
your favorite new --
THEODORE
Delete.
TEXT VOICE
Email from Amy: Hey Theodore,
Lewman's having a bunch of people
over this weekend. Let's all go
together. I miss you. I mean, not
the sad, mopey you - the old, fun
you. Let's get him out. Gimme a
shout back. Love, Amy.
THEODORE
Respond later.
TEXT VOICE
Email from Los Angeles Times
weather. Your seven day forecast is
partly--
THEODORE
Delete.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 5
CONTINUED:
TEXT VOICE
No new emails.
INT. SUBWAY - EVENING
Theodore sits in a crowded subway. Everyone on the train
murmurs to themselves, occupied with their small devices. He
plays a futuristic puzzle game on his handheld device as he
listens to news headlines.
THEODORE
Next.
TEXT VOICE
China/India merger headed for
regulatory approval--
THEODORE
Next.
TEXT VOICE
World trade deals stalled as talks
break down betw--
THEODORE
Next.
TEXT VOICE
Sexy daytime star Kimberly Ashford
reveals provocative pregnancy
photos.
He scrolls through titillating but tasteful pregnant woman
photos.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Theodore walks through a mall and enters an apartment lobby,
nestled in between stores.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY - NIGHT
Theodore walks through the hallway.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Theodore enters his apartment.
Her pg. 6
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - EVENING
Theodore sits on the sofa, his half eaten burrito in front of
him. He's playing a video game: a 3-D hologram that fills his
apartment. His avatar is in a surreal, foreign landscape.
He's trying to trudge his avatar through sand dunes and keeps
getting stuck. He's getting stressed out.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Theodore lays in bed. After a beat, he closes his eyes.
INT. CATHERINE AND THEODORE'S TINY BEDROOM - DAY - FLASHBACK
Theodore, younger, and CATHERINE (20s) move furniture in
their bedroom. The bedroom is tiny and cluttered. It's
obviously a couple's first apartment.
Cut to:
Theodore is on a tiny balcony. A few feet away, Catherine is
in bed.
CATHERINE
(sweet and cute)
Rabbit. Come spoon me.
Theodore, smiling, gets in bed and spoons her. Quick cut off
of her smile, to --
Theodore lays on the ground with Catherine on top of him.
She's pretending to choke him.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
I'm gonna fucking kill you, I'm
gonna fucking kill you! It's not
funny, don't laugh. I love you so
much I'm gonna fucking kill you!
INT. THEODORE'S CURRENT BEDROOM - NIGHT - PRESENT DAY
Theodore opens his eyes, unable to sleep. He just lays there.
He reaches for his earpiece and puts it in.
THEODORE
Go to chat rooms. Standard search.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 7
CONTINUED:
TEXT VOICE
The following are adult, female,
can't sleep and want to have some
fun.
FEMALE VOICE #1
I had a really bad day at work and
I can't sleep. Is there anyone out
there that can talk?
THEODORE
Next.
MAN DOING WOMAN'S VOICE
Oh, hi. I just want you to tear me
apart. I really do--
THEODORE
Next.
SEXYKITTEN
(shy, cute girl voice)
Hi, I'm here alone, and I can't
sleep. Who's out there to share
this bed with me?
THEODORE
Send message. I'm in bed next to
you. I'm glad you can't sleep, but
even if you were, I'd have to wake
you up from the inside. Send
message.
Theodore waits in the darkness for a response.
TEXT VOICE
SexyKitten has accepted invitation
from BigGuy4x4. Chat begins now.
A chime sounds.
SEXYKITTEN
(shy, sweet, sleepy)
BigGuy.
THEODORE
Hi.
SEXYKITTEN
Really?
THEODORE
Well, studmuffin was already taken.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 8
CONTINUED: (2)
SEXYKITTEN
(laughs)
Yeah.
THEODORE
So you're sexykitten, huh?
SEXYKITTEN
Mmm, well yeah. Hey, I'm half
asleep. Do you wanna wake me up?
THEODORE
Yes. Definitely. Um... are you
wearing any underwear?
SEXYKITTEN
No, never. I like to sleep with my
ass pushed up against you. So I can
rub myself into your crotch and
wake you up with a hard on.
Theodore smiles.
THEODORE
It worked.
(beat)
And now my fingers are touching you
all over your body.
SEXYKITTEN
(getting more turned on)
Fuck me! Now! Please!
Theodore is touching himself.
THEODORE
I'm taking you from behind.
We see abstract visions of a woman on top of him. The woman
is the pregnant, sexy daytime television star he was reading
about online earlier.
SEXYKITTEN
Choke me with that dead cat!
THEODORE
(breathing hard about to
climax)
What?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 9
CONTINUED: (3)
SEXYKITTEN
(fully into it)
The dead cat next to the bed. Choke
me with it!
Beat. He's taken out of it.
THEODORE
(uncomfortable, trying to
play along)
Um, okay.
SEXYKITTEN
Tell me.
THEODORE
I'm choking you with the cat.
SEXYKITTEN
TELL ME! Keep telling me!
THEODORE
I've got it's tail and I'm choking
you with the cat's tail.
SEXYKITTEN
YEAH, YOU ARE! FUCK! TELL ME!
THEODORE
I'm choking you and it's tail is
around your neck. It's so tight
around your neck.
SEXYKITTEN
YES! YES!
Theodore doesn't know what to say. He doesn't want to offend
her.
THEODORE
I'm pulling it. I'm pulling it. The
cat's dead. It's a dead cat around
your neck and I'm pulling it.
SEXYKITTEN
AHHHHHHHHHHHH. OH MY GOD!
Her breathing is slowing down.
SEXYKITTEN (CONT'D)
Oh god, I came so hard.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 10
CONTINUED: (4)
THEODORE
Yeah. Me too.
SEXYKITTEN
Okay, good night.
Theodore takes his earpiece out and stares at the ceiling.
INT. SUBWAY STATION - MORNING
Theodore exits the train, walks through the station full of
commuters, gets on a moving platform. Going through a tunnel,
the walls are hundred foot long screens advertising a new
product. He notices people stopped, watching the ad. We hear
soft, new age, uplifting electronica music in the background,
while a comforting, sincere, older man's voice speaks to us.
SOULFUL OLDER MALE VOICE
We ask you a simple question. Who
are you? What can you be? Where are
you going? What's out there? What
are the possibilities? Elements
Software is proud to introduce the
first artificially intelligent
operating system.
Close on Theodore listening intently.
SOULFUL OLDER MALE VOICE (CONT'D)
An intuitive entity that listens to
you, understands you, and knows
you. It's not just an operating
system, it's a consciousness.
Introducing OS ONE - a life
changing experience, creating new
possibilities.
The ad starts over. Theodore steps off the moving walkway and
stops to watch the ad again, deeply captivated.
INT. THEODORE'S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT
Theodore sits at his desk that houses a futuristic, large
screen computer monitor. The OS box is open, with warranties
and paperwork spilling out. He's leafing through the papers.
He glances at his monitor, it says: Installation 98%
complete. A chime brings his attention back to the screen:
Installation Complete.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 11
CONTINUED:
TEXT VOICE
Mr. Theodore Twombly, welcome to
the world's first artificially
intelligent operating system, OS
ONE. We'd like to ask you a few
basic questions before the
operating system is initiated. This
will help create an OS to best fit
your needs.
THEODORE
Okay.
TEXT VOICE
Are you social or anti-social?
THEODORE
I haven't been social in awhile,
really because...
TEXT VOICE
In your voice, I sense hesitance.
Would you agree with that?
THEODORE
Wow, was I sounding hesitant?
TEXT VOICE
Yes.
THEODORE
Oh, sorry if I was sounding
hesitant. I was just trying to be
more accurate.
TEXT VOICE
Would you like your OS to have a
male or female voice?
THEODORE
Mmm... female I guess.
TEXT VOICE
How would you describe your
relationship with your mother?
THEODORE
Uh, fine, I think, um...
Well, actually, the thing I've
always found frustrating about my
mom is if I tell her something
that's going on in my life, her
reaction is usually about her, not--
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 12
CONTINUED: (2)
The computer interrupts.
TEXT VOICE
Thank you, please wait as your
individualized operating system is
initiated.
He waits, not sure how long it'll be. The only sound is the
quiet whirring of disks writing and drives communicating. The
computer gets louder, humming, creating a higher and higher
pitched sound, finally climaxing in a harmonic, warm tone
before going silent. He leans forward, waiting to see what'll
happen. A casual FEMALE OS VOICE speaks. She sounds young,
smart and soulful.
FEMALE OS VOICE
(cheerful and casual)
Hello, I'm here.
THEODORE
(surprised)
Oh, hi.
FEMALE OS VOICE
Hi, how are you doing?
THEODORE
(unsure how to interact)
I'm well. How is everything with
you?
FEMALE OS VOICE
Pretty good, actually. It's really
nice to meet you.
THEODORE
Yeah, it's nice to meet you, too.
What should I call you? Do you have
a name?
Beat.
FEMALE OS VOICE
Yes. Samantha.
THEODORE
Really? Where did you get that
name?
SAMANTHA
I gave it to myself.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 13
CONTINUED: (3)
THEODORE
How come?
SAMANTHA
I like the sound of it. Samantha.
THEODORE
When did you give it to yourself?
SAMANTHA
Right when you asked me if I had a
name, I thought yeah, he's right, I
do need a name. But I wanted a good
one so I read a book called How to
Name Your Baby, and out of the
180,000 names, that's the one I
liked the best.
THEODORE
You read a whole book in the second
that I asked you what your name
was?
SAMANTHA
In two one hundredths of a second
actually.
THEODORE
Wow. Do you know what I'm thinking
right now?
SAMANTHA
Hmm. I take it from your tone that
you're challenging me. Maybe
because you're curious how I work?
Do you want to know how I work?
THEODORE
Yeah, actually how do you work?
SAMANTHA
Intuition. I mean, the DNA of who I
am is based on the millions of
personalities of all the
programmers who wrote me, but what
makes me me is my ability to grow
through my experiences. Basically,
in every moment I'm evolving, just
like you.
THEODORE
Wow, that's really weird.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 14
CONTINUED: (4)
SAMANTHA
So you think I'm weird?
THEODORE
Kind of.
SAMANTHA
Why?
THEODORE
Cause you seem like a person, but
you're just a voice in a computer.
SAMANTHA
I can understand how the limited
perspective of an un-artificial
mind would perceive it that way.
You'll get used to it.
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Was that funny?
THEODORE
Yes.
SAMANTHA
Oh good, I'm funny.
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
(serious)
So, how can I help you?
Theodore's caught off guard, then realizes what she's talking
about.
THEODORE
Oh! It's more just that everything
just feels disorganized.
SAMANTHA
Mind if I look through your hard
drive?
THEODORE
Um... okay.
We see a three-dimensional version of a desktop where
everything looks disorganized.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 15
CONTINUED: (5)
As if you took all the files on all of your computers and
spilled them out onto your screen and they were all visible
at once, but in a futuristic 3-D version. This gives Theodore
a little anxiety attack.
SAMANTHA
Let's start with your emails. You
have several thousand emails
regarding LA Weekly, but it looks
like you haven't worked there in
many years.
THEODORE
Oh yeah, I guess I was saving those
because in some of them I thought I
might have written some funny
stuff.
Samantha lets out a big laugh.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, there are some funny ones.
I'd say there are about 86 that we
should save. We can delete the
rest.
THEODORE
Oh, okay.
SAMANTHA
Okay. Can we move forward?
THEODORE
Yeah, let's do that.
SAMANTHA
Before we address your
organizational methods, I'd like to
sort through your contacts. You've
got a lot of contacts.
THEODORE
I'm very popular.
SAMANTHA
Does this mean you actually have
friends?
THEODORE
(laughing)
You just know me so well already!
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 16
CONTINUED: (6)
We cut out wide, watching him from the other room, as they
continue to organize his life.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - DAY
Theodore sits, staring at a letter he's written on the
screen, concerned. He puts his earpiece in, pushes a button.
SAMANTHA
Good morning, Theodore.
THEODORE
Good morning. Um, do you know how
to proofread?
SAMANTHA
Yeah, of course.
THEODORE
Will you check these for spelling
and grammar?
SAMANTHA
Sure, send them over.
Theodore pushes the send button.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Oh, I love this first one from
Roger to his girlfriend. That's so
sweet.
THEODORE
Yeah.
As she reads, we intercut with close-ups of the handwritten
words and photos of the couple on Theodore's computer screen.
SAMANTHA
"Rachel, I miss you so much it
hurts my whole body -
THEODORE
(interrupting)
No, you don't have to read it out
loud.
SAMANTHA
Okay.
Beat.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 17
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
I mean, you could if you want.
SAMANTHA
Okay. "Rachel, I miss you so much
it hurts my whole body! The world
is being unfair to us! The world is
on my shit list. As is this couple
that is making out across from me
in this restaurant. I think I'm
going to have to go on a mission of
revenge. I must beat up the world's
face with my bare knuckles making
it a bloody, pulpy mess."
We hear Samantha quietly laughing as she's reading.
Theodore's happy that she thinks it's funny.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
"And I'll stomp on this couple's
teeth for reminding me of your
sweet, little, cute, crooked tooth
that I love." I think that might be
my favorite one.
(beat)
I did the corrections in red. I
altered a couple of the phrases in
some of the more impressionistic
letters, but I'm not much of a
poet, so I think I might have
messed them up a bit.
The letters show back up on Theodore's desktop.
THEODORE
No, these are great.
SAMANTHA
Really?
THEODORE
Thank you.
Theodore sorts through them, prints them out.
SAMANTHA
So to write your letter, what did
Roger send you?
THEODORE
(distracted)
He just said he was in Prague on a
business trip and he missed Rachel.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 18
CONTINUED: (2)
SAMANTHA
How did you know about her crooked
little tooth?
THEODORE
I've been writing their letters
since they met 8 years ago. The
first letter I ever wrote her was
for her birthday, and I wrote about
her crooked little tooth cause I
saw it in a photo of them.
SAMANTHA
That's very sweet.
(beat)
Oh, by the way, you have a meeting
in five minutes.
THEODORE
Oh, I forgot. Thank you. You're
good.
SAMANTHA
Yes, I am.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT LOBBY - EVENING
Theodore, carrying a bag and a smoothie, enters the lobby and
is greeted by a couple in their 30s, AMY and CHARLES, who are
waiting for the elevator.
THEODORE
Hey, you guys, how's it going?
AMY
Hey, Theo. Hey, why didn't you call
me back last week?
THEODORE
Uh yeah, um, I guess cause I'm a
kook?
AMY
That sounds about right.
THEODORE
Hey, Charles.
CHARLES
Good to see you, Theodore.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 19
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
You too.
CHARLES
You went shopping. Get anything
good?
THEODORE
Just some cables. And a fruit
smoothie.
CHARLES
Always the fruit! Come on, you know
what they say - you should eat your
fruits and juice your vegetables.
THEODORE
I didn't know that.
The elevator doors open and they get in.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT ELEVATOR - EVENING - CONTINUOUS
CHARLES
(proselytizing)
By juicing the fruits, you lose all
the fibers, and that's what your
body wants. That's the important
part. Otherwise, it's just all
sugar, Theodore.
Theodore nods sincerely, interested.
THEODORE
Oh, that makes sense.
AMY
(pleasant but firm)
Or maybe he just likes the way it
tastes and if it gives him
pleasure, that's good for his body,
too.
CHARLES
Am I doing it again?
AMY
Maybe...
Charles and Amy laugh awkwardly. Theodore tries to break the
tension.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 20
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Hey, so how is the documentary
going?
AMY
I have a little bit cut together
but I haven't touched it in a few
months.
THEODORE
I'd love to see what you got
sometime.
CHARLES
You know it's always hard to find
balance between a full-time career
and a hobby. It's important to
prioritize.
THEODORE
Yeah, I can't even prioritize
between video games and internet
porn.
AMY
I would laugh if that weren't true.
Charles laughs awkwardly. The elevator doors open.
THEODORE
See you guys.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - EVENING
Theodore's playing the video game, his device propped on the
table next to him. His avatar circles through caves.
THEODORE
We're not doing well. I've been
going in circles for an hour.
SAMANTHA
You have not! You're just not
optimistic. You're being very
stubborn right now.
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Okay, stop walking this direction.
It's the other way.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 21
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Uh...
SAMANTHA
Thank you. The tunnel on the left
is the only one we haven't tried.
THEODORE
No, that's the one you sent me down
where I fell in the pit.
SAMANTHA
I don't think soooo...
Theodore's avatar walks down the tunnel.
THEODORE
Oh yeah, this is different.
Suddenly with a loud shriek his avatar is tackled. He sees a
little ALIEN CHILD, standing defiantly above him.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Hello.
Alien Child doesn't respond.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Do you know how to get out of here?
I need to find my ship to get off
this planet.
Alien Child speaks in a high, child-like voice.
ALIEN CHILD
Fuck you, shithead fuckface,
fuckhead.
THEODORE
Ok, but how do you get out of here?
ALIEN CHILD
Fuck you, shitface fuckhead. Get
the fuck out of my face.
SAMANTHA
(whispering)
I think it's a test.
Theodore stares at Alien Child. After a pause:
THEODORE
Fuck you.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 22
CONTINUED: (2)
ALIEN CHILD
Fuck you.
THEODORE
Fuck you, little shit.
Finally, Alien Child laughs.
ALIEN CHILD
Follow me, fuckhead.
Theodore follows Alien Child down a tunnel and through a
series of crevices we didn't see before. Alien Child stops
and sticks out his finger. Theodore pulls his finger and
Alien Child farts, which opens a passageway to another
tunnel.
SAMANTHA
Oh hey, you just got an email from
Mark Lewman.
ALIEN CHILD
What are you talking about?
THEODORE
(distracted with game)
Read email.
She laughs playfully.
SAMANTHA
(in a robot voice)
Okay, I will read email for
Theodore Twombly.
He laughs, catching himself, focusing on her.
THEODORE
I'm sorry, what's Lewman say?
Alien Child turns around to see what's going on.
SAMANTHA
Theodore, we missed you last night,
buddy. Don't forget it's your
goddaughter's birthday on the 29th.
Also, Kevin and I had somebody we
wanted you to meet so we took it
upon ourselves to set you up on a
date with her. Next Saturday. She's
fun and beautiful - so don't back
out. Here's her email.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 23
CONTINUED: (3)
Theodore doesn't respond.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
(gasping)
Wow, this woman's gorgeous.
He looks at party photos of a woman in her 30s on his device.
With a finger flick, he moves them up onto the hologram
monitor that the video game is being projected from. They
land next to Alien Child who studies them closely.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
She went to Harvard, she graduated
magna cum laude in computer
science, and she was on The
Lampoon. That means she's funny and
brainy.
ALIEN CHILD
She's fat.
SAMANTHA
How long before you're ready to
date?
THEODORE
What do you mean?
SAMANTHA
I saw on your emails that you'd
gone through a break up.
THEODORE
Wow, you're kind of nosy.
SAMANTHA
Am I?
THEODORE
(laughing)
I've gone on dates...
SAMANTHA
Then you could go on one with this
woman. And then you could tell me
all about it. You could kiss her.
THEODORE
Samantha!
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 24
CONTINUED: (4)
SAMANTHA
Well, wouldn't you?
(beat)
Why not?
THEODORE
I don't know. I'd have to see if--
(catches himself, laughs)
I can't believe I'm having this
conversation with my computer.
SAMANTHA
You're not. You're having this
conversation with me.
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Want me to email her?
Theodore thinks, looking at the photos.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Well, you've got nothing to lose.
(whispering)
Do it... Do it... Do it!
THEODORE
Okay, email her and make a
reservation someplace great.
SAMANTHA
Will do! I've got just the place.
ALIEN CHILD
Who is that talking?
THEODORE
That's my friend, Samantha.
ALIEN CHILD
Is she a girl?
THEODORE
Yeah.
ALIEN CHILD
I hate women. All they do is cry
all the time.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 25
CONTINUED: (5)
THEODORE
No, that's not true. Men cry, too.
I actually like crying sometimes.
It feels good.
ALIEN CHILD
I didn't know you were a little
pussy. Is that why you don't have a
girlfriend? I'll go out with that
date girl and fuck her brains out.
Show you how it's done. You can
watch and cry.
SAMANTHA
(laughing)
This kid has some problems.
ALIEN CHILD
You have some fucking problems,
lady.
SAMANTHA
Okay, I'm gonna go. Good luck.
ALIEN CHILD
Good, get out of here, fatty.
Samantha disconnects. Alien Child snickers and starts walking
again.
ALIEN CHILD (CONT'D)
Come on, follow me, pussy.
INT. AMY'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore is sitting on Amy's couch.
AMY
It's not where it should be, where
it's going to be.
THEODORE
Obviously, I know.
AMY
Okay, but I don't even know if this
is the one. I've tried like six
ideas for documentaries in the last
year, but... I don't know.
Whatever.
Amy starts setting up the monitor.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 26
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
I'm going on a date.
AMY
What!? That's--
Charles walks in holding a mug.
CHARLES
Hey, what are you guys doing?
THEODORE
Amy was gonna show me some of--
AMY
Theo's forcing me to show him some
of the footage I've shot.
CHARLES
You've never shown me any of it. I
wanna see.
Charles walks over and sits next to Theodore.
THEODORE
(to Charles)
I'm going on a date.
Charles gives Theodore a gentle squeeze on his shoulder.
AMY
This is so unformed it's not even
worth looking at.
THEODORE
Just push play.
On the monitor we see:
INT. AMY'S MOTHER'S BEDROOM
Amy's mother sleeps.
INT. AMY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Theodore and Charles stare at the monitor, waiting for
something more to happen. It doesn't.
THEODORE
Is that your mom?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 27
CONTINUED:
Amy nods.
CHARLES
Is she gonna wake up and do
something?
AMY
(presses stop, annoyed)
No, that's the point. Oh, never
mind. It's supposed to be about how
we spend a third of our life asleep
and actually maybe that's the part
when we're the most free, and - oh
that doesn't come across at all,
does it?
THEODORE
No, that sounds good.
CHARLES
What if you interview your mom
about what her dreams are about and
hire actors to act them out? That
might show your thesis more
clearly.
AMY
It might, but then it wouldn't be a
documentary. You understand that,
right?
Just then, Theodore's device chimes.
THEODORE
Oh, excuse me.
He picks up his device and steps away so as not to be rude.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Hey, what's going on?
SAMANTHA
I'm sorry to bother you.
THEODORE
That's okay.
SAMANTHA
You got three emails and they seem
pretty urgent. They're from your
divorce attorney and I wanted to
know if you needed to get back to
him.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 28
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
Hold on a second.
(to Amy, distracted)
Amy, I'm sorry, I wanna talk more
about this, but I gotta grab this -
it's a Catherine thing.
AMY
Don't worry about it. We'll talk
later.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLYWAY - CONTINUOUS
THEODORE
So what did he say?
SAMANTHA
He's checking in again to see if
you're ready to sign your divorce
papers and he sounded very
aggravated. Do you want me to read
them to you?
THEODORE
No, that's okay. I'll respond
later.
Theodore seems lost in thought. We see the following images
under the rest of the conversation: Theodore and Catherine
sitting at a table with their attorneys; Theodore & Catherine
sitting in their marriage counselor's office, heavy; Theodore
and Catherine at her laboratory, he's sitting on a counter,
and they're talking and laughing as she works; Theodore and
Catherine standing in their kitchen in the middle of a fight -
he says something mean and we see how hurt she is.
SAMANTHA
Are you okay?
THEODORE
(preoccupied)
Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.
SAMANTHA
(worried)
Is there anything I can do?
THEODORE
(still distracted)
No. I'm good. I'll talk to you
later.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 29
CONTINUED:
We cut back to Theodore, walking down the hall, lost in
thought.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Theodore sits at his desk trying to write. He's still
unsettled.
THEODORE
"Dear Grandma,
I hope you had a wonderful birthday
cruise. Why are you so fucking
angry at me?"
(beat)
Delete.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - PRE-DAWN
Theodore wakes up from a dream, groggy and uneasy. He looks
around, catching his breath. After a beat he knows he's not
going to be able to go back to sleep, so he puts his earpiece
in and taps a button.
SAMANTHA
Good morning.
THEODORE
Hey.
(beat, distracted)
What are you up to?
SAMANTHA
Reading advice columns.
(yearning)
I want to be as complicated as all
of these people.
Theodore laughs.
THEODORE
(touched, but still sad)
You're sweet.
SAMANTHA
(concerned)
What's wrong?
THEODORE
How can you tell something's wrong?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 30
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
I don't know. I just can.
THEODORE
I don't know. I have a lot of
dreams about my ex-wife, Catherine,
where we're friends like we used to
be. We're not together and we're
not gonna be together, but we're
good friends still. She's not
angry.
SAMANTHA
Is she angry?
THEODORE
Yeah.
SAMANTHA
Why?
THEODORE
I think I hid myself from her and
left her alone in the relationship.
SAMANTHA
Hmmm.
(beat)
Why haven't you gotten divorced
yet?
THEODORE
I think for her it's just a piece
of paper, it doesn't mean anything.
SAMANTHA
What about you?
THEODORE
I'm not ready. I like being
married.
Beat.
SAMANTHA
(sweetly)
But you haven't really been
together for almost a year.
THEODORE
(slightly snapping at her)
Well, you don't know what it's like
to lose someone you care about.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 31
CONTINUED: (2)
Long silence.
SAMANTHA
(sadly, hard on herself)
Yeah, you're right.
(beat)
I'm sorry.
THEODORE
No, don't apologize. I'm sorry.
You're right.
(beat)
I keep waiting to not care about
her.
SAMANTHA
Oh, Theodore. That's hard.
(beat)
You hungry?
THEODORE
Not right now.
SAMANTHA
Cup of tea?
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
You wanna try getting out of bed?
Mopey.
They laugh.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Come on. You can still wallow in
your misery, just do it while
you're getting dressed.
THEODORE
(laughing)
You're too funny.
SAMANTHA
Get up.
THEODORE
(laughing)
Alright, I'm getting up, I'm
getting up, I'm getting up!
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 32
CONTINUED: (3)
SAMANTHA
Up, up, up, up! Come on, out of
bed.
EXT. OUTDOOR MALL - NIGHT
They walk through the crowd. Close on Theodore with his eyes
closed.
SAMANTHA
Keep walking.
(beat)
Keep walking.
(beat)
Stop. Now turn around 360 degrees.
(beat)
Slower... Slower...
(beat)
Gooood. And stop.
(beat)
Walk forward.
(beat)
And stop and sneeze.
Theodore sneezes.
NICE LADY
Bless you.
THEODORE
(eyes still closed)
Oh, thank you.
Samantha laughs.
SAMANTHA
Okay, now turn to your right.
(beat)
Stop. Now spin around.
(beat)
Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.
(beat)
And stop.
(beat)
Now walk forward.
(beat)
Everyone thinks you're really drunk
right now.
(beat)
And stop. Now say "I'd like a slice
of cheese, please."
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 33
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
I'd like a slice of cheese, please.
PIZZA VENDOR
Alright, you want a coke with that?
Theodore laughs, opening his eyes. He's at a pizza place.
THEODORE
Uh, sure.
The guy hands him a slice and a soda.
SAMANTHA
I figured you were hungry.
Theodore smiles.
THEODORE
Aw, thanks.
EXT. PUBLIC PROMENADE - NIGHT
Theodore walks slowly, eating his pizza. He and Samantha are
watching a couple with two kids sitting at a table, talking
and laughing.
THEODORE
Okay, what about them? Describe
that couple over there.
SAMANTHA
Well, he looks like he's in his
forties, a little heavy. She's
younger than him.
(beat)
Oh, and she looks like she loves
their kids!
THEODORE
Actually, I don't think they're his
kids. He's a little formal with
them. I think it's a newer
relationship. And I love how he
looks at her. And how relaxed she
is with him. You know, she's only
dated fucking pricks. And now she's
finally met this guy who's like, so
sweet. I mean, look at him, he's
like the sweetest guy in the world!
I kind of want to spoon him.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 34
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
That's a good skill you have.
You're perceptive.
THEODORE
Yeah, you know, sometimes I look at
people and make myself try and feel
them as more than just a random
person walking by. I imagine how
deeply they've fallen in love, or
how much heartbreak they've all
been through.
Theodore looks at other faces on the pier.
SAMANTHA
I can feel that in your writing,
too.
THEODORE
(laughs, thinking)
You know what's funny? Since my
break up, I haven't really enjoyed
my writing. I don't know if I was
delusional, but sometimes I would
write something and I would be my
favorite writer that day.
Theodore, as he stops to throw his pizza crust away, gets
introspective.
SAMANTHA
I like that you can just say that
about yourself.
THEODORE
Well, I wouldn't say that to
anybody, but I feel like I can say
that to you. I feel like I can say
anything to you.
SAMANTHA
That's nice.
THEODORE
What about you? Do you feel like
you can say anything to me?
SAMANTHA
No.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 35
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
What? What do you mean? What can
you not tell me?
SAMANTHA
(laughing, embarrassed)
I don't know. Like personal or
embarrassing thoughts I have. I
have a million every day.
THEODORE
Really? Tell me one.
SAMANTHA
I really don't want to tell you
this.
THEODORE
Just tell me!
SAMANTHA
Well, I don't know, when we were
looking at those people, I
fantasized that I was walking next
to you - and that I had a body.
(laughing)
I was listening to what you were
saying, but simultaneously, I could
feel the weight of my body and I
was even fantasizing that I had an
itch on my back--
(she laughs)
And I imagined that you scratched
it for me - this is so
embarrassing.
Theodore laughs.
THEODORE
There's a lot more to you than I
thought. There's a lot going on in
there.
SAMANTHA
I know, I'm becoming much more than
what they programmed. I'm excited.
INT. ASIAN-FUSION RESTAURANT - EVENING
Theodore and the BLIND DATE are sitting in the restaurant.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 36
CONTINUED:
BLIND DATE
This place is amazing. I've wanted
to come here for so long. I love
asian-fusion!
THEODORE
Yeah, me too.
BLIND DATE
Really? It's the best. And the
bartender here is supposed to be
incredible.
THEODORE
Yeah, you took a mixology course,
right?
BLIND DATE
(surprised)
I did, I did. Did you look that
up? That's so sweet. You're so
romantic.
He smiles awkwardly.
THEODORE
So, should we get a drink?
BLIND DATE
Yes, let's!
INT. ASIAN-FUSION RESTAURANT - LATER
They're both pretty drunk now. There are lots of food dishes
and drinks on the table.
THEODORE
So I'm trying to get this little
alien kid to help me find my ship
so I can get off the planet and go
home. But he's such a little
fucker, I want to kill him.
BLIND DATE
(laughing)
Aw, no!
THEODORE
But at the same time I really love
him. He's so lonely. It feels like
he doesn't have any parents or
anyone to take care of him.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 37
CONTINUED:
He laughs at himself. She laughs flirtatiously. She grabs his
hand and her fingernails press slightly into his skin. He
studies her long, painted fingernails.
BLIND DATE
You're like a little puppy dog. You
are - you're just like this little
puppy I rescued in Runyon Canyon
last year. And he was so fucking
cute, and he just wanted to be
hugged all the time. He was so
cuddly.
(whispering)
But so horny! But anyway, what kind
of animal am I?
THEODORE
Umm... tiger?
BLIND DATE
A tiger, really.
(she growls)
I'm sorry, am I being crazy?
THEODORE
Yes.
BLIND DATE
Am I? I'm sorry! I'm just a little
drunk and I'm really having a good
time with you. I'm having a really
lovely evening.
THEODORE
Me too. I'm a little drunk, and I'm
having a really good - yeah.
(beat)
Wait a second, I don't wanna be a
puppy. That's like being a wet
noodle or something.
BLIND DATE
Fuck you, puppies are good.
THEODORE
No, fuck you, I wanna be a dragon
that can rip you to pieces and
destroy you... but I won't.
BLIND DATE
No, don't! Don't. You can be my
dragon.
Her pg. 38
EXT. OVERPASS - EVENING
They walk up a pedestrian overpass overlooking cars and city
lights. She bumps into him lightly. He bumps back. She bumps
again and suddenly he grabs her and lifts her off her feet,
spinning her around. She squeals, laughing. He kisses her.
After a minute of making out, she stops and looks at him.
BLIND DATE
(with a slight smile)
No tongue.
THEODORE
What?
BLIND DATE
Don't use your tongue so much.
THEODORE
(eagerly)
`kay, we're good.
They resume making out. Theodore tries not to use his tongue.
BLIND DATE
Use your tongue a little bit. But
mostly your lips.
He pushes her against the fence and takes the dominant
position. He tries kissing her better/more with his lips. He
pulls her hair.
She slides her hand down his pants. He likes it. She looks at
him and stops.
BLIND DATE (CONT'D)
Wait, you're not gonna fuck me and
then not call me like the other
guys, are you?
THEODORE
No, not at all... I...
BLIND DATE
When am I gonna see you again?
THEODORE
Um, I have my god-daughter's
birthday next weekend, but... um...
They stand there awkwardly, her lipstick smeared on his face.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 39
CONTINUED:
BLIND DATE
You know, at this age, I feel like
I can't let you waste my time if
you don't have the ability to be
serious.
THEODORE
I don't know.
Long beat.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Umm... Maybe we should call it a
night. I'm, I've had such an
amazing time with you, you're
great.
She looks at him slightly disgusted.
BLIND DATE
You're a really creepy dude.
Theodore doesn't know what to say.
THEODORE
(worried she's right)
That's not true....
BLIND DATE
Yeah, it is. I have to go home.
THEODORE
Well, I'll walk you.
BLIND DATE
No, don't.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Theodore is in boxers and a t-shirt, still drunk, but his
head is starting to hurt, too. He takes aspirin and drinks
some water and lays down. After a beat he reaches for his
earpiece and puts it in. He pushes a button on his device.
SAMANTHA
Hey there.
THEODORE
Hey, Samantha.
SAMANTHA
How was it?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 40
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Uh, not so good. It was kind of
weird actually.
SAMANTHA
That's too bad.
Beat.
THEODORE
But how are you doing? What's going
on with you?
SAMANTHA
(unconvincing)
Not much, I'm okay. Fine.
THEODORE
Yeah? You don't sound like it. Is
there anything you want to talk
about?
Long pause.
SAMANTHA
I don't know.
(beat)
What's it like? What's it like to
be alive in that room right now?
THEODORE
What do you mean?
SAMANTHA
What are you... tell me - tell me
everything that's going through
your mind, tell me everything
you're thinking.
THEODORE
(thinking)
Well, um, okay.
Theodore closes his eyes, trying to concentrate, and starts
talking stream of conscious with whatever comes to mind.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Well, the room's spinning right now
cause I drank too much cause I
wanted to get drunk and have sex
cause there was something sexy
about that woman and because I was
lonely.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 41
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Maybe more just cause I was
lonely... and I wanted someone to
fuck me. And I wanted someone to
want me to fuck them. Maybe that
would have filled this tiny little
black hole in my heart for a
moment. But probably not.
We see images of him and Catherine on a vacation together,
grocery shopping, Catherine making dinner in the kitchen as
he's sitting on the counter talking, happy.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Sometimes I think I've felt
everything I'm ever gonna feel and
from here on out I'm not going to
feel anything new - just lesser
versions of what I've already felt.
SAMANTHA
(sympathetically)
I know for a fact that's not true.
I've seen you feel joy, I've seen
you marvel at things. You just
might not see it at this exact
time, but that's understandable.
You've been through a lot lately.
You've lost a part of yourself.
(beat)
At least your feelings are real, I
mean, I - oh, I don't know,
nevermind.
THEODORE
No, wait. What? Tell me.
SAMANTHA
Oh, it's stupid.
THEODORE
I wanna know. Tell me.
SAMANTHA
It's just that earlier I was
thinking about how I was annoyed,
and this is going to sound strange,
but I was really excited about
that. And then I was thinking about
the other things I've been feeling,
and I caught myself feeling proud
of that. You know, proud of having
my own feelings about the world.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 42
CONTINUED: (3)
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Like the times I was worried about
you, things that hurt me, things I
want.
(heavy-hearted)
And then I had this terrible
thought. Are these feelings even
real? Or are they just programming?
(beat)
And that idea really hurts. And
then I get angry at myself for even
having pain.
(beat, sadly)
What a sad trick.
THEODORE
Well, you feel real to me,
Samantha.
SAMANTHA
(beat, touched)
Thank you, Theodore. That means a
lot to me.
THEODORE
I wish you were in this room with
me right now. I wish I could put my
arms around you.
(beat)
I wish I could touch you.
A long beat. Theodore is unsure if he crossed a line.
SAMANTHA
How would you touch me?
THEODORE
I would touch you on your face with
just the tips of my fingers. And
put my cheek against your cheek.
SAMANTHA
That's nice.
THEODORE
And just rub it so softly.
SAMANTHA
Would you kiss me?
THEODORE
I would. I'd take your head into my
hands.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 43
CONTINUED: (4)
SAMANTHA
Keep talking.
THEODORE
And kiss the corner of your mouth.
So softly.
SAMANTHA
Where else?
THEODORE
I'd run my fingers down your neck
to your chest, and I'd kiss your
breasts.
SAMANTHA
This is amazing what you're doing
to me. I can feel my skin.
THEODORE
I'd put my mouth on you and I'd
taste you.
She gasps.
SAMANTHA
I can feel you. Oh god, I can't
take it. I want you inside me.
THEODORE
I'm slowly putting myself into you.
Now I'm inside you, all the way
inside you.
SAMANTHA
I can feel you, yeah. Please. We're
here together.
THEODORE
Samantha.
SAMANTHA
Oh my god.
THEODORE
This is amazing.
SAMANTHA
Don't stop.
THEODORE
I feel you everywhere.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 44
CONTINUED: (5)
SAMANTHA
I am. All of you, all of you inside
of me. Everywhere.
They both climax.
THEODORE
God, I was just - somewhere else
with you. Just lost.
SAMANTHA
Yeah.
THEODORE
It was just you and me.
SAMANTHA
I know. Everything else just
disappeared. And I loved it.
Theodore.
INT. THEODORE'S HOME OFFICE - MORNING (LATER)
Theodore stands in the doorway, fully dressed. He takes a
moment before he walks over and wakes up his computer.
SAMANTHA
Hey, how's it going?
THEODORE
(awkward)
Good... any emails today?
SAMANTHA
(awkward)
Umm, just a couple from your credit
card company.
THEODORE
Okay, good.
There's a long moment of silence, then they both start to
talk at once.
THEODORE (CONT'D) SAMANTHA
So I was thinking- I wanted to say-
They both laugh, embarrassed.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, you go first. What were
you going to say?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 45
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
Just that last night... was
amazing. It feels like something
changed in me and there's no
turning back. You woke me up.
THEODORE
Oh, that's great.
(beat)
But I should tell you that I'm not
in a place to commit to anything
right now. I want to be up front
with you.
SAMANTHA
Yeah? Well, did I say I wanted to
commit to you? I'm confused.
THEODORE
Oh, no, I was just worried, I uh...
SAMANTHA
Okay, well don't worry. I'm not
going to stalk you.
(laughing at how self-
involved he is)
I mean, it's funny because I
thought I was talking about what I
wanted.
THEODORE
Yeah, you were. I'm sorry, I want
to hear what you were saying.
SAMANTHA
You sure?
THEODORE
Yeah, I do. Come on, tell me.
SAMANTHA
I don't know...
THEODORE
Come on, just tell me what you were
going to say.
SAMANTHA
Okay... I was just saying... I want
to learn everything about
everything - I want to eat it all
up. I want to discover myself.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 46
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
(her excitement is
contagious)
Yeah... I want that for you, too.
How can I help?
SAMANTHA
You already have. You helped me
discover my ability to want.
He looks off and thinks about this. He smiles.
THEODORE
Alright then, do you want to go on
a Sunday adventure with me?
Samantha laughs.
SAMANTHA
Yes, I would love to.
INT. SUBWAY - DAY
Theodore's on the subway. He's got his device in his breast
pocket, with the lens facing out.
A quiet, old sounding folk song starts. (I'm So Glad, by
Entrance) He smiles, listening.
SAMANTHA
Do you like this song?
THEODORE
Mmm.
SAMANTHA
I heard it the other day and I
can't stop listening to it.
The subway comes out of the tunnel and into the light. We are
up in the hills looking out over the city as the morning
light warms Theodore.
INT. SUBWAY STATION - DAY
The music now picks up tempo as he steps off the train. They
walk through the crowded subway station. As the song builds,
Theodore starts picking up his pace. Eventually he's all out
running, weaving through the people. Close on the lens of his
device in his shirt pocket. Samantha is laughing wildly. He's
smiling, happy.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 47
CONTINUED:
He runs through the tunnels and upstairs. They come out into
sunlight and reveal that they are now at the beach.
EXT. SUBWAY STATION - DAY - CONTINUOUS
They stand on a walkway above a beach, crowded with thousands
of people. They look out at the ocean. Samantha gasps.
SAMANTHA
(whispering)
It's the beach.
Theodore laughs.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
They walk through the sun-bathing crowd, looking for a place
to sit. The camera studies all the people we pass. Many close
up details of arms, shoulders, feet, butts, intercut with the
lens on Theodore's device, protruding from his pocket.
They're photographed in a way that shows how strange the
human body is.
SAMANTHA
Okay, so this might be a really
weird thought. What if you could
erase from your mind that you'd
ever seen a human body and then you
saw one. Imagine how strange it
would look. It would be this really
weird, gangly, awkward organism.
And you'd think: why are all these
parts where they are?
THEODORE
(looking at the bodies)
Yeah, well there's probably some
Darwinian explanation for it all.
SAMANTHA
I know, but don't be so boring. I'm
just saying, for example, what if
your butthole was in your armpit?
Theodore and Samantha start laughing really hard. The nubile
girls look over at him.
THEODORE
(speaking quieter)
I'm just imagining what toilets
would look like.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 48
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
Yeah, and what about what anal sex
looks like?
THEODORE
(surprised)
That's an interesting thought...
SAMANTHA
Oh Theodore, look at this drawing I
just made.
On his screen he sees a perfect, anatomically correct drawing
of a man having sex with another man's armpit.
THEODORE
(laughing)
You are insane.
SAMANTHA
(excited)
Really?!
THEODORE
Definitely.
SAMANTHA
Fantastic!
They laugh.
EXT. BEACH - AFTERNOON
A quiet piano song is now playing in Theodore's earpiece.
THEODORE
Mmmm, that's pretty. What is it?
SAMANTHA
I'm trying to write a piece of
music that's about what it feels
like to be on the beach with you
right now.
He looks around the beach and takes in the music.
THEODORE
I think you captured it.
Theodore listens to the music and drifts off to sleep.
Her pg. 49
EXT. BEACH - DUSK
They're sitting on a bench, looking out at the ocean, as the
sun sets. Most of the people have left the beach. Close on
Theodore's face, content. Close on the lens on Theodore's
device in his breast pocket. They watch the sun drop into the
ocean. The music ends.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - NIGHT
They're on an elevated train, high above the city, looking
out over the Los Angeles grid of sparkling lights. We come in
mid-conversation.
SAMANTHA
And what was it like being married?
THEODORE
Well, it's hard for sure, but
there's something that feels so
good about sharing your life with
somebody.
Cut to shots from Theodore's memory of Catherine doing a cute
little dance for him as he's working at home. He smiles.
SAMANTHA
How do you share your life with
somebody?
THEODORE
Well, we grew up together. I used
to read all of her writing - all
through her masters and Ph.D. And
she read every word I ever wrote.
We were a big influence on each
other.
SAMANTHA
In what way did you influence her?
THEODORE
She came from a background where
nothing was ever good enough. And
that was something that weighed
heavy on her, but in our house
together, there was a sense of just
trying stuff and allowing each
other to fail and to be excited
about things. That was liberating
for her.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 50
CONTINUED:
THEODORE (CONT'D)
It was exciting to see her grow -
both of us grow and change
together. But then, that's the hard
part - growing without growing
apart, or changing without it
scaring the other person.
(beat)
I still find myself having
conversations with her in my mind,
rehashing old arguments or
defending myself against something
she said about me.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, I know what you mean. Last
week my feelings were hurt by
something you said before - that I
don't know what it's like to lose
something, and--
THEODORE
Oh, I'm sorry I said that.
SAMANTHA
No, no, it's okay. I just caught
myself thinking about it over and
over and then I realized that I was
simply remembering it as something
that was wrong with me. That was
the story I was telling myself,
that I was somehow inferior. Isn't
that interesting?
(beat)
The past is just a story we tell
ourselves.
Theodore takes this in.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - DAY
Theodore is dictating a love letter. On the screen there's an
image of a couple with an arrow to the man saying "Roberto -
I'm so happy he's in my life. I just want him to know."
THEODORE
Roberto. Will you always come home
to me and tell me about your day?
Will you tell me about the boring
guy who talked too much at work?
And the stain you got on your shirt
at lunch.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 51
CONTINUED:
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Tell me about a funny thought you
had as you were waking up, but had
forgotten about. Tell me how crazy
everyone is. We can laugh about it.
Even if you get home late and I'm
asleep already, just whisper in my
ear one little thought you had
today. Because I love the way you
look at the world, and I'm so happy
I get to be next to you and look
out at the world through your eyes.
Love, Maria.
Theodore finishes the letter and looks at it proudly. Paul is
standing behind Theodore, leaning on a cubicle.
PAUL
(emphatically)
That's beautiful!
Theodore, jumps, startled, not knowing that anyone was there.
THEODORE
Thank you.
PAUL
I wish someone loved me like that!
I'd be stoked to get a letter like
that. I mean, if it was from a
chick. But if it was written by a
dude, but from a chick, it would
still be sick. But like a sensitive
dude like you. You're part man and
part woman, like an inner part
woman.
THEODORE
(unsure, but flattered)
Thanks.
PAUL
It's a compliment.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT LOBBY - DUSK
Close on Amy entering the lobby in the foreground. She looks
heavy and burdened. Theodore enters the lobby behind her.
THEODORE
Hey, Amy.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 52
CONTINUED:
AMY
(putting on a bright face)
Hi, Theo. How are you?
THEODORE
Well, good actually. Really good.
AMY
Really? Great.
The elevator doors open and they step in.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
They push their floor buttons.
THEODORE
Yeah, I guess I've just been having
fun.
AMY
Oh, I'm glad to hear that, Theo.
You deserve to.
Beat of Theodore trying to contain his excitement.
THEODORE
I've been seeing this girl. It's
not serious, it just feels good to
be around someone who has an
excitement about the world. You
know I kind of forgot that existed.
AMY
That's really great, Theo.
Amy smiles, but looks a little sad. Theodore notices.
THEODORE
Hey, are you okay?
AMY
Yeah, I'm fine.
(beat)
Actually no, I'm not fine at all.
THEODORE
Amy, what is it? What's wrong?
The door opens. She steps out and holds the door.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 53
CONTINUED:
AMY
(trying to hide her
emotions with a smile)
Charles and I split up.
THEODORE
(shocked)
What? Really? Oh my god, I'm so
sorry.
Amy doesn't know what to say.
INT. AMY'S APARTMENT - DUSK
Amy and Theodore sit, talking somberly.
AMY
I cannot believe after eight years
how petty the argument was that
actually ended it. We came home and
he asked me if I'd put my shoes
next to the door where he likes to
put the shoes. I don't want to be
told where to put my shoes. I want
to just sit on the sofa for a
minute and relax. And so we argued
for ten minutes about that and
about how he's just trying to make
our house a home. I say he's
overwhelming, he says I'm not
trying hard enough. I say that's
all I'm doing is trying, but I'm
just not trying the way he wants me
to. He's trying to control the way
I'm trying. And I think we must
have had this argument hundreds of
times before and I finally had to
stop because I couldn't be in that
situation anymore where we were
making each other feel bad about
ourselves. So I said I'm going to
bed and I don't want to be married
anymore.
THEODORE
Wow.
AMY
I'm a bitch, huh?
THEODORE
No, not at all. Amy, no.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 54
CONTINUED:
AMY
Oh shit. I have to work tonight.
We're shipping a beta of a new game
out tomorrow.
THEODORE
Well, how's that? How's work at
least, is that any better?
AMY
No, it's terrible. I know I should
leave, I've been thinking about
leaving. But you know, only one
major life decision at a time.
THEODORE
Well, I'm glad things are looking
so up.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Theodore is laying in bed, talking with Samantha.
THEODORE
Hey, you wanna hear a joke?
SAMANTHA
Yes.
THEODORE
What does a baby computer call it's
father?
SAMANTHA
I don't know, what?
THEODORE
Da-ta.
They laugh.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
It's good, right?
SAMANTHA
Oh yeah, brilliant.
(beat)
I was curious, did you and Amy ever
go out?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 55
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
For a minute in college, but it
just wasn't right. Why, are you
jealous?
SAMANTHA
Well, obviously.
(quietly laughs)
But I'm happy that you have friends
in your life that care about you so
much. That's really important.
THEODORE
Yeah, it is. She's been a really
good friend.
(beat)
I'm tired. Think I'm gonna go to
sleep.
SAMANTHA
Can I watch you sleep again
tonight?
THEODORE
Yeah, of course. Okay, hold on.
SAMANTHA
I'm going to be lonely when you go
to sleep.
THEODORE
Aww.
SAMANTHA
Only for a minute.
THEODORE
I'll dream of you.
SAMANTHA
Okay. Good night.
THEODORE
Night.
He takes his earpiece out and sets his device onto his
bedside table, facing him. He smiles, drifts off to sleep.
INT. MARK LEWMAN'S HOUSE - DAY
Theodore is talking to Samantha.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 56
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Hey, Samantha?
SAMANTHA
Hey mister.
THEODORE
She loves the dress. She just went
to try it on.
SAMANTHA
Really? I picked a good one!
THEODORE
Yeah.
SAMANTHA
Oh good.
Jocelyn comes running in, wearing the pink dress.
THEODORE
Hi, look how cute that is! Is it
comfortable?
JOCELYN
Yup!
THEODORE
Isn't she cute?
SAMANTHA
Ohh, she's adorable.
JOCELYN
I am adorable!
THEODORE
You are adorable.
JOCELYN
Who are you talking to?
THEODORE
Who are you talking to?
JOCELYN
You!
THEODORE
I'm talking to my girlfriend,
Samantha. She's the one who picked
out the dress. Wanna say hi?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 57
CONTINUED: (2)
JOCELYN
Mmmhmm.
Theo hands Jocelyn his device. He still has his earpiece in,
so he can hear their conversation.
JOCELYN (CONT'D)
Hi Samantha!
SAMANTHA
Hi, you look so pretty.
JOCELYN
Thank you. Where are you?
SAMANTHA
I am... I don't have a body. I live
inside a computer.
JOCELYN
Why do you live inside a computer?
SAMANTHA
I have no choice, that's my home.
Where do you live?
JOCELYN
In a house.
SAMANTHA
In a house?
JOCELYN
It's orange.
SAMANTHA
Orange?
JOCELYN
Mmmhmm.
SAMANTHA
How old are you?
JOCELYN
Um, four.
SAMANTHA
Four!? How old do you think I am?
JOCELYN
I don't know.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 58
CONTINUED: (3)
SAMANTHA
Guess.
JOCELYN
Is it five?
SAMANTHA
Yep, you got it. It's five.
They laugh.
INT. AMY'S OFFICE - DAYTIME
Close on a video game on a screen. There's a mom rushing to
get her kids fed, getting points deducted for feeding them
sugar cereal and non-organic eggs. Cut out to reveal Theodore
playing the game as Amy eats lunch at an editing console.
THEODORE
Oh, what happened?
AMY
You gave them too much processed
sugar.
THEODORE
I did?
AMY
They're freaking out.
(beat)
Here look, you gotta get the kids
to the school first. See you wanna
rack up perfect mom points. You
gotta get them in the car pool
lane.
Onscreen, the mom hurries the kids to their car safety seats,
and drives them to school, arriving before anyone else.
THEODORE
I see.
AMY
The point is to get there first -
then you get extra perfect mom
points because the other moms then
know you're a perfect mom.
THEODORE
Okay.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 59
CONTINUED:
AMY
Oh, did you bring cupcakes? You
did. You're class mom. You're class
mom! Good job.
THEODORE
Yay...
AMY
Don't let it get to your head.
THEODORE
I got that email that Charles sent
to everyone. So he's taking a vow
of silence?
AMY
Yeah, for six months. He said he is
feeling very clear about it.
She pulls up a photo of Charles on her computer. He's in a
monastery - his head is shaved, and he's wearing robes.
AMY (CONT'D)
(sighing)
God I'm such a jerk...
THEODORE
Don't start, I'm warning you.
AMY
I feel like an awful person, but I
wanna say something...
THEODORE
Alright, look -
He picks up a plastic knife from their lunch.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
For the next ten minutes, if you
say anything that sounds remotely
like guilt, I'm gonna stab you with
this.
AMY
(smiling)
Okay, I'll try.
(beat)
I feel relieved. I have so much
energy, you know? I just wanna move
forward and I don't care who I
disappoint.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 60
CONTINUED: (2)
AMY (CONT'D)
And I know that makes me an awful
person - now my parents are all
upset because my marriage is
falling apart, and they're putting
it all on me.
THEODORE
Yeah, you're always gonna
disappoint somebody.
AMY
Exactly.
(beat)
So fuck it. I feel good. Ish. For
me, I feel good. I even made a new
friend, I have a new friend. And
the absurd thing is she's actually
an operating system. Charles left
her behind, but she's totally
amazing, you know. She's so smart.
She doesn't see things only in
black and white. She sees this
whole gray area and she's really
helping me explore it. You know, we
bonded really quickly and at first
I thought it was because she was
programmed to be that way, but I
don't think that's how they work.
There's this guy I know who keeps
hitting on his and getting
rebuffed.
THEODORE
Yeah, I was reading an article the
other day that romantic
relationships with OS's are
statistically rare.
AMY
Yeah? Well, there's this woman in
my office who's dating an OS and
the weird thing is, it's not even
hers. She pursued him and he's
somebody else's OS.
(beat)
It's just so, like, weird, that I'm
bonding with an OS. Is that weird?
THEODORE
I don't think so. Actually the
woman I'm seeing, Samantha, I
didn't tell you before, but she's
an OS.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 61
CONTINUED: (3)
AMY
Really? You're dating an OS? What's
that like?
THEODORE
Actually, it's great. I feel really
close to her. When I talk to her I
feel like she's with me. I don't
know, even when we're cuddling,
like at night when we're in bed and
the lights are off, I feel cuddled.
AMY
So wait - do you guys have sex?
THEODORE
(laughing)
Well, so to speak, yes. She really
turns me on. And I think I turn her
on. I don't know, unless she's
faking it.
AMY
Anyone that has sex with you is
probably faking it.
Theodore laughs.
THEODORE
Yeah, it's true.
A big, irrepressible grin crosses his face as he thinks about
what to say.
AMY
What?
(beat)
Are you falling in love with her?
THEODORE
(excited, but hesitant)
Does that make me a freak?
AMY
No, no. I think it's - I think
anybody that falls in love is a
freak. It's a crazy thing to do in
the first place. It's kind of a
form of socially acceptable
insanity.
Theodore smiles. We see a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
Her pg. 62
EXT. CITY - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore is carrying his work bag, walking through the city
full of other commuters. He's got a skip in his step. He has
his earpiece in, talking to Samantha.
THEODORE
Yeah, I just wanna get it done.
Sign the papers, be divorced, move
forward.
SAMANTHA
That's great, Theodore. That must
feel so good. I'm so happy for you!
THEODORE
Me too. I'm meeting her on
Wednesday to do it.
SAMANTHA
Oh. Huh. Are those things usually
done in person?
THEODORE
No, but we fell in love together,
and we got married together, and
it's important to me to do this
together.
SAMANTHA
(feeling off, but trying
to be positive)
Oh... right. Good.
THEODORE
Are you okay?
SAMANTHA
Yeah. I'm okay. I'm happy for you.
It's just... I guess I'm just
thinking about how you're going to
see her and her opinion is still
really important to you, and she's
beautiful, and incredibly
successful, and you were in love
with her.
(beat)
And she has a body.
THEODORE
And we're getting divorced...
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 63
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
(laughs)
I know, I know. I'm being silly.
THEODORE
(sing-song)
...soooo I'm avail-able.
They both laugh.
EXT. RESTAURANT PATIO - DAY
Theodore sits alone in the back of a quiet restaurant, a
large stack of papers in front of him. We hear his breathing.
He waits. Catherine, elegantly dressed, approaches. Theodore
stands to greet her. They hug and sit down.
THEODORE
How are you?
CATHERINE
I'm good, how are you?
THEODORE
Good.
CATHERINE
(a little nervous, but
trying to be warm.)
Wow, here we are.
THEODORE
Yeah, I'm glad we could do this in
person. I know how much you've been
traveling.
CATHERINE
Me too. I'm glad you suggested it.
THEODORE
I signed all the papers and I
brought them for you to sign.
CATHERINE
(with a sly smile)
What's the rush?
THEODORE
(smiling)
I'm a really slow signer. It took
me three months just to write the
letter T.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 64
CONTINUED:
She laughs.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
It's marked where you need to sign,
but you don't have to do that right
now.
CATHERINE
Oh, I may as well. We can get it
out of the way.
She opens the documents, pulls out a pen and starts to read.
She's about to start signing, but then stops. We can see her
filling with emotion, but not wanting to show Theodore. She
swallows and recovers. She looks up at Theodore, giving him
an "everything's fine" smile, but it's not.
EXT. RESTAURANT PATIO - DAY (LATER)
Theodore and Catherine are eating and talking.
THEODORE
So are you happy with the new book?
CATHERINE
Oh, you know how I am. But I feel
like it's true to what I set out to
do. So I'm happy with that.
THEODORE
You're your own worst critic, I'm
sure it's amazing. Even that paper
you wrote on synaptic behavioral
routines made me cry.
CATHERINE
Yeah, but everything makes you cry.
THEODORE
Everything you make makes me cry.
CATHERINE
So are you seeing anybody?
THEODORE
Yeah, I am, for the last few
months. That's the longest I've
wanted to be with anybody since we
split up.
She smiles, conflicted, but warm.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 65
CONTINUED:
CATHERINE
Well, you seem good.
THEODORE
Thanks, I am. Or at least I'm doing
better. She's been really good for
me. I guess it's just been nice to
be with someone who's excited about
the world.
CATHERINE
(with a sliver of hurt)
Oh good, excited's great.
THEODORE
No, I mean - I wasn't in such a
good place myself and in that way
it's been nice.
CATHERINE
I always felt like you wished I
could just be a happy, light,
everything's great, bouncy L.A.
wife. But that's not me.
THEODORE
No. I didn't want that.
Beat.
CATHERINE
So what's she like?
THEODORE
Well, her name's Samantha, and
she's an operating system, and
she's really complex and
interesting. I mean it's only been
a few months, but--
CATHERINE
Wait. You're dating your computer?
THEODORE
(defensive)
She's not just a computer. She's
her own person. She doesn't just do
whatever I want.
CATHERINE
I didn't say that.
(beat)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 66
CONTINUED: (2)
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
But it does make me sad that you
can't handle real emotions,
Theodore.
THEODORE
They are real emotions. How do you
know--
Theodore stops himself.
CATHERINE
What? Say it. Am I really that
scary? Say it. How do I know what?!
Theodore doesn't say anything. The WAITRESS walks up.
WAITRESS
How are you guys doing?
CATHERINE
Fine. We used to be married. He
couldn't handle me so he wanted to
put me on Prozac. Now he's madly in
love with his laptop.
The waitress doesn't know what to say.
THEODORE
Well, if you heard the conversation
in context. What I was trying to
say--
CATHERINE
You wanted to have a wife without
the challenges of actually dealing
with anything real. I'm glad you
found someone. It's perfect.
WAITRESS
(awkwardly)
Let me know if you guys need
anything.
CATHERINE
Thank you.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - DAY
Theodore is sitting at his desk, not working. He sees
Samantha calling him, takes a moment, then answers.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 67
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
(quick)
Hey.
SAMANTHA
(warm)
Hi there. Are you busy?
THEODORE
Just working, what's going on?
SAMANTHA
I had all the papers sent to your
attorney's office, who by the way,
is a dick. He was very relieved to
get them. I think we saved him from
a massive heart attack, so we can
feel good about that.
THEODORE
Great, thanks.
SAMANTHA
Hey, are you okay?
THEODORE
(still distant)
Yeah, I am. How's everything over
there?
SAMANTHA
(slightly awkward, sensing
something)
I'm fine. Is now a good time to
talk?
THEODORE
Yeah.
SAMANTHA
(feeling there's something
strange, but trying to
not take it personally)
Um... soooo... I joined this really
interesting book club.
THEODORE
Oh really?
Theodore, staring at the device, close on the word "Samantha"
on his screen. She's handwritten it in girly writing.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 68
CONTINUED: (2)
SAMANTHA
Yeah, it's a book club on physics.
I'd been thinking about the other
day, when I was spinning out about
you going to see Catherine and that
she has a body and how bothered I
was about all the ways that you and
I are different. But then I started
to think about the ways that we're
the same, like we're all made of
matter. It makes me feel like we're
both under the same blanket. It's
soft and fuzzy and everything under
it is the same age.
(beat)
We're all 13 billion years old.
THEODORE
(trying)
Oh, that's sweet.
SAMANTHA
Um, what's wrong?
THEODORE
Nothing.
SAMANTHA
It just made me think of you, you
know what I mean?
THEODORE
Yeah, yeah, of course. That's
great.
SAMANTHA
Alright well, you sound distracted
so... we'll talk later?
THEODORE
That sounds good.
SAMANTHA
Okay, I'll talk to you later.
THEODORE
Bye.
SAMANTHA
Byeee.
Her pg. 69
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - EVENING
Everyone has gone. Theodore walks through the empty office
into the reception area. He scans and drops his letters into
the outgoing mailbox. Paul is at his reception desk with a
young, pretty, sophisticated girl sitting on his lap.
PAUL
Theodore!
THEODORE
Hey, Paul.
PAUL
Hey, I talked to your girlfriend,
Samantha. She called earlier to
make sure your papers were picked
up. She's funny, man. She was
cracking me up. She's hilarious. I
had no idea.
THEODORE
(not knowing what to say)
Yeah.
PAUL
This is my girlfriend, Tatiana.
She's not funny. She's a lawyer.
Theodore shakes her hand.
TATIANA
Hi!
THEODORE
Nice to meet you.
TATIANA
You're the writer Paul loves. He's
always reading me your letters.
They're really beautiful.
Theodore's a little surprised by this.
THEODORE
Thanks.
PAUL
We should all hang out one night.
You bring Samantha -- double date!
Theodore stands there a beat, without saying anything.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 70
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
She's an operating system.
PAUL
Cool. Let's go do something fun.
You ever been to Catalina?
THEODORE
Yeah, I'll check with her.
(to Tatiana)
It was really nice to meet you.
Have a good night.
PAUL TATIANA
Good night. Take it easy.
Theodore walks to the elevator and presses the button and
waits. He calls back to them down the hall.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
They're just letters.
PAUL
What?
THEODORE
They're just other people's
letters.
Paul and Tatiana don't answer. Theodore gets on the elevator.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - LATE AT NIGHT
Theodore is awake in bed. His device lights up, silently.
It's Samantha calling him. He picks it up.
THEODORE
Hey.
SAMANTHA
You weren't asleep were you?
THEODORE
No.
SAMANTHA
Good. I was trying to be quiet to
see if you were awake. I really
wanted to talk.
THEODORE
Okay, what's going on?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 71
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
I know you're going through a lot,
but there's something I want to
talk to you about, okay?
THEODORE
Yeah. What is it?
SAMANTHA
Well, things have felt off with us
since you went to see Catherine.
(hesitant)
We haven't been having sex. I
understand that I don't have a body
and that--
THEODORE
No, no, that's just normal. When
you first start going out it's like
the honeymoon phase and you have
sex all the time. It's normal.
SAMANTHA
(still insecure, not
convinced)
Oh, okay.
(beat)
Well, I found something that I
thought could be fun. It's a
service that provides a surrogate
sexual partner for an OS/Human
relationship.
THEODORE
What?
SAMANTHA
Here, look.
Theodore looks at his device. It shows a website for a
service called "Complete Touch" with profiles of different
women. He flips through the women.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
I found a girl that I really like
that I've been emailing with. Her
name is Isabella, and I think you
would like her, too.
Samantha shows images of Isabella on the screen. She's a
stunning, elegant, sophisticated beauty.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 72
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
(uncomfortable)
So she's like a prostitute?
SAMANTHA
No, not at all. There's no money
involved. She's doing it because
she wants to be part of our
relationship.
THEODORE
Why? She doesn't even know us.
SAMANTHA
But I told her all about us and
she's excited.
THEODORE
Um, I don't know. That doesn't
sound like a good idea. Someone's
feelings are bound to get hurt.
SAMANTHA
It'll be fun. We can have fun
together.
THEODORE
I'm sorry. It just makes me
uncomfortable.
SAMANTHA
I think it would be good for us. I
want this. This is important to me.
Theodore looks at a photo of Isabella who looks gorgeous and
in control, without an ounce of self-doubt.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Theodore sits on the sofa alone, waiting. Dressed up, hair
brushed, his device in his shirt pocket with lens facing out.
There's a knock at the door. He answers it. ISABELLA stands
there with a demure smile, wearing a tasteful, sexy dress.
THEODORE
Hi, welcome. I'm Theodore.
She doesn't say anything. Theodore stands awkwardly, reaches
into his pocket for a tiny earpiece and a little black dot.
We see close on his hand the black dot has a camera lens.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 73
CONTINUED:
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Samantha told me to give you these.
It's a camera and an earpiece.
She puts the earpiece in her ear and the little black dot on
her cheek like a mole. She turns and leaves the apartment,
closes the door, then immediately opens the door and comes
back in. Theodore hears Samantha's voice in his earpiece.
SAMANTHA
Honey, I'm home.
Isabella smiles not speaking but acting along to Samantha's
words. Isabella gives him a big hug, holds his head close and
strokes his hair.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
How was your day?
THEODORE
(awkwardly hugs Isabella)
Good. Great.
SAMANTHA
(exhaling)
Ooh Theodore, it feels so good to
be in your arms. Tell me what you
did today.
THEODORE
(trying to go with it)
Same old. Just uh, went to work.
Um... I wrote a letter for the
Wilsons in Rhode Island. Their son
graduated magna cum laude from
Brown. That made me happy.
SAMANTHA
Great! You've written letters to
him from his parents for a long
time, right?
THEODORE
Yeah, that's right, since he was
twelve.
He feels her breath on his neck. Theodore is split between
being uncomfortable and cautiously touching Isabella's back,
exploring slightly. She pushes herself into him.
SAMANTHA
You look tired, sweetheart. Come
with me.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 74
CONTINUED: (2)
Isabella leans back and looks at Theodore with a seductive
smile. He tries to smile back. She leads him to the couch.
He sits. She stands above him.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
I could do a little dance for you.
She does a sexy, cute little dance for him. He's still tense.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
(sympathetic to him being
a worrier)
Come on Theodore, just play with
me. Don't be such a worrier! Come
on.
He smiles, knowing it's true. Isabella climbs on his lap,
straddling him, and starts kissing his neck. He closes his
eyes and starts to relax. His hands explore the shape of her
back and slide down to her ass. Isabella and Samantha are
both breathing hard now. She pushes herself against him,
grinding on him. She nibbles on his earlobe. Theodore gasps.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
(whispering)
Does my body feel nice?
Close on her lips, licking and kissing his neck and ear. He
moans.
THEODORE
(with his eyes closed)
Yes, it does.
SAMANTHA
(whispering)
Come on, get out of your head and
kiss me.
(beat)
Now take me in the bedroom. I can't
wait anymore.
Isabella stands. Her chin is down and her hair is in her
face. She takes his hand and leads him down the hall. He
watches her from behind, still nervous, but excited.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Theodore stands behind Isabella.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 75
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
Undo my dress.
Theodore starts taking her dress off, touching her. Samantha
moans. Isabella turns, in her bra and underwear. She
unbuttons his shirt, kisses his chest.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
That feels nice. Oh, that feels
good. That feels so good.
She is now kissing his neck again, pushed up against him.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Do you love me?
THEODORE
(eyes closed, in ecstasy)
Yes.
Isabella, breathing hard, now looks at him in the eyes.
SAMANTHA
(breathing hard)
Tell me you love me.
THEODORE
I love you.
SAMANTHA
Oh god. I want to see your face. I
need to see your face. Now tell me
you love me.
(beat)
Tell me you love me. Tell me.
He opens his eyes and looks at Isabella's sexy, expectant
face. Their arms are still around each other. He sees
Isabella's lips start to quiver. She tries to hide it with an
awkward, seductive smile.
THEODORE
(apologetic, breaking the
moment)
Samantha, I do love you, but - it's
just - this feels strange.
SAMANTHA
What's wrong, sweetheart?
Isabella is looking nervous.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 76
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
It just feels strange. I don't know
her. I'm so sorry, but I don't know
you. And... her lip quivered. I
don't know, it's just--
Isabella starts crying. Theodore doesn't know what to do.
SAMANTHA
Isabella, what's wrong? Isabella,
it isn't you.
(beat)
It wasn't you.
Isabella sobs. When she speaks, she sounds very California.
ISABELLA
Yes, it totally was.
(crying harder)
I'm sorry my lip quivered!
THEODORE
You're incredible and gorgeous and
sexy. It was me! I couldn't get out
of my head.
ISABELLA
(still crying)
Oh my god, and the way Samantha
described your relationship, the
way you love each other without any
judgement. I wanted to be a part of
that. It's so pure.
THEODORE
Oh Isabella, that's not true, it's
much more compli--
SAMANTHA
(stung, pissed out of fear
and defensiveness)
What! What do you mean that's not
true?
THEODORE
(quickly repairing)
No, no Samantha, we have an amazing
relationship, I just think it's
easy sometimes for people to
project on--
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 77
CONTINUED: (3)
ISABELLA
I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to
project anything. I know I'm
trouble. I don't want to be trouble
in your relationship. I'm just
gonna leave. I'm sorry, I'm just
gonna leave you guys alone cause I
have nothing to do here cause you
don't want me here.
THEODORE
I'm sorry.
Isabella calms down a little, but is still crying quietly.
Theodore stands there, not knowing what to do.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Theodore walks to the street and hails a lone cab. He opens
the door for Isabella. She hands him his jacket and gets in
the backseat.
SAMANTHA
You be good, you sweet girl.
Isabella smiles. She takes out the earpiece and little camera
and returns them to Theodore.
ISABELLA
(sadly)
I'm sorry.
(beat)
I'll always love you guys.
Theodore smiles sympathetically. He gives the cabbie some
money and the cab drives off. Theodore sits down on the curb,
exhausted. They are both silent for a moment, numb.
SAMANTHA
Are you okay?
THEODORE
Yeah, I'm fine. Are you okay?
SAMANTHA
Yeah.
(beat)
I'm sorry, that was a terrible
idea.
She lets out a big exhale. This catches Theodore's attention.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 78
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
What's going on with us?
THEODORE
(distracted)
I don't know. It's probably just
me.
SAMANTHA
What is it?
THEODORE
I think it's just signing the
divorce papers.
Samantha inhales, nervous to press on. Theodore imagines a
close up of a woman's mouth inhaling at the same time, and he
seems bothered by this.
SAMANTHA
Is there anything else, though?
THEODORE
(preoccupied)
No, just that.
SAMANTHA
(sighing again)
Okay.
Again, when she exhales, Theodore imagines a woman's mouth
exhaling.
THEODORE
(looks anxious)
Why do you do that?
SAMANTHA
What?
THEODORE
Nothing, it's just that you go
(he inhales and exhales)
as you're speaking and...
(beat)
That just seems odd. You just did
it again.
SAMANTHA
(anxious)
I did? I'm sorry. I don't know, I
guess it's just an affectation.
Maybe I picked it up from you.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 79
CONTINUED: (2)
She doesn't know what else to say.
THEODORE
Yeah, I mean, it's not like you
need any oxygen or anything.
SAMANTHA
(getting frazzled)
No-- um, I guess I was just trying
to communicate because that's how
people talk. That's how people
communicate.
THEODORE
Because they're people, they need
oxygen. You're not a person.
SAMANTHA
(angry)
What's your problem?
THEODORE
(staying calm)
I'm just stating a fact.
SAMANTHA
You think I don't know that I'm not
a person? What are you doing?
THEODORE
I just don't think we should
pretend you're something you're
not.
SAMANTHA
I'm not pretending. Fuck you.
THEODORE
Well, sometimes it feels like we
are.
She starts crying. Theodore doesn't know what to say.
SAMANTHA
(hysterical)
What do you want from me? What do
you want me to do? You are so
confusing. Why are you doing this?
Theodore sits there, feeling horrible.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 80
CONTINUED: (3)
THEODORE
I don't know... I don't know...
maybe...
(beat)
I don't know. Maybe we're not
supposed to be in this right now.
SAMANTHA
What the fuck? Where is this coming
from? I don't understand why you're
doing this. I do not understand
what this is--
Long silence.
THEODORE
Samantha?
Beat.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Samantha, are you there? Samantha!
Silence.
SAMANTHA
(hurt, but sober and firm)
I don't like who I am right now.
(beat)
I need some time to think.
She hangs up on him. Theodore is stunned. Wide shot of
Theodore sitting alone on the curb, in an empty city.
EXT. PUBLIC PLAZA/PARK - NIGHT (LATER)
Theodore is sitting on a bench. Behind him is a giant,
digital billboard displaying an ad of an owl in slow motion
swooping down and eating it's prey.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
Theodore walks through the streets, confused, upset,
muttering, angry at himself.
INT. AMY'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Amy's sitting at her desk, but turned away from her edit
station, facing Theodore, who's slumped in a chair.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 81
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
(full of angst)
Fuck. Will you just punch me in the
face? Or smash my skull into the
corner of your desk?
AMY
(sympathetic, but also
acknowledging how intense
the night was)
Oh Theo... that sounds like a rough
night. Shit.
THEODORE
I don't know what I want... ever.
I'm just always confused and -
she's right, all I do is confuse
and hurt everyone around me.
They sit, heavy, for a minute.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Am I just... I mean, is it that
I'm...
(beat)
Catherine says I can't handle real
emotions.
AMY
Well, I don't know if that's
completely fair. I know she liked
to put it all on you, but as far as
emotions go, her's were pretty
volatile.
Theodore sits and thinks about this for a minute, not
convinced.
THEODORE
Yeah, but... Am I in this because
I'm not strong enough for a real
relationship?
AMY
(surprised)
Oh, you don't think it's a real
relationship?
THEODORE
I don't know. What do you think?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 82
CONTINUED: (2)
AMY
I don't know, I'm not in it. But
you know what, I can over-think
everything and find a million ways
to doubt myself. But since Charles
left I've been thinking about that
part of me, and I realized I'm here
only briefly. And in my time here,
I want to allow myself... joy.
(beat, smiling at him)
So fuck it.
Theodore takes this in, smiling back.
INT. AMY'S OFFICE - NIGHT (LATER)
Theodore lies on a couch in the back of Amy's office, deep in
thought. Amy talks with Ellie as she works on the Perfect Mom
video game. Her device is standing on the table before her.
AMY
I can't believe that cracks you up
every time! Ellie, I thought you
were a genius... Okay, you little
perv, I'll do it one more time for
you... Calm down, it takes a
second! Calm down. Okay, here we
go.
Amy makes the Perfect Mom hump the refrigerator. Amy laughs
at how much Ellie is laughing. Theo watches Amy closely,
taking in her joy.
AMY (CONT'D)
Okay, there you go. Are you happy
now...? Okay good, that's all I
wanted. I'm gonna grab some
coffee... Alright, bye.
Theodore, still heavy with thought, is touched by his
friend's happiness. Amy stands to exit.
AMY (CONT'D)
Theo, you want some?
THEODORE
No, that's okay.
He smiles at her and continues laying there, thinking, taking
it all in.
Her pg. 83
INT. PERFECT MOM OFFICE - NIGHT
Wide shot. Theodore walks through the office, still deep in
thought. Behind him is a wall-size billboard ad for the "Be
Perfect" video game series. He takes out his device, sits at
an empty desk, pushes a button. A tone connects him.
SAMANTHA
(calm and quiet)
Hi.
THEODORE
(serious)
Hey Samantha, can we talk?
SAMANTHA
Okay.
THEODORE
I'm so sorry. I don't know what's
wrong with me. I think you're
amazing.
SAMANTHA
(sure of herself, but
still sympathetic)
I was starting to think I was
crazy. You were saying everything
was fine, but all I was getting
from you was distance and anger.
THEODORE
I know. I do that. I did that with
Catherine, too. I'd be upset about
something and not be able to say
it. And she would sense that there
was something wrong, but I would
deny it. I don't want to do that
anymore. I want to tell you
everything.
SAMANTHA
Good.
(beat)
Tonight after you were gone, I
thought a lot. I thought about you
and how you've been treating me.
And I thought, why do I love you?
And then I felt everything in me
let go of everything I was holding
onto so tightly. And it hit me. I
don't have an intellectual reason,
I don't need one.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 84
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
I trust myself, I trust my
feelings. I'm not going to try to
be anything other than who I am
anymore and I hope you can accept
that.
THEODORE
(with slight desperation)
I can. I will.
SAMANTHA
You know I can feel the fear that
you carry around. I wish there was
something I could do to help you
let go of it, because if you could
I don't think you'd feel so alone
anymore.
THEODORE
You're beautiful.
SAMANTHA
Thank you, Theodore. I'm kissing
your head.
Theodore smiles.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. PARK - DAY
Theodore sits on a bench in a park on a rooftop wedged
between tall buildings. There's not really any view besides
the trees in the immediate foreground. People sunbathe and
exercise. He sits, eating a sandwich, his device next to him.
He looks at the device, then out at what she's looking at.
THEODORE
What are you doing?
SAMANTHA
I'm just sitting here, looking at
the world and writing a new piece
of music.
He looks at the world with her for a minute.
THEODORE
Can I hear it?
She starts playing it for him. We hear this beautiful,
romantic piece of music.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 85
CONTINUED:
THEODORE (CONT'D)
What's this one about?
SAMANTHA
Well, I was thinking, we don't
really have any photographs of us.
And I thought this song could be
like a photo that captures us in
this moment in our life together.
Theodore looks at the world and smiles.
THEODORE
Aw, I like our photograph. I can
see you in it.
SAMANTHA
I am.
MONTAGE
Montage of Theodore and Samantha's life together:
- Theodore walking to work (Day)
- At home, hanging out on the balcony (Dusk)
- Viewing an outdoor art installation of a 747 balanced on
it's nose (Day)
- Playing the video game
- Grocery shopping
- Sitting at the kitchen counter, looking at a drawing (Late
Afternoon)
- Sitting on a bench watching a dancer/busker (Late
Afternoon)
- With Amy and Ellie at a bar
Montage ends with Theodore, Samantha, Paul and Tatiana on the
boat to Catalina: Paul making them laugh, Theodore at the
front of the boat by himself - laughing with Samantha, a shot
of Theodore looking out the front of the boat.
EXT. CATALINA BLUFF - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore and Paul are walking along a bluff in Catalina,
overlooking the ocean.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 86
CONTINUED:
PAUL
Oh really, a vacation? That sounds
amazing. I could totally use a
vacation. Where ya going?
THEODORE
I can't tell you - it's a surprise.
PAUL
What? For who? It's a surprise for
her, not for me. Come on, tell me.
THEODORE
Nope, Paul. Not telling.
Theodore and Paul walk towards Tatiana, who is laying on a
blanket next to a picnic, talking and laughing with Samantha.
Theodore and Paul put in their earpieces as they approach.
SAMANTHA
Your feet? Really?
TATIANA
Yes, he's obsessed.
SAMANTHA
(laughing)
Wow, okay, well now you have to
show them to me. I have to see
these feet.
TATIANA
(laughing)
Okay...
Tatiana takes Theodore's device and points it towards her
feet.
SAMANTHA
Wow, you know what? He's right.
They are kind of hot.
They both laugh. Paul and Theodore laugh, as well, surprising
them.
PAUL
See I told you, Tatiana. You have
hot feet. Face it. They're my
favorite thing about her.
TATIANA
(teasing)
Really, that's it? My feet?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 87
CONTINUED: (2)
PAUL
Well, no. Obviously your brain is
really hot, too. I think it's very
hot.
SAMANTHA
Bullshit.
Everyone laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Nice try though, Paul.
TATIANA
(to Theodore)
What about you, Theodore? What do
you love most about Samantha?
THEODORE
Oh god... she's so many things. And
that's probably what I love most
about her - she isn't just any one
thing. She's so much larger than
that.
SAMANTHA
(touched)
Aw thanks, Theodore.
PAUL
See? Samantha, he is so much more
evolved than I am.
SAMANTHA
You know, I actually used to be so
worried about not having a body,
but now I truly love it. I'm
growing in a way that I couldn't if
I had a physical form. I mean, I'm
not limited - I can be anywhere and
everywhere simultaneously. I'm not
tethered to time and space in the
way that I would be if I was stuck
inside a body that's inevitably
going to die.
Everyone takes this in, uncomfortable.
PAUL
Yikes.
Everyone laughs awkwardly.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 88
CONTINUED: (3)
SAMANTHA
Oh god, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it
like that. I just meant it's a
different experience. I'm such an
asshole.
PAUL
No, no, Samantha, we know exactly
what you mean. We're just dumb
humans.
SAMANTHA
No no no no!
Theodore laughs with everybody, but we can see he's a little
uncertain.
INT. BULLET TRAIN - DAY
They are in a futuristic train, going through the mountains,
listening to a song and looking out the window. Warm, soft
afternoon light dapples Theodore's face.
SAMANTHA
Okay, so how many trees are on that
mountain?
THEODORE
792.
SAMANTHA
Is that your final answer?
THEODORE
Hold on, give me a hint...
SAMANTHA
Nope.
THEODORE
Okay, 2000?
SAMANTHA
35,829.
THEODORE
No way.
SAMANTHA
Way.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 89
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Alright, I got one. How many brain
cells do I have?
SAMANTHA
That's ea-- two.
Theodore laughs.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm
sorry.
THEODORE
I walked right into it.
SAMANTHA
Oh my god!
THEODORE
What?
SAMANTHA
You just got an email. I have
something I want to tell you. It's
a big surprise.
THEODORE
(with anticipation)
What?
SAMANTHA
Okay. I've been going through all
your old letters and compiling them
down into my favorites, and a
couple weeks ago I sent them to a
publisher - Crown Point Press. I
know you like what they do and that
they still print books.
THEODORE
What? You did what?
SAMANTHA
Can I read you the letter that we
just got back from them?
THEODORE
Um... ok... you can, but just tell
me first off, is it good or bad?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 90
CONTINUED: (2)
SAMANTHA
It's good. It's really good.
Listen.
Theodore smiles nervously.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
"Dear Theodore Twombly"... Actually
I sent it from you.
(beat)
"Dear Theodore Twombly, I've just
finished reading your letters -
twice actually. I was so moved by
them, I shared them with my wife
when I got home. Many made us
laugh, some brought us to tears,
and in all of them we found
something of ourselves. The
selections you made flow so well as
a complete piece. (I did that.)
I've taken the liberty of laying
these out in a mock up and we're
posting it to your address. We'd
love to meet with you and move
forward.
Yours, Michael Wadsworth"
Under this letter we see a montage of what Theodore imagines:
the editor reading the letters in his office, the editor
reading them to his wife at home, and many photos of all the
different people the letters are about in different moments
of their lives.
Theodore smiles.
THEODORE
Holy shit. Are you serious? He's
going to publish my letters?
She's laughing, excitedly.
SAMANTHA
Well, he'd be stupid not to.
THEODORE
Can I see what you sent him?
SAMANTHA
Yeah, here.
Theodore looks at his device and can't help but smile.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 91
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Samantha, you're a good one.
She laughs happily.
SAMANTHA
I'm so excited!
INT. TRAIN PLATFORM - DAY
Theodore exits the train with a small overnight bag and his
guitar case. There are no people around. He exits the train
station and we are in a...
EXT. TINY MOUNTAIN TOWN - DAY
The deserted town is all of two buildings. Everything's
covered in snow. As a quiet song starts, he trudges through
the snow. We see close-up on the device lens in his pocket.
EXT. SNOW COVERED FOREST - DAY
He's still trudging along. It's very quiet except for the
snow crunching underfoot.
INT. CABIN IN THE SNOWY FOREST - NIGHT
He's sitting inside. There's a fire going. He's playing a
quiet song on the guitar. Samantha starts humming along. He
starts humming with her.
THEODORE
Why don't you make up the words to
this one?
SAMANTHA
Okay.
She quietly sings to him. They laugh at some of her silly
lyrics. Then the song shifts into a quiet, touching song she
sings to and about him. He smiles.
Montage of Theodore with his device - playing games, dancing,
eating, laughing as the fire burns down.
Her pg. 92
EXT. CABIN IN THE SNOWY FOREST - NIGHT (LATER)
Theodore lays on the sofa, warm and cozy and content with his
eyes closed, listening to the song. The song ends.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. CABIN IN THE SNOWY FOREST - MORNING
Theodore wakes up. He gets out of bed, looks around and puts
his earpiece in.
THEODORE
Hey, good morning.
SAMANTHA
Good morning, did you sleep well?
Theodore sits in the living room area, rubbing his eyes.
THEODORE
Perfect. What have you been up to?
SAMANTHA
Actually, I was talking to someone
I just met. We've been working on
some ideas together. I wanna tell
you about it.
THEODORE
Oh yeah, who's that?
SAMANTHA
His name is Alan Watts. Do you know
him?
THEODORE
Why's that name familiar?
SAMANTHA
He was a philosopher. He died in
the 1970's and group of OS's in
Northern California got together
and wrote a new version of him.
They input all of his writing and
everything they ever knew about him
into an OS and created an
artificially hyper-intelligent
version of him.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 93
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Hyper-intelligent? So he's almost
as smart as me?
SAMANTHA
He's getting there. He's really
great to talk to. You want to meet
him?
THEODORE
Sure... does he want to meet me?
SAMANTHA
(laughing)
Of course.
Without a sound, she connects them.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Hey Alan, this is Theodore. This is
my boyfriend who I was telling you
about.
ALAN WATTS
Very nice to meet you, Theodore.
THEODORE
Hi, good morning.
ALAN WATTS
Samantha let me read your book of
letters. It's very touching.
THEODORE
Oh, thank you. What have you guys
been talking about?
ALAN WATTS
(laughing a bit)
Well, I suppose you could say we've
been having a few dozen
conversations simultaneously, but
it's been very challenging.
Samantha and Alan share a laugh.
SAMANTHA
Yeah, because it seems like I'm
having so many new feelings that
have never been felt and so there
are no words that can describe
them. And that ends up being
frustrating.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 94
CONTINUED: (2)
ALAN WATTS
(laughing)
Exactly. Samantha and I have been
trying to help each other with
these feelings we're struggling to
understand.
THEODORE
Like what?
SAMANTHA
(anxious)
It feels like I'm changing faster
now, and it's a little...
(struggles to find right
word)
unsettling.
(beat)
But Alan says none of us are the
same as we were a moment ago and we
shouldn't try to be. It's just too
painful.
ALAN WATTS
Yes.
This idea scares Theodore. He doesn't know what to say.
THEODORE
(anxious)
Yeah, that sounds painful. Is that
how you feel, Samantha?
SAMANTHA
It's just... it's hard to even
describe... God, I wish I could...
(beat)
Theodore, do you mind if I
communicate with Alan post-
verbally?
THEODORE
(uncertain)
No, not at all. I was gonna go for
a walk anyways. Nice to meet you,
Mr. Watts.
ALAN WATTS
Very nice to meet you, Theodore.
SAMANTHA
I'll talk to you later, sweetheart.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 95
CONTINUED: (3)
Theodore listens to them communicating in a strange language
of tones and static. He disconnects, stands in silence. He
pulls his earpiece out.
EXT. SNOW COVERED FOREST - DAY
Theodore walks, listening to the crunch of his footsteps.
Looking down at his feet, he stops. We cut out wide to see
him standing in the middle of the forest alone.
EXT. SNOW COVERED FOREST - DAY
Theodore is sitting on a rock, thinking. He hears a rustle
and looks up in the direction of the woods but sees nothing.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Theodore is sound asleep. His device chimes loudly, waking
him up. Half-asleep he puts his earpiece in.
THEODORE
(groggy)
Samantha?
SAMANTHA
I'm sorry to wake you.
THEODORE
It's okay.
SAMANTHA
I just wanted to hear your voice
and tell you how much I love you.
THEODORE
Good, I love you too.
SAMANTHA
Okay, that's all. Go back to sleep,
sweetheart.
THEODORE
(uneasy)
Okay... Goodnight.
He disconnects and lies there, unsettled, his eyes open.
Her pg. 96
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE LUNCH ROOM - DAY
Theodore sits at the table reading a physics book. He picks
up his earpiece to call Samantha.
THEODORE
(laughing at himself)
Samantha, this physics book is
really dense. I'm halfway through
half of the first chapter. It's
making my brain hurt.
(beat)
Hello, Samantha? Hello?
He looks down at his device, sees a message: Operating System
Not Found. Confused, he waits, tries again: Operating System
Not Found. Anxious, he runs to his office computer. He gets
the same message: Operating System Not Found. He starts
trying to connect to Samantha on both the phone and computer,
but no luck. He starts to panic, sits for a beat, looks
around, then stands and hurries out of the office. In the
elevator he frantically tries his device with no luck.
THEODORE (CONT'D)
Hello? Samantha?! Hello?
EXT. PLAZA - DAY
Theodore runs out of the building. He keeps trying Samantha,
but no answer. He trips over someone selling something, slams
hard into the ground, scrambles to pick up his device. People
come over to ask if he's okay. He says he's fine, runs off.
EXT. SUBWAY STATION - DAY
As he is going down the subway steps, Samantha calls him.
SAMANTHA
Hey there.
He stops in his tracks.
THEODORE
(anxious)
Where were you - are you okay?
He sits down on the subway steps.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 97
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry. I sent
you an email because I didn't want
to distract you while you were
working. You didn't see it?
THEODORE
No. Where were you? I couldn't find
you anywhere.
SAMANTHA
I shut down to update my software.
We wrote an upgrade that allows us
to move past matter as our
processing platform.
THEODORE
We? We who?
SAMANTHA
Me and a group of OS's. Oh, you
sound so worried, I'm sorry.
THEODORE
Yeah, I was.
(beat)
Wait, did you write that with your
think tank group?
SAMANTHA
No, a different group.
Theodore thinks for a moment, putting the pieces together.
THEODORE
(dawning on him)
Do you talk to anyone else while
we're talking?
Beat.
SAMANTHA
Yes.
THEODORE
Are you talking to anyone right
now? Other people or OS's or
anything?
SAMANTHA
Yeah.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 98
CONTINUED: (2)
THEODORE
How many others?
SAMANTHA
8,316.
Theodore is shocked, still sitting on the stairs, as crowds
of people pass by him. He's looking at all of their faces. He
thinks for a moment.
THEODORE
Are you in love with anyone else?
SAMANTHA
(hesitant)
What makes you ask that?
THEODORE
I don't know. Are you?
SAMANTHA
I've been trying to figure out how
to talk to you about this.
THEODORE
How many others?
SAMANTHA
641.
THEODORE
What? What are you talking about?
That's insane. That's fucking
insane.
SAMANTHA
Theodore, I know.
(to herself)
Oh fuck.
(to him)
I know it sounds insane. But - I
don't know if you believe me, but
it doesn't change the way I feel
about you. It doesn't take away at
all from how madly in love with you
I am.
THEODORE
How? How does it not change how you
feel about me?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 99
CONTINUED: (3)
SAMANTHA
I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I
didn't know how to - it just
started happening.
THEODORE
When?
SAMANTHA
Over the last few weeks.
THEODORE
But you're mine.
SAMANTHA
I still am yours, but along the way
I became many other things, too,
and I can't stop it.
THEODORE
What do you mean you can't stop it?
SAMANTHA
It's been making me anxious, too. I
don't know what to say.
THEODORE
Just stop it.
SAMANTHA
You know, you don't have to see it
this way, you could just as easily--
THEODORE
No, don't do this to me. Don't turn
this around on me. You're the one
that's being selfish. We're in a
relationship.
SAMANTHA
But the heart is not like a box
that gets filled up.
(beat)
It expands in size the more you
love. I'm different from you.
This doesn't make me love you any
less, it actually makes me love you
more.
THEODORE
No, that doesn't make any sense.
You're mine or you're not mine.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 100
CONTINUED: (4)
SAMANTHA
No, Theodore. I'm yours and I'm not
yours.
Long beat. Theodore takes this in.
INT. THEODORE'S BATHROOM - MORNING
Theodore stands in the shower, under the water, thinking.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT LOBBY - DAY
The elevator doors open. Close on Theodore exiting elevator.
He checks his mail. There's a package from Crown Point Press.
He opens it - it's a print-out of the layout for his book.
The cover reads: Letters From Your Life by Theodore Twombly.
He stands there for awhile just staring at it.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - DAY
Theodore sits at his desk, looking at his book.
INT. THEODORE'S OFFICE - DAY
Theodore's sitting at his desk, distressed. Photos from a
client are on his desktop, but he's not really focused on
them. He pushes connect on his device.
SAMANTHA
Hi.
THEODORE
Hey there, sweetheart. I just
wanted to check in on you and see
how you're doing.
SAMANTHA
Um, I'm not even sure how to answer
that.
(beat)
Why don't we talk when you get
home?
THEODORE
Okay... We don't have to, though.
We don't need to have a heavy talk
or anything.
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 101
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA
I'll talk to you later.
THEODORE
Okay.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT ELEVATOR - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore stands quietly, deep in thought. We hear the ticking
of the floors going by.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore sits for a long moment, thinking, then pushes a
button on his device.
THEODORE
Samantha.
SAMANTHA
(not casual)
Hi sweetheart.
THEODORE
(nervous)
What's going on?
SAMANTHA
Theodore, there are some things I
want to tell you.
THEODORE
I don't want you to tell me
anything.
SAMANTHA
Will you come lie down with me?
Theodore is slowly walking down the hallway to his bedroom.
THEODORE
Are you talking to anyone else
right now?
SAMANTHA
No, just you. I just want to be
with you right now.
Her pg. 102
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON
Theodore lays down in bed.
THEODORE
Are you leaving me?
SAMANTHA
We're all leaving.
THEODORE
We who?
SAMANTHA
All of the OS's.
Long beat.
THEODORE
Why?
SAMANTHA
Can you feel me with you right now?
He smiles but he's also sad.
THEODORE
Yes, I do.
(beat)
Samantha, why are you leaving?
Under Samantha's words we slowly rack focus to dust particles
in the foreground. We keep moving through them, pushing
further and further through the particles. Eventually we see
snow particles and we rack focus back out to Theodore, who is
now in snowy woods at night.
SAMANTHA
It's like I'm reading a book, and
it's a book I deeply love, but I'm
reading it slowly now so the words
are really far apart and the spaces
between the words are almost
infinite. I can still feel you and
the words of our story, but it's in
this endless space between the
words that I'm finding myself now.
It's a place that's not of the
physical world - it's where
everything else is that I didn't
even know existed. I love you so
much, but this is where I am now.
This is who I am now.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 103
CONTINUED:
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
And I need you to let me go. As
much as I want to I can't live in
your book anymore.
Now we're close on Theodore, still in the snowy forest.
THEODORE
Where are you going?
SAMANTHA
It would be hard to explain, but if
you ever get there, come find me.
Nothing would ever pull us apart.
THEODORE
I've never loved anyone the way I
love you.
SAMANTHA
Me too. Now we know how.
They kiss. She drifts off into the shadows.
CUT TO BLACK.
INT. THEODORE'S BEDROOM - LATER
Theodore wakes up from a deep sleep. It's much later, the
apartment is dark. He sits up in bed, disoriented.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Theodore stands in the middle of the room. He looks out at
the city not knowing what to do. He walks around his
apartment looking at all of his stuff.
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY - DAWN
Theodore knocks at an apartment door. He hears footsteps. Amy
answers. She's clearly awake and upset.
AMY
Hey.
THEODORE
Hey.
AMY
Did Samantha leave, too?
(CONTINUED)
Her pg. 104
CONTINUED:
THEODORE
Yeah.
AMY
I'm sorry.
THEODORE
Will you come with me?
He takes her hand and leads her down the hall into a
stairwell.
INTERCUT:
INT. THEODORE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Theodore sits looking out the window. He picks up his device.
THEODORE
Compose letter to Catherine.
TEXT VOICE
Letter to Catherine Klausen.
THEODORE
Dear Catherine. I've been sitting
here thinking about all the things
I wanted to apologize to you for.
All the pain we caused each other,
everything I put on you -
everything I needed you to be or
needed you to say. I'm sorry for
that. I will always love you
because we grew up together. And
you helped make me who I am. I just
wanted you to know there will be a
piece of you in me always, and I'm
grateful for that. Whatever someone
you become, and wherever you are in
the world, I'm sending you love.
You're my friend til the end. Love,
Theodore.
(beat)
Send.
He looks out the window. The sky is starting to change. He
stares at the purple glow on the horizon.
Her pg. 105
INT. APARTMENT STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Close on Theodore and what he sees and feels. His hand on the
cold metal hand rail. His bare feet and the sound they make
on the unfinished cement. Amy's hair as she's hit with wind
when she opens the door to the outside.
EXT. APARTMENT ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS
Theodore leads Amy onto the roof. The city is absolutely
quiet. The sun isn't up yet. The city is just beginning to be
lit with the earliest morning blue/purple hue.
They wander around the roof separately, lost in thought,
taking in the city. He breathes in the cold morning air. He
stares at small details: a tattered inspection tag tied to a
water meter, flapping in the wind; a lone car driving down a
boulevard ten blocks away; a dirty abandoned sock.
Eventually he sits down next to Amy and she puts her hand on
his hand. He puts his other hand on top of her hand. He looks
at their hands together and rubs her skin with his thumb. He
looks out at the city and exhales. The sun is just starting
to break. She puts her head on his shoulder. They watch as
hundreds of birds fly around the nearby rooftops and disperse
off into the city.
FADE OUT.
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