The very well known scene in the church. Ross’s just blurted out the name "Rachel".

Minister : Uh … shall I go on?

Emily : Ross follow me!

Ross, without breathing a word, follows Emily out of the church. Inside the church there are only whispers.

Rachel sits down in the pew, trembling.

Monica : Oh dear, have you heard what he’s just said?

Rachel upset, looks askance at her.

Monica : Ok, idiot question!

Rachel’s tears, tired of being kept, plentiful start flowing.

Joey <sitting down next to her> : Hey.

Rachel <leaning her head on Joey’s shoulder> : Why am I here?

Joey : Cos’ you love him.

Phoebe <through the cell.phone> : Cos’ he’s your lobster!

Rachel <to Phoebe> : You didn’t think that 10 hours ago.

Joey : Hey, you know I can’t bear seeing any woman crying. Stop Rachel, please.

Rachel : I can’t.

Joey : You can. Things are gonna be fine!

Rachel : How???

Joey : Listen, in my opinion this is the most spontaneous declaration of love he could make to you.

Rachel : What? Joey, please!

Joey : So it is. Trust me, I’m a man.

Rachel : I will go home.

Joey : Me too.

Outside the church. Ross and Emily. She looks furious, he looks a kitten spaced.

Ross : Emily???

Emily : Shut up please, I have to collect me.

She deeply breathes for a few seconds.

Emily <tearfully eyes> : What the hell happened back there?

Ross : I don’t know!

Emily : Don’t you know? Ross, you’ve just said your ex-girlfriend’s name in your vows. I mean not any name, her name!

Ross : Yeah!

Emily : Why?

Ross spreads out his arms meaning "who knows".

Emily : It’s so obvious, you are still in love with her or in any case we aren’t completely over her!

Ross <defensive> I love you, Emily!

Emily <pretty calm> : I’m not saying you don’t love me, but, admit it Ross, what you are feeling for her is different, totally different, unique and special. It’s painful for me to recognize that, but it quite seems there’s an invisible thread, I mean a kind of indissoluble tie which is keeping you together.

Ross <more defensive> : No, there is neither thread nor tie and I won’t talk about that anymore. Now we must marry, I love you Emily!

Emily <upset> : Oh Ross, please stop with this "I love you Emily", don’t you see .. don’t you see what are you doing? You are … you are just trying to persuade yourself that "you must love Emily".

Ross : No, Listen …

Emily <calm> : Sorry Ross, but at this point I can’t get your wife …

Ross : Emily …

Emily : Let me finish Ross, I can’t get your wife till she is living in your heart. See Ross, I don’t want to lose you, but I don’t want either to spend my life being afraid of your suddenly call me with another name, so I think we need … yeah, time, I mean a period of reflection. I’ll stay here in my old dear England and you there in your dear N.Y. living our usual life and trying to understand if we love each other or if we just must love each other.

Ross <touched> : You are saying such of wonderful words Emily, that just help me to understand even more how wonderful you are, my sweet Emily, but <he breathes> but you’re right both of us need a lonely period of reflection.

Emily : Allright!

Ross : Ok, we have got a crowd in there that is waiting for an explanation.

Emily : Yeah, but first still a small thing Ross.

Ross : Tell me.

Emily : Promise me that you won’t obstinately try to get away from her, I mean if you realises you are still in love with her, <she breathes> love her Ross, cos’ … cos’ I’ll do the same if I meet kind of special person. While, if we understand loving each other we will get married.

Ross : Ok. That’s right!

Emily : Fine!

She’s moving towards the church but Ross stops her seizing her waist. There’s a small silence.

Ross <touched> : May I call you sometimes?

Emily <smiling> : Sure!

Ross <always embracing her and deeply looking at her eyes> : Now I kiss you Emily and not to say you good-bye.

Emily <approaching her mouth at Ross’s – whispers> : I don’t want you to say me good-bye, Ross.

They share passionate kiss and definitely enter the church.

Rachel’s room. She’s arranging for her baggage. There’s a "toc toc" at the door.

Rachel <opening, surprised> : Hi.

Ross : Hi, may .. may I enter?

Rachel stands aside and let him pass, then shuts the door strongly squeezing the handle trying to find strength.

Ross : Joey told me you are leaving.

Rachel : Yeah, we’ve got a plane in 2 hours.

Ross : Rachel, why am I feeling like you are fleeing?

Rachel <always arranging for her baggage> : I’m not fleeing, no, at all, I just must go home. Pheebs is alone, Ok?

Ross : Ok, must. Listen … <she’ doesn’t stop and goes on preparing her baggage> Rach …

Rachel : What?

Ross <taking her hand and forcing her to sit down the bed next to him> : It’s allright, ok. What happened was my fault not yours.

Rachel <thinking "Yeah, ‘cause I wouldn’t tell you the truth. I love you Ross", her tears overpoweringly knock at her eyes> : I’m so sorry Ross, I shouldn’t come here.

Ross : Why not, I almost begged you to come, y’remember?

Rachel : Yeah, <sighing> so, you and Emily.

Ross : We’ve just decided to take a period of reflection, yes, reflection. The haste had been our friend in the last 2 months. We have a lot of things on which work out. Hey, can I know how much have you cried, your eyes are so red that they could compete with a red-light!

Rachel : Everyone cries at weddings!

Ross : Yes and you did your best!!!

Rachel smiles.

Ross <sweetly> : Listen, it’s better I go to bed now and you too Rach, forget that plane. We’ll come back home tomorrow all together.

Rachel : Allright.

Ross <moving towards the door> : Fine! Y’know, you and I are really weird. You left your fiancé at the altar, I first got married with a lesbian and then I said your name in my vows. <Rachel smiles> Maybe it was fated things finish like that!

Rachel <perceiving that her tears are coming again> : Go to bed, Ross.

Ross : Ok, Goodnight.

Rachel : See ya.

He goes and Rachel leans herself against the door  meaning her wish to protract her contact with Ross.

New York. Few weeks later. Everybody’s returned his usual life. Girls’. Rachel comes in.

Rachel : Hi Mon.

Ross <pretending Monica’s voice> : Hi Rach.

Rachel <smiling> : Hi. Thank goodness you are here, cos’ this morning I’ve forgotten my key!

Ross : It’s for that I’m here, Mon couldn’t wait.

Rachel : Oh, thanks. I … I take a quick shower, will you wait for me?

Ross : Sure!

<time lapse>

Ross and Rachel are eating. Rachel’s going on piercing a piece of bread with her fork. Ross watches her half worried and half amused.

Ross : Good this flan!

Rachel : It’s pretty raw!

Silence. Now Rachel is cleaning the table and fights with a chair. Ross always observes her.

Radio : Listen people tomorrow few public transport might not respect their time tables, so pay attention! And now ….

Rachel <snorting> : I bet they’ll be mine!

Ross : Kind of awful day???

Rachel : Yeah.

Ross : Tell me, what’s up?

Rachel : Well, first my computer didn’t work good, second I’ve fought with a colleague and third I got shut in the elevator with 2 guys who never stopped looking at me, like if I was the only woman on this earth, and the day’s not still ended!

Ross laughs, Rachel pouts.

Rachel : I believe one truck of sugar shouldn’t sweeten me tonight!

Ross : May I cuddle you, will you?

Rachel : What?

Ross : Some cuddles …

Rachel : Roooossss …

Ross : I just wanted to be kind with you.

Rachel : Ohhhh …

Ross : Will you?

Rachel <at all persuasive> : No.

Ross : Come on, it wouldn’t be the first time, come close to me.

She hesitates but then crouches on the couch next to him laying her head on Ross’shoulder.

Ross : If I tell you what I’ve done today you just cheer up.

Rachel : Tell me.

Ross : Well, I’ve stuck bones all day long.

Rachel <trying not to laugh> : What???!!!

Ross : I know it’s absurd, but so it is. <Attention "With or without you" starts playing on the radio> An agent let us some type of glue to test and guess who had to do that, Ross, of course. Guess a miserable doctor with various types of bones on his desk trying to stick them.

Rachel uproariously laughs.

Ross : I’m happy you’re amusing yourself. That means I’m more effective than a truck of sugar.

A moment of silence.

Rachel : You dedicated me this song, once.

Ross <taking one of her hand between yours> : That idiot, stupid list!

Rachel : I wrote an idiot, stupid letter too.

They look at each other, Rachel moves her head on Ross’chest and winds her hands between Ross’ones. Silence only the notes of U2’s song.

Rachel <ehm her heart> : I’m feeling good with you Ross.

Ross <lifting her face and looking into her eyes> : Me too Rach.

Rachel tries to lower her face, partly because her tears are present in her eyes but Ross stops her looking at her lips, Rachel then catches all her courage and is going to kiss him but Ross puts his hand on her mouth. She looks at his eyes looking for an answer.

Ross <strongly closing her hands> : A part of me is still bound at her.

Rachel, a bit embarrassed to shown him her feelings, is getting away but Ross stops her firmly keeping her hands.

Ross <sweetly> : Don’t go away, Rach. Stay here.

She dissents.

Ross : Just a little part …

Rachel <getting up - weakly > : Please, shut your mouth!

Ross : Shall I go?

She nods and striking an attitude, pours some wine in a glass. Ross gets up and makes for the door, but stops like if suddenly he had realised something.

Ross : Rach …

Rachel : What?

Ross : Why did you come to London, what make you change your mind?

Rachel <with throbbed heart - the glass in her hand trembles> : You really must go Ross, g’night.

Ross <hesitating, watching at the trembling glass> : G’night Rach.

He goes.

Rachel <angry> : Damn that day I begged you to date her!

She catches a pillow and flings it towards the door. Monica comes in finding it right in her arms.

Monica : Hey!

Rachel : Sorry.

Monica : I’ve just seen Ross.

Rachel : He should come back to England next to that .. that … nice Emily. Why I’m not able to hate her?

Monica <moving towards her bedroom> : She’s so sweet! Have you had a fight with Ross?

Rachel <getting to her and lying down Monica’s bed>: No!

Monica : Do you really want him to come back to London?

Rachel : No, damn no, I want him to stay here as my husband and father of my sons.

Monica <lying down her bed too> : WOW, are you ready for a strong commitment hon, I mean such of lasting thing.

Rachel : Are you jeering at me?

Monica : No, please forgive me, it’s just … <sighing> I would have sort of special feeling like yours too. By the way, don’t take on any commitment on 28^th cos’ my parents are going to celebrate their fortieth anniversary, this is your invitation.

Rachel <surprised> : Oh, thanks. 40 years of marriage?

Monica : No. 40 years ago they dated for the first time.

Rachel : WOW, how’s romantic ….

Monica : Your mother comes too.

Rachel : Mom???

Monica : Yes, she’s one of their friends.

Rachel : Right.

Monica : About Ross …

The phone rings.

Monica : Hallo?

Phoebe : Hallo?

Monica : Pheebs??!!

Phoebe : Hi, the babies are sleeping and I‘m getting bored. What are you doing?

Monica : Rachel’s passing through a crisis about Ross.

Monica tells Pheobe what they are talking about.

Monica : Phoebe says "why don’t you tell him about your love" and I add "what are you waiting for?"

Rachel <seriously> : I was going to kiss him before.

Monica : Y’kissed!!!???

Phoebe : They kissed?

Rachel <aloud to give Phoebe the opportunity to hear>: Nooo, I’ve just said "I was going to", but he stopped me.

Monica and Phoebe : Ohhhhh ….

Rachel <tearfully and angry at the same time> : Yeah, he’s still thinking of her. God, what can I do?

Monica : Listen, I don’t think he is in love with her, at least not completely.

Rachel : That’s what he said.

Monica : He said??? <hitting Rachel’s head> But why didn’t you tell me, don’t leave a such of important thing out! What did he say exactly??

Rachel <sad> : A part of him is still in England.

Phoebe : What part?

Monica <ignoring Pheebs’ question> : Ok, that’s right, after all they were gonna get married. Any way, he’s still feeling something for you and that’s sure as he said your name in your vows.

Rachel : What about a mistake!!!???

Monica : Please don’t say silliness, he said your name not any name, I mean the name of the woman he spent a wonderful year with, that’s important, very important. Y’know what I’m thinking of … Well, I think he’s afraid of suffering again.

Phoebe : If he had given birth to a child he’d be afraid of nothing.

Monica : Pheebs don’t joke!

Rachel : I don’t want to make him suffer .. I just want to love him.

Monica : Yeah but he doesn’t know, or at least maybe he’s just realised. Now you just have to wait for his move.

Phoebe : What move? Ross isn’t a dancer!

Monica : Phoebe are you sure you are well?

Phoebe : No, it’s just, well I can’t focus when I can sleep and when not, y’know for suckling, so not to be wrong I don’t sleep at all.

Monica and Rachel look at each other smiling.

Rachel : Phoebe babies are sleeping now, right?

Phoebe : Yeah.

Rachel : Ok, now you can.

Phoebe : Ok, many thanks girls. See ya.

Few evenings later. Ross’apartment. All guys are in, arranging for supper.

Ross : I was believing I was totally, completely, wholly over Rachel and while, hugging her in my arms, keeping her hands and then those lips, her lips that were approaching at mine, God why I stopped her, I didn’t want her to stop, no, I wanted her to kiss me and then her scent, you can’t imagine what kind of effects her scent gives me …. Allright, you’re right, Emily and I just took a period of reflection.

Chandler and Joey look at each other thinking "Was someone speaking?" Chandler adding "I bet this sentence is getting famous like We were on a break".

Chandler : Ross give me the pepper.

Ross <handing him the salt> : And she said, what she said?, "everything’s changed, forever", and now what she does? She kisses me!

Chandler : Pepper, the pepper.

Ross : What?

Chandler <taking the pepper> : Never mind!

Joey and Chandler have a look like "Here we go again"

Joey : Where is the bread?

Chandler : Monica and Rachel get it.

Ross <slicing tomatoes up> : Rach, how is that possible, I mean, have you understood, she said "forever" and now, and now, you think, what do you think?

Chandler : I think …

Ross : Yeah …

Chandler : I think that if you goes on slicing tomatoes up we’ll goes on eating them till Christmas!

Ross <looking at the mountain of tomatoes> : Ohhh … <he follows> She did nothing else other than persuade me that she turned over the page!

Joey : Maybe she was persuaded too, any way pages can be turned over and over again!

Ross : Rachel and I … I and Rachel … again …

Chandler : Why not?

Ross : God Rach, I need see you!

Monica and Rachel come in.

Joey <closing his eyes> : I want, first Naomi Campbell on my knees just now and second Cindy Crawford and Claudia Shiffer waiting for me at home! <he opens his eyes> Shoot, I hope my 2^nd wishes goes better than first!

Chandler : Bread?

Monica : Here! Who slices it?

Chandler : Not Ross.

Monica and Rachel start setting the table.

Ross <approaching at Rachel> : Hey you.

Rachel : Hey you.

Ross <trying to begin a speech> : How’s Phoebe?

Rachel : Well, oh by the way she greets everyone.

C + J : Thanks.

Ross : And you?

Rachel <looking at him in her typical way and whispering> : Fine. I’m fine. Well, except my feet. Monica and I walked all afternoon long and I’ve got such of new shoes.

Monica : Yes, but it’s been worth while we’ve found a sensational present for mon and dad.

Ross : Make me see.

Monica : No, it’s already wrapped up. You’ll see it at the party!

Chandler : And for the miserables who aren’t coming to the party?

Rachel <fighting with her shoes> : We’ll draw a sketch!

Joey : Very funny!

Ross : Rach there’s still that pair of slippers in there, that slippers escaped from that childish restitution, so if you wish … I’ll get them!

Rachel : No, wait, I’ll get them.

She goes into Ross’bedroom to take her slippers, opens the shoe-rack and sees that the slippers are still in the same position she left a lot of time ago. She gets them and her mind wanders remembering when she stopped sleeping with Ross.

Ross : Have you found them?

Rachel <starting> : Yes, yes here they are.

She sits down Ross’bed taking off her shoes and he kneels to her handing her the slippers.

Rachel : Thanks <then, as she’s confused, says the first thing comes into her mind but just repenting) When … When is coming Emily?

Ross : In the beginning of the next month. Listen, about last night …

Rachel <interrupting> : I made a mistake!

Ross <disappointed> : A mistake?

Rachel : What’s strange? You made a mistake saying your vows too, both of us made a mistake. That’s all!

Monica <entering> : Hey, you two have you decided to spend all night here? Come on, we are dying of hunger!

Ross : Yeah … we are coming.

Rachel gets up moving towards the door.

Ross : Rachel, was you seriously speaking before?

Rachel <softly>: No.

They join the other friends and start having supper. Joey, who is sitting next to Rachel, doesn’t miss any opportunities of smelling her.

Rachel : What’s up?

Joey : Nothing. May you give me the wine? <He smells again>

Monica : Damn, my dress is stained with sauce, Rachel may you give me a hand?

The girls get for the bathroom.

Ross : Joey, may I know what are you doing? You look like a sleuth.

Joey : I just wanted to understand what kind of effect gives you her scent. But, to be honest, I can’t smell any particular scent.

Ross : Just because you aren’t me!

Joey : Oh, right, that’s right!

Chandler : WOW!

C + J hugs pretending flirting.

Ross : Please, will you stop daydreaming about Rachel and me.

Chandler : Come on Ross, don’t deny the evidence of the facts, you are starting again thinking of her, well, probably you’ve never stopped thinking of her but you couldn’t or wouldn’t realise.

Ross : Hey guys, I wouldn’t get bored, but you’re forgetting that Emily and I just took

C + J : Yeah, we know, a period of reflection!

Ross : Just so!

Chandler : Listen, a period of reflection doesn’t mean love Emily at all costs.

Joey : Yeah, if I was Emily, I wouldn’t be very happy knowing you’re loving me just because you have to love me.

Ross : That’s exactly what she said.

Chandler : Well, then let you go man, stop your brain, listen to your heart, if you are perceiving that Rachel is calling you it’s up to you to realize if you want to answer or not.

Monica : Who’s calling , who has to answer?

The guys look at each other without giving a reply.

Monica : Oh, sure, a private chat! Well, what are we doing?

Chandler : I believe we should go home, it’s pretty late and tomorrow we have to work.

The others agree so they make for the elevator.

Ross : Rach, will you go home with the slippers?

Rachel <watching her feet> : Oh….

Ross : It’s better you let them here, so you’ll be able to put them every time you are coming.

They gaze at each other, a moment of confusion follows. Both of them know what the other is thinking of.

Ross : Well … uh …

Monica : Hon, there’s a cab waiting for us downstairs.

Rachel : I’m coming, I just take my shoes.

Monica : Hurry up!

She takes her shoes and quickly enters the elevator waving her hand to Ross. He stands in the hallway till the elevator door’s closed then enters his apartment and, sighing, watches Rachel’s slippers in his hand.

Ross : See you soon Rach. <He switches off the lights and goes to bed>.

Next day. Girls’. Ross enters.

Ross : Hallo, there’s noone?

Rachel : On the balcony.

Ross <coming through the window and seeing Rachel who is hanging her laundry> : Hey, what’s up? Why are you hanging?

Rachel : There’s a woman at the laundromat who was washing with 1 machine and drying with 3, and I wouldn’t fight.

Ross : Oh, … are we alone?

Rachel : Yes.

Ross : Ok, fine. Listen, I absolutely have to speak with you. I’d have done it last night but there’s no privacy and plus I can’t sleep anymore thinking of you and your slippers <Rachel hides a smile> so absolutely we have to talk about, absolutely.

Rachel <having realised what about> : Now??

Ross : Yes, it’s important.

Rachel : Ok, what about Emily?

Ross <pretending a glare> : Not Emily, you and I, Ross and Rachel, the two of us and your kiss you gave me Wednesday evening.

Rachel <defensive, lowering the rope with the laundry to be able to look at him> : Hey, not "gave", I was "going to", it’s different! <she let the rope go and passing from Ross’view>

Ross <without giving up and determinated to reach the point> : Alright, <lowering the rope again> allright, different. Ok, let see this thing from another angling, if I hadn’t stopped you, I mean if instead of my hand I had putted my lips on yours what would you have done?

Rachel : Will you know?

Ross : That’s the reason why I’m here. So???

Rachel <unemotional, winging on of her T-shirt to lay her tension> : I’d have kissed you, and <less unemotional> and if you are wondering why, the answer is ‘cause I’m still in love with you Ross. <If the T-shirt could speak it’d scream from the pain>Yeah, Rachel is still in love with Ross, Rachel can’t live without Ross. So, what? Rachel can’t love Ross just because once she told him goodbye forever. Well, that just means that Rachel was wrong!

Ross <amazed and with the palpitations - sweetly> : Rach, do you know what have you just done, you’ve just said you are still in love with me.

Rachel <pretending being calm> : So, that’s just the truth. <Letting go her t-shirt which heaves a sigh of relief, and making fall her laundry> Fine, now I have to do my laundry again!

She is going to leans to pick up the laundry but Ross stops her.

Ross <more sweetly> : Do it now. Kiss me Rach.

Rachel <pouty, looking at his lips> : No, not now. Now I’m angry and if I kissed you I’d bite your mouth and all that there is inside! Perhaps one day …

Ross : One day? Rach …

Rachel : Now I’m going back to the laundromat and you don’t try to follow me cos’ I don’t want <she goes through the window>

Ross <aloud> : I know you’re happy Rachel Green!

Rachel <coming back and presenting at the window> : You too Ross Geller.

They smile each other.

Rachel : See you at the party.

Ross : Yes, at the party.

Rachel goes and Ross reassured, deeply breathes, staying on the balcony for a while watching at the sunset.

Ross : You’re sweet, you’re lovely and I loved you Emily, <day-dreaming> but Rachel it’s Rachel, and I’m sure we’ll fight again, we’ll hate loving each other more and more, but she’s the one I want.

Saturday evening. Girls’. Monica and Rachel are ready for the party. Chandler and Joey are in.

Chandler <pinching Monica’s ass> : Hey, what’s all this elegance?

Monica <giving the pinch back> : This is an important evening for my parents and for all of us.

Chandler : All of you. We, Joey and I aren’t coming. We, Joey and I haven’t received any invitation!

Monica : Chandler, can you stop remembering me that! It’s not my fault if you aren’t coming.

Joey <giving a look at his watch> : Hey, Ross is late!

Monica : He doesn’t come here, dad picks him up.

Joey : Oh, he’s going to the party with mom and dad … Ah, ah, ah …

Everyone laughs.

Judy & Jack’s Anniversary party. A typical restaurant near the sea. In a reserved dining-room there’s a table laid in white and blue colours.

Jack and Judy are sitting at head of the table. Monica’s sitting on her dad’s left and is mentally judging the courses and after al that she congratules herself on her cleverness. Sandra is sitting on Rachel’s right and she’s complaining with Rachel about her father’s flaws like in TOW the 2 parties and it seems she’s appreciating a lot the wine helped on the table. Ross is on the other side of the table talking to Mrs. Stone, a divorced friend of his mother, who doesn’t miss any opportunity of putting her abundant breast right under Ross’nose and introducing "double entendres" in their speech. Ross is remarkably embarrassed and his embarrassment reaches the top when she pinches first his cheek and then his thigh saying "It seems you’ve a lot of qualities Ross, you should let me lay them bare". Rachel, pretending to listen to her mother, is observing them with an air of amusement. Their eyes meet and Ross gets a look meaning "Instead of amusing yourself help me please". But it’s Monica who unespectedly comes in his aid.

Monica : Hallo Mrs. Stone, is it allright?

Stone <flashing her and pretending a smile> : Yes everything’s allright, thanks!

Monica : Well, Ross. We should give mom and dad the present.

Ross <loosening a bit his neck-tie> : Not should, we must.

Rachel gets to them and Mrs. Stone, getting vexed for all these intrusions, flashs her too and goes away.

Monica : Are you fine Ross?

Ross <collecting himself> : No, it’s more than an hour that … that .. that men-huntress…..has been making <swallows> that kind of hints, I was feeling naked in front of her and noone was coming in my help <beaten dog look>.

Monica : Come on Ross, you are overdoing it!

Ross : No, not at all, right 2 seconds ago she was pinching my thigh and if you hadn’t come, she wouldn’t have stopped there, I can swear you!

Monica : WOW, I’ve got such of irresistible and sexy brother!

Rachel hides a smile behind her hand.

Ross <putting his arm around her neck and drawing her towards him> : Don’t laugh miss Green. There’s nothing of amusing. I was really in an awkward situation!

Rachel tries to be serious but uselessly, he laughs too gazing at her eyes then her mouth.

Monica : So??? They are going to help the cake, it’s the right moment for the present.

Ross <in other space, ehm Rachel space> : What??

Monica : The presssseeeent …

Ross : Oh, yeah, lets go.

After receiving the present Jack, enough touched, is trying to begin a small speech but moves to tears and can’t go on. Judy stands up giving him her tissue.

Judy : Well, if someone was wondering why I still love my husband like the first day and, maybe even more, this is one of the reasons! <They kiss>

Jack <raising his glass> : I really wish everyone a life full of love like mine.

Everybody claps.

Monica : Why m I always feeling uneasy when mom and dad are flirting?

Sandra <a bit tipsy> : I’ll never be able to celebrate an anniversary like that. Women of our family have no luck in love!

Rachel looks at Ross who is hugging his mother and sighs.

Time lapse. Somewhere on the beach. Judy and Jack Geller are walking in, hand in hand.

Jack : I can’t believe 40 years spent.

Judy : Quickly, isn’t it?

Jack <smiling< : Yes, but you are always the same Judy.

Judy <laughing> : Oh Jack, please, I’m not the same at all and you either! If I good remember that day I got an horrible dress, I had the pony-tail and 2 spots one of those on my nose and you couldn’t stop looking at.

Jack <laughing>: You’re right. <looking at her eyes> I was really happy meeting and marrying you Judy.

Judy : Me too Jack. <They kiss> Oh, someone is coming. <scanning through the dark> It’s Rachel.

She’s moving towards her but Jack stops her.

Jack : Maybe she wants to stay alone … Well, the truth is that I want to stay alone with you.

Judy : Ohhh … She’s so beautiful, isn’t she?

Jack : Yes, but you’re my favourite. <They kiss again>.

Rachel reaches the shore and sits on an upsidedown boat. There isn’t the moon, the beach is pretty dark and on the sea sparkle the lights of the fishing-boats. She, looking at the sea, smells its scent sitting for a while, then stands up dipping her feet into the water. Suddenly there’s a noise behind her and she turns seeing a figure emerges from the darkness.

Ross : Hi.

Rachel : Hi.

Ross : Will you stay alone?

Rachel : No.

Ross <noticing her feet into the water> : Are you hot?

Rachel : No, it’s a sort of habit I have had since I was a child, everytime I went to the sea the first thing I did was putting my feet into the water. Maybe for same ways I’m still a child.

Ross dissents thinking "you aren’t", he sits down the boat. A moment of silence follows. We can hear only the noise of the waves. The sea breeze caresses Rachel’s body pressing against her her dress. Ross can’t turns away his glance from her. She turns towards him and smiles. Ross’eyes are veiled of nostalgia. She always smiles. Ross gets up and moves towards her stopping few steps behind Rachel. Both are looking at the sea.

Rachel <breaking the silence, in a whisper> : Will you try again Ross? <trembling> I mean you and I together again <Rachel’s tears are watering her eyes> Cos’ what we had was so amazing and both of us know how amazing it was.

Ross, seeing her trembling, rushes towards her and strongly clasps her to him from behind, then, nearly desperately, looks for Rachel’s mouth and passionately kisses her.

Cut on Judy and Jack.

Judy : Oh Jack are you seeing? Are you hearing?

Jack : Yes Judy.

Judy : We shouldn’t.

Jack: I know Judy.

Judy : Then, why are we doing it?

Jack : Cos’ we can’t stop us and also cos’ they are between the restaurant and us and I don’t think that would be a good idea interrupt them right now.

Judy : Yeah!

Back on Ross and Rachel who are always kissing, unable to stop. Finally, after about 100 kisses or one kiss worth 100 (at your choice), they stop.

Ross <tearfully - puts her face in Rachel’s hair and whispers> : I still love you too much Rach. <Then he leans down a bit approaching his cheek against Rachel’s>.

Rachel <putting one of his hand on Ross’cheek preventing them from parting> : I had to risk of losing you to understand how much I love and I need you Ross.

Rachel’s tears are flowing along her cheeks, blending with Ross’ones. They stay hugged letting their hearts talk to each other. This time is Ross who breaks the silence.

Ross : I want to make love Rach, I want to make love to this beautiful, wonderful woman I’m clasping to me, that special woman who had the strength to tell me nothing that day in the church even if she wished she had yelled all her love for me.

Rachel : God Ross, I knew you’ve understood.

Ross : You were very clever to hide that but at last your eyes spoken for you!

Rachel : I … I believe my tears never stop Ross.

Ross <dropping together with her on the sand) : No please stop them, you can’t cry, now you just close your eyes and let me love you.

Rachel closes her eyes and suddenly has a flash. Girls’apartment. She and Ross are in, both crying. Ross is in your knees and hugs her around her waist telling he can’t live without her but Rachel rejects him. Rachel feels a deep emotion and an acute pain to her breast like if from her heart something was suddenly snatched, she opens her eyes and sees Ross.

Rachel <whispering> : I’m sorry to contradict you Mon, but I’ve!

Ross : Have you said something?

Rachel dissents with her head and let him love her.

Cut on Judy and Jack.

Judy <pale> : I don’t believe … I really don’t believe I’m able to manage this thing. I mean he is my son, I can’t stay here seeing him and Rachel … Oh Jack they are making … they are making … making …

Jack : Love.

Judy <a little embarrassed but unable to stop looking at them) : Yeah! Oh Jack, WOW, we never had sex in that way ever, I even never thought people could have sex with all that … that ..

Jack : Passion.

Judy : Yeah! It’s WOW, Ok, I can’t see more, I can’t, please Jack let go away!

Jack <a bit disappointed> : Listen darling, we .. we can’t move right now, they’d see us and what is happening is too important for our guys, too important for their future, we can’t stop them, we can’t…. Ok Judy, look at the sea, look at the moon …. <Judy’s look "what moon???"> Ok, look at the stars, at me …

Judy : Allright, I can look at the sea, at the stars or at you Jack, but my ears equally work.

Jack : Right! Guess what? We could do the same and underline the same stuff so our, our "noises" will cover their!

Judy <smiling> : I hate when you are right but now you really are. <pause> For "same" do you mean "that way"?

Jack : Yes Judy. Well, we have to put all our enthusiasm!

Next morning. Ross’bedroom. He and Rachel are in, sleeping. The phone rings.

Ross <looking for the phone without opening his eyes> : Hallo???

Voice : Ross … hal … hallo???

Rachel wakes up too, but pretends to sleep.

Ross : Emily are you?

Emily : Yes, I’m. Were you sleeping Ross? Sorry, I’ve realised what time is in N.Y. just now.

Ross : Don’t worry.

Emily : Listen … I … I don’t come there, Ross.

Ross : Don’t you come?

Emily : Are you happy Ross?

Ross : No. So … Well, Rachel <breath> Rachel is here with me, Emily. We are, how can I say, well, we are forming a partnership again.

Emily : Well, very well, cos’ I’m not alone too.

Ross : Really???

Emily : Yeah!

Ross <hanging up> : I knew things would have gone fine!

He looks at Rachel next to him, who is still pretending to sleep and removing an alga from her hair, hugs her from behind lightly kissing her back.

Ross : Welcome back home Rach, I love you.

Rachel : I love you Ross, forever.

Rachel’s tears set in motion again.

Silvia July 1998.