Independence Day

ALVIN
THIS IS IT, TOM.
THIS IS IT.
THOMAS
The morning before the big trip.
ALVIN
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AND I WILL BE THERE.
THOMAS
All I could think was... boy this day came fast.
ALVIN
TO RUFFLE YOUR FEATHERS AND GET IN YOUR HAIR.
THOMAS
All I could think was... I have things to take care of.
ALVIN
THE WHOLE TOWN CAN PERISH, I DON'T EVEN CARE.
THOMAS
But all I could say was... see you tomorrow.
ALVIN
THIS IS IT, TOM.
THIS IS IT.
I never thought this day would actually come.
THIS MORNING I FINALLY BELIEVED IT.
I WOKE UP AND FELT IT BEGIN.
"I'M SHAKING THE DUST OF THIS
CRUMMY OLD TOWN OFF MY FEET."
Take that, George Bailey!
I'LL MAKE UP A SIGN FOR THE BOOKSTORE
AND HANG IT WHERE PEOPLE COME IN
SAYING “CLOSING FOR CHRISTMAS.
THE OWNER IS HITTING THE STREET.”
LOOK, I'LL NEVER BE A WORLD TRAVELER.
I JUST WASN'T BUILT THAT WAY.
STILL, THIS COULD BE MY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
THOMAS
Aren't you blowing this a little out of proportion?
ALVIN
I THINK OF THE TIMES THROUGHOUT HISTORY
A DAY UNREMARKABLY DAWNED
THEN ONE MAN WAS SEIZED
BY THE RESTLESS DESIRE TO EXPLORE.
HE LOOKED UP AND SCANNED THE HORIZON
AND WONDERED WHAT MIGHT LIE BEYOND.
THEN HOISTED HIS ANCHOR
AND SAILED FOR SOME UNCHARTED SHORE.
WELL NOW MY DESTINY‘S CALLING,
AND I CAN HEAR IT SAY
THIS COULD BE MY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
THOMAS
It's just a trip to the city, Al.
ALVIN
Of course you wouldn't understand.
THIS IS A FEELING YOU MUST FEEL EVERY DAY
AS PUBLISHING'S LATEST MAN-OF-THE-HOUR.
Four bestsellers and counting, Tom.
I REALLY CAN'T COMPETE WITH YOUR RESUME.
BUT SOMETHING DEEP IS STIRRING
AND SHIFTING INSIDE.
THE BOUNDARIES ARE BLURRING
AND OPENING WIDE.
IT'S SUDDENLY OCCURRING
THAT FINALLY I DESERVE
TO STRAY AND REACH AND YEARN
AND DARE TO SAY
IT MIGHT JUST BE MY TURN.
IT'S RARE THAT YOU NOTICE A MOMENT
THE MOMENT IT'S HURRYING BY
AND INSTANTLY FRAME IT
AND SAY THAT'S WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED.
BUT NOW, THERE'S A MOMENT APPROACHING.
I'M STARING IT STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.
PREPARED FOR A FUTURE
OF MOMENTS THAT AREN'T PREARRANGED.
OLD GEORGE BAILEY WAS CHEATED
HE NEVER LEFT HIS TOWN.
BEATEN DOWN AND DEFEATED
HE EVEN TRIED TO DROWN.
BUT LOOK AT ME, I'VE BEEN TREATED
TO LIFE TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN.
WELCOME TO MY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
THIS IS IT, TOM.
THIS IS IT.
THOMAS
All I could think was... I never told Ann he was coming.
ALVIN
CHRISTMAS, THE TWO OF US, JUST LIKE BEFORE.
THOMAS
All I could think was... I never told Alvin I'm engaged.
ALVIN
LIKE BACK IN MY LIVING ROOM OVER THE STORE.
THOMAS
All I could think was... things here have gotten complicated.
ALVIN
WHO SAYS THE HOLIDAYS HAVE TO BE MORE?
THOMAS
But all I could say was...
ALVIN
THIS IS IT, TOM.
THIS IS...
THOMAS
Al. Don't come.
(Silence.)
ALVIN
Why not?
THOMAS
It's not a good time. Al? What do you think, Al?
ALVIN
THIS IS IT, TOM
ME AND YOU.
THOMAS
THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE
ALVIN
IF YOU COMMIT, TOM
YOU SEE IT THROUGH.
THOMAS
WHY IS IT ALWAYS GOODBYE?
Goodbye, Al.
ALVIN
Goodbye, Tom.
THOMAS
RELATIONSHIPS THRIVE OR DISSOLVE
WITHOUT OUR KNOWING WHY.
AND SOMEHOW GOODBYE BECAME EASY.
Wait! Let me explain. It really wasn't a good time. I...