AFTER NANO GOT FIRED and Ashley took over, the rest of the shooting went really well. Everything got back to normal—well, as normal as things can get when you’re shooting a movie.
Sammy and the Princess comes out next summer. The premiere is in New York City at the Ziegfeld Theatre on July 20. My whole family is going to come, and a ton of my friends. My girlfriend Mareli will be there, too. Afterward, there is going to be a big party catered by my dad, because Shana Fox really loves his pizza.
I’m a little worried about the reaction. What if people think I’m a bad actor? Shana said most actors don’t read their reviews—but I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to help it. But maybe it won’t be so bad. There have already been some blog posts by people who somehow have seen parts of the movie or something, although I don’t know how that happens. My favorite was on the website TeenMovie.com, which said, “Pete Milano looks like someone to keep an eye on—he’s adorable and funny, and seems like a kid we’d like to hang around with.” That made me feel good, because it was written by kids.
So that’s about it for my experience making a movie. It was really fun, even though it got a little crazy there for a while. I recommend it to everyone, if they have the chance, but I know that’s not likely. I know how lucky I was. And I’ll never forget it.
I stopped reading. Then I looked up at Mrs. Sleep, Ms. Ferrell, and Mrs. Albone, who were all sitting in front of me.
“Very nice job,” said Mrs. Sleep. “I’m glad you took this assignment seriously, Mr. Milano. Your paper was very thoughtful and well written.”
“I agree,” said Ms. Ferrell. “Well done, Pete.”
Mrs. Albone nodded. “Well done indeed,” she said. Then she smiled. “Maybe you should make a movie more often.”
Everyone laughed except Mrs. Sleep. “Mrs. Albone brings up a good point, Peter,” she said. “Now that it’s over, how do you feel about the experience? Is it something you want to continue doing?”
“Wow,” I said. “I’m not sure. I hadn’t really thought about it.”
Mrs. Sleep pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Well, you may have to think about it, especially if others agree with the people on that website.”
I thought for a second. I knew Sheldon Felden liked me—after we’d finished shooting, he’d pulled me aside and said, “Kid. I think you got it. And there are people out there who are going to want it.” So maybe that means I would get an offer to act in another movie. And that would mean more excitement, more people thinking I was talented, more cool people to meet, and more getting to pretend I was someone else. But it would also mean more drama at school, and more jealousy and stuff with my friends, and more missed soccer games. And also, aren’t there a ton of young people who act in movies and get all conceited and think they’re awesome, and then when they become adults their careers are over, because they’re not cute kids anymore? Who needs that???
“So, what’s it going to be, Pete?” Ms. Ferrell asked. “Do you want to be an actor, or do you want to have a normal life?”
I thought for a second.
“Yes,” I said.
* * *
When I got outside Mrs. Sleep’s office, all my friends were waiting for me.
“How’d it go?” asked Charlie Joe.
I waited a beat (dramatic pause), then gave the thumbs-up.
“I will live to see another day,” I said.
I high-fived Timmy, Charlie Joe, and Katie. Then I grabbed Mareli’s hand, pulled her toward me, and kissed her—right on the lips.
“I owed you that,” I told her.
“Payment accepted,” she told me.
Everyone hooted and hollered.
It was just like in a movie.
SAMMY AND THE PRINCESS, FINAL SCENE
EXT. OUTSIDE THE DORM—DAY
IT’S THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR—PARENTS PICKING UP THEIR KIDS. SAMMY’S MOM AND DAD ARE HELPING HIM LOAD UP THE CAR.
DAD
So, quite a year, huh son?
SAMMY
That’s one way to put it, yeah.
MOM
I don’t know what it is about you, Sammy, but … you’ve changed. You’ve grown up.
SAMMY
Is that a good thing?
MOM
It’s a very good thing.
CROFT COMES UP TO THE CAR.
CROFT
See you around, little man.
THEY FIST BUMP.
SAMMY
Mom, Dad, you remember Croft.
THEY DON’T LOOK TOO THRILLED TO SEE HIM.
SAMMY (Cont’d)
Don’t worry, you guys. We’re pals now. We respect each other.
CROFT
That’s right, Mr. and Mrs. Powell. Your son … he stands up for what he believes in. That’s pretty cool. See you around, bro!
HE PUNCHES SAMMY ON THE ARM. SAMMY WINCES, THEN PUNCHES CROFT BACK—A SAD, LITTLE PUNCH.
CROFT
Dude, you gotta start lifting.
SAMMY
I’ll get right on that.
CROFT WAVES AND WALKS AWAY.
MOM
So, where’s …
SAMMY
Clarissa?
MOM
Yes, Clarissa. If you don’t mind my asking.
DAD
She’s a terrific girl.
SAMMY
She’s … with her parents, I think. There’s probably a ton of security around them and stuff. I’ll just send her a text or something.
THEY’RE JUST ABOUT TO DRIVE AWAY WHEN …
CLARISSA
Sammy! Sammy, wait!
CLARISSA COMES RUNNING UP.
CLARISSA
I just wanted you to know … that you’re the best friend I’ve ever had.
SAMMY
I am?
CLARISSA
Yes. And one day … I know you will make a princess very, very happy.
THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER FOR A LONG MOMENT.
SAMMY
Any princess in particular?
CLARISSA (After a pause)
Perhaps.
THEY HUG. THEN SAMMY GETS IN HIS CAR AND THEY DRIVE AWAY. SAMMY SITS IN THE BACK, LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND THINKING.
DAD
So Sammy, overall … if you had to pick one thing … what would be the most important thing you learned this year?
A LONG PAUSE BEFORE SAMMY FINALLY ANSWERS.
SAMMY
Life can be really weird sometimes.
MOM
Oh, come on! You can do better than that!
SAMMY
Okay, okay, fine! (He thinks)
Life can be really weird sometimes …
So through it all, you need to remember to hold on to what’s more important.
(He thinks some more)
And never teach air hockey to a princess on an empty stomach.
AND THEY DRIVE OFF INTO THE DISTANCE.
FADE TO BLACK …
THE END