Choose Heartbreak
When a heartbroken young man is given the chance to reunite with his ex-girlfriend, he is given an ultimatum along with it-
his happiness in exchange for the pain of others.
What would you do to rekindle a lost love?
Or rather, who would you be willing to sacrifice and hurt in return?
That’s the question Jayce, 20s – dumped and despondent – doesn’t yet know he’ll be quizzed on.
When Lisa Lee’s existential short Choose Heartbreak opens, protagonist Jayce isn’t YET at the bar.
But mysterious Anya is. Alone at the counter, she’s gorgeous. So it’s no surprise a middle aged barfly zeroes in. Anya states upfront she’s waiting for someone, but that doesn’t throw Mr. Wanna be Romeo off.
At first, it even seems Anya might be receptive – as she stares deeply into the man’s eyes.
An act which causes a sudden, extreme switch in her suitor’s emotions. He cycles through contentment. Confusion. Leaves in a daze.
There’s been some sort of connection there… but clearly not the kind one finds in romance flicks.
As Anya’s oddly altered suitor leaves, brooding Jayce wanders in. Swimming in the pain of a recent and raw breakup, Jayce’s in no mood for conversation. So when he’s interrupted by two women at a nearby Bachelorette shin-dig, Jayce blows them off – almost as if they weren’t there.
Which is when mysterious Anya approaches and makes HER move.
Anya slides across from Jayce observing him as they sit in silence.
Finally-
ANYA
You really blew that one.
JAYCE
Apparently no one in this bar has noticed,
that I'd like to be alone.
Anya has no intention of leaving.
ANYA
Tell me if I'm close.
Your high school sweetheart cheated on you.
Bingo. As Anya describes his inner heartbreak in ever more detail, Jayce’s suspicions arise:
JAYCE
You're friends with Jenny, aren't you?
ANYA
No, I've just seen it play out a million times.
He motions for the bartender to get him another drink.
ANYA
It doesn't have to be this way.
JAYCE
She made it pretty clear that it does.
ANYA
Maybe it's not entirely up to her.
Now that sounds ominous, and makes Jayce perk up.
ANYA
I can help you get her back.
Grabbing Jayce’s hand, Anya works her “magic”, driving home the point that she has the power to force people to feel things. That middle aged man. Jayce. And maybe even Jenny… for a price?
What price, you ask?
The pain of someone else, Anya explains.
ANYA
Things need balance. I can't give one thing without evening it out with the opposite.
JAYCE
You have to hurt me?
ANYA
You have to hurt someone.
Love makes people do crazy things. Cruel things, too – at least sometimes.
Will Jayce take Anya’s bait?
There’s no simple answer to that question. But Choosing Heartbreak is a simple, smart choice for the right director. One location, with a handful of quality actors, this slice of existential drama has the potential to create a stand out short that’ll have audiences mulling that question long after the night is done.