Two Portlanders Shared a Socially Distance Glass of Wine, and It Went Viral

Image: Brian Breneman
Back in April, Phil Kirkland poured a glass of wine for Nicole Hudson. Little did he know that it would be witnessed by hundreds of thousands. That moment, which went viral on Twitter, seemed a perfect set up to a Rom-Com that didn't quite exist yet. So we wrote one.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING, THE PEARL - EARLY EVENING, MID-PANDEMIC
The sound of applause, vuvuzelas as the city celebrates its frontline workers. A young man—PHILLIP KIRKLAND, 30s, handsome, is Chris Pine avail?—leans out of a window on the third floor. One floor below him, a young woman—NICOLE HUDSON, same age, gorgeous, thinking Emma Stone?—is blowing a whistle.
CU ON 3RD FLOOR
The man takes a large sip from his wine (Big Salt white from Newberg’s Ovum, FWIW). He looks down at the sound of a whistle, and sees the woman below.
ZOOM OUT TO TAKE IN 2ND FLOOR
Their eyes meet.
PHILLIP
(smooth, maybe a leeetle drunk) Would you like some wine?
NICOLE
(thirsty) Yes, please!
PHILLIP
(commanding) Go get your glass!
NICOLE disappears from her window, returns with a glass. PHILLIP leans out and dashingly pours a floor below, without spilling a drop.
PAN to two people passing on the street, watching the whole thing. (Let’s call them RICH and KIM WILLIAMS.)
RICH takes out his phone to film.
RICH
That was awesome! Can you do it again?
PHILLIP pours into Nicole’s glass again, like a boss, while piano music strikes up in the background.
NICOLE
(yelling to RICH) Can you send it to me? Here’s my number!
PHILLIP writes down her number.
NICOLE and PHILLIP vow to meet IRL when the plague is over. The video of their first encounter clocks more than a million views on Twitter and ends up in international media. The two use their newfound fame to raise awareness and money for Direct Relief, an organization that helps obtain personal protective equipment and medical items for health workers. PHILLIP and NICOLE remain separated by a single floor, but they like each other’s tweets. They obey all the stay-at-home rules and social distance mandates, and wait for the all clear from scientists and city government. And that’s how they live happily ever after.