Monday, December 22, 2008

Part 7 - Drama at the Cafe

(Please read the previous episodes before reading this posting)
Danielle receives an offer she can't refuse, but will Jack recover his memory enough to function when she tells him?
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INT. BOARDROOM – DAY
Danielle enters the boardroom of her law firm. It is as ritzy as her office, only amplified. At the end of a long oak table sit BARRY GOLD and HERB WINSTON, the firm’s two most senior partners. Seated along the wall is Doug Crane. He gives her a little smile as she enters.
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BARRY
Miss Morgan, please come in.
.
Danielle closes the door behind her.
.
HERB
Have a seat. Not to worry. This is a good
news meeting, I assure you.
.
Danielle pulls out a chair not too close to the older men and on the opposite side from Doug.
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BARRY
We at Winston, Gold, Sanchez, Stevens,
Crane and Hull have been very impressed
with the quality,
.
HERB
And quantity,
.
BARRY
Of your work.
.
DANIELLE
Thank you Sir, -- Sirs.
.
BARRY
We know that there are plenty of
opportunities for a person of your
dedication,
.
HERB
And ambition,
.
BARRY
That we can offer.
.
DANIELLE
Thank you.
.
HERB
You do know we have branch offices in
Chicago, New York and Atlanta?
.
DANIELLE
Yes.
.
BARRY
Well, young Crane here will be leaving us
in a week to head up an expansion of our
acquisitions group there.
.
DANIELLE
(politely)
Congratulations Doug.
.
DOUG
Thanks.
.
HERB
And he has asked you to accompany him.
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DANIELLE
(shocked)
You’re kidding?
BARRY
No.
.
Doug gives her a somewhat creepy smile.
.
DANIELLE
Why? Doug doesn’t need any help.
.
HERB
Because we want you to see how it’s done,
and then, in six months, he’ll go to
Atlanta to do it again,
.
BARRY
And you’ll take over the group in Chicago.
.
Danielle says nothing.
.
BARRY (CONT’D)
Crane said you’d be surprised. You know
they call Chicago The Windy City.
.
DANIELLE
Yes. Yes I did know that...
.
DOUG
I told them you were the only one for the
job, Danielle.
.
DANIELLE
Can I have some time to think about it?
.
HERB
(he checks his watch)
It’s two thirty now, why don’t you let my
secretary know by the end of the day.
.
DANIELLE
Um...
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BARRY
Splendid. We’re having a reception tomorrow
night at the Hilton where I hope to include
you in the announcement.
.
HERB
I hope we can have you there too.
.
DANIELLE
(getting more excited)
Thank you sirs. I’ll, I’ll give you my
answer this afternoon.
.
Danielle rises.
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DOUG
I’ll walk out with you.
.
They leave the office.
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INT. LAW OFFICE HALLWAY – DAY.
We see Doug hustling after Danielle.
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DOUG
Danielle! Hang on.
.
DANIELLE
I’ve got a lot to do Doug. Let’s talk
later.
.
DOUG
You have to take it.
.
DANIELLE
It’s a big decision, lots to consider.
.
Doug stops and calls after her.
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DOUG
There’s nothing to consider. You don’t say
"No" to the opportunity of a lifetime.
(beat)
It’s an offer you can’t refuse.
.
DANIELLE
(muttering)
Stupid "Godfather".
.
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY.
Jack and Warren are in a small coffee shop similar to Starbucks.It is mid-afternoon and people are getting their java fix to push on through until quitting time. The two men have just received their orders and walk from the counter to a table. Jack sits but Warren puts his cup down on the
table.
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WARREN
I’ve got to go see a man about a horse.
.
Jack nods in understanding and we follow Warren back to the washroom.
.
INT. COFFEE SHOP BACK HALL – DAY.
Warren finds the door marked “MENS” and proceeds to OPEN it. Unlike the standard public washroom with stalls and urinals, however, it is a single toilet with a MAN sitting with his pants
around his ankles.
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TOILET MAN
Hey!
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WARREN
Oh, sorry guy.
.
Warren hurriedly shuts the door and is about to make his way back to the table, but turns and RE-OPENS the bathroom door.
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WARREN
I need to ask. Are you some sort of
exhibitionist?
.
TOILET MAN
What the fuck are you doing?
.
WARREN
Why else would you leave the door unlocked,
unless you wanted someone to see you? Or
maybe you grew up in a cave or are you just
careless? Cause nobody wants to see your
spotty ass.
.
The Toilet Man is hurriedly trying to pulls his pants up without rising from the seat.
.
TOILET MAN
Get the hell out!
.
WARREN
Here’s a tip; either lock the door, or take
a dump at home.
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Warren shuts the door and comes back to the table. Jack is oblivious to the event. However, everyone else in the café heard it and they stare as Warren walks by.
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WARREN
Why don’t people lock the door?
.
JACK
What?
.
WARREN
In a public toilet, when there’s only room
for one, why don’t people lock the door?
.
JACK
Didn’t you knock?
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WARREN
No, I expected it to be a big room, with
stalls and urinals, not a one-holer. The
guy on the inside knows the truth. If my
pants are around my ankles, I go the extra
mile for privacy and lock the door.
.
Warren is making no effort to lower his voice. People around him squirm at this uncomfortable line of public conversation. Behind them, we see the Toilet Man emerge from the washroom.
Warren catches sight of him.
.
WARREN
Hey Buddy! I hope you washed your hands.
.
The Toilet Man blushes as he has obviously not washed.
.
WARREN (CONT'D)
I didn’t hear the water running.
.
The woman at his table emits a NOISE OF DISGUST and gets up. The Toilet Man follows her pleading.
.
TOILET MAN
Lesley wait. I washed my hands! Don’t
listen to that jerk! Lesley!
.
The pair leaves the café.
.
WARREN
That whole “Do you feel lucky punk?” thing
was awesome. Wish I had the guts to do it.
.
JACK
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
.
WARREN
I don’t think Pearson knew what was going
on at all.
.
JACK
Neither do I. I didn’t watch “Dirty Harry”
today and I’m pretty sure I didn’t try to
bug you quoting it either.
.
WARREN
Quoting? It was a re-enactment so accurate
I thought Pearson was going to piss
himself. Or at least you confused him
enough he figured it was better to get back
to work. I could have sold tickets.
.
Jack stares blankly at his friend. Warren raises his cup to make a toast.
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WARREN
Here’s to the new Jack Collins.
.
JACK
There’s no new “Jack Collins”.
.
WARREN
Right. Because the old Jack made a habit of
striking health care professionals, running
around half dressed and challenging coworkers
to duels.
.
JACK
(shaking his head)
It’s like you are speaking a different
language.
(stares at the ground, scratches his
head)
In fact, I don’t remember attending any
meetings today. Something weird is going
on. Nothing makes any sense since dinner
with Danielle. Oh shit, what time is it?
.
WARREN
Just after three. Why?
.
JACK
(panicked)
I’m supposed to pick up stuff for dinner at
Danielle’s brother’s.
.
WARREN
I bet her mom is disappointed your last
name isn’t Steel, then Danielle would be --
JACK
Yeah, I get it. You really think Danielle
would take someone else’s name?
.
WARREN
I suppose not.
.
JACK
Can you cover for me?
.
WARREN
Sure. I’ll get your laptop too.
.
JACK
Thanks.
.
Jack gets up, grabs his coat and exits.

3 comments:

Mama Dawg said...

I smell a disaster in the making. Both with the dinner and with Danielle and her choice (including that creepy Doug).

Mama Dawg said...

Oh, and I can totally picture the toilet scene.

Hilarious. Especially when I picture Jack Black as Warren.

Trooper Thorn said...

Thanks Mama. I'll post another episode tomorrow. It gets even more exciting!