FADE IN:
INT. A VIDEO STORE - NIGHT
FRANK, a shy great looking guy hitting 30-ish, enters the deserted establishment. The BELL alerts the woman behind the counter. VIVIAN, 20-ish, beautiful and bored is dressed for a night out. She looks up at him from a magazine.
VIVIAN
We're closing in 10 minutes.
FRANK
Really?
The CLOCK above the door reads 11:20.
FRANK
The sign says midnight.
VIVIAN
(shrugging)
Slow night.
Avoiding eye contact, he quietly agrees.
VIVIAN
And I've got plans.
He concedes.
FRANK
(walking towards the door)
I'll come back.
VIVIAN
Waaaait.
(moving towards him)
"One night rentals gets a free drink and your choice of popcorn or candy."
How hard is picking out one movie?
He turns around and faces the AISLES. Movie cases bombard his vision. He hesitates.
VIVIAN
Just grab something. It's not like you're buying it.
FRANK
I'm not stuck with it?
VIVIAN
(laughing)
No. Just a 24 hour commitment. And if you hate it --
Looking at his shoes to avoid her gaze.
FRANK
Less?
She comes around the counter and motions him to follow her.
VIVIAN
What are you looking for?
Her LEGS gracefully make their way through the aisle.
FRANK
(uncertain)
Um, maybe Action?
She smiles over her shoulder. He looks away.
FRANK
(awkward)
No. Drama.
He follows closely behind her trying to keep his eyes on the titles.
VIVIAN
You should know what you like.
FRANK
I'm easily confused.
Vivian grabs a case off the shelf and abruptly turns around.
VIVIAN
How about Fantasy?
He nearly collides with her as she holds the title up to his face which reads:
MY SUPER EX GIRL FRIEND
FRANK
Uh -- no documentaries.
VIVIAN
(reading the case)
You're funny. And this does not belong here.
(talking to the movie case)
Bad Girl.
She takes the case and moves away from him. Her BACKSIDE sways gracefully.
FRANK
Yeah.
(beat)
Listen, thanks for the help but I should let you lock up.
She continues to look. She bends down giving a full sense of her curvature.
VIVIAN
(looking up)
You are not leaving without Milk Duds.
He steadies himself.
VIVIAN
Do you like Westerns?
He doesn't.
VIVIAN
Romance?
FRANK
Really, it's not a problem. It's late and I need to go see my --
VIVIAN
(pointing at a case)
Horror?
That strikes discord in Frank. He shakes it off.
VIVIAN
Yeah. Not my genre either.
FRANK
It's not that I'm that particular. I just uh --
She walks past him to another aisle. He watches her intently. She peers over the shelf. He avoids her gaze.
VIVIAN
You need to escape. You need mind blowing escape.
He openly concedes her statement.
She pulls out a couple cases from the shelf.
VIVIAN
(walking back to him)
A suggestion. After a hard day's work go ahead and let go of all the things
pulling you down. Just kick back with this:
Shoves DIE ANOTHER DAY in his face.
VIVIAN
or this!
Swaps it out for DIE HARD.
Vivian leans in him giving him her FULL attention.
VIVIAN
What do you think?
His eyes have become fixated on her chest. She moves her head down to meet his eyes and he follows her eyes until she is standing normally. She smiles curiously.
VIVIAN
I can tell you're out of the loop. Maybe...
(beat)
...this isn't the kind of video store you want.
FRANK
Loop? No. No! I just want a laugh.
VIVIAN
(epiphany)
A comedy! Of course!
(shoving the movies onto the shelf)
Forget these. Follow me.
FRANK
(giving up)
Really, you've been helpful.
VIVIAN
No I haven't.
He stumbles back towards the door.
VIVIAN
Wait.
She jets to the candy rack and thrust a box of MILK DUDS towards him.
VIVIAN
Here. On me.
FRANK
No thank you.
VIVIAN
(endeared)
Take them.
He hesitates.
VIVIAN
Take them!
He does.
VIVIAN
You know, you're a really nice guy.
He's fumbles with the candy.
VIVIAN
Really.
(beat)
A couple of friends and I are headed down
to the pub on the corner.
She walks to him again. He freezes. She moves in closely.
VIVIAN
They've got a great dark ale. Wanna come?
He backs away from her and smiles shyly.
Vivian watches him move away from her.
He leans his back against the door pushing it slightly open.
FRANK
(looking straight at her)
Yeah.
She's delighted.
FRANK
But...
He looks down at the box of candy "DUD" is all he sees.
VIVIAN
(deflated)
You're overdue.
He chuckles pathetically. What can he say?
The BELL sounds and he's gone.
FADE OUT.
Commentary: One night I went into the video store in a new town we had moved to and I was overwhelmed by the selection. The girl behind the counter was so sweet and helpful. As she was directing me, she was telling me of crushing on some guy that religiously came in on Friday nights to rent. I think she may have even scheduled herself specifically on Friday nights. Ha! She was darling. I don't know if anything ever came of them. Of course, part of me hopes so.
© 2007 AndiWritesAgain