Overheard somewhere …
Hello! I figure that since it’s okay to post one’s work on places like Coverfly and … whatever else is out there where you can post shit, I’ll just put up this completely fictional conversation. I’m not pitching this. I’m not reaching out to any striking companies. It’s all just for fun, right? Until you get the eviction notice.
EXT. SUBURBAN MALL — DAY
A car sits in an expansive parking lot around an enclosed shopping mall. It’s early, so the lot is far from full.
Inside the car, a WOMAN sits on the passenger side, writing in her Day Planner.
Two tall buildings designed to look urban loom in the near distance. A few trees on grassy medians circle the parking lot.
A MAN leaves the building, crosses the lot, and slides into the driver’s side of the car.
He starts the car and they leave.
EXT. STREET — DAY
The car travels a six-lane suburban road.
INT./EXT. CAR — DAY
The Man drives. The Woman remains absorbed in writing.
MAN
But they were all out of the ones I usually like.
WOMAN
Uh huh.
The Man glances at the Woman, as the car moves down the road.
MAN
What are you writing?
The woman jolts alert.
WOMAN
This? Uh …
MAN
Are you writing what I’m saying?
WOMAN
Yes. Well, no … not exactly. You see, it’s like this. Remember what you said before?
FLASHBACK — 20 MINUTES BEFORE
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET — DAY
The Man drives the car down a tree-lined, two-lane suburban road. The Woman is in the passenger seat, reading a book.
INT./EXT CAR — DAY
The Woman puts the book down and gazes at the trees.
WOMAN
I want to thank you.
MAN
Hmm? What for?
WOMAN
For telling me to stop calling myself an “aspiring screenwriter.”
MAN
(clearly joking)
Yeah, just call yourself a loser.
Woman laughs, hysterically.
WOMAN
Oh, my God. That’s good. I’m holding onto that line. And I’m gonna use it! Good one! Good one!
MAN
At least you’re not an alcoholic loser.
Woman laughs like a friggin’ hyena. The Man swigs from a water bottle.
WOMAN
At least you’re not an alcoholic loser! Such a great follow up.
She reaches for the water bottle.
WOMAN
I need a drink.
MAN
And that’s a great follow up to the follow up.
The Woman is losing it at this point. Finally, gathers herself.
WOMAN
We could start a writers room in this car.
END FLASHBACK
INT./EXT. CAR — DAY
The Man nods. Trees flash by in the background.
MAN
Oh, yeah.
WOMAN
Imagine that, huh?
MAN
This is all recorded, you know.
A beat.
WOMAN
Oh, yeah.
Woman finishes scribbling notes and watches the trees flash by.
WOMAN
Ever notice how green this place is? People who’ve lived in California all their lives come here and can’t get over how friggin’ green it is here.
FADE OUT
*****
I don’t know why, but that just seemed like the perfect end to that scene.
Too bad Medium doesn’t do screenplay formatting.
Originally published at http://randomandsundrythings.wordpress.com on May 12, 2023.
