Coffee Cafe Pt I
FADE IN: INT.
RICK’S NISSAN - DAY RICK, 25,
with dark, wavy hair and a good build, drives, deep in thought. His car is loaded down with luggage. FLASHBACK
- INT. PARENT’S LIVING ROOM - DAY Rick and
his FATHER sit watching television. FATHER Let me
give you a piece of advice son. You have
about as much chance of making it in Hollywood as I do of becoming a jet fighter pilot. RICK So, what
are you trying to say? FATHER Give it
up. You’ll never make it. RICK Says you. Thanks for the advice but, I’m still going. FATHER It’s
your life. RICK Yes, it
is. END OF
FLASHBACK INT.
RICK’S NISSAN - DAY Rick
continues driving down the highway. FLASHBACK
- EXT. PARK - DAY Rick sits
on a blanket with his girlfriend, SUZANNE, a beautiful blonde in her 20's. She’s crying as he consoles her. RICK Look...Don’t
cry. This is something I’ve wanted to do
for a long time. SUZANNE But, why
now? RICK I’ve
waited long enough. SUZANNE What
about us? RICK Why
don’t you come with me? SUZANNE I like it
here. My family, my friends, school. It’s all here for me. RICK What
about me? SUZANNE What
about you? RICK Aren’t
I important? SUZANNE Sure you
are. I love you. RICK Then, why
don’t you come with me? SUZANNE Why
don’t you stay with me? RICK Because,
I can’t. If I want to make it in the
movies, I have to go to Hollywood. SUZANNE Well, I
want to stay here. RICK Don’t
you want to try and make it work between us? SUZANNE Yes. But, long distance relationships never work. RICK We can
make it work. SUZANNE No. It’ll be too difficult for me. She
begins to cry. He caresses her face. They hug. RICK I’m
sorry baby. SUZANNE So am I. END OF
FLASHBACK INT.
RICK’S NISSAN - DAY Rick
drives, a tear streaming down his face. FLASHBACK
- EXT. RICK’S PARENTS HOME - DAY Rick
stands outside with his mother. RICK Where’s
dad? MOTHER He
didn’t want to be here when you left. You
know how he feels. RICK Yeah. I know. MOTHER Well,
give me a hug. They hug
one another. RICK I love
you. MOTHER I love
you too. I’ll be praying for you. RICK Thanks. I’ll need it. MOTHER You’ll
do fine. I know it. RICK I wish
dad felt the same. MOTHER He does. He’s just worried about you. That’s all. (beat) Promise
me you’ll find a good church when you get there. RICK I
promise. MOTHER And, make
sure you stay away from the drugs and alcohol. RICK I will. I will. They hug
again. END OF
FLASHBACK EXT. CITY
STREETS - DAY Rick
begins reading from a crumpled map. He turns
a corner and pulls up to his friend Sean’s house.
Sean’s father JOSEPH is cutting the grass with a push mower.
RICK Excuse
me! The man
notices Rick and turns off the mower. JOSEPH Yeah! He
realizes he is still yelling. JOSEPH Sorry
about that. RICK It’s
okay. Is Sean here? JOSEPH You must
be Rick. RICK (extending
hand) Yes. And you are... JOSEPH (shaking
hands) Sean’s
father, Joseph. RICK It’s
nice to meet you. JOSEPH Same
here. I’ve heard a lot about you. RICK All good
I hope. JOSEPH Of
course. RICK Is Sean
here? JOSEPH No,
he’s up the street at a cafe, reading. He
wants you to meet him there. RICK Okay. JOSEPH You wanna
put your stuff inside before you go? RICK Yeah
sure. INT.
HOUSE - DAY Rick and
Joseph carry the luggage through the house. RICK You’ve
got a nice home here. JOSEPH Thanks. You can put everything in Sean’s room for
now. Rick
looks in the open rooms as they continue down a hallway.
They come to SEAN’S
BEDROOM They put
the luggage down. A bookshelf full of
Philosophy/Psychology books cover an entire wall. RICK Sean sure
has a lot of books. JOSEPH That’s
his main hobby. Collecting books. Everything you’d want to know about
Philosophy and Psychology is right there on those shelves. RICK Has Sean
read them all? JOSEPH I think
so. Rick
looks at the titles of the books: Nietzche, Foucault, Freud, Jung, etc, and shakes his
head. RICK (to
Joseph) I’d
better get over to Sean. How do I get there? EXT. CAFE - DAY Sean sits
outside at a table drinking coffee. Rick
pulls up in his car. Sean greets him. SEAN Hey Rick! It’s about time you got here. RICK It’s
been a long time! SEAN (hugging
Rick) Yes, it
has. It’s good to see you. RICK Likewise. Sean
offers Rick a place at his table. NIKKI, the
waitress comes up. NIKKI (to Sean) So, I
take it this is Rick. RICK In the
flesh. SEAN Nikki,
this is Rick. Rick, Nikki. She
extends her hand to Rick who takes it. RICK It’s
nice to meet you. NIKKI It’s
nice to meet you. So, what can I get you to
drink? SEAN The
cappucino is killer. RICK I’ll
take the cappucino then. NIKKI Be right
back. Rick
watches her as she walks away. SEAN Forget
about it. She’s got a boyfriend. RICK That’s
never stopped me before. SEAN When you
see him it will. RICK Why? SEAN He’s
huge that’s why. RICK You mean
like fat? SEAN No, like
a pro football player. RICK Oooohhh. I’m so intimidated. SEAN You
haven’t changed. A
dog’s BARK fills the air. Rick looks
over to see an older woman named MARTHA, reading at a table with a Pomeranian DOG beside
her. Rick reaches towards the dog, but pulls
back when it growls and bites at his hand. RICK Nice dog. Martha
stops reading and just looks at him. RICK What’s
its name? MARTHA It’s
a he and his name is Riley. RICK Does he
bite? MARTHA Not
normally. Rick reaches for him again. RICK Hey,
Riley. Riley
growls and bites at his hand. Rick withdraws
quickly. RICK I thought
you said he didn’t bite! MARTHA I said
not normally. I guess he doesn’t like
you. RICK I guess
not. MARTHA Riley’s
a good judge of character. RICK Okay. Whatever. (beat) I
didn’t catch your name. MARTHA That’s
because I didn’t give it to you. RICK (turning
to Sean) Alrighty
then. MARTHA Martha. My name’s Martha. RICK Mine’s
Rick. MARTHA It’s
nice to meet you. RICK Same
here. Martha goes back to reading. Rick rolls his eyes and turns back to Sean. RICK (mouthing
the words) What’s
her problem? MARTHA I
don’t have a problem. Rick
turns to her. He raises his eyebrows in
disbelief. The dog barks at him. Sean breaks up laughing. SEAN So, how
was your drive to California? RICK Long. Very long. SEAN Do you
need to sleep a bit before tonight? RICK What’s
tonight? SEAN A group
of my friends are meeting here. I want you to
meet them. RICK Okay. What are we gonna do? Just hang out? SEAN Yeah. RICK Where? Here? SEAN No. At a club. RICK What kind
of music? SEAN Live
disco. RICK Live? You mean, like a band and all? SEAN Yep. They wear wigs, dress like the 70's, the whole
nine yards. RICK Cool. SEAN Always. RICK Do your
friends know I’m coming? SEAN Sure. I’ve told them all about you. RICK Oh
really. Nikki
returns with the cappucino. RICK (to
Nikki) Thanks
Nikki. NIKKI You’re
welcome Rick. She
smiles and walks away. Rick bites his lip as
he watches her. SEAN Relax
tiger. RICK I
can’t help it. She’s beautiful. SEAN (a toast) What’ll
we drink to? RICK Nikki? SEAN No. RICK To us. SEAN I like
that. To us. RICK Friends
forever. SEAN Friends
forever. They
click their mugs together. MATCH CUT
TO: EXT.
COFFEE CAFE - EVENING A group
of mugs click together. Everyone is in a
jovial mood. Rick and Sean sit around a table
with the group of friends. BRENDA, a blonde
haired, nervous woman in her late twenties, her boyfriend DAN, a balding man in his
thirties, KATHY, a bold, eighteen year old blonde, LIZ, a confident seventeen year old
brunette, IVAN, a mid-twenties man of german descent, BRAD, a dark haired twenty year old
gay man, KAREN, a shy nineteen year old brunette, and ROBERT, a hispanic man in his late
twenties. Brad checks Rick out, undressing
him with his eyes. Kathy also looks at Rick. KATHY (to Sean) Where’s
Rebecca, Sean? SEAN She
should be here any second. REBECCA, a beautiful half-black woman comes to the table in a rush. REBECCA Sorry
I’m late. She
kisses Sean and joins him at the table. SEAN Rick,
this is Rebecca. Rebecca, Rick. REBECCA (shaking
hands) Finally,
we meet. RICK Finally. I still remember all those times I called Sean up
and you... REBECCA ...answered
the phone. RICK Exactly. You’re prettier than I expected. REBECCA What did
you expect? RICK I
don’t know. Sean’s past girlfriends
tended to be dogs. SEAN Thanks a
lot. RICK I’m
just kidding. Lighten up. (to
Rebecca) You’re
very beautiful. SEAN Hey,
don’t forget. She’s my girlfriend. REBECCA Shut up
Sean. He’s only complimenting me. SEAN I know. I know.
(beat) Now that
everyone’s here, Rick, tell a joke. RICK A joke? SEAN Yeah, the
desert island one. You know, about the people
stranded. RICK Oh, yeah. No. SEAN C’mon. REBECCA Yeah,
Rick. C’mon. She makes
eye contact with Rick, winking at him. RICK Okay. Three guys and a lady are shipwrecked on a desert
island. After a week, the lady is so ashamed
of what they are doing, she commits suicide. After
another week, the three guys are so ashamed of what they are doing that they bury her. Several
people in the group moan. RICK After
another week, the three guys are so ashamed of what they are doing that they dig her up
again. The
entire group reacts in disgust. Sean laughs. KATHY That was
disgusting. LIZ Stupid is
more like it. BRAD I kind of
liked it. LIZ You
would. RICK Sean made
me say it. SEAN That’s
right. Blame it on me. Everyone
joins in blaming Sean. SEAN Alright
already. Fuck. REBECCA (hugs
Sean) Poor
baby. RICK Wait! I have another joke. IVAN Oh no. I hope this one’s better. RICK What’s
about six inches long, has a big head, and women love it? REBECCA What? RICK The new
one hundred dollar bill. The group
erupts in laughter. SEAN That was
a good one. ROBERT Hey! Is everybody ready to go the club? KATHY Yeah, how
about it? SEAN I’m
ready. BRENDA Me too. REBECCA You ready
Rick? RICK (drinking) Sure. Whenever. ROBERT Let’s
go then. INT. CLUB
- NIGHT Liz,
Kathy, Brenda, Karen, Sean, Rick, Dan, Brad, Robert, and Ivan walk in. The club is full of PEOPLE dancing. Excitement is in the air. A 70's STYLE BAND performs disco songs to the
crowded room. The place pulses with the
rhythm of the band. The women talk among
themselves as the men look for a table. LIZ (to the
men) We girls
want to dance. Any of you guys want to join
us? The group
of men sit down at a local table. SEAN Not right
now. You girls go on. BRAD Wait. I want to dance. BRENDA Well,
c’mon then. BRAD (to Rick) What
about you Rick? Wanna dance? RICK Maybe
later. BRAD I hope
so. Brad and
the women disappear to the dance floor. SEAN (to Rick) I think
Brad likes you. RICK Oh,
really. SEAN You know
he’s gay right? RICK Great. That’s all I need. IVAN Don’t
worry. He’s harmless. SHERRY, a
waitress comes up to the table. SHERRY What can
I get you guys? RICK (eyeing
her up and down) Your
phone number maybe? SHERRY It’s
unlisted. (to the
others) Next. The
others laugh. RICK I’ll
take a rum and coke then. SHERRY Okay. That’s better. SEAN I’ll
take a Bud light. IVAN Me too. DAN Make it a
Miller for me. ROBERT What’s
up with you guys? Those beers suck. (to
Sherry) I’ll
have a Corona. SHERRY Is that
all? RICK What’s
your name? SHERRY Sherry. RICK (extending
his hand) Hi. I’m Rick. SHERRY (politely
shaking his hand) It’s
nice to meet you. RICK Now that
we know each other better, can I have your phone number? SHERRY In your
dreams. Sherry
walks away. Everyone at the table laughs at
Rick. ROBERT Oh! Shot down! RICK Yeah,
right. Whatever. Rick
watches Sherry go to the bar. She turns and
looks back at him, making eye contact. They
smile at one another. SEAN Truth
hurts doesn’t it Rick. RICK I’ll
get her number yet. SEAN Dream on
pretty boy. The band
begins another song. The crowd goes wild. Rebecca comes up. REBECCA (pulling
on Sean) C’mon. SEAN Whoa. I’m waiting for my beer. REBECCA It’ll
be here when you get back. SEAN Okay. Okay. Rebecca
pulls him out to the dance floor, leaving Rick and the others behind. Sherry comes back with everyone’s drinks. Rick is too busy watching the dance floor to
notice. After giving everyone their drinks,
she sneaks up behind Rick, scaring him. SHERRY Did I
scare you? RICK No, I
knew you were there. SHERRY (smiling) Sure you
did. She walks
away. DAN (to Rick) You might
be right Rick. RICK About
what? DAN About
getting her number. RICK I’ll
get it. Just wait. The night
goes on. The band plays and everyone drinks
and dances. Sean and the others dance in a
group on the dance floor. Rick is nowhere to
be found. SEAN (to Ivan) Where’s
Rick? IVAN He’s
over at the bar getting to know Sherry. SEAN Who’s
Sherry? IVAN Our
waitress. Sean
looks and sees them at the bar talking and laughing. SEAN Looks
like he’s going to get lucky tonight. REBECCA Who? SEAN (pointing
to the bar) Rick. REBECCA That was
fast. SEAN That’s
Rick. As
everyone dances to the music, Kathy and Brad both watch Rick as he flirts with Sherry. EXT. CAFE
- MORNING Sean
sits, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Rick
approaches with sunglasses on. He joins Sean
at the table. SEAN (looking
up) Well,
loverboy. Where have you been? RICK (smiling) Sherry’s. SEAN The
waitress right? RICK (a big
grin) Yep. SEAN The other
guys said you took off with her. RICK I sure
did. SEAN Damn. You’re a wild man. RICK What can
I say? When you’ve got it, you’ve
got it. SEAN And, I
guess you have it? RICK You got
it. Sean
laughs as Nikki comes to the table. NIKKI Good
morning Rick. RICK Hey
Nikki. How you doin’? NIKKI Good. Don’t tell me.
Cappicino right? RICK Right. NIKKI (smiling) Be right
back. She walks
away. RICK |