DAVE SCRIPT

(WORKING NAME)

Written by

Samuel T. Mercado

Based on, If Any

Address
Phone Number
EXT. PARK - SUNSET - 1970
A girl, early twenties, sits at a bus stop, reading a book,
legs crossed and her shoes on the ground in front of her.
Dry autumn leaves fly up as cars drive past in front of her.
She turns the page.
After a few moments, the camera slowly pulls back. The sound
of plastic striking metal fills the scene. The girl turns to
her right with a look of discomfort and confusion.
DAVE, 30s, appears at the left edge of the shot.
Slender, tired face. Wears a LOOSE-FIT SUIT, unbuttoned, with
a flat cap and carries a LEATHER BRIEFCASE.
He smashes the pay phone against the metal casing with fury.
He keeps smashing until he gets tired, leaving the phone
hanging by its cord.
He takes a deep breath and looks up. The girl watches him.
He turns back and tries to balance the phone on the cradle,
but it doesn't stay there.
Tries again but it doesn’t stay.
Again -- it falls.
Dave decides to just let it hang there.
The girl looks back at the book. Dave sighs, standing in
front of the phone.

INT. BUS (MOVED) - SUNSET

A JAZZ DRUM BEAT kicks in on the soundtrack.
Dave sits by the window with his briefcase on his legs,
staring outside.
His head lurches with the bus's sudden movements. It's almost
as if he were frozen in place.

EXT. DAVE’S HOUSE - NIGHT

A working class neighborhood.
 2.

Dave walks toward his small house with little metal bars
while smoking a cigarette.
As he walks toward the door, he takes one last drag. The
cigarette shrinks, and he tosses it on the ground.
NIKKI (V.O.)
(a firm yet warm voice)
What about writing?
DAVE (V.O.)
Well, uhm...

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER

Dave, in loungewear, cracks an egg into the pan with hot oil
and sets it on the counter. He takes another egg and does the
same.
He adds a pinch of salt, turns to pick up a spatula from the
counter and starts stirring the eggs.
DAVE (V.O.)
I was trying to write something
more serious. You know, trying
something different.
NIKKI (V.O.)
How did that go for you?

INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER

A plate of fried eggs with toast and some bacon sits on the
counter. Dave, glass in hand, opens the fridge and pulls out
a cheap bottle of wine, which he pours into the glass.
DAVE (V.O.)
Well... I still have that thing. I
just can't seem to get it right...
I'm trying, it's just too tricky.
NIKKI (V.O.)
Uhum.

INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - DINNING ROOM

The warm glow of the ceiling lamp illuminates Dave's
expressionless face as he eats slowly with a wine flass
beside him.
Dave chews and takes a sip of wine.
 3.

DAVE (V.O.)
And my mind keeps wandering off
topic, I can't seem to find the
right words--I can't even get past
the blank page.

INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Dave looks out with one hand in his pocket and the other
holding a wine glass. It's midnight, the neighborhood is
completely empty and dark.
It’s the only house with a light on, casting a warm glow over
its garden.
DAVE
(chuckles)
It’s um... frustrating, but, you
know, I’m trying to go on and...
You know, focus on the important
stuff.

INT. NIKKI’S HOUSE - OFFICE - MORNING

A cozy, well-decorated, mid-sized house. Dave, wearing his
suit again, and NIKKI, thirty-something with a well-groomed
face with a notebook on his legs and holding a pencil, sit
facing each other in armchairs.
NIKKI
(writes on the notebook)
Okay um... how’re things with your
mom?
Nikki turns her gaze toward Dave, listening intently to his
words.
DAVE
Well, um... I called her yesterday
while I was waiting for the bus.
Nikki nods.
DAVE (CONT’D)
(rubs his eyes)
You know, trying to... talk.

NIKKI
So, how’re you with the cigarettes
thing?
 4.

DAVE
With the cigarettes we’re
technically bad, but there’s
progress.

EXT. NIKKI’S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

A middle-class neighborhood. Dave stands in front of Nikki's
house, holding his briefcase in one hand while he smokes a
cigarette.
Dave takes one last drag before flicking the half-smoked
cigarette onto the floor.
Dave sighs, letting the smoke out.
The camera slowly zooms in on Dave, who stands, looking
around as the wind ruffles his suit.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

A small, classic-looking, midtown coffee shop with wooden
trim and leather armchairs reminiscent of a “mobster movie
cafe,” but with a cozy atmosphere.
Close on Dave, sitting by the window, facing camera.
He has mustered all his courage, but he still looks a little
ashamed, hesitating over every word.
DAVE
“I’ve been thinking about this all
week but, to be honest, I still
don’t know what to say.
(chuckles)
We’ve known each other since school
and... I don’t know, I think...
you’ve been special, and... You've
always been there and I can't
imagine life without you, I just I
can’t... And...
(chuckles)
Sorry, I don't know how you're
gonna take this, and things
probably won't be the same as they
were before, but I had to tell you-
I felt I had to tell you...
(beat)
I love you...
(looks down)
Mikey.”
 5.

JAMES, 30s, sits in front of Dave.

JAMES
Okay, stop right there, that was
terrible.
Both of them have a cup of coffee on the table. Dave holds a
script page.
DAVE
What do you want me to do? I'm
sorry for not being the fucking
Henry Fonda.
JAMES
Okay, it’s not for everyone.
DAVE
Yeah, sorry, I think it’s not for
me.
(chuckles)
I think I do better when I watch
movies. Speaking of which, we
should go to the movies more often.
JAMES
Yeah.
DAVE
Actually, there’s a new one in
theaters. I've heard a lot of
people saying that’s great, so
maybe we should go and see it.
JAMES
Yeah, I mean, sure, of course.
DAVE
Or... I don't know, maybe you're
busy.
JAMES
Yeah, I think so, but I'll see if I
have some free time.

DAVE JAMES (CONT’D)

Yeah, I... sorry. You know, I have to ask
Betty.
JAMES (CONT’D)
But don't get me wrong, I do want
to go.
 6.

DAVE JAMES (CONT’D)

Yeah. It’s just, you know,
responsibilities.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Yeah, I got it.

JAMES
That's not what I meant.

DAVE
No, it’s okay, I have a job
interview in... one hour or
something.

JAMES
Very well.

James sips his coffee.

DAVE
I hope it works out this time.

James nods. He leaves the coffee on the table.

JAMES
And what about the writing thing?

DAVE
Oh, um...
(sighs)
I'm stuck. You know, I have too
many things on my mind and too many
things to worry about.

JAMES
(nods, softly)
Yeah.

DAVE
(extends the script)
Take your.

JAMES DAVE (CONT’D)

(takes the script) Script.
Oh yeah, thanks.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Yeah, yeah, thank you.

Dave sips his coffee.

JAMES (CONT’D)
And your mom?
 7.

DAVE
(chuckles)
Well, I'm sure that if she could,
she'd kick me out of my own place.
JAMES
I’m sorry.
DAVE
(chuckles)
No, it’s kinda fun.
James looks at Dave with concern.
DAVE (CONT’D)
I called her yesterday, and as
usual, it was as if I weren't her
son--but it’s okay.

JAMES DAVE (CONT’D)

Yeah, I guess. I try not to think about it
too much.
James takes a sip of coffee. Dave looks out the window.
Remaining silent for a few moments.

Dave notices a TV in a corner of the place, where a news

program reports on the peace demonstrations.

DAVE (CONT’D)
(chuckles)
Those "peacemakers" will get
themselves killed--

JAMES
(serious)
Dave, have you spoken to Terri?

DAVE
(his smile fades)
...James, I don’t want to talk
about that, please.

JAMES DAVE (CONT’D)

Okay. Please, Don't bring that up
again.
JAMES (CONT’D)
But your working abut that with
Nikki, right.

DAVE
...Actually I think I didn’t talk
about that with her.
 8.

JAMES
Why?
DAVE
I don't know, it's just that... she
won't let me see...
(long beat, holds back his
tears)
I have to go.
JAMES
Yeah.
Dave gets up and picks up his briefcase from beside the
chair.
DAVE
Thanks for the coffee.