Monday Script

March 7, 2016

Greetings from the first scene,

FADE IN:

INTERIOR.  DARK BEDROOM

Close up of digital clock on the nightstand shows 4:30.  Light from window (snowy exterior) casts pale grey on sleeping figure.  Blankets are thrown back and legs appear on the edge of the bed.  MAN sits up, runs his hands over his face and fumbles for glasses at night stand.

(SOUND OF KNEES POPPING AS MAN STANDS UP)

CUT TO KITCHEN.

MAN  stands at the counter pouring coffee beans into grinder.  He is wearing tattered flannel pajama pants and a wrinkled t-shirt.

GRINDER: (loud-sarcastically) I bet you wish you had bought grounds instead of beans. Or at least ground the beans in advance.  Am I right? Well?

MAN: Could you be a little quieter, please.  It’s still practically night.   

GRINDER: Sure, shoot the messenger.  You know this is what I sound like, I’m like this every morning, so now you want to blame me?  You’re the one who wants coffee. 

MAN says nothing and scoops the coffee into the filter.  Pours water into COFFEE POT.

COFFEE POT: (whispering) Morning. You look tired. 

MAN: You say the same thing every morning. Are you showing concern or trying to make me feel old?

COFFEE POT: (sighing softly) Why don’t you go wash out your mug while I finish here?  Otherwise you’ll get annoyed waiting the two minutes it takes for me to make the coffee.

MAN removes mug from sink and runs hot water, scrubs the mug and dries it and sets it on the counter next to the coffee pot.  On the side of the mug is printed three words; ‘Life is Good’.

COFFEE POT: Coffee is done.  If I do say so myself, it smells fabulous.

REFRIGERATOR: Just want to remind you that I am fifteen years old. Not sure how much longer I’ll last.  By the way you’re out of butter.

MAN: (reaching into REFRIGERATOR for cream) Why do you bring this up?  I know you are old, really, do we have to discuss this now?  I’m not awake yet.

WALL OVEN: You think he’s got problems, I am on my last legs here. And I am really expensive. 

FURNACE: (OFFSCREEN) Remember how much money I cost? 

COFFEE POT: Don’t pay any attention to them.  Just pour your coffee. 

COLLEGE TUITION: (OFFSCREEN) I know I have been talking to you all night about this but I hope you have made plans for next semester. Last time we talked you seemed clueless.

MAN pours coffee into mug, stirs in a few drops of cream.

REFRIGERATOR: I don’t know why I bother to keep cream at all, you hardly use enough to matter.  Every day I work so hard to keep things cool and no one appreciates it.  I am really ready to give up.

MAN glances at refrigerator but does not respond.  He lifts the coffee to his lips and takes the first taste.  He breathes in the aroma, and smiles.

(SOUND OF ANGELS SINGING)

CUT TO: DEN

Small desk set against window lined walls. A single lamp lights the room from the desk.  A laptop and some papers sit in the yellow circle of light. It is dark outside so the reflection of the lamp is on the windows.

MAN walks in holding coffee, sits down at the desk. 

(SOUND OF KNEES POPPING AS MAN SITS DOWN)

LAPTOP: I thought you were going to write last night.  You never learn.  I mean, no pressure, but you don’t have a lot of time.  What were you doing?  Watching the debate?

MAN: (sighing) Really?  I just sat down.  Can you give me a minute?

LAPTOP: I’m not sure if you heard me last night while you were trying to sleep, but I had all of these really great ideas.

MAN: I heard you. But, (sipping coffee) I don’t exactly remember what we talked about.

RUNNING WATCH (FROM DESK) Are you going running this morning?  You didn’t get a lot of miles in last week.

KNEES: Get off his back.  He’s not getting any younger

RUNNING WATCH: Look, I don’t care how old he is.  He committed to me to a certain number of miles and I’m not seeing it.  But, if he doesn’t think it’s worth it…

LAPTOP: No pressure here but if you are going to write anything this morning you better get started.

MAN: Can I at least finish my cup of coffee?  I mean, seriously, you have been pestering me all night and I just need a minute to wake up.

COFFEE POT: (OFFSCREEN) Just ignore them.  If you want another cup I’ll keep it warm for you.  Really, you should think about getting to bed earlier.

LAPTOP: I can’t believe you don’t remember what we talked about last night.  Remember that great idea that you thought was hilarious?  Pulitzer Prize and all that?

MAN sets coffee mug on desk and rests hands on the laptop.  He licks his lips.

LAPTOP: All right, here we go.

EXTERIOR: View through window of den: MAN sitting at desk motionless.  (SOUND OF SINGLE BIRD CHIRPING.  SOUND OF WATER DRIPPING OFF EVES) 

INTERIOR: DEN. MAN sits with hands on laptop.  Screen is blank.  He is staring at the keyboard.

LAPTOP: Don’t you ordinarily press the keys to make words on the screen?  Isn’t that how the writing activity goes?

MAN: (through gritted teeth) I’m thinking.

STOMACH: Hungry.  And a little annoyed.

MAX (small white dog) walks into den and looks expectantly at MAN.

LAPTOP: Come on, we have a lot to do.  This can’t be that hard.  Just start.

MAX: I have to go out.  I don’t care what you are doing.  Stop it now.

STOMACH: If you’re getting up to let him out, could you get a banana?

MAN: (to LAPTOP)  I have to take care of this.

LAPTOP (exasperated) Fine!  I thought this was important, but go ahead.  No pressure.

MAX: Why are you still sitting?  Let me out or I will pee on this rug.

RUG: Please let him out.

KNEES: If you are going to keep running you have to stretch more.  You could do it now.

(MAN stands up and exits with MAX.  Den is empty and quiet except for FURNACE whispering something about utility costs and changing the filter)

MAN returns and sits down again. 

MAN: Ok, where were we?  (Rests hands on keyboard)

STOMACH: Not getting the banana evidently. (GRUMBLING) Might want to rethink coffee.

COFFEE POT: (OFFSCREEN) Leave him alone.  It’s one of his few pleasures.

LAPTOP: It’s not that hard.  Just push any key to get started.  You can do it.

MAX: (OFFSCREEN) I want to come back in right now.  Stop what you are doing.

MAN: (to LAPTOP) Come on.  Give me a clue.  What was it I said that was so funny?

MAX: (OFFSCREEN)  I am going to wake the neighbors now and see if they will come let me in.  And there are deer out here.  And I want to come in.

RUNNING WATCH: (FROM DESK) Wow, look at the time.  If you’re going to fit in a run you better get moving. 

PILE OF MAIL ON DESK: Looks like your cellphone bill is due.  And your car is being recalled.  And you should read this magazine you ordered about writing.  It’s been here for a month.  Maybe if you’re not interested in writing you should cancel your subscription.

LAPTOP: He is interested in writing.  He just needs to get started.  Press a key!

MAN: Maybe another cup of coffee will help.

LAPTOP: NO!

STOMACH: NO!

COFFEE POT: (OFFSCREEN) Great idea.  You deserve it.

MAN STANDS AND EXITS DEN (SOUNDS OF KNEES POPPING)

CLOSE UP OF LAPTOP- SCREEN SAVER COMES ON

RUNNING WATCH: (FROM DESK) Is he coming back?

(FADE TO BLACK)

Hope this finds you directing,

David

Copyright © 2016 David Smith