Script

The Date

By Jack Dimsdale

 INT.  INNER CITY APARTMENT.

Boy, checks himself in the mirror making sure his shirt is straight, his hair is perfect and also checks his breath. Mouthing the words to Otis Redding’s – Hard to Handle. His preparation is interrupted by the buzzer for the front door downstairs.

BOY

I’ll buzz you in. I’m on the 2^nd floor.

GIRL

Thanks!

EXT.  OUTSIDE APARTMENT BLOCK.

Girl, waits for the buzz, then pushes the heavy door open and proceeds to the second door. This time he beats her to it and buzzes her straight through to the corridor. She makes her way to the lift and clicks for the 2^nd floor.

INT.  LIFT

Girl makes sure she is presentable in the lift mirrors, making last minute adjustments to hair/make-up etc.

INT.  CORRIDOR

Girl saunters down corridor to apartment 45 and knocks 3 times on the door. Boy opens. They clearly know each other, but not well. Possibly work together

BOY

Hi.

GIRL

(Smiles)

Hi.

BOY

(Unsure look on face. He is clearly nervous)

Hi.

GIRL

You said that already. Are you going to invite me in or are we having dinner out in the corridor?

BOY

Yeah, sorry! Come in

INT.  APARTMENT 45

A tidy, well kept, one bedroom apartment.

BOY

 I’ll take your coat for you. Can I get you a drink? I’ve got wine or beer.

GIRL

Wine would be lovely, thank you.

Boy moves to kitchen to fetch wine and glasses and then returns to dinner table. She seats her self at the dinner table.

GIRL

This is a really nice place you’ve got.

BOY

Thanks. I’ve only recently unpacked.

GIRL

Oh, did you move in recently?

BOY

(Looking confused as to why she thinks this)

No, I’ve been here a couple of years.

GIRL

Oh, sill–

(Sniffing)

Is something burning?

BOY

(Now sniffing as well)

Shit!

Boy rushes to kitchen, whacks on oven gloves and attempts to save the now unidentifiable food – to no avail.

JUMP TO –

Back at table, food plated up. Girl with a less than hopeful look on her face. Boy looks up at her struggling to eat her meal, opens his mouth as if to speak, but can’t decide what to say. Put’s head back down. Then thinks of something.

BOY

(Trying to explain himself)

I mean, the recipe said “cook for 45 minutes.” Last time I listen to Jamie Oliver!

GIRL

(Lying)

Its okay, you can hardly notice.

Once you scrape off the burnt bits

(Scrapes off burnt bits)

BOY

Would you like a refill?

GIRL

Mmm, yes please.

Realising the current bottle is empty, Boy goes to kitchen to fetch the new one. This one doesn’t open so easily, Boy has a lot of trouble until….

Fade to black. Loud POP noise.

GIRL

(Screams)

BOY

Oh Jesus, I’m so sorry!

Lights come back up on our ‘loved-up’ couple. Sat in silence. Both have finished eating and it is clear she is just waiting to leave. Girl has a bright red mark on her, definitely going to lead to a black eye.

GIRL

(Looking at watch)

It’s getting late. I think I best be off

BOY

Oh, yeah. Okay

They both stand. He gets her coat and helps her put it on.

BOY

(Joking)

You’re going to want to get some ice on that eye.

She doesn’t respond. Only fakes a smile and moves into the hallway toward the front door. Opening it.

BOY

(Sounding hopeful)

I had a really nice time. We should do it again.

As the girl moves outside.

GIRL

Yeah, definitely. I’ll give you a call. Bye.

BOY

See ya later.

As she walks away he closes the door. Presses his back to it, and slides down. Knowing just how much of an idiot he’s been.