INT. UPSCALE CAFE
The NAPIER QUARTER is a bustling, vibrant and elegant Melburnian cafe, with plenty of people coming in and out, ranging from hipster types with long beards and trilbies to suited up office workers, eager to get their fix of caffeine.
French lounge is playing softly from speakers, and there is just enough noise to create a gentle murmur to the cosy, intimate environment. It is late afternoon and there is a relaxed air to the interior, people are already mentally preparing themselves for their ride home and post-work activities.
At the window sits, EVELYN, the perfect cross between the two demographics that attend Napier Quarter. She is an attractive woman in her late 20s, confident, and poised, her dark brown curly hair tied up in a loose bun. She is wearing a white cardigan, and a minimalist shawl over the top to fight against the chill. She is nursing a cup of warm coffee in her hands and blowing on it gently to cool it down, as she stares out, absent-mindlessly at the traffic that goes by.
Behind her, DAVID is leaning on a counter, chatting to the barista about his coffee and how only Napier seem to get it right every time. David is handsome, lofty in his disposition and lean. With his crew-cut hairstyle, and his old-school black vest, white shirt and tapered suit pants combination, he looks like a stylised, updated gangster straight out Peaky Blinders. Possessing a stunningly disarming smile, dark hair and blue eyes, David could easily charm his way out of trouble and often did.
With a thankful smile he lifts the reusable coffee mug he bought in salute.
DAVID
Thanks man. I’ll see you tomorrow!
As David leaves the front door, he turns and continue to walk, until he spots Evelyn in the mirror.
He stops and gives her a puzzled look. Evelyn returns the look, before both smile. David saunters back to the cafe, coffee in hand, and gives her his sunniest smile, his head poking around the door frame, amusingly.
DAVID
I know you from somewhere don’t I?
EVELYN
Yeah …. I think so. You look familiar too … I ….
DAVID
*snaps his fingers* High school! Ummm …. Evelyn right?
EVELYN
Oh my god. Yes! David, right?
David laughs delightedly and pulls out the stool next to her. He turns to face her and is slightly awestruck by her looks.
DAVID
How have you been? What are you up to nowadays?
EVELYN
Not much. I’m just here, enjoying my lunch break.
DAVID
Where do you work nowadays?
EVELYN
I’m afraid it’s nothing too glamorous or flashy. I work for an accounting firm.
David shoots her one of his disarming smiles. Evelyn is visibly distracted by the transformation that she is seeing before her. David used to be much more quiet and chubbier than she last saw him.
DAVID
That’s .. funny … I …
EVELYN
(interrupts) What happened to … I mean sorry, you go on.
DAVID
I was going to say, I never saw you as a math girl. I remember you use to read all the time.
EVELYN
(small laugh) Oh yes. I still do. I just switched over to audiobooks.
She makes a gesture to her wireless headphones, before shyly continuing.
EVELYN
I’m actually currently listening to an maths audiobook right now actually. I only just got the job recently, so I’m trying to catch up as much as I can.
DAVID
Wow, that’s clever (laughing). I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it soon Evelyn. You were always one of the smartest and prettiest girls in our high school. Anyway, what were you going to ask me before?
EVELYN
(blushing) Thanks. I was just going to ask you … you … you’ve shaped up very nicely yourself.
DAVID
I … thanks. You know, I hope it’s not too much of a personal question, but are you seeing anyone at the moment?
EVELYN
What? I … No, I’m not.
DAVID
I had the biggest crush on you in school. I actually always wanted to ask you out. Do you remember when we walked a little bit of the way home together?
EVELYN
I do actually.
DAVID
I was going to ask you out then, but I was too shy (laughing)
Evelyn joins in David’s laughter. She seriously considers his question.
EVELYN
Now I’m the shy one.
DAVID
How the times have changed huh? (raises eyebrow) Does a Friday, 7.30pm suit you?
EVELYN
Are you seriously asking me out?
DAVID
I am.
EVELYN
(pauses) Alright, I’ll bite. It’s a date.
David flashes one of his infectious smiles and Evelyn returns it.
DAVID
I’m glad I ordered a coffee today and bumped into you. It’s nice catching with you Evelyn. Here’s my card.
David proffers his business card and she reaches out, pausing ever so slightly longer than usual to grab the card. She looks up at him, surprised by his occupation.
EVELYN
You run your own restaurant?
DAVID
And … I’ll be cooking for you. Don’t be late. Lobster bisques are always tricky to create. It’s lovely to see you again Evelyn. Wear something nice and come in with an empty stomach.
David winks at Evelyn, and daringly gives her a peck on the cheek, leaving her flushed, as he disappears out the door and waves merrily to her through the window before dashing to his car.
Evelyn stares out, still surprised by the sudden reappearance of a changed high-school acquaintance, before cupping her coffee with both hands and taking a cosy sip, smiling as she does so. She looks down at the card and stares wistfully out at the traffic once more.
Author’s Note
Easily the most wish-fulfillment screenplay I’ve written yet, with more sickening self-insert references to myself than ever before, this one was difficult to write for some odd reason.
When you put too much of yourself in, you actually become more lost and confused about how the story should go. Hence I, more or less, wanted to get this written and over and done with. I will say, I am happier with it, than when I was writing it, but overall am displeased with the flow and the overall structure of this screenplay.
However, it is a short scene and it is meant to capture some of that fleeting feeling one experiences when you want to catch up with someone longer, but life pulls you in another direction.
As I have mentioned before, regardless of how horrible something is, I shall publish it, because to throw away all my poor writing is to be ashamed of it, and honestly … I learn more from my struggles than my smooth writings.
Until the next one!
~ Damocles.
Damocles' Journal 