4. Strange Condition - Leslie

FADE IN:

INT. BAGGAGE STORAGE IN AIRPORT TERMINAL - AFTERNOON
ERIC slips out of the busy stream of airport traffic and walks through the open glass doors of the baggage storage shop.

He is a lanky young man dressed in faded jeans, a graphic t-shirt, and a dark blue blazer.

He sticks his hand in his pocket, and twirls his pay stub.

ERIC
I’m here to pick up...

He stops suddenly as he notices a ARCHIE DAVIS, a small man sprawled on the floor struggling to stand up.

His struggle resembles that of a half-squashed spider still trying to survive.

The man at the counter stands looking over at the struggle with a curious look on his face. He wears a polo with his shop's badly designed logo emblazoned on one side and stained khakis. His name tag reads BOBBY.

Eric leans down.

ERIC
Excuse me sir, could you use some help?

The small man looks up. He is dressed in a worn suit and his pants are dusty. He has a curly white beard and a kind face.

ARCHIE DAVIS
I’d really appreciate that, laddy.

Archie speaks in a bright Irish brogue that seems out of place in the dull fluorescent room.

ARCHIE DAVIS
I’ve got vertigo, you see...strange condition.

Eric helps him to his feet, and wrinkles his nose at the slight smell of stale alcohol coming from Archie.

ARCHIE DAVIS
That’ll do it m’boy. Thanks.

Archie clutches the counter, then proceeds to collapse into a heap again.

Eric catches him.

BOBBY
Uh, what can I help you with?

He looks at Eric.

ERIC
I, yeah, I have two bags.

He tries to reach into his pocket with one hand while supporting Archie with the other.

It’s a struggle...Archie just can’t seem to support himself.

Archie’s knees buckle, and Eric gives up trying to get his stub.

ERIC
Is there a wheel chair we can call for him or something?

BOBBY
Uh, sure.

ARCHIE DAVIS
Strange condition...strange condition.

Eric grasps Archie’s arms.

ERIC
Would it be better if I just let you sit down?

ARCHIE DAVIS
Strange cond...sure, son, just set me right on down.
It’s a strange condition my boy, strange.

Eric places Archie on the floor, against a wall in a sitting position.

Archie proceeds to slide down the wall until he’s sprawled out on the floor.

ERIC
Wheel chair?

BOBBY
Sure...

Bobby continues to do nothing.

Eric looks at Bobby, then shakes his head and hands his pay stub to him.

Bobby retrieves the bags and hands them over the counter to Eric.

BOBBY
You have a good flight.

ERIC
Uh, sure, thanks.

He steps gingerly over Archie who seems to now be comatose.

He slips outside, makes a call, then heads to the check-in counters, the wheels of his bags clicking loudly as he leaves.

INT. BAGGAGE STORAGE IN AIRPORT TERMINAL - MOMENTS LATER
LARRY turns the corner, pushing an empty wheelchair.

LARRY
Hey, I got a call that...

He stops when he sees Archie on the floor.

LARRY
Not you two jokers again!

He storms off.

Archie stands up chuckling.

Bobby is shaking his head, he places a hundred dollar bill on the table.

BOBBY
They never catch on.

ARCHIE DAVIS
Neither do you. So...next month, same time, same place?

BOBBY
You better believe it.

He reaches under the counter and pulls out a crisp pilot’s jacket and cap.

Archie proceeds to take his dusty suit jacket off and swap it with the pilot’s uniform.

ARCHIE DAVIS
Always good to be in town.

BOBBY
Always good to see you.

FADE TO BLACK.