FADE IN:
ROBERT, JOY, and MARK are walking slowly on a narrow park path covered in a carpet of wine-red autumn leaves.
Joy is in jeans and a sweater, and wears a knit cap cocked to the side.
Robert is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and Mark wears jeans, and a thick coat.
Mark is carrying a thick book and is flipping through it.
JOY
So I was telling Eric that he should have just gotten the wheelchair himself.
So I was telling Eric that he should have just gotten the wheelchair himself.
ROBERT
I dunno, it seems like he...
I dunno, it seems like he...
MARK
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”
Joy snorts.
Mark peers over the book and considers her thoughtfully, then begins to leaf through his tome again.
ROBERT
Anyway, I’m not sure, but how far can you
really stretch the Good Samaritan concept?
There’s only so much that should be expected of you.
Anyway, I’m not sure, but how far can you
really stretch the Good Samaritan concept?
There’s only so much that should be expected of you.
JOY
Of course you’d say that you cold-hearted...
Of course you’d say that you cold-hearted...
MARK
“A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.”
“A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.”
JOY
Oh my goodness Mark! Put the book away.
Oh my goodness Mark! Put the book away.
Mark peers at her again, then returns to the book.
JOY
So I was saying that you’re a jerk, but well, you know that.
So I was saying that you’re a jerk, but well, you know that.
ROBERT
Yes, yes I do, but there’s something to be said for the virtue of selfishness.
I’m not saying we go all the way to that extreme but...
Yes, yes I do, but there’s something to be said for the virtue of selfishness.
I’m not saying we go all the way to that extreme but...
JOY
Boy, next thing I know you’ll be
erecting a little shrine to Ayn Rand
in your room and burning children’s bones to her.
Virtue of selfishness my...
Boy, next thing I know you’ll be
erecting a little shrine to Ayn Rand
in your room and burning children’s bones to her.
Virtue of selfishness my...
ROBERT
That’s a bit of an overkill. I...
That’s a bit of an overkill. I...
MARK
“When life's path is steep, keep your mind even.”
“When life's path is steep, keep your mind even.”
JOY
Ahhh! Stop stop stop!
Ahhh! Stop stop stop!
MARK
“When fortune calls, offer her a chair.”
“When fortune calls, offer her a chair.”
ROBERT
Seriously dude...
Seriously dude...
JOY
I will take a way that book and put it where...
I will take a way that book and put it where...
MARK
“Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first.”
“Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first.”
Joy and Robert stop walking and stare at Mark in complete puzzlement.
Joy shakes her head.
JOY
Robert, you wanna go to the Cafe?
Robert, you wanna go to the Cafe?
ROBERT
Sure...
Sure...
JOY
Mark, you’re invited if you toss that ridiculous book.
I can’t believe you’re into that pseudo-Zen B.S.
Mark, you’re invited if you toss that ridiculous book.
I can’t believe you’re into that pseudo-Zen B.S.
They begin heading down the path.
JOY
Like I was saying, your social consciousness needs a serious re-adjustment.
Like I was saying, your social consciousness needs a serious re-adjustment.
ROBERT
Whatever, I think Ayn was onto something...
Whatever, I think Ayn was onto something...
The two fade out of earshot.
Mark is unconcerned and continues flipping through the book as he walks slowly on the path, the leaves crunching crisply under his feet.
MARK
“One should speak little with others and much with oneself.”
“One should speak little with others and much with oneself.”
He smiles a bit, and continues walking, speaking softly every few yards.
FADE TO BLACK.
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