179. The Basin - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. SKID ROW HOMELESS SHELTER CAFETERIA - EVENING


• TANYA sits inside the large room with a large basin and pitcher at her feet and towel draped over her knee.


• She fidgets, twisting in the chair towards the open door at the end of the room, waiting.


• JOE walks up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder.


• JOE
• You ok?


• TANYA
• Just a little nervous.


• JOE
• Yeah, I was too, my first night.


• TANYA
• I just, it's hard pulling my emotions and my intellect together. Intellectually, I'm ready to do this, emotionally I still, I don't know; I'm still scared, still really judgmental.


• JOE
• I still catch myself sometimes, thinking I'm better; but I'm not. Just a few different choices, and I could be out there on the streets too.


• Footsteps sound in the hallway.


• JOE
• Well, here they come.


• He pats her on the shoulder and walks off.


• A group of homeless women walk into the room and into the cafeteria as volunteers guide them between tables.


• ELLEN, a young woman is pointed in Tanya's direction.


• She walks cautiously to the empty chair in front of Tanya and sits, clutching a stained backpack covered in little buttons.


• TANYA
• Hi, I'm Tanya. I like your buttons, those are pretty cool.


• ELLEN
• Hi.


• TANYA
• You can put your backpack down.


• ELLEN
• I'd rather not. Um, is there food or something? What's the bowl for?


• Tanya smiles.


• She reaches down for Ellen's foot.


• TANYA
• May I?


• ELLEN
• Uh, wait, you're taking my shoes off? Wait, wait.


• TANYA
• I'd like to wash your feet.


• She gets off the chair and kneels by Ellen.


• ELLEN
• Uh, I guess you can.


• Tanya finishes taking Ellen's shoes off.


• Her feet are cut up and bruised from walking, thick callouses on the soles.


• Tanya takes her feet and gently places them in the warm water of the basin.


• As she washes, Ellen looks down uncomfortably, tears threatening at the edge of her eyes.


• Tanya rinses her feet, then slowly begins to dry them.


• Ellen wipes her eyes quickly.


• Tanya begins putting the shoes back on Ellen's feet.


• ELLEN
• I can do that.


• She puts her shoes on, then looks up.


• ELLEN
• Thank you, I've never had anyone do anything like that for me before.


• TANYA
• You can head over there for some food and your bed assignment.


• She points to the other end of the room where a line is forming.


• Her eyes meet Ellen's and Ellen smiles for the first time, shyly.


• Tanya begins crying.


• Ellen sits still for a moment, then puts her hand on Tanya's shoulder.


• ELLEN
• It's ok, it'll be ok. Thank you.


• Tanya nods.


• Ellen kisses her on the cheek, then stands, disappearing quickly into the gathering crowd.


• FADE TO BLACK.