207. Strong Women - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY


• ARTHUR JONES stands, stranded by the side of the road, staring at his blown tire with frustration.


• His car, a small Honda, is pristine other than the obvious.


• The spare and assorted lie on the road next to him.


• Cars whizz past, ignoring the 70 year old man standing helpless on the shoulder.


• A dented Honda Accord slows behind him and comes to a stop.


• ANN LEE steps out of the car, dressed in a short, off-white dress and jeans.


• She walks towards Arthur.


• ANN
• Need any help?


• ARTHUR
• I could. Blew a tire and to be honest, I'm completely clueless about how to change one of these. Not sure how I made it this far in life without learning that, but here we are.


• ANN
• Ok, let's see. Well, you got the spare out, that's a start...and, OK, hand me the jack and iron? Those right there.


• Ann points at the tools and he brings them to her.


• ANN
• Ok, you're in park right? Emergency break?


• Arthur nods.


• ANN
• Cool. Watch carefully.


• She grins and Arthur chuckles.


• She grabs the tire iron from him and starts loosening the lugs, gritting her teeth as she fights with each of the tightly screwed lugs.


• She gets them loose, then slides the jack under the car.


• ANN
• See these? These are jacking points, this is the only place you want to use this thing. No accounting for what will happen otherwise.


• She makes sure it's firmly in place, then begins rotating the hand crank.


• The jack slowly rises and the car creaks as it is forced up.


• ANN
• Mind if I ask a personal question?


• ARTHUR
• Please do?


• ANN
• You don't seem that embarrassed that I'm changing this tire for you. I mean...


• ARTHUR
• Well, I'm certainly embarrassed that I haven't learned how to do this; and I've had enough time to learn; but if you're referring to the fact that you're a woman, there's no reason for me to be ashamed about that.


• ANN
• That's a unique perspective.


• ARTHUR
• True, but it shouldn't be.


• Ann finishes jacking up the car and starts removing the lugs.


• ARTHUR
• A truly strong man is one who respects the strength and independence of women.


• Ann pops the flat off and begins attaching the spare.


• ANN
• I don't think I've ever heard that before.


• ARTHUR
• And that's a shame.


• The stand in silence as she lowers the tire.


• ANN
• Why do you respect strong women?


• ARTHUR
• Because my father didn't. Young lady, if a man doesn't treasure your obvious power and wisdom, he isn't worthy of you. If he doesn't understand that respecting your strength doesn't diminish his own, well, then...pfft!


• Ann smiles at him.


• ANN
• All done.


• ARTHUR
• Thank you very much. I don't even know your name.


• ANN
• Ann.


• ARTHUR
• Well Ann, thank you for attempting to teach this old man a new trick.


• ANN
• Thank you, Mr...


• ARTHUR
• Arthur, just call me Arthur.


• ANN
• Mr. Arthur, thank you.


• They shake hands and he bows slightly.


• She turns and walks to her car, waves at him, then gets in and drives away.


• He returns the tools to the trunk, gets into his car, starts the engine and drives onto the highway; slowly disappearing into a mirage.


• FADE TO BLACK.