215. WWJD - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. THE REFUGE - DAY


• The Refuge is a unique space, two storefronts linked by a doorway in the wall between them.


• The smaller of the spaces is a barbershop where five tattooed and pierced barbers work busily.


• The larger space is home to a restaurant staffed by equally alternative-looking staff.


• GRACE sits in the mama-san chairs scattered around the waiting area of the barbershop reading an Adbusters magazine.


• JEANIE, one of the barbers whose arms covered in red tattoos, looks at her appointment list.


• JEANIE
• Grace?


• Grace looks up from the magazine and walks to the chair.


• GRACE
• Hey.


• JEANIE
• Hey there. Grace is a one of my favorite names, by the way.


• GRACE
• Thanks.


• JEANIE
• So what can I do for you?


• GRACE
• I dunno, this is getting too long for me...this is my first time here, but my friend Angie told me I should just trust you, that you guys were amazing...so, uh, something short and spiky...with some nice highlights?


• JEANIE
• Cool, coming right up.


• She goes over to her work station and starts selecting the tools she needs.


• She begins cutting and they sit silent as she starts.


• Jeanie snips away, skilfully shaping Grace's hair.


• GRACE
• So you one of those rare native Angelenos or one of us immigrants?


• JEANIE
• Well, I'm a Californian, but I grew up in the OC.


• GRACE
• Oh yeah?


• JEANIE
• Yeah and God I am glad to be here.


• GRACE
• That bad?


• JEANIE
• Was about to kill myself; not literally you know...well maybe. All the hypocrisy and well, the happy, peppy, Jesus people.


• She mimics.


• GRACE
• "Oh hi, honey, do you go to church?" or on the really crappy days "Have you been saved?" And that was just how people said hello. And if you say no, then you get "Oh, well I'll be praying for you then." Sometimes I'd just say yes to avoid the whole thing.


• JEANIE
• Wow, I'm sorry, that sounds pretty bad.


• GRACE
• Oh geez, you have no idea. I mean, ergggh.


• JEANIE
• I have more idea than you think, and I completely agree.


• GRACE
• Thank God for LA.


• JEANIE
• Indeed. I suppose, in full disclosure, I should tell you that we're all pastors here.


• Grace blanches and Jeanie grins at her.


• GRACE
• Oh no! I hope I didn't offend you.


• JEANIE
• Don't worry about it at all, you could ask any one of us and we'd completely agree with you.


• GRACE
• You're seriously not offended?


• JEANIE
• No way, you have every right to be offended.


• GRACE
• Not sure I'd though I'd ever hear the day when a Christian, much less a pastor said that.


• Jeanie chuckles.


• GRACE
• Why in the world did a bunch of pastors start a restaurant and barbershop up...and what kind of combination is that anyway...food and a haircut?


• JEANIE
• To answer your second question, hey, it works. As for us clergy, heh, we just loved the idea and thought this would do a letter better than our churches.


• GRACE
• For what?


• JEANIE
• What I imagine those OC folk are trying to do in all the wrong ways; start up dialog about our beliefs, your beliefs...and just life in general.


• GRACE
• Wow. Look I don't want to put anymore feet in my mouth, but ahh politics?


• JEANIE
• I'm a socialist. Greg over there is a hardcore anarchist.


• GRACE
• Ohhh, wow. You really aren't kidding when you say you're doing this religion thing in a new way.


• JEANIE
• Never said that.


• GRACE
• You might as well have.


• Jeanie pulls out hand mirror and shows Grace the cut.


• GRACE
• Wow, amazing...thanks. I'll have to come back to eat soon...see what you crazy Christians have up your sleeves next.


• She hands Jeanie the money for the cut, slides out of the chair and walks out the door.


• Jeanie looks after her and smiles, shaking her head, then returns to her appointment list.


• JEANIE
• Autumn?


• FADE TO BLACK.