247. Holding it Together - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP - EVENING


• PETE sits at his desk, shuffling through a stack of papers idly, starting at his laptop.


• MARIANNE sits across the room, typing swiftly on an ancient PC.


• The room is filled with messy desks, the dull walls covered with posters commemorating actions dating back to the 80s.


• PETE
• Hey Mari, you hear what Sarah Palin said about community organizers tonight?


• Marianne shakes her head and puts a finger in the air.


• MARIANNE
• Just a sec.


• She finishes typing a paragraph on the grant she is working on.


• Looking up from the screen, she nods at Pete.


• MARIANNE
• Shoot.


• PETE
• Ok, so, she said that, and I quote...


• The door buzzer rings and Marianne bounds to the door.


• She opens it a crack, peering out, then pulls it fully open.


• A YOUNG WOMAN, her face covered in bruises stands at the door; a LITTLE GIRL, no older than 6, holds her hand quietly.


• MARIANNE ushers them into the room and seats them on a worn, pleather couch near her desk.


• MARIANNE
• Ok, honey, you're wanting to stay in the shelter?


• The woman nods timidly.


• MARIANNE
• Ok, give me a sec, I'll help you fill out the paperwork.


• She walks over to her desk and starts shifting through her papers.


• She finds the correct forms and returns to the couch.


• Pete slips out to the kitchen.


• He returns with a juice pack for the little girl.


• PETE
• Is she allowed?


• The girl's mother nods; Pete deftly inserts a straw and hands the pack to the child.


• She takes it and holds it, sucking hungrily at the plastic tube.


• Pete laughs.


• PETE
• Whoa, slow down, enjoy it.


• The girl ignores him.


• He perches himself at the edge of Marianne's desk, finding a space in all the mess with a skill that comes from constant practice.


• PETE
• Palin said, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities.


• Marianne looks up from the paperwork.


• MARIANNE
• Are you serious?


• She shakes her head.


• Pete smiles, watching the heat rise in her face.


• Her face tightens as she helps the young woman finish the forms.


• MARIANNE
• Ok, just put your address here, yeah, yeah, you got it. Ok, just take these and head over there, see the door? Amy will help you get settled in a room.


• The woman and her daughter slip out of the office; the woman clutching the finished paper work.


• Marianne turns to Pete.


• MARIANNE
• You know what, I challenge her to come out here to the lower 48 and try out the responsibilities we have. You know what, screw it, we're too busy trying to hold our cities together with the scraps her party left us; let her come down her and she can bring her responsibility too.


• Pete stands, clapping.


• PETE
• You let me know when you get your own show on MSNBC, I'll tune in every day.


• Marianne shakes her head again and sits down at her desk, muttering.


• Pete smiles at her and heads back to his desk.


• PETE
• You're really sexy when you're mad.


• MARIANNE
• Just keep on walking.


• Pete laughs out loud and returns to his desk.


• The door buzzer sounds and they both stand, the strain of years of this work showing on their faces.


• FADE TO BLACK.