290. Cigarettes and Conversation - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. THE MOUSE AND TRUMPET - DAY


• ZYLPHIA leans against the brick wall of the restaurant, cigarette smoke trickling out of her parted lips and out over the sidewalk.


• Her short dark hair falls over her eyes and is tied up in messy knot at the back of her head.


• An off-white scarf wraps around her neck and she is wearing jeans and bra straps peak out from under the thin black straps of the her tank top.


• EZRA, A young man in an expensive business suit walks crisply down the sidewalk - the elegance of his suit thrown off by the messenger bag thrown across his back.


• He comes to a stop next to Zylphia.


• She doesn't pay him any mind.


• He tosses his bag onto the ground next her, then sits down with a sigh.


• ZYLPHIA
• Cigarette?


• Ezra shakes his head.


• ZYLPHIA
• One of these days you're going to say yes.


• EZRA
• Sure.


• ZYLPHIA
• Easy there...bad day?


• She slides down the wall and sits next to him.


• EZRA
• Ah goodness, I'm just tired of all the flacks running around with their iPhones and Blackberries as if they're so unique. Bloody idiots.


• ZYLPHIA
• I wonder if they marketed them as status symbols how people react?


• EZRA
• No differently.


• ZYLPHIA
• You should show up to work with them around your neck like a headhunter's necklace.


• She grins at the mental picture.


• EZRA
• Uhhh, no. Though, it would be funny.


• ZYLPHIA
• Status symbols, status symbols for sale!


• Pedestrians stare at her.


• Ezra elbows her.


• A WOMAN IN A DARK PANTSUIT walks past.


• ZYLPHIA
• Hey Ma'am, get your status symbol here, demonstrate your elitism. Collect three and you could even move up a caste level or two!


• The woman shoots a disgusted look at Zylphia and Ezra and moves briskly past.


• EZRA
• This is why I love you; also why I don't take you in public. My goodness, woman.


• Zylphia bats her eyelashes at him.


• EZRA
• Oh, fine. But next time, I bring the leash.


• She rolls her eyes.


• EZRA
• Back to the kitchen woman!


• ZYLPHIA
• Ezra, you can take that kitchen of yours and stick it up your skinny little heiney.


• EZRA
• Mmm, I love you too.


• ZYLPHIA
• Ah...I have to run.


• EZRA
• What, you actually have a schedule?


• ZYLPHIA
• Us freewheeling hippie artists have to practice some time management.


• She stands.


• EZRA
• See you at home?


• ZYLPHIA
• Yeah, babe. Don't be too late...you're cooking tonight.


• EZRA
• Mm, yeah.


• She leans, gives him a peck on the cheek and walks down the sidewalk, disappearing into an art gallery.


• Ezra stares after her, smiles, then leans back and enjoys the sunlight.


• FADE TO BLACK.