312. The Commuter - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. THE DANCING BEAN COFFEE SHOP - day


• ABBY stands behind the counter in a light black hoodie watching the sun rise over downtown, light glinting off of glass of the buildings around the intersection.


• She grabs a local newspaper from the counter and stars flipping through, scanning the financial section.


• She is curvy, a few inches short of six feet, arms covered in tattoos.


• Each of her ears have matching plugs and matching silver rings.


• LENA, the other barista, is a tiny black woman, each piece of her uniform pristine.


• LENA
• What are you reading?


• ABBY
• Just the stocks...always good for a laugh.


• LENA
• You're not laughing.


• Abby gives her a look over the top of the newspaper and Lena smiles innocently.


• She checks the steamer.


• ABBY
• Heads up, first customer.


• Two sheriffs' deputies push through the doors of the shop.


• DEPUTY VINCE
• Hey girls, the usual for me. You?


• DEPUTY DEVINE
• Same, heavy on the cinnamon please.


• LENA
• Just like always. You guys ever think of branching out, trying new things?


• The deputies chuckle.


• Abby puts down the paper.


• LENA
• You're good, I got this one.


• She busies herself preparing the coffee.


• Abby snaps the paper back into position.


• She looks up for a second and hisses at Abby.


• LENA
• Your boy's back.


• Abby peers over her paper.


• TED is crossing the street towards the coffeeshop.


• He wears jeans, an untucked button-up shirt, and a pageboy cap at a slight angle.


• ABBY
• Every Thursday.


• LENA
• He's been coming here...how long?


• ABBY
• We're into month 5.


• LENA
• Think he'll ever ask you out?


• ABBY
• He'd better...spending money to travel 5 miles on the bus every week to see me? Yeah, he's going to get sick of that soon.


• LENA
• He's been doing it for five months...maybe he should grow a pair. Wait...5 miles? He told you that?


• ABBY
• Yeah, was asking him if he was from around. Said he liked the coffee here - was worth the commute.


• Lena snorts.


• ABBY
• It's kind of cute. Be nice.


• Ted walks into the store and Abby puts the paper down.


• ABBY
• Hey, what can I get for you.


• TED
• Ummm, let me grab a scone and get some black currant tea.


• ABBY


• TED
• Yeah, that'd be great.


• Abby tosses the scone in a small toaster oven and starts brewing the tea.


• Ted stands in front of the counter inspecting the selection of muffins.


• ABBY
• Here's your scone. I'll bring the tea to your table.


• TED
• Thanks.


• He sits down and slowly eats the scone while reading The Onion.


• Abby finishes the tea and slips around the counter placing the tea onto his table.


• She smiles and he smiles back, shyly.


• She returns to her station and returns to her paper, watching him.


• Lena looks over at Abby.


• Better luck next week eh?


• LENA


• Abby rolls her eyes at Lena and turns to the classifieds.


• FADE TO BLACK.