325. Safe - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY


• HENRY wanders down the aisles in a crisp new suit that doesn't fit him quite right, staring in awe at the massive collection of potato chips.


• He tries to select one, and finally grabs one, almost in despair.


• He makes his way to the counter, his craggy face newly-shaven.


• He puts the bag on the counter.


• DALE sits in front of seemingly endless rows of cigarette cartons, his face worn hard with years and struggle.


• Their eyes meet and they nod.


• DALE
• That's it?


• HENRY
• Yeah, that'll be all. To many options. How do you even make a choice?


• DALE
• You're telling me, brother.


• Henry looks around the store again.


• DALE
• How long?


• Henry pauses, calculating.


• HENRY
• Two days.


• DALE
• Seven years, 3 months, 18 days.


• HENRY
• You never stop counting?


• DALE
• No. Funny, in there, you count down, out here, you're just counting back up.


• They pause.


• Henry eyes the cash register.


• Dale catches his eye and holds his gaze.


• DALE
• Don't do it, brother.


• HENRY
• I'm sorry.


• DALE
• Look at you, in that nice suit. There's somebody waiting for you isn't there? They've thrown a party for you. Go, go to your party, go be with your somebody.


• Henry pulls a gun from his waistband.


• HENRY
• Everything from the cash register.


• DALE
• Brother...


• HENRY
• Do it!


• Dale pulls bills from the register and puts them into a paper bag, sliding it across the counter and Henry grabs it.


• DALE
• Look, just go.


• HENRY
• You haven't pushed the button. Push it.


• DALE
• No, just got, please.


• HENRY
• Push it!


• Dale shakes his head.


• Henry puts the gun to his head.


• DALE
• Brother, there's no need for that.


• HENRY
• Push it, or you'll live with my face in your head for the rest of your life.


• Dale reaches under the counter.


• HENRY
• I can't do it. It's too much. I need to be someplace safe.


• Sirens sound in the distance, moving closer and closer.


• Henry puts the gun down, still clutching the bag of bills.


• HENRY
• Thank you.


• They stand in silence, waiting.


• FADE TO BLACK.