PDX arrival: Third Place with Pizza and a Powell’s visit…
Meeting the mentor, learning about Third Places, a warm meal, and a nice cold Fat Tire. The ladies settle into their adventure.
FADE IN:
INT. CAFE PORTLAND
The opening shot is through a mirror. An energetic young woman is working the espresso machine with a flourish. She’s preparing drinks that are almost too good-looking to consume. We watch as she steams the milk, cleans the nozzle, pours a latte with perfect layers and brandishes it with several shakes of cinnamon.
And all this is done with a smile. It’s clear that this woman loves what she does.
Something catches her eye and she looks up. That’s when we realize that the whole scene was shot in reflection of the mirror behind the counter. The camera pans from the reflection of a cab in the mirror to the cab pulling up to the front of the cafe.
TIM, one of the cafe workers is busing a table by the window and notices the cab as well.
TIM
Yo, Gayle! I think your friends are here.
He points to the window.
GAYLE
Thanks, Tim!
Gayle motions towards the espresso machine as she walks towards the front of the cafe.
TIM
No worries.
She high fives him as he makes his way to the counter.
TIM
Take your time. I got-ya covered.
CUT TO:
INT. CAB
Fran is looking out the back seat side window trying to read names and numbers.
FRAN
Yeah. This looks like it.
Julie looks in the direction of the cafe as Fran is gathering her things and pulling out money for the driver.
JULIE
Do they serve food at your friend’s cafe? I’m starved.
As Fran reaches to hand the driver the money, a knock can be heard on the driver’s window. He rolls it down and a stack of bills are thrust into his hand.
GAYLE
I believe that should cover it. Now please do me a big favor and pop that trunk of
yours.
The driver looks surprised, but obliges. And before Fran can figure out what happened, Gayle has already grabbed their carry-on bags and is setting them on the sidewalk. Fran and Julie quickly slide out of the cab, which moves on into the evening leaving the three ladies standing in front of the cafe.
GAYLE
You must be Julie. (she shakes Julie’s hand) I’m very glad you could make it.
Then she turns to Fran.
GAYLE
And you… What took you so long?
Fran looks at her watch.
FRAN
What? We’re here when we said we’d be… (pause) okay maybe there was a little confusion initially with the cabbie, but still…
Gayle interrupts and looks directly at Julie.
GAYLE
This girl has been telling me for months that she’d be up to visit… (looking back at Julie and winking) for months!
JULIE
Has it been months?
GAYLE
Actually, more like years.
FRAN
Watch it now. She’s young and impressionable.
GAYLE
Okay. Let’s put it this way. Julie, your co-worker and travel-mate here has had a million and one obligations of one sort or other that have prevented her from coming up to visit.
Julie looks over at Fran.
GAYLE
No worries. I don’t take it personally. I know the environment you guys work in.
Fran makes like she wants to say something… but she holds her tongue (knowing that Gayle is right as always).
Just then, the door of the cafe opens and one of the patrons yells out.
PATRON
Yo, Gayle! Young Timmy needs you. The nozzle is clogged again.
Gayle looks at the girls.
GAYLE
Temperamental espresso machine. Follow me ladies.
And before they could blink, Gayle was leading the way into the cafe pulling both carry-on bags. The camera follows them inside (think the tracking shot in the club scene in Good Fellas). Speeding up their pace, the ladies manage to retrieve their bags from Gayle and are following her as she weaves in and out of tables… chatting with patrons along the way… Picking up a napkin here. Pushing in a chair there.
Gayle points to a corner table with a reserved sign on it and the chairs tipped forward.
GAYLE
Ladies! Your table for the evening. Let me quickly straighten out this nozzle situation and then I’ll be back with some fresh bread. You’re probably starved.
She glides behind the counter and starts to work her magic. Fran and Julie set their bags aside, settle in and look around– observing the cafe scene.
FRAN
Toto. I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more.
Julie hears her and shakes her head.
JULIE
So this is typical of the Portland cafe scene?
FRAN
Not exactly. Gayle tells me this is her Third Place.
JULIE
Her what?
Learn about the “Third Place” here.
FRAN
Third Place. It’s based on one of the books she’s read… the author had a theory about how everyone needs three places: Home and Work are the first two.. though some reverse the order. She winks at Julie. The Third is basically where you can be yourself…and hang out enjoying the pleasures of good company and lively conversation. Supposedly very stimulating… gets your creative juices fired up.
Just then, the couple from the next table lean over and introduce themselves.
CAFE COUPLE
Are you Gayle’s friends from Silicon Valley?
Fran and Julie nod.
CAFE COUPLE
Which one of you is Fran?
Fran blushes and smiles.
FRAN
That would be me.
CAFE COUPLE
(to each other)
Whoa. She really does exist. (to Fran)
We’ve heard all about you. So how is it that you finally tore yourself away from work to pay our fine city a visit?
Just then, Gayle arrives with a basket of bread, some plates and two open bottles of beer.
GAYLE
I see you’ve met Fred and Ethel–
FRAN
Actually, we hadn’t been formally introduced… they were just remarking …
CAFE COUPLE
(cuts her off)
Sorry to interrupt young lady, but we must be on our way. Got an early tee time in the morning.
The couple get up, push in their chairs, wave goodbye and exit.
CAFE COUPLE
See ya! (pause) Guess we owe you, huh?
GAYLE
Forget about it. Rest well! Oh yeah, tomorrow go out there and nail a long drive and a bunch of two-putts for me.
Gayle turns her attention back to Julie and Fran. She hands Julie one of the beers.
GAYLE
There you go. I hope you like beer…
Julie cuts her off in her excitement.
JULIE
Whoa! A Fat Tire!? Way cool!
Tasty beverage is well-received.
GAYLE
Guess that answers that question… Turns to Fran and nudges her.
JULIE
That’s the one I was telling Doogie about the other day.
FRAN
Oh… right… So it’s good? I never had it before…
JULIE
Heck yeah!
Julie takes a sip, pauses, and then quickly takes another.
JULIE
Sorry. That was rude of me. Go on… give it a try.
Fran then takes a pull, swallows and pauses to look at the bottle.
FRAN
Indeed. This is one tasty beverage. Let’s toast!
She looks at Gayle.
FRAN
Hey! Where’s yours?
GAYLE
Soon… As soon as I’m off the clock. Now don’t let that bread cool off. I’ll be back with your entree in a bit.
JULIE
Entree?
She gives Fran a look.
GAYLE
A surprise. Now kick back and enjoy the cafe.
Gayle leaves them to their beer and bread. They “clink” the beer bottles in a silent toast… And not a word is spoken as they settle in.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. CAFE
The cafe is slowly emptying. Pan to the table where Fran and Julie are sitting now shows two nearly empty beer bottles, one small piece of bread left in the basket, and the girls appear nice and relaxed.
JULIE
That really hit the spot.
FRAN
Yeah. Just what the doctor ordered. (pause) So what do you think so far.
JULIE
The cafe is great… like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
FRAN
There’s something about it, that’s for sure.
While they are talking, a piping hot pizza is placed in the middle of the table.
FRAN
Our entree, eh? Whoa, girl? What do we have here?
JULIE
Yeah… it looks and smells yummy.
GAYLE
It’s a Thai Chicken pizza… I hope you aren’t allergic to peanuts. I should have asked.
JULIE
PB&J is a cornerstone to my diet.
FRAN
Born of too many late nights, no doubt. What’s your favorite “J”?
JULIE
Definitely Strawberry.
GAYLE
Me too.
FRAN
I’m a Grape person… Concord grape– can’t handle the seeds in Strawberry. Let me guess chunky?
JULIE
Smooth.
GAYLE
Smooth… honey roasted.
FRAN
Super Chunky for me. But honey-roasted sure sounds good.
JULIE
Alright already. Let’s give this a try!
Gayle had placed slices on both their plates while the PB&J discussion was going on.
GAYLE
Bon Appetit! Two more beers coming right up.
Gayle leaves them and all is silent as they enjoy their slices.
JULIE
This is wonderful! What a great combination of flavors!
FRAN
I second that emotion.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. CAFE
We see a hand turning over the sign in the front of the cafe to read close. And we hear the shuffling of chairs being moved and a broom sweeping under the tables. We pull back to see just Julie and Fran remaining. The pizza pan has two slices remaining and the new beers are almost drained.
JULIE
I’m stuffed.
FRAN
Me too.
JULIE
Here comes our host now.
GAYLE
Whatja think? Pretty darn good gourmet pizza, huh?
FRAN
Definitely hit the spot.
JULIE
That was awesome!
GAYLE
So– are you feeling re-energized?
JULIE & FRAN
Definitely!
GAYLE
Great!
Tim hits half the lights and moves past the table, pulls out a chair and hands Gayle an unopened beer.
TIM
There you go. Take a load off. I’ve got it from here.
GAYLE
Thanks, Tim! You’re the best!
She introduces Tim to her friends.
GAYLE
This is Julie and Fran. They escaped Silicon Valley for the weekend.
TIM
Ladies, enjoy your stay! (to Gayle)
Oh yeah… Don’t forget I’ve got some freshly roasted coffee beans for you… French Roast.
GAYLE
(to Tim)
You rock!
Hands him back the beer.
Actually, you keep it. We’ve got places to go.
(to the ladies)
Ready to roll?
FRAN
Roll? Aren’t you tired? Don’t you want to hang out a bit?
GAYLE
I’m good. Besides, there’s a stop we need to make before we head home.
She points to her watch.
And we should get there before it closes.
FRAN
You sure it can’t wait until tomorrow?
Gayle smiles with her eyes sparkling.
GAYLE
Not a chance… I’ve got a surprise in the works for tomorrow.
(pause)
Don’t give me that look. You’ll learn about it tomorrow. Now let’s roll.
They stand up and push in their chairs. Gayle shouts to Tim who has moved behind the counter to finish cleaning up.
GAYLE
Yo, Timmy! We’re outta here!
JULIE
Nice meeting you!
FRAN
Yeah, and thanks for letting us steal Gayle away!
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. FRONT HALLWAY OF GAYLE’S PLACE
The door opens and in walks Fran, Julie and Gayle — each carrying Powell’s bags along with their carry-ons.
FRAN
Good call with the Powell’s stop. Can’t wait to tell Doogie about it.
JULIE
Yeah. That place is amazing. And this, holding up her Powell’s bag, is something I’ve been meaning to read.
Gayle smiles.
GAYLE
Powell’s — home of the most amazing “karma” book finds.
Fran holds up her bag.
FRAN
Indeed! So what about tomorrow? How about a hint or two?
GAYLE
Tomorrow can wait. Let me show you to your accommodations for the
evening.
They follow her down the hallway as the scene fades out.
FADE TO BLACK.
###
>> Watch for Toll House Tales: All Fired Up -109
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