A surprise in the Hobee’s parking lot sets Julie off in another direction…
FADE IN:
EXT. PARKING LOT HOBEES
Julie rips into the parking lot and looks up to see the Keith, the VP of marketing walking towards the entrance while talking on his cell phone. She jumps out of her car, with briefcase in hand, and races up towards him. She backs off a bit, and hovers nearby while he finishes his conversation. He can feel her presence.
KEITH
(into cell phone) Can you hold for a sec? Thanks!
He covers the speaker and looks over at Julie.
KEITH
Hey, Julie? What are you doing here?
Keith looks at his watch and then back at Julie. Before she can answer, he answers for himself.
KEITH
Oh… of course. The numbers. Got those reports that were talked about?
Julie responds enthusiastically.
JULIE
Yes! (pointing to the briefcase). I’ve got them right here.
KEITH
Excellent!
He holds out his hand. And Julie hands him the folder.
KEITH
Thanks for bringing these over. I can’t believe I ran out without them.
Julie is standing watching Keith.
KEITH
Really. This is great. I’ll see you back at the office.
He returns to his call and moves swiftly towards the Hobee’s entrance. And Julie is still standing in the same spot with a blank expression on her face. A car zooms in and honks to get her to move. She shakes her head and returns to her car.
CUT TO:
INT. JULIE’S CAR
Julie is talking to herself.
JULIE
Okay… what just happened? What the #$%^ just happened?
She turns on the ignition and then the radio –and Radio
Karma takes over: Benatar’s YOU BETTER RUN is playing. She put the car into gear and peels out of the parking lot, swerving to avoid a car coming in.
Reading Julie’s body language, you can tell she feels like someone tore her insides out…
JULIE
You’re #$%^ing kidding me, right? Dismissing me like I’m some sort of
servant… That’ll be all. Carry on. What the heck is that?
She turns up the music louder as she accelerates onto the freeway. Then she notices the clock on her dashboard.
JULIE
Oh crap! I can’t go back this early… it’s too mortifying.
She looks at the freeway exit for work and decides to keep going. The Benatar song has ended and she has snapped off the radio and is driving along in silence, with Benatar still in her ears. A freeway sign indicates she’s “Leaving Silicon Valley” sign.
JULIE
I don’t get it. Why’d they leave me out? What’d I do wrong?
She shakes her head while trying to rewind the events leading up to the Hobee’s parking lot.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. JULIE’S HOUSE
She walks into her house and immediately flings her briefcase across the room. It lands on her couch and papers are flying everywhere. The camera follow hers to her bedroom.
She sees her suitcase (seemingly unpacked) near the entry way and kicks it aside. Julie then disappears into her walk-in closet. In a matter of seconds, she has changed into workout clothes.
JULIE
Here’s a first. I’m going on a run. I gotta do it … gotta vent. Otherwise this place will be in shambles.
Julie aces up her shoes, tucks a $20 into her socks and heads out the door — she takes off down the street — jogging at a quick clip.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FRAN’S CUBE
Fran is quickly checking her messages (email and voicemail).
Doogie is standing nearby.
DOOGIE
No messages? That’s a good sign isn’t it. I mean, she wasn’t at her cubicle when I walked by. Maybe they were glad to see her.
Fran gives him a “yeah right” look.
DOOGIE
Our little champ probably knocked them off their feet.
Shaking her head, Fran looks out the window and notices Keith striding across the parking lot.
FRAN
Well… here comes Keith…
DOOGIE
Awesome, that means she’ll be right behind.
Now Doogie is looking out the window, searching the parking lot for Julie. Fran’s email pings so she returns to her desk to deal with it. Doogie remains on lookout.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FRAN’S CUBE
Close-up of clock spun ahead 15 minutes.
Fran has finally looked up to see Doogie is still there. She spins in her chair.
FRAN
You still here? And no sign of her?
Doogie starts pacing around Fran’s cube.
FRAN
Okay. I know you’re worried about her. And clearly, you aren’t going to get anything done today until you know… So grab whatever you need, we’re taking a roadtrip.
Doogie brightens up.
DOOGIE
Cool… Thanks for understanding.
CUT TO:
INT. LOBBY BUSINESS BUILDING
On the way out the door, Doogie stops to ask the receptionist a few more questions. We see them talking and the receptionist handing over a piece of paper and pointing.
DOOGIE
Wow.
He shows the paper to Fran as they walk to the parking lot.
FADE OUT
###
To be continued in Toll House Tales #126
[…] To be continued in Toll House Tales #125 […]