The story continues…
Viv is seen in her element — livening up the place with her energy and fantastic drinks.
The mother of cafe worker Nicole makes an appearance and serendipitously meets up with a kindred soul — corporate communications by day, writer by night. And later that evening two suitors compete for Viv’s attention. Who will win out?
Scene 13 – “Monday, Monday”
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
The workers and some patrons notice Viv is a bit more bubbly.
The gang is observing– and counsel Frankie AGAIN to wait before moving ahead with Operation Burma Shave.
It’s Monday and the cafe is in full morning stride. At one table, HARRY the accountant and his wife KAREN are sitting, enjoying their morning coffee.
KAREN
Seems busier than usual today, huh?
HARRY
Oh, I don’t know.
Harry looks around.
HARRY
Okay… you’re right. I see some new faces.
Just then Viv passes their table while surveying the scene. Karen reaches out and taps Viv on the elbow.
KAREN
Busy today, huh Viv?
VIV
Busy is a good thing. It’s a 180 from Sunday afternoon/evenings. We could use the revenue.
HARRY
Oh? I thought things were going well for you.
VIV
I wish. Molly says we’re right on the edge… and that Sundays will make or break the business.
HARRY
Really?
KAREN
You can help with that, can’t you hun?
Harry looks at his wife and back at Viv.
HARRY
I’d be happy to take a look, though I’m certain that fine young lady is probably right about the numbers.
While he is talking, Viv is distracted by the long line for espresso drinks.
KAREN
Great, let’s…
Viv now taps Karen on the shoulder.
VIV
Please excuse me.
Viv hustles up to the front counter, taps one of the workers, DANNY (a recent addition to the team) on the shoulder and hands him a wiping towel. Then she slides into place.
VIV
(to the worker) Just until the line gets whittled down. I promise.
DANNY
No problem, Viv. You’re welcome to cut in anytime you want. (to the crowd) Ladies and gentlemen… it’s showtime!
There is applause from the folks in line. Danny leaves with a smile, twirling the towel and immediately gets busy dialing in the coffee condiment station. And Viv is like a whirlwind… keeping time to a song that nobody else hears — repeating lyrics that don’t make sense to anyone but herself. In no time she has produced dozens of drinks and the line has whittled down to a manageable size… TIM, the buddy of Jimmy’s from THE ENCHANTED JUKEBOX, has speeded up considerably to try to keep pace with Viv.
VIV
Ah… That should do it. You got it from here?
TIM
Absolutely. No problem.
VIV
Awesome.
As Viv moves from behind the counter, back towards the front Danny looks over and starts clapping. Viv gently bows in acknowledgment and smiles.
JIMMY, the 30-something engineer and cafe regular happens to be sitting nearby with a couple of his buddies.
JIMMY
Yo, Mate! Having problems keeping up with the Master?
Tim throws a bar towel with a clothes pin on it in Jimmy’s direction.
TIM
So I’m a little rusty…
JIMMY
And probably a quart low… Somebody buy this man a shot… or two or three…
Another bar towel comes flying. Jimmy grabs it laughing. Just then Danny walks by carrying a bus pan of dirty glassware. Jimmy adds the two bar towels and smiles.
JIMMY
Please return to sender.
DANNY
Ah you shouldn’t be so hard on your pal, ya know… You’ve seen Viv when she’s on a roll. She’s amazing!
JIMMY
He knows I’m just playing… and you’re right… today Viv was over the top.
Danny smiles and moves behind the counter, dropping off the bar towels.
DANNY
She seemed even faster than normal today.
TIM
You noticed it too. I thought maybe I had just slowed down.
DANNY
Naw. You’re awesome. It’s just… she’s over the top today.
TIM
Wonder what happened? When I spoke with Nicole last night…
DANNY
Nicole, huh? How’s that going?
Danny’s tone of voice makes it sound like he just wants gossip, not that he really cares. Tim just shoots him a look.
DANNY
Sorry… please continue.
TIM
Nicole was concerned about Viv. Said that when she left yesterday, Viv was really down about how Sundays have just fallen off.
Just then Sam walks up to the counter. Danny excuses himself and heads to the back with bus pan of dirty dishes.
TIM
Hey, Sam. The usual?
Tim whirls into motion before hearing a response. Sam is laughing.
SAM
I see Viv has trained you well. Is she around?
TIM
You didn’t see her on the way in?
Sam shakes his head.
TIM
She probably just stepped into the back office for a minute to check delivery schedules or something like that…
Tim hands Sam his drink.
TIM
You, sir are about 10 minutes too late this morning.
SAM
Oh?
TIM
Viv absolutely tore up the place. It’s the fastest I’ve ever seen anyone pump out drinks and every single one was perfect.
SAM
I’d expect nothing less.
TIM
We were just noticing how much more perky she is today…
SAM
She seems kind of perky to me every day.
TIM
But she was singing.
SAM
Really? That IS new. Did you recognize the song.
TIM
Something with the words — I’m in heaven when you smile.
SAM
Oh… Right…Jackie Wilson said…
TIM
Huh? I don’t know Jackie Wilson…
SAM
Ah… it’s Van Morrison.
TIM
Thought you said Jackie Wilson said, now it’s Van Morrison?
SAM
(laughing) No! The song’s name is…
TIM
Something to do with being all wired up… don’t need no coffee in my cup?
SAM
By Van Morrison.
TIM
Said Jackie Wilson.
Just then Viv walks back over.
VIV
Oh, Sam. Great to see you again. How are you?
SAM
Fine thanks for asking. (to Tim). You’re right. (to Viv) What’s gotten into you? You look especially perky today.
VIV
I had a great evening.
SAM
Oh? Who’s the lucky man? I didn’t know I had competition…
He winks at Viv.
VIV
It’s not like that. Not at all.
SAM
Whew! So perhaps I can buy you a drink and you can tell me all about it.
VIV
Love to, Sam. But you know how crazy Mondays are … with deliveries and all.
SAM
Okay, how about tomorrow?
Viv smiles and shakes her head no.
VIV
Sorry but…
SAM
Gonna make this tough on me, huh? Fine, I can wait. I’ll check in with you later in the week.
Sam waves and exits the cafe.
CUT TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Still Monday morning. This time, the view is from above.
JOEY
What’d you make of that?
FRANNIE
Looks like Sam was finally making his move. He’s been flirting with her for a while.
JOEY
You mean Frankie has competition?
FRANNIE
Joey!
JOEY
Okay. I know. I know.
FRANNIE
If he wants some 1-on-1 time with Viv, he should really shoot for Thursday.
JOEY
Oh… (pause) so you think he’d be a potential movie pal?
FRANNIE
Sure. Why not? He’ll make sure she actually goes. I imagine that Nicole had to do a lot of coaxing to get her out the door last week.
JOEY
Makes sense… if Sam is into movies…
FRANNIE
Come on Joey… If you have an opportunity to spend time outside of work with someone you really care about, are you telling me that what movie is playing would be a deal breaker?
There’s a pause before Joey responded.
JOEY
Good point. Seeing how Sam is with her, he’d probably go along with anything. He’s pretty easy going.
Just then the buzzing of an airplane is heard and a napkin floats down.
JOEY
What’s it say.
FRANNIE
This just in… Empire Strikes Back.
Feature Presentation
JOEY
Oh cool. Monday night movies! Great idea!
FRANNIE
Yeah. Excellent choice too. I think that’ll slow up our pal, Frankie. As opposed to the patient Sam, Frankie is moving like his hair’s on fire.
JOEY
He’ll keep moving ahead with the napkin thing tonight if we don’t hold him back. Getting him to cool his jets has been a challenge.
FRANNIE
I was kind of thinking that maybe he should go for it on Wednesday. Then she’ll be out of here for her movie/date night — where her subconscious will have time to mull it over, you know?
JOEY
I like your thinking… Let’s go track him down and run it by him.
FRANKIE
After you…
JOEY
No, after you. Beauty before age.
FADE OUT.
NOW TO WEDNESDAY
Scene 14 – “Wednesday: Before School Special”
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
The scene opens with a tight shot of the “sandwich” board with colorful writing in chalk: “Wednesday’s Specials.” The shot pulls back and we see Nicole with an eraser in her hand. As she is starting to clear the ITEM off the board, a woman’s voice comes from behind her.
WOMAN’S VOICE
Am I too late? Did you run out?
Recognizing the sound, she fights back a smile, turns around and responds with a serious sounding voice.
NICOLE
I’m afraid so, Ma’am. (pause)
They both start laughing and then Nicole gives the woman a big hug.
NICOLE
Hey, lady! I wasn’t expecting you. Seriously, if you had called ahead, you know I would have set one aside for you.
WOMAN’S VOICE
I know… it’s just… I hadn’t seen your smiling face in a while, so I thought I’d stop by before class.
NICOLE
Class? What class are you taking, Mom?
Now the audience realizes that Nicole is speaking with her mother, CAROL.
CAROL
I finally took your advice and signed up for a writing workshop. Unfortunately, it takes place late in the day … I guess to draw more interest from the 9-5 crowd. Anyway, I figured I’d stop by for a chai and a snack to get energized.
NICOLE
Awesome. I’m so glad you signed up. You’ve been talking about doing that for a while…
CAROL
Yeah… and I’ve been dragging my feet big time.
NICOLE
Hopefully you’ll be in with a some fun people —
Carol smiles. Nicole walks behind the counter and starts making her mom a chai as their conversation continues.
CAROL
I was kind of worried that … since I haven’t written in so long. I might be too rusty.
NICOLE
Mom, you’ve got to start somewhere. Just have fun with it.
While Carol and Nicole are talking, a thirty-something man, STEVEN, walks right up to the counter reading a folded-over sports section, seemingly not paying attention. But when he hears the words “have fun with it,” he seemed to notice. And without looking up from his paper, he said.
STEVEN
Most definitely — it’s all about having fun. In fact, if you aren’t having fun, you ought not be doing it.
Carol turns around slowly and Nicole gives him a look. Feeling their gaze he looks up.
STEVEN
Oh crap! I just said what I was thinking out loud again, huh? I need to stop doing that.
NICOLE
Actually, I’m glad you said it. She needs to hear that from someone else besides me.
Carol smiles at him.
STEVEN
I’m so sorry. Pardon the intrusion. I really should have kept to myself.
NICOLE
What’ll you have?
STEVEN
Kind of undecided. I’m trying something new this week…
CAROL
New? As in new drink?
NICOLE
Just tell me what you’re in the mood for and I’ll put something together for you…
STEVEN
New as in jetting from my day job earlier than normal so I can do some writing.
CAROL
Writing?
NICOLE
Ah… there you go. See Mom, I found you a friend.
CAROL
So you’re a writer?
STEVEN
Well. Not exactly. I do corporate communications writing as part of my day job. Not particularly creative. My brother and I have been kicking around some ideas for a television script, but I’ve been putting off doing anything about it.
CAROL
Television. Interesting!
Nicole hands him his drink.
NICOLE
It’s a Mocha Chai. You looked like someone who’d like a beverage with chocolate in it.
STEVEN
Thanks! Looks yummy!
Nicole wipes the counter and before she can say anything else, the phone rings.
NICOLE
I’ve got to grab that. Enjoy!
Nicole steps away. Carol picks up her drink and heads over to a table in the corner.
CAROL
Nice meeting you. Hope your writing session goes well.
STEVEN
Likewise. Hope you enjoy your class AND most of all… I hope that you have fun.
He moves to a table on the opposite side of the cafe and settles in.
FADE OUT.
Scene 15 – “Wednesday: Closing Time- Two Suitors”
EXT. JEDEMI CAFE
The scene opens with a tight shot at the sign on the front door being flipped to say CLOSED. The lights have been dimmed and Viv can be seen in the distance, straightening things out. The sound of a door handle being tried and knocking can be heard by the audience. From that POV, you can see that Viv has straightened herself up and is looking about trying to figure out where the sound came from.
CUT TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Viv is moving from one section of the cafe over to where she met up with Frankie last time.
VIV
Of course… Closing time on a Wednesday. No doubt my little buddy is paying me a visit.
We see her going through the same routine. Looking under the tables. Fixing the chairs and talking out loud.
VIV
I can’t see you, but I know you’re here.
CUT TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Overhead view.
JOEY
Would you look at that?
DOC
What? What do you see?
JOEY
Isn’t Frankie with Frannie doing some last minute tweaks to their napkins?
DOC
That’s what I thought.
JOEY
Check this out. Viv is actually walking around there looking for Frankie.
DOC
Huh? Interesting.
FRANNIE
What’s interesting?
FRANKIE
Yeah… what are you guys looking at?
Just then, the tapping at the cafe door is heard again — much louder since keys were being used. This time, Viv follows the sound and heads towards the front.
DOC
Joey noticed that Viv was down there looking for you.
JOEY
Yeah… she was saying “I can’t see you…”
FRANKIE
“… but I know you’re here?”
JOEY
That’s right. Guess she thought the tapping was you.
FRANKIE
That’s cool…
FRANNIE
Wonder if she’ll be disappointed to see it’s Sam.
The shot cuts away from the overhead view to the front door of the cafe. Seeing it is Sam, Viv smiles and unlocks it… opening it just a crack.
VIV
Ah, Sam! How are you?
SAM
Fine.
There’s an awkward moment. Viv on one side of the doorway, Sam on the other.
SAM
Uh… Aren’t you going to ask me in?
Viv looks over her shoulder and then back at Sam.
VIV
Oh yeah… well, actually, I’ve almost got the place shut down… so… (hesitantly) Is there something you need?
SAM
I’d love a moment of your time. Remember, I came by earlier in the week and you were kind of slammed.
His smile and warm eyes melt Viv. She goes ahead and fully opens the door to let him in, and then locks it again. She playfully pats his back.
VIV
Yeah. It’s always a pleasure to see your smiling face. It’s just… well… I’ve found myself working extra during our busy periods to squirrel money away for the slow times.
Sam motions Viv towards the “Frankie” table and pulls out a chair for her to sit. She looks around nervously and checks under the table before sitting. Sam notices.
SAM
Is everything alright? You sure are acting… strange.
VIV
Ah… just tired, that’s all.
SAM
You work awfully hard you know. Ever thought of taking some time off?
Viv stops looking around (checking for Frankie) and gives Sam immediate attention with her powerfully energizing blue eyes.
VIV
I don’t know why everyone has been saying that to me lately. As a matter of fact, I have tomorrow evening off.
Sam is now smiling like a Cheshire cat.
VIV
Oh no… what are you up to?
SAM
How about you and me and dinner tomorrow night?
VIV
Actually… I sort of have plans.
Sam looks disappointed.
SAM
Ah, Viv… You made plans without checking with me…
He pauses for effect. Viv falls for it and reaches out to touch his hand.
VIV
Sorry, Sam.
He lets the moment linger for a few seconds more before breaking into a belly (gaffaw-like) laugh.
SAM
Ah Sugar. Just playing. I knew you’d be going to the movies tomorrow. Want some company?
Viv looks at him to see if he’s for real.
VIV
Seriously? You’d sit through an old black & white movie?
SAM
To have a chance to spend time with you darlin’. It would be my pleasure.
VIV
Really?
SAM
Absolutely… What time should I pick you up?
VIV
If you don’t mind, 6pm… here at the cafe.
He gives her a look.
SAM
I thought you had the night off.
VIV
You know… I’m leaving my baby… it’s hard. I just need to make sure that everything is okay before we leave.
SAM
And the show starts at…?
VIV
The main attraction is at 7. But for the half hour before, while everyone is getting settled in, they show old news reels and shorts from that time period… so I’d like to get there early…
SAM
Any chance… we can catch a quick bite after?
VIV
Sure. I know I’ll be starved.
Just then, Viv’s stomach emits a growl.
VIV
Speaking of starved…
He gets up.
SAM
I know. I’ll let you finish up and get out of here.
CUT TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Overhead shot. Watching Sam leave and Viv locking up.
JOEY
Coast is clear. Okay, Frankie it’s show time!
DOC
Uh, Joey… He slipped out while we weren’t looking.
JOEY
Hopefully he’ll move at a quicker pace this evening…
DOC
Yeah… a tired and hungry Viv isn’t going to be too patient.
JOEY
Brevity will gain him big points.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Wednesday Evening
Lights are dim. Viv looks at her watch and looks over the cafe one more time before heading towards the door. She has a look of disappointment on her face and is talking to herself.
VIV
Ah… wonder what happened? I was so certain that…
Just then the sound of a chair being knocked over got her attention. She smiles and turns back around.
VIV
Ah-ha! I knew you were here.
FRANKIE
Howdy, Viv!
VIV
What kept you?
FRANKIE
I didn’t want to interrupt you. I know Sam has been waiting all week to talk to you.
VIV
Really? You knew that?
FRANKIE
Oh yeah.
VIV
So what do you think?
FRANKIE
I know this might sound strange coming from me…
VIV
What? Spill it…
FRANKIE
Go for it! Sam is a really nice guy. We talked it over and believe he’d be great for you — nice way to get some balance in your life.
FRANNIE
Definitely. A night out with a nice guy like that would be a treat, you know. And you work so hard — You deserve it.
The sound of a woman’s voice perks Viv up more.
VIV
Ah… You must be Frannie. Pleasure to meet you.
FRANNIE
Actually, the pleasure is mine. But I’m here on business.
VIV
Oh?
FRANNIE
Yeah. I’m sending you home. There’s a nice calzone on the way for you — so you need to beat the delivery guy to the door.
VIV
Yummy. How thoughtful!
FRANKIE
(sarcastically) Yeah… real thoughtful.
FRANNIE
Good night Viv!
FRANKIE
Yeah. I’ll catch up with you soon.
Viv pushes in her chair and lets herself out.
FRANKIE
Calzone? You ordered calzone?
FRANNIE
Actually, X did… on behalf of Sam.
FRANKIE
Not from us?
FRANNIE
Come on. You just told her to “go for it” regarding Sam. So… Let’s let this Sam thing play out. He’s got a good heart and in the long run,this will help you with your project.
FRANKIE
It will?
FRANNIE
Of course.
There’s a pause.
FRANKIE
Okay… But I’ve got one question.
FRANNIE
Oh yeah? Shoot.
FRANKIE
Did X order calzones for us too?
FRANNIE
I don’t know. Let’s go find out.
FADE OUT.
Hey, did you just jump in at the 7th installment? To check out previous episodes, click here.
Got feedback? Please comment away! We appreciate you input. Thanks for your time!
Speak Your Mind