Putting the weekend in perspective and pondering choices…
BLACK SCREEN WITH WHITE WRITING
Monday
You can hear the sounds of a coffee maker completing its cycle and then the “beep, beep, beep” signifying that the coffee is done. The words fade from the screen.
FADE IN:
INT. FRAN’S HOUSE
Fran is sitting at her table, sipping at her coffee. She slips the elastic band off of her new journal and begins to write.
Fran’s voice is heard reading what is being written.
FRAN
Morning Musings
You know what song is running around in my head right now? It’s
that “Freak out” one…”Le Freak ” say Chic:
“…All that pressure’s
got you down
got your head spinning
all around…”And what sucks about that is now I’m beginning to wonder if I dreamed up the whole thing. Like the trip to Oregon never really happened. Yeah that’s weird, I know. It’s just… the drop back into reality was rather abrupt.
Show clips sepia toned of Julie and Fran emerging from the air terminal, heading for the parking lot.
I’m not exactly sure what triggered it, but we ended up leaving early. And I was really starting to get comfortable too, and didn’t want to give up any of my Oregon Shangri-La time.
Gayle, the diplomat, gently touched my shoulder and encouraged me to practice acceptance. That’s so hard for me too. But somehow, in Gayle’s unique way, I got over being upset and kind of set my mind to carry that Oregon feeling with me. Now there’s a challenge!
The cool thing is that Julie seemed actually “purposeful” not anxious on the trip back. That helped a lot because if she was all spinning out, I probably would have gotten into it with her…
Show clip of Julie being dropped off at her car and Fran driving home as the sun sets.
A major take-away from that trip is that I can do anything if I just make up my mind. She lives her life that way and is constantly encouraging me (and reminding me). Plus, the thing I should hang on to (besides the ocean smells and the sand dollars) is that “Yo, Adrian!” feeling I get when I do something beyond my expectations.
That feeling…
So here we are… Monday morning. A new day and an opportunity to live proactively and to be consciously aware of my choices. And choice #1 is to try to find a way to recreate that wonderful feeling at work. I need to talk to Doogie about it.
We really need to play more. How cool would that be?
Management is pretty much set in their own self-absorbed world anyway, so as long as we make our deliverables, they can’t tell if we’re playing or not.
Note to self: Play more! Wow, I can’t wait.! -Fran
Fran snaps the elastic onto her journal and pulls a book out of her backpack and begins reading.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. FRAN’S CUBE
Doogie is sitting in Fran’s cubicle on one of her side chairs. Fran has the sports section spread on her desk and her computer on. It keeps pinging, but she ignores it. She eyes the sports section while Doogie brings her up to speed.
DOOGIE
So what happened? Do tell!
FRAN
First thing’s first. Catch me up. I’ve been in rural Oregon with no sports feeds… So?
DOOGIE
Okay, quick rundown… Yanks swept…like that’s a surprise. The Indians scalped Boston, setting up the AL championship series which starts on Tuesday.
FRAN
What do you think? The Yanks will sweep that too?
DOOGIE
Should go at least 5 games.
FRAN
Humm…
DOOGIE
On Wednesday, it’ll be the Braves versus the Padres for the NL championship showdown…
FRAN
Braves, huh? (scanning the paper) Was it ugly (pronounced U-GLEE)?
DOOGIE
I’m afraid so. The exclamation point was a grand slam off Rod Beck in the 8th.
FRAN
Those lovable Cubbies… well, maybe next year (pause) or next (pause) or next.
DOOGIE
Quiet you!
Fran is laughing.
FRAN
Let’s see, I can’t pick Braves for obvious reasons…
DOOGIE
Obviously!
FRAN
So I guess it’ll end up being Padres and Yanks in the World Series.
DOOGIE
So sure are you? And how many games do you think it’ll take for the Padres to dispense with those wretched Braves.
FRAN
I’d like a sweep, but suspect it’ll go the distance. The Braves won’t fall quietly.
Doogie gets up, closes the sports section and then rolls it up. Making like a field reporter, he continues.
DOOGIE
That concludes this day’s MLB update. Let’s go to our roaming reporter, Fran to hear how things went in Oregon. Take it away Fran…
He hands her the newspaper microphone.
FRAN
Charming. All too charming.
Just then, as the words charming escape Fran’s lips, in walks a very stylin’ Julie. She’s wearing a new suit and carrying a coffee cup. She enters and doesn’t notice that Doogie is in Fran’s cube.
JULIE
Hey, girl? (pause) Who’s too charming?
Doogie stands at attention and then bows at the waist. Fran is laughing.
DOOGIE
At your service…
FRAN
There you have it… Introducing our company’s very own Prince Charming. He could be yours if the price is right.
Fran winks.
JULIE
(shaking her head and blushing slightly) I see.
FRAN
What time’s your meeting?
JULIE
It’s dry run mid-morning and then the big meeting is right after lunch, which is cool because I’ll have a chance to double-check my numbers… Speaking of which… I should get going.
DOOGIE
Okay… your very own prince awaits your return.
Fran nudges him and motions for him to settle down. Julie has moved quickly into the hallway and on her way.
DOOGIE
Nice outfit, by the way… (he calls out).
Doogie turns towards Fran.
DOOGIE
Ah… now where were we?
Just then Fran’s phone rings and email pings simultaneously.
DOOGIE
Alas, once again saved by the bell (shaking his head, then taking on a German accent): Ve have our vays to get zuch informations…
He gets up and walks towards the cube entry, reaches over and pulls the newspaper microphone out of Fran’s hand.
DOOGIE
‘Zis you no longer need… But I WILL be back…
Doogie exits.
FADE OUT.
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To be continued in Toll House Tales #124
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