LOCAL BAR / STREET - VERY LATE NIGHT / EARLY MORNING
There are a few tables scattered around, with placemats, empty used glasses, bowls of peanuts etc. There are several Non Smoking signs on the wall. In the corner sits DOMINIC. He seems to be very alone and the depressing music playing in the pub fits his general energy. He has the appearance of someone who is without friends, without a job, without a life. He's nursing a drink, and finishing a cigarette. He is looking down at the table where he's playing with a coaster - dismantling it bit by bit. After a while NICOLE, a waitress, comes from a room out the back, and turns the music off. She is wearing an apron, has her hair up in a pony tail, and has a cloth in her hand. She starts to wipe down the tables and stack up the glasses. She is the same age as DOMINIC, and looks as though life has already worn her down too. When NICOLE comes to DOMINIC's table, she at first doesn't look at him. NICOLE: (as she starts to wipe down his table) We're closing. DOMINIC doesn't answer. NICOLE: (routine, disinterested) The Boss has asked if you could finish your beer and ... As she turns away she glances at him for the first time. NICOLE: Dominic? DOMINIC: (not looking up) Yeah. How ya goin, Nicole? NICOLE: You look like shit. I didn't recognise ya. DOMINIC: Nice to see you too. You slag. And he looks up and gives her a sad smile. She smiles too. She's not offended at all and in that moment we see a history between them. NICOLE: Arsehole. DOMINIC: Retard. NICOLE: Dipshit. They both share a tired laugh. He offers her a cigarette. NICOLE: It's (pointing to the various signs) non-smoking. DOMINIC: Right. And he lights up another cigarette. NICOLE: Dom ... it's my job to tell ya to put out your cigarette. The Boss is here and (desperately) I need this job. DOMINIC takes a long, slow drag on his cigarette. Looks at NICOLE. He picks up a few peanuts to eat, and then puts out the cigarette in the bowl of remaining peanuts. NICOLE: The nuts 'r full of other dudes' piss anyway ... bit o' nicotine won't hurt. They laugh again. DOMINIC: Always liked your sense of humour, Nicky. She hears The Boss make a noise out the back. NICOLE: I'll keep cleaning up. DOMINIC: I'll help. NICOLE: No. I don't want any trouble. DOMINIC: Ok. She goes to another table. He picks up his beer and goes with her. He sits and places his beer on the new table, making a mark from the glass on the table. She looks at him warily. DOMINIC: What? I'm making ya look busy ... for The Boss. She wipes it up. END OF FIRST PAGE |