Tuesday, February 22, 2011

SYZYGY - 12

INT. RESTAURANT


Kara walks back toward the table. When Tom, still picking at the nachos, sees her coming, he waves to get the attention of the band. Tom points at her, and the band’s TRUMPET PLAYER leans into his mike, his voice gravelly.


TRUMPET PLAYER

This one goes out to a lady who’s

feeling a little lost today. Don’t

we all…


He gives a quick four-count and the band lurches into the seven-note motif of the “Lost In Space” theme. Kara realizes what it is and smiles. She points a finger at Tom: “You did this.” Tom shrugs and starts laughing. On the way back to the table, she gives a thumbs-up to the band, all of whom wave at her.


KARA

We should get going.


TOM

You’re ready?


KARA

Yes. I’ve got an idea, too. What’s

west of here?


TOM

I have no idea. Nothing, probably.


KARA

Come on. We’ll talk in the car.



EXT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON/EVENING


From high above the Middle of Nowhere plaza, we watch Tom and Kara walk back to their car, get in, and drive away. After they’ve gone, the shadow of the obelisk starts swinging around, crossing several of the roman numerals on the building’s facade. It now becomes clear that the plaza is a giant sundial, and the shadow slides from afternoon to early evening.


Time slows to its regular pace, and Raven’s car pulls into the lot. She and Eyeball get out, look around, and head for the restaurant.


RAVEN

This must be where they stopped.

Well ask around, gas up, grab

something to eat, and be back on

the road in thirty minutes.


EYEBALL

Must be. It’s the only thing out

here.



INT. RESTAURANT - EVENING


Inside, there are several more patrons than before, and the band is playing with a little more energy. Raven steps up to the bar, and Eyeball lingers nearby to watch the band. Sharon comes over to Raven.


SHARON

What can I get you?


RAVEN

Actually, I’m looking for a couple

that must have been here around

four.



Sharon immediately knows who she’s talking about and looks at Raven suspiciously.


SHARON

What about them?


RAVEN

So they were here? A man and a woman?


SHARON

Yeah. Nice lady. I talked to her

for a while. What’s your interest?


RAVEN

The man she was with was my husband.


SHARON

Ohhh… I see. Well, then you should know

that he’s not going to sleep with her.


RAVEN

You think I care about that?


SHARON

Yes I do. In fact, I think that’s

one of the few things you do care

about.



Sharon is now looking directly into Raven’s eyes, first one, then the other, as if she’s reading words written there.


SHARON

Other than that, I’m seeing nothing.


Raven turns her eyes away.


RAVEN

There’s nothing to see.


SHARON

I think there is. But it’s buried

so deep that not even you can find

it. You’ll need someone else to

bring it out.


RAVEN

Won’t happen. Everything’s… broken.


SHARON

You’ll see. Sometimes things just

line up and fall into place. Isn’t

that right? Your husband has faith

in that. I think you should too.



Raven now turns back to her.


RAVEN

Who are you?


SHARON

Just a bartender. There’s something

following you. I can feel it.



EXT. RESTAURANT - EVENING/NIGHT


Raven almost runs out the front door. Eyeball follows her back to the car, trying to keep up.


EYEBALL

What did she say to you?


RAVEN

They were here… God, my head…

(puts her hands to her temples)

…here.



She throws him the car keys.


RAVEN

Can you drive for a while?


EYEBALL

Sure. Are you all right?


RAVEN

I don’t know. Let’s just go.



They get into Raven’s car and drive off. Once again, time speeds up, and the sundial rotates further, until the sun sets and all the shadows merge into one. There are more cars in the parking lot, and the neon lights come on, outlining the shape of the building. Time resumes its normal speed, and a car rushes in from the horizon, only slowing down as it nears. The car parks sloppily, and Jake jumps out, not at all tired. He walks into the restaurant, wincing a little when he hears the music.


INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT


Frau Diablo is playing onstage for a crowd of about two dozen people, doing their jazzy improvisations on the “Lost In Space” theme. Sharon is quite busy, her hands pouring and taking money all at once. As her hand comes down on a five, Jake’s hand slaps down on top of hers, pinning it. She looks up and meets Jake’s eyes. The connection of their hands immediately causes the music to fade into the background along with the rest of the world as they speak to each other.


JAKE

Good evening.


She is instantly transfixed by his gaze.


SHARON

H-Hello.


JAKE

I was hoping you could help me find

someone.


SHARON

(terrified)

That’s what everyone wants from me

today.

(looks into his eyes)

I know you… you’re not welcome here.


JAKE

I’m not who you think I am. We get

mistaken for each other all the time.

I actually find it a little insulting.


SHARON

You won’t catch them. They’re too far

ahead of you.


JAKE

I always catch up to everyone…

eventually. You can’t escape chaos.


SHARON

Yes, we can. We’re human. We’re the

opposite of chaos. We create order.


JAKE

(laughs)

Oh, that’s so cute! You never learn

until it’s too late that things are

precisely the other way around.


SHARON

I don’t believe you…


JAKE

You don’t have to. You’ll learn sooner

than you think, maybe.


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