Inside is a small restaurant that continues the adobe/stucco style of the building’s exterior. It is empty but well-kept, with a tiny stage in the corner where a five-man jazz combo is playing a funky version of “Tequila”. An easel next to them reads “Appearing tonight: Frau Diablo.” Kara and Tom stops at the greeting area, where a placard on a stand states “Please wait for parrot”.
What does that mean?
They are both startled by a loud squawk from SIDNEY THE PARROT.
Good afternoon! How many? squawk!
They stare, dumbfounded, at the parrot, who is perched on a small wooden railing that runs along the wall five feet off the floor. Sidney blinks patiently.
How many? squawk!
TOM
Uh, two?
SIDNEY
Name?
TOM
Tom.
SIDNEY
Thank you! squawk!
Sidney waddles off sideways along the railing. Kara starts laughing. He disappears around the corner, and Tom and Kara watch as he hops down into the hostess’ podium. A WAITRESS is waiting there for him. She talks to the parrot quietly as Tom and Kara look at each other, amused.
(in Tom’s voice)
Uh, two?… Tom.
WAITRESS
Thank you, Sidney.
She gives the parrot a small treat, which he crunches up immediately. The waitress grabs two menus and comes around the corner.
This way, please.
TOM
(to Kara)
Go ahead and sit. I’ll be there
in a second. I have to…
Tom leaves as the waitress leads Kara to a small table. Across the room from the stage is a bar, lined with mirrors. A woman stands there, watching the band jam. She watches Tom head for the restroom, then looks at Kara studiously.
I’ll put you over here, away from
the band. They’re just doing a sound
check, so they won’t be much longer.
KARA
Sure. That’s fine.
INT. RESTAURANT - MEN’S ROOM
Tom steps up to the sink, watching himself in the mirror. He washes his hands while studying his face, as if looking for something there.
What are you doing?
INT. JAKE’S CAR - DAY
A speedometer needle buried past 120. Jake keeps smiling as he roars through the countryside, the radio still blaring static. He’ll be entering the desert soon.
INT. RESTAURANT
Tom arrives at the table, where Kara is eating nachos and watching the band.
(gesturing to the food)
That was pretty fast.
KARA
Well, it’s not like they have much
else to do here.
Tom smiles, sits down, and becomes serious.
Kara, I know you don’t want to, but
we’ve got to talk about what we’re
going to do next. I mean, I’m not
regretting getting you out of there,
but we—
KARA
Well, we’re going to have lunch,
then get back on the road and keep
driving.
TOM
Right, but we can’t get away from
Raven. The car’s bugged, and she’s
not going to give up. I know her.
This is too important.
KARA
(trying to change the subject)
Look, what’s wrong with just eating,
driving until we get tired, and then
we can find a hotel somewhere and see
what happens next. Doesn’t that sound
romantic? Why do we have to plan
anything?
TOM
Kara, you’re not listening. There’s
nowhere safe for us to go. If we make
it to the coast we’ll be very lucky.
KARA
(starting to lose her composure)
Not only are you turning me down, but
both your wife and my husband want me
dead.
(starts crying)
And I didn’t even do anything!
Tom reaches across the table and places his hand on her arm.
I’m sorry. I’m not trying to upset
you. You just can’t block it out.
We’ve got to work this out together.
KARA
I wish I could just keep going and
going… Jake was everything I had…
everything I let myself have, anyway.
And now he’s gone.
Tom can see that she’s not going to be of any help at the moment.
We can at least enjoy our lunch,
okay? When we get back on the road,
then we can figure something out.
KARA
(wiping her eyes)
Yeah. Okay. I’ll be right back. I
just have to pull myself together
a little.
TOM
Sure.
Kara stands and heads for the women’s room. Tom picks up the menu.
(to himself)
Great, Tom. Super. Really fine job.
INT. WOMEN’S ROOM
Kara stands before the mirror just as Tom did, looking at herself. Her hair is limp, her mascara smudged. She sets about repairing the damage, digging around in her purse for makeup. A flushing sound comes from behind her, and the bartender steps out of one of the stalls. Her name is SHARON.
Hiya.
KARA
(not looking)
Hi.
Sharon walks past her, opens the door. Just as she’s about to leave, she stops and turns back.
Sorry, but do you want to talk?
KARA
Excuse me?
SHARON
You feel like you need to talk to
someone.
KARA
How could you possibly tell that?
Sharon comes back in, lets the door shut.
Sometimes I can feel things. The
only people who come through here
are either on their way to something
big, or away from something big.
Usually I can tell what it is. I
can see a lot of things running
around in your eyes.
KARA
Does it look like I’ve got trouble?
SHARON
In spades. That must be one killer
of a date you’ve got there.
KARA
(quietly)
Hope not.
SHARON
Hm?
KARA
(faking a smile)
So far.
Sharon can tell that Kara doesn’t really want to talk, so she tries another approach, walking over to her as Kara starts fixing her makeup in the mirror.
Look, if that guy’s messing with
you, I could go in back and get the
cook. He’s a pretty big guy…
KARA
No, it’s okay.
SHARON
If I’m overstepping, just say so.
But I get a strong feeling that
you wouldn’t be where you are now
if people didn’t butt into your life.
KARA
(warming up a little)
Amen to that.
SHARON
You’re gonna be okay. I know you are.
KARA
I hope so. I just really feel alone
right now.
SHARON
Well, that’s no surprise. If loneliness
has a capitol, you’re there.
(thinks for a moment)
There’s something you want from him,
something he won’t let you have.
KARA
Well, I told him I wanted to spend
the night with him, and he basically
turned me down.
SHARON
First time that’s happened?
Kara stops her makeup application and looks at Sharon now.
Yes.
SHARON
Well, that’s not always a bad thing.
I noticed you’re both married,
obviously not to each other. Might
not be a good idea.
KARA
But what for? His wife is some kind
of… I don’t even know. It’s just
been so long since someone wanted
more than this…
(gestures to her face and body)
He knows me. He really cares. I don’t
know how to react. No one’s ever…
SHARON
Seen you as something more?
KARA
Yes.
SHARON
Then you should trust him. And your-
self, too.
KARA
You think so?
SHARON
Absolutely. There are many ways
this can all turn out, but you’re
heading the right way.
It feels as though she’s seen what’s going to happen. Kara, for some reason, doesn’t question it.
I guess that’s what I needed to hear.
Thanks…
SHARON
Sharon.
KARA
Kara. Thanks.
They shake hands.
That’s my job. You’ll be receiving
my bill.
Kara laughs a little, goes out into the restaurant. Something has bothered Sharon, though. She looks at her hand as if there’s something in it.
But who is your husband? Why can’t
I see him?
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