Breakfast With Brown

BREAKFAST WITH BROWN

Written by Christopher Michael Carter

EXT. GAS STATION - MORNING

Not too busy. Customers come and go casually.

A pickup truck’s parked at the pump.

JACK pumps gas. BROWN sits on the back of the truck. Both thirty-something males. Old friends.

INT. GAS STATION

A truck driver buys a coffee at the register and exits.

An old lady steps up next, setting a 40oz of liquor down on the counter.

The young cashier looks at her.

She smiles back, toothless.

INT. GAS STATION – ALT.

To the side of the convenience store is a dining area. Customers eat the gas station grub.

Old men drink coffee while reading the paper.

Jack & Brown sit at one of the makeshift booths.

Jack watches Brown readjust the napkin holder and the jar of sweeteners.

JACK

So, when’d you get in?

BROWN

Tuesday.

JACK

Ah, Tuesday.

Brown continues to readjust and organize.

BROWN

Good ol’ Tuesday.

A WAITRESS approaches – young, chipper.

WAITRESS

What can I get you guys today?

JACK

Scrambled eggs and a bagel.

BROWN

Just hash browns.

WAITRESS

(Smacking gum)

And to drink?

JACK

I’ll have a coke.

BROWN

You’re getting soda?

JACK

I know it’s breakfast and all but I want a soda.

The waitress watches them – pen poised, awaiting a decision.

BROWN

Ya know what soda does to your insides?

Jack and the waitress look at each other and shrug before looking back to Brown.

BROWN

No? Let me just say this – you can put a nail in a bowl of cola and it would eat it like acid within a week or so.

Brown looks back and forth at the two.

JACK

…Why would you put a nail in cola?

BROWN

It’s just the point. It’s really bad for you, you should stop.

JACK

Alright, alright. Just some coffee please.

(To Brown)

That should be okay. Hm?

BROWN

 (Rolling his eyes)

Orange juice.

                    

WAITRESS

Alrighty.

Brown reaches out and stops her.

BROWN

Oh, and please… no pulp.

She eyes him and pops her gum.

WAITRESS

I’ll see what I can do.

Waitress exits.

JACK

Not a pulp fan?

BROWN

Fuck pulp.

Jack nods and sighs slightly.

CUT

CAPTION - MOMENTS LATER.

INT/EXT. JACK’S TRUCK

Jack drives – baffled/furious. Brown’s calm and oblivious.

BROWN

Man, how rude. I can’t believe they kicked us out.

JACK

Damn it! Why can’t you just let shit go!?

BROWN

What? I said no pulp. I even said please.

JACK

You didn’t have to do THAT! You scared the hell out of that woman! Why do you have a gun, anyway?

BROWN

(Shrugs)

I need it for work.

Jack’s eyes widen and he stammers.

JACK

Work? You? You’re unemployed!

BROWN

Exactly. Can’t be too safe.

JACK

(Groans)

I don’t believe this.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET

The truck stops curbside in front of Brown’s house.

INT/EXT. JACK’S TRUCK

Brown unbuckles his seatbelt. Jack shakes his head, can’t even look at him.

BROWN

I, for one, don’t feel I was out of line. What’s the old saying about the customer being right?

JACK

Whatever, man. I’ll call you tomorrow.

BROWN

Alright, later.

Brown exits. Jack exhales exhaustedly before driving off.

CUT

END