FREIGHT
Written by Christopher
Michael Carter
FADE IN
EXT. POP’S DINER – DAY – CONTINUOUS
Welcome to Pop’s Diner on this sunny morning.
Traffic is light. Customers come and go.
POP – owner, older, short, stocky, balding – wipes down one of the front
windows and waves to passersby.
Chapter 1. Open Doors
INT. POP’S DINER
Appears to have been preserved since the fifties – homey, classic.
The doors open. Enter RANDY, CHRIS, and NICK – younger, slimmer than the other two. Average clothing with
backpacks and laptops.
They set their bags down at the first table right
behind the door.
NICK
Eh, we’ll just sit here. Up towards the kitchen’s
too loud sometimes.
Nick sits down with his laptop and begins setting it
up.
Chris and Randy stand at the places they were about
to sit.
RANDY
(Shaking his head)
No, this won’t work.
NICK
What’s that?
RANDY
You guys sitting there. It places my back towards
the door.
NICK
…So?
CHRIS
(Wincing)
You’re such a paranoid bastard.
RANDY
(Shrugging)
What? When I was younger I had a traumatic experience
with a door.
Chris rolls his eyes. Nick’s confused.
NICK
Eh?
RANDY
No, really. When I was a kid, my friend and I were
building a Lego village by the front door when my dad came home from work. The
door swings open hitting my friend in the head.
Brief pause. Chris’s face drops in his hand. Nick
scratches his head.
NICK
So, your friend died?
RANDY
(Totally serious)
No. It hit him, sending the gum out of his mouth and
into mine causing me to choke on it. I was about blue when the paramedics got there.
(Shaking his head)
Coulda died… I was scarred for life…
A muted chuckle from Chris. Nick opens his mouth
with a hand out, then recoils to a straight face.
NICK
(Dry)
Deep.
Randy opens a comic book.
Nick returns to his laptop.
Chris can’t stifle his laughter anymore.
CHRIS
(Laughing)
Aaaah, that’s beautiful. I gotta piss. Be right
back.
Chris exits. Randy and Nick sit quietly; both
reading their separate things.
NICK
(Very calm and dry)
So you like… had that dude’s spit in your mouth…
Randy puts his comic down. Looks forward with an
irritated but blank face before dropping his head, face down.
FADE OUT
Chapter 2. Enter the Geek
FADE IN
INT. POP’S DINER – ALT.
Pop looks over, stopping an indistinct conversation,
noticing…
MELVIN – tall, nerdy, red hair, thick glasses, braces – walks down the
sidewalk out front and turns to the front door.
Employees seem almost scared.
POP
(Over his shoulder)
Melvin!
KITCHEN CREW (O.S.)
Melvin!
Pop takes a key, crouches down and opens a locked
cabinet underneath and takes out a mid-sized lock box.
He sets it down on the counter with a loud THUD. On
top of the box is a strip of tape with “MELVIN” written on it.
Melvin enters. His pants hiked up as high as they
can go with his button up shirt tucked in.
A couple of NERDS
sitting at a table are in awe.
SLUG - short black hair, a bit of a drooling issue.
SLUG
Wow…
(Slurps)
It’s the Maestro.
FERGUSON - taller than Slug, shaggy blonde hair and acne.
FERGUSON
Can’t believe the Maestro is here.
Melvin walks up to the counter-
And slaps down a hundred dollar bill.
MELVIN
(Dead serious)
Quarters.
Pop slides the lockbox over.
Melvin opens it and takes out rolls of brand new
quarters.
He walks over to the table by the arcade games. The
two nerds are already clearing his table for him.
MELVIN
Ferguson – coke, cherry. Slug - French fries, chili,
extra ketchup. …And don’t drool in it this time.
SLUG
(Slurping)
Okay, Melvin.
Melvin eyes the arcade, NOT-SO-SHALLOW GRAVE, before
he pops his knuckles and stretches.
He puts two quarters in the machine with his hand
looking like the thumb-and-finger-gun.
He hits start with the reflection of the game’s
opening flash of colors on his thick glasses.
FADE OUT
Chapter 3. A Laughing Matter
FADE IN
INT. MEN’S RESTROOM
Chris (from Chapter
One) walks up to the sink to wash his hands when he sees STEVE - very pale, skinny man in all black clothing - leaned over the sink,
not looking good.
CHRIS
Hey, bro, you alright?
STEVE
(Lifting his head)
Yeah. It was just a rough night.
CHRIS
(Reassured)
Ah, I hear ya. Hit it a bit hard.
STEVE
Yeah.
INT. POP’S DINER – ALT.
Steve sits down at this booth in dark sunglasses. He
looks around, suspicious.
His friend, JEFF
- a comedian, average build and dress
- is across from him. Jeff sits with his arms crossed and his face in a wince.
JEFF
I know I haven’t seen you in a while but, I gotta
say, I wasn’t expecting this.
(Uncrossing his arms)
What’s with this look, anyway? Who are you, like, Count
Steve? You look like a vampire, man. Have ya seen the sun lately? I’m sure it
misses you dearly.
Steve shakes his head.
STEVE
(Dryly)
Funny guy…
JEFF
(Standing up)
You’re starting to creep me out; work on that. I’ll
be right back.
STEVE
Whatever.
Steve moves his hair from his face and turns his
head. Two puncture marks and slight bruising is visible on his neck.
JEFF
And whoever gave you that hickey needs to talk to
their dentist.
Jeff exits.
INT. MEN’S RESTROOM
Jeff finishes at the urinal. He goes to the sink and
begins washing his hands.
A COP – white, tall, in uniform - steps out of
the stall, zipping up.
COP
Yep, yep.
The Cop spits in his hands and slicks his hair back
with it and exits the bathroom.
Jeff dries his hands, shocked and confused.
INT. POP’S DINER – ALT.
Steve sits in the booth when Jeff returns seeming
bothered.
He sits down and looks around a little.
JEFF
You wouldn’t consider me super clean or a neat freak
would you?
STEVE
Nah, man. You’re about average.
JEFF
I can stand a little filth sometimes. I may tidy up
here and then but I’m not spotless.
STEVE
In fact, sometimes you’re a downright slob.
JEFF
Thank you. That’s what I’m saying.
Brief pause.
STEVE
…Filthy bastard.
JEFF
Alright, I get it. Point made.
STEVE
So anyway…
JEFF
So, anyway, I’m in the bathroom. I’m washing my
hands and the officer that’s just now leaving.
Two COPS –
the one from the bathroom and his shorter
partner - about to leave the diner.
STEVE
Which one?
JEFF
I don’t know; the tall one? Anyway, he doesn’t wash
his hands.
STEVE
So?
JEFF
“So?” What do you mean “So?”?
STEVE
Maybe he didn’t want his hands wet. Were their paper
towels or a blower?
JEFF
Yes and yes, if those hands were wet, they were
coming out dry, my friend. The thing is, he spits on his hands and slicks his
hair back.
Steve’s head cocks back.
STEVE
Yeah, that seems a little… uh…
JEFF
Exactly. Ya know, I think I’m gonna put it in my
bit.
STEVE
Good.
Jeff takes out a little notebook and jots it down.
The Officer and his partner walk out the door.
OFFICER
See ya, Pop!
POP (O.S.)
Later, officers; thanks for coming by!
Something strikes Jeff…
JEFF
(Something on his mind)
Huh…
STEVE
What?
JEFF
The concept of the hand dryers always kinda bugged
me. How lazy are people these days that they can’t dry their hands with the
proper drying tools given.
STEVE
You know what the trick is; to start with one or the
other and use the other finish.
JEFF
What is this, a factory? It’s cleaning hands, here.
My six year old can dry his hands on his shirt and doesn’t need the next
station to secure dryness.
They laugh a little.
STEVE
(Shaking his head)
I’ve never seen anyone rant on about pointless stuff
like you.
JEFF
I’m saying. The damn dryer doesn’t even do its job.
It takes off some of the water but the heat and all leaves your hands clammy.
Feels like I’ve been wrestling a sponge.
STEVE
You’re right.
JEFF
I’m tellin’ ya. Worthless machinery.
Jeff returns to his coffee.
FADE OUT
Chapter 4. Lonesome Magic
INT. POP’S DINER – ALT.
A MAGICIAN
enters – looks like he’s just come from a
carnival, mousy demeanor, top hot, black suit.
The quiet, timid man sits at a booth with his box of
tricks and props.
Customers don’t take notice and continue their
morning.
The Magician’s going through his trunk when waitress
JANET - thin with red hair – approaches.
JANET
Hi there. We interested in breakfast?
The Magician shakes his head ‘no’ calmly.
She walks away a little frustrated.
Janet goes to Pop with the Magician behind them.
POP
Honey, he comes here every week and practices his
bits. Never orders anything. Never says anything.
JANET
(Turning to the Magician)
I’ll bring you some water at least.
He smiles before going back to his work.
TONI - another waitress, thin, black - approaches Pop.
TONI
Pop, I don’t know why you let him come here if he
never gets anything.
POP
He’s just trying to find his place in the world.
Besides, it adds a little color to Pop’s Diner.
The Magician pulls flowers out of his sleeve,
fumbling them. He exhales with a frown. Janet returns with his water.
JANET
Here you go, sweetie.
He smiles before reaching up behind her ear.
JANET
Oh…
He drops several quarters down her and onto the
floor, trying to catch them.
JANET
It’s, it’s okay. I got it. Thank you.
He lets out a defeatist sigh while she smiles and
exits.
Chapter 5. A Bet
INT. POP’S DINER – ALT.
Three men sit at a booth. Two GENTLEMEN – older, white, in black
suits - on one side. DAVID ROSS
- a little younger, average build and
dress.
David takes a bite of his omelet.
DAVID
Mmm damn. Now, that’s a good omelet. Care for some?
The two men appear stiff, near emotionless.
GENTLEMAN 1
No thanks.
DAVID
No? Okay.
(To Gentleman 2)
You?
Gentleman 2 - on
his cellphone - shakes his head ‘no’.
DAVID
No? Cheesy goodness… Okay. So hey, thanks for
meeting me here, guys.
GENTLEMAN 1
What’s this about, misterrrrr?
David puts his fork down and wipes his mouth with
his napkin.
DAVID
Ross. David Ross. I’m here about my friend, Mr. Tim
Glenn.
GENTLEMAN 1
(Nodding)
Ah, okay…
DAVID
Yeah, your former boss…
Gentleman 1’s eyebrows raise and he leans in closer.
GENTLEMAN 1
I’m sorry?
DAVID
…My friend, your ex-boss, Mr. Glenn?
GENTLEMAN 2
(To Gentleman 1)
I’m gonna be out in the car.
(To David)
Nice meeting you, misterrr?
DAVID
Ross. David Ross.
GENTLEMAN 2
Right.
Gentleman 2 exits.
GENTLEMAN 1
Your friend worked on the second floor of our office
and was stealing pens, protractors, and other supplies from our company. That’s
why we let him go.
DAVID
I’m sorry. You… Let him go? He didn’t
let you go.
GENTLEMAN 1
(Nodding)
Correct.
David motions to him & the Gentleman with his
hands.
DAVID
You fired him. This is what you’re telling me.
GENTLEMAN 1
Correct.
Gentleman 1 checks his watch.
DAVID
Now, you see, I heard it was vice versa.
GENTLEMAN 1
(Shaking his head)
No, sir.
DAVID
I could be wrong. It has happened before.
GENTLEMAN 1
I’m sure it has.
DAVID
Huh… You… Fired… Him… Heh, alrighty.
David nods, smiling, wiping his mouth and puts his
napkin down.
DAVID
Sir, you just won me a bet.
GENTLEMAN 1
Did I now? Is that what this is about?
DAVID
Yeah, see Tim is my roommate…
GENTLEMAN 1
And he claimed he fired me?
DAVID
Exactly.
GENTLEMAN 1
A little eccentric, isn’t he?
DAVID
I would certainly say so.
(Shaking his head)
Ah, you fired him, boy…
They chuckle shortly before it comes to a halt.
The Gentleman twiddles his thumbs; a bit of silence
passes until the ice is broken.
GENTLEMAN 1
So tell me, Mr. Ross…
DAVID
Yeah?
GENTLEMAN 1
What does he do with all the pens and supplies
anyway?
DAVID
Well, he does that cartoon for the paper… Ya know
that comic strip Shruggles?
GENTLEMAN 1
Ahh.
DAVID
Yeah, you know the bunny that’s adopted by the
suburban family…
GENTLEMAN 1
Yes, it’s a delightful read. How does Shruggles
always manage to solve those mysteries?
DAVID
I don’t know but he’s good. Ya know, I haven’t told
him yet but I think Shruggles is gonna be the next Scooby Doo.
GENTLEMAN 1
Oh, I agree.
DAVID
Sooo…
GENTLEMAN 1
So what?
DAVID
So do you think maybe you could rehire him? Ya know,
you like his cartoon and all.
GENTLEMAN 1
(Shaking his head)
No.
DAVID
No?
GENTLEMAN 1
No, I’m sorry. I don’t see it happening.
DAVID
Okay…? Well…
(Motions between them two)
This was good though. This was.
GENTLEMAN 1
(Getting up)
Well, I should get back to the office. It was
interesting meeting you, Mr. Ross. Here, let me get the check.
Gentleman 1 reaches into his jacket. David puts his
hand out.
DAVID
Nah, it’s okay. My girlfriend should be meeting me
here shortly.
Before exiting, Gentleman 1 turns back.
GENTLEMAN 1
Say, do you think I could get an autographed picture
of Shruggles for my daughter? It’s her birthday next week.
DAVID
(Shaking his head)
Eh, no.
GENTLEMAN 1
No?
DAVID
(Shaking his head)
Yeah, no. Sorry. I don’t see it happening…
GENTLEMAN 1
Ah…
DAVID
Yeah…
GENTLEMAN 1
Well, have a good one.
DAVID
You too, man.
The Gentleman exits.
David takes a drink of his coffee as his girlfriend,
SANDRA – white with dark hair - walks up.
DAVID
Hey, you.
Sandra and the Gentleman pass each other.
She sits across from David.
SANDRA
Hey, who was that?
DAVID
Eh, no one important.
Sandra gets out a cigarette to light. David looks
irritated.
DAVID
I thought you wanted to quit.
She takes the first drag.
SANDRA
No. Why would I quit?
She coughs.
DAVID
(Sarcastic)
No reason… No reason at all.
She blows smoke, he coughs.
SANDRA
What, David? You’re always doing this.
David’s quiet while tapping on the table. He stops
and sits up straight.
DAVID
Sandra…we need to talk.
FADE OUT
Chapter 6. Freight
INT/EXT. A CAR PARKED OUTSIDE OF POP’S
Two men, both in black. DARYL - driver, brunette.
LANCE - blonde, in the passenger seat.
Their car looks junked up, littered with fast food
wrappers and take out boxes.
DARYL
Alright. Next stop.
The two look out of the passenger window at Pop’s
Diner.
LANCE
Well, we’ve hit two liquor stores, a loan place, and
a pawn shop. This was a great plan, man.
(Nodding)
I gotta hand it to ya, it’s working.
DARYL
I’m tellin’ ya. Forget banks, am I right?
LANCE
You’re right, man.
Brief moment of silence while the two sip their
coffee.
DARYL
You know what we need?
LANCE
What’s that?
DARYL
Freight.
LANCE
(Confused)
Freight… Like stock freight? I don’t get it.
DARYL
(Motions to the diner)
All these places, restaurants like Pop’s Diner,
spend so much on freight every week to two weeks.
Lance nods.
DARYL (CONT’D)
What if we got a truck, or even rented a moving
truck, and started knocking over freight instead of registers, wallets, and
purses? Huh?
Daryl’s enthusiastic. Lance is trying to process the
idea.
LANCE
That’s cool, man. It’s a groundbreaking thought…
Daryl nods with a sly smile.
LANCE
What are we going to do with the freight?
DARYL
What?
LANCE
What do we do with it? Do we sell it? Do we store it
somewhere and live off it? I don’t think I get the outcome.
DARYL
(Frustrated)
We’ll work out the kinks later…
INT. POP’S DINER
Scanning the diner, everyone’s enjoying their
morning.
Caption: Meanwhile inside…
Melvin plays the arcade while his two lackeys look
over his shoulders.
SLUG
(Slurping)
Maestro, you’re on your way to top; the number one
spot!
Vampire Steve and his comedian friend sit with their
breakfasts. Jeff, shaking his head, watches Steve’s blank, pale face staring
off into space.
STEVE
So, you working on any new material?
JEFF
(Sarcastic)
Other than this breakfast?
INT/EXT. THE CAR
Daryl and Lance finish their coffee.
DARYL
You good to go?
LANCE
Totally.
They put on ski masks. Daryl gets out. Lance stops
him.
LANCE
Y’know, sometime we ought to have breakfast at a
place without robbing it.
Daryl leans in and picks up an empty Chinese takeout
box.
DARYL
(Shaking the box)
We already had breakfast. Can we go now?
LANCE
(Rolling his eyes)
After you.
They exit the car.
FADE OUT
Chapter 7. Pop’s Diner
INT. POP’S DINER
The waitresses look bored, sitting around popping
their gum. All the customers are taken care of. POP’s enjoying seeing his diner
full of people enjoying their morning.
JANET
Pop, anything exciting ever happen around here?
Toni’s playing solitaire with a deck of cards on the
counter.
TONI
Eh, excitement’s overrated.
POP
(Enthusiastic)
It’s all a matter of perspective. We meet all kinds
of people and hear all kinds of stories every day and it’s only Monday.
The Magician takes his napkin and holds it with one
hand while he pours marbles out of his other sleeve onto the napkin. He wraps
up the marbles and puts them in his hat.
Excited, he smiles and taps his hat a few times with
his wand and turns it over as marbles SCATTER all over the table and the floor.
He sighs and drops his head before he looks across
the way to see a frustrated David Ross.
ROSS
Do ya mind?
(Motions towards Sandra)
We’re trying to do something over here.
Chris’s back is to the door, across from Nick, with Randy
in the corner.
CHRIS
(Through a smug smile)
See, I’m sitting here eating my omelet, no dude’s
chewing gum is in my mouth, and I’m paranoia-free. It is truly a wonderful
life.
NICK
(Nodding)
He’s right.
RANDY
Yeah, yeah.
Mr. Ross and his girlfriend are in the midst of an
apparent long overdue conversation.
SANDRA
I don’t get it.
DAVID
(Nodding with slight sarcasm)
That seems to be the case.
SANDRA
What?
DAVID
Yeah, I can’t do this anymore. We’re done.
SANDRA
You’re breaking up with me?
Daryl and Lance kick the doors open.
The door behind Chris CRACKS him in the head. He
spits water across the table at Nick.
NICK
(Upset)
Hey!
RANDY
(Dryly)
See?
Daryl and Lance wave shotguns around. Chris holds
the back of his head behind them.
All customer and employee eyes are forward at the
two darkly clad crooks.
DARYL
Everybody, wallets out!
LANCE
Ladies, you too! Purses out!
Pop steps forward instantly.
POP
Hey, guys, c’mon. Everyone’s just enjoying their
breakfast.
Daryl and Lance step forward and both slip on the
spilt marbles.
Everyone’s eyes follow the movement as their heels
are up over their heads.
Daryl’s shotgun goes off in mid-fall.
The shot hits the ceiling above Melvin’s arcade.
Debris falls, smashing the machine.
Slug and Ferguson jump back.
Melvin is distraught and shaking as he drops to his
knees.
MELVIN
(Quivering)
Everything I’ve worked for…
The two robbers lie on the floor in pain - knocked
for a loop and barely conscience.
LANCE
Oh, man…
Steve & Jeff look over. Steve looks a bit
livelier now. Jeff grabs his little notebook.
JEFF
Now, that’s funny.
Pop’s at the counter with the phone.
POP
(On the phone)
Yeah, we’ve got an attempted robbery over here at
Pop’s Diner.
The Magician digs through his chest until he finds a
pair of handcuffs.
He brings them to Pop.
POP
Thanks, pal. It’ll help until they get here.
Pop pats his shoulder. The Magician smiles.
Pop walks over and kicks the guns away from Daryl
and Lance. He handcuffs a hand of each together.
Customers and employees are in awe of what just
happened.
But Sandra isn’t fazed by the botched burglary.
SANDRA
(To David)
You’re a jerk.
She throws David’s glass of water in his face and
storms out.
David calmly nods. He raises his arm motioning to
the waitress with his dripping wet face.
DAVID
Can I get another glass of water please? …A little
dry over here.
Pop stands before everyone with his arms up.
POP
Folks, I apologize for the disturbance. Please enjoy
the rest of your morning. Breakfast is on the house, courtesy of Pop’s Diner.
Everyone carries on with their breakfasts and
conversations - all mixed together and indistinguishable.
FADE OUT
FREIGHT
END
Read the rest of them!
http://beavertownproductions.blogspot.com/2018/02/adam-and-death-ray.html
http://beavertownproductions.blogspot.com/2018/01/junkies-in-love.html
http://beavertownproductions.blogspot.com/2018/01/breakfast-with-brown.html
http://beavertownproductions.blogspot.com/2018/01/twenty-minutes-in.html
