EXT. Rob Patterson's house - day
Tim knocks on the door of the one story house. It is in a neighborhood filled with average houses kept up badly. This house is better kept than rest, with flowers outside and new siding. That being said, the grass at this place is overgrown and full of dandelions.
The door opens a crack.
TIM
It's me, man.
A pair of eyes is all that is visible of ROB PATTERSON. Rob is a young man in his early thirties. He wears a yuppie-like polo shirt and Levi's jeans. Only the tatoos barely visible beneath his short sleeves belie his drug dealing profession.
Rob
Who's me?
TIM
Open up, it's me.
Rob
Who?
Tim leans his head against the open door.
TIM
Tim. Tim.
Rob releases the door and Tim falls forward on his face as the door swings open. Tim lands with a thud.
Rob walks out the door and looks at Tim. Tim shakes his head.
Out the door walks, ASHLEY JAKESON, a hot young fourteen year old. She wears short shorts and no shoes or socks.
Tim looks up and eyes her tight little ass.
Ashley
Hey Rob, your old lady wants to go to the mall.
ROB
So?
Ashley gives him a knowing look.
Tim sits up.
ROB
Oh. My wallet's in the kitchen.
Ashley looks at Tim and smiles. Tim smiles back.
ASHLEY
Who's this?
Rob grabs Ashley and directs her back inside.
ROB
Get up, Tim.
Tim
Who's that?
ROB
You'll never know.
Tim acknowledges him and gets up.
ROB
You got money this time?
Tim
Yeah, I got it.
They walk inside.
Int. Ray's green HIlls grocery store - day
Tim walks towards the storage room in the medium-size locally owned supermarket. There are few people inside and the shelves are all around 75 percent full.
Tim tugs on the door leading to the storage room.
An attractive young woman, Anna Pennington, wearing a store smock taps Tim on the shoulder. She appears several years older than Tim. Her white button up shirt has several buttons unbuttoned. Set for comfort as well as to allure. Taking attention away from her wedding ring on her finger.
Anna
Can I help you?
Tim backs away quickly, knocking over a display stack of Coke. Several twelve packs crash to the ground.
TIM
Oops.
Tim is slow to react to the incident.
Anna crouches down. Before she begins to pick up the items she pulls off a double ear-tuck of her medium length light brown hair. While doing so, Tim catches a glimpse of Anna's soft white breast and simple school-girl bra.
Tim is mesmerized for a brief moment by this action.
Anna starts to put the display back together.
Anna
Don't worry, I don't need any help.
TIM
Oh, shit. Hold on.
Tim bends down and helps her put the Coke twelve packs back into place.
TIM
Sorry about that.
Anna wipes her brow.
Anna
You looking for somebody?
TIM
Yeah, actually. Jake around?
Anna sighs.
Anna
There's like four Jake's that work here.
JAKE
Butler.
Anna
Oh him, haven't seen him.
Anna turns to walk away. Tim rushes towards her and cuts her off.
TIM
What's your name?
Anna
You wanna leave your friend a message?
TIM
He's got my golf clubs, but its not important.
(pause)
What's your name?
Anna
Who wants to know?
Tim pauses for a second, laughing to himself.
TIM
I do. I do. Have we ever met at a party or something?
Anna
I doubt it.
Tim waits for Anna to tell him her name but, she doesn't. Tim leans forward in anticipation. She remains silent and he falls towards her.
Anna
Whoa
The two of them, now in intimate proximity, make eye contact.
TIM
Sorry.
Anna
My name's Anna. Everyone here calls me Penny, though.
TIM
Why's that?
Anna
It doesn't matter.
TIM
No it doesn't.
Anna pushes Tim away. She points down the aisle to indicate that she's got to go. The two stand and look at each other.
After several seconds, Tim waves quietly to her. Anna smiles and vanishes down the grocery aisle.
EXT. river bank - day
Tim sits in secluded spot overlooking the Missouri River near Downtown St. Joseph. He pulls out his Zippo lighter ignites and carefully sets it on a large stone to his right. He then takes a plastic bag and unrolls a small piece of aluminum foil. He places some of the bag's powdery contents onto the foil. He pulls out a plastic straw from his jacket pocket and places the foil over the flame. When the mixture heats up sufficiently he places the straw near the heroin powder and inhales the smoke. He inhales several time before he knocks the lighter over and extinguishes. He puts the straw back into his jacket pocket. He shakes the burnt material off the foil, folds up the foil and returns it to his pocket as well.
A warmth overcomes him. Tim removes his windbreaker jacket. He looks out over the river towards the sun that is only just beginning to make its decent towards the horizon.
A person whistling interrupts the quiet.
Tim turns around and sees Jake waving at him a few hundred yards away.
Jake motions him over.
Tim slowly makes his way towards the car.
Jake, dressed in jeans and the ever present polo shirt, lights a cigarette. Hungover, he moves slowly, but purposefully. He stands for a second and furrows his brow. He walks to the trunk of the car and opens it.
JAKE
Oops.
Inside are Tim's prized golf clubs. Titleist DCI forged irons, Callaway Big Bertha woods. Jake shakes his head, pulls out his grocery apron, and gently shuts the trunk lid.
Tim walks up to Jake.
TIM
What's up?
JAKE
I'm going to work. Did I give you a key to the apartment?
TIM
Where you going?
JAKE
To work.
TIM
I'll ride with you.
Jake shrugs.
JAKE
You got a key to the apartment?
TIM
Nah.
Jake searches his pockets.
JAKE
I forgot it.
TIM
Don't worry about it, you'll be home before me.
JAKE
Whatever. Hop in, I'm late.
Tim gets in the car. They speed off.
Int. Jake's car - dusk
Jake drives fast down the residential city street. Jake spots a cat on the side walk on the right hand side of the road.
JAKE
Cat!
Jake whips the car onto the sidewalk.
TIM
Oh shit.
Jake chases the cat up the side walk. The G forces of the sudden swerve slams Tim into the passenger door.
The cat tries to get away, but Jake swerves to try to land the death blow.
JAKE
Got it.
Tim looks behind them and sees the cat running towards a house.
TIM
No, you missed it.
JAKE
Damn.
Jake's car bounces as Jake pulls it back onto the road.
The cat lies in the middle of the sidewalk, motionless.
EXT. raY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - night
Jake parks the car in the grocery store parking lot.
The night has just fallen and the parking lot lights are just taking hold. Many CUSTOMERS scuffle back and forth. Due to the shift change, several grocery workers can be seen walking to their cars and towards the building.
Tim quickly gets out and turns to Jake, still in the car.
TIM
What time does the shift change?
JAKE
Ten minutes ago.
Tim turns and runs into the store.
Jake gets out of the car slowly, grabbing the apron that sits on the front seat. He carefully shuts the door of his Olds 88. He carefully locks the driver's door.
He heads towards the store, but not before checking the passenger door lock.
Int. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STore - night
Tim frantically walks the aisles of the grocery store looking for Anna. One aisle after the other, she is not to be found. He walks quickly. Quickly enough that when he speeds by Milford mopping the floor, he slides on the wet floor and wipes out.
Milford
Damn, boy! You alright?
TIM
Fuck! Fuck. Fuck.
Milford keeps mopping.
Milford
Yep.
Tim, half-wet gets up to his knees.
TIM
You seen Anna?
Milford
Who?
TIM
Anna. Uh, uh, Patty, Pelly...Penny?
Milford points to the front of the store.
Milford
Day shift just ended.
Tim gets to his feet. A large wet spot darkens the back of his pants.
TIM
Cool.
Tim walks away slipping slightly.
Milford
Watch your step.
Ext. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - night
Tim wanders around the parking lot hoping to catch a glimpse of Anna. He stops in the middle of a group of cars and makes a three hundred sixty degree turn around to survey the lot. When he completes the turn, all the cars around him are gone and in the corner of his eye he spots Anna, opening the door to her Dodge K car.
TIM
Anna.
(louder)
Anna!
She doesn't respond to his call and enters the car and settles into the drivers seat.
Tim runs up to the car window and knocks on it.
TIM
Anna, open up.
She turns the engine over.
Tim shrugs and then continues.
TIM
It's me, Tim. We had a conversation this afternoon.
He makes a roll-down-the-window motion.
Anna, realizing Tim is going nowhere, cuts the engine.
Tim smiles.
Anna tries to lower the window, but the crank sticks. She uses all her strength, but the window won't budge.
Tim leans close to the glass. He struggles to see what the problem is.
Anna tries one last time to turn the window crank, but it only opens a crack. Plum out of strength, she opens the door. The door smacks Tim on the head.
TIM
Oh!
Tim staggers backward.
Anna
Oops.
TIM
Don't worry, I'm OK.
Anna
What do you want?
TIM
It's Tim, from this afternoon.
Anna
I know.
TIM
Oh.
Anna
What do you want?
TIM
I have a severance check and..
Anna
Huh?
TIM
Are you hungry?
Anna nods her head.
TIM
I don't have a car.
Anna
What did you do?
TIM
Sold cars.
Anna smiles.
TIM
I have a car, it just doesn't work. The dealership was going to fix it for a discount, but I kinda like walking, so...
Anna leans over and unlocks his passenger side door.
Tim cracks a smile and heads over to the passenger side door and gets in.
TIM
I think I've got a concussion.
Anna does not reply.
Ext. Street outside scanlon's bar - night
Tim and Anna walk down the sidewalk.
Anna
What's the name of this place?
Tim walks gingerly on his ankle.
TIM
Scanlon's.
Anna
Isn't that a bar?
TIM
The food is good, trust me. I know the chef.
Anna stops walking. Tim comes to a gradual stop.
Anna grabs his upper arm with her hand and pulls Tim closer. Tim appears a bit uneasy.
Anna pauses for a second and then just blurts out her statement.
Anna
I'm married.
Tim stays silent. Anna studies his face.
Anna
I'm married.
TIM
I'm hungry.
Anna
What?
TIM
Let's eat.
They walk aside the brick wall of the building, heading to the side door of the bar. Suddenly, Tim stops and leans backward onto the wall. He grabs Anna and pulls her to him. They look into each other's eyes. She lunges towards him and they fervently french kiss.
After a minute or so, Anna pulls away. They both breathe hard.
Anna
I'm hungry.
(beat)
Let's eat.
Tim nods his head.
Int. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - nIGHT
Jake kneels in a grocery aisle. Grocery apron around his neck, empty boxes are scattered around him. He is busy pricing items and sticking them onto the bottom shelf.
Milford, in a grocery apron stands beside him.
Milford
I think its getting worse.
Jake looks up at him.
JAKE
You think?
Milford
Yeah, I mean he got niggas leavin' in droves.
JAKE
Six people quit this week. Six. They want me to do another double shift today.
Milford
It's that Wal-Mart super center, snappin' 'em up.
JAKE
It's because Robinson's a dick!
Milford quietly turns and leaves.
Jake winces at the site of his boss.
Mr. Robinson, who wears a manager's name tag, stands behind Jake.
JAKE
What do you want Robinson?
Robinson
Jake?
Jake doesn't move.
ROBINSON
Jake? Stand up for a second would ya?
Jake reluctantly stands, taking his time.
ROBINSON
Who told you to put these cans here?
JAKE
Technically,s you did?
ROBINSON
I did?
Jake
Mercker told me that you told him to stock this shelf.
ROBINSON
He's full of it. This isn't even the right section. Couldn't you just think for a second?
Jake nods.
JAKE
Right.
ROBINSON
Great, so aisle 10, OK? Hey, can you close for me tonight?
Robinson starts to walk away.
JAKE
Sure, give me the keys.
Robinson stops and throws his keys to Jake. Jake catches them one-handed.
Jake walks away from the boxes, leaving the mess as is.
Int. Scanlon's bar - niGHT
The bar is half-full with working class types. A group of thirtysomethings, all with mullets (men and women) huddle around the pool table, while a group of frat-boy types are throwing darts.
Tim and Anna sit at a table on the far side of the room. A pitcher of beer sits between them.
Anna has a nervous habit of tapping her wedding ring finger on the table. She does this every few moments.
TIM
You think they lost our order?
Anna
Nah.
Tim takes gulp of his beer. They sit looking at each other for second or two.
Anna (CONT'D)
I've seen you before.
TIM
You seem familiar, too, but I can't figure out where I've seen you.
Anna
You were in my Spanish class at the college. A couple years ago.
Tim leans forward and snaps his fingers.
TIM
Yes. That's it, you always wore a jean jacket with a some kind of army patch on it.
Anna nods affirmatively.
TIM (CONT'D)
I used to think about how you and I would make a good couple. I don't know why, I just had feeling, I guess.
Anna
I sat behind you. I remember sitting there and staring at your neck.
TIM
My neck?
Anna
You have a nice neck.
TIM
I never should have dropped out.
Anna
Why didn't you ask me out?
TIM
There was never a good opportunity. How do you go up to someone you've never spoken to before?
Anna
I don't know.
TIM
See? Me either. I guess I should have, though.
Anna
Maybe.
TIM
Maybe.
One of those silent moments takes hold. The folks playing pool suddenly get really loud.
TIM (CONT'D)
(loudly, over the noise)
You know tomorrow's my birthday.
Anna
Really, mine's next week.
TIM
Really?
Anna
Really.
TIM
Hmmm.
Anna
How old, how old are you gonna be?
TIM
Let's see...
He raises his head to the sky.
TIM (CONT'D)
Uh, twenty-three.
Anna
Me, too.
Tim furrows his brow.
Anna (CONT'D)
Got any big plans?
TIM
Jake and I usually play golf during the day.
Anna
That's it?
TIM
There will also be drinking.
Anna shakes her head.
TIM (CONT'D)
It's not a hard steadfast rule.
She continues shaking her head.
TIM (CONT'D)
More of a suggestion, really.
She takes a drink while continuing to shake her head, hiding a giggle.
TIM (CONT'D)
So what are you into?
Anna
(still giggling)
Huh?
TIM
What do you like to do when you're not stocking shelves or studying for a test.
Anna
I like to sleep.
Tim laughs.
TIM
Me, too.
Anna
I also like theater. I was in a few plays in school, down in Kansas City, and other places.
TIM
Really?
Anna
Surprised?
TIM
No, no. Not much of a career for that here, though.
Anna
True. But you have a long drinking career.
Tim smiles and toasts her with his glass.
TIM
Very true.
Anna sheepishly taps glasses with Tim. They both take a drink of beer. Anna gulps down half the glass.
Anna
What do you like? What do you like to do?
TIM
Hanging out.
Anna
Hanging out?
TIM
(defensively)
It's something.
Anna
Not really.
TIM
(forcefully)
Yes, really.
Anna
Don't you have any hobbies, interests? Music?
TIM
I sold most of my CD's.
Anna
What about golf?
TIM
I'm not very good, we mainly play to drink beer.
Anna
You can drink beer anywhere.
TIM
Yeah.
(beat)
I like walking.
Anna
OK.
TIM
Yeah, I had a car, but it just got me a bunch of trouble. I've discovered I like walking around town, although no one else around here does. It's very enlightening. For instance, I was walking down, well I don't remember what street it was, but it was in the afternoon, right? And I'm walking down the sidewalk, kinda in my own little world and I look over there...
He points off to the right with his right hand.
Anna's eyes follow his hand.
TIM (CONT'D)
...and I see a little kid, couldn't be much older than six or seven, but not a toddler or anything. Anyway the kid's in the yard, by himself no adults around. And the kid is five feet from the sidewalk, just taking a pee right there in the yard. He's not trying to hide behind a tree or something, he's just lettin' it fly. There's cars flying by and he couldn't care less. He's just getting some air.
Anna
Did he see you?
TIM
I guess, but it didn't deter him one bit.
Tim shrugs his shoulders.
Anna smiles.
Tim finishes his beer.
A WAITER sets their food on their table.
TIM (CONT'D)
Thanks, man.
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