Copyright (c) 2021
Written by Catherine QuinnINT. FREEMART - DAY
SAMI MANN(49) leans on her register and chews gum loudly. RON FREEMAN(52), stands behind her, propping his head on his hands which are resting on the computer. Uptempo instrumental music plays in the background.
To the right of them, LAURA CAMPBEL(24), stands wearing a Grey hoodie and orange apron with a name tag. Her face sunken and blank, she stares at nothing as she loads groceries into a paper bag.
SAMI
and even after all that ruckus, he still doesn't know I was the one that called the cops. you should've seen the look on his face!
Ron throws his head back and laughs loudly. Waving his hands in the air like he can't breathe. Looks over to Laura. She is still silently bagging groceries.
RON
Oh come on! she's a hoot!
He gestures to Sami. Laura looks up at him then to Sami, expressionless. Ron chokes down his laugh and becomes serious.
RON (cont'd)
you know, it wouldn't hurt you to smile every now and again. maybe you'd actually make some friends.
Sami swats Ron's arm. He flinches and scowls at her
SAMI
God Ron leave the girl alone! She's just fine! Aren't you sweetie.
Sami leans toward Laura and smiles condescendingly.
RON (sarcastic)
Oh yeah my bad. because she's so approachable.
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
Laura sits hunched on the bench at under the bus stop shelter. Her orange apron poking out the bottom of her jacket.
Hands in her pockets, she looks down and pulls out a beat up wallet-sized photo of her mother as a teenager in a tropical place. She is startled by laughter and looks up to see a mother and son walking on the sidewalk across the street. She smiles faintly as they walk away and then looks back down at her photo. Posters on a telephone pole next to the bus stop blow aggressively in the wind.
No cars on the road until her bus pulls up to the curb. Laura looks up from the picture and stares at the bus a moment before getting on.
INT. BUS - NIGHT
Laura looks out the window with her head resting on the glass, picture in hand. The bus stops and she shoves the picture back in her pocket as she gets up to leave. The bus driver gives her a nod as she walks past, she purses her lips and turns the corner.
EXT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The neighbor is outside with her dog, Laura walks past her with her head down. The neighbor watches as Laura unlocks her door and walks inside.
INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The inside is barely furnished, only decor is one picture of child Laura and her dad in a frame, a postcard on her fridge that reads 'Portugal', and a calendar on the wall with pictures of crowded cities on colorful buildings and orange rooftops.
Laura drops her keys on the counter next to a pile of mail and stares at the postcard on the fridge before opening it. Inside there is a milk carton and a bottle of ketchup. She shuts the fridge and turns back to the pile of mail. She sorts through to see they are all bills, mostly overdue.
Laura sits on the couch in her dark living room, only light coming from the TV. She flips through the channels, mostly seeing ads and kids shows. An advertisement for hair loss surgery plays. Laura scoffs, turns off the TV, brushes her teeth, and goes to bed
INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Laura's alarm goes off, she gets up, puts on her orange apron, ties her hair up, eats a bowl of cereal, ties her sneakers, then leaves.
EXT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Laura walks by as the neighbor is outside in her robe picking up her newspaper. She watches Laura.
INT. BUS - DAY
Laura sits on the bus, same seat as the night before, with her head resting on the window. She looks back down at the picture of her mother as a child, flips it over. 'Marta. Lagos 1973' is written in pen on the back. She looks down at her phone, searches 'Lagos, Portugal', and scrolls through results for flights and houses.
INT. FREEMART - DAY
Laura, completely zoned out, stands on a stool, stocking shelves with cans while Sami stands below her filing her nails. Uptempo instrumental music playing in the background. Sami is rambling something but Laura is not listening.
SAMI
Um hello? Hon, you're missing the best part of the story! I haven't even told you what happened to her dog! Are you doin' alright?
Laura shakes herself. Sami has stopped filing her nails and is looking up at Laura, concerned.
LAURA
Yeah Sami, I'm fine.
Laura smiles softly. They hold eye contact for a second before Ron walks by their aisle and points at Laura.
RON
Hey! Less talking, more stocking! and I mean it. Pick up the pace.
He looks over to Sami and his expression softens.
RON (cont'd)
Good morning Sami how are you today?
Sami rolls her eyes, but smiles at him as he walks away.
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
Laura sits on the bench at the bus stop to go home. She is kicking her feet, looking down at the picture. A gust of wind rips one of the posters from the telephone pole and blows it under her feet. She picks it up and studies it quizzically. “Want to better your life? Feel stuck in the monotony of life? One simple procedure could change it all! Don’t hesitate! Call now! Up to $50,000 in compensation if eligible! The future is bright!” with a phone number at the bottom. She looks at the small picture in her hand then back at the flier.
LAURA
mumbling under her ( breath)
One simple procedure, change it all, $50,000.
Too busy staring at the picture and the flier, Laura doesn't notice the bus rolls up. The bus driver honks once and she looks up, startled. She quickly folds the paper, shoves it and the picture in her apron pocket, and walks onto the bus.
INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Laura walks into her apartment and throws her keys and bag down. She picks up a stack of bills, sorts them a bit, sighs, and throws her head back as she walks to the living room.
She lays on the couch, all other lights off, flipping through T.V. channels. She flips through 5 or 6 channels and then hears:
T.V. VOICE(O.S.)
Do you want to better your life?
She skips past it, but then sits up as she processes what she heard and skips back. The advertisement continues.
T.V. VOICE(O.S.) (cont'd)
Stuck in the monotony of life? One simple procedure could change it all! Don’t hesitate! Call now! Up to $50,000 in compensation if eligible! The future is bright! This message has been sponsored by Shpal Labs.
A song plays as she sees the same logo from the flier flash on the screen, followed by a swirly animation. Laura tilts her head and watches skeptically before changing the channel again.
INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Laura asleep on the couch with her arm hanging off. Sunlight coming through a window shining directly on her face. She frantically wakes up mid-snore, looks around, grabs her phone to check the time.
LAURA
No. No, no, no, no.
She grabs her phone, keys, apron, jacket, and sneakers and runs out the door slamming it behind her.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Her arms full of stuff, she runs past her neighbor, who watches her with eyes wide. She tries to put her apron and shoes on as she runs, but watches her bus drive away as she approaches her stop.
LAURA shit.
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
She closes her eyes tightly and grumbles. She trudges to the bench and sits to put her jacket and shoes on.
Laura sits, defeated, at the bus stop as a bus pulls up. She sighs as she boards and takes her usual seat. She pulls out her phone to text Sami, 'running late, missed my bus'. She stares out the window, arms crossed.
INT. FREEMART - DAY
Laura walks in nonchalantly, arms swinging, through the automatic doors of the store. Ron is standing at Sami's register. Sami is scanning an OLD WOMAN's groceries.
RON
Well, well, well, the delinquent herself. Anyone wanna guess who gets to stay late and deep clean the meat freezer?
Ron looks around to the various employees and customers surrounding them. Laura stands frozen.
RON (cont'd)
Anyone? No one has any guesses?
SAMI (whispering)
Ron, she missed her bus, it was a simple mistake. Leave the girl alone.
She places her hand on his arm, he yanks it away.
RON
No, no. I'd like to hear from the girl actually. Sami, I'm sick and tired of you making excuses for her disrespectful and downright childish behavior.
The old woman is now at the other end of Sami's register, slowly bagging her own groceries and watching them, tensely.
LAURA
I. I missed my bus. It won't happen ag...
RON
But see, it will happen again. Because it's happened before. For god sake did no one ever teach you common sense? Do your damn job and get here on time!
Laura avoids eye contact as hers start to well. She glances up at Sami, whose arms are crossed and her fingertips to her lips.
SAMI
Ron don't you think maybe this could be handled in private?
RON
No Sami, I don't. I think she needs to learn this the hard way. And I think she should also probably go back and finish high school or get some kind of knowledge in that stupid little head of hers.
Ron walks up to Laura. The old woman tip toes past Laura with her groceries and exits out the automatic doors.
RON (cont'd)
You need to start taking responsibility for yourself. Sami isn't gonna be there to save your ass forever. Grow up! or get out of my store!
Ron turns and walks angrily to his office. Laura stands stunned, staring at the rug on the floor of the store entrance. Sami stands, eyes wide, staring at Laura. Another customer unloads her groceries onto Sami's conveyor belt.
Laura takes off running to the back corner of the store, still looking down.
SAMI
Laura! Wait!
Sami smiles at the customer awkwardly while still trying to get Laura's attention, but she is already gone.
INT. BREAK ROOM - DAY
Laura bursts through the door to the small gray-toned break room. Frantically untying her apron, breathing fast and heavily. She throws her apron on the ground and sits in the corner of the room, between the wall and the vending machine. Her face in her hands, she begins to weep. The vending machine buzzes beside her. She stretches her head back until it is against the wall. Sniffling and wiping her tears, she tries to compose herself.
She looks across the floor and sees her apron. Notices her phone, keys, picture of her mom, and flier fell out of the front pocket when she threw it down. She cocks her head, still crying and sniffling. She crawls over to her stuff and picks up the picture. She unfolds the flier.
LAURA
under her breath ( )
One simple procedure, change it all, $50,000.
lets out one more sob, wipes her nose on her sleeve, and stares at the photo for a moment. She reaches for her phone and dials the number on the bottom of the flier. She stares at her phone, closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath, exhaling through her mouth. She presses 'call' and quickly brings it to her ear, eyes still closed.
AUTOMATED PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
Hello. Thank you for calling Shpal Laboratories.
(MORE)
AUTOMATED PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
(cont'd)
The future is bright! To better your
life today, please press 1. To speak to a represen-
Laura quickly presses 1.
JESSICA(O.S)
Hi there!
Laura winces at how chipper and high pitched the voice is.
JESSICA(O.S) (cont'd)
My name is Jessica and I'll be your consultant today! Thank you for choosing a better life! The future is bright! To get started, please state your name!
LAURA
Laura Campbel. My name is Laura Campbel.
JESSICA(O.S)
Well hello Laura! It's so good to meet you! Are you able to come into the clinic today to discuss your eligibility? Let's say 6 o'clock?
Sami walks through the door and extends her arms out to Laura, who is still sitting on the floor.
SAMI
Laura! Honey, how are you doing?
Laura drops her phone in her lap and looks up to Sami, eyes wide. Sami stops approaching her and takes a step back.
SAMI (cont'd)
You okay after all that?
She gestures behind her. Laura stares.
JESSICA(O.S)
Faintly from the ( phone)
Laura? Hello?
Laura quickly looks back at the floor and hunches over.
LAURA
whispering into the ( phone)
Yes I'm here. I'll be there.
JESSICA(O.S)
Okay Great! We look forwar-
Laura hangs up the phone and stares straight forward into the wall. Sami stands a few feet away, and approaches cautiously, like she were approaching a wild animal.
SAMI
Laura? Are you alright?
Laura takes a deep breath, exhaling through her mouth.
LAURA
I think I'll be fine.
Laura turns to look at Sami. Sami stands leaning on the kitchen counter, concerned look on her face.
Laura stands up and puts her apron over her head. She walks toward Sami as she ties the back. She places her left hand on Sami's left shoulder.
LAURA (cont'd)
The future is bright, Sami.
Laura smiles and walks past Sami out the door of the break room. Sami turns to watch her leave, eyebrows furrowed, then looks over at the flier, which is unfolded and still on the ground.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE CLINIC - DAY
Laura walks down the sidewalk with her backpack, looking down at the map on her phone periodically. She walks up to a large industrial looking building with 'Shpal' written in large letters on the window.
She pauses, takes a deep breath, exhales through her mouth, and walks through the doors.
INT. SHPAL LABS CLINIC - DAY
She walks into a big white room. It is mostly empty except for large white desk with a lit up "Shpal" sign behind it. The light inside is fluorescent and bright. There are frail looking white chairs spaced out along the walls. A short brunette woman sits behind the desk with a headset and a name tag that reads 'KATIE'. She looks up at Laura and smiles widely, showing all of her insanely white teeth.
KATIE
Hi there! Welcome to Shpal! The future is bright! How can I help you today?
Laura clutches her backpack straps and raises her eyebrows.
LAURA
Um, hi!
Laura tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles awkwardly, pushing air out through her teeth. She walks up to the desk. Katie, still smiling, looks up at Laura and leans in.
LAURA (cont'd)
uh, I have a 6 o'clock appointment? My name is Laura Campbel?
Katie looks down at her computer and starts typing.
KATIE
Alrighty let's see. Laura. Campbel. Yep! Here you are!
Katie opens a drawer and grabs a clear acrylic clipboard with a stack of papers on it. She hands it to Laura over the desk.
KATIE (cont'd)
Take a seat anywhere you'd like and a technician will be with you shortly.
Katie answers a call over her headset.
KATIE (cont'd) into her headset ( )
Yes, you have reached Katie at Shpal Laboratories! The future is bright!
LAURA
Oh, uh, Thank you!
Laura turns to walk away, still looking at Katie. Katie winks at her.
KATIE into her headset ( )
Yes of course! How can I be of assistance?
Laura turns and scans the room. The closest empty chair is next to a scruffy looking man/boy, MASON CAHILL(27).
Laura and sits in the cold, white chair, her backpack leaning against one of the thin legs. She looks down at the clipboard in her lap and starts reading the contracts and disclaimers. She takes a deep breath, exhaling through her mouth. She flips through the rest of the pages. Mason, slouching in his seat, watches her discreetly
She decides she is ready to sign and realizes there is no pen on the clipboard. She looks up at Katie, who is now deeply engrossed in her phone call. She checks her pockets for a pen, then starts rifling through her backpack. Mason notices and sits up a bit straighter.
MASON
Need a pen?
He extends his arm to her, pen in hand. Laura laughs nervously.
LAURA
Uh, yeah I guess I do! Thank you.
Laura reaches for the pen then turns to lean back over her clipboard. She scratches her head and looks worried as she skims through pages of small, dense print.
MASON
It's all pretty intimidating, huh?
He leans on the arm of his chair closest to Laura, though they are still five feet apart. Laura leans back in her chair.
LAURA
Yeah, if I'm being honest, I don't know what half this stuff means.
MASON
It's okay. Neither did I. I just signed it. I guess I'm just hoping it can't get much worse than this. I'm Mason.
He extends his hand to her. Laura looks up at him and smiles insincerely. She reaches to shake his hand, she really has to lean in her chair to reach it.
LAURA
That sounds like a good enough plan to me.
She flips through and quickly signs in multiple places.
Three men in lab coats, goggles, masks, and gloves walk into the waiting room through the swinging double doors. They stand and wait.
Katie, now off the phone, notices them and her face grows serious. They give her a discreet nod, she nods back. She looks down at her computer, scrolls a moment, then looks up and smiles big again.
KATIE
Mason Cahill? The technicians are ready for you!
She stands and gestures with both hands to the men. Mason's eyes get wide as he stands slowly. He looks over at Laura, who is frozen staring at the men.
MASON
Guess this is me.
Laura is still frozen. Mason walks past Katie's desk. Katie is still standing there smiling.
KATIE
Thank you for taking this step toward a better life! The future is bright!
Laura watches as Mason is escorted through the doors by the men. She looks over at Katie, who is still standing and smiling, even after they are long gone. Laura furrows her eyebrows. Katie stands there frozen.
The phone rings. Katie snaps out of it. Still smiling, she makes eye contact with Laura.
KATIE (cont'd)
All finished with that paperwork, Ms. Campbel?
Laura, startled, puts the pen in her pocket and jumps up to walk to Katie's desk.
LAURA
Oh! Um, yeah. Sorry.
Laura hands the clipboard to Katie, she immediately inspects it.
KATIE
Alrighty! Everything looks great! I'll let you know when they're ready for you! Just hang tight until then!
They smile at each other. Laura turns around to walk back to her chair. Her face immediately turns to concern. Laura takes her seat again. She fidgets with the pen and picks at her cuticles.
A SHORT MAN and a TALL WOMAN in the same technician uniforms as the group before enter the waiting room. Laura looks up at them, then to Katie. Katie smiles and nods at her.
KATIE (cont'd)
Your turn Ms. Campbel!
Laura grabs her backpack and follows the technicians through the doors.
INT. CLINIC HALLWAY - DAY
Laura follows them down a long, white hallway lined with gray doors, all shut. The lights buzz loudly. They arrive at the end of the hallway to an open door.
TALL WOMAN
Right in here miss. A doctor will be with you shortly.
She gestures for Laura to enter the room. Laura clutches her backpack straps and walks in.
INT. EXAM ROOM - DAY
LAURA
Thank you, i-
She turns just as the Woman shuts the door, not letting her finish. Laura slowly spins around once, observing the clean, white room with one exam table and a stool. Slow classical music play quietly.