BEER by Justin Aclin               Draft 1, 9/17/2000

INT.  BAR.  MID-AFTERNOON

CURTIS, a young man in his early 20’s, is sitting at a

bar, head in hands, staring deeply into the glass of

beer before him.  The beer fills his field of vision.

He has no idea of or interest in his surroundings, and

it is only the sound of a stool being dragged across

the floor that makes him turn his head at all.  When he does, he spots JILL.  Jill is also in her early

twenties.  She is attractive, but very severe looking. 

She has no drink in front of her.  The bar, now that

Curtis notices it, is largely deserted.  The BARTENDER

is nowhere in sight.  Curtis soon returns his attention

to his drink, but not for long.  An idea has been placed

in his head.  So, with the air of a man with nothing to

lose but who is still trying to come off as charming,

Curtis walks the length of the bar and takes a seat next

to Jill.

                    CURTIS

          So, what brings you to a bar in the

          middle of the afternoon?

                    JILL

               (indignant, dismissive)

          I’m a raging alcoholic.

Defeated, Curtis walks away.  Jill, unfazed by the encounter, continues staring off to the side.  A few seconds later, Curtis returns and reclaims his seat next

to Jill.  He is newly energized.

                    CURTIS

          That was sarcasm, right?

                    JILL

Wow.  You’re smarter than I gave

you credit for.

          CURTIS

Well, the only reason I asked is

because, usually, if someone’s alone

in a bar in the afternoon, they have

a reason, you know?  Like, they’re

trying to forget something.

          JILL

Look…

          CURTIS

Curtis.

          JILL

…Curtis.  Do you see a drink in front

of me?  My friend is bartending here.

I’m waiting for her to get off work.

          CURTIS

Oh.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to

imply anything.

Curtis doesn’t leave.  Jill looks at him, waiting for

him to either leave or say something.  He does neither. 

Finally, she speaks.

                    JILL

          I’m not going to ask.

                    CURTIS

          I’m sorry?  What do you…

                    JILL

          I’m not going to ask why you’re here.

          I mean, it’s obviously what you’re

          waiting for.

                    CURTIS

          No, that’s not what…

                    JILL

          Oh, give me a break.  “Usually, when

          someone’s in a bar in the afternoon

          they’re trying to forget something.”

          It’s so obvious you were talking

          about yourself.

                    CURTIS

          No, I swear.  I was…

                    JILL

          Why should I even bother asking?  I

          already know your story.  Maybe you

          just got fired.  Maybe you didn’t

          get into the grad school you really

          wanted.  Maybe, just maybe, your

          girlfriend dumped your ass and you’re

          on the lookout for a fellow lonely

          soul to drown your sorrows in.  Maybe

          all of the above.  Who cares.  I

          don’t need to hear it.

They sit in silence.  Curtis is speechless.  Jill, triumphant.  Just then, a glass is beer is plunked down

in front of Jill.  The bartender is back.

                    BARTENDER

Here’s your drink, Jill.  Sorry it

took so long.

Jill’s confidence vanishes.  Suddenly, it looks like someone just killed her puppy.  The bartender notices.

                    BARTENDER

               (Cont’d)

          Oh, it’s all right, sweetie.  I’m

          sure she’s making him miserable.

The bartender walks away.  Jill is trapped, her lie

exposed.  Suddenly, Curtis has all the power.

                    CURTIS

          Actually, I’m in town on business

          and I’m killing time between

          meetings, but nice try.  I hope you

          feel better soon.

Curtis throws a bill down on the bar and walks for the door.  Jill sits, too shocked to even look at her drink.  Her confident veneer is completely shattered.  Just as

she’s about to resign herself to the fact that she doesn’t understand the world, Curtis come running back and takes the seat next to her.

                    CURTIS

          I lied.  It’s all true.  Everything

          you said is true.

Jill stares bemusedly as Curtis, in his high-strung

state, grabs her beer and downs it in one sip.  He

finishes and makes that noise that little kids make after they take a sip of milk.  Jill, back in control, smiles.

                    JILL

          (bemusedly)

          Buy you a drink?

                                                  CUT TO

                                                  BLACK