Fade in.
INT.
CAFÉ—DAY
CHARLIE, a simply dressed man in his early twenties,
sits with MARY, a pretty and elegant girl of the same age. She’s drinking coffee. He’s got coffee, but isn’t touching it. Instead, he’s sitting at the edge of his
seat, looking panicked at Mary.
CHARLIE
I’m
sorry, I just don’t see why this is necessary.
MARY
Because
he’s my father and he means a lot to me.
CHARLIE
Then
why aren’t you coming with me when I meet him?
MARY
Because
he scares the living shit out of me.
CHARLIE
I
appreciate that we’re at a “Meet the Parents” stage, but traditionally, the
child accompanies the significant other to the occasion.
MARY
This
is true.
CHARLIE
And
the occasion isn’t typically held in some dinner bar in the middle of the day
at the downtown marina.
MARY
Also
true.
CHARLIE
And
the whole goddamn point of it is to assure the parents that the two get along
very well and are therefore well-suited to one another.
MARY
You’re
batting a thousand today, honey.
CHARLIE
I’m
also going to the marina alone.
MARY
Was
that not already established?
INT. BAR—DAY
Charlie enters and looks around. It’s empty, save for a lone bartender and
FISK, a large intimidating conglomerate in a floral shirt, relaxing up at the
bar. Charlie moves to him, and Fisk
takes notice without establishing eye contact.
FISK
You
the boy?
CHARLIE
Charlie,
sir. Yes.
FISK
“Charlie”? The hell kind of a name is “Charlie”?
CHARLIE
Ermm…it’s
mine, sir.
FISK
“Charles”
wasn’t good enough? “Chuck” didn’t do
anything for you? Sound like a goddamn
ten year old playing optimist baseball.
He chuckles condescendingly.
FISK
(Cont’d)
“Charlie”.
Charlie waits politely for him to finish. Fisk notices and mercifully does; still
without making eye contact.
FISK
(Cont’d)
So
the situation we’ve got is a bit of an awkward one, yeah?
Charlie nods.
CHARLIE
A
bit, sir. It’s just that Mary and I
are—
FISK
Don’t,
don’t, don’t. There’s no way you could
end that sentence that won’t result in me punching you in the brains.
There is a weighted silence as Fisk considers his
options.
FISK
(Cont’d)
Look,
Charles, I understand what it is to be young.
I know where you’re coming from.
But if you’ve got any kind of serious intentions with my Mary, you’re
gonna have to show me something slightly more aspirant than what you’ve already
brought to the table.
CHARLIE
It’s
“Charlie”, Mr. Fisk.
Fisk turns to Charlie and makes eye contact for the
first time. This is not a good
thing. But when he sees Charlie doesn’t
flinch, his expression turns warmer. He
welcomes him over.
FISK
C’mon,
kid. Have a seat.
Charlie does so and they begin an awkward but
well-intentioned conversation.
Fade out.