1 LIFT - INT - DAY         1

HELEN DREAMBODY gets into the lift. In there is FRANK RICE. They smile at each other in a non-threatening way. The control of the lift is activated. The doors close and the lift jerks downwards - after a moment it stops. HELEN and FRANK look at each other. FRANK shakes his head. He steps over to the control panel and presses the controls, gently at first then frantically, almost pounding away at it. He turns to HELEN.

     FRANK
  I think it�s bust.

     HELEN
  You sure?

FRANK frantically presses the panel once more. HELEN gives off a huff and waits around, tapping her feet.

     HELEN
  Is their a phone or something? Some kind of distress   call?

     FRANK
  Dunno

FRANK looks at the side of the box and fumbles around, switching things.

     FRANK
  Theres a big red button.

     HELEN
  Let�s hope it calls superman.

FRANK presses the distress button.

     FRANK
  He�s probably gotto get dressed first, he�ll be    reporting or something.

HELEN smiles and settles down against the wall. FRANK stands.
Silence. - Impatience growing. The ice has yet to be broken. A reluctance is in the air then the silence is broken.

     HELEN
  I only came into town to do some shopping. So...what   is it you do?

     FRANK
  Nothing interesting.......foreman at the     docks.....what about you?

     HELEN
  Receptionist........just at the dentists that�s all.

     FRANK
  How d�you wind up doing that?

     HELEN
  Dunno really........it just kind of happened. Got   nice teeth, I suppose.

     FRANK
        (laughs)
  You�ve got lovely teeth......better than my rotting   old things.

FRANK sits down opposite HELEN.

     HELEN
  So you�re a foreman.....do they know anything about   making lifts work?

     FRANK
  No....they don�t teach us that kind of thing..what   about receptionists?

     HELEN
  No...I wish they did..

     FRANK
  Superman�s taking his time.....must be a busy news   day.

     HELEN
  Probably looking for a phone box..Let�s hope he    doesn�t take all week...or just somebody....I wish   I�d have took the stairs.

     FRANK
  I�m glad I took the lift..else I wouldn�t be stranded   here, with you.

HELEN looks uncomfortable

     FRANK
  Sorry.....just I�m thinking about getting my teeth   sorted...thought I could sweet talk a discount.

     HELEN
        (laughs)
  It�d take a lot more than that!

     FRANK
  Oh...yeah?

     HELEN
  A lot, lot more. Don�t wanna on the wrong side of   Dash.

     FRANK
  Dash??

     HELEN
  My boss.....Dash Riprock

     FRANK
        (Laughs really hard)
  Dash Riprock...what kind of names that? He sounds   like all macho...I bet he�s really a poofter!

HELEN takes out her dental floss and works away at her mouth.

     HELEN
         (frustrated)
  C�mon lift!