[scene: in a coffee shop somewhere in new york] [shot of unknown matronly woman in an apron behind the counter, washing her hands] [enter protagonist from the door in front of her.] [the entering bells ring as she pulls open the door] [the waitress looks up at the woman who walked in, and gives a practised smile.]
Waitress: What would you like, miss? [mei pauses and looks around for a while, then sits herself at the counter] Mei: What's your special today? [waitress gives a smile and refers to the list pinned behind the counter.] Waitress: Mostly some tea blends. But you look to me like a coffee-drinker, so I wouldn't recommend them. Mei: *thinks and smiles politely* Then can I have an iced expresso double? Waitress: *smiles back* Of course.
[waitress walks towards the coffee-maker, humming a Latin American tune.] [the bells on the door ring again.] [scene moves to the door, where a lady in formal work wear and a flustered look walks in.] [camera moves to her high heels, half covered by her pants. her feet pause on the polished marbled floor, and then moves again.] Mei: You're late. Yen: Not that late. Besides, the rest aren't here yet. [mei shrugs. the waitress returns to the counter with her expresso.] Waitress: Here. Iced expresso double. And what would your friend want? Yen: Can I have a pastry and a mocha latte? Waitress: Sure.
[waitress moves away again.] [mei pulls out her small handphone and starts dialling some numbers as yen moves towards the magazine rack and picks up the latest movie magazine.] Mei: Where are you? Yen and I are both here. *pauses* Oh. Alright. Yen: *walking back* Who was that? Mei: *nods towards the door* Here he comes.
[door bells ring again] [a teenager with short cropped hair and baggy jeans and t-shirt walks through, still carrying his handphone. his sketchbook and his pencil are still in his hand.] Sena: Sorry. I know I'm late. Mei: You had better know so. Yen: Where are the rest? Sena: *sitting himself down* They're coming.
[door bells ring several times.] [two girls about the same height step in, one wearing a skirt and a blouse with her hair in a high ponytail, the other in slacks and a long sleeve shirt. the latter has her hair in a low ponytail.] Lili: Sorry! Joppo: The traffic. Lili: Don't kill us!! Mei: *sigh* Just come earlier next time.
[waitress returns with steaming pastry and mocha latte. she does a silent double take at the sudden increase in customers.] Waitress: My my... what would all of you want, dearies? Mei: After-coffee mints please. Yen: *taking her food* Thank you. Sena: Can I have a banana nut spin? Waitress: Sure thing darling. Anything else? Mei: Another expresso. [slight pause as the waitress subtly peers into the empty expresso cup.] Yen: Isn't that your second already? [mei shrugs] Joppo: Sunrise Vanilla. Waitress: Sure thing... and that expresso too. Lili: *waves* Can I have a strawberry and banana milkshake? [slight pause as everyone else gulps down at the mere thought of the sweetness of that drink.] Waitress: Of course, my dear. So that'll be all? Yen: Wait. Can you make all of them takeouts? We need to run soon. Waitress: Alright then. Just wait a mite.
[waitress moves off to the opposite side of the counter at a slightly higher speed. the rest of them look at their watches.] Lili: Oh yes, it is about time... Mei: Would have been less rushed if all of you were on time. Sena: Nah nah... we had our reasons... [mei shrugs. the rest of them start picking up their things] [waitress returns with all their drinks and food] Waitress: There you go! I suppose you'd be wanting the check? Mei: Yes, please. [slight pause as waitress does mental calculations] Waitress: That'll be thirty-five dollars in total. You'd be paying separately? Yen: Nah, we'll settle it outside. [she pulls out her wallet as does the rest of the people. they each give an approximate amount and give it all to the waitress.] Mei: Keep the change. Lili: Them tips. Joppo: So I guess we'd better go now. Sena: Yup. Yen: Okay. Let's go.
[the five of them leave the coffee-shop one by one, the doorbell ringing consecutively. ] [the waitress stares at them until they've gone out of sight, before washing her hands.] [closing scene: mei's empty expresso cup sitting in the counter, with the waitress humming a latin american tune in the background.] [scene fades and stylised cursive words appear.] [Coffee-Cup.net] [Contact Us]
chiiyo's comments :
This was something fun written for Coffee-Cup (pop-up). It's meant to be something like a promotional video, not a play. The basic premise is all the staff of Coffee-Cup.net get together and have... guess what? Coffee! Okay, so we don't all get coffees... Actually, all the staff members actually order their own namesakes on Coffee-Cup.net. My nickname is Strawberry and Banana milkshake, get it? Also, I make it an effort to have all the words on the menu of Coffee-Cup to appear in order in the drama itself, just for fun. To be honest, I think the waitress sounds a bit forced in her dialogue, but believe me, us staff members sound just fine... *grin*