***
Scene: At a busy street
A NAWASA pipe busted and eleven workers from MWSS arrive to
fix it.
***
Scene: Noelle's condo.
Noelle is a high society girl that Chris has been having a
physical relationship with for several months now. After coitus, Chris and Noelle are lounging
in bed.
Chris: Noelle, how about we go see a movie tomorrow? I haven't seen a movie in a while.
Noelle: Umm, naah, I don't really like movies.
Chris: Let's go to the beach then.
Noelle: Ugh, I hate the beach. Sand gets everywhere.
Chris: Let's go out to a nice dinner then.
Noelle: Why? We can eat here or I'll just cook for you.
Chris: I'm not an idiot.
I know you don't want to be seen with me.
Noelle: Babe, I told you, my friends are such snobs, they
just aren't ready to see us together yet.
Chris: If they are such snobs, then why do you hang out with
them?
Noelle: I've know Joy, Holly and Ivy forever. Our families know each other. I can't just drop them.
Chris: I'm starting to think you are as snooty as they are.
Noelle: What?! If I
am, would I be with you? I'm offended.
She pretends to sulk.
Chris is not buying it.
Noelle: Babe, please be more patient.
Chris: You've been saying that for months. I want a commitment from you now!
Noelle: umm…
Chris: I've had it!
I'm through being jerked around by you! We're through!
Chris gets up and quickly puts his clothes on. He dashes out of the condo and into his car.
Noelle: No, wait! Chris, please...
Noelle gets dressed and follows him but she's too late.
Noelle: (thinking) Seemed like he really meant it this
time. Hope I don't lose the best lay I
ever had. … Hmm, he'll come back. I'll
make sure of that…. Now what should I
wear today.
***
Scene: Back to the busy street where the workers are still
trying to fix the pipes.
Chris is losing his patience as usual. He gets out of the car and heads to the
workers.
Chris: Hey! What the hell's going on here?
Workers: Can't you see? We're fixing this leak.
Chris: Why is it taking so long? When is it going to get
done?
Worker: It's gonna be done when it’s done.
Carol is in a taxi not too far from the argument. She hears all this gets out of the car
too.
Carol: What's happening here?
Please, I have to get to a meeting.
I already had to reschedule from yesterday. I can't miss it.
Chris: (to Carol) Why don't you mind your own business,
lady. You're not the only one who is
late for a meeting.
Chris: (to the workers) There's so many of you fixing this
problem but do any of you people even know what the fuck you are doing?
Worker: Do you want to take us on, punk? Do you? There's eleven of us. We'll beat the crap out of you!
Carol: (to Chris) Sir, please, you are just making it worse
by arguing with them. Let these men do
their jobs so we can all get out here.
Chris: (ignoring her) You assholes don't scare me! Bring it on!
Let's throw down right here, right now!!
One of the workers push and throw a punch, Carol is caught in
the middle. She gets pushed into Chris
and they end up laying on top of one another again. But this time, Carol is on top. One of Chris hands is on Carol's lower
back. Carol and Chris' face register
their realization of who each other is at the same time. They both scramble up quickly.
Carol and Chris: YOU!!!
Chris: Well, well, if
it isn't Miss Manang. I didn't recognize
you without delicious gulaman on your face.
Carol: And I didn't recognize you without that ridiculous
smelly Santa suit on. Of all the rotten
luck! My meeting had to be move to today
because of you yesterday. Now I'm going
to be late!
Head worker: Hey! Hey! Stop it! We've got work to do here. (to the other
workers) Get back to work! (to Chris and Carol) Get back in your cars, before
we call the police and have you all arrested.
Carol checks her watch.
She decides to pay her taxi and walk/run to her destination. Good thing she wears sensible shoes.
Chris gets back in his car to stew.
***
Scene: At a publishing house office.
Carol is talking to the reception after running several
blocks.
Carol: (panting) Sorry.. I'm... late. Big.. pipe.. burst.. I'm .. Carol..
Baltazar.
Receptionist: We're expecting you Miss Baltazar. Go right in.
Scene: Distinguished looking office
Carol: (deep breath) I'm so sorry, I'm late. I'm not usually like this.
Beth: That's okay, I heard about the traffic jam. I'm Beth, one of the editors. This is Mr. Melchor Pascual, the owner of
this publishing house. Please have a
seat.
Carol sits down. After
some small talk, they get down to business.
Carol: As you can see, there's already a market for my
book. My syndicated advice column has
many readers and I have a web presence.
I'm a licensed psychotherapist.
My book is about controlling your temper and mastering your
emotions. Something everyone can benefit
from.
Melchor: Miss
Baltazar, I don't usually meet with all our authors. I'm here for a reason.
Carol: Well, it did occur to me that the publishing house
owner here seemed quite hands on.
Melchor: We don't usually publish self help books but we
might take a chance with yours.
Carol: You won't regret it if you do.
Melchor: Do your techniques really work?
Carol: 100%! I used my own techniques to fix my own
life.
Melchor: I have a grandson that has anger management
issues. Can you help him?
Carol: Absolutely!
Melchor: I have a Christmas party in 3 weeks. Can you fix him
by then? I don't want a repeat of last
year's debacle.
Carol: Three weeks is not a long time. For most people, this is a long process. Can you tell me more about his situation?
Melchor: Beth, will
you excuse us, please.
Beth: Sure, Mr Pascual.
Just call for me if you need me.
Beth leaves the office.
Melchor: Miss Baltazar, my only daughter Gabrielle was
spoiled and stubborn. When she was 19, after
one of our big arguments, she left the house, didn't tell anyone where she was
going. I looked for her but was never
able to find her. About 2 years ago, I
heard that she was in the States and that she had passed. But she had a son who's already 23 years
old. His name is Christian Pascual.
Carol: It must have
been difficult to learn about your daughter's death like that.
Melchor: It was. It
really was. But after I got over my
shock, I was delighted to hear that I have a grandson. I went to the States to meet him and to ask
if wanted to come live here. He was more
than happy to. Turned out he was in a
lot of trouble there too.
Melchor: Chris doesn't
want to talk about it but from what I gather, he's had an unstable
childhood. Gabby was a single
parent. They moved from place to
place. Gabby took odd menial jobs, had
several failed relationships. He was
taken from her by Child Protective Services twice and put in foster homes. He was even arrested when he was still a
minor.
Carol: That might explain the anger issues.
Melchor: Perhaps, but he's a grown man now. I want him to start taking
responsibility. When I was his age, I
was already managing our family business.
Carol nods sympathetically.
Melchor: Miss Baltazar, I'm very concerned about him. He has a bad temper and keeps getting into
fights. I'm afraid he'll wind up in
jail, or get hurt, or hurt someone else.
Carol: Sir, three weeks just doesn't seem like enough time.
Melchor: What can I say, I'm an impatient man. I want results! Look, I don't expect a complete turnaround
but if I can see real improvements at that time, we will publish your book.
Carol: (hesitates for a second) You have a deal, Mr.
Pascual. When can I meet your grandson?.
Melchor: He's supposed to be here. I told him to come to this meeting. He's late again.
(Door knocking, it's the secretary)
Secretary: Sir, your grandson is here.
Melchor: Send him in.
Chris walks in the office.
Chris: (rushing in) I know, I know, I'm late! I'm sorry! You will not believe the traffic out
there.
He spies Carol.
Carol's eyes double in size as she sees Chris.
Carol: YOU!!!!
Chris: Oh, fuck, me.
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