RETALE
Short Film
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RETALE
(Draft 1)
BY
ANDREW MCDONALD
INT. LOUIS CAR. DAY.
A seedy Louis, 24, drives his Sigma station wagon down a busy street. Louis is thin with dyed black hair reaching just below his cheekbones. The sun beams down into the windows causing Louis to sweat and itch. He scratches urgently at his white shirt and black trousers with one hand while tapping his other hand on the steering-wheel in time to the loud heavy music playing in his car. Louis dry reaches. He talks underneath his breath, and looks to his side catching glimpses of the drivers that pass him by.
LOUIS
Fuck… Shit… This fucking place!
To his right at the end of the street is a shopping complex with a giant sign that reads WILSON’S SUPERMARKET. He drives into the underground car park at the bottom of a small slope before the stores ‘walk-in’ entrance.
INT. LOUIS CAR- UNDERGROUND CARPARK. DAY.
Louis parks his car in the nearest available vacancy to the entrance. He turns the ignition off and stares at his dashboard.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Fuck…
INT. UNDERGROUND CARPARK. DAY.
Louis stands outside of his car and checks that each door is locked by pulling lightly on each door handle. He checks his watch and walks quickly towards the entrance of the shopping complex.
Louis removes a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and lifts the lid of the pack. The packet is empty.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Great!
To the left of the entrance is Kent 16, spread out on a row of trolleys in an allocated bay where customers have returned them. He smokes a cigarette and winks at Louis as he passes. Louis throws his cigarette packet into a large ceramic pot that is used by smokers as an ash tray.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Hey.
INT. RAMP- PLAZA. DAY.
Louis staggers up the ramp, running his hand along the support bar. A mother and her child brush past him on their way down, with their trolley full of groceries. Louis is crushed lightly into the side of the ramp. He scoffs as he watches them pass until they reach the bottom of the ramp.
LOUIS
Thanks… stupid bitch.
From his shirt pocket, Louis removes a bow tie. He raises his collar and casually ties it around his neck. Louis almost gags as he tightens the bow tie and clears his throat. He removes a hanker chief from his pocket and discreetly spits into it.
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
Louis makes his way through the plaza and towards the supermarket entrance. Louis adjusts his collar and then takes a name badge from his shirt pocket and pins it on the breast of his shirt.
The name badge reads- WILSON’S- A NAME YOU CAN TRUST- HI MY NAME IS LOUIS.
Louis walks amidst a crowd of people with shopping trolleys. The customers wheel their trolleys slowly, forcing Louis to maneuver around them.
From a far the butcher can be heard.
BUTCHER
Come on Ladies, only three-ninety nine a kilo, do your husband a favour.
Louis reaches the automatic steel bar that leads into the supermarket and is nudged aside by a trolley. An elderly lady stands along side him, persistent on reaching the inside of the store before he does.
ELDERLY LADY
Patience young man!
LOUIS
Sorry.
She lets herself through the entrance. Once her back is turned Louis snarls at the elderly lady.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis passes large refrigerators of frozen goods. He walks past occupied customers with his head to the ground. Louis finally reaches a doorway to the lunchroom.
INT. LUNCH ROOM- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
To Louis’ right is a large table with half eaten cake and empty polystyrene cups spread out among the table. Shelley, 21 and Natasha, 21 sit next to each other delicately eating their salad lunch out of paper plates.
SHELLEY
He knew that message wasn’t sent by my phone, as if I’d write something like that.
NATASHA
I know. As if.
SHELLEY
So I called him up and I’m like hi, how are you and all that…
NATASHA
Yeah.
Louis places his right index finger on a scanning device that automatically signs him in. Louis creeps past the two girls hoping they won’t notice him. Natasha looks up at Louis and gives a half smile.
NATASHA
(Whispering)
How are ya?
LOUIS
Hey.
Natasha returns her attention to Shelley.
NATASHA
…and then what?
Louis passes Shelley and Natasha and reaches for the toilet door on his left.
INT. MEN’S TOILET- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis passes the urinal and cups his mouth with one hand. He locks himself in the first of the two cubical doors and begins coughing until his coughing turns to dry reaching.
The toilet door swings open again. Tarek, 29 bursts in at the same time that Louis has begun to vomit. Tarek is tall and well built. Tarek stands by the cubical door and waits.
The toilet flushes and a watery-eyed Louis opens the door and shrieks.
TAREK
You alright?
Tarek looks carefully at Louis’ name badge.
TAREK
(cont.)
What’s your… Louis. You have a big night or something?
LOUIS
Na, I’m actually really sick.
INT. BAR. NIGHT.
It’s the night before and Louis is seated at a round bar-table with Brian 24, and Brian’s girlfriend Casey 22. Brian is stocky with styled messy hair. The place is busy with well dressed patrons staggering around with glasses in their hands. ‘Dub-reggae’ music is thumping from the speakers and small lamps on each table light the room.
CASEY
Watch it!
LOUIS
So we’re at the bar right…
BRIAN
Yeah Casey, listen to this.
A drunken Louis sips his beer, drags on his cigarette, and butts it into an ashtray placed at the centre of the table that is full with cigarette butts. He knocks the lamp on the table and holds it upright before it falls. Louis breathes smoke as he speaks.
LOUIS
…and the bar chick’s like ‘Nah, I already called last drinks…’ so Brian goes ‘that’s the shit that makes me want to go and buy a gun’.
Brian and Casey both laugh as Louis quickly pours the rest of his drink down his throat.
BRIAN
True story…
INT. MEN’S TOILET- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis wipes saliva from his lip.
TAREK
You shouldn’t come into work if you’re sick.
LOUIS
Its cool Tarek, I’m alright now…
TAREK
What time you here ‘til?
LOUIS
Until six.
TAREK
Come see me before you leave, I want check what you done.
LOUIS
Sure…
Louis brushes past Tarek and washes his hands in the basin. He pushes the soap dispenser but it’s empty. He reaches over for a paper towel from its dispenser, but that too is empty. Louis wipes his hands on his trousers.
TAREK
You finished school yeah?
Louis stares at Tarek through the mirror above the basin.
LOUIS
Um… Na I still got a couple weeks left.
Louis cups a handful of water and splashes it over his face.
INT. BAR. NIGHT.
Brian stands up pushing his seat back and puts his arm around Louis. Louis stands. With his other hand Brian raises his glass.
BRIAN
Here’s to no more fucking school!
LOUIS
(Shouting)
Hells yeah!
Louis raises his glass and knocks it hard against Brian’s.
BRIAN
(Laughs)
And here’s to kicking shit at Wilson’s for the rest of our lives.
LOUIS
Fuck that.
BRIAN
Whatever… come see me in five years, I guarantee I know where you’ll be.
LOUIS
You of all people!
Brian bows his head.
BRIAN
True.
CASEY
What’s that?
BRIAN
Lou reckons he’ll never become manager.
LOUIS
No chance!
CASEY
What’s wrong with that?
BRIAN
‘Cause they’re basically dudes who popped out kids when they were sixteen and kept the only job they had.
CASEY
That’s so not true.
BRIAN
It is…
CASEY
Shut up!
Louis leans forward into Brian and looks him straight in the eye.
LOUIS
Dude, I’m telling you, first thing tomorrow.
Brian removes his hand from around Louis shoulder and gives him a shove.
BRIAN
Don’t worry… you come see me…
LOUIS
It’s a done deal…
Louis peers around the room. His body follows in a drunken, circular motion.
CASEY
You’re getting very repetitive.
LOUIS
Na, no shit!
CASEY
Yeah we’ll see…
Louis pulls a face at Casey and forces the rest of his drink down his throat.
INT. MEN’S TOILETS- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Tarek stands against the urinal and undoes his fly. He rests one hand above the urinal and leans forward.
Louis holds his stomach contemplating whether or not to vomit once again.
TAREK
Two weeks. You sure, because I was speaking to Brian and he tells me you’ve finished.
LOUIS
Oh, I mean I’ve still got work to hand in and that… but like all the classes are finished.
TAREK
Fantastic, wait there for me, and I’ll write you up a new contract.
Louis leans his back against the basin with his head bowed and lets out a huff. He shakes his head and grinds his teeth. Tarek commences urinating with a sigh of relief.
INT. MANAGERS OFFICE- SUPERMARKET. DAY
Tarek sits at his desk filling out a full time employment contract. The desk is surprisingly bare and the open-cupboards that stand against the wall are neat and organized.
TAREK
How do you spell Louis? L. U…
LOUIS
O.U.
TAREK
O.U… how old are ya?
LOUIS
I’m twenty-four.
TAREK
Twenty-four? Mate you look about nineteen, but that’s good… How long you been here?
Louis quickly counts on his fingers.
LOUIS
Um… Seven years in February.
TAREK
(Laughs)
And you not running this place yet?
Louis fakes a smile. Tarek hands over the contract. Louis face turns red when he sees the contract. Louis focuses on the section that reads 40 HOURS- He hesitates.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Just sign down the bottom and date it… it’s the fifteenth today.
Louis clenches his teeth and begins to sweat.
LOUIS
Um…
Tarek looks up at Louis.
TAREK
Yeah mate?
LOUIS
Na… nothing… Tarek I was actually going to… um…
TAREK
What?
LOUIS
Well I was thinking of like leaving soon ‘cause you know now that I’ve finished school and that…
TAREK
You got another job?
LOUIS
No not yet…
TAREK
Sign now and if you get another job, come see me then.
LOUIS
Yeah but, it’s more like…
TAREK
Mate, just sign it.
Louis winces and signs his name.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis searches for a register that is unoccupied. He sees register twelve is empty and storms through it. The male cashier on register twelve flicks pages of a weekly women’s magazine and does not look up.
Louis passes the stores front and turns into the Liquor Department, which is a separate shop front within the plaza to his right.
INT. LIQUOR STORE. DAY.
Louis enters the door-way that has a great lit up sign that reads- WILSON’S LIQUOR- A NAME YOU CAN TRUST. At the counter stands a red-eyed Brian. Brian is spinning coins and catching them before they spin off the counter. Louis stands before him.
BRIAN
(Laughs)
You look shit house.
LOUIS
I should fucking hit you!
BRIAN
Ha? What for?
LOUIS
They just made me sign a fucking full time contract, like for every day!
BRIAN
See, I told ya.
LOUIS
Yeah, well thanks for telling these bastards I’m on holidays.
BRIAN
What do you want me to say? They would have found out sooner or later. They’re not that stupid.
LOUIS
You reckon?
BRIAN
Fuck I hope they don’t come to me with a contract, I’ll tell them where they can stick that.
Robert, 34 enters the Liquor store. Robert is tall he has a bald head and a moustache that resembles bicycle handlebars.
ROBERT
Who you sticking now?
BRIAN
Hey… here he is.
ROBERT
Big night last night fellas?
Brian points at Louis.
BRIAN
You got no idea… This idiot was still drinking at five this morning.
Louis awkwardly stares at the ground.
ROBERT
That right? You meant to be in here?
LOUIS
Na… um… I’m meant to be doing the load.
ROBERT
Well off you go then!
Louis walks out of the Liquor store and returns to the supermarket.
ROBERT
(Cont.)
Been busy?
BRIAN
Na, no one’s come in all morning… fucking lucky I think I’m still pissed.
ROBERT
(Laughs)
Look at ya. You’re scaring the customers away.
BRIAN
Me?
ROBERT
There’s some Berocca in the tea room, if you need it.
BRIAN
Don’t worry about me. Save it for Louis, did you see him?
INT. STORE ROOM- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
The store room is a giant corridor that is divided in sections of each department within the store. Louis has his own section next to the fruit and vegetable section at the far end of the store room. Louis carry’s heavy bags of Potting Mix from a pellet to a six-wheeled trolley.
Dominic 22, is a short Italian man with black, spiked hair and sideburns. Dominic stands within the fruit and vegetables section of the store room breaking off a piece of wood from a pellet, using his foot to add pressure and pulling the wood upwards with both hands. He snaps the piece of wood and proceeds to swing open the plastic door to the store.
DOMINIC
Ey, Guzzu- vene qua.
Frank, 16 enters through two flimsy-plastic doors that lead into the supermarket. Frank is a thin Italian boy with large pimples.
FRANK
What?
DOMINIC
Hey, get us two mangos.
FRANK
What for?
DOMINIC
What for? Just fucking get ‘em.
FRANK
You fucking get ‘em.
Dominic waves his hand at Frank in a slicing motion.
DOMINIC
I’m gonna smack this…
Frank peeks inside of some boxes that are mounted onto a pellet. He searches through the opened boxes until he eventually finds the mangos and offers two of them to Dominic.
Dominic raises his plank of wood and practices his swinging.
DOMINIC
(Cont.)
Don’t give them to me…
FRANK
Oh… here wait…
Frank smiles as he lines himself up to bowl a mango towards Dominic. He throws one mango lightly and Dominic smashes it against the storeroom wall. Frank and Dominic laugh out loud.
FRANK
(Cont.)
Fuck me…
DOMINIC
Hey? Hey?
Louis looks up from his bags of Potting Mix as the two boys cheer. He assesses the damage, smiles briefly and then continues loading his bags of Potting Mix.
Frank holds up the remaining mango preparing to launch it. Dominic raises his hand to stop him from throwing it. Dominic eyes towards an oblivious Louis. The two nod their heads.
Franks gently throws the mango at Dominic who strikes the mango at Louis. The mango splatters over him, staining his shirt.
Louis pauses completely stunned then wipes himself down, removing pieces of mango from his work attire.
LOUIS
Thanks!
Frank and Dominic are hysterical. They slap hands while laughing aloud.
DOMINIC
‘Ey. Sorry… fuck you had it coming.
Through tired eyes Louis looks over himself and laughs under his breath.
LOUIS
Dude, I’m too hung over for this shit.
DOMINIC
Yeah? You go out last night or what?
LOUIS
Yeah, ended up at this bar…
DOMINIC
A bar? Fuck that shit mate. Go to a club.
LOUIS
Oh Ok. You’re into clubs yeah?
DOMINIC
You been to Bronzers?
LOUIS
Na, I…
Dominic clasps his hands together in a praying manner.
DOMINIC
The wettest sluts you ever seen!
LOUIS
Right…
DOMINIC
You got a misses or what?
LOUIS
Na.
DOMINIC
No? Have my ex if you want. I’ll give you her number, you can fuck her.
Dominic removes his mobile phone from his pocket and begins to search for her phone number on the tiny screen.
LOUIS
It’s Okay Dom, I’m good.
DOMINIC
Relax… you see this slut.
LOUIS
Dude, it’s cool.
Frank steps forward.
FRANK
Can I ring her?
DOMINIC
Hey little Franky’s up. Here…
Dominic hands his phone to Frank.
DOMINIC
(Cont.)
Don’t ring on my phone but… use the store phone! She’ll know it’s me.
FRANK
Yeah as if I’m gonna use your phone!
Louis watches the two a little bewildered.
INT. AISLE ONE- SUPERMARKET. DAY
Louis slowly pushes the six- wheeled trolley filled with Potting Mix to the front end of the aisle. He groans as he forces the faulty trolley forward.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET- DAY.
Louis begins to lift the heavy bags onto a cardboard display. A sign above the display reads- WILSON’S SPRINGTIME GARDENING, A NAME YOU CAN TRUST IN A SEASON THAT YOU LOVE- Louis places the heavy bags into their appropriate section within the display. As he lifts the bag against his chest and onto the display, the dirt and manure from tiny holes in the bag attach themselves to his sticky shirt and pants. Louis scoffs and throws the heavy bag of potting mix. The bag falls straight in front of Louis feet, causing him to trip over. Louis immediately rises to his feet and brushes himself down.
From the paging system that’s heard throughout the store over the loudspeakers, Natasha makes an announcement.
NATASHA
(Off-screen)
Emergency! All floor staff to register one. All floor staff to register one!
Louis looks to his left at Register 1; he sees Hampo, 21. Hampo is tall and well built; he wears a baseball cap and ripped clothing. Hampo shoves Natasha with his spare hand, as he quickly exits the store holding stolen goods under his arm.
Natasha slams her register draw closed with her hip and frantically shifts her head back and forth, looking along the front end of the store as she waits desperately.
NATASHA
(Cont.)
For Christ sake, come on!
Louis casually walks beside the cash register. From a far, four other employees are racing towards the register.
LOUIS
You alright now?
NATASHA
Get him!
A line of shocked customers at Register one, change their tune my scoffing and sniggering at Louis.
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
Louis gradually begins to jog out of the store. He sees Hampo to his right running towards an automatic door that leads onto the main street.
Louis picks up his jogging pace and starts to run. He passes the front of the liquor store.
Brian watches with a smile on his face from his cash register.
BRIAN
Hey! What’s happened?
Louis stops running and faces Brian.
LOUIS
Dude’s stealing.
BRIAN
Who Hampo?
LOUIS
Who?
BRIAN
The one running…
LOUIS
Yeah.
BRIAN
Fuck, don’t chase him!
From further behind Robert and Tarek are running towards Louis. Robert waves his arms in the air.
ROBERT
Louis! What the fuck!
Louis continues towards the automatic door.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis exits through the automatic door and falls straight into Hampo who awaits a fight. Hampo falls to the ground as Louis stumbles on top of him. The stolen goods scatter around the concrete floor, razor blades fly out of their packets and batteries roll to the gutter.
HAMPO
You want to go me cunt? Fucking bring it!
Hampo clenches Louis throat. Louis tries to talk as he gags.
LOUIS
The cops are on their way, I’m giving you a chance to run.
Robert and Tarek burst through the door. Hampo sees them and pushes Louis away from him. He picks himself up off the ground and runs.
HAMPO
You’re gone cunt!
Hampo runs carelessly across a busy street, weaving through traffic. Tarek and Robert run to the sidewalk and are stopped short by the traffic. Car horns beep simultaneously.
Tarek and Robert stand over Louis who is still watching from his place on the ground.
TAREK
Mate! What is this?
LOUIS
I… I don’t know, he just…
ROBERT
You fucking let him go!
LOUIS
Sorry, but he was…
Louis rubs his neck and lets out a slight cough.
ROBERT
Shit house mate, shit house.
INT. STOREROOM- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis bursts through the plastic doors to the store room, he passes Frank and Dominic who hover around a work-phone that is attached to a wall.
Louis sits on the pellet of potting mix, burying his head in his hands.
Frank is talking on the phone laughing silently at Dominic.
FRANK
Hello… who’s this… na I asked you first, who’s this?
Dominic begins pacing around Frank.
FRANK
(Cont.)
It’s Frank, who’s this? Na, it’s a friend of Dom’s… I work with him. Hey listen, what are you doing tonight?
Frank raises his finger to his mouth signaling for silence.
FRANK
(Cont.)
Nothin’ ha? Do you want to do something? I don’t know come to Wilson’s at five… we’ll hook up… whatever you want to do… alright sweet… catch.
Frank hangs the phone up. He takes the phone off the receiver quickly and speaks into it.
FRANK
(Cont.)
Slut!
DOMINIC
You don’t call her a slut!
Frank slams the phone back on the receiver and laughs clapping his hand three times.
DOMINIC
What did she say?
FRANK
Nothing.
DOMINIC
Did I tell ya she was a slut, or what?
FRANK
She sounded like a slut.
Dominic looks over toward Louis who watches from his spot on top of the potting mix bags.
DOMINIC
You missed out…
LOUIS
Damn…
DOMINIC
What’s with you?
LOUIS
Na nothing.
DOMINIC
Did you get that call?
LOUIS
Yeah.
DOMINIC
What was it?
LOUIS
Some guy was stealing shit.
FRANK
Who was this?
LOUIS
Fucked if I know, some dude Hampo or some shit.
FRANK
No shit? Hampo? I know him.
DOMINIC
He’s a dick head, he’ll get his head kicked in one day.
FRANK
By who? You?
DOMINIC
Na, he could bash the shit out of me but I’m telling ya, I know a lot of people want him bashed.
Louis smiles and stands up. He shakes his head and walks through the plastic doors and into the store.
FRANK
Did he hit ya or what? I bet he did… Lou! Hampo’s a mad head.
DOMINIC
Mad head? I’ll smack him and his mum.
FRANK
You wish…
DOMINIC
What a slut, ha?
FRANK
Yeah she was a slut.
DOMINIC
What did she say?
FRANK
Nothing.
INT. AISLE TWO- SUPERMARKET DAY.
Louis has an old shopping trolley full with hosiery and underwear. He takes a packet of women’s underwear and places them on the appropriate hooks on the shelf.
A mother and her teenaged daughter skim through pairs of underwear beside Louis. The teenaged daughter smirks.
MOTHER BUYING LINGERIE
(Under her breath)
They should have the girls do that.
With a sinister/ hung-over expression, Louis takes the pair of underwear that he holds in his hand and runs it along his face. Louis faces the woman and aggressively sniffs the underwear.
The mother takes her daughter by the hand and pulls her out of the aisle. Louis smiles and places the underwear onto the hook.
The elderly lady that pushed Louis aside when he entered the store marches up to him, holding a pair of stockings. She tears open the packet, removes a black pair of stockings and waves them at him.
ELDERLY LADY
Do you have any Brazen? I have to have Brazen!
LOUIS
Oh, um… Soft Tan?
ELDERLY LADY
Brazen!
Louis takes the stockings from her and places them back into the packet abruptly.
Louis overlooks the hosiery. The section is empty. The hook with its price ticket reads- CLEARANCE.
LOUIS
Ok it’s a clearance which means they’ve stopped making these at the warehouse.
ELDERLY LADY
Go look out the back!
LOUIS
No, it means there’s no more… ever!
ELDERLY LADY
Maybe there’s some out the back.
LOUIS
No, you see it’s a deleted line which means no more.
ELDERLY LADY
I’ll ask somebody else.
Louis turns away abruptly. As he looks ahead he is confronted by Angela. Angela is an attractive blonde that works in the delicatessen department of the supermarket. She wears a white apron. Louis is captivated by her beauty. Angela holds a packet of cigarettes, car keys and a hair net.
ANGELA
Hey Louis, can I ask you something?
LOUIS
Yeah… sure.
Angela places her belongings into one hand and holds a G-string against her waist. She studies her self from different angles.
ANGELA
Do you think these will fit? I bought a pair last week and they were too small.
Louis turns bright red.
LOUIS
Um… they might.
ANGELA
Do you know if we’re getting more in?
Louis eagerly searches through his trolley for a pair of underwear. He retrieves a packet and tears open the wrapping.
LOUIS
Here… these are it yeah?
Angela scans through the packet and takes the pair to which she approves. She holds them against her waist.
ANGELA
Do you like these? I don’t know
LOUIS
(Under his breath)
Yeah, I like you…
INT. LOUIS BEDROOM. DAY-CONTINUOUS.
Louis dances around his room listening to orchestral music. He dances in a circular motion holding a teddy bear that has a Polaroid photograph of Angela’s face attached to the face of the teddy bear. Louis hums to the tune of the music as he dances, he kisses Angela’s photo and smiles.
INT. AISLE TWO- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis stares at Angela, dumb founded. She gives him a suspicious look.
ANGELA
Louis?
LOUIS
Um… yeah they look… good.
ANGELA
Cool I’ll get these then. Want to come outside for a smoke?
LOUIS
Yeah, sure… I’ll give it five.
ANGELA
Yep.
Angela walks out of the aisle. Louis scrunches a pair of pants in his hand and stares helplessly at Angela as she leaves.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis and Angela stand around a plastic rubbish bin where she ashes her cigarette.
LOUIS
You don’t reckon I could bum one off you? I ran out this morning… sorry.
ANGELA
Yeah, of coarse.
Angela gives Louis a cigarette from her packet. He lights it, blows smoke and coughs.
LOUIS
(Coughing)
Thanks.
ANGELA
You right?
LOUIS
Mmm… I feel a bit shit… went out with Brian last night, we got well pissed… and yeah…
Angela nods her head almost mockingly. There’s a moment of uncomfortable silence.
ANGELA
So what time do you finish?
LOUIS
Um, six… yourself?
ANGELA
Five.
LOUIS
That’s alright.
ANGELA
Yep.
There’s another moments pause. Angela and Louis stare off into separate directions looking for something to talk about.
LOUIS
Yeah… well… they want me to work full time.
ANGELA
That’s good… like… good money.
LOUIS
Yep, it might be good.
Brian exits the plaza through the automatic doors. He lights a cigarette and stands between Louis and Angela.
BRIAN
There she is…
ANGELA
Hey…
Brian leans over to Angela and gives her a kiss hello on the cheek. He draws his attention to Louis.
BRIAN
I heard what happened.
LOUIS
With what?
BRIAN
I heard you bowled Hampo. How the fuck did you do that?
Angela takes a step forward towards Louis and smiles.
ANGELA
Really? What happened?
Brian points at the ground with his cigarette.
BRIAN
It was just here yeah?
LOUIS
Yeah… um… I don’t know he stole something and ran.
ANGELA
Yeah?
LOUIS
So I just sorta knocked him to the ground I s’pose…
ANGELA
Wow, that’s cool.
BRIAN
Yeah, tell her the rest… then he lets him go ‘cause Hampo choked him and shit… you pussy.
Angela stares at the ground.
LOUIS
Sorry, what would you have done?
BRIAN
I would have kicked his ass.
LOUIS
Bullshit you would have!
BRIAN
(To Angela)
You know who Hampo is, yeah?
ANGELA
Yeah I think so.
BRIAN
Yeah you’d know him. He usually comes in with that group that always gets done for stealing.
ANGELA
Yeah I think he’s sorta hot.
BRIAN
Hot? You got no idea. Dick head’s on smack for fuck’s sake.
ANGELA
Yeah but…
BRIAN
Fuck you got no standards, promise me one thing.
ANGELA
(Laughs)
What’s that?
BRIAN
(Laughs)
…that you’ll fuck me before that dickhead!
Louis shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head in confusion.
ANGELA
I s’pose.
BRIAN
That’s the shit I’m talking about.
Brian puts his hand on his waist and makes a thrusting action.
ANGELA
Shut up, you’ve got a girlfriend… I like Casey, she’s cool.
BRIAN
Yeah, keep it on the low down… what’s your number?
Brian removes his phone from his pocket.
ANGELA
No way. You give me your number.
Angela removes her phone from her pocket.
Louis watches Angela and gives a horrified look.
INT. BRIANS BEDROOM- NIGHT.
Louis is having a mental image of Angela and Brian having sex. Louis stands in the background overlooking Brian as he lies on top of Angela on his bed.
BRIAN
You like that?
Brian winks at Angela.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
That’s the shit I’m talking about.
EXT. SUPERMARKET- CONTINUOUS.
Louis winces and slaps himself across his head.
LOUIS
Aw fuck!
BRIAN
What’s wrong with you?
LOUIS
Nothing… I just burnt my finger.
BRIAN
You’re an idiot!
Robert exits the automatic doors and stands with the other three. He lights a cigarette.
ROBERT
Angela. Hey beautiful.
ANGELA
Hi Rob.
ROBERT
Brian.
BRIAN
Rob.
Robert stares at the ground.
ROBERT
Soft cock!
Brian pats Louis on the back and laughs.
BRIAN
That you mate?
Angela giggles.
ROBERT
(To Louis)
Having another break are ya?
LOUIS
Na, I was just told to move my car, apparently there’s parking inspectors.
ROBERT
You know you’re not meant to park there. Go on. Quick!
LOUIS
Oh for fuck’s…
Louis storms away.
INT. UNDERGROUND CARPARK. DAY.
Louis sits on the bonnet of his car and finishes his cigarette. He lightly punches the exterior of the bonnet and spits onto the ground.
Kent steers a row of trolleys past Louis.
KENT
Louis, you crazy mother fucker!
Louis flicks his cigarette butt at the ground.
LOUIS
Ha?
Kent ceases pushing the trolleys and leans onto Louis’ car. The trolleys stand in the middle of the car park.
A sports car with a sun roof slides around the corner and breaks suddenly when faced with the row of trolleys, causing the tires to screech.
The driver honks his car horn. He arches his head through the car window.
DRIVER
Oi Buddy, can you move them?
KENT
Yeah, calm the fuck down!
Kent rolls the trolleys out of the way.
The sports car skids as it speeds away.
Kent raises his middle finger at the passing car and returns to sit on Louis’ bonnet.
KENT
(Cont.)
You punched on with Hampo?
LOUIS
No I didn’t.
KENT
Man, you shouldn’t fuck with him, he’ll kill ya, the guy’s all mental and shit.
LOUIS
You know him?
KENT
A few of us that smoke bongs at his joint.
LOUIS
Well look, if he comes back for me, can you like tell him that I’m cool and shit? Like I don’t need any crap, you know?
KENT
Na man, he doesn’t listen to no one. If he’s pissed at ya, you’re fucked.
LOUIS
That’s great.
KENT
I’m serious, now he knows where you work… and he’ll find out where you live man… I’d quit.
Louis jumps off the bonnet of his car.
LOUIS
Alright dude…
Louis walks away.
KENT
(Shouting)
Serious man… just quit.
LOUIS
(Shouting)
Fine!
INT. AISLE 3- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis is kneeled down as he neatly folds towels and places them carefully into their appropriate section. His hands are shaking.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis is in a day dream. He is reliving the ordeal with Hampo.
Louis runs out of the automatic doors of the store and falls into Hampo.
HAMPO
You want to go me cunt? Fucking bring it!
Hampo chokes Louis. Louis takes hold of Hampo’s hand and forcefully pulls it back away from his throat.
LOUIS
You have to make a choice. You can choose to run and I will hunt you down… or you can stay here and get your fucking ass kicked.
HAMPO
You’re dead cunt!
Louis shoves Hampo against the concrete and repeatedly punches his face. Hampo lies unconscious.
Tarek and Robert exit through the sliding doors. They stand above Louis.
LOUIS
Let this be a lesson- I’m not to be fucked with.
Tarek and Robert lift Louis off the ground and both pat him on the back with smiles from ear to ear.
EXT. AISLE 3- CONTINUOUS.
Brian stands over Louis, tapping him on the shoulder. Brian is edgy and excited.
BRIAN
Hey!
Louis shrieks.
LOUIS
Hey.
Brian removes his mobile phone from his pocket and holds it in Louis’ face, where Angela’s name and number have been stored.
BRIAN
Check it out. We’re gonna hook up tonight… but keep it on the low down.
Cross, Louis ignores him and continues to fold the towel in his hand.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
What?
LOUIS
What? What about Casey?
BRIAN
Na, don’t worry that’s all sweet, she’s working tonight.
Louis pauses and drops the towel from his hand.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
What?
LOUIS
Dude, you know I like her.
BRIAN
Who Casey?
LOUIS
Angela.
BRIAN
You’re an asshole. You’ve had every opportunity to ask that bitch out and you’ve never done shit. Take her number if you want, but…
LOUIS
No don’t worry about it… I’m just cut ‘cause…
BRIAN
‘Cause why?
LOUIS
I don’t know dude, I’m over this joint.
BRIAN
Hey don’t be pissed at me, you want to quit, you hand in your resignation in and two weeks later you’re gone.
LOUIS
I don’t know if I can last that long.
BRIAN
Just do it! No one actually sees the two weeks out, you just don’t rock up.
Louis has a miserable look on his face and Brian can see that he’s upset.
BRIAN
Take her number if you’ll feel better… like, I don’t want to start shit. You’re my boy.
LOUIS
No, it’s cool.
Mrs. Philomena, an elderly Italian woman pokes Louis lightly with her walking stick. She wears a scarf around her head and wheels her own leather grocery cart. Louis defensively swings his arm and knocks his forearm onto her stick. He then nurses his sore arm.
MRS. PHILOMENA
Excuse me boy.
LOUIS
Hey Mrs. Philomena.
MRS. PHILOMENA
Boy, where is yee?
LOUIS
Sorry where’s…
MRS. PHILOMENA
Yee…
BRIAN
Yee, what the fuck is yee?
Mrs. Philomena glares at Brian and then returns her attention to Louis.
MRS. PHILOMENA
You know, you put in bed.
BRIAN
Ha?
MRS. PHILOMENA
Yee, Yees.
LOUIS
Oh, do mean yeast?
MRS. PILOMENA
Si, si. Yees.
BRIAN
Aisle eight.
MRS. PHILOMENA
A.
BRIAN
Not A, eight! Eight!
MRS. PHILOMENA
Eight?
BRIAN
Fuck, here I’ll show ya.
Brian stands at the end of the aisle and waves her toward him.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
Come on!
Mrs. Philomena takes hold of Louis shirt.
MRS. PHILOMENA
He very bad boy.
LOUIS
I know.
MRS. PHILOMENA
I tell boss, him.
BRIAN
(Yelling)
Yeah you try it and see what happens.
Mrs. Philomena follows Brian and wheels her cart out of the aisle.
Louis places the semi-folded towel and crams it into the section.
Louis’ pocket begins to vibrate from his mobile phone that is set on ‘silent.’ He removes the phone from his pocket. The flashing screen reads- ME AT HOME.
Holding the phone discreetly against his thigh Louis runs toward the front of the aisle.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis squeezes through a line of people that wait impatiently with their trolleys at register one, where Natasha eagerly scans products and dumps them into shopping bags that lay in front of her.
LOUIS
Excuse me.
NATASHA
Louis, I need a price check on these.
Natasha holds a packet of baby’s nappies in front of him.
LOUIS
Hang on I’ll be too secs.
NATASHA
No, Louis…
INT. PLAZA. CONTINUOUS.
Louis runs towards the entrance of the plaza. He passes the liquor department where a line of people stand before the unattended register.
A customer at the front of the line clicks his fingers at Louis as he walks past.
CUSTOMER IN LIQUOR STORE
Hey buddy, what’s going on?
Louis continues to walk past. He shrugs his shoulders.
LOUIS
Sorry.
Louis reaches the automatic doors and answers his phone.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Hello.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
(Off-screen)
Louis it’s mum.
LOUIS
Yeah?
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis exits the automatic doors. Robert is holding a lighter to Angela’s cigarette and is purposely flexing his arm muscle. Angela holds his hand as she inhales. Louis stops and turns around before either of the two can see him, holding his phone at his side.
ANGELA
Thanks.
Robert puts the cigarette back in his pocket and winks at Angela. Angela stares back lovingly.
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
Louis heads back towards the supermarket.
LOUIS
Sorry, mum you there?
LOUIS’ MOTHER
That’s Ok. Where are you?
LOUIS
I’m at work.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
You sure?
LOUIS
Yeah.
Louis passes the Liquor Department where the line of customers continues to grow.
CUSTOMER IN LIQUOR STORE
Hey!
Louis shrugs his shoulders and continues walking.
LOUIS
Ha?
LOUIS’ MOTHER
You just had a Shelley from Wilson’s call and ask if you could work on the registers today.
LOUIS
Did you tell her I was here?
Louis looks towards a large counter at the end of the registers, with a cigarette display facing the outside of the store. A sign above the counter reads – SERVICE DESK. At the end of the registers, Louis sees Shelley dialing numbers on the phone.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Yes, but then I wasn’t sure if you’d gone to work, because you said you were quitting.
LOUIS
I’ve already said hi to her and everything.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Well why didn’t they know you were working?
LOUIS
I don’t know, ‘cause no one fucking communicates round here!
ROBERT
Louis!
Louis turns around to see Robert walking towards him from the doorway. The customer from the front of the liquor line runs out of the store and takes hold of Robert’s arm.
CUSTOMER IN LIQUOR STORE
You work here?
ROBERT
Yeah mate.
CUSTOMER IN LIQUOR STORE
I’ve waited ten minutes already!
ROBERT
Alright sir, calm down.
CUSTOMER IN LIQUOR STORE
Don’t tell me to calm down just put me bloody bottle through so I can go home.
Robert leads the man back into the liquor department and Louis turns back around.
LOUIS
Mum?
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Yes.
LOUIS
Sorry…
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Did you quit then?
LOUIS
No, they’re gonna make me work full time.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Tell them you can’t.
LOUIS
It’s too late now, they threw a contract at me didn’t me, didn’t they?
LOUIS’ MOTHER
You are going to need another job, so the quicker you work out what you’re going to do, the quicker you can leave.
Brian walks past Louis in a hurry.
BRIAN
Shit, is there a line?
LOUIS
Hold on mum… yeah.
BRIAN
Fuck.
Brian continues towards the Liquor store.
LOUIS
(To the phone)
Yeah.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
There’s no point quitting if you don’t have a job at all. I can’t give you money.
LOUIS
It’s not the money. Call me a bum I don’t give a shit anymore, I gotta get out!
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Do whatever you like.
LOUIS
Don’t get shitty at me. I stuck this out longer than the summer of year twelve. I’m still here!
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Maybe you could work full time and become manager.
LOUIS
No mum, I’m serious, no.
LOUIS’ MOTHER
You’re old enough to make up your own mind. I think you better decide what you want to do.
LOUIS
I want to be…
LOUIS’ MOTHER
Don’t say rock star.
LOUIS
Ok… I better go, bye.
Louis aggressively pushes a button on his phone that ends the call and slides the phone back in his pocket. He looks around and sees that the commotion has ceased and breathes a sigh of relief.
INT. AISLE 7- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis is jamming rolls of contact paper into their section and destroying them at the same time as they fold and crinkle. He becomes distracted by a rock drum beat over the radio. He stares above at the speaker in the roof and starts mimicking the beat with two rolls of contact paper, hitting them hard against a shelf in front of him.
INT. ON STAGE. NIGHT.
Louis fantasizes of himself being on a stage before a large crowd. Rock music is being performed and Louis is the lead singer. He paces around the stage swinging a microphone and dripping with sweat. Louis sings to an enthusiastic audience.
LOUIS
We’re not gonna take it! Oh no, we ain’t gonna take it! We’re not gonna take it, anymore.
The song concludes with the smashing of drum cymbals. A lead solo is played on the guitar. Brian is the guitarist, he runs towards Louis during his solo. Louis wraps his arm around Brian’s head.
LOUIS
(Cont./ screaming)
Are you with me Australia? We are ‘The Dead End’ thank you and good night!
INT. KEYTON RANCH. DAY- CONTINUOUS.
Louis sits by a giant fireplace on an expensive sofa. He smokes a cigarette and rests one foot on the other knee. He is being interviewed for a program documenting his life. He wears expensive jewelry and has his hair slicked back. He stares intently at the interviewer.
LOUIS
Previous jobs… ah… Brian our guitarist and I worked at a supermarket… Wilsons.
Louis laughs.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM. NIGHT- CONTINUOUS.
TITLE: ROBERT WAGNAL (FORMER COLLEAGUE)
Robert sits on a chair with a red back drop. He has a lapel microphone attached to his tie. A small coffee table with a glass of water sits in front of him.
ROBERT
Yeah, he could be a handful at times but, ah credit where credit’s due, he’s gone on to do bigger things and ah good songs, I’ll give him that… so um… yeah good on him I s’pose.
Robert sings.
ROBERT
(Cont.)
I was a slave to you…
Robert pauses. He takes a moment to think.
ROBERT
Na, I forget the rest.
A still shot appears of Louis on the cover of ‘ROLLING STONE’. Louis wears sun glasses and a leather jacket. A caption on the cover reads- FROM THE GRIME TO THE BIG TIME.
INT. RECORDING STUDIO. DAY- CONTINUOUS.
Louis enters through the door of his recording studio. He is followed by a man with a movie camera and the interviewer, 54. Louis sits on a leather seat that faces a mixing desk and overlooks an empty room through tinted glass.
LOUIS
So this is the studio.
INTERVIEWER
Very nice indeed!
LOUIS
I know… yeah.
INTERVIEWER
Can we have a listen to some…?
LOUIS
No sorry, it’s all under wraps I’m afraid.
Louis takes hold of an acoustic guitar that’s mounted on a guitar rack. He pulls it over and strums.
INTERVIEWER
Not even a demo?
Louis strikes a chord and sings.
LOUIS
I was a slave to you, so unaware. Could I say it to you? I’d never dare.
Embarrassed, Louis puts the acoustic guitar back on its rack.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
No more… That’s called ‘six-wheeled hell’.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM. NIGHT- CONTINUOUS.
TITLE: NATASHA & SHELLEY (FORMER COLLEAGUES)
Natasha and Shelley sit side by side. Both are cross legged and fidgety.
NATASHA
He was really weird, like he didn’t really talk much, not to me anyway.
SHELLEY
Yeah and then there was that day…
NATASHA
What day?
SHELLEY
When he came in with a gun and killed all those people.
NATASHA
That wasn’t Louis.
SHELLEY
Oh, who was that?
INT. KEYTON RANCH. DAY- CONTINUOUS.
Louis watches the interviewer intently and focuses his attention on him rather than the camera, hence staring slightly to the right of the camera.
LOUIS
Yeah, there were definitely a lot of women, especially in the early days… but I have a wife now so… it’s a bit touchy.
A still photograph of Louis appears. He is surrounded by blonde women in bikini swim wear. Louis raises his middle finger and holds half a bottle of Jack Daniels.
Louis looks further to his right.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Come and say hi to the camera honey.
From the right side of the camera Angela enters its line of view and sits on the arm of the sofa beside Louis. She places her hand on his shoulder and lightly massages him.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
The world, this is Angela. Angela… the world.
Angela gives a nervous wave at the camera.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
She’s the only woman for me… that’s lovely isn’t it?
Louis laughs.
ANGELA
Why’s that funny?
LOUIS
It’s not… I’m just saying…
Louis smiles awkwardly.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM. NIGHT- CONTINUOUS.
TITLE: BRIAN (GUITARIST)
Brian slouches on the seat and rests one ankle on his knee. He holds his glass of water and slurps as he takes a sip.
BRIAN
Louis had all the chics. Fuck he could still have all the chics, but the dickhead went and got married… can I say dickhead? Sorry I shouldn’t say that.
Brian places the glass of water back onto the coffee table.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
He’s dumb cu… um… like he killed it I s’pose, like he’s more happy now than when we worked at Wilson’s, and he’s way more rich too… he’s richer than me, but that’s cool… in that… I’m just cool with it… like I’m not jealous or nothing.
A still photograph of Louis passed out among several empty beer bottles appears on screen. The bottles are empty and are scattered around him.
I
INT. KEYTON RANCH. DAY- CONTINUOUS.
TITLE: KEYTON RANCH (LOUIS HOME)
Louis stands on the balcony of his estate that overlooks a country side landscape.
INTERVIEW
How did you find rehab?
LOUIS
Piece of piss! I used to think rehab was for quitters but then I really got in touch with myself and then I realized that I am blessed with such good fortune that I’ll never fall prey to the bottle again so long as I cherish all that I have.
INTERVIEW
You were rumored to be seen out drinking last Friday night…
LOUIS
Yeah I know, but it was Brian’s birthday, what was I meant to do, just sit there? …very quiet and peaceful out here.
INTERVIEWER
Mmm, not wrong… the lovely Keyton Ranch.
LOUIS
I get real inspired to write songs, you can almost hear little tunes echo in the trees.
INTERVIEWER
Wouldn’t you say that you’re best writing came from when you did work full time?
Louis gives the interviewer a nasty glare.
LOUIS
What do you mean?
INTERVIEWER
It may be myth but don’t most artists deliver their greatest work out of their darker experiences?
LOUIS
No!
Annoyed Louis stares at the landscape once again but cannot soak up the serenity.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Can we do this somewhere else?
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM. NIGHT- CONTINUOUS.
TITLE: TAREK (FORMER COLLEAGUE)
Tarek is hunched forward with his elbows pressed against his knees.
TAREK
I’m telling you, he’ll be back. I know he’s living it up now, but one day he’ll come and see me and he’ll be begging.
INTERVIEWER
(Off screen)
Would you take Louis back?
TAREK
So long as he remembers to respect the stores values, the principals and has the same motivation; I’ll take him back, but I won’t even have to, you know why?
INTERVIEWER
Why’s that?
TAREK
Because he’ll come begging. Once a Wilson’s boy, always a Wilson’s boy! He’ll come into the manager’s office and I’ll say, listen here, ‘Who you were out there is not the same as who you are in here… at Wilson’s we are like a family of equals’.
INTERVIEWER
So you would take Louis back.
TAREK
Mate he will one day hear me say again ‘Louis to the Managers office…’
INT. AISLE 7- SUPERMARKET. DAY- CONTINUOUS.
Louis places the last of the contact paper into the shelf.
Over the Loudspeaker is Tarek’s demanding voice.
TAREK
(Off screen)
Louis to the mangers office!
Louis looks up. He slowly rises to his feet and walks to the end of the aisle.
INT. DELICATESSEN- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis passes the delicatessen and sees Angela weighing meat on a scale. She notices him pass.
Louis nods.
ANGELA
You in trouble?
Louis smiles.
LOUIS
I doubt it.
TAREK
(Off screen)
Louis to the manager’s office! That’s Louis to the manager’s office. Now!
Louis jogs past the large refrigerators of packaged frozen goods. He manages to avoid a customer who swings a trolley around blindly in Louis’ direction.
LOUIS
Sorry.
INT. MANAGERS OFFICE- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Out of breath, Louis enters the manager’s office and rests his forearm on the doorway.
LOUIS
Yeah.
Tarek is seated and Robert stands beside him. They both stare intently at the doorway awaiting Louis entrance.
ROBERT
Have a seat mate.
Louis complies by sitting on the opposite side of the desk.
ROBERT
(Cont.)
You know why we called you in here?
LOUIS
Um… no.
ROBERT
Not a clue?
Confused Louis pauses and tries to second guess the reason.
LOUIS
Oh, the shoplifter?
ROBERT
Try again.
TAREK
You having a bad day or what?
LOUIS
I don’t know, I’ve had worse I s’pose… have I done something to upset you?
TAREK
I want to talk to you about your performance within the company. Today alone you have repeatedly violated numerous store policies.
LOUIS
Um…
TAREK
You are aware of the store policies?
Louis becomes frustrated with his manager’s tip-toeing around the point and begins to slouch in his seat.
LOUIS
Yeah man, so what do you…
TAREK
Maybe you can remind Robert and me about the first and most important one.
LOUIS
I don’t know… um… Wilson’s, a name you can trust.
TAREK
Very good.
ROBERT
Look mate we shouldn’t have to spell it out for ya, it’s about using some common sense.
LOUIS
Right.
Tarek holds his hand to stop Robert from continuing.
TAREK
A name you can trust, do you know why Wilson’s is a name you can trust?
LOUIS
Um… cause…
TAREK
Because of the helpful and friendly staff who are providing a high standard of efficiency and customer service.
LOUIS
Ok dude, just tell us what I’ve done?
Robert slams his hand on the desk.
ROBERT
Number one, you came in here off your skull…
LOUIS
Yeah but so did… Brian.
TAREK
I don’t remember Brian spewing all over the toilet. On the orientation video does it not say that you should never have a big night before work?
LOUIS
I don’t remember, I saw it seven years ago.
ROBERT
Number two, I found two mangoes. One’s plastered all over the wall out the back and the other you’re wearing.
Louis fondles his shirt.
LOUIS
But I didn’t…
ROBERT
Three, I watched you casually stroll outside while some bastard takes off with three hundred dollars worth of razor blades. Four, you take breaks whenever you feel like it. Five, you let people wait in a line while you talk on your bloody phone…
TAREK
Hand over the phone.
Looking straight at Robert Louis removes his mobile phone from his pocket and hands it to Tarek who places it in his desk.
LOUIS
I’ll need that back.
ROBERT
…six you tell a lady that there’s no more bloody stockings left when we had a box of deleted lines out the back. You didn’t take Natasha’s price check but instead left the store, not to mention forgetting to tell Shelley that you’re available to help out on the registers, after she’d rang your home. You sniffed a pair of women’s undies, don’t even know where to begin on that one and where do I find you first thing this morning? In the bloody liquor store talking to Brian about what a wonderful fucking night you’ve had…
TAREK
You forgot one thing.
ROBERT
What’s that?
TAREK
Why is it that it takes you five minutes to get to my office? I called your name at least three times.
Robert leans back and folds his arms.
Louis leans back in his seat and smiles.
LOUIS
I’m sorry, I hear what you’re saying and I think the best thing for all of us would be to let me go.
TAREK
You’d think that, but we have a better plan. Now the only reason we’re being harsh is because you’re starting full time next week. Other staff and customers will be looking up at you. You will be setting an example. I’ve already ordered you a gold name badge.
LOUIS
Yeah, but I just think that…
TAREK
Before you say anything, we got a new video for you to watch. It will give you a new outlook and love for this company.
Tarek removes an instructional video from his desk draw. Louis takes it. The title reads- WILSON’S- A NAME YOU CAN TRUST- DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING THAT TRUST.
Louis sighs.
TAREK
The training room is unlocked. So take the next ten minutes to watch this video and pay close attention to what they have to say. You might just learn new things out of it.
LOUIS
What if I can’t change, let’s say I’m like the bad seed, wouldn’t it be easier to get rid of me now. Like, I’m being honest… I can have my resignation on your desk first thing tomorrow.
ROBERT
Just watch the video.
TAREK
Mate when we’re through with you I guarantee you will be a model employee. I think in a few months you could even see your name engraved on the ‘employee of the month’ plaque.
LOUIS
But I just finished a course and I’m more interested in making a start on my career.
TAREK
What courses have you done?
LOUIS
Just arts stuff.
TAREK
Hey I did arts course and I dropped out. Look at me now, I’m the store manager.
ROBERT
Best thing you ever done.
TAREK
That’s right.
Louis almost responds, but instead holds back.
Tarek places his hand on Louis hand and smiles.
INT. TRAINING ROOM. DAY.
Louis inserts the video into a small television/ video player that sits on a desk. He presses play and gets up to close the door behind him. Louis sits on a chair in front of the television and rests his chin onto his folded arms.
The training video shows an old man with the Wilson’s logo as a backdrop.
TITLE: DONALD WILSON- FOUNDER OF WILSON’S SUPERMARKET.
WILSON
(On screen)
Hi there, I’m Donald Wilson founder of the wonderful store of sixty years that is Wilson’s supermarket.
Louis eyes grow heavy.
WILSON
(Cont.)
In the past sixty years we have turned what was a small shop front to a chain of the most widely recognized supermarkets in Australia. Today however, I would like to talk to you about our motto. That’s right ‘A name you can trust’, and believe me, it still is as much today as the day we opened our doors for the very first time.
TITLE: DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING THAT TRUST.
WILSON
(Cont.)
(Off screen)
Amazing, just look at how presentable your store can be. It takes time and team work to get your store to look this good, and what does every team need to succeed. Why don’t I let our hard working and dedicated employees tell you…
The camera pans across an aisle of perfectly stacked shelves with products lined accurately in which there are no empty gaps in between. The floors are clean and pristine.
CUT TO: The camera pans across untouched oranges and water melons that are remarkably mounted like pyramids.
CUT TO: The camera pans over large refrigerators that have packages neatly presented and placed in the forefront.
CUT To: The camera stands above the front end of the store. A large group of well groomed and presentable employees stand side by side in four rows. They raise their right fists in the air at once.
EMPLOYEES
(Synchronized)
Trust!
In the same shot Louis emerges from behind the group holding an M-16 machine gun. Louis shirt hangs out of his pants and his tie is loose around his neck. Louis sways casually up to the group and opens fire. The closest row topples down as they are struck by the bullets.
EMPLOYEE 1 ON TRAINING VIDEO
(Background)
It’s a set up!
EMPLOYEE 2 ON TRAINING VIDEO
(Background)
It’s a fucking snuff film!
Stationed in one position, Louis continues firing at the employees until they all fall to the ground.
Asleep on the desk Louis wakes up in fright. He stares at the screen.
On screen Wilson is once again standing before the Wilson’s backdrop.
WILSON
(On screen)
…and now you know just how easy maintaining the customer’s trust can be. So what are you waiting for? Go on. Get out there and lend a hand to the first person you see and together you will find, we can all make a difference. I’m Donald Wilson, thank you.
Credits roll over a still shot of a perfectly stacked shelf of laundry products.
Louis pushes stop on the television/ video player.
INT. MANAGERS OFFICE. DAY.
Louis knocks on the door and lets himself in. Tarek sits at his desk talking on the phone.
TAREK
I’m not a mind reader, what are we going to do with all the back stock… There’s too much back stock…
Louis quietly slides the video cassette onto his desk.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Hey John, hold on a sec.
Tarek rests the phone receiver between his shoulder and his cheek. He nods his head at Louis and smiles.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Hey?
Louis smiles and nods back. He paces backwards until he reaches the door and exits.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Sorry John… yeah so this back stock… there’s too much!
INT. DELICATESSEN- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis walks past a woman who holds frozen peas in his face.
WOMAN
Do you have these in five hundred grams?
LOUIS
No!
Louis continues without stopping and purposely walks past Angela who is seated on a steel basin in the delicatessen.
ANGELA
Did you cop it?
Louis stops and leans over the delicatessen. He rests over the windowed display of assorted meats and places his elbows on an electrical scale.
LOUIS
Not sure, I suppose.
ANGELA
Did they yell?
LOUIS
Yeah Robert did.
ANGELA
He’s a wanker.
LOUIS
No shit.
ANGELA
You’ll be right, you’re a good boy.
LOUIS
Whatever, I swear I’m out of here.
ANGELA
They didn’t fire you?
LOUIS
I wish they did. I’m gonna quit..
ANGELA
Don’t, we need you here.
LOUIS
Who?
ANGELA
Me!
Louis moves to the other side of the delicatessen to face Angela. He stops just before the actual entrance where he is not permitted.
A sign on the wall beside him reads- DELI STAFF ONLY- DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT APRON & HAIR NET.
ANGELA
(Cont.)
Looks like I’ll have to quit then.
LOUIS
What do you mean?
ANGELA
You’re the only level headed person in the place. You can’t leave me here with these morons. Like, some are Ok, but they’re still morons.
LOUIS
Don’t worry, everyone here loves you. Like, aren’t you going out with Brian tonight?
Louis gives her a sour look.
Angela shrugs her shoulders and starts picking at her fingernails. Louis eagerly awaits her response.
ANGELA
Think I should?
LOUIS
Nope.
ANGELA
I already said I would.
LOUIS
Yeah but… I’m not really your type, yeah?
ANGELA
You don’t know what my type is.
LOUIS
Yeah you like buffed… meat heads… I mean big dudes, mucho type…
Louis chuckles but Angela is not amused.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Hey…
ANGELA
Hey!
LOUIS
Sorry… I just sorta think that we should… not that I’ve got the balls to ask or nothing, ‘cause you’re out of my league and that but… I just reckon me and you should… I don’t know, just…
ANGELA
(Laughs)
You’re a sweety.
Louis sighs.
Tarek appears from nowhere and pushes Louis aside. He stands with his back turned to Louis.
TAREK
Angela don’t sit on the basin, alright. It’s not hygienic.
Angela stands abruptly.
TAREK
(Cont.)
How have you been Angela?
ANGELA
Yeah Okay.
TAREK
You doing anything this weekend?
ANGELA
No why?
Louis slowly drifts away.
TAREK
Its Shelley’s going-away, she’s transferring to a different store. I’d like to see you there.
ANGELA
I might go for a bit.
Tarek moves into the delicatessen and sits on the edge of the basin.
TAREK
I can give you a lift. Pick you up at seven?
Angela watches Louis leaving and does not answer Tarek.
Louis leaves disappointed.
Angela speaks aloud so that Louis can hear her.
ANGELA
I don’t know you’ll have to ask my boyfriend.
Louis turns his head to see Angela subtly wink at him. Louis smiles back and continues walking.
INT. CARPARK. DAY.
Louis is sitting on a row of stacked trolleys, drinking water through a bottle. He seems dazed as he thinks about Angela and the conversation he just had with her. Louis has a certain glow about him. His bow tie hangs around his collar and the top button of his shirt is undone. An elderly man, forces an empty trolley into the row of trolleys Louis is sitting on. Louis gets a fright and shrieks as the trolley’s knock into one another. He clenches his heart with his spare hand.
LOUIS
Shit.
ELDERLY MAN
Wouldn’t want to knock you off your perch…
LOUIS
You’re cool.
The elderly man looks at Louis’ name badge.
ELDERLY MAN
What’s your name… Louis is it?
LOUIS
Yep.
ELDERLY MAN
You’ve been working here a while, I see you here all the time.
LOUIS
Yeah likewise.
ELDERLY MAN
You in charge of the building yet?
LOUIS
(Staring off into the distance)
No not yet, but I think I just might stay here for a while.
The elderly man stops still.
ELDERLY MAN
I forgot to buy pine nuts. Which lane are they in son?
LOUIS
Number nine.
ELDERLY MAN
Nine, is it? Thank you.
The elderly man walks through the automatic doors and up the ramp.
Kent walks down the ramp towards the automatic doors shouting on his phone. He moves to Louis’ direction.
KENT
Hampo? You there? Hey?
Kent stands beside Louis.
Louis sits upright.
KENT
(Cont.)
There’s shit all reception… Yeah I’m standing next to him man… He’s cool… Na, don’t worry about it… Alright I’ll see you soon… catch.
LOUIS
What did he say?
KENT
He says you’re fucked.
LOUIS
Why?
KENT
He’ll be here soon.
Louis jumps off of the row of trolleys.
LOUIS
Dude, didn’t you talk him out of it?
KENT
Fuck man I told you he won’t listen. I’d get out of here, he’ll fuck you up.
Tarek runs down the ramp. He stands over Kent.
TAREK
What’s going on?
KENT
Just chilling with Lou for a bit.
TAREK
I want the trolley bay full in the next five minutes.
KENT
Man it’s too hot!
TAREK
I don’t care, I need it full, there are customers waiting.
KENT
Then start pushing bitch.
TAREK
What did you say?
KENT
You fucking heard me.
Tarek waves his hand as if to suggest that he will slap Kent.
TAREK
Mate one more remark like that…
KENT
And what? Ha?
TAREK
That’s it, you’re out of here.
KENT
I’ve been pushing trolleys all fucking day! You can’t give us a break for two minutes? Fuck that!
TAREK
Get out of here.
KENT
Look I’m just saying man…
TAREK
I don’t think you heard me. Out! Now!
Kent walks toward the car park entrance. After a few steps he turns and raises his middle finger at Tarek.
KENT
(Shouting)
Cock head!
Tarek watches Kent leave with his hands on his waist. Louis watches Kent almost awe struck.
TAREK
Can you believe this smart ass?
From his pocket Louis removes a chocolate bar. He peals the wrapping and takes a bite.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Louis, let’s get these trolley’s up.
Annoyed, Louis speaks with his mouth full.
LOUIS
I’m on a break.
Tarek gives Louis a foul stare. Louis throws his chocolate bar into the ceramic ash tray that stands by the automatic doors. Louis and Tarek take a row of trolleys and begin to push them through the doors and up the ramp. Louis groans as he pushes the trolleys forward. Tarek seems to push them with ease.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Wiping sweat from his fore head, Louis walks along the front end of the store. He passes busy registers and cashiers. Over the Loudspeaker Shelley’s voice is heard. Louis sees her at the SERVICE DESK.
SHELLEY
Can I have a security check to section C and D please, security to section C and D?
Louis runs up to Shelley, he leans against the other side of the counter which stands a stair level higher.
LOUIS
What happened?
SHELLEY
You’re here. I rang your mum before.
LOUIS
Yeah, I know…
SHELLEY
There’s these kids that’ve been standing around the lolly aisle for like twenty minutes munching out.
LOUIS
Do we still have um… undercover security? You know those dudes who dress up and pretend they’re shopping.
SHELLEY
Na, haven’t for ages.
LOUIS
What about security camera’s?
SHELLEY
We’ve got them but they don’t work, they’re just there to scare people.
LOUIS
Well what the hell is section C and D then?
SHELLEY
Don’t you know? We just say a letter instead of the actual aisle. It’s just scare tactics. Like there’s no section.
LOUIS
Look is there any security in this whole complex, any at all?
SHELLEY
Na, I don’t think so.
LOUIS
Well what if some one comes in and like starts going nuts and breaking shit?
SHELLEY
You have to restrain them I s’pose, and then I call the cops.
LOUIS
What if they’ve got a gun or something?
SHELLEY
Louis I really don’t know, can you ask Robert or Tarek…
Louis restlessly looks away.
SHELLEY
(Cont.)
That all?
Louis urgently paces along the front end.
The elderly man quickly takes hold of his arm.
ELDERLY MAN
Louis.
LOUIS
What?
ELDERLY MAN
Where are pine nuts?
LOUIS
Nine!
Louis forces his arm away from the elderly man’s grip.
ELDERLY MAN
Why doesn’t it say so on the board?
The elderly man points to the board above the aisle that lists five main products- SUGAR, PLASTIC WEAR, COFFEE & TEA, NUTS and NATURA.
LOUIS
It does, it says ‘Nuts’!
ELDERLY MAN
Can you tell the manager to make it say ‘pine nuts’ I can never find anything?
Louis looks over his shoulder hoping to catch Hampo’s arrival. He speaks to the elderly man but doesn’t look him in the eye.
LOUIS
Not really, it’s just generic stuff. It’s not that hard to figure out.
Brian punches Louis lightly from behind.
Louis turns and swings his fist hitting Brian in the chest.
BRIAN
Hey Relax!
LOUIS
Fuck sorry dude.
ELDERLY MAN
Excuse me, but the pine nuts.
LOUIS
Sorry sir.
Brian taps Louis and makes a gesture by circling his finger around his temple, suggesting that the elderly man is insane.
BRIAN
We going on break or what?
LOUIS
I’ve sorta already had it.
BRIAN
Oh spewin’. I’ve already had mine too, but fuck it, another one can’t hurt.
ELDERLY MAN
You haven’t answered my question, can you tell the manager…
LOUIS
Look! I’ll tell them. Its fine… aisle nine…
BRIAN
You cool?
ELDERLY MAN
Where’s the manager?
Brian pushes Louis out of the way.
BRIAN
He already fucking told you, aisle nine. If it’s not there we haven’t got it!
ELDERLY MAN
You’ve got a smart mouth squire.
BRIAN
Good. Fuck off.
The elderly man walks away.
ELDERLY MAN
Unbelievable!
BRIAN
(Cont.)
What’s up, Angela?
LOUIS
Na it’s this Hampo or whatever. The prick’s coming for me.
BRIAN
Coming for you?
LOUIS
Like he’s coming to the store now to kick shit through me apparently!
BRIAN
Fuck and you didn’t tell me? We’ll round up the fruit and veg boys… Fuck it, come outside for a ciggy and tell us what happened.
LOUIS
Man, I don’t want to go back out there. He’s probably waiting for us.
BRIAN
Go, we’ll go round everyone up, then we’ll see… Who’s he think he is?
Wide eyed, Brian claps his hands anticipating a fight.
INT. STOREROOM. DAY.
Brian bursts through the plastic doors of the store room with Louis trailing behind him.
Frank and Dominic are throwing cutting-knives at a pile of watermelons.
Brian talks with a slight Italian accent.
BRIAN
Boys, how are ya’s alright?
Dominic and Frank shake Brian’s hand.
DOMINIC
How’s it going, alright?
BRIAN
Not bad, not bad.
FRANK
What’s going on?
BRIAN
Nothing. We’ve got a bit of a situation.
DOMINIC
A situation? What’s this situation?
BRIAN
What do you know about this Hampo?
DOMINIC
Dickhead!
FRANK
Mad cunt!
LOUIS
I told ya.
BRIAN
That’s what I’ve heard… seems this Hampo’s got a problem with my homeboy here.
Louis turns to Brian.
LOUIS
Na, look it should be cool. It’s got nothing to do with you guys.
Dominic takes a knife from the sink of the store room.
DOMINIC
He touches you I’ll give him one of these.
Dominic swipes the knife from side to side in a slashing motion.
LOUIS
Really?
BRIAN
Sweet, that’s what I like to hear.
Frank takes his jacket from off a hook and places it over his shoulders.
FRANK
I’ll see you later.
DOMINIC
Where you going?
FRANK
I’m finished.
Dominic looks at his watch.
DOMINIC
Five already?
BRIAN
Is it five? Fuck I gotta go too.
Louis stands in front of the doorway.
LOUIS
Can you’s wait five minutes, I know he’s on his way here now.
BRIAN
Fuck it just leave.
LOUIS
I don’t finish ‘til six.
BRIAN
Who cares? Just go.
LOUIS
Man if I leave now, come Monday as if he’s not gonna come back.
Frank pushes through Louis.
FRANK
Take it easy.
DOMINIC
Stay and watch us bash this dickhead!
FRANK
Fuck that, you think you can bash him, mate you’s have got issues.
Frank pushes through and exits the plastic doors.
Outside of the plastic doors a girl wearing a revealing top, mini-skirt and high boots stands before Frank.
Dominic holds the plastic door open and listens.
FRANK
You Dom’s ex yeah?
Frank looks her up and down with a huge grin on his face.
FRANK
(Cont.)
Nice!
Dominic quickly yells through the plastic door and closes it again.
DOMINIC
Slut!
Brian motions to Dominic.
BRIAN
You and me we’ll wait out the front and keep an eye on Lou and when he comes he’s dead.
DOMINIC
Yeah sweet. See that dirty bitch?
BRIAN
Yeah.
Dominic exits through the plastic doors.
Brian pats Louis on the back.
BRIAN
You right now?
LOUIS
Yep.
BRIAN
Let’s do this.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis is again reliving the incident with Hampo.
Louis falls on top of him as the stolen goods scatter across the ground.
HAMO
You want to go me cunt? Fucking bring it!
LOUIS
The cops are on their way, I’m giving you a chance to run.
From out of nowhere Dominic and Brian appear from behind Hampo. They force him off the ground and hold him against the automatic doors.
BRIAN
Fuck the cops.
DOMINIC
You got a problem. Ha?
HAMO
I didn’t mean it I swear. Please let me go.
Louis stands before Hampo in a confrontational manner.
LOUIS
Who you fucking with?
BRIAN
You’d better apologize.
HAMPO
Alright, I’m sorry.
LOUIS
I don’t believe him. I say we kill him just for the fuck of it.
Brian takes firm hold of Hampo’s throat and squeezes.
HAMPO
No please, I’m sorry.
BRIAN
Say ‘Louis I’m sorry and it will never happen again’.
Gagging Hampo forces the words out.
HAMPO
I’m… sorry Louis… never happen again.
BRIAN
That wasn’t hard now was it?
DOMINIC
We ever see you here again… dead.
Hampo tries to nod his head.
DOMINIC
(Cont.)
Hear me? Dead.
HAMO
Dead…
Dominic and Brian let go of Hampo who falls to the ground and coughs hysterically rubbing his throat.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY
Louis stands before a display unit on the end of aisle six, closest to the cashiers. He carefully places shampoo bottles in a perfect line, yet looks around distracted.
Dominic and Brian stand outside the supermarket watching Louis. Louis turns to face them and shrugs his shoulders.
Brian looks at his watch and yells.
BRIAN
I gotta go!
LOUIS
Where?
BRIAN
He’s not here!
LOUIS
Just wait!
Louis nervously handles the shampoo bottles looking towards both entrances to the store that are on either end of the cash registers.
Angela walks past Louis, who barely notices her.
ANGELA
I’ll see you later Louis.
LOUIS
You going?
ANGELA
Yeah thank God.
LOUIS
Alright, I’ll see you soon. Have fun.
Angela gives Louis a small hug and smiles at him.
ANGELA
See ya.
Louis watches Angela squeeze her way around a large lady at a register who loads her groceries onto the rotating belt.
Angela stands before Brian.
Louis focuses in on their conversation.
ANGELA
(Cont.)
Hey, you ready?
BRIAN
I just gotta wait here. I’ll be two seconds.
ANGELA
We’re still going out yeah?
BRIAN
Oh yeah.
ANGELA
Cool, I’ll wait with you.
Restless and bitter, Louis undoes his top button of his shirt and loosens his bow tie.
Louis looks to his right where Dominic paces around the outside of the entrance.
The plaza janitor shakes hands with Dominic.
DOMINIC
Hey, how’s it going, alright?
JANITOR
Not bad. What are you doing?
DOMINIC
Nothing, you?
JANITOR
Na, nothing.
Louis walks to the nearest register beside a display of magazines and looks back and forth for any signs of Hampo.
BRIAN
Louis!
LOUIS
What?
BRIAN
This is bullshit, I’m going.
ANGELA
What’s happened?
BRIAN
Nothing!
Frustrated, Louis makes a sudden move that knocks some magazines onto the floor.
LOUIS
Go then…
Louis picks up the magazines that he has dropped.
LOUIS
(Under his breath)
Fuck off.
BRIAN
What?
LOUIS
Don’t worry.
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
From the automatic doors Hampo enters the plaza.
Dominic looks past the janitor and knocks his fists together.
Hampo’s entrance catches Brian’s attention and he holds Angela to the side.
Brian runs to Dominic and puts a hand on his shoulder.
BRIAN
That’s him.
DOMINIC
I know.
From behind Hampo, ten other boys follow, each of them rugged in appearance. They wear caps and tracksuit attire. One holds a baton. Another wears knuckle busters. They boys are hyperactive and energize themselves by pushing one another.
Hampo stands before Brian and Dominic.
HAMPO
Where’s Louis?
DOMINIC
Who?
HAMPO
Go tell Louis to come outside.
BRIAN
He’s not here man, you should go.
HAMO
Shut your mouth and you won’t get hurt.
The ten other boys crowd around Dominic and Brian.
INT. SUPERMARKET- FRONT END. DAY.
Louis watches Hampo from inside the store, he hides behind the display of hair products sweating and scratching his forearm.
INT. PLAZA. DAY
Hampo stands before Dominic and Brian like a ring leader. He points his finger as he speaks.
HAMPO
If I find out he’s in there…
DOMINIC
I’m telling you, he went home.
HAMPO
(Shouting into the distance)
We’ll see… Kent! Kent!
From the automatic doors runs Kent still wearing his work attire.
HAMPO
(Cont.)
Go get this Louis.
KENT
No worries.
Kent makes towards the entrance.
DOMINIC
Kent, come here you little…
HAMPO
What did you say?
INT. SUPERMARKET. FRONT END. DAY.
Kent pushes through the automatic steel bar and races along the front end of the store.
Kent walks past Louis. Louis takes his arm.
LOUIS
Hey what’s going on?
KENT
Lou, come outside for a bit.
LOUIS
Fuck that!
KENT
He just wants to talk to you.
LOUIS
Yeah bullshit!
Kent takes Louis by the arm and tries to drag him out of the store. With his spare hand Louis tries to unlock Kent’s grip on him.
Louis leans back with his entire body weight.
LOUIS
(Cont.)
Hey, fuck off.
KENT
You’re making it harder for yourself.
Louis releases his free hand and punches Kent in the face, striking him to the ground. Kent regains his balance and looks over towards the group outside of the supermarket.
Kent feels inside his mouth and removes a finger doused in blood. He eagerly hopes that the group will notice him but they don’t.
Louis takes a step back.
KENT
You’re fucked!
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
Angela pushes her way through the group and takes hold of Brian’s arm. She pulls him away from the group.
ANGELA
What did Louis do, is this that thing from before?
From inside the store Kent yells out to Hampo while holding onto Louis’ sleeve.
KENT
Hampo!
Hampo looks over and walks to the start of the nearest unoccupied cash register. He looks Louis straight in the eye and sways back and forth gesturing with his arms that he wants to fight.
HAMO
Come outside!
BRIAN
Just leave him!
The boy holding the baton pushes Brian further away to the side. Both Brian and Angela stumble backwards.
BOY WITH BATON
Stay out of this. It’s got nothing to do with you.
BRIAN
Get fucked.
Dominic pushes the boy with the baton.
DOMINIC
Don’t touch him!
The boy strikes Dominic to the ground with his baton. Dominic stands and wipes the blood that begins to pour from his head. Brian drags Dominic away from the group. The boy with the baton stands away with his arms drawn.
BOY WITH BATON
You want to go?
Brian makes a gesture with his hand that suggests talking into a microphone.
BRIAN
(To Louis)
Call Tarek.
Brian quickly moves to the outside of THE SERVICE DESK with Dominic and yells at Shelley who is oblivious to what’s happening.
BRIAN
(Cont.)
Shelley! Call Tarek and Robert… emergency now!
Shelley sees Dominic’s bleeding head and reaches for the PA system.
SHELLEY
Oh my God is he alright?
BRIAN
Just fucking call!
Dominic leaves the plaza. Brian and Angela trail slowly behind him. Louis watches the three leave and a look of terror comes across his face.
Brian hopelessly shrugs his shoulders at Louis.
BRIAN
Tarek’s on his way, you’ll be sweet.
LOUIS
(From inside the store)
Don’t leave!
BRIAN
Sorry.
The Boy with the baton yells to Brian as he’s about to leave.
BOY WITH BATTON
Who did you call?
BRIAN
None of your fucking business!
Over the loud speaker, Shelley’s voice is heard.
SHELLEY
Tarek and Robert to the service desk immediately! Tarek and Robert!
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis swipes his arm away from Kent, he reaches for a mop that lies out of a bucket next to a yellow stand that reads CAUTION- WET FLOOR.
Hampo stands opposite Louis on the other side of the registers waving Louis towards him.
HAMO
What are you gonna do?
Kent watches Louis in confusion.
Louis takes the mop and snaps it over his knee. Louis takes the broken handle and swings it violently toward Hampo, even though Hampo is out of reach.
Kent takes a step backward.
Louis walks towards Kent who inches backward until he knocks into the display of shampoo bottles that collide onto the ground.
Louis swings the handle at Kent who ducks and knocks over the last of the standing shampoo bottles.
KENT
You’re fucked in the head.
Louis casually strolls down aisle five.
Brian and Angela watch intently from outside the store. Brian moves inside purposely pushing past Hampo’s group.
INT. AISLE FIVE- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis holds the mop handle at the beginning of a shelf and progresses forward knocking over all that stands in its way. Cans of dog food topple, each dinting and opening upon hitting the ground.
Louis makes his way to the end of the aisle having destroyed each shelf. The mess has piled on the floor and items continue dropping from shelves long after Louis has struck them.
INT. AISLE EIGHT- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis runs down the aisle randomly hitting goods with his mop handle.
As he hits packages of sugar the contents rise in a puffy cloud. He then runs to a shelf display of pots and pans and casually slides them all off their hooks. The pots and pans make a great clanking sound against the floor and topple over themselves.
A woman pushing her trolley with a young child seated in the trolley’s handle, immediately holds her trolley to the side of the aisle almost crushed into the tin cans that are stacked beside her. She tries to stay as far out of Louis’ way as she can.
INT. AISLE TEN- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis stands at the beginning of the aisle and unfurls his arms gracefully. He sees multiple shelves of goods that are stored in jars, and smiles. His smile turns to a frown as he ventures into the aisle. Louis lines up his handle as though he is playing baseball.
Louis aggressively swings at random shelves and marvels as the glass from the jars projects over the aisle and as their contents splatter to the floor. Louis reaches from one side of the aisle to the other smashing jars until he reaches the end of the aisle. Tins, glass and food litter the floor.
At the end of the aisle customers huddle together and watch. They scatter as Louis draws closer. Louis slips but quickly regains his balance and progresses on.
INT. AISLE ELEVEN- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Louis continues battering shelves and items hung on hooks.
To his left is a shelf that stores wine glasses. The glasses come in packs of three and are well presented at the very front of the shelf. Louis swings the handle backward before striking at them.
Tarek runs down the aisle and stands three meters from Louis. He crouches and holds his hands forward. Louis stops himself from striking the glass wear.
TAREK
Hey buddy, put it down!
Louis turns back to the glass wear and strikes the mop handle at them. The glass shatters before them.
Tarek shields his eyes from the glass and cringes.
TAREK
(Cont.)
The police are on their way. Now, put the stick down and we’ll go upstairs and talk about this.
Tarek makes an advance towards Louis. Louis swings the mop handle at him and Tarek steps back.
TAREK
(Cont.)
Mate you don’t have to do this.
From behind Louis, Robert appears.
ROBERT
Louis!
Louis turns around to find that Robert is closer to him than Tarek is. Louis tries to watch them both at the same time and swings the handle at his full arms length on both sides.
ROBERT
(Cont.)
Haven’t you made enough mess yet? Put the… what did you break the fucking mop as well? Christ!
Robert holds his hand over his bald head and strokes down over his entire face.
TAREK
Why are you doing this, I assure you that no one is impressed.
ROBERT
Is this little show worth your job mate?
TAREK
You are looking at having a criminal record and what for?
Louis stays focused and is ready to strike as soon as either Robert or Tarek advance forward.
ROBERT
Got anything to say for your self mate?
Robert awaits a response but Louis remains silent.
ROBERT
(Cont.)
Didn’t think so… you idiot!
From the front of the aisle, two police officers run down holding guns that point in Louis’ direction.
POLICE OFFICER 1
(To Tarek)
You’re right.
Tarek and Robert let down their guard and step to the side.
TAREK
Oh, thank God.
The two police officers stand on either side of Louis who remains tense and focused. They point their guns at Louis.
POLICE OFFICER 2
Louis is it? Please put the stick down.
Louis smiles at the policeman and slowly places the mop handle onto the ground. He stands up straight and puts his hands behind his head.
LOUIS
Thanks for asking nicely, I appreciate it.
Police Officer 1 takes Louis hands away from his head and places them comfortably behind his back. He then gently places handcuffs around Louis hands.
POLICE OFFICER 2
Alright mate off we go.
TAREK
Thank you, officer.
ROBERT
Yeah cheers!
POLICE OFFICER 1
No worries.
POLICE OFFICER 2
We’ll be back to make a report.
TAREK
Absolutely, officer.
Louis orderly follows the officers as they drag him to the end of the aisle.
INT. FRONT END- SUPERMARKET. DAY.
The store is silent, except for a faint tune heard over the loudspeakers. Customers from within the store have all made their way to the front where they stand around Louis and the police, watching with their jaws to the ground.
The employees on registers cease scanning items and stare at Louis. Customers lined at each register watch almost frozen.
Louis is lead by the two police officers to a closed register. A steel CLOSED sign hangs over the opening that’s held in place with a chain that’s locked on either end. Tarek removes the chain and the CLOSED sign and clears the way for the officers to lead Louis out of the store.
INT. PLAZA. DAY.
Standing outside the store is Brian and Angela. The two discreetly follow Louis as he is lead by the police officers toward the automatic-doors at the entrance of the plaza.
Louis and the police officers move towards Hampo and his group who are still waiting to confront Louis. As the police move closer, Hampo and his group back away.
HAMO
Fuck!
Kent stands beside Hampo.
KENT
What now?
The group is still, almost motionless, as they watch Louis being escorted out of the store.
As Louis walks past them with an officer on each arm he smiles at Hampo confidently. Defeated, Hampo stamps his foot against the ground.
Louis passes the Liquor store, where the people from within watch with a stunned expression.
Louis gives a warm smile to the customers.
Louis and the two police officers walk through the automatic doors where a ray of sunlight shines through the plaza as the doors open.
EXT. SUPERMARKET. DAY.
Directly out the front of the store a police car is illegally parked close to the entrance. Police Officer 1 opens the back door of the car and guides Louis into the back seat. Louis complies. The police officer slams the back door shut and sits in the front passenger side as the other officer takes his place in the driver’s seat.
Louis looks to the store’s giant sign that reads- WILSON’S- A NAME YOU CAN TRUST. The sign reflects off the car window.
Angela and Brian have followed Louis to the car and stand beside it.
A confused Brian shakes his head at Louis. Louis smiles back at him.
Angela makes the sign of a telephone receiver with her hand and holds her hand against her face. She mouths the words- CALL ME, then smiles and waves at Louis. Angela has a loving glow about her as she smiles. Louis nods his head at her smiling back.
The police car drives away into the busy street.
FADE TO BLACK
THE END.
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