Episode 4: That Girl Across The Room

.EXT, NIGHT: BUSY Cafe. (2 MONTHS AGO)

*Aaron, his father, his mother and sister sit around a round table. The Cafe is bustling with activity. The waiters swiftly and effortlessly serve diners. The camera spins around the room, the commotion dies down. The audience hears complete silence. The camera stops at Aaron. His father, mother and sister are having a conversation but he is inattentive. We see a girl sitting on the table across him, sipping on an iced tea. She glances at him at regular intervals.*

AARON (voiceover)

Stop staring at her, idiot. Look away. She might notice. You don’t want her to think you’re a creep, do you? Oh but what the hell, she’s gorgeous. Should you go talk to her? Nah. She’s with her dad. Look at him. Fucking idiot. Look at him laughing with his mouth full of food. How does someone like that, produce something as brilliant as her? Now I’ve seen everything. Oh! Look away! She looked back at you! Did she see you? Okay, I think you’re in the clear. Idiot, I told you not to stare.

*Aaron’s mother taps him on his shoulder. He snaps out of his daze. He starts to stammer.*

AARON-

Yeah Ma?

MOTHER-

Where the hell did you go?

AARON-

Umm, nowhere. I was right here.

MOTHER-

Really? What were we talking about?

AARON-

Things. Umm, interesting things.  

FATHER-

You don’t think I noticed you staring at that girl sitting behind me? You’ve been nodding at everything I’ve been saying for the past half hour. You wanna go over there and talk to her?

AARON-

Whaaaaaat? Girl? What girl? Why don’t we just talk about something else?

*His father looks disappointed. They go back to talking amongst themselves. Aaron zones out again...*

AARON

Should I smile at her? Maybe I should. What if she thinks I’m weird? I’ll never have a shot with her then. You know what? You are a retard. A complete retard. You don’t know her, not one bit. She’s gonna leave the diner in a while and you’re never gonna see her again. Take a shot at it.

*Aaron smiles at her, catches her off guard. She blushes, smiles back coyly. *

AARON

Woohoo! Who’s the man?  You’re the man. Okay, now what’s phase two? Should you go there and talk to her? Aah. But her dad! He’ll crush you. Is he that big though? Maybe you can take him. What if you can’t? Well kiddo, you’re fucked big time. Oh fuck! I think dads done with dinner. No! Not so soon. I didn’t even get time to introduce myself. No! I want dessert!

*His father calls for the bill. Everybody stands up. Aaron stands very reluctantly, the girl notices them leaving. She frowns slightly. Aaron raises his hand and flicks his wrist in the motion of a wave. She smiles at him. He leaves the diner.*

AARON

Hey dad, I think I left my phone inside. I’ll go get it quick.

*His father smiles at him*

FATHER

Make it quick.

*Aaron speed walks into the restaurant. He spots her table. Stands right in front of her and motions her to come to the door. She hesitantly nods, murmurs something to her father and stands up. She starts walking towards him. Time instantly slows down. The commotion in the diner again turns silent. All we hear is Aaron’s heart pounding against his chest. He forgets to breathe. *

GIRL

Hi.

AARON

Hi...

*She smiles and stares at her feet. He opens his mouth as if about to say something but laughs instead at the absurd situation placed before him*

CUT TO BLACK.