Exercise 3: Writing Part 2 Redux

TWO FRIENDS 

Ext.

A man named Pete is sitting on a chair outside of a

starbucks on a college campus. He is leaning over the patio

table staring out into distance. A group of guys can be seen

playing basketball on the courts nearby. They are screaming

and shouting every time one of them makes a basket. Their

voices carry over to the man sitting staring aimlessly. He

focuses his gaze on them proceeds to get lost in their

performance.

A woman is seen standing mere feet from him talking loudly

on her cellphone

WOMAN

Literally my mother couldn’t even

figure out to work it and its like

2012 I felt so ashamed. Yeah I had

to do it for her. And then I had to

explain it after that.

Her one sided conversation draws Pete’s attention and he

cocks his head sideways to catch a glimpse of the woman

uttering all these hilarious words. When the woman notices

Peter staring at her she gives him a look of disgust and

saunters off in the opposite direction continuing her

conversation elsewhere.

Peter looks down at his wrist watch and then fixes his gaze

back over to the basketball players on the courtyard. A man

appears walking behind him and he sits down adjacent to Pete

without him noticing.

MYSTERY MAN (SAM)

Sorry I was late, man. Class ran

crazy long today and you know how

it is, right?

PETER

What the hell was so important Sam

that you couldn’t clue me in ahead

of time?

SAM

Sorry compadre, but I figured if I

told you via text you would stick

your hand through the phone and

strangle me.

Sam laughs half heartily and gives a sheepish smile.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

PETER

Well what the hell is it that's so

catastrophic? Did you actually end

up hitting that homeless man that

walks down the highway? Ha ha

SAM

Nah its nothing life and death man

its more like ... Dropping out of

school to peruse grander things. Ya

know?

It takes a second for the info to really hit Peter and

register in his brain.

PETER

Wait... you're dropping out of

college? The fuck you are.

SAM

It’s not a big deal man. I have so

many plans and ideas... College is

just holding me back. You’ll see

how much I accomplish after leaving

this place.

PETER

You’re making a huge mistake, man,

trust me. Oh my god, you are

retarded, bro. You’re gonna be that

homeless man walking the highway in

a few months.

SAM

Ha ha you know that’s pretty funny

but I have friends that will give

me a place to stay till I find

myself a pad.

PETER

You make everything in life seem so

simple. Your parents are going to

kill you when they find out, you

know that right?

SAM

When I have my life in order, I will

tell them. They dont have to know

what I’m doing till then.

PETER

You can't hide something so major

from them. They will find out when

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

PETER (cont’d)

They get something from the school

sent about dropping out.

SAM

Nahhh I’m gonna have my friend down

the street check out my mail and

lift any stuff from school. Simple

as that.

Sam had a goofy ass smile on his face when he finished his

sentence like he had definitive proof everything would be

okay. There had to be something wrong in that kids mind.

PETER

I can't stop you unless I tie you to

your desk and force you to stay but

I know you. Once you get something

in your mind you don't give up till

you’ve seen it through.

Peter sighs deeply and slides back into his chair knowing

that his friend is about to throw away his life.

SAM

I actually have an appointment with

an advisor on the other side of

campus so I have to run now, but

later I want to spend some time

with ya.

Sam goes over to Peter and gives him a hug which freaks him

a little because he is not used to this sort of behavior.

SAM

You are a good friend Pete, and

everything will be okay. When I

have my new place, you will be the

first one over and then we will

hang out all the time. All will

be well.

Peter does his best to crack a smile and nods along to his

friends words. Sam grabs his bag and runs off into the

distance getitng smaller and smaller. Pete watches as the

outline of his friend fades away and he knows he should have

done more to slap some sense into his friend. Peter slams

his head onto the table and sighs to himself.

End scene