The Runner
Return to SimplyScripts.com
This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved.
This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express
written permission of the author.
-------------------------
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
THE RUNNER
By: donald prokop
FADE IN:
RESTAURANT OFFICE
WILLIAM the manager, mid-thrities, sits at the desk totaling
up the prior nights receipts.
AS he looks up we see behind the well groomed facade the eyes
of someone just about to win or lose it all.
PAN down as he alters a couple numbers on the ledger book.
HE freezes as VOICES appear outside the door.
After the voices dissolve, he takes three-hundred dollars
from a stack of money on the desk an slides it into his
pocket.
He takes the rest of the cash and places it into the safe.
CUT TO:
EMPLOYEE ROOM
Worn out shoes scattered across the floor. A locker unit with
doors edged open and clothes hanging out. Fluorescent lights
flicker overhead.
MIGUEL, 19, a young man with jet black hair slicked behind a
round pail face sits in his coat staring indolently at the
clock mounted on the wall.
Clock reads: 5:28
He lets out a sigh.
RESTAURANT DINING ROOM
SERVERS put the finishing touches on the room, polishing
silverware, adjusting table clothes.
WILLIAM walks through the dinning room a commander checking
his watch.
WILLIAM
(pointing to a table)
Change that table cloth, its dirty.
He makes his way through the dinning room to the bar where
DAN the BARTENDER cuts fruit for the night.
WILLIAM
You have everything.
DAN
We're still out of that vodka.
WILLIAM
(walking away)
It should be here tomorrow.
CUT TO:
KITCHEN
A flourish of activity. Workers cut and dice vegetables.
Another is stretching out pasta dough. A large stock pot
bubbles atop the stove.
The CHEF carves a baby goat. He looks up as William enters.
WILLIAM
Everything ready Chef.
CHEF
We're in good shape.
WILLIAM
Good.
Uncomfortable pause.
CHEF
How's the books look tonight?
WILLIAM
Pretty light. But it's a nice
night.
William looks at the clock on the wall.
Clock reads: 5:33
WILLIAM
Have you seen Miguel?
CHEF
Not yet.
William takes one last look around then leaves.
CUT TO:
EMPLOYEE ROOM
Miguel changed into his runner uniform.
He looks in the mirror. His wrinkled pants are a couple
sizes too big and this makes him sad.
He ties his apron around his waist.
Then before leaving he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls
out a small rolled up magazine and places it in his apron.
CUT TO:
STAIRCASE
Miguel slowly walks up the stairs. As he gets closer to the
top he stops.
He takes a deep breath and continues on.
He walks through the back where a DISHWASHER covered in sweat
works earnestly to clean a stack of pans.
DISHWASHER
El oh, lo mira es el corredor.
MIGUEL
Animal.
Miguel rounds the corner before the Dishwasher can respond.
KITCHEN
Miguel stops to watch the chef as he sections out the pieces
of goat.
CHEF
Miguel, how you doing buddy.
MIGUEL
I'm fine I guess.
CHEF
William's looking for you.
MIGUEL
He's always looking for me.
FOLLOW Miguel to...
BAR
Miguel grabs a glass from the shelf and places it on the
counter in front of Dan.
DAN
Senor Miguel. Como sta
MIGUEL
Bien, bien.
Miguel see's William and picks up the glass pretending to
clean it.
WILLIAM
Miguel, you are late again.
MIGUEL
I'm sorry, William. I try, but
sometimes I'm late.
WILLIAM
(grabbing Miguel)
Come with me... I've got a project
for you.
William leads him down the stairs.
CUT TO:
BASEMENT
CLOSE ON a large white rectangle. A hand reaches in.
PULL BACK
Miguel in the basement storage area removes the protective
covering from an adhesive rat trap.
He carefully sets the trap on the ground and slides it under
a shelf.
MIGUEL
(to himself)
Yes, William I am very sorry for
being late.
(in spanish)
Usted animal. No hay desvio
bastante grande coger la clase se
usted.
He pulls out another trap.
MIGUEL'S POV
A door marked office.
Beat.
BACK TO:
MIGUEL
He walks over to the door. Removes the backing from the trap
and slides it under the door.
He pulls out another and another.
DING.
CUT TO:
TICKET
Being spiked.
MIGUEL
Wipes the edges of the plate.
CUT TO:
DINING ROOM
Miguel carries the plates from the kitchen into the dining
room.
Dinning room MUSIC washes over kitchen NOISE.
TABLE
He approaches a table where two people sit conversing.
MIGUEL
(to lady)
Salmon.
The lady motions yes and Miguel sets the plate in front of
her.
MIGUEL
(to gentleman)
Chicken.
GENTLEMAN
Yes, thank you.
He places the plate in front of him.
MIGUEL
Would you like anything else?
COUPLE
No, thank you.
MIGUEL
Enjoy your dinners.
Miguel walks towards the host stand
HOSTESS STAND
Miguel talks with JANINE at the host stand.
William see's this and immediately interjects.
WILLIAM
(to Miguel)
What are you doing?
MIGUEL
I was saying hello to Janine.
WILLIAM
There is no conversing while
we are open.
MIGUEL
Yes, sir.
Miguel walks off towards the kitchen.
WILLIAM
Janine, about next Thursday, I'm
going to need you to work.
JANINE
It's my opening.
WILLIAM
I know but there's no one else to
cover it.
JANINE
I can't do it.
WILLIAM
You have to.
DING.
CUT TO:
TICKET
Being spiked.
MIGUEL
Wipes the rim of the plate.
CUT TO:
DINING ROOM
Two people talking at a table. Miguel walks up carrying the
plates.
MIGUEL
(to lady)
Salmon.
She motions yes. Miguel sets the plate in front of her.
MIGUEL
(to man)
Steak. Rare.
MAN
Yes, thank you.
CUT TO:
KITCHEN
Miguel leans against the wall. He reaches into his apron and
feels the magazine.
CUT TO:
BATHROOM
CLOSE ON a pair of shoes under the stall door.
INSIDE
Miguel sits on the toilet. He pulls a small porno magazine
from his apron. Finding a picture he likes he unzips his
pants and begins to masturbate.
The SOUND of the bathroom door opening.
He stops mid-stroke.
WILLIAM (OS)
Miguel, is that you.
MIGUEL
Yes, William.
WILLIAM
Get out of there, right now.
MIGUEL
I can't William. My stomach, it
does not feel good.
WILLIAM
Right NOW.
MIGUEL
Please, William... I...
OUTSIDE
William sniffs the air.
WILLIAM
It doesn't smell like sickness.
MIGUEL(OS)
No William. I am very sick, but
if you give me a couple minutes
I will be alright.
INSIDE
Miguel careful not to make a sound, slides the booklet into
his apron.
WILLIAM(OS)
I'll give you to the count of
three.
OUTSIDE
William by the door.
WILLIAM
One.
INSIDE MIGUEL
slowly putting his erection away.
WILLIAM(OS)
Two
OUTSIDE
William is prepares to rip open the door.
WILLIAM
Three.
Miguel opens the door and walks out.
MIGUEL
Much better.
CUT TO:
OFFICE
Outside the office door. William searches for his key. Miguel
nervously looks at the bottom of the door.
MIGUEL
Please. We can talk out here.
WILLIAM
(searching)
Were the FUCK ARE MY KEYS.
MIGUEL
(pleading)
Please...
William punches Miguel in the chest. Miguel is stunned.
WILLIAM
Shut the fuck up.
William searching more frantically.
WILLIAM
JESUS, WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY.
MIGUEL
(softly)
By the hostess stand.
WILLIAM
What did you say.
MIGUEL
I said you left them by the
hostess stand.
(in Spanish)
USTED ANIMAL QUE COGE!
Beat.
Miguel watches William fills with rage. He closes his eyes.
WILLIAM
Miguel, you are finished.
A VOICE calls down the stairs.
JANINE (O.S.)
William. You have a phone call.
WILLIAM
Take a message.
JANINE (O.S.)
I can't... I think it's the owner.
Beat.
JANINE (O.S.)
William.
WILLIAM
All right. I'm coming.
The two men look into each others eyes.
WILLIAM
Take off your apron. Your fired.
William goes to answer the phone.
CUT TO:
RESTAURANT
Janine and Dan by the bar. Miguel comes up from the stairs
his apron in his hand, he looks sad.
DING.
The SOUNDS of the restaurant dry up to a silence.
Miguel throws his apron onto the bar.
DAN
Go on Miguel, that was the bell.
MIGUEL
William fired me.
SHOUTING comes from the front of the restaurant.
Miguel looks to see what's going on.
MIGUEL'S POV
William walks through the dining room.
He's coming right at him.
DING.
But instead of coming any further he turns off and goes
downstairs to the office.
BACK TO:
MIGUEL
Looking down the stairs. He hears the KEYS going into the
lock and the DOOR OPENING.
Then
From the office he hears PROFANITY... THROWING THINGS.
SLOWLY PULL BACK
On Miguel until we see William climbing the stairs in his
stocking feet. In his hands are a pair of shoes covered in
the rat traps.
William walks past Miguel and the workers.
Shoes in hand he exits the restaurant.
DING. DING.
Chef comes out from the kitchen.
CHEF
Come on, Miguel hot food hot, cold
food cold.
Miguel looks at Janine and Dan.
JANINE
Go on, Miguel.
Miguel grabs his apron off the bar and walks back to the
kitchen.
The SOUNDS of the restaurant raise back.
MIGUEL returns carrying a plate salmon and a plate of the
goat special.
FADE OUT:
[
top
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.