Cinemen

CHAPTER FOUR

INT. MCDOWELL LIVING ROOM – LATER

Luke and Derek are sitting on the sofa. Luke is holding an ice pack to his head.

LUKE

How is it possible to completely miss the hoop yet hit my head with one hundred percent accuracy?

Derek counts his money.

DEREK

Dates with Derek was the perfect concept. I should have made way more than forty bucks.

He tosses the small pile of cash on the coffee table. Luke pulls out his day's earnings and drops them on top.

LUKE

That makes sixty. It's a start.

DEREK

But not nearly enough. If it weren't for the angry boyfriends showing up and ruining everything, our working days would be over. What part of "Single Girls Only" did they not understand?

LUKE

I can't do this anymore. If I take one more shot to the face, my head will literally not be in my next game.

Three short knocks hit the door. Luke gets up and opens it. Daisy, a cheerful teenage girl scout, stands in the doorway wearing a yellow Sunny Girl Scout uniform and a big smile.

DAISY

Hi! Would you like to buy some cookies?

LUKE

No, thanks. Cookies aren't very nutritious. You should try selling granola bars. Way more healthy.

He starts to shut the door in her face, but Derek dashes over and shoves Luke out of the way.

DEREK

That depends. Do you have Snicker Doodles?

DAISY

Of course.

Daisy digs in her bag and pulls out a box.

DEREK

Excellent.

He takes a bill from their car saving stash, ignoring Luke's outraged look, and hands it to Daisy. She hands him the box.

DEREK

Thanks. Does this come with a number? Just in case I want to buy anything else. I am a very loyal customer.

Luke peeks around the door and scrutinizes Daisy.

LUKE

Don't I know you?

Derek leans his arm against the door frame, blocking Luke.

DEREK

(through a tight smile) I call dibs. (to Daisy) I didn't catch your name.

DAISY

(grinning) Daisy.

Luke snaps his fingers and points over Derek's arm.

LUKE

You work at the movie theater.

DAISY

Yeah. I do remember seeing you there. A lot. You must really love movies.

LUKE

It's one of the greatest forms of entertainment known to mankind. That must be a really cool job.

DAISY

Very cool. As a matter of fact, we're hiring.

LUKE

So there!

Luke rushes outside.

DEREK

That's not a bad idea.

DAISY

I better go finish my rounds. Enjoy your cookies.

Daisy skips off. Craig drags his feet up the walkway. He looks like he just escaped from a deserted island. The hems of his pants are shredded and his face is scrunched in agony.

CRAIG

I don't care what anyone says. Chihuahuas are extremely dangerous.

DEREK

(snickering while eating cookies) Yeah, for Chihuahuas.

Craig glances from Derek who's watching Daisy, to Daisy who's heading for the neighbors, and then to Luke who's running down the street.

CRAIG

You're joining the Girl Scouts?

DEREK

No. We're joining the movie theater.