SETTING: Outside coffee shop. It is dusk and there are storm clouds in the distance.
SARAH glances around nervously. She is dressed in formal wear. She checks her watch. The time is 5:27. JESSICA is seen inside coffee shop, wiping down tables.
SARAH: It’s not 5:30 yet. He’s still got time.
JESSICA exits coffee shop with wet rag in hand. A bell rings as the door closes. She stands by SARAH.
JESSICA: Maybe he stood you up.
SARAH: Maybe . . .
SARAH (furrowing her brow): Oh, I don’t know! Why didn’t I ask him for his number?! She stamps her foot.
JESSICA (placing hand on SARAH’s shoulder): Calm down. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.
SARAH continues to look distressed. She glances at watch again.
*15 MINUTES LATER*
Both girls sit inside the coffee shop. SARAH does not look away from front window. JESSICA sips at a cup of coffee.
JESSICA puts coffee cup down.
JESSICA: Well, I guess I’m calling it. Mr. Tall, Creepy, and Might Hold you for Ransom has stood you up.
SARAH (with crazed look): May… Maybe he’s stuck in traffic? She rings her hands.
JESSICA: Sarah, I know you were really excited for this date and that you even bought a brand-new dress for it, but you need to accept the fact that this guy isn’t coming.
SARAH: But he wouldn’t stand a girl up!
JESSICA (leaning away from SARAH and giving her “the look”): And how exactly do you know that?
SARAH: I just know he wouldn’t. He seems so nice and polite, I can’t imagine him doing something like this without a good reason.
JESSICA: You know, Sarah, just because he’s hot, it doesn’t make him a saint.
SARAH (looking at JESSICA for the first time): I know that; I’m not stupid.
JESSICA (getting out of her chair): If you really aren’t stupid, you’ll listen to me.
JESSICA walks over to SARAH. She takes SARAH’s face in her hands.
JESSICA: John isn’t coming. He’s twenty minutes late. You don’t deserve to have anyone treat you this way and you need to go home and self-medicate with some ice cream.
SARAH sighs.
SARAH: Okay, I’ll go home. She gets out of chair.
Just then, headlights appear out of the front window. A black car stops in front of the coffee shop. DRIVER exits car.
JESSICA (sarcastically): Oh, this isn’t shady at all.
SARAH and JESSICA exit shop. SARAH approaches DRIVER.
SARAH: Excuse me, were you sent by John?
DRIVER (with thick accent): Yes. You Sarah?
SARAH (smiling): Yes! Yes I am.
DRIVER (gesticulating “okay” sign): Okay. Get in car. I drive you.
SARAH (opening car door): Thank you so much!
JESSICA runs over to SARAH and grabs her arm to stop her entering the car.
JESSICA: Wait! You can’t just go around getting into random people’s black cars with tinted windows! It’s not safe.
SARAH (brushing JESSICA off): I’m sure it’s fine. Besides, the driver knew my name without me saying it, and he said he was sent by John.
JESSICA: And how many people in this city are named “John” and “Sarah?”
SARAH: If you’re so worried, why don’t you come along?
JESSICA: Don’t tempt me.
SARAH: Well, I’m going. This date is the opportunity of a lifetime.
JESSICA (sighing): You’re so shallow sometimes, Sarah.
SARAH climbs into car.
JESSICA: Hold up!
JESSICA climbs into car next to SARAH.
JESSICA: Since I appear to be the only one here with enough presence of mind to recognize the potential danger of this situation, I’ll come be your bodyguard.
SARAH smiles. The car ride proceeds in silence.
