ACT ONE
INT. CHEF'S ROOM - NIGHT
CHEF IS SITTING AT HIS DESK ON A VIDEO CALL WITH HIS DAUGHTER.
TEARS ARE STREAMING DOWN HIS CHEEKS.
MEGAN
Dad, can you see me?
(Turns camera on phone towards her face. Gives close-up of her face.)
CHEF
(Smiles and tears up.)
Yes daughter, I can see you! I can't believe I'm missing Mundo and Joey's big day. I miss yall so much.
I don't know how many more big events I can miss.
SPLIT SCREEN BETWEEN CHEF AND HIS ROOM AND THE WEDDING.
EDMUNDO AND JOEY ARE STANDING AT THE FRONT SAYING THEIR VOWS.
OFFICIANT
I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss your husband!
EDMUNDO AND JOEY SEAL THEIR MARRIAGE WITH A KISS AS THE WEDDING GUESTS CHEER. CHEF IS GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR. THE VIDEO CHAT ENDS AS CHEF LOSES WIFI DUE TO AN ALERT ON THE
BASE IN IRAQ. HIS CELLPHONE DINGS AS HE GETS A TEXT FROM HIS GRAND DAUGHTER, MARIAH.
CHEF
(Reading the text aloud to himself.)
I miss you Grampa.
CHEF
(Shakes his head while talking to himself. He picks up his cellphone to reply.)
I miss you too, Mija. I miss you all. I think it's finally time to hang up my gear and head on home.
Time to let the young Dude's take over. I've got a life back home to start living.
CHECKING HIMSELF OUT IN A FULL LENGTH MIRROR WITH A DEVILISH GRIN ON HIS FACE.
CHEF
And a girlfriend. Time to enjoy her, too!
CHEF STANDS UP, TURNS OFF COMPUTER AND TURNS OFF THE LIGHT
ACT TWO
INT. GYM IN BUILDING - MORNING
CHEF IS WORKING OUT WITH A FEW OF HIS MILITARY BROTHERS.
BROTHER #1
(Gives Chef a fist pump.)
Hey Bro, what's up with the smile? I heard you're heading back to the States? How did Mad Dog Dennis take the news?
CHEF
He's cool with it. Hell, he asked what took me so long.
(Laughs)
It's time for Ol Chef to hang up his gear and head home. Let yall young guys start earning yalls keep. I KNOW yall will miss my cooking ... and my naked ass walking around this place!
BOTH MEN HAVE A GOOD LAUGH.
CHEF
Bro, you mind spotting me, going for 3 reps at 405 on my bench, new record if I can pull this off. Plus I've got to make sure I'm looking good for Catalina now that I'm going home for good.
BROTHER #1
GETTING IN POSITION TO SPOT CHEF ON THE FLAT BENCH PRESS
There's seriously something wrong with you, Bro. You've got balls of steel to live your nude-lifestyle here.
You've taught me to no matter what always be yourself. I'm happy for you though.
Bro, enjoy the rest of your life, you've earned it.
CHEF FINISHES HIS REPS OF THE BENCH, STANDS UP, GIVES BROTHER #1 A HAND SHAKE AND A HUG, BROTHER #1 WALKS OUT THE DOOR. CHEF GRABS HIS CELLPHONE, SITS DOWN ON THE BENCH AND TEXT'S CATALINA. TALKING OUT LOUD TO HIMSELF AS HE TEXT'S CATALINA.
YOU ARE READING
"Going Home" | The Barely Normal Life
ContoA nudist man leaves his job in Iraq of overseas government contracting to re-integrate into his colorful family while finally being able to fully embrace his life of nudism and tiny house living.
