le concepteur ➸ h.s au

1.2

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SCENE 1

(January 8, Wednesday, Elis' Vacant Hour, 9:07am, Champ de Mars, Paris, France)

Elis: (sitting on a bench, earphones in playing Small Bump by Ed Sheeran, pencil in her mouth, shading her sketch with her fingers, feels something on her leg, looks down, sees a puppy rubbing its head against her leg, removes her earphones) Oh hi there, little cutie! (puts the sketch on the bench beside her along with the pencil, pets the pup and carries it on her lap) Where did you come from? (rubs the pup's chin) You're so cute! (smiles fondly)

Stranger: (running, sighs in relief) Found you!

Elis: (looks up at the lady) Is this your pup?

Stranger: Well... she's my brother's but she's also mine because I take care of her more than he does. (chuckles)

Elis: (tries to hand the puppy back to the stranger but the puppy jumps back to her and licks her face) Oh dear. I think she's attached to me now. (pats the empty space next to her, her things on her other side) Have a seat. (the stranger takes a seat) What's her name? (pets the puppy)

Stranger: (ruffles the puppy's back) Her name's Macie. (realizes she hasn't introduced herself properly) I'm Em, by the way. (shows her hand to shake)

Elis: You have a beautiful name, I'm Elis. (shakes Em's hand)

Em: (thanks Elis, pets Macie) I was going to get this little nutter here a collar, but she ran away and somehow went here. (lightly laughs)

Elis: Oh my, I've always wanted a dog or at least a pup, but it's totally out of the budget! Pets are super expensive.

Em: Right?! (Phone buzzes, checks message) I have to go, my brother is asking if I bought Macie's collar. (stands up)

Elis: (stands up as well, hands Macie to Em) It's nice to meet you.

Em: See you around! (smiles, hugs Elis, Macie in between)

SCENE 2

(Same Day, 3:34pm, Elis and Beth's workplace, After meeting)

Beth: (walks out of Mr. G's office) Elis, he wants to see you.

Elis: (eyes widen) What? Why? (panics) Did I do something wrong?

Beth: No, of course not! Just go in and bring your sketches. (smiles knowingly)

Elis: (squeals inside, giddy) Oh my god! Are you serious? (jumps up and down, runs towards her bottom desk drawer and grabs her sketches, walks towards Mr. G's office door, knocks)

Mr.G: (loud) Come in.

Elis: (walks in) Sir, you wanted to see my sketches?

Mr. G: (looks away from what he's typing) Yes, I'll give it another go. Just leave it on this desk and you may leave.

Elis: (smiles) Oh my god, thank you so much! (puts the sketch portfolio on top of the file, leaves)

Scene 3

(Same Day, 6:35pm, Kitchen, Elis' Flat, Room 510, Terracotta Flats, Paris, France)

Elis: (playing "We Cant Stop" by Miley Cyrus through speakers, boiling penne, chopping onions, teary eyed, bouncing along to the music) We can't stop, we won't stop... (puts the chopped onions on a plate, stirs the boiling penne, starts to chop garlic, still bouncing along) La da di da di, dancing with Miley... (hears the doorbell, washes her hands, lowers the volume of the music, goes to open the door)

Stranger: (shy, scratches the back of his head) Uhm, hi!

Elis: (smiles warmly) Hi!

Stranger: Uhm, I'm new here. (shy) I live just across from you. (points behind him, a lot of boxes scattered on the floor) uh... 511, I was just wondering why the lights won't work and the water won't run. I tried using the intercom but it's not working.

Elis: (mocks television game shows) Welcome to Terracotta Flats where everyone wonders why things don't work on their first day! (playfully winks for effect, talks normally) This happens to everyone here, don't worry. (laughs, points at the room across from hers) Do you mind if I come in and help?

Stranger: (smiles, amused) Sure. (leads the way)

Elis: I haven't properly introduced myself. (smiles) My name's Elis.

Stranger: I'm Zayn (shakes Elis hand)

Elis: (walks to one of the upper cabinets in the kitchen) I'm sorry if it sounds rude, but are you French? Because you don't look French, and you've got that accent. (opens a small grey box attached to the wall inside the cabinet where the main control for the whole flat is)

Zayn: (chuckles) No, My mom's English and my dad is Pakistani. What about you? You don't sound French either.

Elis: (pulls out her phone, opens the flashlight, looks for the right switches) My mom is English and my dad's French. Kinda complicated.(clicks a couple of switches on, opens the faucet, water comes out) So, What brings you here in France? (closes the faucet)

Zayn: I'm from England but the G Office offered me a job here since they didn't have a branch there. I got hired as an Accountant, I mean, I love Fashion and I graduated with flying colors in Accounting, so what better place to work than the place where you're exposed to both?

Elis: (clicks a couple more switches) I work in the G Office too! (looks at Zayn) Can you please switch on the lights?  

Zayn: (walks toward the switch, presses the switch, the lights turns on) Oh really? That's good! How long have you been working there?

Elis: (closes the flashlight on her phone, shuts the grey box and the cabinet door) About 7 months. (smiles,looks around) There you go! (remembers she left the stove open) Hey, I have to go! My penne might burn. (laughs) If you need anything don't hesitate to come to me.

Zayn: (smiles,grateful) Thank you so much.

Elis: (starts to walk towards the door) Hey Zayn, (Zayn looks at Elis) Would you like to eat dinner at my place?

Zayn: I would love to. I'll just fix a few things and I'll be knocking on your door in a few. (smiles)

Elis: I can help you unpack after?

Zayn: Sure, that would be lovely!

.....

QUESTION: Will Mr. G approve Elis' sketches?

(Photo credit to owner, source: weheartit.com)