INT. SAD BOY'S FLAT
SUBTITLE: PRESENT DAY.
FADE INTO:
Sad Boy walking into his flat, sighing. He unbuttons the top of his shirt. Looking over at the sofa, OMAR is sitting down, puffing a cigarette and has a beer placed on the coffee table.
He's playing music in the background and checking out his phone.
SAD BOY (VO):
Oh aye, I forgot to introduce my roommate, Omar.
The voice over begins to fade into Sad Boy talking about him whilst Omar listens, not realizing he is.
He used to have a good life, but then it all came crashing down on him. Omar looks at Sad Boy who's settings his beer down. Omar's shaking his head as he chuckles:
OMAR:
I didn't think I was gonna sink this low.
SAD BOY:
Well, you did. And now you're stuck here until you get your life on track.
OMAR:
(Nodding)
I'm selling mangoes, rice, pitta bread and za'atar in my Uncle's shop until then.
SAD BOY:
I like your Uncle. He's not that bad. He gave me free food once.
OMAR:
Out of pity, aye.
SAD BOY:
Pity's a powerful emotion.
OMAR:
Tell me about it (!)
SAD BOY (VO):
So yeah, after seeing the state he was in, I just had to give him my sofa:
CUT TO: Omar laying outside Sad Boy's block of flats. His mouth is covered in blood and he's trying his hardest not to cry. He's sore all over. Sad Boy walks over to him and pulls him up.
SAD BOY:
Are you alright, Mate?
Sad Boy helps him up off the ground and helps walk him into his flat on the bottom floor. Blood's dripping down Omar's t-shirt. Sad Boy closes the door and helps Omar onto the sofa.
He goes over to the sink and gets a bowl of water for Omar and helps him wash his mouth clean.
SAD BOY (VO):
And that was the beginning of our unlikely friendship.
INT. SAD BOY'S FLAT
SAD BOY:
Omar, I'm still broke mate and I dunno what to do.
OMAR:
(shrugging)
Keep searching for a job. Keep on the good side of things. Build yourself back up again. That's what I'm doing. You should do it too.
SAD BOY:
(sighing)
No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get a job.
OMAR:
Maybe if you'd make less of a scene, someone would consider hiring you. I heard what happened.
SAD BOY:
Who told you?
OMAR:
Guess?
SAD BOY:
Doug.
OMAR:
It's all over Facebook.
SAD BOY:
Of course it is.
OMAR:
(looking around the room)
Where's Trish? She's usually back by this time.
SAD BOY:
Maybe she went to get us all food. It's fast food night, after all. I'm excited.
OMAR:
(Clutching his stomach)
Try telling that to last night's Chinese.
SAD BOY:
I got rid of mine all. My food babies.
OMAR:
I didn't need to know that. Anyway, keep your chin up. Keep trying. think of the long term--
SAD BOY:
--I can't even remember what I had for lunch--
OMAR:
--Find a job you like. Even go and clean up things at the gym. Get experience and keep out of trouble.
SAD BOY:
What about a get rich quick scheme?
OMAR:
Those never work in the long term. Trust me.
YOU ARE READING
FLANK
Short StoryA recovering* addict contemplates his values in life and tries to be a good person. That ain't the easiest thing to do... especially when trouble's only a knock away. (CONCEPT: PILOT RELEASED AS A COMPLETED ROUGH DRAFT).
