What Difference?

Here is a script I just handed in during script-writing class. This is based off of a real life conversation that myself and a few of my friends had one evening when we were very tired yet VERY hyper. Please note that this version isn't in the proper (and much prettier) script format, as the blog doesn't handle formatting very well. Oh, also note that it didn't happen exactly like this. Quite a few details related to setting and people involved were changed, but the story is based off of real life events.

It's like they say: Real life is stranger than fiction.

Oh, I also got a 29.5/30 on my film story. I guess that means I don't need to do a rewrite. I'm happy though. A great deal of people in the class got REALLY crappy marks.

But, without further ado, here is What Difference?:

FADE IN:

INT. INSIDE AN OFFICE WAITING ROOM

PAUL, 20, a professional and tidy young man, is sitting in one of the chairs in the waiting room, a professional looking portfolio in one hand, a small carton of skim milk in the other. JOSH, 19, slightly disheveled, but still looking respectable, struts in and slumps down nonchalantly beside Paul. He too has a carton of milk in one hand, and portfolio in the other, though his milk is 2% and his portfolio is slightly askew.

JOSH: So what did you think of the Sox/Yanks game the other day? Bit of a shocker, eh?

Paul does not respond verbally. Instead he focuses a ‘look-to-kill’ directly at Josh.

JOSH: Okay, what did I do now?

In disgust, Paul stops glaring and fixes his gaze straight ahead.

PAUL: You know perfectly well what is wrong.

JOSH: Actually, in case you couldn’t tell from the confused look on my face, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

Paul does not respond, and starts browsing through his portfolio.

JOSH: What is your issue? I combed my hair today, and I shined my shoes! I even wore a shirt with a collar.

Paul looks up.

PAUL: That is not the issue. You know that they are only going to hire two people for the job. Those two people have to be you and me, my friend. Those jobs practically have our names written on them. (BEAT) Well, at least they did until you showed up like that today.

JOSH: You’re confusing me, bro. I still don’t catch your drift.

PAUL: You could have spent an hour getting ready this morning, but with a split-second, not to mention stupid decision, you have destroyed your image and your chances of getting the job.

JOSH: What?

PAUL: You’re drinking 2% milk.

JOSH: Excuse me?

PAUL: Come on, Josh! Everyone knows that 2% milk has 120 calories and 5 grams of fat in an 8-ounce serving. On the other hand, I made the smart choice to drink skim milk, which has only 80 calories in an 8-ounce serving.

JOSH: Your point?

Paul pulls a calculator out of his pocket and does some rapid number crunching.

PAUL: My point is that I am consuming 4 times less fat than you are. You really don’t care about your image, or this job, do you?

JOSHWhat are you talking about? I care! If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have put on my best pair of jeans! I would have shown up in my track pants!

PAUL: There you go again, threatening to throw away everything for comfort! Let me tell you something my friend. (BEAT) You might as well be drinking whole milk. By drinking 2% milk you are shoving almost the same amount of fat and calories you are your system. If they had it in the cafeteria, I would have been drinking fortified milk or even soymilk. Fortified milk has no fattening milk solids in it, you know.

JOSH: Have I ever told you that you are crazy?

PAUL: Everyday Josh, yet you still listen to every word I say! (BEAT) Now, do us both a favour and go throw out that drivel you call milk.

Paul puts the calculator away and turns back to his portfolio with a smug look on his face. Josh looks at his carton of milk.

JOSH: Listen, I’m sorry Paul. You’re right. I should have never -

Josh is interrupted as a beautiful BRUNETTE walks by the two of them, pauses to look at a sign on the wall, and then walks out on the opposite side she entered from. She is also carrying a carton of milk. Hers is chocolate. Paul looks up when Josh stops talking to see what the interruption is.

PAUL: Josh?

JOSH: Sorry about that Paul. (BEAT) I have decided that you are right. I should not be drinking 2% milk.

PAUL: Thank you.

JOSH: Instead, I’m going to chase after the excuse to drink chocolate. Later!

Josh gets up and leaves in the same direction the brunette went. Paul quickly whips out his calculator.

PAUL: Chocolate milk has 160 calories and 2.5 grams of fat, Josh. (BEAT) Josh?!

FADE TO BLACK.