The Cafe

INT. A CAFE - DAY

A woman and a man sit at a table. JENNY, 27, is pale and weak, with stringy light blonde hair. ANGELO, 23, is muscular with thick black curly hair and a cherub-like face. Jenny nervously dithers over a menu while Angelo leans back in his chair, relaxed. A waiter hovers over them.

ANGELO

Are you going to order anything?

JENNY

(to waiter)

Give me a minute. I still need time deciding.

ANGELO

We’ve been here for 20 minutes. 

JENNY

Just give me a minute, okay?

Waiter leaves.

ANGELO

What is it?

JENNY

I can’t decide between the steak frites and the mussels. I don’t know if the mussels are fresh, but I like my steak cooked to very exact specifications and-

ANGELO

No. Why are you so nervous?

JENNY

Well, it’s not exactly like I’ve been out to a restaurant recently.

ANGELO

Recently as in?

JENNY

Five years.

ANGELO

What? Why?

JENNY

Are you kidding? It's terrifying!

Angelo laughs.

JENNY

You shouldn't mock me. I’m agoraphobic, you know. Agoraphobic, hoplophobic, taphophobic, aviophobic, scopophobic, and nephophobic.

ANGELO

That’s quite a collection.

Jenny stands up angrily.

JENNY

I said don’t mock me!

Jenny notices that other people are staring at her and sits down quickly, staring at her plate.

ANGELO

Alright, calm down. You’re not very timid for someone who’s afraid of everything.

Jenny glares at Angelo. He shrugs.

ANGELO

Just tell me this. If you’re afraid of strangers and going outside and the rest of it, what are you doing?

JENNY

Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe I felt sorry for you.

ANGELO

Can’t blame a tourist for being lost.

JENNY

Still doesn't explain it. I can't believe I'm here.

Waiter re-enters.

WAITER

Have you finally decided on something, Miss?

JENNY

Are the mussels fresh?

WAITER

The very finest, brought in from Leicester market today.

JENNY

I suppose I’ll have to have those then.

WAITER

And for Sir?

ANGELO

I... I’ll have what she’s having.

WAITER

(writing)

... And another order of mussels. I’ll be back with your meals in a few minutes.

JENNY

Didn’t you want the minestrone?

ANGELO

Yes... Yeah hold on a minute.

Angelo gets up and walks over to the waiter.

ANGELO

Actually can I change my order to the... (looks at Jenny)

JENNY

Minestrone!

ANGELO

Yes. Minestrone.

Angelo walks back to the table.

JENNY

Are you okay?

ANGELO

Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a headache.

JENNY

Are you sure? I’ve got some great herbal stuff back at my apartment. We could head back.

ANGELO

Sure, let’s go.

They both get up. Angelo helps Jenny into her coat, avoiding eye contact.

EXT. A QUIET STREET OUTSIDE CAFE - A FEW SECONDS LATER

Angelo and Jenny walk quickly down the road. Jenny looks concernedly at Angelo, who is still looking away. Angelo tries to lead them down a side street but Jenny stops.

JENNY

This isn’t the way to my place.

ANGELO

Sorry. I guess it’s in the next block.

JENNY

No. (pause) But it’s okay! Can’t blame a tourist for getting lost.

ANGELO

(sighs)

Look - I’m not a tourist. I was born a few miles away from here. I just can’t find my way around that well.

JENNY

Huh?

ANGELO

I can’t remember anything that well. Even after a few minutes I'll forget everything. And now I'm starting to forget other things too. I forgot my cousin's name yesterday.

JENNY

But that’s - I mean - that’s awful.

ANGELO

Yeah.

JENNY

Why? Did something happen? Could you have hit your head or something?

ANGELO

I don’t know. Or I don’t remember. Either way, I can’t explain it.

JENNY

Why don’t you go talk to someone? A doctor?

ANGELO

Why don’t you go see someone? About you not leaving your apartment in five years or something?

JENNY

I...

ANGELO

Exactly. I’d rather just live with it.

Jenny grabs Angelo and kisses him, hard. She then pushes him away and looks him straight in the eye.

JENNY

I’ll make you a deal. I’ll talk to a psychiatrist, you’ll talk to a doctor.

Angelo smiles wryly.

ANGELO

Fine. Deal.