THE SCRIPT

Not Alone...

People were laughing here and there. Some couples were lost in their worlds in a few corners of the bar. Another man was smoking a cigarette while sending out rings of smoke while looking at the ceiling. Bartender was moving his arms in sync with the rhythm of the music that’s been played in the background while making a cocktail. Some waitresses were going here and there in a fast motion carrying trays which were having glasses of different colours. I was wondering how they do that in such a fast way without spilling them all over the floor. The staffs in this bar were good at what they did. No wonder it’s a famous bar.

As I was wandering in my thoughts, suddenly I heard a soft voice.

‘There you go gentlemen, your order is ready. Have a great evening, if you need anything you know where to look’ she said that in a soft, yet playful voice with a wink at the end.

It was somewhat captivating I must say. And I noticed a smirk on Russell’s face as she winked.

All this time John has been explaining about what I do and about my work to Russell. He is such a great friend. Someone who believed in me.

‘So Alfred, now it’s your time to say about your new project. I’ll leave you two at it.’ While saying that John went to the bar to get some cigarettes.

‘Ok, as you know by now, I make horror, mystery and thriller movies. I’ve been looking for a producer to work on my new project. Have you watched some of them? I already forwarded some to John so he could send you.’  I started talking to Russell While breaking my own silence.

‘Yeah! John has sent me few of those and I’ve had a glance of them. I’m sorry man I won’t lie, I didn’t find the time to watch in full. Because I also have my parent’s business to look after. But I watched the trailers and I liked them. That’s why we are having this discussion today.’

We both had a gentle laugh as he ended the sentence.

‘ Yes yes, absolutely don’t worry about that. I’m glad at least you got to see the trailers.’ I told him while raising one of my eyebrows.

‘I promise you I’ll watch at least one of them tomorrow as tomorrow’s Sunday, my free day.’

‘Well let’s get into the business shall we?’

I saw Russell was getting serious in his voice and I also followed his lead.

‘ Well I’ve done many films and I’d say 90% of them earned a good profit and also good critiques, I like doing stuff that make both the pocket and the mind happy’ I told him in a confident voice.

‘Well Alfred, money is not a problem for me. What I’m looking for is the quality of the product. I need something that doesn’t let the audience take their eyes off even for a moment.’

‘Something realistic and captivating if that explains well’ said Russell.

Even though Russell seemed like this playful guy, I liked the professionalism in his talk.

‘Have you guys concluded things?’ asked John while coming back to where he was sitting.

‘Yeah pal, come join us’ Russell said to john while raising the glass of whisky he had in his hand.

We had the drinks and we ordered more food while all three of us continued our discussion. We didn’t notice the time was running fast only until the manager of the bar came to us and informed that the bar will be closed in an hour. It was midnight by  then and we noticed most of the people have left and only a few were chitchatting here and there.

‘Ok guys, I think it’s time to get going. Alfred, let me know when the script is ready. I believe we will work well together.’

With Russell’s words I kind of felt relieved but also a challenge was ahead of me as I had to prepare the script in a few days to show him.

We bid farewell to Russell for the moment and me and John went towards my car. John came to the bar with another friend of his but he had to leave as we were taking time for our discussion. So I had to give a ride to john.

‘Hmm still a sexy girl huh!’ John said  raising the corner of his mouth and eyebrow while looking at my car which was a Mustang Shelby.

‘ Of course ! My girl’s still and always will be sexy’ we both laughed loudly with the statement I made as it clearly explainedhow my life was at that point.

Even though John seemed to be the one always showing me the girls, his personal idea of them was a totally different one. When it came to him, what he always said was,

 ‘Girls are a headache’

We got into the car and put on the seat belts and I hit the accelerator a bit harder than usual as the road seemed pretty empty because it was too late.

‘ Man, how many times do I have to tell you to go slowly?’ said John in an unhappy voice.

But I understood it was his pure caring towards me.

He touched my hand on the steering wheel while saying;

‘ I don’t want to lose you too like him’.

I felt his feelings and as I looked at his hand on mine, for a second we found ourselves facing and barely grazing the security bar at the side of the road . We both froze for a second and looked at each other as we couldn’t understand what just happened.

‘What the hell man! What just happened!’ asked John and I was in awe myself.

‘ I don’t know man, I saw I was about to hit something and suddenly I pulled the breaks’ I told him while stammering to put what happened into words.

We both got off the car and we checked if we actually hit something. But there was nothing. We were even more horrified to see the cliff that was adjoined to where we stopped. It made both of us sweat.

‘What the Hell Alfred, this is why I say drive slowly but you never listen to me. Today just a second and we would have joined him too’ John was furious at me and I tried to pat his shoulder but he just brushed it off angrily.

‘I know man, I’m sorry. These days have been nothing but awful.’ I told him in a depressed voice.

‘ Why what happened to you?’ John was calm again and he asked me in a caring voice.

‘Well I’ll explain to you let’s get into the car. I’m sure I hit something man.’ I told John.

‘ OK now C’mon. Whatever you say you hit, is either dead or gone. Stop thinking about it and let’s go. But this time I’ll drive.’ I nodded obediently to John as he said that and I gave him the car keys.

As we reached the apartment of John, he invited me to stay at his for the night. But I had to refuse as I had to finish my script to show Russell in the coming days.

‘Ok Go safely and go slowly and message me once you reach home’ I felt a protective feeling as John said those words. I gave him a hug and started driving.

Despite the advise of John, I felt a strange urge to go as fast as I can as if someone was persuading me to.

I didn’t feel I was alone...