SKY (O.S.): Are you having a mental breakdown?
Paul snaps his head down toward Sky just as quickly as April snaps at her verbally from behind the counter.
APRIL: Sky, that's enough!
Paul immediately stops her with a raised hand.
PAUL: (to April) No.
He starts to walk towards the door.
PAUL (CONT'D): She's fine.
Paul makes his exit. April watches him go outside and light up a smoke. She looks over to Sky.
APRIL: That's not funny.
Sky casts her a look of annoyance.
April rolls her eyes and takes her apron off.
APRIL: Just go have a seat.
She sets her apron on the counter and makes her way around the counter.
APRIL: (to barista) I'm going on break.
She steps outside and we see her take her own pack of cigarettes out and she lights one up. She stands at a comfortable distance from Paul.
EXT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS
April stands in silence for a beat, evaluating Paul's mood. She speaks after a drag from her smoke.
APRIL: Are you okay?
Paul offers a weak attempt at a polite smile then looks back down as he takes a drag from his cigarillo.
The two share another silence before speaking again.
Paul slows his breathing and a calm washes over him before he breaks in.
PAUL: It was your hands.
April is caught off guard by the remark.
APRIL: (nervous) Excuse me?
Paul answers immediately.
PAUL: Your hands, give you away. (beat) You're movements. Very quick, and precise.
April smiles meekly, proudly. She looks as though she doesn't know what to say. She takes a drag from her smoke and looks away, pondering what to say next. She exhales and turns back.
APRIL: What happened in there?
PAUL: I'm not sure really. Or maybe I just don't want to admit it out loud.
APRIL: (respectfully) Well you don't have to, not to me.
He looks over to see her sweet smiling face.
She takes another drag then exhales while maintaining the comforting look.
Paul muses over a distant memory before speaking again.
PAUL: I've always had a talent for gaining the truth from people. (beat) It's what made me such a valuable asset. (beat) Nearing retirement now, it's what makes me so dangerous.
April looks at him, she doesn't feel the need to respond.
Paul doesn't seem to want her to. He takes another drag before he continues.
PAUL (CONT'D): I've been witness to the truth within many people.
April listens more intently now.
PAUL (CONT'D): You get to learn their innermost secrets, both the good and the depraved. (beat) The latter is usually more prevalent.
April looks down, maybe a little uncomfortable with the dark turn in the conversation.
YOU ARE READING
Coffee: a Hitman Story (Screenplay)
Mystery / ThrillerWhile scouting his latest mark in a small town coffee shop, a hitman engages in four seemingly random conversations as he contemplates a life-or-death decision. Paul is a man of many secrets; an interrogative hitman nearing the end of his career. A...
