Yair Packer יאיר פקר / The Real Thing

The real thing.SCW

FADE IN:

EXT. A LIMO DRIVES IN A COMMERCIAL STREET.
DAY.

INT. CAR. DAY

Ben (30) drives the car. Peter Robins (42)
sits in the
back. He wears a suit.

BEN
Mr. Robins.

PETER
What is it Ben?

BEN
You still want this KitKat?

PETER
So?

BEN
There's a drugstore just around
the corner.
(beat)
I'll be right back.

PETER
OK.

Ben stops the car. He gets out. Peter looks
out of the car
window. He gets out.

EXT. PHOTOSHOP. DAY

Peter closes the car door and walks to the
photoshop. Looks
in the window. Goes back to the car. Changes
his mind and
goes back to the shop.

INT. PHOTOSHOP. DAY

Susan ( 56 ) is behind the counter. She sits
and reads a
newspaper. The door opens and a chime sounds.
Susan lifts
her head. Peter walks in. He stands and looks
around.
Susan folds the paper and gets up.

SUSAN
What can I do for you Mister ?

PETER
That picture of the woman with the

straw hat.

He points at the window.

SUSAN
You mean photograph.

PETER
Yeah. In the window.

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2.

SUSAN
What about it ?

PETER
How much is it?

SUSAN
We don't sell photographs unless
the object agrees in person.

PETER
I wonder if you might agree to
bring it in. I want to look at it.

SUSAN
We're not a museum Mister. However

if you buy anything... ?

PETER
Ok. Give me three films. Kodak Asa

300.

SUSAN
Why Kodak? Why not Fuji? You have
something against Japanese?

PETER
Ok.Give me Fuji.

SUSAN
You sure Mister?

PETER
Fuji it is.

SUSAN
You American?

PETER
Sure

SUSAN
So how come you don't support USA
industry? Kodak no good ?

PETER
Ok.

SUSAN
We don't carry Kodak. Their
delivery...

PETER
Fuji please.

Susan takes three rolls of film from the
shelf. She puts
them on the counter.

SUSAN
12.95.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.

Peter takes two notes from his pocket and
hands it to her.

PETER
How about that picture?

Susan takes the money and gives him change.
She takes out
a paper bag and puts the rolls of film in it.
She then
goes to window and takes a large
photograph.C.U. on the
photograph. It shows a pleasant looking woman
(37) wearing
a straw hat. There are buildings in the
background. She
hands it to Peter.

SUSAN
Make it quick Mister.

Peter puts it on the counter and looks
closely. Susan picks
up the paper and reads it.

PETER
Excuse me.

SUSAN
What now?

PETER
Do you have a magnifying glass?

SUSAN
No.
(beat)
Why?

PETER
The background. The sign is not
clear.

SUSAN
It's just a sign." Paula's Place
".

PETER
Thought so.

Susan looks at her watch.

SUSAN
Sorry Mister. Got to close for
lunch.

Susan reachs for the photograph. Peter holds
it.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
Let me have it.

PETER
Please Mrs...

SUSAN
Susan Mallory.

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4.

PETER
I'll give you 500 dollars for the
picture.

SUSAN
Told you. Can't sell it without
the approval of the subject.

PETER
600

SUSAN
No.
(beat)
You better leave.

PETER
Give me two more minutes.

SUSAN
OK.

Peter looks closely at the photo.

PETER
We used to throw stones at "
Paula's
Place "

SUSAN
Old CJ closed it but he left the
sign.

PETER
Charlie Jenkins ?

SUSAN
You knew him?

PETER
I was raised there. Peter Robins.
(beat)
Used to be Peter Robinchik.

SUSAN
Mabel Robinchik's son?

PETER
Yeah.

SUSAN
How's Mabel?

PETER
Mom passed away two two years ago.

SUSAN
Sorry.
(beat)
That's Florance Bartrod in the
photo.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.

PETER
I know. She looks almost the same.

Beautifl.

SUSAN
She sure is. Didn't you and she
have something going on ?

PETER
We did until her parents moved to
England.
(beat)
When was this picture taken?

SUSAN
About two months ago. At the
country
fair.

Ben looks in the window. He walks in.He
carries a paper
bag.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
We're closed.

PETER
He's for me.

SUSAN
Oh.

BEN
I got three of them boss.

Ben looks at his watch

BEN (CONT'D)
Have to go if you want to make the

board meeting.

PETER
Please wait in the car Ben.

BEN
Sure.

Ben walks out.

PETER
Florence was here two months ago?

SUSAN
She came to sell the old house.
(beat)
Heard she was divorced with two
kids.

Peter looks at his watch.

PETER
You miss your lunch.

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6.

SUSAN
I don't take lunch just a break.
I grab coffe and cake next door.
Care to join ?

PETER
Thanks. Maybe next time Ms.
Mallory.

SUSAN
What about the photograph? You
still want it ?

PETER
But I thought...

SUSAN
I'll give you the photograph for
10 minutes of your time.

PETER
You got yourself a deal.

SUSAN
I'll be right back.

Susan walks out.

EXT. THE LIMO. DAY

Susan walks over to the car. She opens the
door next to
Ben and gets in.

INT. THE LIMO.DAY

BEN
What...

SUSAN
Tell them that you'll be 15 minutes

late for that board meeting.

BEN
But Mr. Robins...

SUSAN
Mr. Robins' priorities have just
changed. He's going ot be late.

Ben looks at her.

BEN
I'll try.

SUSAN
Don't try. Do it
(beat)
Please.

Susan gets out and closes the door.

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7.

INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY

Susan and Peter sit by a table. The woman
from the photo-
Florence - comes to them. She's the
waitress. Peter looks
in the menu.

FLORENCE
Hi Susan.
(beat)
The usual ?

SUSAN
No dear. I'll have the special
cheese cake and a large cup of hot

chocolate.

FLORENCE
You were on diet yesterday ?

SUSAN
Yesterday is dead dear. We got
ourselves a new day.

FLORENCE
And what for you Sir?

Peter closes the menu.

PETER
Just coffee for me. Black. No
sugar.

SUSAN
Didn't your mom teach you to look
at people when you talk to them ?

Peter looks up. Florence writes the order.
Peter sees her.
He looks at Susan. She smiles.

PETER
Hi.

Florence looks at him. She freezes. She tries
to put her
order book in the pocket and it falls down.
Peter bends
down and picks it up. He hands it to her.

FLORENCE
Peter?

PETER
Yeah.

FLORENCE
Hi.
(beat)
I'll get your order.

Florence leaves. Peter looks at Susan

PETER
You bitch.

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8.

SUSAN
Thank you.

Silence.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
It was too damn good to miss.
You've not seen her in years and
all you could say was " Hi ".

PETER
I had no idea I was going to see
her.

SUSAN
I think you had when I asked for
10 minutes of your time.
(beat)
You were ready to pay 600 dollars
for her photograph. Why didn't you

ask her permission?

PETER
Changed my mind.

SUSAN
You didn't because it would show
her how much you still care for
her and you couldn't afford that.
(beat)
And don't tell me you'r married
because you'r not.

PETER
Why do you think I'm not married?
No ring?

SUSAN
Ring my ass. Too much starch in
the collar.Too damn stiff. No home

ironing.

Peter gets up. He puts some note on the
table.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
What you doing?

PETER
Have a board meeting.

SUSAN
Bullshit. You running away Peter.

PETER
All I wanted was the picture.

SUSAN
Only because you can't face the
real thing.

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9.

PETER
I'm a very successful businessman
Ms. Mallory. I face real tough
matters every fucking day, 7 days
a week.

SUSAN
7 days a week? Don't you have
Sundays off? For good behaviour?

PETER
Listen Susan. Whatever Flo and I
had some 20 years ago was just a
fucking memory no more.

SUSAN
I'm 56 Peter so you can't fool me.

Saw the way you looked at the
photograph . There was nothing
fake in that look.

PETER
I don't have to take it from you.
A total strnager.

SUSAN
You've been involved with make
believe business feelings for so
long that you just can't handle
the real ones.

PETER
I'm leaving.

SUSAN
You make me sick.
(beat)
I'll give you the photo so that
you can hang it over the fireplace.

A living untouchable and
unchangeable fucking memory.
Virtual
love.

Susan gets up. Florence comes back with a
tray. She looks
a them.

FLORENCE
I came as soon...

SUSAN
Peter has an important board
meeting.

FLORENCE
Oh.

Peter takes the notes off the table.

PETER
Here. This'll cover the order.

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10.

FLORENCE
Sure. Too much.
(beat)
It was nice seeing you again
Peter.

PETER
Yeah. You too Flo.

EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE THE COFFEE PLACE. DAY

Susan and Peter walk.

PETER
Listen Susan...

SUSAN
Shut up.Just shut the fuck up.

PETER
Do you have her phone number ?

SUSAN
Why?

PETER
Well...

SUSAN
To call her and say " Got you over

my fireplace? "

PETER
None of your fucking business
Susan.
Will you give me Flo's number?

SUSAN
Yeah.

PETER
OK. Thanks

SUSAN
You better call her today.

PETER
Why is that?

SUSAN
Flo sold the house and she's taking

the first flight to London tomorrow

morning.

PETER
Oh.

Susan and Peter reach the shop. Susan takes
out a key. She
opens the door. Ben comes to them.

BEN
Emily called.
(MORE)

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11.

BEN (CONT'D)
They'll start the board meeting in

15 minute with or without you.
She's stalling.

SUSAN
I'll just get the photograph and
Flo phone number.

PETER
Thank you but no Susan.
(to Ben)
Who irons your shirts Ben?

BEN
What? Oh my wife.

PETER
(to Ben)
Give me your shirt Ben.

BEN
What?

SUSAN
Cut the crap Ben. He's your boss
so do it.

Ben and Peter takes off their shirts. Peter
takes Ben's
shirt and give him his. Peter wears Ben's
shirt. Ben wears
Peter's. Peter is shorter than Ben and the
shirt is too
long.

PETER
That's better.
(to Ben)
Now call Emily. Tell her to chair
the meeting without me and that I
am giving her the rope she wanted
for so long.

BEN
But Mr...

SUSAN
Just do it Ben.

BEN
Sure.

PETER
Say that I'm taking the rest of
the day off. Maybe tomorrow too.

SUSAN
You heard the man Ben.

Susan takes Ben's arm and leads him to the
car.

PETER
And Susan...

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12.

Susan stops and looks back

PETER (CONT'D)
I don't have a fireplace.

Susan smiles at him. Peter - his shirt
hanging out - walks
back towards the coffee shop. He walks in.

END.