31 Days

The story of Ian Oberon, a poor young adult who takes on a risky bet with his friend to take his feisty coworker out on a date, and unearths his dorment emotions and his tragic past along the way.

FADE IN:

EXT. URBAN SIDEWALK - DAY

IAN OBERON (20), a flirtatious, cocky young man with bright blue eyes and dressed in worn clothes, struts.
He smiles, waves, or nods at almost every PERSON he passes.

THREE GIRLS trail Ian in a little group, giggling to themselves.

GIRL 2
Hey Ian!

Ian turns around and smiles brightly at them.

IAN OBERON
Hey there. Can I help you?

GIRL 1
I think you better call a doctor 'cause I've fallen in love and I can't get back up.

Ian smirks at the cheesy pick-up line.

IAN OBERON
Did I ever tell you I am a doctor? The love doctor?

GIRL 2
What's your prescription?

IAN OBERON
A hot cup'a coffee served by the love doc himself!

GIRL 1
I have a better idea. Why don't you kiss us twice and call us in the morning?

IAN OBERON
Hold up, ladies. The love doc has got some other stuff going on, so you girls'll just have to wait.

GIRL 3
Oh Ian. What if we die?

Girl 1 and 2 look at Girl 3 strangely. Girl 3 shrugs.

IAN OBERON
Call me in the morning. I've got to go to work now, so I'll catch you later, girls.

GIRL 1
Okay! See you around, hot stuff!

Ian waves flirtatiously at them, flashing a perfect smile.

All three girls swoon.

Ian laughs and goes into a small hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, CAMPENI'S CAFE.

INT. EMPLOYEE'S LOUNGE - DAY

DANIEL CHARLANDOR (20), a tall, rich young man, and LYDIA CASCATA (19), a feisty, casually-dressed girl, sit on one of the couches in the room.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
(exasperated)
Oh my... You better tell me, Lydia.

LYDIA CASCATA
No! It's too weird!

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Oh, come on! I'm your best friend!

LYDIA CASCATA
(leans forward slightly)
I'll tell you, but you have to swear you will not tell a soul.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
(whispers)
I promise. Now tell me.

LYDIA CASCATA
(looks around nervously)
Well, okay, so I was in New York during the summer and I was just walking down Broadway when this random guy wearing a trenchcoat caught up to me and tried to take my purse. I knocked him down instead, but instead of running away, he stood up and flashed me.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Wow. Sounds intense.

LYDIA CASCATA
(whispers)
Yeah, it was. And then I called my magical flying monkeys who rescued me and took the flashing mugger to Convict Kingdom.

Dan chuckles.

LYDIA CASCATA (CONT’D)
(satisfied)
And so the moral of this story is, never trust a man wearing a trenchcoat.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
I can't believe I fell for that!

LYDIA CASCATA
(laughs)
I totally got you!

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Okay, Lydi, but seriously, what happened that was so weird?

LYDIA CASCATA
(giggles)
That was my ex-boyfriend.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Oh come on, seriously now!

LYDIA CASCATA
No, seriously.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Lydi, you've never even had a boyfriend before.

Lydia frowns.

LYDIA CASCATA
Don't rub it in. I want a boyfriend, though.

Dan leans back in his chair.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
What's your ideal?

LYDIA CASCATA
Well, just someone really attractive with killer blue eyes, has a really popular personality, and who's big with all the ladies.

DANIEL CHARLANDOR
Wow. Sounds nice.

LYDIA CASCATA
(sighs wistfully)
Yeah.

DAN
And you haven't found your perfect guy yet?

LYDIA
Nope!

Dan's face falls a little.

LYDIA (CONT’D)
I do want a boyfriend, though. I mean, I haven't even had one boyfriend yet, and I'm in college!

DAN
(punches Lydia playfully)
Oh, I'm sure you'll find him soon enough, you picky girl.

Lydia shrugs. Dan sighs and looks at his expensive watch.

DAN (CONT’D)
Well, I'll go set up for our shift. I bet it's chaotic out there.

LYDIA
Isn't it always whenever the famous Ian Oberon's shift comes around?

Dan just chuckles and waves at her He gets up and leaves.

Lydia falls back onto the couch with a sigh. The door opens, and Lydia looks at the intruder.

CUT TO:

Ian enters the Employee's Lounge. He sees Lydia and smiles cheekily at her.

Lydia frowns at him and abruptly gets up. She puts her jacket and messenger bag into a locker and gets a dark blue apron from the apron-rack and ties it around herself. Ian follows suit.

IAN
Hey there, babe. How's it going?

LYDIA
Talk to me like that again and I'll shoot you.

IAN
(laughs)
Oh you cutie. You're a riot. How's tennis?

LYDIA
I'm not kidding. I'll throw the tennis ball in my bag at you.

IAN
Aw, Lydia, don't be like that! We love each other!

LYDIA
What are you smoking? I'll sure as hell never love you! You're as stupid as a rock and as egotistical as Narcissus!

IAN
Who?

LYDIA
Look it up.

Lydia walks out and Ian smirks.

IAN
As feisty as always.

INT. CAMPENI'S CAFE - DAY

The cafe is filled with TEENAGE GIRLS all yelling for Ian's attention, and ADULTS.

Ian smirks and crosses his arms, surveying the daily crowd.

Lydia looks irritated.

The few adults stand in the back, looking either amused or irritated by the spectacle.

An EMPLOYEE grabs Lydia's arm.

EMPLOYEE
Good luck, girl. You'll need it, as usual.

LYDIA
Thanks.

The employee goes into the employee's lounge as Dan comes out.

Lydia rolls her eyes.

IAN
Okay, okay everybody. You know the drill. Everyone who wants to be served by me, line up at my register, and everyone else go to Lydia's.

Lydia makes a face at Ian and starts up the register closest to the door.

A long line of teenage girls line up at Ian's register.

CUT TO:

Girls in Ian's line are all talking, giggling, gossiping, putting on makeup, fluffing their hair, and looking at themselves through small hand mirrors as they wait.

Adults wait in Lydia's line, looking at the teenage girls in disgust and amusement.

JEHNNA KIMBERLY-ANN (17) and CARLY SANTANA (17), two well-dressed, snobbish girls, strut into the cafe.

Carly sees Lydia and smirks. The two girls strut over to her.

CARLY SANTANA
Hey. Funny seeing you here.

LYDIA
I could say the same for you.

CARLY SANTANA
Wiping tables and snuffing coffee beans, right?

LYDIA
Oh yeah. Right.

CARLY SANTANA
You're a good girl, aren't you? It's so nice to see poor girls from our old high school working at small joints like these.

LYDIA
Aren't you still in high school?

JEHNNA KIMBERLY-ANN
At least we're not working like stupid little-

Jehnna cuts herself off and the two girls ogle Ian who acknowledges them.

IAN
Hey girls.

CARLY AND JEHNNA
(dreamily)
Hi Ian.

Lydia's mouth drops open.

IAN
Can I help you?

CARLY
Oh, yes.

Lydia covers her mouth to suppress a giggle.

A CUSTOMER impatiently taps Lydia's register with an annoyed expression, but is ignored.

IAN
Well, just get in line, girls, and I'll serve you.

Carly and Jehnna squeal and rush to the back of the line.

Lydia laughs out loud and shakes her head in disbelief.

CUSTOMER
Hey lady! I'd like to be served before I get any older here!

LYDIA
Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!

CUSTOMER
You know those two girls? Why do they interest you so much?

LYDIA
I have never ever seen those two girls act like such fools in front of a guy before.

CUSTOMER
Yeah, yea. Girls are fools in love, you know. Now can I get some coffee?

LYDIA
Sure, what do you want?

Lydia takes the customer's money and puts it in the register.

Ian glances at her and smirks. He leans over slightly to Lydia with a large smile at a customer.

IAN
(whispers)
Bet I can sell faster than you.

LYDIA
(whispers harshly)
I have less customers than you, stupid. Of course I'd win.

IAN
You sure about that?

LYDIA
Uh, heck yea.

IAN
Then bring it.

LYDIA
(looks Ian straight in the eye)
You're on.

Dan groans from behind them.

Lydia smiles and thanks another customer before quickly taking the money and shoving it into the register.

She throws the receipt to Dan who attempts to catch it.

Ian smiles and thanks each and every customer while taking their money and throwing receipts behind him and shoving money into the cash register.

LYDIA (CONT’D)
Speed up, Oberon. You're going at the speed my great grandfather walked.

IAN
Oh yeah? Did he walk at super speed?

LYDIA
No. He was paralyzed.

Ian just smiles and treats another customer.

IAN
Say what you want, but I'll win anyway.

LYDIA
No you won't. The many times we've played this, I have never been beat.

IAN
Until now.

LYDIA
No, not until now!

IAN
Until the famous Ian Oberon kicked her silly a*s!

LYDIA
Oh yeah?

The two continue working at a furious pace, taking orders, snatching money and shoving it into the cash register while taking out change at the same time. Coins fall to the floor, but neither bother to pick it up.

At the coffee machines, Dan tries to fill in all the orders quickly.

INT. CAMPENI'S CAFE - AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER

Few customers come in and out now.

Ian washes cups and little espresso shot tins, looking happy.

Lydia leans on the counter and sighs heavily.

Ian finishes washing a cup and stands arrogantly in front of her.

IAN
I think we all know who won.

LYDIA
I think so too.

IAN
Well, thanks Lydia! I didn't think you'd acknowledge it at first.

LYDIA
Excuse me? You do mean I am the victor, right?

IAN
Uh, no. You see, I finished with my last customer right before you.

LYDIA
No. It was the other way around. I finished right before you.

IAN
Lydia, no. You must be blind not to see my hand go into my register before yours. You dropped a quarter right before and that slowed you down.

LYDIA
Excuse me! At least I picked up all my coins!

IAN
So did I!

LYDIA
After Dan told you like five times!

Dan comes out of the Employee's Lounge.

IAN
I still picked it up!

DAN
Whoa, guys.

IAN AND LYDIA
WHO WON?!

Dan looks surprised and takes a step back.

DAN
I really don't know. I was too busy making coffee to notice.

Lydia and Ian glare at each other. Finally, Lydia storms off into the Employee's Lounge.

DAN (CONT’D)
Wow. There's definitely some competition going on there.

IAN
Yeah, no kidding. She's insane.

DAN
But wow, you sure killed out there today. All those girls seriously love you and know you like you're some celebrity or something. I'll never understand.

IAN
Something that only a guy like me can pull off. No girl can resist my charm, you know.

DAN
Right. And have you ever taken a girl home?

IAN
Are you kidding? To my piece of crap I call an apartment? Yeah right.

DAN
How are your payments going, by the way?

IAN
(his face falls)
Not good. I'm almost three months in debt for my apartment.

DAN
Wow.

IAN
Yeah. Another month of no pay and I'm out.

DAN
Still not making enough here?

IAN
You know how it is.

DAN
Yeah, I do. Well, here. Let's make a deal. You take Lydia Cascata out on a date; a movie, dinner, amusement park, whatever counts. If that's not too hard, that is.

IAN
What did I tell you? She's insane! She'd never appreciate someone like me!

DAN
Oh? Didn't you just say you could get any girl?

IAN
Of course! You know what? Lydia won't be an exception. What's in it for me if I win?

DAN
Six months pay of your rent.

IAN
Are you kidding me?

DAN
Nope. I can afford it, remember?

IAN
Right, rich-y.

DAN
Ha, ha, very funny. Now you in?

IAN
And if I lose, I'll pay you three hundred bucks.

DAN
You really don't-

IAN
I insist. Deal?

Ian sticks his hand out, and Dan looks at it for a beat before taking it.

DAN
Deal.
They shake hands.

INT. CAMPENI'S CAFE - TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER

Ian watches Lydia clean up tables. He scrutinizes her carefully before opening his mouth.

IAN
Hey. What's wrong?

LYDIA
What? What are you talking about?

IAN
You seem exhausted.

LYDIA
Uh...yeah.

IAN
You can tell me why.

LYDIA
...I'll pass.

IAN
You don't feel comfortable here? You know, we could go on a date and you could tell me then.

LYDIA
What?

IAN
You know, dinner near the beach, a walk on the pier, stuff like that.

LYDIA
What are you smoking?

IAN
Coffee beans, girl, but you're smokin' 'em too.

LYDIA
What are you blabbering about? Did your stupidity finally stump you?

IAN
(laughs)
Oh, you little jokester. You know you cant refuse me.

LYDIA
I definitely know I can, you arrogant prick.

IAN
Oh, come on, Lydia. A date never hurt anybody.

LYDIA
It'll hurt me!

IAN
I'd never hurt you baby.

LYDIA
Wow. You are such a flirt! I don't want to be a part of your sick little game. Ugh.

Dan walks out of the Employee's Lounge dressed warmly in his autumn wear.

DAN
Hurry up so I can close up shop, you guys.

Lydia glares at Ian before stalking to the Employee's Lounge and slamming the door after her.

IAN
I don't get why she hates me so much.

DAN
Me neither. A nice challenge though, eh?

IAN
(grins)
Definitely.

Lydia comes out of the Employee's Lounge in record time. She holds onto her messenger bag tightly and smiles at Dan.

LYDIA
Goodnight Dan. See you Thursday.

DAN
You too. Night.

Ian disappears into the Employee's Lounge as Lydia disappears outside.

Dan sighs.

CUT TO:

EXT. URBAN SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Lydia comes out of the cafe and shivers a little. She starts walking down the sidewalk. Footsteps are heard behind her. Lydia turns around to see...

...Ian jog up behind her. He waves with a smile.

Lydia rolls her eyes and walks faster.

Ian catches up to her and lets out a heavy sigh.

IAN
Hey there. You seem kind of irritated.

Lydia scoffs.

IAN (CONT’D)
Is it because of me?

Lydia rolls her eyes and turns away.

IAN (CONT’D)
Because, you know, I don't mean to irritate you. I just want you to go on a date with me.

LYDIA
What is with you all of a sudden? Yes, you do irritate me. I think you're suffering from some bipolar...something! Stop bothering me!

Lydia walks away quickly again, leaving behind a smirking Ian.

IAN
Oh, just you wait! I'll get you to go out with me! Just you wait!

Lydia's tennis ball hits Ian in the face.

[to be continued...]

Author's Note

Tell me what you think of the dialogue and the opening and if it captures your attention enough! And is everyone's relationship with each other established enough? Please review and tell me what you think! Thanks!