MATTHEW
That's true.
CLARISSA
What type of creative writing. Comedy, drama?
MATTHEW
I guess drama.
EMILY
Comedy's the way to go; Two and a Half Men, Seinfeld, South Park . . .
[4.]
MATTHEW
I love those shows. But I can't write that well. I wanna write the script for a show like Skins one day but . . .
CLARISSA
But you need inspiration.
MATTHEW
Well, I was gonna say that I'm not good enough but . . .
CLARISSA PUTS A FINGER TO MATTHEW'S LIPS
CLARISSA
Write.
MATTHEW REACHES INTO HIS POCKET. EMILY GRABS HIS ARM, SHAKING HER HEAD.
CLARISSA
No Matthew. Setting the scene right here in this club, and without prescribing us any illegal acts, write us. Write this scene.
MATTHEW
Are you . . . serious? Really?
CLARISSA AND EMILY NOD.
MATTHEW
I guess . . . like . . . I would touch your cheek.
CLARISSA TAKES MATTHEW'S HAND AND PLACES IT AGAINST HER CHEEK.
MATTHEW
Even though we have never seen one another before I'm drawn into this triangle as though the bond between two good friends is contagious . . .
CLARISSA LEANS TOWARD MATTHEW. MATTHEW TAKES A DEEP BREATH.
EMILY
Don't lose your breath now, Matthew. You're controlling the speed.
MATTHEW
The . . . their lips touch.
CLARISSA TOUCHES MATTHEW'S LIPS WITH HERS. MATTHEW'S SILENT, SO THE SCENE REMAINS STATIC . . . 10 SECONDS . . . 20. THEN MATTHEW TOUCHES CLARISSA'S CHEEK AGAIN.
EMILY
You're not narrating that touch.
MATTHEW REMOVES HIS LIPS FROM CLARISSA'S AND SMILES. CLARISSA SHRUGS.
CLARISSA
Short story.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry. It's silly.
CLARISSA
Not the kiss I hope.
MATTHEW
No. My writing.
CLARISSA
But you're writing with your body and your body's just fine. So are your lips. Guess you are a Bond.
MATTHEW
Thanks.
EMILY
Can I write something?
MATTHEW
Of course.
EMILY GRABS MATTHEW'S ARM AND PULLS HIM TOWARD HER. THEN SHE TOO PRESSES HER LIPS AGAINST HIS.
CLARISSA
Ok, Matthew. Feel the testosterone now?
MATTHEW
Ha ha. Um . . . yeah.
CLARISSA
Good, coz we gotta go. But we need you to promise us you'll ask some of these beautiful girls if you can buy them a drink . . .
CLARISSA POINTS AT THE BAR. THEN SHE AND EMILY STAND.
CLARISSA
Ok?
MATTHEW
Yeah. Uh . . . It was nice meeting you. Um . . . are you on Facebook?
CLARISSA STEPS AWAY FROM THE TABLE.
CLARISSA
No. Because my dad might be President one day. But maybe then. Bye.
CLARISSA AND EMILY HURRY OFF. MATTHEW REMAINS AT THE TABLE, SPEECHLESS. HE EXHALES.
******
1 Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake, Clipse, and Pharrell Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ3slUz7Jo8&ob=av2e)
2 Hvistendahl, M. (2011). Unnatural selection. Psychology Today, 44 (4), 80-87.
3 Yeah - Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyIX_Pn7Ij0)
4 We Made You – Eminem and Dina Rae (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSdKmX2BH7o&ob=av2e)
5 McGarr, E. (2007). Anchovy power! Those yucky little fish could save your life. Columbia News Service (Online). Retrieved January 4, 2011 from http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/.../mcgarr-eatyouranchovies...
******
EXT. SALT LAKE STREETS - NIGHT
(CLARISSA, EMILY)
CLARISSA AND EMILY HAVE LEFT THE CLUB. THEY ARE WALKING DOWN A BUSY MAIN STREET, BRIGHTLY LIT AND PACKED WITH PEOPLE. THE NIGHT LIFE IS LOUD AND LIVELY.
EMILY
That was amazing Clarissa.
CLARISSA
Yeah. That guy's gonna remember that kiss for the rest of his life. But I'm thinking I should maybe cool it on the Presidential speak.
EMILY
Why? You never told the guy your dad's name.
CLARISSA
I feel like if I'm not careful I'm gonna lose all this. Just one damn reporter and I'll be in the public eye. Then I'll have to kiss goodbye my job at Lone Star, and this night life. But . . .
CLARISSA TILTS HER HEAD BACK AND STARES UP AT THE SKY. THEN SHE BRINGS IT DOWN SO THAT HER GAZE PENETRATES THE HAZE OF EXCITEMENT ONCE AGAIN.
CLARISSA
Sometimes I so just wanna find some reporter and totally fuck him just to see what happens.
EMILY
If he's cute that's fine by me.
CLARISSA
But then I'll be put under house arrest, cut off from everyone [5.] [6.] [7.]; probably even you. And no matter how good my dad's place is it's no substitute for these streets [5.] [6.] [7.].
EMILY
But you'll be the next Lindsey Lohan.
CLARISSA
But then my dad won't be the next president.
EMILY
You really have that much influence?
CLARISSA
No.