Window Dating: The Script

 

Window Dating

Script

By Bill Ferguson

Characters

Dimitri - a University student

Josh - a University student

Bartender at the Penalty Box - a bar

Julie - hostess at the Penalty Box

Barbara - part of the Window dating experience , meets Josh

Ingrid - Dimitri’s ex

Intro shot focusing on people working at tables in a library, pens scratching, people reading, people typing. Attention is paid to what the students are doing. Slowly focus on Dimitri, sitting at a table, who has earbuds in and is bopping to the music. His workspace looks organized compared to those around him who have books piled and are frantically searching documents both in real life and on line for information. Their faces reflect stress. His face is calm. Close up of Dimitri's computer. He is typing as if from memory. His fingers flow across the keyboard.

Act 1

Enter Josh. The camera follows him as he searches the library for Dimitri. Pulls up a chair, sits down and unloads his backpack. The books just keep on coming. Dimitri waves and finishes typing. 

Josh

How is the script going?

Dimitri

(Camera on Dimitri. Removes headphones) 

Cruising along smoothly. It is almost like this script is writing itself.

(Camera on both)

Josh

When do you have to have it finished?

Dimitri

The prof gave us a month. I should be finished in a few days.

Josh

What is it about again?

(Camera head and shoulders shot of Dimitri.)

Dimitri

The assignment was to take a tv show that we know and write a new script using the same characters and settings. He wants us to focus on making it fit in with what is already known, yet still be interesting and fresh. 

(Camera on both)

Josh

Is it tough to do?

Dimitri

No tougher than writing an essay. What happened to you last night? You didn’t show up for the Simpsons marathon.

Josh

(Camera focus on Josh who looks uncomfortable)

I went down to the Penalty Box last night.

Dimitri

(Demonstrates surprise.)

You went by yourself?

Josh

(Looking more uncomfortable. A bit of squirming.)

Yes and no.

Dimitri

Interesting. You went by yourself but you didn’t leave by yourself?

Josh

(Gathers composure and becomes comfortable)

True and almost true. I went because they have a new highlight. It’s called Window Dating.

Dimitri

It sounds kind of obscene. Going around peeking in people’s windows.

Josh

(Laughing) 

It’s not like that. It’s a different way to meet someone for the possibility of a date.

Dimitri

(surprised) 

Like they set you up on a date for a fee?

Josh 

Sort of. It was interesting.

Dimitri

(Interest is growing)

In what way? Did you meet someone?

Josh

Let me tell my story. So I went down to the Penalty Bxx.

Act 2

Scene change. Camera focuses on the name The Penalty Box and then pans to Josh as he is standing outside the bar looking dubious and follows him inside. The bar is set up like a series of penalty boxes but with more comfortable seating. The boards around each table allows for a bit more privacy. Music, dancing, waitresses taking orders and drinks. Josh walks up to the bar and talks to the bartender.

Josh. 

I am here for Window Dating.

Bartender 

(nods and yells)

Julie! 

(Camera finds Julie talking to customers at a table. She looks up)

(Camera returns to the bartender who points to Josh)

Julie

(Camera follows Julie as she walks over)

Hi. Are you here for Window Dating?

Josh

Um. Yes.

Julie

Have you been here before?

Josh

(a little uncomfortable)

My first time.

Julie

(Camera, close up of Julie)

I think you will find it interesting. Here is how it works. You pay your money. I then escort you to a room with a small window. The window a blind on it, a chair and a light shining on your face when you are seated. When the blind is pulled back you have 30 seconds to look at the face that appears in the window. If you like the face, push the yes button beside the window. If the person on the other side of the window pushes the yes button you will be escorted back to the bar and meet each other. You will have 15 minutes to set up a proper date. Then you both leave until your date. 

Julie

Good so far?

Josh

(Camera on both)

Yes, but what happens if one or the other doesn’t like the face?

Julie

Excellent question!  If either of you don’t like the other face you will get 4 more chances to find a face you like. If one person likes and the other doesn’t it is a no. 

(Return to present)

Dimitri

(Camera Close up of Dimitri)

(both shocked and interested)

You paid for this?

Josh

(Camera on Josh, his eyes searching for the right words.)

We don’t all have the gift of turning a conversation into a romance. I thought I would give it a try.

Dimitri

(Camera medium shot both faces.)

(smiles during Josh’s lines)

How did it work out?

Return to the bar scene

(Camera medium shot of both)

Julie

Do you have any questions?

Josh

What happens if after 4 tries I don’t find a match?

Julie

You are welcome back tomorrow for 4 more tries. After that if you want more you will have to pay again. It usually doesn't take that long. A guy like you should match up fairly quickly.

Josh

(blushes, discomfort)

When do we start?

Julie 

(Looking at her clipboard)

Right now. Please follow me. 

(Camera follows )Julie leads Josh to stairs and then a room. A bleak room with a chair, a window, and a light on the chair. The room is set up so that focus is on the shuttered window. The blind is electrically controlled from elsewhere)

Here we are.

(Julie opens the door. Camera follows Josh’s view of the room as he takes it all in.)

Have a seat. When the blind opens you have 30 seconds.

(Julie exits the room)

Josh

(Camera follows Josh as he paces)

I hope this works out ok. I hope I see someone who has possibilities. What if it’s someone I know?

Voice

Please take a seat. 

(Josh moves to seat. Camera observes the window. The light shines on his face. The blind opens. He sees a pretty face. Camera focus on the face in the window and then back to Josh. Josh fumbles for the yes button, drops it. Picks it up and pushes it. The lights come up in the room as the blinds close.)

(Camera focus on door as Josh moves towards it)

Voice

Please exit the room.

Josh

(At the door)

Does this mean she said yes too?

(Opens the door and exits to the hall. Camera follows. He sees Julie and a girl.)

Julie

Congratulations!  You both matched. 

(Camera focus on the girl and her reactions. Switch back and forth between Josh and the girl))

Let’s go down to the bar so you can talk. The rules in the bar are simple. You have 15 minutes to set up a date for tomorrow or another night. You tell us when the date is. Then you both leave. We will see you here for your date. The meal is already taken care of by us.

(Fades to the library)

Dimitri

(Camera on both)

And that’s it? Who is she? When is your date?

Josh

We sat for 15 minutes and had a drink. She is Barbara. We are meeting tomorrow night. She is cute. 

Dimitri

That’s interesting. Ingrid once had a roommate named Barbara. They were close, quite close. Barbara moved out on her own.

Josh

I don’t think it is the same person. 

Dimitri

Probably not. There have got to be a zillion girls named Barbara in the world.

Josh

(Grinning. Puts Business card on the table)

Probably. I will let you know tomorrow night how it turns out.

(Josh packs up his bag)

Dimitri

Okay. See you tomorrow. 

(As Josh exits.) 

(Camera on Dimitri. Takes out the business card. He turns the card around a number of times. Smiles Camera circle fade on his face.)

Camera pans the street scene outside the bar. Slowly it focuses on Dimitri as he walks up the street. He opens the door and enters the Penalty Box.

(Cameras are the same as when Josh came to the bar.)

Bartender

May I help you?

Dimitri

I am here for Window Dating

Bartender 

(nods and yells)

Julie! 

(bartender points to Dimitri)

Julie

Hi. I’m Julie. You are here for Window Dating?

Dimitri

I’m Dimitri. Yes. My friend recently tried it. It sounds interesting So I thought I would give it a try. 

Julie

Excellent!

Dimitri

How does it work?

Julie

It’s pretty straight forward. You pay your money. I then escort you to a room with a small window. The window has a blind on it and a light shining on your face. When the blind is pulled back you have 30 seconds to look at the face that appears in the window. If you like the face, push the yes button beside the window. If the person on the other side of the window pushes the yes button you will be escorted back to the bar and meet each other. You will have 15 minutes to set up a proper date. Then you both leave. 

Julie

Good so far?

Dimitri

Absolutely

Julie

You will get more chances if you say no to the first face.

Dimitri

I suppose everyone has to be prepared for rejection.

Julie

We don’t really think of it as rejection. Being non compatible is what we think.

Dimitri

I like that. No rejection.

Julie

Now if you will follow me.

(Julie leads Dimitri up the stairs to the room and opens the door. Dimitri enters)

Julie

Good luck

(she closes the door Leaving Dimitri seated on the chair. )

Voice

Please take a seat. 

(Camera on Dimitri. Briefly on the girl as the window opens. The light shines on his face. The window opens. He sees a face. Dimitri laughs, rises from the chair and exits the room. Camera follows Dimitri.)

Julie

You didn’t push the button.

(The other door opens.)

(Camera follows the conversation mid shot with focus on Ingrid.

Dimitri

Hello Ingrid

Ingrid

(Laughing) Funny meeting you here.

Julie

You know each other?

Dimitri

She’s my ex.

Julie

Oh my ! This is embarrassing.

Ingrid 

That’s ok.

(smiling)

Dimitri

We seem to be thrown together. Let’s talk.

Ingrid

I would like that.

(Scene fades to a couple of days later at the library)

(Ingrid, Dimitri and Josh are working at a table. Camera long shot zooming to the table. Camera focus on Josh as Josh looks up and stands up immediately knocking over his chair. Ingrid and Dimitri look at Josh and then follow his gaze(Camera focus on Barbara.) as Barbara makes her way over to the table. Josh and Barabra hug briefly.)

Ingrid

Imagine seeing you here.

Barbara

I know.

Josh

You two know each other.

Ingrid

My former roommate

(Ingrid rises and gives Barabra a huge hug. Dimitri laughs)

Josh

(Mouths to Dimitri)

That Barbara

(Dimitri nods. Josh plants his face in his hands. Camera fades)