Cafe-Girl: A Tru Story

Act Two, Scene Two

Interior: Tru's bedroom, later that night.

(Tru is asleep in her bed.)

Pan: to CLose-up on Tru's sleeping face.

Dream Sequence: Tru is running down an alley way, which becomes longer and longer.  She's frantically trying to reach the end which disappears further and further into the horizon.  She's panting, sweating.  Ahead of her suddenly an explosion, a fire burning brighter and brighter and brighter. Close-up on Tru's face, fire reflected on it. Tru screams.

(Willow is shaking Tru awake.  She sits up, turns on the bedside light, Willow sits on the corner of her bed.)

WILLOW

You okay? You were screaming in your sleep?

TRU

Just a...nightmare, is all.

WILLOW

Sounds pretty terrifying.  You want to talk about it?

TRU

Eh, no. Not really.  I just need to get back to sleep, busy day tomorrow, first day at the cafe.

CLOSE UP:Tru's face

Pov: Willow

WILLOW

You'll do fine.  Tons of cafe-experience, right? Eh?

(Tru is silent.)

Well, I'll let you get back to sleep.  But if you need to...talk...just let me know, all right?

TRU

Yeah, sure, sure, whatever.

(Willow walks to the door, turns and looks at Tru.)

POV: Tru

WILLOW

There was something you were saying in your dream, over and over.

TRU

Yeah?

WILLOW

I couldn't make it out at first, but I think it was...I'm sorry.

Fade out.

Say Something (I'm Giving Up On You)

Cafe-Girl: A Tru Story

Act Two, Scene One

Interior: Tru's apartment

(Willow and Tru sit on the couch in Tru's living room.  Incence is burning, Tru holds a joint in one hand, a beer bottle is between her legs. She is leaning against the couch, her eyes half-closed.  Willow is across from her, holding a beer bottle in one hand, but staring at her intently, waiting.)

TRU

I met him awhile ago...at this cafe.  Its...closed now.

WILLOW

Closed?

TRU

Yeah.  You know this city, tear down a perfectly good building and put up a fancy new one, another business we don't need, city beautification at its finest!

WILLOW

That happened?

TRU

Yeah.

(Tru sighs.)

I can still see it, feel it...the first time I walked in, it was almost Christmas---

Fade Into:

Flashback:

The year 2003, the boy from Tru's flashback memories is standing behind a counter at a cafe, a fedora sits on the counter in the back.  A younger Tru, no dreads, and more wide-eyed enters and looks around, then cautiously approaches counter.

Flashforward:

Present day, Tru's living room.

TRU

You wouldn't even recognize me, Will? My room-mate at the time, she might. She was more like me--

WILLOW

How so?

TRU

Jaded.  Oh, and she had dreads.

Flashback: 2003, in the cafe.

MATTHEW

Can I help you?

TRU

I'd like to get a pound of...something...

MATTHEW

Something?

TRU

Of coffee?

MATTHEW

Well, you came to the right place. What would you like?

TRU

I don't know its for my room-mate's Christmas present.  She likes coffee, not me.

MATTHEW

Well, we'll have to remedy you of that, then won't we?

TRU

Wait, what?

MATTHEW

Nothing.  So?

TRU

Um, what's your favorite?

MATTHEW

I'm partial to Moka Java.

TRU

I'll have a pound of that then.

MATTHEW

All right then.  You get a free small coffee with that, um, would you like it?

TRU

Um...yeah, I'll try it.

MATTHEW

The indoctrination starts right away then.  Nice.

TRU

Oh?

MATTHEW

I'm a barista so---

TRU

So?

MATTHEW

Its my job to push the drug.

TRU

Drug pusher?

MATTHEW

Well, isn't caffeine?

TRU

Well, yeah, it is actually. So when you put it that way, yeah, I'll try that coffee.

MATTHEW

I like your style.

TRU

And, I yours?

(Matthew starts preparing her pound of coffee.)

What's your name, Coffee boy?

MATTHEW

Ah.  They call me Matt.

TRU

Matthew, the coffee boy?

MATTHEW

Matt. Just Matt.

TRU

Matt, Just Matt the coffee boy.

MATTHEW

If you like.  And yours?

TRU

My?

MATTHEW

Your name?

TRU

I'm called Deborah.

MATTHEW

Well, hello Deborah, the cafe-girl.

TRU

Hello.  I feel like this is the beginning to something...

Fade Into:

Flashforward, present day, Tru's living room.

TRU

And, it was.  It was.

WILLOW

Do you still see him? Matt, I mean.

TRU

No.  Not anymore.  He's...No, I don't.

WILLOW

Why not?

TRU

Because....life...can be that way, I guess.

 Somewhere Only We Know

Cafe-Girl: A Tru Story

Act One, Scene Six

Interior: Downtown Clothing Boutique

(Tru runs into the store, her boss, Sandy, is behind the counter, folding clothes.)

SANDY

Deborah.  Nice of you to show up.

TRU

Yeah, look, sorry I'm late, I over---

SANDY

Uh huh.  What is it this time? You over-slept?  Traffic?  Family emergency?

TRU

Um...

SANDY

This is the fifth time you've been late this month

TRU

I'm sorry...

SANDY

I think we need to find a resolution for this.

TRU

Yeah?

SANDY

I think we need to go separate ways.

TRU

Are you firing me or breaking up with me?

SANDY

Smart mouth, that's good, Deborah, real good.

TRU

Okay, well, final pay?

SANDY

Its cut next week.  We'll mail it to you.

TRU

Fine, fine, well, you can't fire me, because I quit.

SANDY

I just fired you, first.  So---

TRU

Fine!

(Tru walks out of store in a huff.)

Exterior: Street outside boutique

(Tru walks angrily down the street, fighting back tears.)

Fade into:

Interior: Willow's cafe

(Willow is behind the counter, working. A few customers at tables.  Enter Miles. He heads to the counter, Willow is busy baking to notice him, he doesn't recognize him at first.)

WILLOW

Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there.  Can I help you?

(Miles stares at him for a long time.)

MILES

You don't recognize me, do you?

WILLOW

Should I?

MILES

I saw you guys together last night.

havingWILLOW

Wait? What the hell? Who are you?

MILES

Miles.

WILLOW

Miles?

MILES

Tru's, um, ex.

WILLOW

Tru? Miles? Oh? Oh.

MILES

Yeah, so you're her next...well, just be careful.

WILLOW

Um, all right.  Whatever.

MILES

She's got issues, is all.  Look, I'm not a bad guy, I mean, I'm not the only one that was in the wrong--

WILLOW

Right.  Because having relationship issues is the same thing as cheating on your partner in their bed.  Right.  Gotcha.

MILES

Look. Just be careful.  She seems cool, even fun.  But, she's gotta past.

WILLOW

Don't we all?

MILES

You do? Right.  You haven't had that much life to have a past.

WILLOW

Gee, thanks.  Thanks for my early morning patronizing session.  I didn't know I was due.

Miles

Huh.

WILLOW

Look, order or leave.

MILES

Really? Is that how its gonna be?

WILLOW

I don't have to serve you, but its kind of my job so...up to you. Order or leave.

MILES

I'm going, I'm gone.  But, don't say I didn't warn you.

(Miles exits store.)

WILLOW

Well, then.

(Willow goes back to his task before Miles entered. A few minutes pass in silence, customers busy at computers, reading.)

(Enter Shaggy.)

(Shaggy looks around cafe, surveys the whole store, the whole effect.  He sighs deeply.  Shaggy approaches counter.)

SHAGGY

Excuse me?

(Willow looks up, approaches the counter.)

WILLOW

Hi. How can I help you?

SHAGGY

Yeah, um, nice place you got here.

WILLOW

Thanks.  We just opened about a month ago.

SHAGGY

It reminds me of...um, well, a place I used to know awhile back.  Um, so, cup of coffee? To go please.

WILLOW

All right.  What size?

SHAGGY

Medium.

WILLOW

That'll be 2.15.

SHAGGY

Here. Keep the change.

(Shaggy hands some cash to Willow.)

WILLOW

Thanks.

(Willow places a cup on the counter before him.)

SHAGGY

I just moved back into town from...what's your name?

WILLOW

Will.  You?

SHAGGY

Ben.  But everyone always called me Shaggy.

WILLOW

Well, welcome back.

SHAGGY

Thanks.  They said I looked like Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

WILLOW

Yeah, you do.

SHAGGY

Ha.  Thanks.  Well, I'll see you, I'll be back.

WILLOW

Okay.

(Shaggy hesitates for a few minutes, he crosses over to the coffee pots, fills his cup, then turns back to Willow.)

SHAGGY

Actually, I'm wondering if you could help me...if you might know some people...they might have come in here, most likely because its kind of like....anyway, you might have seen them, I'm kinda sorta looking for them.

(Willow laughs at the "kinda sorta" phrase.  Then stops.)

WILLOW

Um, maybe.  What are their names?

SHAGGY

Um, well, there's James, he's kinda sorta dark,tall,always wears black, um, Thomas...kinda sorta average-ish, there's the hippie Ray...

WILLOW

My uncle is a Ray and a hippie.

SHAGGY

Seriously? That could be him.

WILLOW

Could be.

SHAGGY

Wait, you're not Willow, are you? You can't be.

WILLOW

The very same.

SHAGGY

God damn, you're all grown up.

WILLOW

It happens.

SHAGGY

Uh, sorry.  So, what's Ray up to?

WILLOW

Um, up at some hippie commune, yeah. He's on facebook, I guess. I'm not.

SHAGGY

I'll look him up.  Thanks.

(Shaggy starts to leave, then stops at the door, turns back.)

Actually, there is someone else.  I can't forget her.  Deborah is her name....sound familiar?

WILLOW

Maybe.  I just met someone with...that name...yesterday she came in here.

SHAGGY

Huh? Well, I'll be.  I guess I'll be seeing her then, maybe.  I'll be back.

WILLOW

All right.

SHAGGY

If you see her, tell her...say hi from Shaggy.  Nice to see you again, kid.

WILLOW

Yeah, okay.  Bye.

(Shaggy exits.)

Fade into:

Interior: Cafe, the end of the day.

(Willow is wiping down tables,one or two customers remain in cafe.)

(Enter Tru.)

WILLOW

Oh, hey, Tru.  How are you?

TRU

Um, shitty.

WILLOW

Um, I'm sorry.  What's up?

TRU

Lost my mother fucking job today.

WILLOW

Shit, I'm sorry.

TRU

Are you? It was crap anyway, but what the fuck am I gonna do now?

WILLOW

You know we are looking here.

TRU

Really? Because I've been looking all day.  Well, most of the day, just spent the last couple hours, hiking in the park, trying to clear my head.

WILLOW

Did it work?

TRU

Kinda sorta, not really.

WILLOW

Sorry to hear that.

TRU

So, you're hiring?

WILLOW

Yeah.  You ever work in a cafe?

(Tru hesitates, she gulps.)

TRU

Yeah. A long time ago, but yeah.  And, I've had some deli work, restaurant work after that.

WILLOW

Well, I'll get you an app and put in a good work with the boss. Hank is his name.

TRU

All right.  Thanks a lot, Will.  That means a lot to me.

WILLOW

No problem.  It will be cool to work with you.

TRU

Ah, you are sweet.  You know I was thinking...like, I'm gonna need a room-mate since Miles moved out---

WILLow

Oh, I met him today.

TRU

Really? What the fuck? Where?

WILLOW

I've been here all day, so where else?

TRU

He came here.  Lame. I'm sorry.  What did he want?

WILLOW

Not much.  Just the usual ex shit.

TRU

I'm sorry.

WILLOW

No worries.  So what's up?

TRU

Yeah, I'm in need of a room-mate and you don't like where you are at so?

WILLOW

You asking me to live with you?

TRU

Um, yeah.  I mean, you got some paperwork to go through with the landlord but shouldn't be an issue.  You seem chill.  It'd be fun.

WILLOW

All right then.  Oh by the way, a guy came in today that you might know?

TRU

Yeah?

WILLOW

Yeah, um, uh, Shaggy?

Close up: Tru's face, terrified.

Fade out.

Hurts Like Hell

Cafe-Girl: A Tru Story

Act One, Scene Five

Interior: kitchen and living room of Willow's house.  Willow's father, Eddie, sits on the couch, drinking coffee, laptop in his lap.  Willow enters, dressed for work, but barely awake.  He walks into kitchen, pours cup of coffee, and does not notice his father until Eddie speaks.

EDDIE

Good morning, kid.

WILLOW

Shit, dad.

(Willow spills some coffee on his hand.)

EDDIE

Did I scare you? Not yet awake yet?  Wild night last night?

WILLOW

Sure, whatever, yeah.

EDDIE

That girl.

WILLOW

What about her?

EDDIE

I know her.

WILLOW

How?

EDDIE

Uncle Ray knows her better.  They used to hang out together some years back, a whole group of them.  She was like the only girl in the group.

WILLOW

Okay. So?

EDDIE

I talked to him this morning, online.  Uncle Ray, that is.  He told me this and reminded me of...

WILLOW

Of? Of what?

EDDIE

Well, some things happened back then and...this girl, she calls herself Tru, right?

WILLOW

Right. Well, that's her name.

EDDIE

Yeah, but it isn't, Tru isn't her real name.  She calls herself that now but her real name is--

WILLOW

Deborah?

EDDIE

Yeah, that's right.

WILLOW

So what? So, she has a nickname, I'm sure there's a good reason.

EDDIE

Yeah, there's a reason, I'm sure of it.  I don't know if its good or--

WILLOW

Dad, what the fuck?

EDDIE

I think you need to talk to Uncle Ray.  He can tell it better, make sense of it, somehow.

WILLOW

Right, okay.  Well, I got to get to work.  And, anyway, how do I get ahold of him these days? He's like where now, on some hippie commune or something?

EDDIE

Yeah, but he's on facebook--

WILLOW

Which I'm not a part of.

EDDIE

Well, that's how to get a hold of him, basically.

WILLOW

So, I have to get a hold of him that way in order to find out some rumors about my new friend---

EDDIE

Not...rumors, kid, not rumors.

Fade into

Tru's apartment.

Pan: Over TRu's messy living room, coffee table strewn with books, half drank cup of juice, a bong, there is a box of cookies, strewn out on the table and then onto the floor, the camera pans up onto TRU passed out on the sofa, a blanket tossed haphazardly over her body, she is wearing her clothes from the night before.

(Dream Sequence: Tru is standing in a deserted space, she is looking all around her, the boy from last night's flashback walks towards her, slowly. He smiles at her. She smiles at him.

(Tru: Matt?  )

(Matthew: Hello, Deborah, its been awhile.)

(Tru: I miss you...so much.)

(Matthew: I do too.)

(Tru: I'm sorry, so sorry.  Please, can you forgive me.)

(Matthew smiles sadly at Tru, his image starts to fade.)

(End dream sequence.)


(A moment, then she wakes up slowly, looks around, stretches.  She reaches for her phone on the table, looks at it.)

CLOSE UP: Tru's phone, showing the time 8:53

(Tru sits up suddenly, her hair a messy bun.)

TRU

Shit.

(Tru runs into the bathroom, splashes water on her face, pulls her bun out, runs her fingers through her hair, then shakes it a little, she dabs moisterizer on her face, then applies deodorant, then pulls a pill bottle from the counter, opens it, takes one, returns bottle to counter, still open.)

TRU

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

(Tru's cat, Wiggles, walks into hallway as Tru leaves bathroom. He meows up at her.)

TRU

Shit, Wiggles, you need some food? Shit.

(She runs into kitchen, pours some dry food into a bowl, places it on the floor, Wiggles runs to it, eats.  Tru fills a bowl full of water and places it next to cat.)

(Tru runs into living room, grabs her phone, purse, and puts on her jacket, runs to the door, grabs keys, and slams door behind her, locking it.)

Fade out.

Once Upon A Dream

Cafe-Girl: A Tru Story

Act One, Scene Four

Exterior: Bar, A couple hours later.

(Tru and Willow stumble out of the bar, laughing.)

TRU

So, what now?

WILLOW

Eh, I don't know.

TRU

You got to go home? Work in the morning?

WILLOW

Kinda, sorta, yeah.

TRU

Kinda, sorta?

WILLOW

Yeah. You?

TRU

Kinda, sorta.  Yeah, I live close.

WILLOW

Cool.

TRU

Is it?

WILLOW

Kinda, sorta.

TRU


WILLOW

Yeah.

TRU

You want to walk me home or something?

WILLOW

Kinda--

TRU

Sorta.

WILLOW

Yeah.

(They both laugh.  Suddenly, Tru freezes as she notices a guy and a girl approaching the bar.  Its Miles and the Other Woman.)

Fuck.

WILLOW

What? What is it

TRU

Its my boy--I mean, my ex-boyfriend and her.  He brought her...here!  Fuck!

WILLOW

Where?

TRU

Right there, see.  No, dude, don't look.

WILLOW

Well?

TRU

Shit.  Hide me or something.

WILLOW

Eh, here...wear my hat?

(He holds out his hat to her.)

TRU

What?

WILLOW

Wear my hat?

Flashback: A younger Tru, sitting at a bar next to a guy that resembles Willow, who is also wearing a fedora similar to that of WIllow's.  He smiles at her, puts his arm around Tru, kisses her, takes off his hat, and says "wear my hat".

(Tru shakes herself.  The other woman notices Tru. Quickly, Tru grabs Willow and kisses him.  Miles and The Other Woman pass by into the bar.  Willow starts to get into the kiss, Tru opens her eyes, sees that Miles and the other woman have gone, and breaks off the kiss.)

WILLOW

Well, mixed messages much?

(Tru is lost in thought.)

Kinda, sorta?

TRU

Eh, sorry, I'm just...

WILLOW

Yeah, I gotcha.  He's a real loser anyway.

TRU

Thanks.

WILLOW

Anytime.

TRU

Walk with me?

WILLOW

Your place?

TRU

Not right away.  I need fresh air, blow off some steam.

WILLOW

Me too.

TRU

What's that?

WILLow

Eh, nothing.

TRU

Can I really wear your hat?

WILLOW

Oh, yeah, of course.

(He puts it on her head.)

Looks good.  Better on you than on me.

TRU

Ha.  You're just saying that because I let you kiss me!

WILLOW

Well actually...no, you really do look good in that hat.

TRU

Thanks.  Maybe it'll be a new look for me.

WILLOW

Hey, you gonna steal my hat?!?!

Fade into:

(Tru and Willow, walk through a park, a few minutes later, at night.  Tru walks over to a rock and sits, Willow sits next to her.  They both stare up into the sky.  After a few minutes, Tru pulls a pipe out of her pocket and begins to pack it with pot.)

TRU

You smoke?

WILLOW

Not really.

TRU

Well, you not really drink either so--

WILLOW

So tonight's the night--

TRU

To let your hair down!

WILLOW

Yeah, there is something different about tonight.

TRU

Seriously, why are you such a square?

WILLOW

I'm a square.  Really, you think I'm a square?

TRU

Eh, kinda sorta, maybe not.  I don't know, I'm trying to figure that out.

WILLOW

Well, let me know when you do because so am I.

TRU

Eh, aren't we all?

(Tru lights the pipe, sucks on it, then hands it over to Willow, who takes a hit himself. On the exhale, Tru speaks.)

So, that book you were reading earlier tonight--

WILLOW

(on the exhale of his hit)

Yeah? What about it?

TRU

What was it

WILLOW

Great Expectations.

TRU

Ha. I see. Kinda sorta fitting for a guy whose trying to find himself, right?

WILLOW

Right.  Kinda sorta.

TRU

I read it.

WILLOW

Yeah?

TRU

It didn't live up to my...expectations.

WILLOW

Ha.

TRU

No, really, it didn't.  I liked A Tale of Two Cities better.

(She takes a hit off the pipe.)

WILLOW

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

(Tru hands the pipe to him. He takes a hit.)

TRU

You read it?

WILLOW

Not yet.

TRU

Well, there are a lot more words than that.

WILLOW

I would imagine.  Its Dickens after all.

TRU

What the Dickens, really?

WILLOW

Yeah, what, you didn't know that? Huh?

TRU

Yeah, um, of course, I did. I read the god damn book, right?

WILLOW

True.

TRU

What? Oh, yeah, I see.  Yeah, I was just making a joke...you know how people swear that don't want to swear....like my dad used to say "God bless it" instead of God damnit...so like...

WILLOW

Yeah, I see.  Wait, what were we talking about?

TRU

I don't know....Dickens?

WILLOW

Yeah. What the Dickens?

TRU

Now, you see.

WILLOW

I never do this.

TRU

What?

WILLOW

Smoke pot.

TRU

Really? So, I'm like this corrupting force in your life? Nice.  Life goals reached.

WILLOW

Actually, no.  My parents...they are these big hippies...my dad actually got high with me when I was like 13...

TRU

Really? That's fucking awesome!

WILLOW

We'd drum together, play guitar...they were in this band when I was a kid...it got old really fast.

TRU

I'd kill for parents like that.  Mine were...kinda sorta strict.

WILLOW

You've really adopted the kinda sorta thing, haven't you?

TRU

Only around you, baby!

WILLOW

So, I'm baby now.

TRU

Eh, for tonight, maybe.

WILLOW

Just for tonight?

TRU

We'll see how things play out tomorrow.

WILLOW

That's a good...philosophy.

TRU

Yeah.

(They stare for a moment in silence up into the night sky.)

Ever think about...what's up there...

WILLOW

All the time.  I'm kinda sorta a sci fi geek.

TRU

Really, I hadn't noticed.

WILLOW

Really?

TRU

Well, the geek part.  But, you know, me too.

WILLOW

Yeah, what are you into? Star Trek? Doctor Who?

TRU

Eh?

WILLOW

We'll have to watch together.

TRU

Sure.  But, you ever look up and wonder why...why we do what we do, get up, go to work, buy food, eat food, shit it out, why we do it...what's the point, you know...is there really something that comes after?

WILLOW

Yeah, I think there is something I just haven't figured it all out yet.

TRU

A seeker?

WILLOW

Yeah, I guess so.

TRU

I used to be...I mean, I still am...but I used to go to this church, left a few years back...it got really...weird, really strict, you know...but I guess I still believe...in something...a higher power or something...you know?

WILLOW

Yeah.  There is definitely some sort of force out there.

TRU

Like Star Wars? You really are a sci fi geek!

WILLOW

Guilty.

TRU

I like it.

WILLOW

Cool.

TRU

Kinda sorta?

WILLOW

No, really really cool.

TRU

Nice.  Really really.

Fade into:

(Tru and Willow approach Willow's house.  Music pours out from the backyard.  Willow groans.)

TRU

What is it?

WILLOW

The parents et al are still at it...its been like an all day thing...

TRU

Don't they work?

WILLOW

They live off...social security or some shit like that...I don't know...

(They approach door.  Willow tries the door, it swings open.)

Nice. Real nice.  And safe.

TRU

Eh, its not a scary part of town.

WILLOW

Yeah, but still.  Anyway, follow me.  Quickly.

Fade into:

Interior: Willow's room.  Willow lays on his bed, Tru sits in a chair nearby.   Music is heard coming from the backyard.

WILLOW

How the hell will I ever sleep tonight? And, I got the early shift tomorrow!

TRU

Lucky you work at a cafe!

WILLOW

Ha, ha, that's funny. God, I need my own place...again.

TRU

Hey, give me your phone?

WILLOW

Why?

TRU

Because I have a phone fetish.  No, dude, I'm gonna give you my number.

(Willow pulls phone out of his pocket and hands it to Tru.  She types her number into his phone and tosses it on the bed next to him.)

Just so happens that I may be looking for a room-mate so its, like, kismet, or whatever.

WILLOW

The universe looking out for us, right?

TRU

Something like that.  Everything works out in the end.

WILLOW

Like it was meant to be...on the same psychic...web...or something...

TRU

Did you just say "psychic internet"?

WILLOW

No, but I like that.  Psychic Internet.  I like it.

TRU

Huh. You would.

WILLOW

What?

(Eddie enters, swinging the door wide open. Tru's back is to the door.)

EDDIE

Willow? I thought I heard you come in.

TRU

Willow?

EDDIE

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company. Just play it safe, all right, kid?

(Willow groans and turns his head towards the wall.  Tru turns and sees Eddie.)

Wait, I know you....aren't you...isn't it...Deborah, right?

TRU

Its Tru, I go by Tru now.

EDDIE

Tru?

TRU

Yeah, just Tru.

EDDIE

Yeah, well, how've you been? Haven't seen you in...what like years since---

TRU

Um, yeah, I was just leaving--

WILLOW

Dad!

EDDIE

All right, all right, you kids have fun!

(Eddie leaves and closes the door behind him.)

TRU

I gotta go, like, now.

WILLOW

I'll call you.

TRU

Yeah, sure, that'll be...cool.

WILLOW

Kinda?

(After a moment)

TRU

Sorta.

(Tru exits the room. Willow crosses over to light switch, he lays back down on the bed.)

CLOSE UP: Willow's face smiling.

Fade into:

(Tru's apartment, Tru enters, closes door and locks it behind her.  She scans the empty apartment, slides down the door, sobbing.)

Fade out.

Everybody's Changing

Cafe-Girl: The Tru Story

Act One, Scene Three

Interior: Bar

(A few minutes later)

TRU

What's your poison?

WILLOW

Excuse me?

TRU

Sorry, isn't that what people always say, like in the movies, what's your poison? All dramatic like.

WILLOW

I guess so.

TRU

Sorry, I'm kind of a dork.

WILLOW

It's okay.  Me too.

TRU

Nice.  So, what are you drinking?  Rum and coke?

WILLOW

Hold the rum.

TRU

What? Wait, are you...you're not in recovery or something--

WILLOW

No, no, nothing like that. Just didn't feel like drinking tonight---

TRU

Well, get over it.  I could use a drinking buddy tonight.

WILLOW

Um?

TRU

Brandon, add some rum to this guy's coke.  Stat.

WILLOW

Stat?

TRU

Pronto, ASAP, Now! Stat!

WILLOW

Okay...

TRU

Sorry, I'm in a...weird mood.

WILLOW

Its fine.

TRU

Thank you.

WILLOW

For what?

TRU

That.  Just...accepting me, is all.

WILLOW

Any time.

(Brandon approaches, with bottle of beer and a glass of rum and coke. He sets the beer in front of Tru and the rum and coke in front of Willow.)

TRU

Thanks, Brandon.

BRANDON

Just be cool, okay, Tru.

TRU

Yeah, whatever.

(She picks up the bottle and stands up.)

Let's vacate this spot, find somewhere quieter.

WILLOW

Where?

TRU

Over there?

(She points to a corner table, apart from other people.)

Cut to: Tru and Willow alone at a table talking, laughing

TRU

So, you grew up here?

WILLOW

Yeah, yeah, I did.  Born and raised.

TRU

Wow, a townie!

WILLOW

Yeah, is that a bad thing or...?

TRU

No, its fine.  I knew some townies once...

WILLOW

Yeah?

TRU

Yeah.

WILLOW

So, you from around here or--

TRU

No, no.  I came here for college and then sort of got hooked, and stayed.

WILLOW

What did you study in college?

TRU

Study? Ha.  Oh, you mean like what was my major? Communication.

(Willow looks confused.)

Yeah, that's what everyone thinks about that major.  What the hell is it? What do you do with it? Communication...its like what would happen if psychology and sociology had a love-child.

WILLOW

Um, all right, so what do you do?

TRU

Like, for money? I work in a shop, downtown, that's right, I'm a shopgirl, me, can you see that?

WILLOW

Not really, no. I mean, it depends on the shop.

TRU

Its one of those fancy high-priced boutiques down-town that no one can really afford but maybe a few ritzy tourists now and then.  But, not really anyone.  Why its still around is anyone's guess, the weird thing is, how the hell did I get the job? But, hey, it pays the bills...for now.

WILLOW

For now?

TRU

Well, I still have dreams, I mean, I'm kind of old but---

WILLOW

You old?

TRU

Aw, gee thanks.

WILLOW

No, I'm serious. You don't look that old.

TRU

(speaking in a Southern accent)

Well, aren't you such a sweet boy? Play your cards just right you may get lucky!

WILLOW

Um, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I mean, I would if I could, but I'm--

TRU

Sort of seeing someone? Yeah, me too. Oh no, that's right, we broke up.

WILLOW

Really?

TRU

Yeah.

WILLOW

Recently or...

(Tru looks at her wrist which is bare.)

TRU

Oh, just about an hour ago, caught him in bed with another woman.

WILLOW

Just an hour ago?

TRU

Yep.

WILLOW

No wonder you wanted, needed to drink.

TRU

Yep.

WILLOW

Shit, I'm sorry.  If it makes you feel better, things aren't so rosy with me and my girlfriend.  I mean, we were living together and then she got really weird, wanted space, and I had to move in with the parents until...I don't know.

TRU

Lame.

WILLOW

Yeah.  And, now I don't know what we are.  She calls me sometimes and needs me, you know, really needs me.  We talk and make plans like things are going to happen again, and then she just totally shuts me out completely.  Nothing.  Silence.  Emptiness.

TRU

Fuck that.

WILLOW

Yeah, I wish.

TRU

Yeah, me too.

(They sip their drinks in silence.)

WILLOW

Hey, I just realized something...you're not wearing a watch!

(He looks over at her and she smiles up at him.  They both start laughing.)

Fade out.

The Way

Cafe-Girl: The Tru Story

Act One, Scene Two

Interior: Hallway leading to Tru's apartment

3/4 Wide Shot: Tru walks down the hall, smiling, carrying her coffee

POV: Tru approaches her door, pulls out her key, hears voices inside, tries handle, it opens.

Tru enters her apartment.  Voices are heard down the hall, a male and female voice each.

POV: Tru walking down the hallway, towards door at the end of hallway

Tru hesitates and then pushes on door, she opens it.

POV TRU: Tru's boyfriend, Miles and another woman are in bed together.

CLOSE UP: Tru in shock

TRU

What the hell?

Miles

Tru? Is that you?

TRU

Um, yeah.  Is that you, Miles?

MILES

Shit.

(Miles gets out of bed.)

THE OTHER WOMAN

Miles, shit, who is this?

(She gets out of bed after him.  They are both in barely any clothing, maybe a bra, underwear only.)

TRU

Yeah, who is this, Miles?

Miles

This is my girlfriend, Tru.

THE OTHER WOMAN

Girlfriend? You didn't say...he didn't say!

TRU

Yeah, well, I'm Tru.

THE OTHER WOMAN

The only one that is, it seems.

TRU

Ha, that's fucking hilarious.  But, yeah, that's my name.

THE OTHER WOMAN

Tru.  I see.

TRU

Yeah, so....get out.

THE OTHER WOMAN

Huh?

TRU

Um, yeah, get the fuck out.  Both of you.

Miles

Um, this is my house.

TRU

Oh yeah, but who pays rent? Me.  I do.  So, get the fuck out!

MILES

Oh, come on, Tru.

TRU

Get out. Get out. Get out.

Miles

Tru, can we talk about this?

TRU

No.

Miles

Come on, Tru---

(Tru screams really loud and it continues to escalate.  Miles and The Other Woman hurriedly grab their clothes and other items and leave, all while Tru is screaming.  Once they are leaving, Tru falls against the bed, then remembering what just happened there, pulls the sheets off, and throws them off angrily.  She storms out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind her, still screaming.  She crosses into the kitchen/living room area, opens the refridgerator, finding nothing, slams it shut.  She finds a bottle of wine on the counter, takes a swig, sees two wine glasses side by side, with wine stains in them and lipstick on one of them.  FLASH: Tru throwing wine bottle and wine glasses against the wall.  Back to earth, Tru sets bottle down and grabs her purse and keys and heads towards the doorway.  At the last minute, she sees her coffee cup on the table near the door, she sighs, picks it up, sees its mostly full, takes a sip, and then opens the door, locking it behind her.)

Cut to: Willow entering his house, guitar music and other instruments are played in the backyard

WILLOW

Hey, I'm home.

(Willow moves through the house and peeks into the backyard.  His hippie father, hippie mother, and a gathering of other hippie folks are sitting around the patio, smoking pot, drinking, and playing music together.)

Close up: Willow's face, sighing

(Willow moves to his bedroom, lies on his bed, stares up at the ceiling.)

POV Willow: Sees stars and grateful dead poster above him.

(Willow rolls over, music is playing in the background, he pulls pillow over his head, but cannot drown it out.  He gets up and crosses into the living room.  His father, Eddie, enters the living room, obviously very intoxicated.)

EDDIE

Willow, you're home, man! How is it going?

WILLOW

Yeah, its fine, dad.  Work was....

EDDIE

Man, I don't know how you do it, working at that place.

WILLOW

I like it, sorta.  Its nice to have money.

EDDIE

Yeah, yeah.

WILLOW

What did you do today, dad?

EDDIE

Was online for awhile, looking for work. Then, Butch and Sandy came by and we started jammin, man, you know how it is.  Thinking of getting the band back together.

WILLOW

Oh.

EDDIE

Come on and join us, Willow.

WILLOW

Yeah, I think I'm going out.

EDDIE

Suit yourself.

(Willow waits for his dad to say something, to stop him, but Eddie laughs and heads out to the backyard again.)

Wide: Willow exiting his house.  He starts walking down the street.

CUT TO: Willow at a bar, drinking a coke, reading Great Expectations.

(Enter Tru, in the background.  She crosses to the bar, next to Willow, but hasn't noticed him yet. She calls to the bartender.)

TRU

Hey, the usual, Brandon, and stat.

(Willow looks up and sees her, she finally sees him, smiles at him.)

Hey there.

Never Let Me Down Again

Cafe-Girl: The Tru Story

Act One, Scene One

Interior: Coffee Shop, Willow, a tall, blonde man in his early twenties, stands behind the counter, staring into space.  Around him at the cafe sit a bustle of customers, busy with their lives, sipping their drinks, reading their books, typing at their computers.

Willow sighs and rests his head on his hand, his head starts to nod slowly, his eyes slowly close.  He falls asleep.

Enter Tru, a slightly older woman in her early to mid thirties.  She's dressed rather hippie like, with her dreaded hair pulled up into a bun.

She approaches the counter and laughs.

Tru

Aw, come on, is it really that boring here?

(Willow wakes up.)

Willow

What? What? I wasn't asleep--

TRU

Sure.  Not had enough caffeine, huh?

WILLOW

Maybe not.

TRU

You don't partake of your own product, you don't taste your own wares, you don't sample the drug?

WILLOW

Well, yeah, I do, its just...wait, what? Drugs?

TRU

That's kind of what you are, a drug dealer.

WILLOW

How do you figure?

TRU

Isn't caffeine a drug?

WILLOW

It has its benefits.

TRU

Yeah but so do other drugs, mind you.

WILLOW

Mainly?

TRU

Well, we live in Oregon, use your imagination.

(Willow laughs.)

WILLOW

Get you anything? And, yes, I do.  Sample my own.

TRU

Sample your own? Huh? That sounds like a euphenism for well, you know.

WILLOW

For what? Masturbation?

TRU

Yeah, well, I wasn't going to say---

WILLOW

Why?

TRU

I just met you.  I haven't even ordered, I don't even know your name and already we are talking about what you do in private...

WILLOW

Its Will, actually.

TRU

Come again.

WILLOW

Will, my name.  Call me Will.

TRU

Nice.  Will, I like it.  Hello William, I'm Tru.

WILLOW

Not William.  Just Will. Get you anything?

TRU

Well, since you sample your own, what do you recommend?

WILLOW

Are we still refering to or...no, well, I recommend the sumatra, if you like dark, which I do.

TRU

So, you like it dark, huh? Me too. I'll take a medium then, to go.

WILLOW

Ahhh.

TRU

Problem?

WILLOW

To go? You sure?

TRU

Yeah, I got places to be, people to do, maybe, yeah.  So? We'll see each other again, William--Just Will, I mean.

WILLOW

Awesome.

(They complete transaction, money/card/coffee. Tru smiles at him, heads over for cream, pours cream in cup, puts lid on cup, then turns back to him.)

TRU

Bye for now.

WILLOW

See you later, Tru.

(Tru exits.  Willow stands behind counter, he puts his head on his hands and looks outward, a smile slowly spreads across his face.)

I would walk 500 miles