Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act one, Scene Five

Exterior: Swanson Home, Tow truck driver hitching Nate's car to truck. 

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Seems like we were just doing this!

NATE

Yeah, right.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Not much for small talk, huh?

NATE

Um...

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Ah, well.

NATE

Sorry, just a lot on my mind.  You said your name was Stephen, right?

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Yeah, and yours was?

NATE

Nate.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

New in town?

NATE

Yeah.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Sure aren't one for small talk. 

(laughs)

What brings you here?

NATE

Um...just needed a change.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Got a girl back there?

NATE

Sorta...not.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Oh, I get it.  What did she do? Cheat on you?

NATE

Something like that.

Interior: Tow Truck cabin.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

My best advice: find another girl yourself.  Doesn't have to be a long time thing.  You know, I could swear there are like ten girls to a one guy in this town...you'll find someone to hook up with, forget about that chick back there!

NATE

Thanks, I guess.  You are probably right.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Take my boss, Benjamin.  He's always railing on about his girl, Samantha.  How he could swear she's running off with this guy and that guy, from her work...she's one of those film director types, hooking up with actors all the time, that's what he swears.  I don't know.  I try to stay out of the whole thing.  Relationships, that is.

NATE

Thanks for the advice.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Any time.  Any time.

(Tow truck pulls into parking lot and starts backing into garage.)

Cut to: Benjamin on cell phone at desk, sipping coffee.

BENJAMIN

No, Sam, I told you I can't watch the kid tonight...why? Well, I got a thing...yeah, that's right I have a life too...Look, I'm at work now so--

(Nate walks up to desk.)

NATE

Um...

BENJAMIN

I gotta go, Sam.  Customer's here.

(Benjamin hangs up phone and slams it down on desk. He turns and smiles at Nate.)

You're back!  Sorry about all that...women!

NATE

Here are the keys.  You got all my information so---

BENJAMIN

Yeah, I'll have my guys take a look at it and then we'll get back to you with an estimate.

NATE

Sounds good.  See you later.

Exterior: Nate exits garage, stands looking around in parking lot.  He starts walking.

CUTAWAY: Interior Bar, late afternoon.  Kiyah and Laura sit at table, a bottle of wine between them.

LAURA

I'm telling you, Kiyah, this is the last time...

KIYAH

Yeah, you always always say that.

LAURA

I mean it this time, really mean it.  He can't treat me like this.

KIYAH

So, what are you going to do about it then?

LAURA

You need a room-mate?

KIYAH

Well...

(Door opens, blowing Kiyah and Laura's hair with blast of cold.  Camera pans over to reveal Nate in the door.)

Hey there, its you...Lucy's new...manny!!

NATE

Oh yeah, its...Kira, right?

KIYAH

Kiyah, yeah.

NATE

Sorry about that.

KIYAH

It's all right.  Everyone always does that.  Want to join us?

Nate

Um, I guess, for a bit. 

(Nate approaches table, stands, looks down at Laura. Their eyes meet.)

Um, hi.

LAURA

Hi.

Fade out.

Haven't Met You Yet

Daggers In Men's Smiles: A Modern Day William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act one, Scene Four

Interior: Auto Repair shop, Benjamin, a heavy set man in greasy work clothes, sits at desk, in the garage, with a car being worked on behind him.  Radio playing in background, he sips from a coffee cup and stares at computer, his cell phone rings,he looks at it, incoming call reads "Samantha", he lets it go to voice-mail.  He looks around, sneaks out a flask from inner coat pocket, opens it, pours liquid into coffee cup, sticks flask back in his coat pocket, stirs coffee with greasy finger, sucks on finger, then sips his drink.  He gives a satisfied grin.

Enter: Nate.

NATE

Um, hi, I'm new in town and my new, um, boss recommended this place so--

BENJAMIN

You got car troubles?

NATE

Yeah.  Just died when I came into town last night.  Had that car for years and then as soon as I got here...

BENJAMIN

That sucks, man.

NATE

Yeah, but it seems, like,I don't know symbolic or something, right?

BENJAMIN

I wouldn't know.

NATE

Yeah.

BENJAMIN

So, you want to bring it in or something?

NATE

Yeah.  My dad said he could cover any expenses.  So, yeah, I can get it towed here and...

BENJAMIN

I got some time this afternoon, say 2:00 pm.

NATE

Awesome. Do you know where I can get a tow-truck?

BENJAMIN

We got that service here.  What's your address?

NATE

Um...hold on...

(pulls out phone.)

I just moved there, like, last night, not memorized or anything yet.

(Benjamin stares at him.)

Right, okay...its 1122 Pine Street.

BENJAMIN

Got it.  So, I'll have my guy there at about 1:30?

NATE

Sounds good.

Exterior: Nate walking out of auto repair shop.

POV: Nate sees Scott and Laura's car pulled up across the street.  Laura gets out angrily, starts walking down the street.  Scott opens driver side door, stands and stares at her.

Nate waves at Laura to get her attention.

SCOTT

Laura, get back here!!

LAURA

No, we're through.  I've had enough--

Scott runs down the street and grabs her by the arm, pulls her back toward car.

SCOTT

Just get in the car.

Scott pushes her towards passenger side, into street. Laura whimpers, opens door, gets in.

CLOSE UP:Nate's reaction shot.

NATE

Fuck.

Nate's phone rings in his pocket, ring tone, Liz Phair's "Why can't I" plays.

Nate pulls phone, looks at it.

Close up: ON phone Incoming call reads "Jessica"

Nate stares at, sighs, answers.

NATE

Yeah, hi, Jessica.

JESSICA

Hi.

NATE

What's up?

JESSICA

I just wanted to check in, see how the move went--

NATE

Yeah, just getting things settled.

Pov: Nate looks across the street to Scott and Laura's car, idling.

CLOSE UP: Nate's face, thinking about what he saw with Scott and Laura.

JESSICA

Yeah? So...Nate, are you there?

NATE

Oh, yeah, sorry, just a lot on my mind.

JESSICA

Nate, I...I...miss you...

NATE

...Really? Well, maybe you should have thought of that before jumping in the sack with---

JESSICA

I told you it was a mistake--

NATE

Oh, yeah, right.

JESSICA

Look, maybe I can come to visit and we can--

Nate

Yeah, whatever, Jess, I got to go.  Things to do, really busy here.

JESSICA

I'm sorry, Nate, I really am.

NATE

Sure.

(He hangs up.)

POV: Nate watches as Scott and Laura's car drives off.

Distance

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act One, Scene three

Exterior: The Lawn between Swanson main house and granny unit, early morning.  Nate exits the unit and crosses over to main house.

Interior: Kitchenette of Swanson home, Saturday morning.  Stephen in high chair, eating cheerios on tray.  Adam at table, eating a bowl of cereal.  Eddie reads paper and drinks coffee.  Lucy at counter, pouring herself a cup of coffee, smiles at Nate when he enters.

LUCY

Good morning!! Just the guy I wanted to talk to...would you like some coffee?

NATE

I would love some.

(Lucy grabs a mug from the cupboard, pours some coffee in it.)

LUCY

Cream? Sugar?

NATE

Just black.

EDDIE

Like a man!

LUCY

Eddie!

(Nate laughs and takes coffee from Lucy.)

NATE

So, I wanted to ask your advice on the best mechanic in town, I'll need to get that thing fixed pretty fast...sorry that it doesn't seem so reliable!

LUCY

Hey, these things happen!

NATE

Yeah, talked to my dad this morning, he said, he could float me some money to cover it.

LUCY

Good, good.  You know, my friend, Sara's boyfriend works at a shop downtown.  You can check them out.  Ask for Brian and say you know me.

NATE

Great.

LUCY

Yeah, the shop is Ashland Auto Repair, I think.

NATE

Sounds good.

LUCY

Now, can we talk scheduling for these guys?

NATE

Of course.

LUCY

Now, you know, weekends are free for you, unless something comes up.  On weekdays, I have to leave by 7:45 to get to work, so I'd like you to start at 7:30 in the morning, for breakfast routine and getting ready for school.  At 8:15, walk Adam to school, we have the stroller for Stephen.  Then, back here with Stephen, who should try and nap around 10, then pick up Adam at 12:30, naps at 1:00 pm.  Then, playtime until dinner at 5, when I get home, and you are off for the evening.  Got it?

NATE

Whew! I think so.

LUCY

It really isn't that hard, but its a lot to take in.  There is a detailed schedule on the refrigerator.  I also left a binder with detailed instructions about naps, diaper and potty training, important phone numbers in your apartment.

(Eddie rolls his eyes.)

NATE

Wow! Thank you!  I'll study it thoroughly.

(Doorbell rings.)

LUCY

Oh, that will be Kiyah.

(She exits to front entrance way.  Nate sips coffee and leans against counter, looking from Stephen to Adam to Eddie, waiting. Kiyah and Lucy enter, talking. Kiyah, a heavy-set Asian woman in her late twenties, stops and stares at Nate.)

KIYAH

Hi there, I'm Kiyah.

LUCY

Nate, this is my best friend.  We also work together at the shop downtown.

(Kiyah moves towards Nate slowly, he backs away into corner of kitchen.)

NATE

Hi.

LUCY

Kiyah and I were about to head downtown for our pilates class, maybe you can come with and we can drop you at the mechanics?

NATE

Sounds great.  Would love to see the town too.

Fade out.

Interior: Kiyah's sedan, Kiyah driving, Lucy in passenger seat, Nate in the backseat.  Katy Perry plays on the radio.

KIYAH

So, guess who called me last night?

LUCY

He didn't?

KIYAH

Yeah, what part of "we broke up" don't you understand?

LUCY

I know, right?  But seriously, are you okay?

KIYAH

I will be.  I just got focus on doing what's right by me.

LUCY

Yeah, good.  So, what's that then?

KIYAH

Getting healthy, moving forward, thinking of going back to school--

LUCY

Good.  What would you study?

KIYAH

I don't know.  I think I will just get my gen ed and then go from there.  I don't know yet what I want to be when I grow up.

LUCY

I heard that. Hey, you hear from Laura recently?

(Nate turns from looking out the window to listening to their conversation.)

KIYAH

No, actually, I have not.  Why?

LUCY

Yeah, me neither.  She hasn't called or anything since she got together with that big creepy loser...what's his name?

NATE

Scott?

LUCY

Excuse me--

KIYAH

Yeah, I think that's right...

Lucy

How did you--

NATE

Um, a girl named Laura helped me move my car when it stalled yesterday and her boyfriend was there too.

LUCY

I see.  How did she look?

NATE

I...it was only for a few minutes, she seemed nice enough.

KIYAH

Bastard Scott never lets her do anything without his approval, low-life scum.

LUCY

But, tell us how you really feel?

NATE

Sorry to hear that, about Laura.

LUCY

Yeah, thanks, Nate.  Hey, there's the auto shop.  Kiyah, can you drop Nate off here?

KIYAH

Sure thing.

(Kiyah pulls into auto shop parking lot.)

LUCY

See you at home later, Nate.

NATE

Yeah, thanks!

Thinking of You

Nate & Laura & How They Met

ACT ONE, SCENE TWO

Exterior: The Home of Eddie & Lucy Swanson, Evening.

(Tow truck pulls up to front of house, pulling Nate's car. Lucy Swanson hurries from house, dishrag over her t-shirt and old jeans, carrying small child in one arm.  Nate gets out of passenger side of tow truck, he is carrying Doodle.  Tow truck driver gets out of other side, starts unhooking car.)

LUCY

Oh my god, you must be Nate! Looks like you had some difficulties today.

NATE

Oh, this isn't even the half of it.

LUCY

Well, let's get you inside to your room and settled for the night then.  Do you need help paying the tow truck? I can do it, as part of your payment.  Like an advance?

NATE

It's okay, I already took care of it.

LUCY

Oh, okay.

(Tow Truck Driver walks up to them, carrying clipboard.)

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

So, Nate, you're all set.  Just need you to sign here, if you would.

NATE

Sure thing.

(He signs.)

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

And here too please.

NATE

Right, okay.

(He signs in second place.)

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

And, just one more place.

(Nate reads over document. Tow Truck Driver looks over at Lucy.)

Liability issues, right?

LUCY

Oh yeah.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Cute kid you got there.

LUCY

This is my youngest, Stephen.

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Stephen? That's my name! Hello little guy!

LUCY

Wow, quite the coincidence!

(Nate finishes document, hands clipboard back to tow truck driver.)

TOW TRUCK DRIVER

Right then, I'll be off.  Good night.  Best of luck to you, Nate.

NATE

Yeah, thanks.

Fade Into:

Interior: Living room/dining room of Scott and Laura.  Dishes scattered everywhere, dust bunnies across the furniture, Scott and Laura are making out on the couch.  Laura pushes him off of her.

SCOTT

Babe, what's your deal?

LAURA

I'm sorry, I'm just...

SCOTT

Distracted?

LAURA

What?

SCOTT

Its not that dude with the stalled car, is it?

LAURA

The dude with the--

SCOTT

Remember we helped push his car and--

LAURA

Oh, right.  What about him?

SCOTT

You weren't, you know, checking him out or--

LAURA

What? No!!!  I'm just really tired, is all.

SCOTT

What was that guy's name anyway?

LAURA

Um....Nate, I think.

SCOTT

Yeah, that's right, Nate. Kind of a weirdo, don't you think?

LAURA

Why?

SCOTT

Just a vibe I got, I guess...I mean, he yelled something like "my doodle", like he called his car that or something, its like a name for a guy's pe--

LAURA

That's  his dog.

Scott

His dog's his penis?

LAURA

No, what? You are so weird.  No, his dog's name is Doodle.  She's a miniature poodle and she's quite possessive, let me tell you.

SCOTT

How'd you know that?

LAURA

She growled at me when I got in the car---

SCOTT

Why'd you get in the car--

LAURA

To steer!

SCOTT

Oh, right, of course.  So, he was worried about his dog when the car started to roll?

LAURA

Yeah.  You know, you are a little like Doodle--

SCOTT

You saying I have a little doodle?

LAURA

No, no...just like her...

SCOTT

Let me show you my doodle, baby! You won't be calling it little, no you won't.

(She laughs, he pushes her down and they start making out again.)

Fade out:

Interior: Granny Unit behind Swanson house.  Lucy, Eddie, their son, Adam, enter with Nate and Doodle.  Lucy is still carrying Stephen.  Eddie carries Nate's suitcase.

LUCY

So, this is where you will be staying? I know its not much but--

NATE

Oh no, its great!

EDDIE

So, why'd you want to take this job anyway? I mean, a nanny's not exactly a guy's--

NATE

I think the official turn is "manny".

EDDIE

Manny?

NATE

Male Nanny!  And, its works for me now.  I'm grateful for the opportunity, you know, as I get settled here in this new place, new town.

EDDIE

So, what do you want to do, really?

NATE

You know, I taught for awhile, middle school, but I think I'm just looking for a change, gonna figure that out.

EDDIE

I see.

LUCY

We should let you and Doodle get settled. You've had a long trip.

NATE

Thanks.  Good night, Adam and Stephen! I can't wait to get to know you guys!

(Adam hides behind his mom's legs and stares at Doodle.)

You want to pet her? She's really gentle.

(Nate kneels and holds Doodle close to Adam.  Adam cautiously pets Doodle, then pulls his hand away, and looks up at his mom.  She smiles at him.)

LUCY

Thank you, Nate.  We'll talk in the morning.  Get some rest!

NATE

Good night!

(Lucy, Eddie, Adam, and Stephen leave. Lucy is heard off-camera, walking away:

LUCY

I can't believe you, Eddie.  Going after him like that, about not exactly a guy's job.  I mean, really!

WIDE: Nate standing in living room of Granny Unit.  He collapses onto couch, exhausted mentally, physically, emotionally.  Doodle sits next to him on couch, looks at him. Nate smiles at her.

You must be hungry, Doodle? Let's get your dish in and feed you?

Fade out.

Haven't Met You Yet

Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act One, Scene One

Interior: green station wagon, packed full of Nate's belongings, in the passenger seat is his miniature poodle, camera focuses on Nate, driving, from the POV of the poodle, Doodle.

It's late afternoon, early evening, late fall.

The radio is on, playing "Take on me" by Aha.  Nate sings along.

Camera shows highway off-ramp for Ashland, OR.  Nate flicks on his turn signal and begins to exit freeway.  At stop sign, Nate pulls out his phone and starts tapping in address into google maps.

NATE

So, Doodle, we're almost to our new home.  Are you excited, Doodlie-Doodlie-Doo? Gonna get to have your own backyard to play in, with the kids, and a new neighborhood of pee-mails to explore.  And no more thinking about Jessica and Francine, that goes for you not just me, right?

(Nate looks over at Doodle, who stares at him.  Nate rubs his dog's head.)

You're the best, Doodles!

(Nate's car stalls.  He starts to start it again, but car won't turn over.)

Shit.  Fuck.  Stay here, Doodle.

(Nate flicks on emergency lights and steps out of car, looking around.  Car behind him starts honking.  He shrugs apologetically.  A car door of two cars down opens.  A girl gets out, she walks towards him quickly.)

LAURA

Car trouble?

NATE

Yeah, won't start.  Piece of crap, need a new one.

(Car honks behind them.)

NATE AND LAURA

Asshole.

(Nate and Laura's eyes meet.  They both laugh.)

LAURA

I'm Laura, by the way.

NATE

Nate.

LAURA

How can I help?

NATE

Can you steer if I push?

LAURA

Yeah, and my boyfriend can help too..

NATE

Boyfriend?

LAURA

He's in the car, I'll go get him, just one minute--

(Laura runs back to car, Nate kicks tire and breathes out.)

NATE

Boyfriend!

(Car honks behind him.  Nate walks over to car, peers in driver side, makes to roll down window.  Male driver, mid-thirties, rolls down window and stares at Nate.)

Look, my car died and we are working at getting it moved.  Its not going to go any faster by you honking so--

DRIVER

I'll wait.

NATE

Well you could---

(Driver rolls up window.)

Offer to help.

(Laura and her boyfriend walk back up.  Her boyfriend is a little overweight, balding, and carries a drink from Wendy's.)

LAURA

Hey, um, Nate, this is my boyfriend, Scott.  Scott, this is Nate.

SCOTT

Car trouble, huh?

NATE

Yeah, can you push?

SCOTT

Yeah, Laura, you steer?

NATE

Don't mind Doodle--

LAURA

Doodle?

(Nate and Laura walk to driver side of Nate's car.)

NATE

My dog, her name is Doodle.  Be careful not to let her out...

LAURA

Oh, she's so cute.  What kind of dog?

NATE

Miniature poodle.  I know not really a dude dog, but she's cool.

(Nate opens door and leans in.)

Doodle, this is Laura, she's helping us out.  You be a good girl for Daddy, okay?

(Nate motions Laura to sit in driver seat.  Laura sits and Doodle growls at her. Laura looks at Nate, questioningly.)

She can be a little jealous sometimes.  Sorry.

SCOTT

(from behind car)

Put it in neutral, okay, baby?

(Laura puts car in neutral, Nate closes door and runs back to Scott. They start pushing car, with Laura steering.  Driver behind moves forward, rolls down the window.)

DRIVER

Get a new car!

NATE

Thanks for everything, ass-wipe!

SCOTT

Laura, don't forget to put the car in park.

(Laura, getting out.)

LAURA

What was that?

(Car starts to roll forward.)

SCOTT

Laura, you stupid...park, put the car in park!

NATE

Oh my god, my doodle!

SCOTT

What the?

(Laura runs over, opens car, and puts car in park and pulls e-break.  Car stops abruptly. Nate collapses against car, breathing hard, then moves over to driver side, checks on Doodle.)

LAURA

I'm so sorry, Nate, I should have---

SCOTT

Not the brightest thing around, my Laura, but she's not bad to look at.

NATE

It's okay, Doodle's okay, Laura, we're okay, we're all okay.

SCOTT

You from out of town? I noticed your license plates?

NATE

Yeah.

SCOTT

Traveling through or staying?

NATE

Moving here.  Just starting a new job tonight.  New life, new adventures!

LAURA

Scott, can you get the car?

(She hands Scott the keys, Scott moves off to move car.)

Welcome to Ashland!

NATE

Thank you, Laura.

LAURA

We're not all like that asshole in the car behind you, I promise you that.

NATE

I can see that.

(Scott drives up behind Nate's car, honks.)

LAURA

(under her breath.)

Shit.

(to Nate.)

Well, we all have our moments.  Do you need any help? Need to call someone? A phone? Something like that?

NATE

I think I got it from here.  Thank you, Laura.

SCOTT

(peering out car window)

Let's go, Laura, I'm hungry!

LAURA

Maybe I'll see you around then, Nate?

NATE

I hope so.

LAURA

And, once again, welcome to Ashland, welcome home.

(She runs off and gets in passenger side of her car, car pulls out, Laura waves at Nate.)

NATE

Home? We shall see about that.

(Nate gets in car and begins dialing.)

Why Can't I?

Daggers In Men's Smiles