An Exposition: Act II

1 - Int. Car - Night - 1

SAM is in the car, driving again. He is being filmed handheld by someone sitting in the passenger seat. He looks a little crazy.

On screen: Act II

SAM
January 23, 7:45 PM. After last week Meredith broke up with me and now she and Jesse are dating Facebook-officially and all that. So on Monday I asked out this girl Meg McCabe to make Meredith jealous, and I think it might be working. Meg's getting a little clingy though, so we'll see how that goes.

SAM makes a turn.

SAM
Here, babe. You can just mount the camera up here.

MEG, who it is now revealed was holding the camera in the passenger seat, mounts it on the dashboard.

SAM
Thanks. Anyway, we're on the way to Meredith's house. She always said she wanted to be friends after we break up, so I pressured her into going on a double date so she realized how much she hates seeing me with someone else.

MEG looks sad and awkward, like a recently-kicked golden retriever puppy.

MEG
But, hey, you do like me, right?

SAM
Of course, baby. But this is still for the film festival so be quiet, okay?

MEG
Sure.

SAM shushes her.

MEG
I was just saying I would be qu-

SAM shushes her again, loudly.

SAM (interrupting)
Shh, baby, it's fine. Just keep that cute little mouth shut.

MEG looks out the window sadly and awkwardly, like a recently-kicked golden retriever puppy looking out a window. SAM pulls the car into MEREDITH's driveway.

SAM
Here we are!

He honks aggressively as he turns the car around. When he's done turning around, he honks again.

JESSE AND MEREDITH get the back seat. MEREDITH sits directly behind SAM, JESSE sits in middle with his arm around MEREDITH.

SAM drives.

SAM (looking back)
Jesse, could you sit on the side of the car? I can't see out the rearview mirror.

JESSE
Really? I could sort of duck down.

SAM
Just move, okay? There's plenty of room over there.

JESSE moves. SAM rolls his eyes at the camera.

MEG looks back at MEREDITH and JESSE.

MEG
Hey Mer.

MEREDITH
Hey Meg. How was your Saturday?

SAM turns on the music.

MEG
It was okay. Sam and I went to lunch and he left me in the bathroom.

SAM laughs loudly.

SAM
I was joking, okay? I told you that.

MEG
What did you do?

SAM turns up the music louder and louder. MEREDITH talks but can't be heard.

2 - Int. Car - Night - 2

A few minutes later. The music is off. No one is talking.

JESSE
So are you guys excited for Avatar?

MEREDITH
Yeah, I heard it was really good.

MEG
Oh yeah? I read this article in the New Yorker about this camera that saw the virtual world while it was-

SAM pulls into a spot and parks.

SAM
We're here.

He gets out. Everyone follows suit.

3 - Int. Car - Night - 3

After the movie. Everyone gets back in the car.

SAM
Well that was a waste of time.

MEG (quieter)
I really liked it.

JESSE
So did I.

MEREDITH
So did I.

SAM
Fine, whatever.

He drives off.

4 - Int. Car - Night - 4

A few minutes later.

SAM
Sorry, I have to get some gas. It'll just be a minute.

He pulls up to the station.

SAM
Don't have too much fun in here without me!

He gets out of the car.

MEREDITH
So Meg, what was your favorite part of the movie?

MEG
I really liked the scene where that pilot breaks them out of jail.

SAM pokes his head in.

SAM
Hey, what did I say about all that fun?

There is silence. SAM finishes gassing up the car and gets back in. He gets back in, and they sit in the car for a second. Everyone waits for SAM to start the car. SAM ponders.

MEG
Honey?

SAM
Yeah, hey babe. Why don't you sit in the back and let Meredith sit in the front? That way we can sort of do a little switch.

MEG (suddenly angry)
No! I (bleep) waited for you in that damn restaurant, I listened to you tell me that you were only dating me to get back at Meredith, I put up with all your (bleep) tonight. I'm done. I'm just done. Drive me home.

A beat of silence. MEG catches her breath. SAM looks hurt, but less like he's sorry and more like he's just been insulted. He gets out of the car.

SAM
I'm going to grab some water from inside.

MEREDITH, JESSE, and MEG are awkwardly silent.

MEREDITH
I think I might get something also.

JESSE
Me too.

They get out of the car. MEG stares dejectedly out the window. MEREDITH shuts her door, but JESSE doesn't shut his.

MEREDITH (off-screen)
What are you doing?

JESSE (off-screen)
Just go ahead, I'll be right there.

He pokes his head back in and sits in the back.

JESSE
Hey Meg?

MEG
Yeah.

JESSE
Sam can be a jerk sometimes, but he really is a nice guy usually.

It's quiet. MEG looks down.

JESSE
I'm sorry he treated you like that tonight.

MEG looks JESSE in the eyes.

They begin making out frantically.

Cut to black.