INT. CONCERT VENUE - NIGHT

(In Slo-Mo) Close on Violet (24) her pupils dilated, head bopping to the drowned out music, flashing lights of blue and red glow on her face, lights reflected in her eyes, she’s mesmerized by the sight in front of her.

 

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. TWOEY’S DINER - MORNING

(Normal Speed) Violet’s eyes are tired, her undereyes are darker, the florescent light makes her skin look lifeless. DING. She snaps back to reality.

 

SYLVIE (OS)

Table 3!

 

Violet turns to the two plates picking them up quickly and walking around the diner counter, towards the corner booth. There’s a elderly couple sitting together. Violet sets down the plates.

​

VIOLET

Here are two stacks of

strawberry pancakes, enjoy.

​

Violet smiles at the cute couple. The bell rings again.

 

EXT. TWOEY’S DINER - NIGHT

Violet and the older chef, Sylvie, sit in the back lot of the diner, smoking. Camera pulls back to reveal a bowl of fries between them. Sylvie takes a fry. Violet exhales a cloud of smoke.

​

VIOLET

Have you always smoked,

Sylvie?

​

SYLVIE

For years, honey. There was

a period when I quit cause

the kids were just babies.

​

Violet looks over.

​

VIOLET

So I should have kids to quit?

 

SYLVIE

(scoffs)

Well, I had my first kid

when I was your age.

 

VIOLET

At 24? Wow.

 

SYLVIE

Mmmhmm. I’m not suggesting

you have kids yet.

 

VIOLET

Not planning on it. I haven’t

even done things I should’ve

done at 21.

 

SYLVIE

I wish I was back to 21

again. My friends and I were

at Ruby’s nearly every night.

 

VIOLET

Man, I’d love to see you at

the club.

 

SYLVIE

C’mon. This is the best place

to experience live music, throw

a dart and you’ll find a show.

 

Violet inhales one last time, putting out the cigarette and grabbing the bowl of fries. She stands up.

 

VIOLET

I’ll start experiencing

nightlife when we quit.

 

SYLVIE

Smoking?

 

VIOLET

And fries.

 

Violet puts her hand out for Sylvie, who relunctantly gets up and they both re-enter the diner.

​

INT. TWOEY’S DINER - LATER

 

Violet packs a box with three pancakes and three pieces of bacon. She looks up when Sylvie nods at her and throws the pack of cigarettes away. She’s about to throw the fries away, but Violet puts her hand out, taking the basket and dumping them into her box.

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

Violet unlocks the front door to a small, shoe-box apartment. The loud music from outside, gradually drowns out once she’s inside. A lamp sits on top of two cardboard boxes near the door. She shoves off her shoes and places her coat on a hook behind the door. She sets the box and her purse on a scratched wooden desk near the window. A large photo-frame is propped against the four blank walls. The window is propped open, letting in the loud noises from the club below. She shuts the window, after peering out into the street.

​

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - LATER

 

The takeout box is now empty. Violet washes a single fork and dries it off, setting it into a vintage mug with her toothbrush on the kitchen counter.

 

MATCH CUT TO:

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - MORNING

 

The cup remains in the same place on the counter. Violet’s waking up to the sound of her alarm. Her bed is an air mattress on the floor. She’s wrapped in a pale blue quilt. She grabs her phone off of another cardboard box, realizing the time. She shuffles out of bed, grabbing the toothbrush from the same mug.

 

EXT. SAN FRANSISCO STREET - MORNING

 

Montage begins. Violet walks down the street. She passes storefront, markets, restaurants, until she reaches the Twoey’s Diner. The exterior a perfect American retro design.

 

INT. TWOEY’S DINER - CONTINUOUS

 

Violet shuffles behind the counter, while setting her bag on the hook, Sylvie and the chefs look at her with raised shoulders.

​

SYLVIE

It better have been a late

night clubbing for you.

 

Violet forces a smile, still moving towards the counter. She picks up two plates and heads for the tables.

 

VIOLET

One day.

 

INT. TWOEY’S DINER - AFTERNOON

 

The open sign stays flipped in the window. The clock reads 5:00 PM. In the kitchen, Sylvie hands Violet an envelope with her name. Violet shoves it in her purse.

 

VIOLET

Thanks.

 

Sylvie nods again towards it. Violet’s brow furrows, straightening it out again and flipping it over. There’s a disco ball sticker on the seal.

 

VIOLET

That’s cute.

 

SYLVIE

It’s a sign.

 

VIOLET

It’s a sticker, Sylvie.

 

SYLVIE

And we get a random one every

other week, but this is most

definitely a sign that you need

to experience one night of nightlife.

 

Violet takes the envelope.

​

VIOLET

I really shouldn’t.

Don’t you get tired from work?

 

SYLVIE

Yes, because I’m old, but

you’re not.

 

Violet checks the schedule posted on the wall. Her finger tracing the column under her name. Tomorrow’s shift isn’t until noon. She accepts Sylvie’s challenge. She sighs.

 

VIOLET

I’ll need a to-go cup.

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - EVENING

 

She pours a giant plastic cup of plain coffee into her NYC mug, taking a gulp of it, her face distorting from its bitterness.

 

She plugs her phone in, as she’s about to set it back on the box, she sighs. She’s opening the box. There’s old vinyls, some clothes, art supplies, cameras, a record player. Suddenly, she pulls her hand from the box, her palm bleeding. She moves out of frame, camera reveals a broken picture frame.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - LATER

 

Violet’s hand is bandaged as she sorts through the final box, holding up a plaid mini skirt.

​

She tries it on, smoothing out the wrinkles. Then, she puts on a pair of heeled boots. A much edgier look than what her current style is. At first it feels like a costume, but everything fits Violet perfectly. She shakes her head, not taking this look seriously.

 

She takes another gulp of coffee. Still bitter.

 

She digs through another box. Now, her belongings are all scattered around the floor. She finds an old bag filled with makeup products.

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT/BED

 

She applies powder, mascara, eyeliner, highlighter, then a light layer of red lip gloss. She looks over at her face in the compact mirror.

 

INT. VIOLET’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

She takes the final sip of the coffee, setting the mug on the counter. The front door closes.

 

EXT. RUBY’S - NIGHT

 

Violet flashes her ID to the bouncer, who unhooks the rope, letting Violet into the theater venue.

 

INT. RUBY’S - CONTINUOUS

 

The venue is a converted theater. The old architecture still remains, but the plush seats have been removed. Violet’s eyes move up and around the grand ceiling design. To her left is one of the bars.

 

INT. RUBY’S/BAR - CONTINUOUS

 

Violet eyes the bartender, who leans forward.

​

VIOLET

Can I get a gin and tonic?

 

BARTENDER

You sure you don’t want

one of the specials tonight?

 

They point at a sign on the bar with a list of curated cocktails. Violet reaches for her wallet.

 

VIOLET

I’m good.

 

BARTENDER

Seriously. They are amazing.

 

Violet watches them for a beat.

 

VIOLET

Okay. I guess the cherry one.

​

The bartender nods.

 

BARTENDER

Coming right up.

 

Violet turns her back to the bar, looking around at the crowded venue.It wasn’t hard to get in, but still it looks like a very coordinated event. She watches with a slightly judgmental look.

 

The drink is set down, she hands the bartender the money, turns around and takes a sip. Quickly, she chokes on the drink, her eyes widened.

 

She spots someone in the crowd, looking at her. But they are already walking towards her. She can’t get out of this. Her body stiffens.

 

TATUM

Hey! Surprise to see you

here!

 

VIOLET

I’m surprised to see you

here, Tatum.

​

Tatum has long, straightened brown hair, reaching past her denim shorts. She’s wearing her clothes effortlessly, while Violet looks more like she’s wearing a costume.

 

TATUM

You look exactly the same.

 

She says it with a smile, like she’s impressed. Violet looks caught.

 

TATUM (CONT’D)

And you live in San

Francisco now.

 

Violet nods.

 

VIOLET

Just for a month now.

Still getting used to it.

 

TATUM

Yeah. This city’s the best.

I mean Scout and I love our

place in LA, so...

 

Violet studies her response.

 

VIOLET

You and Scout are in LA.

 

TATUM

I know. We’re still together

after everything.

 

Violet nods, taking another sip, stuck on what to say next.

 

TATUM

Look. I hope this isn’t

overstepping, but they’re

performing here, well at

another venue, in a couple weeks.

 

VIOLET

Oh­—

 

TATUM

I know you hate to hear it,

but... they’re great.

 

VIOLET

Not sure they’d want me

there.

​

Tatum’s about to respond, guilt on her face for mentioning it.

 

VIOLET (CONT’D)

It’s fine. But please don’t

tell them you bumped into me

tonight.

 

Tatum bites her tongue and nods. Violet takes another sip, walking past Tatum to the bathroom.

 

INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

 

Violet closes the door to a stall. Squeezing her eyes shut to stop from tearing up. She inhales slowly. Music from the stage starts, seeping into the bathroom. She exhales.

 

INT. NYC CONCERT - FLASHBACK

 

On a small stage, a woman rocks to the beat of music. We don’t see her face, but she’s singing at a microphone stand.

 

INT. BATHROOM

 

Violet re-opens her eyes, slight worry in her eyebrows.

 

INT. THEATER - MOMENTS LATER

 

Violet’s making her way to the exit, but slows, approaching the crowd now. The lights are flashing the same blue and red in the beginning. The sound of her heartbeat increases with the sound of the singing. Her eyes locked on the singer. The same composition as the beginning. The song concludes. The crowd cheers. 

 

The singer, smiles and shouts:

 

CHERRY

San Francisco!

We’re Cherry and the Queens!

 

Cherry’s wearing a black mini skirt, with a Cherry pin. Even from far away, Violet can see her long lashes. Violet mesmerized, a smile growing, like every worry from the past is washed away.

​

TO BE CONTINUED...