EXT. STREET OUTSIDE LAUNDERETTE - EVENING

Ariel is locking up the launderette at the end of her working day. As she turns around she sees Scott

SCOTT THORNTON: Ariel, I’ve had enough. You’re coming home with me.

Scott grabs her by the arm

Ariel tries to shrug him off

ARIEL:I’m not going anywhere with you

SCOTT THORNTON: My Father told me that you’re living in a third world apartment. It’s no way to live when you’ve got options

ARIEL: I don’t like my options particularly the ones concerning you. Now go away and leave me alone. I’d rather live on the street than live with you.

SCOTT THORNTON: That can be arranged.

Scott pulls her arm again.

Dieter arrives on the scene.

DIETER: Leave her alone. It’s a free world Ariel can do what she wants.

SCOTT THORNTON: If it isn’t waiter boy. Are you going to support her? You couldn’t give her anything like the life I can give her

DIETER: Ariel isn’t mine, no more than she isn’t yours. If she wants to walk away from her wife beater husband then that’s her right.

SCOTT THORNTON: Wife beater eh? I ought to string you up for a comment like that. I’ll make you wish you hadn’t been born. First I’m going to teach you a lesson. Marquis of Queensbury rules.

He raises his fists and starts dancing with his feet like a boxer.

SCOTT THORNTON: I studied boxing in college. I was as good as anyone there. You are about to feel pain waiter boy.

Scott aims two punches at Dieter’s head but Dieter ducks out of the way. He then delivers two punches to Dieters body with minimal impact. Dieter strikes him on the chin

DIETER: I graduated from the school of hard knocks. Never leave yourself wide open

Scott is temporarily dazed.

DIETER (to Ariel): Come on Ariel

As Dieter and Ariel walk away Scott taunts them

SCOTT THORNTON: This is assault. I’ll sue you for every penny you’ve got

DIETER: In my case that is probably a day of your wages.

INT. LOCAL DINER - DAY

Ariel was seated in the diner beside Holly with Dieter behind the bar

DIETER: The Whirlwinds have recorded a new single. I have two hundred copies if you’d like to buy one

ARIEL: I’m not really that interested

DIETER: It’s called “I could die now”. It has a Radio version, a megamix version, a stripped back version and a papal version. One of the band members recently discovered god so hence the papal version. It only costs two bucks.

ARIEL: Does it have an ice cream sundae version

DIETER: No

ARIEL: I think I’ll pass.

Two police detectives and two uniformed police officers enter

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Dieter Rosenwood, I’m Detective Asenhaur. We’d like you to come down to the station to answer a few questions.

DIETER: What for?

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: We’re investigating a possible assault that took place last night.

DIETER: Assault? He assaulted me first

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Like I said, we’d like you to come down to the station

HANK (DINER OWNER): Couldn’t you do this more discreetly? My customers won’t be impressed and he could drop down when he’s finished his shift.

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: If he doesn’t come now we may be forced to arrest him in front of all your valued customers.

DIETER: Sorry boss (apologetically)

HANK: It’s alright Dieter. I know you wouldn’t hurt a fly

INT. ARIEL'S NEW APARTMENT

Scott visits Ariel

ARIEL: What do you want?

SCOTT THORNTON: I want to come to some sort of agreement

ARIEL: What kind of agreement?

SCOTT THORNTON: It’s about this assault

ARIEL: You’re the one who should be locked up

SCOTT THORNTON: Oh yeah? Well, if you partake in this investigation, I will see to it that loverboy will never walk again.

ARIEL: You wouldn’t

SCOTT THORNTON: Oh yes I would Don’t worry, he’ll be out in six months. If he lasts that long. All it takes is one phone call from me. Do you understand?

ARIEL: You’re a monster

SCOTT THORNTON: Do you understand?

ARIEL: I understand

INT. POLICE STATION INTERROGATION ROOM - EVENING

At the police Station Dieter and Detective Asenhaur and Detective O Meara are seated in the interrogation room.

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Look son, if you confess, you’re likely to be out of jail in a couple of weeks and you can put the whole thing behind you. Chances are, you may not even have to go to jail

DIETER: It’s not right. I can’t do what is not right. I shouldn’t have hit him but he tried to punch me four times.

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Now, Mr Thornton has filed a complaint and he has witnesses. Three bystanders agree with his story

DIETER: And what about CCTV?

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Conveniently for you, all the CCTV evidence has been destroyed. Now if you would just make a confession we can put this all to bed.

DIETER: What about Ariel? She witnessed it. Did you get her statement.

DETECTIVE ASENHAUR: Mr Thornton, said that yourself and Mr Thornton were the only people present at this altercation. He said something about you wanting to take his wife from him and you punched him in the face

DIETER: That’s not true. She was there.

An old man enters the interrogation room

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: 64 years old, thinning white hair, five feet eleven inches tall, slim build, dressed in a suit that looked twenty years old

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: Gentleman, my name is Duncan Oxbridge. I have been asked to represent Mr Rosenwood. May I have a few minutes alone with my client?

Both police detectives leave the room.

DIETER: Who appointed you?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: Your aunt Trixie. She is a friend of my younger sister

DIETER: No offence but are you sure you won’t keel over during the trial?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: I’m as fit as a fiddle

DIETER: How much are you going to set me back?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: $150 an hour. The lowest rate in the city

DIETER: I only earn $20 an hour. How can I possibly repay you?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: I know you’ll be good for it.

DIETER: Have you won many cases?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: A few

DIETER: How many have you lost?

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: Too many to mention. Well I do defend a lot of low-lifes

DIETER: That’s comforting

DUNCAN OXBRIDGE: So, what have you told them so far?

INT. ARIEL'S HOME - DAY

Ariel enters her Father’s kitchen

ARIEL: Hey Dad

NICOLAE: It’s great to see you

ARIEL: I see you’re becoming a dab hand at cooking the dinner. Don’t you encourage Malcolm to help out from time to time

NICOLAE: Malcolm has to study. We’re hoping he earns a scholarship like Brandon did.

ARIEL: Dad, Aunt Rosie, told me that you lost your job. I want to help. You have enough trouble as it is putting Malcolm through school

NICOLAE: I don’t need your help Ariel I can manage

ARIEL: I know its not much but Scott has given me two thousand dollars to help you

NICOLAE: It’s not Scott’s money Ariel. It’ s yours. I know you left him. He didn’t help us out when you were married and he’s not going to help us out when you’re divorced. Keep your money Ariel

ARIEL:  Dad, you need it more than I do.

NICOLAE: Please Ariel

ARIEL: If it came from Brandon, would you take it

NICOLAE: Brandon has enough things to be worrying about

ARIEL: Brandon is a qualified Doctor. He makes plenty of money and he’s never repaid a cent of the money you invested in his career. You’re lucky if you see him once a year

NICOLAE: Ariel, that’s no way to talk about your brother. What would your mother think?

ARIEL: Oh Dad, I’m just looking out for you. I’m trying to help you

NICOLAE: I can manage just fine.

ARIEL: At least, let me help with the dinner. You don’t want to overcook the potatoes.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM OF HINCHLEY & SOLOMON - AFTERNOON

One year later Sylvester Gordon walks into the conference room for a review with Mr Hinchley and Mr Horton. He has just qualified as a lawyer

MR HINCHLEY: 59 YEARS OLD, MOSTLY BALD, WELL DRESSED, FIVE FEET SIX INCHES TALL, TWO STONE OVERWEIGHT, WHITE HAIR WITH A GOATEE

MR HINCHLEY: Sit down Gordon

Sylvester sits down in a chair with Mr Horton and Mr Hincley on the opposite side of the table

MR HINCHLEY: Mr Horton has kept me informed of your progress. You may be aware that we hired five young recruits in the past eighteen months and we are now in a recession. Of the five recruits we have to let one go. Having discussed the matter with my colleagues, your name is bottom of the list.

SYLVESTER: My scores were better than everyone

MR HINCHLEY: On the contrary, Gordon, Mr Lewisham fared better

SYLVESTER: Which means I came second?

MR HINCHLEY: It’s not all about scores Gordon. Your attitude is questionable and of the other three candidates, two are the children of very wealthy clients and the third frankly is finer lawyer material.

SYLVESTER: Mr Hinchley, I came here expecting a pay rise. What am I going to tell my girlfriend?

MR HINCHLEY: That is not my concern. You will be paid until the end of the week. Goodbye.

EXT. OUTSIDE DINER - NIGHT

Dieter is locking up the store. Ariel approaches.

ARIEL: Dieter, I have something to tell you.

DIETER: Well, that’s what I’m here for

ARIEL: I can’t be a witness at your trial

Dieter doesn’t respond for a moment and is visibly stressed

DIETER: Is there a reason?

ARIEL: Scott said he would cut me off completely without any financial support if I testified

DIETER: I understand. You’re worried about the money.

ARIEL: Well I guess when it comes down to it, I’ve always been fond of money

DIETER: We all look out for number one in many of the things we do. You and I are no different. I guess that’s why I’m blessed to have Holly. She’s never let me down yet.

Cut to Holly, making love with the whirlwinds lead singer.

HOLLY: Oh Jugghead, you’re amazing.

JUGGHEAD: I know

HOLLY: That’s ten times better than any man I’ve met before, including Dieter

JUGGHEAD: Who is Dieter?

HOLLY: Your guitarist

JUGGHEAD: Oh yeah

INT. BOLIVAR RESTAURANT - EVENING

Sylvester and his girlfriend Tallulah are seated at a table in an expensive restaurant

TALLULAH: Do you like my dress? I got it for under a thousand bucks

SYLVESTER: It’s very nice honey

TALLULAH: Well, aren’t you going to tell me about your pay review? How did it go?

SYLVESTER: It didn’t. We’re in a recession honey. I was let go.

TALLULAH: You were let go? How am I supposed to pay for this dress then. My account is already in overdraft. You promised me things would be looking up once you got your exams and they let you go. What kind of loser are you?

SYLVESTER: I am not a loser. This is just a set back. 

TALLULAH: I can’t live off my parents for the rest of my life. I can’t tell my parents that they will have to put me through med school and support my boyfriend as well. Set back? I’m keeping this dress but I’m not going to spend another minute with a loser like you.

Tallulah stands up and walks out

Sylvester is despondent

The waiter approaches

WAITER: Would you like to order sir?

SYLVESTER: I’m not hungry

WAITER: Do you need more time?

SYLVESTER: I’m sorry but I’m going to have to leave. Something came up.

Sylvester stands up and leaves his table

EXT. OUTSIDE BOLIVAR RESTAURANT - NIGHT

HOMELESS MAN: Sir, could you spare some change

Sylvester hands him a few coins from his pocket

SYLVESTER: Promise me you want spend that on drink

HOMELESS MAN: Scouts honour sir

Sylvester is downbeat and leans with his back against a wall

MELANIE: Sylvester Gordon, is that you?

SYLVESTER: Melanie?

MELANIE: How are you? Are you a big shot now?

SYLVESTER: Yeah, I guess you could say that. How did your singing career pan out?

MELANIE: It crashed and burned. I’m a business woman now. I have my own clothes store. I even try to produce my own stuff. It’s going well. Not as well as you but I’m more than getting by.

SYLVESTER: Glad to hear it. Would you like to grab a coffee

MELANIE: You want to grab a coffee with me?

SYLVESTER: I’m sure Leroy won’t mind

MELANIE: It’s not that Sylvester. Five years ago, you wouldn’t mix with low lives like us.

SYLVESTER: Well, I do know a place that makes a mean cup of coffee.