"Cliche"

Cliché

(The year is 1970. The sun was blazing hot in Alabama Texas. The sounds of Elvis could be heard blaring through the radio. A large bald headed man kept going back and forth to the counter to get change for the slot machine. It mad a loud creak every time he pulled on the lever. He stared at the machine in anticipation that he would get three matching cherries. But all he got was 2 cherries and an apple. He kicked the machine in frustration and left the café.)

Jane: Don’t worry it’s not you it’s me. (Jane laughs at the milk split on the floor.)

Mark: I’ll get this mess cleaned up! You were mean't to be finished 30 minutes ago, its 8.30 now.

Jane: Well the bills got to be paid Mr.

(Jane looks over her shoulder to see if anybody is looking. She taps Mark on the shoulder, he turns around and she kisses him softly on the lips. Mark smiles at her, he is in awe.)

Jane: Hurry up so we can go, I’ve got a surprise for you.

Mark: Jane I have to close up the café.

(A few workers walk past Mark tipping their hat and say 'Cheers Boss' They always acknowledged him during the shifts, they all admired him and looked up to him.The light flickered as mosquitoes and flies kept flying hitting the light.)

Jane: Don’t be a dull Dave, you need some excitement in your life baby. Live on the wild side!

(She squeezed his arm and let him go. She blew a kiss at him as she walked to the back. Mark couldn't keep his eyes off her long flowing ginger locks. Her beauty and graceful nature always kept him in a trance. 30 minutes later Jane pulled out to the front in her chevy, she swung the passenger door open for Mark. He hopped in and she sped into the sunset. She drove through the desert, past the farms and through another`desert. She eventually pulled outside a canyon. Jane hopped out and pulled Mark out of the car, she held his hand and the skipped to the edge of the canyon.)

Jane: Isn’t this place beautiful?

Mark: Damn Jane! It’s amazing, I’m not too excited about the height but I can admit that the view is amazing!

Jane: Don’t be a wimp! There is more to life than the café! Haha

Mark: I know I’m a little reserved but I can have fun. Hell since I've met you people said I've changed, I've become more daring. Life is too short as they say I guess.

Jane: Yes baby life is too sweet, and my love for you is sweet as well.

(Mark stared into her eyes.)

Mark: I love you too.

Jane: Let’s leave this place. Let’s do something crazy. I’m tired of these Texas folk, their snobs and racists.

Mark: I know some of them got old values but they good at heart.

Jane: Lets go baby!

Mark: Where? New York?

Jane: No! Brazil, England, Paris, I don’t care but we need to get out of here! Haven’t you ever wanted to do something crazy in your life? Break the rules? Won’t you break the leaves for the one you love?

Mark: You know I run that café sweet heart, I'm opening another one in Ohio as well. I'm building an empire. It’s for both of us not just me.

Jane: So? You can make a chain of businesses in Japan. You know they are making all the latest technology, one day they will be the most popular, I promise you.

Mark: You have everything but you can’t see into the future!

Jane: Haha!

Mark: What has come over you? Why you so insistant in leaving? We got something solid here in Texas. In 5 years we won’t have to go into the café, we can just run them without cleaning a single plate. This is just the hustle period. We have to grind it out then we will be certified in the business.

Jane: I understand and respect your hustle but life is short.

Mark: Be patient baby. I’m doing this for us, everything I do is for us

(Jane hugs him tightly and squeezes his behind. She winks at him.)

Mark: Your so dangerous. Your cute freckles, blue eyes and ginger pig tails don’t fool me Maam!

(Jane giggled.)

Jane: Relax, its just me you and these stars out here.

(She looks anxiously at her watch. Mark notices this.)

Mark: We should get back.

Jane: Why? The night is still young, lets enjoy the fresh air and night breeze. It’s not like we have work tomorrow.

Mark: I know but I need to review the accounts and sign some contracts.

(He takes her by the hand, he dusts her down and kisses her on the fore head. They walk to chevy but Jane halts.)

Jane: Look you left your hat you clown.

(She runs to the edge of the canyon and picks it up, she begins to twirl around and laugh at the edge of the canyon, teetering right at the edge but she does not seem worried at all.)

Jane: (Screams) Oh Marky baby boy! Come and save me!

Mark: Haha! Stop that you crazy lady there is no way im coming over there. I'm scared as well I can’t deny it!

Jane: Awww come on the view is great here.

(Mark walks over timidly, he takes each step slowly, Jane yanks him towards her, he gasps in fear and she laughs as they sway. The rocks beneath them roll over the side of the canyon. The echo of the rocks hitting the floor at least 1,000 ft below them could be heard. Jane is laughing hysterically.)

Jane: You think I’m going to throw you off?

Mark: Naww! But it sure feels like you want to!

Jane: (Kisses him on the cheek.) Let’s go Mr. Business man.

(They eventually walk towards to the car. As they shut the door a rattle snake slithers past the front of the car. Mark puts the car in reverse and peels off. Jane looks at her watch again. She uses her left hand to run her fingers through Marks long hair. She smiles as the feeling sends shivers down his spine. A few minutes later Mark looks into the rear view mirror and can see a police car behind them. He puts his eyes back on the road. Another rattle snake slithers past the car. He looks into his rear view and notices that the police car is flashing him to stop. He pulls over to the side. )

Mark: What’s the problem officer?

Officer: License and registration please.

(Mark retrieves documents from the glove compartment and hands them to the officer. He scans them and hands them back.)

Mark: Will that be all?

Officer: Step out the vehicle Sir, Maam would you step out as well.

Mark: What the hell? What’s going on here? We haven’t done anything.

Officer: It’s just a random check, I’m going to have a check through your boot, a lot of people have been trafficking narcotics in and out of the country. This will take a few minutes.

Jane: The hell is wrong with you!

Mark: Ssshh!

Jane: No seriously!? You have no right!

Officer: Maam please be quiet!

(He proceeds to search and scan the car.)

Officer: Ok no signs of any drugs or illegal substances your free to go.

(Jane throws herself at Mark and holds him tightly. Tears stream from her eyes and she kisses him on the cheek.)

Jane: I get so nervous.

Mark: Relax baby, were clean, all the way on the straight and narrow. We got nothing to worry about. You were dancing on the edge of the canyon I’m sure a quick police check isn’t a big deal to you, I mean…

(Behind Mark’s back she winks at the officer. He takes out his baton and blows Mark on the head. His weight pushes Jane to the floor. He is seemingly unconscious. She scrambles from the floor and dusts herself down. The officer handcuffs Mark. Jane opens the the boot of the police car and takes out a can of gas and empties it onto the chevy. She lights a match and sets the car alight. It immediately sets ablaze. She reaches into her bra and retrieves a safe key. She removed it from Mark’s back pocket earlier. She hands it over to the officer.)

Jane: Here you go Jamie. And what the hell took you so long? This key is the safe to all the money and all the ownership for the café chains. We are taking over hunny!

Jamie: Haha! Dude was a loser, too much of a nice guy, you know what they say about nice guys.

Jane: I know, I know. Let’s get out of here.

(She walked over to Mark’s body and bent down and whispered in his ear.)

Jane: It’s not you, it’s me.

(She hopped in the car with Officer Jamie and set off onto the highway. 3 snakes closed in on Mark’s 

helpless body ready to strike.)

End Scene