Daddy's Boy

A work of fiction

by Miles Griffis

FADE IN:

INT. WOODROW RESTAURANT- NIGHT

There are beautiful wooden racks built into the walls holding bottles of wine. The lighting is low, glowing orange or off-red. The wood floor is dark oak. Most of the diners are men, except for a table of three women. This is a masculine space.

Two men talk in the center of the fancy restaurant. They drink tall frothy beers. The OLDER MAN and the YOUNGER MAN are presumably father and son as they look alike and have a more than 20 year age difference. Both have broad shoulders and lean muscular builds. The older man is dressed as if he just came from work. He wears a trim midnight blue suit and the younger is in khaki pants and a washed blue oxford.

OLDER MAN

I’m so proud of you, son.

YOUNGER MAN

Yeah, I can’t believe I got it. There were so many other

applicants for the position. And they picked…me.

OLDER MAN

The interview always makes the difference. I told you.

YOUNGER MAN

I wasn’t nervous because I didn’t think I had a chance.

OLDER MAN

You weren’t nervous because we ironed it all out the night before.

YOUNGER MAN

Thanks for helping me with that,old man!

OLDER MAN

(Smiling)

Hey- watch it boy!

The older man extends his index and middle fingers and flicks them towards himself. A handsome WAITER in a black shirt and dark chinos walks over immediately.His sleeves are cleanly rolled up to his elbows. He is about the same age as the younger man. He has the sharp face of a model.

WAITER

Yes, sir?

OLDER MAN

We’ll have a bottle of Moet. 

WAITER

Right away, sir. Celebrating?

OLDER MAN

We are. He just got the best entry-level in the city.

The younger man puts his right hand on his forehead and lowers his gaze to the table, slouching.

YOUNGER MAN

Dad, please stop. I’m embarrassed.

WAITER

Well, congratulations. 

The waiter and the younger man make eye contact for a lingering moment. The waiter continues to smile but turns to look at the older man.

WAITER (CONT’D)

I’ll bring two glasses and the champagne

right away, sir. Anything else?

OLDER MAN

No. We’re still deciding on dinner. Thanks.

The waiter leaves and the younger man sits up quickly and adjusts his posture. It is perfect.

YOUNGER MAN

Why do you always have to embarrass me? I’m not

your little boy for fuck’s sake!

OLDER MAN

(Sternly)

Hey. Watch your mouth young man.

We’re in public.

YOUNGER MAN

I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m almost twenty-two.

I don’t want to be treated like a little Boy Scout.

OLDER MAN

(Laughs)

I know you’re a big strong man, but

it doesn’t mean you won’t always be my boy. 

YOUNGER MAN

Yeah. I’ll always be your little boy, Daddy. 

The waiter comes back to the table with a knife, the two champagne glasses and the bottle of Moet. He sets the glasses down and peels the foil from the top of the bottle. As he does this, we have a close up shot of his strong and veiny forearms. The younger man is looking at them. The older man sees.

OLDER MAN

(Gesturing at the bottle)

I’ll take that.

WAITER

Oh? Yes sir. Of course.

The older man takes the knife and bottle. He takes off his suit coat, hands it to the waiter, rolls up his sleeves and picks up the bottle and knife and cracks the cork. It rockets into an open corner of the restaurant with a POP. The table of three women SHRIEK. The older man pours the champagne and then hands the waiter the knife. The waiter puts the knife in his apron and takes out a notebook, still holding the suit coat.

WAITER

Are you gentlemen ready to order?

OLDER MAN

We are. I’ll have the hard wood rib-eye and he’ll

have the grilled chicken breast salad.

The younger man again drops his head.

WAITER

Excellent choices, sir. Would you like an appetizer?

OLDER MAN

I would have ordered one if I did.

WAITER

Right. Of course, sir. Thank you.

The waiter collects their menus and rushes off. The younger man watches him leave.

YOUNGER MAN

Why did you have to order for me? I thought we

were celebrating. Can’t I have a steak, Daddy? Please.

The older man takes his napkin and unfolds it before putting it on his lap. He is unamused.

OLDER MAN

Are you questioning me in public boy?

YOUNGER MAN

No it’s just…

OLDER MAN

(Sternly)

It’s just that you need to learn how to keep

your pretty little mouth shut.

The young man is stunned. The table of three women begin to laugh in their own conversation. One of them cackles hysterically.

OLDER MAN (CONT’D)

I’ll bend you over my knee right here if you

misbehave again. I’ve done it in public before

and I’ll do it again boy.

YOUNGER MAN

No Daddy, please. Not here. I’m sorry. You’re right.

I shouldn’t have spoken up.

OLDER MAN

That’s right, boy.

The women stop laughing. The older man picks up his glass and the younger man follows his lead. The younger man adjusts his posture again so it is perfect.

OLDER MAN (CONT’D)

That’s a good boy. You’re learning. Shoulders back.

Chest out. Ribs buried.

The younger man holds his champagne glass out and puts on a smile.

OLDER MAN (CONT’D)

To you boy, and your new career.

YOUNGER MAN

To my first job.

They cheers.

OLDER MAN

Career. Your career, son. Why aren’t you more excited?

YOUNGER MAN

I don’t know. It’s a scary commitment. I mean you know,

I’m sure I will be fine but I don’t want to commit to it for

forever. I’m young I should always be trying new things. You

taught me that. Right?

OLDER MAN

Of course, boy. But your career isn’t something you switch around.

You’re set up for an early start. Just like I was.

YOUNGER MAN

I’m just worried I should try something else before I start up.

OLDER MAN

Boy, the world moves fast. You can’t put an

opportunity like this on hold.

The waiter arrives with the two entrees.

WAITER

A rib-eye for you, sir. And a chicken breast salad for you.

Would either of you like pepper?

OLDER MAN

Yes please. Just a touch.

WAITER

Yes, of course sir.

YOUNGER MAN

And me as well, please.

WAITER

Of course.

The waiter cranks pepper onto their meals. The younger man notices the waiter’s sharp jawline, handsome face and forearms.

WAITER (CONT’D)

Say when-

YOUNGER MAN

(Frantically)

Yes. Yes. Thank you so much. Sorry. That’s perfect.

The waiter is amused. He looks at the older man.

WAITER

Is there anything else I can-

OLDER MAN

That’s all.

The older man flicks his hand at the waiter shooing him away.

OLDER MAN

Checking out the waiter, son?

YOUNGER MAN

No, of course not, Daddy. I was just in thought.

OLDER MAN

Is that right?

YOUNGER MAN

Yeah, you asked what else I wanted to try and well, I’ve been

wanting to tell you something.

OLDER MAN

Go on.

YOUNGER MAN

Well, I’ve been taking a sculpture elective course this past semester.

OLDER MAN

Why are you telling me like it’s some big secret? I

think that’s great. You know I’m a supporter of the arts. I took you all the way to New

York so I could show you the MET.

YOUNGER MAN

How could I forget that, Daddy.

OLDER MAN

That’s great son. The arts are so important for young men.

YOUNGER MAN

My instructor says I might really be something.

OLDER MAN

I don’t doubt it. You have a great eye for form.

A table of four fat business men nearby erupt in SHOUTS. Their waiter has knocked a glass of wine over two of them. The other men laugh cruelly.

YOUNGER MAN

It’s my passion.

OLDER MAN

Your passion?

YOUNGER MAN

I love it, Daddy.

The woman behind them begins laughing hysterically and harshly.

OLDER MAN

(Angrily)

Son- you will be a business man.

YOUNGER MAN

Daddy, listen-

OLDER MAN

I didn’t pay for your college tuition for you to be

an artist rotting on the streets.

YOUNGER MAN

I just need a year to play with it. See my potential.

OLDER MAN

You’re all set up and cared for. You don’t want to stick with the job?

YOUNGER MAN

I just need a year of experience. That’s all. Then if

it feels right, I’ll go right into the job.

OLDER MAN

Have you told your parents about this plan?

YOUNGER MAN

No.

The younger man’s eyes water.

YOUNGER MAN (CONT’D)

Daddy, to hell with them. I still haven’t

heard from them since I came out.

OLDER MAN

Still?

YOUNGER MAN

They don’t matter.

OLDER MAN

You’re all set up. I don’t want you to regret this.

YOUNGER MAN

I just need time. Maybe just the summer. I want to travel.

Go to Europe like you did when you were my age.

The waiter returns to check on the table.

WAITER

How is everything tasting?

OLDER MAN

Excellent. Thanks.

The older man waves off the waiter again and he leaves.

OLDER MAN

Travel is important. A man should live abroad

at least once in his life.

YOUNGER MAN

So you support me?

OLDER MAN

We’ll talk more later, son. Eat your salad.

The two men continue to eat. The younger man watches the handsome waiter behind the bar, who smiles and then winks before walking off to the kitchen. The older man turns to see what the younger man is looking at but the waiter is already gone.

OLDER MAN

That’s enough of that boy.

YOUNGER MAN

I wasn’t-

OLDER MAN

How many, son?

YOUNGER MAN

No, no please Daddy.

OLDER MAN

How many?

YOUNGER MAN

Not here, please Daddy.

Please.

The younger man is uncomfortable but excited. He adjusts himself below the table.

OLDER MAN

How many for keeping a secret and how

many for throwing your eyes at the waiter?

YOUNGER MAN

Daddy, please not here. You can’t. Please.

OLDER MAN

How many?

YOUNGER MAN

I don’t know. I don’t know. Twenty?

Please don’t. Come on. Not here.

OLDER MAN

Stand up boy.

The younger man stands up and steps towards the older man, who grabs him and tosses him over his lap. The older man loosens the younger man’s belt and pulls his pants down so his white briefs are exposed. The older man spanks the younger man, counting slowly and deliberately. The younger man winces and SHOUTS at each spank.

The restaurant lights lower automatically, as if on a timer, to a burgundy glow.

The women nearby laugh maniacally at the spanking. The two fat businessmen chuckle. Their laughs vibrate their massive guts.

The entire restaurant watches the spanking in awkward silence. Some diners laugh nervously.

The younger man is bent over the older man’s lap, his buttocks now entirely exposed. The waiter watches from the bar and adjusts his crotch. The lights are glowing and we can hear the last slaps.

FADE OUT.

THE END