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