Excerpt from "Baby" - A Short Film about Class and Sex

INT. DINER - NIGHT

Opening shot shows the entirety of the diner from one end of the restaurant - on the right the booths extend back into space towards the door, on the left we see the aisle

and the hint of a counter. Through the back window we see the sign "Open 7 days a week! 5am-Midnight!" A few patrons sit in the booth mid-way towards the door, talking quietly.

Medium shot of a cook behind the kitchen window texting on his phone, no activity on the stove.

Cut to a medium shot of our waitress, BABY, behind the register. She is tired, leaning against the counter with wisps of hair falling out from her messy bun. Her uniform is rumpled and slightly stained. She rubs her eyes.

BABY looks out towards the patrons and then pulls her phone out. She clicks home and we see the time: 11:34 p.m. She accepts this and slips her phone back into her apron.

Suddenly there's a "ding" as MAN walks into the diner. He is young and handsome, wearing a suit with the jacket tucked over the arm holding his briefcase. He is on the phone.

MAN

It'll be done by then, I brought

the reports home with me. I'm

showing it to Mark after the

briefing with marketing.

BABY stands up straighter at the new arrival. As MAN walks further inside, still talking on the phone, BABY grabs a menu tiredly and turns to fill up a glass with water.

MAN (CONT'D)

I'll tell you what - I'll shoot

you the finalized report tomorrow,

we can go from there. I'm just

sitting down to get some food, I'm

fucking starved.

The cook smiles sympathetically at BABY as they make eye contact. BABY smiles back exaggeratedly.

BABY walks over to the booth to see MAN ending his phone call. He is looking down as she places the water down in front of him.

BABY

Hi, how're you doing today?

MAN puts his phone down and finally notices the waitress. He looks over her deliberately and smiles slowly.

MAN

Doing much better now, baby.

A closeup on BABY shows her smile tighten.

BABY

Can I start you off with something

to drink?

MAN

Get me a coffee. With sugar.

Shouldn't be too hard for you.

BABY

I think I can handle that. I'll be

right back.

As BABY walks away MAN turns to watch her walk away before turning back with a laugh and opening his menu.

BABY walks behind the counter and grabs the coffee maker and a mug. She stands for a second and blows out a breath before turning with a smile and walking back.

BABY pours coffee for MAN and makes to walk back towards the counter. MAN's hand comes out to block BABY's path; he grabs her by the apron, right on her thigh.

MAN

Hold on a second, sweetheart. You

gonna take my order or what?

BABY

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't think you'd

find what you wanted so fast.

MAN

I'm a man that knows what he

wants.

MAN takes the hand clutching her apron and rubs his hand minutely over her thigh. BABY takes a step back.

BABY

(forced) What can I get

you?)

MAN smirks for another second before holding out his menu.

MAN

A shortstack with sausage and

homefries. And make it quick,

would you? I wouldn't wanna keep a

pretty girl working so late.

BABY keeps her smile tight as she clenches the menu from MAN's hands.

BABY

I'll go put that in for you.

BABY goes back to behind the counter visibly frustrated and upset. She inputs the order on the screen.