INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
DEXTER, 27, thin and scrawny with trimmed brown hair, wears a headset. He plays a game on his computer.
DEXTER
(Into headset)
Zac cover the left side! Laura I need to be healed!
Dexter CLICKS his mouse ferociously.
INT. ZAC’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
ZAC, 24, heavyset with shaggy hair and tight clothes, wears an identical headset as Dexter. He frowns at his computer screen.
ZAC
(into headset)
Dex I’m getting slaughtered!
DEXTER (V.O.)
Hold it or we’ll fail the whole thing.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
ZAC’S GAME CHARACTER, a large blue warlock, swings a large club. A mob of ENEMIES surround him and shoot him with arrows.
A final arrow strikes him in the head. He falls to the ground.
BACK TO SCENE
ZAC
Damnit!
Zac SLAMS the desk with is hands.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dexter shoves his keyboard away from him.
DEXTER
Zac!
Dexter runs his hands through his hair.
INT. CHAD’S OFFICE - DAY
CHAD, 25, stunningly handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes, sits back in his seat and grins.
CHAD
Uh oh, you done pissed off our fearless leader. Better run, Zac.
Chad drinks from a cup.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dexter sits at his desk.
DEXTER
I’m not mad. It’s just, Laura’s boyfriend is probably wanting her to get off and we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to try again.
INT. LAURA’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
LAURA, 28, beautiful, slightly heavyset, wears an aged headset, presses a button.
LAURA
No, we can try again. What’s another two hours amongst friends?
CHAD (V.O.)
Prince Charming is cool with that?
LAURA
Chris and I broke up a couple of months ago.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dexter perks up in his seat.
DEXTER
Wow, I guess we’ll have to go out some time, haha.
Dexter pauses.
CHAD (V.O.)
I’d pay to see that. The most socially awkward person on the planet out on a date with Laura.
ZAC (V.O.)
He’s not socially awkward.
CHAD (V.O.)
Maybe not online. But I remember Dex in high school as the senior who always ate lunch in the corner by himself.
Dexter’s Frowns.
He reaches for the power button on his computer.
ZAC (V.O.)
Dude what the fu...
Dexter powers off the computer. He stands up and walks towards an open door.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Dexter falls face first into his bed.
EXT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - DAY
Zac gets out of his car, walks to the front door, and knocks.
Dexter opens the door.
DEXTER
What are you doing here?
ZAC
Well since you were ignoring my calls, I figured I’d make sure you didn’t hang yourself.
DEXTER
I didn’t.
ZAC
Clearly.
Dexter and Zac look at each other.
ZAC (CONT’D)
So, are you going to invite me in?
Dexter moves from the door Zac enters.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Zac sits on the couch.
Dexter walks into the kitchen.
ZAC
So what the hell was that all about? With Chad I mean?
Dexter enters with two beers. He hands one to Zac.
DEXTER
The dude’s a douche.
Dexter sits on the couch.
ZAC
I thought you were friends.
Zac places his beer on the coffee table. Dexter picks it up and places a coaster under it.
DEXTER
So did I. But he’s still the same jerk from high school embarrassing me in front of a girl I like.
Zac looks around the apartment.
ZAC
You’re a bit of a neat freak, huh?
Dexter nods.
ZAC (CONT’D)
I didn’t know you liked Laura. You should go for it, man. I bet she’d say yes.
Dexter takes a sip of his beer.
DEXTER
Chad is right, though. The only friends I have are online. I’ve never been a social person outside of that realm.
ZAC
Dude, we’re having this conversation in person. Chad’s a jealous baby who likes to hurt people. We should boot him from the guild.
Dexter looks towards Zac.
DEXTER
You’re right.
ZAC
So you’ll kick him?
DEXTER
Not that. I should give it shot, huh? You and I became good online friends before we met in person.
ZAC
True.
DEXTER
Laura and I have gotten pretty close, so maybe she’s comfortable with the idea.
Dexter stands up and walks to his desk.
ZAC
Sounds to me like you’re the one who’s getting comfortable with the idea. She’s not as weird as you are.
Dexter smirks and turns his computer on.
He logs into his game and checks the guild board.
Chad and Laura are logged in.
Dexter puts on his headset.
DEXTER
Laura. I know I was kidding before, but I like you a lot and I think we should go on a date.
Silence.
DEXTER (CONT’D)
If you want to, that is.
CHAD (V.O.)
Oh my God. I literally just threw up in my mouth a little.
DEXTER
Why are you still here?
CHAD (V.O.)
Oh I was having a little chat with Laura before she went A.F.K. It was nice a quiet until you spewed verbal diarrhea all over the channel.
Zac pulls out his laptop and types.
ZAC
Dude, what did she say?
Dexter mutes his headset.
DEXTER
She’s not here, it’s just Chad being an ass.
ZAC
I’m logging in.
Zac types on his computer.
INT. CHAD’S OFFICE - DAY
Chad fiddles with the cord on his headset.
CHAD
Funny story, Dex. I like Laura too and I think I’m going to ask her out.
DEXTER (V.O.)
I don’t think you’re her type.
Chad leans forward in his chair.
CHAD
Oh, I’m exactly her type. I’m good looking, amazing in bed, and I’m not afraid to be in public. But I’ll throw you a bone.
Chad smiles and leans back.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Zac puts his headset on.
CHAD (V.O.)
I’ll back off from Laura if you make me the guild leader.
ZAC
Don’t do it. He’ll just kick you out and claim all the gold we’ve earned as his own.
CHAD
Stay out of it, troll. Let the grown ups talk.
Dexter mutes his mic and sits back in his chair.
DEXTER
Give up the guild for Laura? That doesn’t seem fair.
ZAC
That’s because it’s not.
Dexter unmutes his mic.
DEXTER
No. I’m going to ask her out as well and she can decide who she wants to date.
CHAD (V.O.)
It’ll be me. We both know this. The difference is, you actually care about her and all I want to do is get her naked and...
ZAC
Stop! Why don’t you guys handle this through a challenge. The best of three in player versus player gets the guild and Laura.
INT. CHAD’S OFFICE - DAY
Chad taps his mouth with his finger.
CHAD
I’ll agree to that. But let’s make it interesting. Let’s do it in person.
INT. DEXTER’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
DEXTER
What? Why?
CHAD (V.O.)
To make sure there are no lag issues, of course. And so I can see your face the moment after I defile your avatar.
DEXTER
Fine. I’ll be there.
CHAD (V.O.)
Tomorrow, noon, at LANS R US.
EXT. LANS R US - DAY
Dexter and Zac sit in a car. They stare at the internet cafe.
DEXTER
He’s pretty good.
ZAC
No, his character is good. Mage is the easiest class to be good at. You don’t think this dim witted jock has skill, do you?
DEXTER
Maybe not, but he is a jock, and jocks are more competitive than lonely shut ins like myself.
ZAC
It’s time.
Zac and Dexter get out of the car and walk towards the cafe.
ZAC (CONT’D)
You’re psyching yourself out. The knight is a good character and you’re so much smarter. Just stay focused on the prize.
INT. LANS R US - DAY
Dexter sets his laptop on the table and starts it up.
Zac sits next to him.
Chad walks into the cafe. He is well dressed. He winks at a waitress and strides over to Dexter.
CHAD
Let’s get this over with, noob. I have a date later.
ZAC
With who?
CHAD
Ah, some bimbo I work with. I need to get it out of the way now so I’ll have more room for Laura.
Chad winks at Dexter who scowls back.
Chad sets his laptop up and both players get logged in.
A small crowd gathers around.
ZAC
Okay. I will be officiating the match. This is a best of three player versus player match. The winner will presumably win Laura’s love, and take control of the guild.
Dexter wipes his sweaty hands on his jeans.
Chad cracks his knuckles and neck like a boxer getting ready to enter the ring.
ZAC (CONT’D)
The player will win if they kill the other person or burn down the other player’s capital city. Are you ready?
Chad nods his head.
DEXTER
Let’s do this.
The match begins.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
DEXTER’S KNIGHT moves through the virtual world.
He rides a horse over amountain and spots CHAD’S MAGE at the bottom.
The Knight shoots an arrow at the Mage.
The Mage whips around and sends a fireball towards the Knight.
The Knight deflects the fireball with his shield. It hurtles right back into the Mage, killing it.
BACK TO SCENE
Chad shakes his head.
Dexter nods his head and smiles.
ZAC
Round one goes to Dexter!
Round two begins.
Dexter sweats profusely. He uses his sleeve to wipe off his forehead.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
CHAD’S MAGE spots DEXTER’s KNIGHT.
The Mage sneaks up behind the Knight and assassinates him with a knife through the throat.
BACK TO SCENE
CHAD
WHOO!
ZAC
Round two goes to Chad.
Dexter shakes his head.
DEXTER
I wasn’t even playing yet, what the hell?
CHAD
Can it nerd. Play the game or go home.
Dexter wipes his hands off again. He peers into the crowd and sees Laura. She smiles at him. Dexter quickly looks away.
Round three begins.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
DEXTER’S KNIGHT rides his horse.
THE MAGE spots the Knight first and shoots fire and ice at him.
The Knight’s gets hit. His health is low. The Knight rides over the hill to safety.
BACK TO SCENE
Dexter frowns. He looks to Zac.
Zac subtly nods towards a fire extinguisher on the wall.
DEXTER
The capital city.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
THE KNIGHT circles behind CHAD’s MAGE.
The Mage walks over the mountain where the Knight was hiding.
The Knight finds the capital city of the Mage and sets fire to it.
CHAD
Oh, very clever. You can’t beat me in a fight so you try to attack my city?
DEXTER
Can it, nerd.
The Mage races to his city and extinguishes the fire.
The Knight sneaks up behind the Mage and assassinates him with a swift jab of his sword.
BACK TO SCENE
Dexter jumps out of his seat.
ZAC
Dexter wins!
Chad SLAMS the lid of his laptop.
CHAD
That’s bullshit and you know it!
Dexter shuts his laptop and faces Chad.
DEXTER
You’re out of the guild, Chad, and stay away from Laura.
Chad smiles at Dexter.
He sees Laura in the crowd and walks over to her.
CHAD
Hey, Laura. You’re looking great.
Laura rolls her eyes.
LAURA
Hi, Chad.
CHAD
Say, would you like to go on a date with me tonight?
Laura’s makes disgusted face.
LAURA
God no! Besides, don’t you have a date with a bimbo you work with?
Chad’s face turns red and he storms out of the cafe.
Laura approaches Dexter, who packs up his laptop.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Well that was fun to watch.
Dexter, still sweaty, looks up.
DEXTER
Oh, hey, hi, Laura.
Laura smiles
LAURA
So you guys had a battle over who got to be guild leader?
DEXTER
Yes, well. You were actually part of the prize too. I should’ve told you.
LAURA
Relax. I knew the whole time.
Dexter makes solid eye contact for the first time.
DEXTER
You did? How?
LAURA
I got tired of talking to Chad. He’s such a jerk. So I told him I was A.F.K. But I wasn’t.
Dexter and Laura both laugh.
DEXTER
So you heard?
LAURA
Everything, yup. I also heard him schedule a date with his co-worker. Would you like to grab some dinner?
Dexter smiles and holds his hand out to Laura. She takes it and they walk out of the cafe.
EXT. RESTARAUNT - NIGHT
Dexter and Laura are chatting with each other.
FADE OUT
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