a chase begins
I got behind on posting the segments, but I did actually write new stuff recently, so there.
EXT. DESERT-LIKE HIGHWAY -- DAY
Greta drives along in a beat-up, old VW GOLF. She has an iPod hooked up to the tape deck and is bopping her head along to The Shins. The engine sounds like it is wheezing just a little.
The windshield wipers abruptly turn on and she jumps, then switches them off. Her cell phone RINGS in its holder on the dash and she turns down the radio.
GRETA
(into phone)
So far, so good.
PETER
Really? Where are you?
GRETA
I don't know.
PETER
Oh that's good.
GRETA
I think I'm near Palm Springs.
PETER
Have the wipers started doing that thing?
GRETA
(quickly)
Nope.
PETER
All right, so guess what I heard? Anne knows the bartender at Spaceland and apparently, he said Long Wolf took off with one of The Lake's guitars.
GRETA
No way! Sylus's guitar?
PETER
(a bit bitter)
Oh, Sylus's guitar? What, are we best friends with them too now?
GRETA
Knock it off.
The car lurches and Greta grips the wheel, worried.
PETER
Well, your pal Sylus has Christian's guitar so they basically swapped. It's a great story! I was going to give it to Simon though cause I have to work on my column -
The engine makes a grinding sound and the car lurches again.
GRETA
Peter!
PETER
What? I thought you said yes to the column!
GRETA
No, the car!
Greta drops the phone and steers the car off the road, as cars HONK behind her. The VW lurches one more time and then splutters. Peter's voice is distant from the phone on the seat.
PETER
Uh oh.
GRETA
Damn!
She turns off the car and slams her fist on the dash.
PETER
Oh well... I guess that's that then.
GRETA
Damn.
She props her elbow on the window ledge and grabs the phone.
GRETA
What the hell was I thinking? Why did I think I could do this?
PETER
You had to try! Anyone would've tried.
(beat)
Sorry I don't have a car to lend. Captain of the red line and all...
GRETA
That's okay. You can keep me company while I wait for the tow truck. I'll call you right back.
She starts digging in her purse for her wallet.
PETER
Right, glad to be the friend with obvious time to spare.
INT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- EVENING
Long Wolf are sound checking, casting dark shadows on the brick wall behind the stage. Members of Albus stand in front of the stage, watching.
John is having trouble with his keyboards and is complaining to the SOUND GUY (30s), with glasses, beard, and a beanie.
Christian slips Sylus's guitar strap over his shoulder and fiddles with his amp. He strums a little bit and cocks his head, listening. He picks it up and turns it to face him, studying it a second.
Neil fixes his scarf and glances over at Christian.
NEIL
Looks good on you.
Christian smirks and plays a nice little riff.
INT. TOW TRUCK - DESERT-LIKE HIGHWAY -- EVENING
Greta sits in the passenger seat, disgruntled. The heavy set DRIVER bobs his head to Van Halen's "Ain't Talking Bout Love" on the stereo. He nods at Greta, singing along, and she smiles politely.
DRIVER
What's the matter, kid, you don't like music?
She rolls her eyes.
DRIVER
What? Come on! It's Van Halen.
GRETA
Exactly.
DRIVER
(sighs)
Man, some people just don't like music.
GRETA
I hate to say it, but I really have to pee. Do you think we could stop?
The Driver shakes his head and signals to change lanes.
DRIVER
I tell you, I don't know what to say to those people.
GRETA
We make good librarians.
EXT. GAS STATIONS -- CONTINUOUS
The tow truck pulls into the lot and Greta slides out, a long drop to the ground. She walks up to the food mart and sees a line of women, standing in front of the one bathroom.
GRETA
...Damn.
She stands there, considering, and then turns around to walk back out. She walks smack into Sylus, coming in.
SYLUS
Sorry!
He stops and looks down at her, under a faded baseball cap. She stares up at him.
GRETA
Hey!
SYLUS
Hey! What are you doing here?
GRETA
My car broke down!
SYLUS
Christian has my guitar!
GRETA
I know!
They both stop and look confused. Sylus abruptly takes his hat off.
SYLUS
Wait, how do you know?
GRETA
My friend Peter called me, right before I broke down.
(beat)
He knows everything. Are you going to Phoenix to get it?
SYLUS
Yeah, I -
(he moves aside to let people pass)
I got the guys to go out there with me. It's my granddad's guitar, I gotta get it back.
GRETA
Wow. Yeah, you should get it before they get too far away.
SYLUS
Yeah. Is that your tow truck out there?
GRETA
(grimly)
...It's mine for the next hour or so. I think my car's fnally had it.
Micah opens the door behind them and pokes Sylus in the arm.
MICAH
Hey, get Tim some pretzels.
(notices Greta)
Oh, hi.
(beat)
Wait, is Long Wolf here?
SYLUS
(annoyed)
No, Micah. She got stranded.
MICAH
(to Greta)
Oh, you want to ride with us? Hang on, I gotta take a pis- I mean, use the bathroom, I'll be back.
He hurries off and Greta and Sylus look back at each other, not even having considered it.
SYLUS
I mean, yeah, why don't you ride with us? I'm sure Long Wolf'll take you in their van the rest of the way.
GRETA
I guess I could... if you don't mind? I can have a friend meet the tow truck at my house.
SYLUS
(smiles shyly)
Cool. We'll wait for you, it's the white van over at the pump. I gotta piss too.
He puts his hat back on and heads for the bathroom. Greta grins and shoves open the door.
EXT. HIGHWAY -- NIGHT
Greta rides in the back with Micah, who is asleep against the window, with Tim and Sylus up front again. Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits are now floating out from the tape deck and everyone looks tired but hopeful.
GRETA
What do you guys do back home?
SYLUS
(sleepy)
I do some construction with my dad. He wants me to do a whole lot more of it...
TIM
My wife and I run a nursery. Plants, that is, not little buggers.
Greta smiles.
TIM
And Micah works at his girlfriend's hardware shop.
Sylus snickers.
GRETA
What?
TIM
Inside joke.
SYLUS
(to Greta)
What do you do?
GRETA
I'm a bartender.
SYLUS
Oh yeah? That must be kind of fun.
GRETA
...It's not as glamorous as it sounds. I think I'm losing my hearing. On the up side, I'm learning to read lips.
TIM
But the music blog...that's obviously a bit glamorous. You're out on tour with Long Wolf, right?
(beat)
Or actually, just The Lake at the moment, but it'll get more exciting.
GRETA
Yeah, it's really taking off. I'm still surprised... It started with just me and my friend Peter, and now we have 4 bloggers, and everyone knows us.
SYLUS
You're indie kid stars.
GRETA
Hmm. Yeah, sometimes it's a pain in the ass. Sometimes I get tired of all the hipsters.
TIM
But you bloggers created a whole new thing! It's kind of revolutionary. There's no MTV or radio stations involved, just mp3s and live shows.
Greta looks thoughtful and glances at Micah, snoring lightly beside her.
GRETA
Yeah, but is it really that big a deal? I mean, your average person out there still has no idea who any of these bands even are. They've never even heard of a music blog.
SYLUS
Yeah, your average person just buys cds from Walmart. Pop, rap metal, and country.
GRETA
None of these guys will ever even get to quit their dayjobs, I bet.
Sylus looks depressed.
GRETA
And most of the indie kids want to keep it that way. So they can keep seeing their favorite bands in small venues.
(beat)
I can understand that, but it's a really small circle.
SYLUS
(quietly)
...It's a trap.
Tim looks at him, surprised, and Greta appears to regret bringing it up.
GRETA
Doesn't really matter. It's still just people making music because they love it, right?
TIM
That's the thing.
He spots their exit up ahead and signals to change lanes.
TIM
That is the thing right there.
EXT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- MOMENTS LATER
Long Wolf are playing to a packed house, Christian riffing happily on Sylus's guitar. He plays with more enthusiasm than at Spaceland, losing the jaded attitude a bit. Neil and John keep turning to glance at him, surprised.
EXT. STREET - PHOENIX -- CONTINUOUS
Tim steers the van around a corner and then brakes, stopping before a long line of traffic ahead of them, ambulance lights in the distance.
TIM
Uh oh.
SYLUS
Woah, what is this?
A DRIVER two cars ahead gets out of his car and cranes his neck to see what the hold-up is.
GRETA
Is this the only way to go?
TIM
(to Sylus)
Get the map.
Sylus turns and yells at Micah.
SYLUS
Micah! Wake up, get the map!
Greta pulls it off Micah's lap and he splutters awake.
MICAH
What? What time is it?
GRETA
Are we on 7th St?
TIM
No, I went the wrong way off the exit. I'm trying to get to 7th.
GRETA
Oh.
SYLUS
Well, what street are we on?
TIM
(scratches his head)
I don't actually know.
SYLUS
For god's sake, I'm driving from now on.
TIM
Good, cause I'm damn tired.
Micah peers out the window, yawning, at a distant street sign. The traffic hasn't moved at all.
MICAH
We're on Portland St.
GRETA
(reading map)
Okay, which direction are we headed?
TIM
Um, east?
Greta frowns and holds the map closer to her face.
TIM
I guess we'll find out for sure when we reach the next cross street.
Sylus sighs and puts his feet up across the dash.
SYLUS
What time do you think Long Wolf'll be done?
EXT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- LATER
Anthony loads up his drums into the side of the bus, John coming up behind him with his keyboard stand.
ANTHONY
Did you see Christian rocking out?
JOHN
He should buy that thing off the guy.
Neil walks up to them, smoking a cigarette.
NEIL
(coolly)
What does he think he's David Lee Roth? It's not exactly our dynamic.
JOHN
I don't care. Apathy is over, man. The kids are sick of it.
ANTHONY
(grinning)
Next time he should jump off the bass drum.
NEIL
Oh my god. I'd fucking quit.
Christian and Todd stride out to the bus, Christian smiling oddly.
TODD
Dudes, let's get outta here. We're not hanging out and drinking at this one.
JOHN
What? Did The Lake guys show up?
TODD
Nah, they're not gonna make this one. We'll meet 'em in Albuquerque.
Christian jumps into the bus without a word and Todd follows. The other guys look at each other.
ANTHONY
That's fucked up.
Neil laughs.
NEIL
He's stealing the guitar!
He tosses his cigarette and lets out a LOUD WHOOP of laughter.
NEIL
He's lost his fucking mind!
JOHN
(to Anthony)
Let's go, this could get really funny.
He heads off towards the bus door and Neil follows, grinning. Anthony hesitates for a few seconds. Then goes after them.
EXT. DESERT-LIKE HIGHWAY -- DAY
Greta drives along in a beat-up, old VW GOLF. She has an iPod hooked up to the tape deck and is bopping her head along to The Shins. The engine sounds like it is wheezing just a little.
The windshield wipers abruptly turn on and she jumps, then switches them off. Her cell phone RINGS in its holder on the dash and she turns down the radio.
GRETA
(into phone)
So far, so good.
PETER
Really? Where are you?
GRETA
I don't know.
PETER
Oh that's good.
GRETA
I think I'm near Palm Springs.
PETER
Have the wipers started doing that thing?
GRETA
(quickly)
Nope.
PETER
All right, so guess what I heard? Anne knows the bartender at Spaceland and apparently, he said Long Wolf took off with one of The Lake's guitars.
GRETA
No way! Sylus's guitar?
PETER
(a bit bitter)
Oh, Sylus's guitar? What, are we best friends with them too now?
GRETA
Knock it off.
The car lurches and Greta grips the wheel, worried.
PETER
Well, your pal Sylus has Christian's guitar so they basically swapped. It's a great story! I was going to give it to Simon though cause I have to work on my column -
The engine makes a grinding sound and the car lurches again.
GRETA
Peter!
PETER
What? I thought you said yes to the column!
GRETA
No, the car!
Greta drops the phone and steers the car off the road, as cars HONK behind her. The VW lurches one more time and then splutters. Peter's voice is distant from the phone on the seat.
PETER
Uh oh.
GRETA
Damn!
She turns off the car and slams her fist on the dash.
PETER
Oh well... I guess that's that then.
GRETA
Damn.
She props her elbow on the window ledge and grabs the phone.
GRETA
What the hell was I thinking? Why did I think I could do this?
PETER
You had to try! Anyone would've tried.
(beat)
Sorry I don't have a car to lend. Captain of the red line and all...
GRETA
That's okay. You can keep me company while I wait for the tow truck. I'll call you right back.
She starts digging in her purse for her wallet.
PETER
Right, glad to be the friend with obvious time to spare.
INT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- EVENING
Long Wolf are sound checking, casting dark shadows on the brick wall behind the stage. Members of Albus stand in front of the stage, watching.
John is having trouble with his keyboards and is complaining to the SOUND GUY (30s), with glasses, beard, and a beanie.
Christian slips Sylus's guitar strap over his shoulder and fiddles with his amp. He strums a little bit and cocks his head, listening. He picks it up and turns it to face him, studying it a second.
Neil fixes his scarf and glances over at Christian.
NEIL
Looks good on you.
Christian smirks and plays a nice little riff.
INT. TOW TRUCK - DESERT-LIKE HIGHWAY -- EVENING
Greta sits in the passenger seat, disgruntled. The heavy set DRIVER bobs his head to Van Halen's "Ain't Talking Bout Love" on the stereo. He nods at Greta, singing along, and she smiles politely.
DRIVER
What's the matter, kid, you don't like music?
She rolls her eyes.
DRIVER
What? Come on! It's Van Halen.
GRETA
Exactly.
DRIVER
(sighs)
Man, some people just don't like music.
GRETA
I hate to say it, but I really have to pee. Do you think we could stop?
The Driver shakes his head and signals to change lanes.
DRIVER
I tell you, I don't know what to say to those people.
GRETA
We make good librarians.
EXT. GAS STATIONS -- CONTINUOUS
The tow truck pulls into the lot and Greta slides out, a long drop to the ground. She walks up to the food mart and sees a line of women, standing in front of the one bathroom.
GRETA
...Damn.
She stands there, considering, and then turns around to walk back out. She walks smack into Sylus, coming in.
SYLUS
Sorry!
He stops and looks down at her, under a faded baseball cap. She stares up at him.
GRETA
Hey!
SYLUS
Hey! What are you doing here?
GRETA
My car broke down!
SYLUS
Christian has my guitar!
GRETA
I know!
They both stop and look confused. Sylus abruptly takes his hat off.
SYLUS
Wait, how do you know?
GRETA
My friend Peter called me, right before I broke down.
(beat)
He knows everything. Are you going to Phoenix to get it?
SYLUS
Yeah, I -
(he moves aside to let people pass)
I got the guys to go out there with me. It's my granddad's guitar, I gotta get it back.
GRETA
Wow. Yeah, you should get it before they get too far away.
SYLUS
Yeah. Is that your tow truck out there?
GRETA
(grimly)
...It's mine for the next hour or so. I think my car's fnally had it.
Micah opens the door behind them and pokes Sylus in the arm.
MICAH
Hey, get Tim some pretzels.
(notices Greta)
Oh, hi.
(beat)
Wait, is Long Wolf here?
SYLUS
(annoyed)
No, Micah. She got stranded.
MICAH
(to Greta)
Oh, you want to ride with us? Hang on, I gotta take a pis- I mean, use the bathroom, I'll be back.
He hurries off and Greta and Sylus look back at each other, not even having considered it.
SYLUS
I mean, yeah, why don't you ride with us? I'm sure Long Wolf'll take you in their van the rest of the way.
GRETA
I guess I could... if you don't mind? I can have a friend meet the tow truck at my house.
SYLUS
(smiles shyly)
Cool. We'll wait for you, it's the white van over at the pump. I gotta piss too.
He puts his hat back on and heads for the bathroom. Greta grins and shoves open the door.
EXT. HIGHWAY -- NIGHT
Greta rides in the back with Micah, who is asleep against the window, with Tim and Sylus up front again. Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits are now floating out from the tape deck and everyone looks tired but hopeful.
GRETA
What do you guys do back home?
SYLUS
(sleepy)
I do some construction with my dad. He wants me to do a whole lot more of it...
TIM
My wife and I run a nursery. Plants, that is, not little buggers.
Greta smiles.
TIM
And Micah works at his girlfriend's hardware shop.
Sylus snickers.
GRETA
What?
TIM
Inside joke.
SYLUS
(to Greta)
What do you do?
GRETA
I'm a bartender.
SYLUS
Oh yeah? That must be kind of fun.
GRETA
...It's not as glamorous as it sounds. I think I'm losing my hearing. On the up side, I'm learning to read lips.
TIM
But the music blog...that's obviously a bit glamorous. You're out on tour with Long Wolf, right?
(beat)
Or actually, just The Lake at the moment, but it'll get more exciting.
GRETA
Yeah, it's really taking off. I'm still surprised... It started with just me and my friend Peter, and now we have 4 bloggers, and everyone knows us.
SYLUS
You're indie kid stars.
GRETA
Hmm. Yeah, sometimes it's a pain in the ass. Sometimes I get tired of all the hipsters.
TIM
But you bloggers created a whole new thing! It's kind of revolutionary. There's no MTV or radio stations involved, just mp3s and live shows.
Greta looks thoughtful and glances at Micah, snoring lightly beside her.
GRETA
Yeah, but is it really that big a deal? I mean, your average person out there still has no idea who any of these bands even are. They've never even heard of a music blog.
SYLUS
Yeah, your average person just buys cds from Walmart. Pop, rap metal, and country.
GRETA
None of these guys will ever even get to quit their dayjobs, I bet.
Sylus looks depressed.
GRETA
And most of the indie kids want to keep it that way. So they can keep seeing their favorite bands in small venues.
(beat)
I can understand that, but it's a really small circle.
SYLUS
(quietly)
...It's a trap.
Tim looks at him, surprised, and Greta appears to regret bringing it up.
GRETA
Doesn't really matter. It's still just people making music because they love it, right?
TIM
That's the thing.
He spots their exit up ahead and signals to change lanes.
TIM
That is the thing right there.
EXT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- MOMENTS LATER
Long Wolf are playing to a packed house, Christian riffing happily on Sylus's guitar. He plays with more enthusiasm than at Spaceland, losing the jaded attitude a bit. Neil and John keep turning to glance at him, surprised.
EXT. STREET - PHOENIX -- CONTINUOUS
Tim steers the van around a corner and then brakes, stopping before a long line of traffic ahead of them, ambulance lights in the distance.
TIM
Uh oh.
SYLUS
Woah, what is this?
A DRIVER two cars ahead gets out of his car and cranes his neck to see what the hold-up is.
GRETA
Is this the only way to go?
TIM
(to Sylus)
Get the map.
Sylus turns and yells at Micah.
SYLUS
Micah! Wake up, get the map!
Greta pulls it off Micah's lap and he splutters awake.
MICAH
What? What time is it?
GRETA
Are we on 7th St?
TIM
No, I went the wrong way off the exit. I'm trying to get to 7th.
GRETA
Oh.
SYLUS
Well, what street are we on?
TIM
(scratches his head)
I don't actually know.
SYLUS
For god's sake, I'm driving from now on.
TIM
Good, cause I'm damn tired.
Micah peers out the window, yawning, at a distant street sign. The traffic hasn't moved at all.
MICAH
We're on Portland St.
GRETA
(reading map)
Okay, which direction are we headed?
TIM
Um, east?
Greta frowns and holds the map closer to her face.
TIM
I guess we'll find out for sure when we reach the next cross street.
Sylus sighs and puts his feet up across the dash.
SYLUS
What time do you think Long Wolf'll be done?
EXT. MODIFIED ARTS - PHOENIX -- LATER
Anthony loads up his drums into the side of the bus, John coming up behind him with his keyboard stand.
ANTHONY
Did you see Christian rocking out?
JOHN
He should buy that thing off the guy.
Neil walks up to them, smoking a cigarette.
NEIL
(coolly)
What does he think he's David Lee Roth? It's not exactly our dynamic.
JOHN
I don't care. Apathy is over, man. The kids are sick of it.
ANTHONY
(grinning)
Next time he should jump off the bass drum.
NEIL
Oh my god. I'd fucking quit.
Christian and Todd stride out to the bus, Christian smiling oddly.
TODD
Dudes, let's get outta here. We're not hanging out and drinking at this one.
JOHN
What? Did The Lake guys show up?
TODD
Nah, they're not gonna make this one. We'll meet 'em in Albuquerque.
Christian jumps into the bus without a word and Todd follows. The other guys look at each other.
ANTHONY
That's fucked up.
Neil laughs.
NEIL
He's stealing the guitar!
He tosses his cigarette and lets out a LOUD WHOOP of laughter.
NEIL
He's lost his fucking mind!
JOHN
(to Anthony)
Let's go, this could get really funny.
He heads off towards the bus door and Neil follows, grinning. Anthony hesitates for a few seconds. Then goes after them.
posted by Simone @ 1:51 PM
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