Partners

written by

Brandon Medford

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INT. KITCHEN - DAY

An immaculate little kitchen. Almost too clean. Too clinical. No noise save the rhythmic pitter patter of the tap.

A cat lays flat on the kitchen floor in front of an empty bowl.

The faint sound of an alarm upstairs rings, it goes uninterrupted for a few seconds then we hear the creak of a bed.

GABRIEL(UPSTAIRS, FAINT)Oh fuck...

The bed crashes and the walls of the kitchen shake a little. We hear a hand slapping the alarm off then a brief sigh.

GABRIEL (CONTD)OH FUCK!

A round of Heavy footsteps as Gabriel passes around the room, the sound of a zipper closing, a rush of panic, we then hear the sound of a tap hurrideley swung on followed by the quick slapping of skin.

Then from the nearby staircase a rush of steps and into the kitchen comes Gabriel: a 25 year old naturally stroppy looking 'man', his face is unshaven and his skin a ghostly pale. He's wearing a suit a little too small for him and trousers which clench at his ankles.

He rushes for the Kitchen cupboard ripping it open to reveal empty space.

A beat- tappping his fingers against the wooden handle

From the front of the room an answerphone goes off.

ANSWERPHONE(V.O.)Hi Gabriel it's mom just wanted to check that everything's sorted for today, I'm sorry I won't be there to wish you luck but good luck! Oh and before I forget I've left meatloaf in the fridge for dinner, try not to have the whole you know what dad's like with his meat and his carbs. Well the quicker he loses weight the better if you ask me. Anyway look at me BLOGGING!

2.

ANSWERPHONE(V.O.) (CONTD)Hopefully I'll be home tommorow to see how the interview went, hopefully you got the job so we can get rid of you!

He moves down to the cupboard below it and pulls out a pocket of catfood.

The cat notices and meows loudly at him as he stuggles to rip it open.

He takes the bowl from the floor and fills it up from the pocket yet leaves a little inside.

He goes into another cupboard reaching for a smaller bowl and a spoon pouring a little for himself. He scarfs it down as if to avoid having to confront its taste and rushes for the door picking up a shot of vodka left on the table.

He strokes the cat on his way out.

I/E. DOOR ENTRANCE

Gabriel adjusts his tie in the mirror reciting

GABRIELNice to meet you(Places out hand)

I'm Gabriel... well I'm very flexible, I'm a hard worker, I work really well in a team and I'd love to work a-at this company.

Gabriel's struggling, his voice stutters and stumbles as he feigns confidence, he puts his head in his hands then tries again.

GABRIEL (CONTD)Erm, Hello there I'm Gabriel, I consider myself a flexible employee I can work hard and am really good in a team, I feel that we would work together well...as a team and I'd...

He sighs heavily and checks his watch

8:30

In a brief moment he sheds a look of intense worry, almost like a child who's parents have just him home alone.

3.

He rumages in his pocket for a phone and quickly dials. Balancing the phone in his right hand straigtening his hair with his left.

GABRIEL (CONTD)One Taxi please. Courtland avenue.

INT. TAXI - DAY

In the front a typical middle eastern driver who is too laid back for his own good.

The TAXI approaches the traffic light and slows to a halt.

Gabriel sits fidgeting in his seat at the back checking his watch every two seconds.

DRIVEREverytime the traffic man.

The Driver glances at the front mirror checking out the noticeably distressed Gabriel at the back.

DRIVER (CONTD)Date? I remember when I was a kid. Teenage romacnce. I mean I would have the women screaming for me man. "Joseph baby come here!" " I was the fucking A Game.

Gabriel couldn't care less. (sighs)

Look at me now, 50 year old balding nutjob who drives people to work. In a taxi!...not even a Limo or something nice like that a fucking Ta-

GABRIELCould you hurry up please?

EXT. BUILDING - DAY

A large office building lit up like new years, and standing in the rain Gabriel. He walks in.

INT. RECEPTION - DAY

A young blonde woman is typing away on a computer. She turns to see compeltely drenched Gabriel walk in.

4.

GABRIELHey I'm here for the Job interview for IT Consultant.

RECEPTIONISTOk...do you have any ID?

GABRIELYeah sure.

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY

Drops fall to the floor as Nathan lets his suit soak in the empty waiting bay.

He goes in his pocket and picks out a micro bottle of vodka, unwinds it then swallows it down.

His phone rings startling him, he picks it up as if handling a bomb and answers.

GABRIELMom?

MOTHER(V.O.)Yeah hey how's it going?

GABRIELFine I guess.

A beat

MOTHERWell I just wanted to say I've been able to persuade my boss to let me off a day early, didn't want to miss my boy

GABRIELGreat well I-

MOTHERI'm sure it'll be fine! Relax! Everyone's nervous at a job interview, worse if you're in over your head like I was, gosh that was something like 30 years ago, didn't have the internet back then-

GABRIELYeah I-

5.

MOTHERDidn't even have phones I mean we have those wind up one where we had to dial it back for every number

GABRIELMom!

MOTHERGosh it was hell! It wasn't even the fact that it was dial up it was that-

GABRIELMOM!

The Door swings open and Nathan quickly turns off his phone and puts it in his pocket, he unconsciously smiles at the man at the door.

A strapping handsome "jock" blonde wearing a stylish yet functional pair of glasses.

MARSHALLHello there hope I didn't keep ya! Would you like to come in? The name's Marshall.

Walking to shake hand

GABRIELNice to meet you it's Gabriel.

Marshall rigorously shakes Gabriel's hand.

MARSHALLGood to meet you Gabriel!

Gabriel is confused he shows a sign of recognition but he can't know for sure. He picks himself up and walks in.

INT. ROOM - DAY

Marshall's flicking through a pile of papers. Gabriel's CV.

MARSHALLThese are some impressive grades.

GABRIELYeah I mean it's no big deal.

6.

MARSHALLA in Chemistry, A in Physics, A* in Mathematics. I mean here at an IT company these are the type of skills we're looking for yunno, being analytical, focused all very important skills.

Gabriel's just nodding.

GABRIELYeah I agree.

MARSHALLWhat level of education did you achieve these grades in might I ask?

GABRIELWell uh-

A loss for words. Marshall's just smiling but to Gabriel he's the Devil in red.

GABRIEL (CONTD)High school.

MARSHALLOh so these aren't University grades?

GABRIELThey're not no.

MARSHALLOh.

Marshall writes some notes down

Gabriel investigates him, something's strange, he recognises the face but the glasses make it harder to tell.

He then slaps his knees and sits up straight.

MARSHALL (CONTD)So Gabriel sell yourself to me! Why should I employ you to work at this company

GABRIELWell I consider myself a flexible employee I can work hard and am really good

7.

GABRIEL (CONTD)in a team, I feel that we would work together well, together, and er-

A beat, Marshall investigates him.

GABRIEL (CONTD)I feel that I could be a great benefit to you as a company and as an employee.

A long beat, almost deadening silence, Marshall scribbles down a few more notes.

MARSHALLUh huh and now tell me something I haven't heard a hundred times before.

Marshall's gone serious. Gabriel's completely stuck, as Marshall stares into him Gabriel loses focus again.

GABRIELMarshall?

CUT TO:

INT. PLAYGROUND - DAY

We push in on a small rough looking blonde kid.

Fists pounding one another in the middle of an empty playground, putting on a "tough guy" look.

INT. ROOM - DAY

Marshall's gaze unending Gabriel snaps back to reality.

GABRIELUrm well I think that I would- as a person- I would be able to advertise your company better than anybody already working for you today.

Marshall perks up.

MARSHALLAnd why's that?

8.

GABRIELBecause I think I understand this company better than anyone. Excluding yourself.

MARSHALLUh huh.

GABRIELAnd on top of that I've got fifteen years of experience talking to people over the computer.

A beat

Marshall laughs

MARSHALLWell color me impressed. Is that it?

GABRIELThat's it.

Marshall pens down more notes.

GABRIEL (CONTD)What are you writing?

MARSHALLJust notes you don't need to bother yourself.

Gabriel analyses Marshall again, focusing on his writing.

INT. PLAYGROUND - DAY

The blonde kid's stood in the same spot. We turn around and opposite him is submissive passive skinny kid, Garbiel.

BLONDE KIDOi! Come here little rat!

Gabriel shakes his head

BLONDE KID (CONTD)You wanna notha bloody nose?!

GABRIELNo.

BLONDE KIDThen come 'ere rat face!

9.

Gabriel stands awkwardly on the spot. The blond kid runs up to him and they engage in a scuffle, Gabriel holding his head with his hands as the Blonde Kid attempts to find a soft spot to punch him

BLONDE KID (CONTD)I'll teach you for making fun of me! Little Rat!

TEACHER(O.S.)Enough! Both of you office now!

GABRIELBut miss I didn't do anything!

TEACHERI said now!

INT. OFFICE - DAY

A door slam.

The teacher ushers them in and sits at her desk.

TEACHERWhat the devil do you think you two were playing at? Fighting on the school yard?

GABRIELMiss we weren't-

TEACHERSave it. What I saw was a fight between two very scruffy young boys in full view of any parents that may have walked by? What impression do you think that gives people of our school. Either of you can answer.

BLONDE KIDBad.

TEACHERAnd you Gabriel?

GABRIELBad.

10.

TEACHERAnd do you think that fighting is something this school condones regardless?

BLONDE KIDWhat does condone mean?

GABRIELYou're dumb.

BLONDE KIDNo I'm not! Miss tell him!

He pushes Gabriel. Gabriel pushes back.

TEACHERThat's enough! Now I want you two to apologise to each other before we go any further, the both of you.

A beat

TEACHER (CONTD)I'm waiting.

BLONDE KIDSorry I guess.

And Gabriel

GABRIELSorry-

INT. OFFICE - DAY

GABRIELMarshall.

MARSHALLExcuse me?

GABRIELSorry I was just lost for a second.

MARSHALLWell I think I've come to a decision.

Gabriel braces.

11.

MARSHALL (CONTD)I'm sorry man you didn't get the job.

GABRIELWhat?

MARSHALLYou didn't get the job. Sorry.

A beat

MARSHALL (CONTD)But hey you can always try next year I'm always looking for new employees I could drop you an Email when I've got an opening. Gabriel?

GABRIELI worked hard for this.

MARSHALLYes I'm sure you did I'm sorry it's just.

GABRIELI mean what else do you need to be an IT Consultant?

MARSHALLWell.

GABRIELYou've made a mistake.

MARSHALLNope no, look it's not your fault it's just that I feel personally-

GABRIELI deserved this job.

MARSHALLWell we don't get everyhing we deserve now do we.

A beat, Gabriel fixates on him.

GABRIELYou must have so much fun playing God.

Marshall begins to pack up his files, avoiding Gabriel's confrontation.

12.

GABRIEL (CONTD)Why would you care about anyone else you're rich, not that you earned a penny of it. I mean who am I to you?

MARSHALLDude let's try and leave on friendly terms alright.

GABRIELIt was never friendly, you knew exaclty how this was going to end the minute I stepped in.

MARSHALLExcuse me.

GABRIELAs soon as I entered the door you went "oh look it's the friendless dork why'd I want to employ him"

MARSHALLI don't know what you're talking about?

GABRIELYou don't remember me?

MARSHALLWhy would I remember you?

And with this beat Marhsall picks up his things and stands to leave

MARSHALL (CONTD)Look I'm sorry things didn't go out the way you wanted them to, but that's life. As cliche as that sounds.

Gabriel doesn't respond and Marhsall leaves him there to sit and ponder.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY

Gabriel's sunk into a textbook in an empty classroom.

Marshall comes at the side of the door with two blonde girls.

13.

MARSHALLCOME TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FAG. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE GABRIEL YOU STUDYING? WHAT A FUCKING JOKE.

GABRIELYou better be nice to me cause in a few years time you're gonna be begging me to hire you-

MARSHALLExcuse me?!

Marshall rushes up to him.

GABRIEL(Smiling)

-like the good little doggy you are.

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Gabriel walks out, despondent, then turns to look at the main office full of employees typing away and taking phone calls.

GABRIEL(Slurred, almost drunk)

Look at you all, a bunch of fucking slaves, yunno I hope his dick's half as good as your paychecks. This company is a joke! Your boss is a phony!

They start turning around to face him, the receptionist has already gotten out of her seat. She approaches Gabriel

RECEPTIONISTI'm sorry sir I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

Neither of them notice Marshall appear at the end of the room staring at the scene.

GABRIELYou know he was a bully in High School? He used to beat me up every day after school cos I didn't smoke weed like him and his stoner friends! You know what I don't even care! I didn't want to work in this shithole anyway!

14.

Gabriel rushes for the door and we focus back on Marshall. Awestruck and open mouthed.

INT. ESTATE ROAD - DAY

A couple of teenagers are walking drunkenly on the road, cars driving away from the estate the party took place.

WOMANGraduation bitches!

Shouts of laughter come soon after, along drunken screams and nonsensical shouting , and a 20 year old Gabriel standing by the curb looking at the cars pass him by. His clothes are ragged and his face completely expresionless. He's stoned.

One car passes by and the window comes open. It's Marshall.

MARSHALLHey I can give you a ride if you want man.

GABRIELNo I'm fine.

MARSHALLYou sure, it's no problem...

GABRIELNah I've got a lift coming.

MARSHALLOk cool. Hey I'm sorry about-

GIRL(BACK OF THE CAR)Hey Marshall!

MARSHALLSorry gotta go.

The car speeds away and Gabriel simply watches.

GABRIELFuck!

I/E. HOUSE DOOR - NIGHT

Gabriel rings the door bell. We hear a rattling of the door and to his suprise his mother opens it. She immediately notices his forlorn expression and he simply shakes his head and she hugs him.

15.

MOTHEROh baby. I'm Sorry.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Gabriel's sat in a kids room. His room. He passively watches the TV with his video game on pause.

A knock on the door, Gabriel doesn't bother responding and the door opens.

MOTHERHey trooper.

GABRIELHey.

MOTHERWant me to make you some hot chocolate? It'll make you feel better.

GABRIELNo thank you. I just wanna sleep.

MOTHERUh huh.

GABRIELI fucked up so bad.

MOTHERHey don't say that, I'm sure you were great, and those guys are the ones missing out on hiring a wonderful, smart, funny individual. I'm just glad he's my son.

GABRIELYou know the guy who interviewed me was Marshall from High school.

MOTHERREALLY? The one that'd always be shouting for you when I picked you up.

GABRIELThat's the one. Yunno it's funny that you remember him but he had no idea who I was.

16.

MOTHERThat's 'cos I'm a mother sweetheart, I remember the first day you were born. When you came outta my-

GABRIELMom.

Mom gets off the bed.

MOTHERWell if you need anything, or anyone to talk to you come talk to me alright?

Gabriel nods.

The phone goes off from downstairs.

Gabriel's confused, he springs up from his bed and rushes downstairs.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Gabriel rushes for the phone and answers

GABRIELHello

MARSHALL(O.S.)Hello Gabriel, I was just wondering whether you'd be open to a talk. Is the Pier tommorow afternoon okay with you?

GABRIELUm yeah that's fine.

EXT. PIER - DAY

A wonderful sunny day, Gabriel's wearing a smart white shirt and far more composed than we saw him last.

MARSHALLIt's good to see you again Gabriel.

17.

GABRIELLook I just wanted to say I'm sorry about yesteday I had no business acting like I did and you had every right not to give me that job.

MARSHALLDon't worry about that. That's not why I called you here.

GABRIELThen why?

MARSHALLIt's good to see you again Gabriel.

Marshall takes off his glasses

GABRIELYou remembered me.

MARSHALLI can't believe it what has it been 12 years?

GABRIELSomething like that.

MARSHALLI've been so stupid. I'm not capable of running a company by myself.

GABRIELNonsense. You were able to boss me around pretty well.

Marshall laughs a little

MARSHALLHey no, that's not funny I was an asshole. And that's the reason I wanted to see you today. I never got a chance to apologise.

GABRIELHey you don't need to do that. That was a whole decade ago.

18.

MARSHALLI think I do. I was a selfish, self-entitled asshole and I treated you like shit and I'm sorry. I mean that.

GABRIELI appreciate it.

MARSHALLI also want you to join me as Co Executive of the company.

GABRIELWoah hey, what are you talking about.

MARSHALLI want you to join me as co executive of te comany.

GABRIELDude...that's crazy I don't even know how to run a-

MARSHALLThat can all be taught to you.

GABRIELYou don't need to do this.

MARSHALLYes I do. This is my apology for years of giving you shit.

Gabriel's about to speak by Marshall stops him.

MARSHALL (CONTD)I'm not gonna let you decline. Yes or yes?

GABRIELOkay. You have no idea what this means to me-

MARSHALLSure I do. Hey.

Marshall goes in for a hug and Gabriel embraces him.

A beat

19.

MARSHALL (CONTD)Hey I'm straight dude.(laughs)

We should've done this more often.

GABRIEL(Easing up, drying eyes)

Like you didn't already have 10/10's waiting to hop on your dick.

MARSHALLThat shit doesn't last brother, the girls start dissaperaing as fast as the hair did.

GABRIELWell I think it suits you.

A beat

GABRIEL (CONTD)Hey you don't need to answer this but why didn't I get the job yesterday?

MARSHALLWell if you want the truth... I was seriously intimidated by you

Gabriel laughs

MARSHALL (CONTD)No seriously, you seemed so "qualitifed" and you were articulate, it reminded me why I shouldn't be the guy in charge. I mean look at me, I didn't pass high school, I spent most of my adult life drunk or stoned yet somehow managed to get to where I am now.

GABRIELWell you know what? Good for you.

A beat

20.

MARSHALLHey you remember that time back in fifth grade when we flooded the toliets.

GABRIELWhen all the teachers got so pissed they wouldn't let us go home until they found out who did it-

MARSHALLAnd Mrs Blowthorne said what did she say?

GABRIELGod I can't remember dude.

MARSHALLYou know what neither can I. But what does it matter huh? They're called memories for a reason.

GABRIELRight.

Gabriel turns to Marshall and smiles.

EXT. HOUSE DOOR - DAY

Gabriel rings the doorbell, we hear a rattle and Mother opens.

Gabriel smiles.

END.