Father Mitchell

by
Sean Wu
diggswu@gmail.com
FADE IN:
INT. RIPLEY'S DINER - MONDAY AFTER SCHOOL
Ripley's, an All-American diner aiming to be like Denny's,
is littered with old photographs that look fancy once framed
on a wall. Looking at all the photgraphs is a man seated in
a booth at the end of the diner. This is MITCHELL, a man in
his mid-40's. His eyes dart across the restaurant
impatiently. A sunny WAITRESS approaches him.
WAITRESS
Hi, and welcome to Ripley's! Can I
get you anything to drink?
MITCHELL
Just a water. Actually, two waters.
One without ice please.
WAITRESS
Is that all for you?
MITCHELL
Yes, thank you.
The waitress leaves. As she heads back to the kitchen, a
teenage boy enters the diner. This is BRAN, Mitchell's
former step-son from the last marriage. Upon spotting
Mitchell, he walks toward the booth. As he sits, he
impulsively smiles to Mitchell.
MITCHELL
Hey Bran.
BRAN
Hey Mitch. Did you get anything
yet?
MITCHELL
(surprised, slightly
insulted)
Hey. What happened to calling me
Dad?
The waitress returns to the booth with two waters.
WAITRESS
Alright, I've got two waters. One
with, and one without ice.
BRAN
I'll take the one without ice.
She nods, handing Bran the iceless water cup. She then sets
the other one in front of Mitchell.
MITCHELL
Thank you ma'am.
2.
WAITRESS
You're welcome! Can I get you boys
anything?
Bran and Mitchell look at each other, then nod in agreement.
MITCHELL
Um, maybe later.
WAITRESS
Alright. Just give a holler if you
need anything.
The waitress leaves.
MITCHELL
How come you didn't call me dad?
Bran sips on his water, ignoring who was once his
step-father.
BRAN
Well, you're not anymore.
MITCHELL
Just because your mom and I aren't
married doesn't mean I still can't
be your dad, right?
Bran continues sipping.
MITCHELL
Am I clear?
BRAN
(unenthusiastically)
Crystal, man.
The two share a moment of silence. Bran acts like his father
isn't there. Mitchell waits before he speaks again.
MITCHELL
Well, I have to ask. How's Brian
doing?
BRAN
Brian? Oh he's fine. He's kinda
fucked up now ever since you left.
MITCHELL
Hey. Don't run that mouth on me
right here right now.
Bran looks his Mitchell in the face.
BRAN
And you've never sworn in public?
3.
MITCHELL
Just because I did it doesn't mean
it's not bad. It's still sinful, no
matter who you are.
BRAN
Whatever man.
MITCHELL
(now suppressing anger)
Look at me.
BRAN
(sneering)
What, are you the captain now?
MITCHELL
Knock it off smarts. I wanted to
talk to you because I wanted to say
I was sorry. I'm sorry things
between your mom and I got so sour
and want so south. I know I won't
be able to be a father to you
anymore, but I still want to be
good in your books, like a friend.
Really I-
Bran interrupts the speech, somewhat angrily
BRAN
Stop. Do you know what sorry means?
MITCHELL
It's apologetic. I mean it, you
know.
BRAN
When you say you're sorry, you mean
that you'll never do something
again. You're on your third
marriage right now! That's not
right!
Mitchell is now irritated by his son's behavior.
MITCHELL
Okay, buster, you don't know right
from wrong! You're not even
sixteen. I miss it when we our
minds did the talking, not the
hormones.
BRAN
Age is just a number! Just because
I'm a third your age doesn't mean I
don't understand morals! At least
I know enough that fucking around
with other women isn't right!
4.
MITCHELL
(trying to be calm)
What you saw, it's not what you
think it was.
BRAN
Does sticking your dick in Cynthia
whats-her-name not count as fucking
around? Give me a break old man.
Upon hearing Bran's vulgarities, all the other patrons of
the diner are staring at the two.
MITCHELL
(embarassed, but not
letting his guard down)
For eleven years I was with your
mom. I loved her so very much, and
I still do. I messed up, I'm a
human being.
Mitchell extends his arm out to Bran, sitting across from
him.
MITCHELL
Take my hand. I wanna reconcile
with you, your mother, and your
brother.
Bran looks at it, and silently.
MITCHELL
(disgruntled)
Shake it.
Bran is unmoved
MITCHELL
(louder, angrier)
Shake my hand damnit.
Bran remains unchanged. Mitchell snaps.
MITCHELL
(angry yelling)
Damnit Bran! Be a good Christian,
and shake my hand!
The waitress assigned to Bran and Mitchell dashes over to
the booth. Her sunny mood is masked with hidden fury.
WAITRESS
(to Mitchell)
Sir, if you and your son can't
behave yourselves, I'm going to
have to ask you two to leave.
Mitchell cocks his head toward the waitress.
5.
MITCHELL
(sarcastically)
Well, apparently, this kid isn't my
son.
The waitress is annoyed by the comment.
WAITRESS
Please leave. Both of you.
Bran breaks down crying. As he cries, he extends his hand
out to Mitchell.
MITCHELL
(sarcastically shocked,
but pleasently
surprised)
I'm supposed to shake that?
Bran smiles between his tears.
BRAN
Dad, look. We're both jerks, even
if we don't share it genetically. I
accept your apology.
MITCHELL
(hiding his happiness)
I'm so glad we could come to terms.
The waitress appears unphased by the exchange, but is now
calm. Bran's crying stops. He wipes his tears
WAITRESS
Make sure you two behave
yourselves.
As she walks three or so steps back to the kitchen, Mitchell
whistles.
WAITRESS
(walking back to the
booth)
Yes?
MITCHELL
Can we get something to eat?
WAITRESS
Sure. What were you thinking?
MITCHELL
One of-
Bran interjects
BRAN
We'll share one of those pan
cookies with ice-cream.
6.
The waitress looks at Mitchell.
MITCHELL
That sounds good to me.
The waitress smiles.
WAITRESS
Alright, one pan cookie with ice
cream coming up!
The waitress returns to the kitchen.
MITCHELL
So how's school?
BRAN
(smiling, more engaged)
It's good...
The two continue talking as the camera pulls away from them.
The sound fades outs.
FADE TO BLACK: