Widowed | Screenplay

1    INT. LOCAL BAR. NIGHT.
A beautiful widow, ESME, 43, sits at the bar.
She drinks red wine, with a beautiful dress on.
The bartender, AILA MOYER, 38, who is also her friend, talks to her.
                                  AILA
                     What’s the occasion?
                                  ESME
                     One-year anniversary of Mr. Gaines’ death.
                     Thought I’d treat myself with more sorrow, as
                     that is the only thing I can experience ever
                     since he passed away.
Esme slams the glass on the bar. Aila sighs.
                                  AILA
                     Esme, you can’t just sit here and drink your
                     sorrow away. Your late husband wouldn’t want
                     to see that.
                                  ESME
                     Who cares about what he wants to see?! He is
                     not here anymore.
Esme sobs and a handsome man, WALTER FINCH, 35, walks near her.
                                  WALTER
                     May I join you?
                                  ESME
                     Young bloke… Don’t even bother.
                                  WALTER
                     What do you mean?
                                  ESME
                     I have seen men like you, approaching me
                     because I seemed like a damsel in distress,
                     wearing a beautiful dress, drinking at a bar.
Esme points at Aila.
                                  ESME (CONT’D)
                     This woman here, is my friend. Trained in
                     martial arts and a damn good bartender.
Aila waves at Walter.
                                  ESME (CONT’D)
                     If you do anything to me without my consent,
                     then you are completely screwed, in your
                     position.
Walter shakes his hand and smiles.
                                  WALTER
                     Well, I am not planning on doing anything
                     intrusive. Just thought I’d come and say
                     hello, since I find you very beautiful.
Esme laughs hysterically.
                                  ESME
                     Please, that is not the only reason, is it?
                                  WALTER
                     You also look familiar, yes. I feel like I’ve
                     seen you on the news or magazines?
                                  ESME
                     Yes, you are looking at Mrs. Gaines. Or more
                     like, Widow Gaines.
                                  WALTER
                     Oh.
                                  ESME
                     Wife of a CEO of a huge company.
Esme laughs.
                                  ESME (CONT’D)
                     The underestimated side piece of my husband.
                     Who knew I gave him business advice as well,
                     since I also have an MBA up my sleeve?
Esme sighs.
                                  ESME (CONT’D)
                     He is… was one of the best people I know in
                     the business. We worked well together, and he
                     loved me.
                                  WALTER
                     I am sorry about that. I didn’t mean to…
                                  ESME
                     Please, people come to me because they
                     reckon, they can juice off someone who is in
                     sorrow and pain. I am not just some CEO’s
                     wife, you know. After being in the business
                     for so long, I know some tricks of my own as
                     well, and I know what tricks people try to
                     pull on me.
Esme keeps drinking and Walter sits next to her.
                                  WALTER
                     I am really sorry to hear that. Maybe my
                     company will make you feel better?
                                  ESME
                     Sure, just sit there and be quiet.
Walter sits there and after struggling for a bit, he has to speak.
                                  WALTER
                     I think you are a strong woman as well as a
                     beautiful woman. Especially after hearing
                     your story.
                                  ESME
                     That doesn’t mean I like people coming at me
                     while I try to mourn my husband.
                                  WALTER
                     I…
Esme takes out her gun and shoots him in his head.
Everyone is shocked and Esme continues to drink her wine.

                                  AILA
                     Esme!!
Everything slows down and Esme transforms from sitting there with her gun down and drinking wine…
 

2    INT. SIMULATION LAB. DAY.
To lying in a bed in a simulation lab, looking like she is 28. 
Aila, wearing a lab coat, stands next to MR. GAINES, 33.
                                  MR. GAINES
                     So, she passed?
                                  AILA                     
                     She married you with her own reasons, but it
                     turned into something more sincere. She
                     mourned you even after a year and never had
                     another man since your death, in the
                     simulation.
Aila looks at her papers.
                                  AILA (CONT’D)
                     She even shot the man who pursued her in the
                     last run. She is more than capable to take
                     care of herself even without your help.
                                  MR. GAINES
                     Good.
Mr. Gaines smiles at Aila.
                                  MR. GAINES (CONT’D)
                     Thank you, Dr. Moyers.
                                  AILA
                     No worries. She did sign the consent forms to
                     verify her feelings for you through simulated
                     tests. She wants to show you she hasn’t been
                     dating you just for your money.
                                  MR. GAINES
                     Yes. And I’ll propose to her in the morning.
                                  AILA
                     Good luck.
Mr. Gaines smiles and leaves.
THE END

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©Yolanda Yip (Wintsarye)

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