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INT –PANCAKE HUT TABLE SIXTEEN – DAWN

TITLE: PANCAKE HUT, TABLE SIXTEEN.  Sunday, August 6, 2000.  5:11am.

A pile of empty Equal packs are strewn all over table sixteen as JEFF scribbles three poems simultaneously on a small Radio Cab scratchpad.

EVETTE approaches JEFF’S table.

EVETTE

I am going to have to cash you out; I was supposed to be off at five.

JEFF takes out his Visa card.

JEFF 

Put it on here. 

EVETTE

I guess your friend left you with the bill. 

JEFF

John gave me a few bucks. Besides, he offered to give me a ride home. 

EVETTE

But you're still here?

JEFF

Yeah, he had a pen in his car and I borrowed some paper from Irene, so I decided to stay and write. 

EVETTE

More poetry?

JEFF

Yeah, I’m always writing.

EVETTE

After I’m done with my side work, maybe I’ll come over and you can read some of it to me.

JEFF

I don’t know if that would be a good idea, they’re kind of depressing.

JEFF (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Normally I would be overjoyed to share my poetic passions with such an ideal specimen of loveliness, but tonight none of these damn poems are coming together.   

EVETTE walks away with a look of disappointment unknown to JEFF and to process his credit card. 

JEFF resumes his writing.  

EVETTE processes the Visa card then returns to the table where JEFF is still writing.

EVETTE

You never signed your card you know. At least write ‘see ID.’ 

JEFF

You know how Asian people sign their credit cards in funky Vietnamese letters? 

EVETTE

Uh huh.

JEFF

Well how do you know that those letters don't just say see ID in Vietnamese? 

EVETTE

Well, I guess we don't, do we?

JEFF

Besides, my picture is on the front of the card, as is a facsimile of my autograph. 

EVETTE

Oh, I didn't see that.

JEFF

Because my picture looks so bad?

EVETTE

No, because I was looking for your signature on the space that says ‘not valid unless signed.’

JEFF

Ah, but it doesn't say where it has to be signed!

EVETTE

I guess you're right…

EVETTE turns his card over and mocks reading it.

EVETTE (CONT’D)

Pablo Picasso.

JEFF points to her name tag with his pen.

JEFF

Evette.  Isn't Evette supposed to be spelled with a ‘Y’? 

EVETTE

Why? 

JEFF

Yeah, ‘Y’.