Camera fades in on an seemingly empty room. It takes in the surroundings by slowly panning along the bookshelf, scanning quickly on posters, objects laying around the room. a single bed in the corner.
A cough is heard and camera pulls over to a chair where a student sits tired, smoke rising from the joint in his hand, bored rubbing his eyes, he's sitting staring at a book, then looks out the window in front of him. The door to the room is slightly opened and is pushed gently by a young man, his head appears popping in to see if anyone is there, seeing the man in the chair he continues. In walks the complete opposite to the young man sitting down.He appears cleaner, better looking, less of a mess than his grunge soaked roommate. In he walks without saying anything, both look at one another, nod, and a sad smile closely spreads across this new guy.
DAVE
Late night?
JACK
Yeah... sleeping is another way of giving in.
DAVE
Giving in? (laughs) If i didn't laugh I'd cry with you Jack
DAVE walks over to JACK and looks down at the book sitting on the desk in front of JACK.
DAVE
So you finished that book yet?
JACK
No, its not gripping me by the balls so I’m going to put it back up there on the shelf and you know, maybe look at it twice a day, I'll look at all my books in fact, I shall even read the backs of them, and wait until one entices me to finish.
DAVE
That’s a rather peculiar way of going about things
JACK
Well, I firmly believe that the book chooses the reader, not the other way around.
JACK gets up, stretches and walks over to the record player, hits play. a droning velvet underground/doors sound surrounds the room.
DAVE picks up the book and scans the back of it
DAVE
and this little theory of your's... does it apply to just books?
JACK
oh, goodness no. it goes for music, movies, literature of course... you know, um, the finer things in life.
DAVE
women!?
JACK
well, answer me this. (smiles devilishly) when was the last time you went looking for that girl...and found her?
DAVE
you know Jack, you do have a point.
JACK
of course i have a point. i am a crazed genius just waiting for my time.
DAVE
and what would be you're time Jack?
JACK
my time to get moving, doing something productive, creating great grand things instead of sitting here, there, in that chair, hours upon hours, wasting away with a book in my lap and a drink in my hand, a sigh in my breath and a frown on my face.
dave
well at least you have quite a view from that chair.
JACK
yeah well, I'm sure the sight of Christ on the cross was quite spectacular but staring at even Him day after day would lose its touch.
DAVE
so today Christ was real was He?
JACK
i used Him as an example, and a fine one i should add. i have no strength to get into a futile debate concerning Christs existence today.
DAVE
so how has your head been? hope you haven't been thinking too hard...
JACK
well, you know, I've been keeping my mind busy, the last time i thought about it, i passed out... i would prefer it if that never happened again so I'm just simply going to block it out
DAVE
you'll have to deal with it one day, blocking it out might cure your mind today but tomorrow it may lose its self.
JACK
what troubles me most is fear, if i can get rid of that, i can do anything
DAVE
listen Jack, you need... I'm not totally sure what exactly you need but tonight you are not being a recluse...
JACK
...a recluse...
DAVE
there is a sort of gathering over at Perry's, he asked if we would join
JACK
must be a pretty dull crowd if he's asking for our company
DAVE
well we'll make it a fine night what ever the company is, i was thinking we'd be time enough to head over there at around 11... i have some things to take care of I'll be back in an hour and we can walk over together, that alright?
JACK
(devilish smile)quite swell
