The Glasses by Petra Michelle

FADE IN:

EXT. THEATER - NIGHT

Hurrying, two MEN leap out of a taxi and rush into the theater.

INT. THEATER - NIGHT

Minutes into the play, the USHER escorts them in the darkness. Excusing themselves past already seated playgoers, they flop into their seats, second-row orchestra.

MATT Oh no!

STEVE What?

MATT I sat on my glasses!

STEVE Smart. You're lucky we're close to the stage.

NEARBY PLAYGOERS Shhh!

Embarrassed, Matt retrieves a sculpture of twisted frames. With help from the stage lights, he tries in vain to repair them.

Shaking his head in frustration, he shoves the disrepair back into his pocket and observes a blur of an audience. Squinting, his glance falls upon a beautiful woman sitting in the balcony. A bolt of lightning heightens his affection for the lovely vision.

Prudently, he waves to her; she returning his overtures with discreet smiles.

MATT Isn't she beautiful?

Steve follows Matt's gaze.

STEVE She's a knockout!

MATT I'm going to introduce myself at intermission.

STEVE She's with two other people. They could be her grandmother and father...or husband.

Matt pays him no mind while riveted to his angel and her smiles, and mimes to meet her.

INT. INTERMISSION - NIGHT

As they make their way through the throngs to the refreshments concession, he feels a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turns to its source and comes face-to-face with a petite, elderly WOMAN.

ELDERLY WOMAN (sensually) Ciao.

MATT (casually) Hello, ma'am.

Bashfully, the woman turns away, then smiles at him seductively. Matt blinks, puzzled.

Humiliated, her face turns beet red as it contorts into rage. He withdraws at the unexpected transformation. Her SON steps between his mother and Matt.

SON You pervert!

And socks him between the eyes causing Matt to fall backwards onto the floor. The mother hits him continuously with her purse. Defending himself from the blows,

MATT What'd I do?

A young WOMAN appears, admonishing her brother.

WOMAN Stupido!

MOTHER Gigolo!

WOMAN Mama, it's an innocent misunderstanding.

MOTHER Innocente? Gigolo! Andiamo, Vinnie.

The DAUGHTER leans over Matt. 

MOTHER (authoritatively) Marianne.

MARIANNE I'll be there soon.

As Matt slowly sits up,

MARIANNE Are you all right?

MATT You're the woman in the balcony.

MARIANNE I'm a nurse. Are you hurt?

MATT (feeling his nose) I don't think it's broken. (standing) I'll survive. Marianne, I didn't mean to flirt with your mother. I mean, I didn't mean to flirt with you. I mean...

MARIANNE I know what you mean, Mr. ...

MATT Carpenter. Matt Carpenter.

MARIANNE We'll have to check for a concussion. Here, take my arm.

MATT Thank you. 

Walking together toward the exit,

MATT Thank God I'm blind.

MARIANNE Do you really mean that, Mr. Carpenter?

MATT I mean...

MARIANNE Can't wait to hear what you really mean?

MATT Over dinner? 

MARIANNE Sure. 

MATT You mean it?

MARIANNE One more mean, Matt...

MATT One more mean what, Marianne?

MARIANNE (playfully) Don't push me. You just might see my mean side.

MATT Sounds like a plan. 

EXT. Theater - Night

As they exit the theater, Marianne hails a taxi. When it pulls up,

MARIANNE (to the driver) Jefferson Hospital, please. (to Matt) Let's see about that possible concussion, shall we?

MATT Love to. I mean...WW

FADE TO BLACK