A conversation (default branch)

1. A Conversation
written by
Lucas Higham

2. INT. BARBERS SHOP - DAY
JACOB sits tensely in the barbers chair while stood behind
him is MARCO cutting his hair.
The barbers shop is ungenerous in space, but comfortable.
Only two barbers chairs and our two characters are the only
people in the shop.
Jacob wears a suit and tie. His cotton coat and naturally his
short green scarf are hung up on the coat hooks just next to
the entrance. He's successful and he knows it, he wears his
success on his sleeve, like a badge of honour, quietly.
Marco is practically invisible.
Jacob is on the phone.
JACOB
(into phone)
I just don't get it, we're giving
you money, don't go and tell me it
isn't enough. Money is money. We're
helping you for christ sake. Be
grateful. It gives me a headache
just thinking about it. My
responsibilities, climbing the
ladder. Sometimes I forget why I'm
even here... why I started all
this. I trace back hundreds of
conversations, interactions,
encounters, dinner parties, coffee
breaks, phone calls... only to
loose the plot until I'm pulling my
hair--
Jacob realises where he is. He pulls himself back to his
environment.
JACOB (CONT’D)
(into phone)
Sorry what were you saying?
(listening)
Nothing, man, I feel nothing. You
can't in this job. I wish I could,
but you can't.
As Jacob's conversation drys thin, he finally notices Marco,
almost startled at his presence. He subtly glares at him.
JACOB (CONT’D)
(to Marco)
Hey, just be careful ok.

3. 2.
Jacob worried that Marco will get hairs on his suit.
MARCO
No worries man.
Jacob turns back from looking over his shoulder to now
staring in the mirror again.
He grabs a tissue from the side and rubs his hands on it, he
puts the tissue to the side of his chair but it falls to the
ground.
MARCO (CONT’D)
Looks like you dropped something
there, mate.
Jacob looks to the floor.
JACOB
Oh shoot, sorry...
He picks it back up. The camera follows Jacob's hand as he
picks up the tissue, but when his hand leaves the ground the
camera stays looking at the floor.
JACOB (O.S.) (CONT’D)
...about that.
MARCO (O.S.)
Hey, not a problem my friend.
JACOB (O.S.)
Hold on...
MARCO
Do you want me to stop?
JACOB (O.S.)
No, it's just... I'm sorry you look
familiar, I might be making a
complete fool of myself here but...
did we go to school together? Marc-
MARCO (O.S.)
Oh Jacob its you, how's it going
man?
JACOB (O.S.)
It's going well, as you can imagine
and whats going on with you?
MARCO (O.S.)
I'm livin, makin money. Just like
any man.
(MORE)

4. 3.
MARCO (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I'm happy though, comfortable,
that's what counts, no?
JACOB (O.S.)
Well sure, yeah. So you're a barber
now?
MARCO (O.S.)
Yeah.. kind of.
JACOB (O.S.)
Kind of? Come on, I'd hope to know
the man cutting my hair right now
is a qualified barber.
(nervously laughing)
You know what I'm saying? Whatever
you do, don't touch the clippers.
MARCO (O.S.)
I know my way around someones head,
I'll put it that way.
Jacob attempts to add another comment on the subject of the
validity of Marco's qualifications of being a barber. Marco
cuts him off.
MARCO (O.S.) (CONT’D)
-- so you're successful now, right?
Evidently you've got lots of money,
nice clothes, couldn't help but
over hear your conversation
earlier, on your phone. You must be
stone cold. You can't feel anything
in your business, right?
The camera now pulls back up, from staring at the floor- to
the characters.
JACOB
(stern)
What are you trying to say?
MARCO
I'm just making observation, chill
man.
JACOB
No, you're making more than an
observation, you were making an
indirect question of the validity
of what I do.

5. 4.
MARCO
Chill man, chill... but I must ask-
what is that you do? Give pennies
to those need more?
Jacob gets up out of his chair and takes off his blazer.
JACOB
Ok this isn't right. As soon as I
got here, things didn't feel right.
EXT./INT. BARBERS SHOP - EARLIER - DAY
STREET OF THE BARBERS SHOP
Jacob walks on the street with pride and presence. Not saying
anything. Not wearing anything too boastful for the streets,
that attracts envious attention. But his presence is know.
Every stride in his step is heard. His black, freshly
polished shoes shine in the sunlight, even when there is no
sunlight. The noise his shoes make when they press against
the stone pavement floor can be heard and known.
His thick silver watch is visible from a mile away, yet it
doesn't look clunky or out of place.
From the colour and material from his coat, to his blazer, to
his shirt, to his scarf- all perfectly complementing each
other and at the same time, standing out and having their own
identity.
All synchronised riches.
He enters the barbers shop.
BARBERS SHOP
Marco appears swiftly from the back door. Jacob doesn't move.
He just looks around. He is the first one to speak.
JACOB
Where's Elliot?
INT. BARBERS SHOP - PRESENT
We cut back to the present, an argument brewing, suspicions
are being made.
Jacobs sleeves are now rolled up.

6. 5.
MARCO
I already told you, he's taking
care of his sick mother.
JACOB
But he never communicated this with
me.
INT. BARBERS SHOP - EARLIER
JACOB
You simply don't understand, he
always cuts my hair- even when
Helen is in and she can serve me, I
always have Elliot do it. Hell, I
book out the entire shop, he plays
classic music, we talk-
INT. BARBERS SHOP - PRESENT
JACOB
- I don't get why he didn't contact
me about this, you know, to
reschedule. I'm sorry, it's just it
doesn't seem like him leave me with
you.
He speaks that last sentiment with disdain.
INT. BARBERS SHOP - EARLIER
MARCO
Listen man, he owes me. You're in
capable hands, and anyway
INT. BARBERS SHOP - PRESENT
MARCO
I can't believe you'd expect him to
contact you. You're just another
customer. It isn't like you two are
friends, but you act like you've
known him for years. Have you ever
seen him outside of the barbers
shop?
Jacob doesn't say anything, this conversation isn't helping
the stress he is currently going through at work.

7. 6.
MARCO (CONT’D)
No, didn't think so. The only
reason he made things special for
you is, he knows you've got money.
You might tell your rich friends
about thus place. But I can tell
you this- you were never friends.
JACOB
We had good talks, we laughed.
MARCO
No. You had good lectures. You were
the one talking, he was the one
listening. Just admit the only
reason you come here is to mingle
with the simple folk. Make yourself
feel better about earning more
money. Being successful. Talking at
Elliot made you feel humbled, like
you were giving to charity. You
love being this successful, don't
you? I bet all you ever talked
about was your expensive holidays.
Work. This nice things in life you
can afford that he can't.
JACOB
Ok, just stop! I get it. It's
probably all true...
He collects himself and looks at Marco dead in the eye.
JACOB (CONT’D)
...but do you mean to say that
you're happy with your life? You
have nothing to show for it.
MARCO
You can't buy happiness with money.
JACOB
And yet you tried to... you tried
to get into L.B.S but your grades
didn't cut it, not to mention the
fact you tried cheating in the
exam. Obliviously you've never
known what it feels like to truly
want something otherwise you
wouldn't have to cheat. And you're
going from job to job, pay check
after pay check with nothing on
your name. No pride. No honour.
(MORE)

8. 7.
JACOB (CONT’D)
I feel happy walking the streets
with respect written on me. But
hey, maybe you were the smart
one... the true irony of it all
is... well, once you chase a dream
and you discover its not what you
expected. That hurts. But at least
I've got a nice car, right?
A silence falls upon the two.
Jacob looks out of the window, onto the streets.
JACOB (CONT’D)
It feels good to get that...
The room turns to darkness. The only source of light is a
spotlight shining on Jacob. We hear an audience cheering.
JACOB (CONT’D)
...recognition.