The room is filled with well dressed diners. We move through the room. While most people are eating or talking, we see the occasional diner texting, talking, or checking their phones.
We move in on a candlelit booth. Steve (32) and Talia (25), dressed up for their date. Large menus propped on the table.
Talia
All the Yelp reviews say the food here is amazing.
Steve
Do they? Good.
(reading)
I can’t decide what to order?
Talia
I have to say I was pretty surprised when you asked me out.
Steve
Really, why?
Talia
I saw you checking me out last week at Beth’s party. I thought if you couldn’t muster the chance with a few drinks inside you then you never would.
Steve
I guess I was just waiting for the right time.
Talia
The right time huh? Oh, speaking of time, what time does the movie start?
Steve
I’m not sure. I think nine-ish.
Talia
Go ahead and look it up then.
Steve
(pretends he missed it)
What’s that?
Talia
On your phone. See what time the show starts.
Steve looks forlorn. This is the moment he’s been dreading. A long drawn beat, then mournfully.
Steve
I uh, …don’t own a cell phone.
💥 An earth-shaking BOOM is heard.
Talia, horrified, lowers her menu.
Talia
Excuse me?
Steve
(spits it out)
I don’t own a cell phone.
From the look on Talia’s face, you might think he said he was some space alien from another planet.
Talia
Yeah… I heard what you said. I just didn’t believe it.
Steve
It’s just that over the years I guess I never found a reason for having one.
Talia is so flabbergasted she can’t think straight.
Talia
But, but what if you need to talk to someone. What if there’s an emergency? What if whatever?
Steve
There’s always a phone around somewhere. I really —
Talia
(over)
What about everything else — directions — internet — e-mail — movie listings — texting!
(epiphany)
My god, that’s why you always called and never texted.
Steve
I’m really sorry. I just never felt the need. My home phone was always —
Talia
Stop talking.
The Waiter arrives.
Waiter
And how are you two this evening? Would you like to start with some drinks…?
Steve
Yes, I think I’d like to have —
Talia
He doesn’t have a phone.
Waiter
I’m sorry?
Talia
My date here. He doesn’t have a cell phone.
Waiter
That can be rough. I broke my phone last month, and I was without —
Talia
No. He. Doesn’t. Own. One.
Waiter
(stunned)
At all?
Talia slowly shakes her head.
Talia
Uh uh.
Waiter
(to Steve)
How old are you?
Steve
Thirty, I’m thirty.
Waiter
You know my grandmother has one. So does my eight year old niece. I mean it’s 2016 — who doesn’t have a cell phone? I mean get with the times already.
Talia
Right?
Steve
It’s really not a big deal.
Waiter
Yes, …I see.
The waiter puts away his notepad. Mildly coughs.
Waiter
Excuse me.
The waiter walks away. Steve calls after him.
Steve
What about our drinks?
(to Talia)
He must be really busy.
Talia
Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.
We follow the waiter into the kitchen through a swinging door. Through the swinging door we get brief glimpses of the waiter informing the other staff of this stunning revelation.
Talia stares at Steve. Studying him like some science experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Steve can feel her daggers shooting right through him.
Steve
Should I have told you?
Talia
(immediate)
You’re damn right you should have!
(leans in; whispering, but direct)
It’s not the kind of thing you hide from people. Not someone you consider a friend.
Steve
(heartfelt)
I’m really sorry.
Steve looks over to the kitchen area to see the kitchen staff poking their heads out the door to get a better glance at him.
Talia tries to not look embarrassed.
Waiters begin checking on their respective tables. Each waiter whispers to their guests. Exclamatory hushed chatter sweeps across the restaurant like a brushfire. It’s obvious the word is out among the diners.
The diners stare at them. A few snap pictures with their cell phones.
Talia stews in her seat.
Steve
Just ignore them.
Talia
You’re serious?
A camera flash goes off right in Talia’s face.
Talia
I’m sorry, but I have to be leaving now.
Talia grabs her purse.
Steve
No. Please. Stay. We haven’t eaten yet. I’ll just get the waiter.
Steve signals the passing waiter to no avail.
Talia
You realize he’s not coming back?
Talia stands. Grabs her purse.
Talia
I’ll see you tomorrow.
Steve
But what about the movie?
Talia
I don’t think it’s a good idea.
Talia smiles at Steve sweetly. Cants her head. Reflects on what might have been.
Talia
See ya.
Steve
Talia wait.
She turns in half step. Raised eyebrows.
Steve
Tomorrow, at the office. Could you not tell anyone about this?
With every ounce of sincerity.
Talia
Get some help Steve.
Talia exits.
Steve looks at all the staring faces still directed his way. Takes a nervous swallow from his water.
A busboy enters frame. Blows out the small candle on the table, leaving Steve alone in darkness.
End of Chapter One