Love on the Run

He grabs the steering wheel and she lets go, massaging her hands.

ZOEY:

Oh, Man. My hands feel like rubber.

MATTHEW:

You're doing great. Now, I need you to lift

yourself up so I can slide underneath you,

okay?

She uses her neck and shoulders as support and props herself up.

ZOEY:

Okay, I'm ready.

MATTHEW slowly climbs out of his seat and slides underneath her.

MATTHEW:

Keep an eye on the road. Okay, my foot is

right beside yours. When I say go, take your

foot off the gas. I'll put mine right down.

Then you need to climb off my lap and get into

your seat. Ready?

ZOEY:

I don't want to die!

MATTHEW:

You're not gonna die. Trust me. Are you ready?

ZOEY:

Okay, I'm ready.

MATTHEW:

Okay, go! Take your foot off the gas!

ZOEY steps on the gas instead of stepping off and lunges into the passenger seat. MATTHEW careens the car around other terrified, honking motorists.

MATTHEW:

Oh, shit! Here goes nothing!

ZOEY puts on her seatbelt and covers her face.

The car barely makes the next exit and MATTHEW weaves the car through traffic before pulling into a grocery store parking lot and slamming on the brakes. He puts his head on the steering wheel and catches his breath. ZOEY gets out.

CUT TO:

EXT. GROCERY PARKING LOT - DAY

ZOEY comes around to the drivers' side window and puts her hand on MATTHEW'S shoulder.

ZOEY:

Nice work, Speed Racer. Want anything?

MATTHEW leans back in the seat and closes his eyes.

MATTHEW:

We just cheated death. Are you insane?

ZOEY shrugs her shoulders.

ZOEY:

Suit yourself. I'll be right back.

She goes inside the store.

MATTHEW gingerly gets out of the car and stretches.

MATTHEW:

What is with this chick? Well, at least she's

cute. And quirky. She's got quirky in spades.

He opens the trunk and inspects the computer tower. It seems to be fine. He wraps another blanket around it. He closes the trunk and turns around and ZOEY is two feet away, smiling and holding out a cup of coffee towards him.

ZOEY:

Thirsty?

MATTHEW is badly startled.

MATTHEW:

F*ck me!

ZOEY lowers the cup.

ZOEY:

Well, what's in it for me?

MATTHEW takes the coffee and sips it slowly.

MATTHEW:

Thanks. Sorry. You scared me.

ZOEY:

I see that. Maybe I should've gotten you

decaf instead.

He walks to the driver's door.

MATTHEW:

No, no, this is great. I need the sugar. You

did great. Thanks.

He takes another drink. She strolls to the passenger door and opens her plastic grocery bag. She removes three scratch off lottery tickets. She holds them up to the light.

ZOEY:

Losers. Every last one of them.

She uses her lighter to light them on fire.

MATTHEW:

Should I even ask?

A BAG BOY collecting grocery carts wonders over and stares at the burning lottery tickets on the ground.

BAG BOY:

I had to come. It was like the flame summoned

me. Are you a pyro?

ZOEY:

Yeah. Kinda. I like the way the flames dance on

the air. It’s like seeing a human soul free of

it’s physical cage.

MATTHEW rolls his eyes and puts his hands on the top of the car. He gestures to ZOEY to wrap up the conversation.

ZOEY:

So what’s your name?

BAG BOY:

Phoenix. No relation to the actors.

MATTHEW:

Hi, Phoenix.

The BAG BOY ignores MATTHEW. He is fixated on the flame emanating from ZOEY’S lighter. She offers it to him.

ZOEY:

Do you want this lighter, Phoenix?

The BAG BOY gets down on his knees.

BAG BOY:

Yes, mistress. More than life itself!

ZOEY tosses the lighter several yards away.

ZOEY:

Then go fetch, boy!

The BAG BOY rushes away after the lighter.

MATTHEW:

Outstanding. Can we go now?

ZOEY:

Of course. Poor guy. He just needs friends.

CUT TO:

INT. CAR - DAY

ZOEY gets in the car.

MATTHEW:

My heart is still in my throat. I thought

that kid was gonna burn the entire store

down.

He climbs in and shuts the door. He puts on his seatbelt and starts the car.

In the background we see the BAG BOY, who has lit his work vest on fire and is waving it around like a mad man. Several cars narrowly miss running him over. People are screaming in terror.

ZOEY:

He’s harmless. He reminds me of my little

brother.

MATTHEW:

I didn’t know you had a brother.

ZOEY:

I don’t. But if I did, I imagine he’d be as

sweet and good-natured as little Phoenix back

there.

MATTHEW looks out the rearview mirror and sees that the BAG BOY is now on fire and is running around as people are trying to put him out.

MATTHEW:

What in the world?

ZOEY:

He’s on fire, isn’t he?

MATTHEW:

Like it’s going out of style. Jesus.

ZOEY:

Sometimes pain is the only thing that finally

makes us change our ways.

MATTHEW:

Is that your professional opinion?

MATTHEW sees through the rearview window that the BAG BOY is sitting on the bumper of an ambulance having a cigarette with some paramedics. One of the paramedics waves his lit lighter in from of him and he begins to cry.

MATTHEW:

All right. Looks like the show is over. So

what's with this no right turn crap?

He looks over at her but she is already fast asleep. He

gently puts her seatbelt on and puts the car in drive. He sees a sign for a rural highway. He takes the one heading South.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FLEA MARKET - DAY

MATTHEW drives the car into the flea market parking lot. He and ZOEY exit and begin walking towards the building.

MATTHEW:

And why are we stopping here again?

ZOEY:

So we can relax and have some fun for a change.

MATTHEW gazes at the disheveled condition of the building.

MATTHEW:

Yeah. Fun.

They enter.

CUT TO:

INT. FLEA MARKET - DAY

They enter inside and are amazed and baffled by all of the odd trinkets and hand-me-downs on display. They turn a corner and come across an elderly couple sitting behind a counter. The woman, JANELLE, smiles and beckons them over.

JANELLE:

Hello, young travelers. I'm Janelle and this

cranky sack here is Harold. We're the proud

owners. Anything we can help you find?

ZOEY:

Actually, yes. Do you have any backpacks here

and flashlights?

The old man, HAROLD, grumbles to himself.

HAROLD:

Go f*ck yourself.

MATTHEW:

Hey, it’s a valid question, pal.

JANELLE:

Oh, do forgive Harold. He suffered a massive

stroke three years ago. He hasn't been right

in the head since.

ZOEY:

That's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that,

Harold. You seem like a cool guy.

HAROLD:

Go f*ck yourself.

MATTHEW:

Hey, now. Is that really necessary? Can he

say anything else?

JANELLE:

It's tough to say. Either way, it gets the

point across. He really does mean well. The

outdoor equipment is near the back of the

store. The shelves right by the tent display.

ZOEY:

Oh, cool. Thanks. It was great meeting you.

JANELLE:

Likewise, dear. Have a look around, won't you?

HAROLD looks out the front window and says nothing.

CUT TO:

INT. FLEA MARKET AISLE - DAY

They turn the corner and ZOEY begins looking at the items on the shelves. MATTHEW follows behind, lost in thought.

HAROLD (O.S.)

Go f*ck yourself!

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