Catering

INT LIVING ROOM NIGHT

DAN WILSON, mid-30's and handsome, wanders aimlessly around
the nicely decorated living room, drink in hand.

The doorbell rings.

ESTELLE WILSON, early-30's and also very attractive, pokes
her head around a corner.

ESTELLE
Could you get that, sweetie?

DAN
Sure.

Dan walks to the front door and opens it. His perfect smile
broadens a bit. On the front step, AMY BRACKENS, early 30's,
stands, awkwardly holding a few serving trays. She has a
very cute face, but her hair is pulled back and her dress is
ultra-conservative. Between the cumbersome trays and Dan,
her hold on her composure is tenuous.

DAN
Hello.

AMY
Uh, hi. I'm Amy Brackens. I'm the
caterer. I'm late.

DAN
I'm Dan Wilson…

Estelle appears behind Dan, and puts a hand on his shoulder.

ESTELLE
Amy! I was beginning to worry.
Was traffic that bad?

AMY
Yes.

ESTELLE
Well, no worries. You're here
before the guests and that's what
counts.
(noticing the trays)
Geez, Dan, you could help her with
those.

Dan, still smiling at Amy, realizes his lack of chivalry.
With a start, he grabs for a couple of the trays.

AMY
Thank you.

ESTELLE
I'm still putting on my finishing
touches, so I'll let you get down
to business. It might be easier to
go through the back door.
(to Dan)
Sweetie, could you show Amy to the
kitchen.

Estelle glides back out of the room. Dan's smile returns.

DAN
Right this way.

Dan waits for Amy to enter, shuts the door and then leads the
way towards the back of the house. Amy follows stiffly.

AMY
Nice place.

DAN
Yeah, it's all right.



INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Dan enters followed by Amy. He puts the trays on the
counter, and grabs the additional ones from Amy.

DAN
I don't really know where anything
is in here, but if you need some
help just let me know.

AMY
You could help carry some stuff
in…if you want.

DAN
Absolutely.

Dan flashes his million-dollar smile at Amy. She
uncomfortably gives him half a grin.



INT. KITCHEN – A FEW MINUTES LATER

Dan carries in a couple of boxes. Amy carrying some smaller
items looks anxious.

AMY
Please be careful.

DAN
Don't worry; I've got a good hold
on them.

Dan fakes a trip. Amy gasps.

DAN
Just kidding.

AMY
Please don't joke.

DAN
You're just a bit uptight aren't
you?

Dan sets the boxes gently on the floor. Amy puts her stuff
on the counter.

AMY
Sorry. This is my first time by
myself. I've always worked for
other people.

DAN
Started your own business, huh?

Amy nods, arranging materials on the counter.

DAN
Impressive. But you need to relax.

Dan moves behind her and begins massaging her shoulders. For
a moment, Amy melts into it, enjoying the touch. She catches
herself. She slides away from Dan to the other side of the
kitchen to a door.

AMY
Is this the pantry?

DAN
(shrugging)
I think so.

Amy opens the door.

AMY
Holy moly…this is huge.

DAN
Never gets old hearing that.

AMY
I just might need to borrow a few
things.

DAN
By all means.

ESTELLE
(OC)
Dan, honey, could you come give me
a hand.

DAN
I'll be right back.

AMY
Oh, no…that's ok, I've got a lot to
do…

DAN
Which is why you need my help.

Dan exits, leaving Amy flustered.



INT. KITCHEN – A SHORT TIME LATER

Amy is in full force. She bustles to and fro, checking a
sauce on the stove, double-checking something in the oven.
She's in her element now. Dan removes saran wrap from trays
of hors dourves.

DAN
How long did it take you to make
all of this stuff?

AMY
Just, like, most of this afternoon.
It's not that bad if you know what
you want to do.

DAN
You really need to get an
assistant.

AMY
Can't afford one…yet.

Dan studies her for a moment. She's lost in her work.

DAN
Man, you are really good at this.

Amy reddens a bit, and lets a small smile peak through.

DAN
And you are absolutely gorgeous
when you smile.

Amy, completely embarrassed, turns away and picks at a salad.
Dan starts to move towards her.

The doorbell rings. From the other rooms, muffled voices can
be heard. The anxiety reappears on Amy's face.

ESTELLE
(OC)
Dan, sweetie, the O'Briens are
here!

Dan looks from the door to Amy.

DAN
Don't go away.

AMY
I'm the caterer…where can I go?

Dan exits. Amy grabs a tray of hors d'ourves and hurries
into the other room.



INT. LIVING ROOM – A SHORT TIME LATER

Dan mingles with guests, but his eyes track Amy. Amy hurries
around refreshing drinks. A table in the other room is
visible, exquisitely laid out with food.

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Amy allows herself
a glance at Dan. He's laughing with a couple of couples.
Estelle comes up to him and slides her arm around his waist.
Amy's attention snaps back to her work.



INT. KITCHEN – A WHILE LATER

Amy is stacking dishes by the sink. A few mostly empty trays
sit on the counter.

Dan enters.

DAN
How's it going in here?

AMY
Just fine. How's it going out
there?

DAN
Seems ok, I guess. It's down to
just the drinking and telling lies.

AMY
(anxious)
Be honest. Did people seem to like
the food?

DAN
Are you kidding? Those vultures
couldn't get enough. They loved
your food.

Amy's shoulders slump. She leans back against the counter.

AMY
Oh my God. I was so nervous. I
can't believe that it's almost
over.

DAN
I can't believe that it's almost
over either. I've been out there
talking to a bunch of people that I
don't really like all night, while
the person I'd really like to talk
to has been stuck taking care of
her marvelous food.

Dan moves towards her. Amy starts to back away, but she's
still against the counter.

DAN
You are one amazing woman.

Dan, right in front of her, puts his hands on the counter on
either side of her. Amy tries to look for an escape route.

AMY
Please. I don't think that this is
right. It's…it's…unprofessional.

DAN
You're duties are done, Amy. You
can take a break.

AMY
You're standing way too close.

As she says it, she seemingly struggles to keep her head off
of his chest.

DAN
I don't normally meet women like
you. I always meet women like the
ones in there.

Amy pushes past him and looks at him appalled.

AMY
This is just not right. What about
Estelle? She's beautiful she's
intelligent…what more do you want?
Oh God, and she just gave me a huge
break. What the hell am I
thinking?

DAN
What the hell are you talking
about?

AMY
Estelle? My boss for the evening?

Dan looks on expectantly.

AMY
Your wife?!

Dan bursts out laughing.

AMY
(confused)
What?

DAN
Amy, Estelle's my kid sister. What
the hell made you think we're
married?

AMY
Well, um, you've got the same last
name. And, she, um, seems to touch
you a lot and call you 'sweetie'
and 'honey'…

DAN
She's just very affectionate. She
calls everyone 'sweetie' and
'honey'. She calls our dad 'sugar
plum' for God's sake.

AMY
So, you're…

DAN
Not married, no. I'm also not
dating anyone and I'm not gay.
What I am is someone that would
like to get to know the caterer a
lot better.

AMY
Oh, um…

Dan flashes his smile once more. Amy tries to stifle a grin.

AMY
Oh.

DISOLVE TO:



INT. KITCHEN – A SHORT TIME LATER

Estelle pokes her head into the kitchen.

ESTELLE
Amy?

Estelle fully enters the kitchen, a bit tipsy, and has a look
around.

ESTELLE
(to herself)
Must be taking a break.

She walks over to some wine bottles on the counter and
studies them.

ESTELLE
No…no…no. Figures.

She walks over to the pantry.

ESTELLE
Oh well. Let's see what I've got
in here.

She flings opens the pantry door. Her jaw drops. Off camera
a woman squeals.

ESTELLE
Oh, my goodness!

DAN
(OC)
Oh, hi, Estelle. Amy was just
taking a break…

FADE OUT: