Father Mitchell (short film script)
7
description
A man on his third marriage tries to reconcile with his former step-son from his last marriage.
Transcript of Father Mitchell (short film script)
FADE IN:
INT. RIPLEY'S DINER - MONDAY AFTER SCHOOL
Ripley's, an All-American diner aiming to be like Denny's,is littered with old photographs that look fancy once framedon a wall. Looking at all the photgraphs is a man seated ina booth at the end of the diner. This is MITCHELL, a man inhis mid-40's. His eyes dart across the restaurantimpatiently. A sunny WAITRESS approaches him.
WAITRESSHi, and welcome to Ripley's! Can Iget you anything to drink?
MITCHELLJust a water. Actually, two waters.One without ice please.
WAITRESSIs that all for you?
MITCHELLYes, thank you.
The waitress leaves. As she heads back to the kitchen, ateenage boy enters the diner. This is BRAN, Mitchell'sformer step-son from the last marriage. Upon spottingMitchell, he walks toward the booth. As he sits, heimpulsively smiles to Mitchell.
MITCHELLHey Bran.
BRANHey Mitch. Did you get anythingyet?
MITCHELL(surprised, slightlyinsulted)
Hey. What happened to calling meDad?
The waitress returns to the booth with two waters.
WAITRESSAlright, I've got two waters. Onewith, and one without ice.
BRANI'll take the one without ice.
She nods, handing Bran the iceless water cup. She then setsthe other one in front of Mitchell.
MITCHELLThank you ma'am.
2.
WAITRESSYou're welcome! Can I get you boysanything?
Bran and Mitchell look at each other, then nod in agreement.
MITCHELLUm, maybe later.
WAITRESSAlright. Just give a holler if youneed anything.
The waitress leaves.
MITCHELLHow come you didn't call me dad?
Bran sips on his water, ignoring who was once hisstep-father.
BRANWell, you're not anymore.
MITCHELLJust because your mom and I aren'tmarried doesn't mean I still can'tbe your dad, right?
Bran continues sipping.
MITCHELLAm I clear?
BRAN(unenthusiastically)
Crystal, man.
The two share a moment of silence. Bran acts like his fatherisn't there. Mitchell waits before he speaks again.
MITCHELLWell, I have to ask. How's Briandoing?
BRANBrian? Oh he's fine. He's kindafucked up now ever since you left.
MITCHELLHey. Don't run that mouth on meright here right now.
Bran looks his Mitchell in the face.
BRANAnd you've never sworn in public?
3.
MITCHELLJust because I did it doesn't meanit's not bad. It's still sinful, nomatter who you are.
BRANWhatever man.
MITCHELL(now suppressing anger)
Look at me.
BRAN(sneering)
What, are you the captain now?
MITCHELLKnock it off smarts. I wanted totalk to you because I wanted to sayI was sorry. I'm sorry thingsbetween your mom and I got so sourand want so south. I know I won'tbe able to be a father to youanymore, but I still want to begood in your books, like a friend.Really I-
Bran interrupts the speech, somewhat angrily
BRANStop. Do you know what sorry means?
MITCHELLIt's apologetic. I mean it, youknow.
BRANWhen you say you're sorry, you meanthat you'll never do somethingagain. You're on your thirdmarriage right now! That's notright!
Mitchell is now irritated by his son's behavior.
MITCHELLOkay, buster, you don't know rightfrom wrong! You're not evensixteen. I miss it when we ourminds did the talking, not thehormones.
BRANAge is just a number! Just becauseI'm a third your age doesn't mean Idon't understand morals! At leastI know enough that fucking aroundwith other women isn't right!
4.
MITCHELL(trying to be calm)
What you saw, it's not what youthink it was.
BRANDoes sticking your dick in Cynthiawhats-her-name not count as fuckingaround? Give me a break old man.
Upon hearing Bran's vulgarities, all the other patrons ofthe diner are staring at the two.
MITCHELL(embarassed, but notletting his guard down)
For eleven years I was with yourmom. I loved her so very much, andI still do. I messed up, I'm ahuman being.
Mitchell extends his arm out to Bran, sitting across fromhim.
MITCHELLTake my hand. I wanna reconcilewith you, your mother, and yourbrother.
Bran looks at it, and silently.
MITCHELL(disgruntled)
Shake it.
Bran is unmoved
MITCHELL(louder, angrier)
Shake my hand damnit.
Bran remains unchanged. Mitchell snaps.
MITCHELL(angry yelling)
Damnit Bran! Be a good Christian,and shake my hand!
The waitress assigned to Bran and Mitchell dashes over tothe booth. Her sunny mood is masked with hidden fury.
WAITRESS(to Mitchell)
Sir, if you and your son can'tbehave yourselves, I'm going tohave to ask you two to leave.
Mitchell cocks his head toward the waitress.
5.
MITCHELL(sarcastically)
Well, apparently, this kid isn't myson.
The waitress is annoyed by the comment.
WAITRESSPlease leave. Both of you.
Bran breaks down crying. As he cries, he extends his handout to Mitchell.
MITCHELL(sarcastically shocked,but pleasentlysurprised)
I'm supposed to shake that?
Bran smiles between his tears.
BRANDad, look. We're both jerks, evenif we don't share it genetically. Iaccept your apology.
MITCHELL(hiding his happiness)
I'm so glad we could come to terms.
The waitress appears unphased by the exchange, but is nowcalm. Bran's crying stops. He wipes his tears
WAITRESSMake sure you two behaveyourselves.
As she walks three or so steps back to the kitchen, Mitchellwhistles.
WAITRESS(walking back to thebooth)
Yes?
MITCHELLCan we get something to eat?
WAITRESSSure. What were you thinking?
MITCHELLOne of-
Bran interjects
BRANWe'll share one of those pancookies with ice-cream.
6.
The waitress looks at Mitchell.
MITCHELLThat sounds good to me.
The waitress smiles.
WAITRESSAlright, one pan cookie with icecream coming up!
The waitress returns to the kitchen.
MITCHELLSo how's school?
BRAN(smiling, more engaged)
It's good...
The two continue talking as the camera pulls away from them.The sound fades outs.
FADE TO BLACK:
