The Elevator

INT. ELEVATOR OF SCHOOL BUILDING - DAY

A young man SEBASTIAN (20s, wearing glasses and a plaid shirt over beige pants, awkward looking) is standing in the corner of the elevator anxiously. He looks down at his feet where his funky cartoon socks peak out from his short pants. In his hands is a wooden box.

Loud noises outside dim as door closes.

The elevator is well lit but looks worn. Miscellaneous posters of is hung on one side of the elevator. One of them reads "CHESS TOURNAMENT"

Suddenly, we here a thud. SEBASTIAN looks up to see LAURA (woman, 40s, wearing heels and formal attire) blocking the door with one hand.

SEBASTIAN glances.

LAURA pauses after making eye contact with SEBASTIAN, looking a bit fright, then walks in the elevator calmly.

LAURA

(coughs)

Hm .

LAURA presses floor six. Her finger stops when she sees the fourth floor being pressed. She backs off to stand next to SEBASTIAN, keeping an awkward distance.

Silence. The elevator begins to move upwards.

LAURA (CONT' D)

(In an accent)

Are you uh -

Suddenly, a loud thud reverberates in the elevator and it abruptly stops.

LAURA grabs onto the handle at the back of the elevator. The wooden box in SEBASTIAN'S hands fall and chess pieces splatter across the floor.

SEBASTIAN

(annoyed)

Ah flip!

They both bend down to pick up the pieces. SEBASTIAN quickly gathers them all whilst receiving the few pieces picked up by LAURA.

SEBASTIAN (CONT' D)

Thank you thank you. I'm sorry.

Jeez, this is quite the scene...

LAURA

Not at all.

Beat.

LAURA looks up at the elevator display, which went dim.

LAURA (CONT' D)

We should really call for help. I hope this still works.

She presses the 'SOS button on the elevator. It makes a jarring buzzing noise.

Silence.

LAURA takes a moment to observe SEBASTIAN.

LAURA (CONT' D)

You uh - going to the chess tournament?

SEBASTIAN

Yeah. I just started this summer, so there's really no competition.

Beat.

LAURA

Well there's a process... to everything.

Beat.

LAURA ( CONT' D)

Is this uh, you re first? First competition:

SEBASTIAN

Yeah. You can really tell huh. I'm
amateur looking though I'm probably
the oldest in this group.

Silence. SEBASTIAN catches LAURA's long gaze. He grows more uncomfortable and pretends to check is watch.

LAURA

I'm sorry. I don't mean to stare. It's just…
you really remind me of my son.
He used to play chess as well.

LAURA smiles dryly.

SEBASTIAN

(Loosening up)

Oh. Why did he stop playing?

LAURA

Well he didn't... He uh... he passed away in a car
accident. He was just 5 years old, but
I imagined him to grow up to someone like you.

SEBASTIAN

(Stuttering)

I'm so sorry. Jeez, I don't mean to

LAURA

No it's okay. That was a long time

Silence.

EXT. ROAD IN SUBURB - DAY - FLASHBACK

A boy, 5 years old, sitting in the car. The car drives past the school swiftly.

INT. INSIDE THE CAR - DAY - FLASHBACK

The boy is peering out the window in the backseat. He is wearing cartoon socks with monkeys on them.

WE GO BACK TO INT. - ELEVATOR - DAY

LAURA

(Regretful)

God I should've said he stopped playing cause he didn't like it
anymore huh? Sorry to make it so gloom. The day's
probably not so great for you already.

SEBASTIAN

No, no not at all. I mean I really don't stand a chance at
winning anyway. I'm just here for shits and giggles.

Beat.

SEBASTIAN (CONT' D)

You know, I started playing only because it's my father's
un-lived dream. After he left us I needed something
to distract myself from all the chaos.
I'm still not great but I enjoy the control it gives me.
I sometimes wonder if that's why he yearned it...

They both stand still looking at the elevator door. The air in the elevator dense.

LAURA

(To herself)

Control…

Beat.

LAURA (CONT' D)

I wonder if thats why Seb was so obsessed.
I mean he played and played and played and played...

Suddenly, the elevator engine turns on and it begins to ascend again.

LAURA (CONT' D)

Oh great! It's working again!

(TO SEBASTIAN)

You can probably still make it to your game.

She looks up to see the elevator is approaching floor 4.

By the way, what's your name?

SEBASTIAN

Uh. It's... I'm Sebastian.

LAURA freezes. Contemplating. Before she can react, the elevator stops at four and the door slides open.

SEBASTIAN (CONT' D)

Um… take care.

We see SEBASTIAN walk out of the elevator and the door closes.

FADE OUT.