Welcome to Station Keeeping, I have for you, a script I'm calling "Walking Away," which I'm presenting in two parts, so come back on thursday for the conclusion of this installment. I'm excited to see what you think of this format, I quite enjoyed it, and I hope you do too. The finale will start monday afternoon. Stay tuned! Cheers, tycho
INT. ANOTHER ROUND, The Bar
Business is slow, but it is still early in the evening, and the bar hasn't been open long besides. We can still see rough edges on the construction. The dust hasn't settled, and some of the molding hasn't been installed.
ELI BANNER takes a stool at the middle of the bar as we begin, his shoulders are tense and it's clear that he's not settling in to this chair. DAVID CONRAD is working at one end of the bar and CARTER is working at the other.
- DAVID CONRAD
- Fancy seeing you here. Aren't you supposed to be on duty or something.
- ELI BANNER
- I'm the skipper--well commander at any rate--I'm on duty when ever I say I'm on duty.
- (pause)
- It's nice to see you too.
- DAVID CONRAD
- I think the exact line in my lecture was "you're always on duty."
- ELI BANNER
- That's what I said, wasn't it.
- DAVID CONRAD
- (looks askance at ELI)
- If you say so. Sir. Just don't go getting us blown up.
- (points finger)
- I'm trusting you on that one.
- ELI BANNER
- So do I get to order or are you just going to rehash your old lectures?
DAVID extends his hands, palm up, as if to say:
- DAVID CONRAD
- Then order.
- ELI BANNER
- Can I have two beers. And do you have any chilled? I'm not sure I can deal with the local brew at room temp.
- MAN AT BAR
- (slightly louder than necessary)
- Your missing out. 'Couldn't deal with your fancy coreside crap at any temp. Tastes like feets.
- (makes retching noise)
A few people sitting nearby laugh, ELI ignores them.
- DAVID CONRAD
- Two? There's only one of you, and my stash of cold drinks isn't in danger of running out.
- ELI BANNER
- You. We're having a drink.
- DAVID CONRAD
- I'm working, and besides, you can't order me around, buster.
- ELI BANNER
- You have staff, we're on the rim, and you are technically a civilian now.
- DAVID CONRAD
- Watch it.
- ELI BANNER
- Just come on.
DAVID turns to CARTER who is talking to patrons at one corner of the bar and says:
- DAVID CONRAD
- Could you take care of the bar for a little while?
- (pause)
- --and remember what I said about mixing the drinks strong. I don't want any more accidents in the lifts because you're feeling generous.