It's Not So Much a Time Machine as it is a Dodgeball Cannon
INT. HOTEL NIGHT
EDWARD lies in a hotel bed facing the ceiling. A young-looking PROSTITUTE lies facing him. The only light in the room comes from a dim lamp beside the bed and the faint glow of the streetlights streaming in from the window.
EDWARD
Do you like what you do?
PROSTITUTE
No, not really. But with most jobs you’re basically whoring yourself out anyway. I figure being out on the streets isn’t much worse than being trapped behind a desk.
EDWARD
Did you have a choice in the matter?
PROSTITUTE
Listen, I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got work to do.
EDWARD
Don’t worry. I’ll pay you for your time.
PROSTITUTE
Okay. It’s your money. What were you asking?
EDWARD
Did you choose to become a prostitute?
PROSTITUTE
Kinda. My father took care of me growing up--if you can call it that. He pretty much lemme do what I want. It was cool when I was a kid, but he wasn’t gonna give me any money for college, which is kinda shitty of him, seein’ as he kicked me out. I sure as hell can’t afford an apartment on a minimum wage job, so I decided just to do what I was good at.
EDWARD
Heh. I see.
PROSTITUTE
What’s so funny?
EDWARD
Oh nothing, I just--
PROSTITUTE
Can I ask you something?
EDWARD
Shoot.
PROSTITUTE
Are you married?
EDWARD
Yeah. Why?
PROSTITUTE
Just wonderin’ why you waste your money on me.
EDWARD
Sometimes I just need someone to talk to, I guess.
PROSTITUTE
Why don’tcha talk to your wife?
EDWARD
I do, but...it’s not the same. I don’t want to upset her by making her think I’m unhappy.
PROSTITUTE
Are you unhappy?
EDWARD
Good question. How do I tell?
PROSTITUTE
I dunno. Whatcha askin’ me for?
He rolls onto his side so that he faces away from her.
PROSTITUTE (Cont’d)
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to--
EDWARD
No, it’s just that my wife...she’s probably worried about me right now.
PROSTITUTE
Do you want me to leave?
EDWARD
No. Just stay here with me. For a little bit longer.
She inches closer to him and begins to rub his back.
PROSTITUTE
It’s okay babe. Everything’s going to be all right.
EDWARD
Thank you.
He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a wad of bills, and hands it to her.
EDWARD (Cont’d)
Keep the change.
She kisses him on the cheek and then starts to gather her things.
EDWARD (Cont’d)
Can I see you again?
PROSTITUTE
Yeah. I’ll be around.
EDWARD lies in a hotel bed facing the ceiling. A young-looking PROSTITUTE lies facing him. The only light in the room comes from a dim lamp beside the bed and the faint glow of the streetlights streaming in from the window.
EDWARD
Do you like what you do?
PROSTITUTE
No, not really. But with most jobs you’re basically whoring yourself out anyway. I figure being out on the streets isn’t much worse than being trapped behind a desk.
EDWARD
Did you have a choice in the matter?
PROSTITUTE
Listen, I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got work to do.
EDWARD
Don’t worry. I’ll pay you for your time.
PROSTITUTE
Okay. It’s your money. What were you asking?
EDWARD
Did you choose to become a prostitute?
PROSTITUTE
Kinda. My father took care of me growing up--if you can call it that. He pretty much lemme do what I want. It was cool when I was a kid, but he wasn’t gonna give me any money for college, which is kinda shitty of him, seein’ as he kicked me out. I sure as hell can’t afford an apartment on a minimum wage job, so I decided just to do what I was good at.
EDWARD
Heh. I see.
PROSTITUTE
What’s so funny?
EDWARD
Oh nothing, I just--
PROSTITUTE
Can I ask you something?
EDWARD
Shoot.
PROSTITUTE
Are you married?
EDWARD
Yeah. Why?
PROSTITUTE
Just wonderin’ why you waste your money on me.
EDWARD
Sometimes I just need someone to talk to, I guess.
PROSTITUTE
Why don’tcha talk to your wife?
EDWARD
I do, but...it’s not the same. I don’t want to upset her by making her think I’m unhappy.
PROSTITUTE
Are you unhappy?
EDWARD
Good question. How do I tell?
PROSTITUTE
I dunno. Whatcha askin’ me for?
He rolls onto his side so that he faces away from her.
PROSTITUTE (Cont’d)
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to--
EDWARD
No, it’s just that my wife...she’s probably worried about me right now.
PROSTITUTE
Do you want me to leave?
EDWARD
No. Just stay here with me. For a little bit longer.
She inches closer to him and begins to rub his back.
PROSTITUTE
It’s okay babe. Everything’s going to be all right.
EDWARD
Thank you.
He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a wad of bills, and hands it to her.
EDWARD (Cont’d)
Keep the change.
She kisses him on the cheek and then starts to gather her things.
EDWARD (Cont’d)
Can I see you again?
PROSTITUTE
Yeah. I’ll be around.