(pt 11)

[continued:]

[David, Squibs and Rob sit on the couches at David's apartment, staring at the blank television. David's apartment is what one would expect of a one-bedroom in which he lives alone: not a sanitary hazard but essentially minor squalor with mismatched furniture, barren cupboards but an impressive movie collection.]

Rob:

So you've been without TV for --

David:

Two weeks. Just me and the internet.

Squibs:

And you can't even watch movies?

David:

Nope. All that comes up on the screen is that thin line across the middle.

Rob:

[flips a large piece of black plastic with his foot] And what is this plastic shrapnel?

David:

That's to the back of the TV. See, when it used to do this I'd hit the back of it and the picture would come back up. One day I hit it and it caved in. So I started hitting the other side. And then it caved in and now the entire case is broken off.

Rob:

So now there's nothing to hit.

David:

Exactly. So I'm left with the thin line. Sound is great but no picture.

Rob:

Ah.

[There's another period of silence. David looks at his watch.]

Rob:

What time is it?

David

Six thirty.

Rob:

[to Squibs] And when does the movie start?

Squibs:

Eight fifty.

Rob:

Right. Right.

David:

So what's going on with that guy from the studio?

Squibs:

Well, "studio" is a strong term. Right now they're more kinda like an investment firm. At least that's what my friend told me. They seemed really interested in the script though. He said he was going to show it to his boss.

David:

Cool. Cool.

Rob:

Yeah, that'll be great.

[There's another period of silence. David repositions himself.]

Rob:

God, your house is boring without TV.

David:

You're telling me. You've only been here for fifteen minutes. I have to live here and stare at the three DVDs I bought just before it went out.

Rob:

You can watch them on your computer.

David:

It's not the same.

Rob:

Like watching it on that thing was any better. How old was that set?

David:

Six, seven years.

Rob:

It was like a dinosaur. Doesn't even have component inputs, does it?

David:

[to Squibs] So, what's going on with you and that girl Jessica?

Squibs:

What do you mean?

David:

She's pretty hot.

Squibs:

Yeah, I think she's cute.

Rob:

Are you going to ask her out?

Squibs:

I don't know, man. I think there are rules. We have the same advisor and we have to work together everyday.

David:

Buuuuut?

Squibs:

She's really hot.

David:

[as Rob laughs] Ha yeah!

Squibs:

And, you know, smart and talented.

David:

And just fantastic-looking boobs.

[Rob backhands David's arm as David tries to make the international symbol for breasts. David breaks his pose and laughs.]

Squibs:

She wants me to read part of her thesis and tell her what I think. Should I offer to let her read part of my thesis?

Rob:

Sure. If she says she's too busy you'll know that she's not that into you. But if she says that she will then I think you have a shot.

David:

It's like show and tell. I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Starts off with your boring papers but then it turns into books you like, music you listen to. Maybe then you play a little show and tell with just a touch of nipple. Pull your shirt down and show the top of yours and then she shows you the top of hers.

Rob:

[staring at David but talking to Squibs] Have you finished any part of your thesis yet?

Squibs:

Nothing I want to show the world.

Rob:

So it's a moot point then.

Squibs:

Yeah. But I might finish a part just to give her something to read.

David:

Oh, you'll give her something to read.

Rob:

What? David -- get laid.

Squibs:

It's not like that, you know? She's just -- really cool. We have a good time.

Rob:

That's really cool, man.

[There's another bit of silence.]

Squibs:

It's kind of nice not having a TV here. We get to sit around and just hang out instead of rotting our brains with television.

Rob:

Right. Just quiet. Chill.

[More silence.]

David:

Who wants to go watch "The Twenty" four or fives times before the movie starts.

Rob:

Yeah, let's get out of here.

[continued]