(pt 4)

[continued:]

[A few days later, David and Rob approach a first floor apartment. They have notebooks and Rob carries a laptop. As they come up to the door, the notice it open slightly.]

ROB: Is the door open?
DAVID: It is. It's dark inside.
ROB: Is Squibs even home?
DAVID: I'll call him real quick. [pulls out phone and dials number]
ROB: This is the time we were supposed to meet him, right?
DAVID: Yeah, he said five.
ROB: Maybe he's taking a shower or something and left the door open for us.
DAVID: Who leaves their door open while they take a shower?
ROB: So, what's the other option? Someone's casing the place?
DAVID: [closes phone] He's not picking up. Um, maybe. Maybe someone is.
ROB: Well, I don't see any forced entry.
DAVID: What are you? CSI? There are a million ways to get in here without having to break the door down. What if they used the Hide-A-Key?
ROB: [picking up the flower pot that hides the spare key] Still there.
DAVID: [whispering in a rasp] And keep your voice down! Did you ever think they put the key back after they were done?
ROB: [also whispering] Why are we whispering?
DAVID: So they can't hear us.
ROB: There's more than one robber?
DAVID: Probably two. They work in teams.
ROB: Do they also wear black and white stripes like the Hamburglar?
DAVID: I'm being serious here. We don't want them to hear us.
ROB: You're being ridiculous.
DAVID: Should we call the cops?
ROB: Do you think we should go inside?
DAVID: Not even a little bit. Wait, did you hear that?
ROB: Here what?
DAVID: That sound. I think I hear voices.

[They are silent for a moment and listen near the door for sounds.]

ROB: I hear some music I think.
DAVID: Music? No way. Those are voices. Listen, I'm going to go into the parking lot to call the cops. You stay here in case they come out.
ROB: What? You're going to leave me here to fend for myself against thugs while you run away?
DAVID: I'm not running away. I'm calling the police. Just shout if you need help.

[David goes to walk away but is stopped by a loud scraping sound. There is something attached to his foot.]

DAVID: What is it?
ROB: [pulls the note off David's shoe] It says, "Take off your shoes before you come in."
DAVID: Oh, that's right. He got new carpet.
ROB: Let's go, numbnuts.

[The two walk in and find Squibs in his living room, sitting on the floor, surrounded by pillows. The room is dimly lit and smells of fresh incense. Candles are scattered about the room not so much for light as for ambiance. In front of Squibs is a pile of supplies: a pile of printer paper, boxes of crayons and clipboards.]

ROB: Hey -- man.
DAVID: What is this?
SQIBBS: Trying something a little new. A colleague of mine does this with her students in her writing class.
DAVID: What's that music?
SQUIBS: Do you like it? It's Native American flute. I think it's kind of relaxing.
ROB: How do you have Native American flute music?
SQUIBS: She let me borrow the CD.
DAVID: Is she hot?
ROB: Where do you even get a CD of Native American flute music? And what are the crayons for?
SQUIBS: To write with.
ROB: With crayons.
SQIBBS: I just thought since we're trying something new we should try a new way of going about it.
DAVID: And her students just put up with writing in crayon for their higher level education?
SQUIBS: Just try it. Go ahead and put the laptop down and we'll get started. Just try it out. She swears by this.
ROB: Can't hurt I suppose.
DAVID: She'd better be hot.

[David and Rob put their stuff down and reluctantly sit on the floor among the pillows and writing supplies.]

SQIBBS: [in a soothing voice] Now, what we're going to do is try --
ROB: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
DAVID: Are you going to talk like that the whole time?
SQUIBS: Well, I have to try to keep up with the mood.
ROB: So we'd have to talk like that, too?
SQUIBS: We're trying not to to be jarring during the creative process.
DAVID: You've got to be kidding --
ROB: Now, come on, man. Let's try it out. Go with it.
SQUIBS: Thank you, Rob. Now let's continue. We're going to try some brainstorming exercises. Clear your minds. Allow yourselves to not think for a few seconds and then let's talk about the first image that comes to mind. David?
DAVID: [after a couple moments, sighs, then in soothing voice] Well, the first things I saw --

[Rob cracks up and David follows quickly as they break into laughter. Squibs is disappointed.]

ROB: [laughing] I'm sorry, Squibs.
DAVID: [also laughing] I'm not. That was real stupid!
SQUIBS: Come on, you guys. Really? You couldn't even hold it together for ten minutes?
ROB: Did you really expect us to write in crayon?
SQUIBS: Just as a change of pace, get you out of your normal routine.
DAVID: Then what? Were you going to hang our outlines on the refrigerator? [starts to laugh again]
SQUIBS: What a couple of classy guys you are.
ROB: Sorry, man.
DAVID: And where did you get all the candles from? Did you buy them all for tonight?
SQUIBS: No, I had them around.
DAVID: It smells like a Bath and Body Works exploded in here.
SQUIBS: -- Y-Yankee Candle Shop

[Rob chuckles as he pulls it together but David falls over laughing. Squibs smiles and then laughs a little, too.

SQUIBS: Yeah, she is hot.
DAVID: [stops laughing and sits up quickly, pointing] I knew it!

[continued]