SCENE TWO ;; passenger
INT. ROSS' ROOM - HOMESTEAD SUITES - DAY
The choreography of Ross' packing is worthy of Tchaikovsky.
A coat slides off a hanger... A travel toothbrush folds closed like a switchblade... A briefcase clicks onto a roll-away bag... A hand flips a light switch without looking.
INT. LOBBY, HOMESTEAD SUITES - DAY
Ross is at the check out desk.
CHECKOUT GIRL:
"
Do you have your Prospector's Gold Card with you?"
Ross smiles... "
Do I?"
He hands it to her, close enough to camera, that we get a nice big close up of it. She runs the card and the screen pops up with information that makes her blush.
We see a Digital Number in the four millions that we will come to recognize. It increases by a few thousand points.
CHECKOUT GIRL:
"
Oh my God... Do you like, live, at Homestead Suites?"
Ross nods in faux modesty.
INT. CAR RETURN, MAESTRO RENT-A-CAR - DAY
Ross pulls up to one of the spaces marked with the Devotion Club emblem. He hops out and a uniformed man with a handheld device begins to punch in the license plate number.
Ross pulls out his Maestro Devotion Club Card and places it nice and close to lens so we can see it.
The card slides through the handheld device and we see the Digital Number increase by a few thousand points.
INT. MAIN CONCOURSE, LOS ANGELES INTL. AIRPORT - DAY
The automated Glass Doors slide open. Ross enters the concourse and takes a deep breath of the temperately controlled air. He has arrived.
ROSS: (Voice Over)
"
This is where I live."
Subtitles - "Airworld"
Ross skips the long lines and steps directly into the Great West Frontiersman Platinum Line.
Glorious close-up of Ross' Platinum Card sliding through the Automated Machine. Were it any sexier, we'd hear a moan. Maybe we even do.
The digital number jumps again. Immediately, the Airport Clerk registers and perks up.
AIRPORT CLERK:
"
Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Lancaster."
ROSS: (V.O.)
"
When I run my card, the system automatically prompts the desk clerk to greet me with this exact statement."
We see it again...
AIRPORT CLERK:
"
Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Lancaster."
Ross nods back to the clerk.
ROSS: (V.O.)
"
Had my status simply been gold or God-forbid, bronze. I might have gotten a hello or a smile... Maybe."
Ross continues to hit buttons, swiftly checking in.
ROSS: (V.O.)
"
Loyalty is earned and rewarded with these small touches. It's these kinds of systemized friendly touches that keep my world in orbit."
A ticket begins printing. Ross snaps it up.
INT. SECURITY - LOS ANGELES INTL. AIRPORT - SAME
Ross steps up and observes his line choices. He finds a few Asian businessmen and hops in behind them.
JUMP CUT TO:
Ross moving through the security screening.
It's a beautiful choreographed ballet of a bag handle collapsing, shoes coming off, a laptop going in a separate tray, wallet and watch sliding into a shoe, a boarding card sliding into a back pocket... both hands always moving, performing separate actions.. It really is gorgeous.
INT. COMPASS CLUB - SAME
Ross enters and presents his Compass Card Club. It has a hologram. The Compass Club Hostess immediately smiles.
COMPASS CLUB HOSTESS:
"
Welcome back, Mr. Lancaster."
Ross walks past a stack of newspapers on the way to the buffet, the whole time framed by an enormous window overlooking the tarmac.
ROSS: (V.O.)
"
All the things you probably hate about traveling - The recycled air. The artificial lighting. The digital juice dispensers and mini pizzas stacked to their heat lamps are the warm reminders that I am home."
With that comment, Ross slides into a leather club seat.
He opens his briefcase and pulls out his Itinerary. He scans it. We see a string of flights, car rentals, and stays at Homestead Suites. Then, something makes him frown. He pulls out his cell phone and dials...
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. ASSISTANT'S DESK, CMG - DAY
Ross' assistant,
Laura McClane, is not happy to be there.
LAURA
Ross Lancaster's office.
ROSS:
"
You have me in a Dodge Stratus in Los Angeles."
LAURA:
"
They are completely out of full sized luxury vehicles..."
ROSS:
(interrupts)
"
Did you?..."
LAURA:
(not the first time)
"
Yes, I informed them of your Devotion Club status and years in the program. They are moving mountains to see you in an Intrepid."
ROSS:
"
Fair enough. Any other messages?"
LAURA:
"
Your sister Mona called. Needs to speak urgently about your sister's wedding. I told her you were midair and not even I knew your final destination."
ROSS:
"
Well done."
LAURA:
"
And Natalie called. She can't make it to LA, Crystal, gave her this trip off to celebrate her engagement."
Take a beat.
ROSS:
"
Engagement? (sigh) I've told her marriage is suicide when you have a job like this."
LAURA:
"
You told me, marriage was suicide in general..."
ROSS:
"
Yes, for me it is. That is social suicide. I couldn't be with one woman for the rest of my life. Shit, I couldn't even handle a girlfriend."
LAURA:
"
So, you just never see yourself in a commitment?..."
ROSS:
"
No. I steal a girl's heart, sleep with them, then I never see them again."
LAURA:
"
Wow. You're such a fucking douche."
ROSS:
"
I'm not a fucking douchebag. A douche shows remorse for their actions sooner or later. I don't. I'm more of a fucking asshole, thank you very much."
LAURA:
"
Hold on, I have Crystal Porter for you..."
ROSS:
"
I... ah, fuck..."
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. CRYSTAL PORTER'S OFFICE, CMG - DAY
CRYSTAL:
"
How's the road warrior?"
ROSS:
"
Twenty minutes from boarding into a world of bliss."
CRYSTAL:
"
Great numbers out of Los Angeles."
ROSS:
"
Wait 'til the suicide report comes in over the weekend."
CRYSTAL:
"
They should be so lucky."
Ross gives a look - What a bitch. Perfect match to his prick.
CRYSTAL: (continued)
"
I need you back in New York by the end of the week. We got something big..."
ROSS:
(interrupts)
"
I know CMG records already has something huge... Me."
CRYSTAL:
(chuckles)
"
I'm not saying that kind of big. I'm talking about a game changer. Hope you can handle being on home soil."
ROSS:
"
I don't know why you ever bring me in. Wherever I go, the money follows. Let me plant seeds, they'll grow to Oaks... Or some high-quality marijuana plantation."
CRYSTAL:
"
I'll make it up to you. Remember that thing with the towel racket?"
ROSS:
"
That was impressive. Never knew you had that much upper-body strength. We really gotta do that again."
CRYSTAL:
"
Is that a compliment?"
ROSS:
"
It is if you consider yourself a MILF. Which I consider you one."
CRYSTAL:
"
You're such a fucking prick, Ross."
ROSS:
"
Wow. I've been called a prick, an asshole and a douche in less than 24 hours. By, the three women I have regular communication with."
Takes a beat.
"
So, what are we talking about here?"
CRYSTAL:
"
You'll see."
(changes directions)
"
Today, I have to go to court... Adam is still battling me for child custody."
That's the kind of situation Ross isn't very good in. Silence is heard from Ross' line.
ROSS:
"
Well... Don't worry Crystal... I'm sure everything is going to work out..."
CRYSTAL:
"
Thank you. Those are probably the kindest words I've heard from you. Ever."
ROSS:
"
Being an asshole doesn't make me thoughtless."
Split screen camera switches to single camera showing Crystal with a sly smirk on her face. She is looking at a picture of her young daughter.
CRYSTAL:
"
I gotta... I'll... I'll see you when you get here."
The camera shows Ross still driving, he stays on the line until it goes dead from the other end. He even looks a little consider over Crystal's problem. Ross shakes his head knocking out whatever he was thinking of, while he tosses his phone to the passenger seat.
-
SCENE TWO ;;
end(
OOC:
I wasn't really happy with these two first scenes but in the following one it really starts to take shape since in the third scene all the main cast will introduce the rest of the cast.)