Written for LONDON SCRIPTWRITERS' FESTIVAL 2012- (50 KISSES COMPETITION)
INT. STREET CAFE ( LATE SEVENTIES IN LONDON ) - VALENTINE’S DAY LATE EVENING
JIM, a head waiter in a street Cafe, in his mid-twenties seems fidgety and distracted in the direction of the street (hiding his glances from the world). The passing traffic obscures his destination, however, he has trained his eyes to figure out a lady on the other side of the kerb, haunting him every evening.
Time phases out emptying tables, love birds and cozy couples of the Valentine's evening fade out. Jim settles to a seat back facing the entrance with a more than usual sigh!
STREET LADY
Are you still open?
The sudden query breaks his trance. Jim turns back in
amazement at the known stranger collects himself somehow.
JIM
Ya, of course.....welcome. We are open
late for tonight...this Valentine's Day.
The lady (who seems to be in her early thirties ) enjoys the humble fumbling and continues to vex Jim with her radiant pair of eyes, nonchalantly
STREET LADY
Do you serve Old Forester?
JIM
Of course. You shall get the best handpicked from select barrels.
STREET LADY
Well, you better choose for me tonight. Two pegs.
JIM
Thanks. um...Sorry, if you don't
mind....if You're expecting
someone, I would say that we are
just open for another half an hour.
STREET LADY
If I tell you, I’m expecting you to
dine with me tonight.
Taken aback at the retort, Jim almost exposes his niched emotions.
JIM
What! Are You quite sure, Madam?
STREET LADY
Of course. We aren't strangers.
Right? How do I call you, Mr.?
An uncanny confidence seeps in to ignite his sense of chivalry.
JIM
Jim. Actually..You are my guest
tonight. Allow me to excuse myself for a moment.
The Lady nods in reply. Jim talks in private with the Cafe owner and briefs a fellow
waiter. He joins the lady till the order is served.
STREET LADY
So, Mr. Jim haven't had a partner this
Valentine?
JIM
(Sighs) Pamela left me last Valentine. She
couldn't wait for long while I
waited on. What about you....?
STREET LADY
It’s a dry day for a regular in love....you know.
Now, would you mind dining with a pro lover?
This time Jim gathers all his courage to make the most of the opportune moment. However, too much to say in too less time makes Jim utter some foolish words, impolite yet honest.
JIM
Never....Would you believe me if I say I had always wanted to..........I don't know if I say..... I think I love you from the day I saw you........Sorry if I am rude but it's true.
STREET LADY
Ha ha..think before you love..tired
of metaphors dear! I know that from your eyes. Each night I had sensed the thing harboring in your heart from your quiet glances.
JIM
Will you be my Valentine..tonight?
STREET LADY
I wish I were Pamela.
Escaping the response, Jim changes the topic.
JIM
It's a shame. I haven't asked your name as
yet.
STREET LADY
Just Valentine... (The waiter intervenes in the scene)
A fellow waiter serves the drink and passes an impish glance at Jim's blushing. Jim had also ordered the best dish for the night for his new-found Valentine.
JIM
Well, allow me to serve a special dinner for You, my Valentine!
Time flew on rosy wings. Both were Lost in avid talk till the parting hour approached. Jim excuses to finish his official formality for the day, while the lady scribbles something in her handkerchief with her lipstick and then ties a knot.
It's parting time out in the street.
Now both standing on the street, two pairs of eyes speak louder and their lips lock in the culminating glory of the day.
Jim was about to speak when she silenced him pressing her finger against his lip. Now she holds her hand tightly and inserts the knotted handkerchief in his palm.
STREET LADY (CONT'D)
Thanks for this day, Dear. Your love is a precious gift, best if I don't use it. This is a little token...Please don't open till I am gone.
And remember I was Della..your Valentine.
They kiss for the final time and Della bids adieu. Jim could feel the heavy bout of passion when Della melted in the multitude. Jim opens the handkerchief. She wrote “ Jim & Pamela Good luck. I'm sure she’d like it. It was all I had. Good bye” Jim unfurled the knot to be dazzled by a gem-studded ring!
LAST SCENE ( THE SAME CAFE IN YEAR 2012 ) VALENTINE’S DAY LATE EVENING
We are introduced to a young couple ( sitting at the same table as Jim & Della ) in the middle of the emptied seats, listening to the story of Jim, now in his late sixties with rapt attention. Jim offers the couple a folded handkerchief and urges them not to open it till they leave. An old lady sitting beside Jim hugs him.
JIM
Yes, You are right.I had my luck since then, became the Manager, married Pamela, and later bought this cafe and since then every Valentine's Day we perform this secret ritual of gifting the last couple as you are tonight!
CATHERINE ( The young lady)
Amazing! Well did you not meet Della again?
JIM
No.
PAMELA
I had always wanted to see her. Well, I told Jim, she should always be with us so we named our cafe - JIM & DELLA Cafe.
Just then our eyes couldn't miss the glint of the gem-studded ring adorning the fingers of Pamela.
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