INT. THE CARABINER - MORNING

*The camera stays on Sandra until indicated
SANDRA HARDWELL (32, freshly pressed officer uniform) reads the newspaper as she pokes at her freshly made scrambled eggs. In the background, we can see the morning glow illuminate the diner (imagine 80's) as well as other patrons who are enjoying their conversations and food. We see MARY SUMMERS (29, Waitress uniform) serving and pouring coffee for customers.

SANDRA glances at her watch, then to the door off-screen. The tapping on the food becomes more impatient. MARY slowly approaches SANDRA's booth. You don't see MARY's face as she looks down on SANDRA.

MARY
Even if you keep attacking the eggs, it won't change how they taste.

SANDRA chuckles and puts down her newspaper

MARY (CONT'D)
Is he late again?

SANDRA
Yup. I don't know why I'm surprised.

MARY
How many times has it been?

SANDRA
No reason to count at this point.

MARY
Wasn't there that one time where he...

SANDRA
Yea, but only because I was late that day.

MARY
Very out of character for you. Well, one thing we know is that he always shows up.

SANDRA
You're right, I should stop worrying.

MARY
Exactly. So enjoy your damn breakfast before they get cold. You don't want to make Jackie sad, do ya?

SANDRA
(Laughing and begins to eat)
I would never dream of it.

MARY
Attagirl. Want a top-up?

SANDRA
You are a blessing, Mary.

MARY
(Winking)
Oh, I know.

MARY walks into the background and then off-screen to the counter. SANDRA begins reading her newspaper again but this time is enjoying her breakfast.

There is a door chime off-screen. What seems to be determined yet labored footsteps is heard, approaching SANDRA. In the background, diners gasp upon the sight of whoever walked in. Some get up instinctively while others look away in fear.

RANDOM DINER
Is that...?

OTHER RANDOM DINER
SHH! Don't start anything!

The footsteps stop, and a thud emits off-screen from the booth chair in front of SANDRA as MICKEY SMILEY finally
arrives at the diner, tired. You hear labored breathing. SANDRA doesn't look away from her newspaper. She isn't
pleased.

SANDRA
You're late. Again.

SMILEY
(Laughing)
I'm sorry. Trust me, I have a very good explanation. You see-

SANDRA
I don't want to hear it.

SMILEY
Understood.

A moment passes

SANDRA
I'm happy you're here.

MARY begins running towards SANDRA and SMILEY's table. Fresh pot of coffee in hand.

MARY
Oh my stars! Mr. Smiley! Are you alright? Do you need me to call you an ambulance?

SMILEY
I don't follow.

SANDRA's displeased face contorts to an unbelieving one.

CUTS TO SMILEY, SHOWING HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

His black suit is wrinkled, slightly torn, and has blood on it. His mask, which looks like a large, yellow, smiley face,
also has blood on it.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
Oh! I'm sorry, I completely forgot. I thought I cleaned up before I got here.

SMILEY gets up from the booth and addresses the other diners.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
I am so terribly sorry everyone. I ran into some trouble on the way here. Please forgive me for ruining your breakfast with this rather-

SANDRA
Ghastly

SMILEY
Oh, good word. With this ghastly appearance of mine, please allow me to pick up everyone's bill.

The Diners who gawk slowly sit down, averting their eyes. One can be seen getting up to leave.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
And Mary. Please don't worry, I'll go to a doctor soon.

MARY
Are you sure?

SMILEY
I insist.

MARY puts a brave face but it's clear she isn't convinced.

MARY
Alright then, what can I getcha?

SMILEY
Now if it isn't too much trouble, I would love my regular and a cup of your amazing coffee.

MARY
Sure thing.

SMILEY
How's Sylvester?

MARY
Oh! Syl's great!
(Pours coffee for both Smiley and Sandra)
That scholarship you recommended has been really good for them. Thank you again.

SMILEY
It's the least I can do.

MARY
I'll be back with your food soon.

SMILEY
Thank you, Mary.

CUTS TO A WIDE SHOT, SHOWING BOTH OF THEM

SANDRA continues to "read" the paper as SMILEY rhythmically taps the table. He hasn't realized that SANDRA isn't really reading but is more trying to look away from him.

SANDRA
So.

SMILEY
So.

SANDRA
Scholarship?

SMILEY
I set up a scholarship to help assist kids from our old neighborhood, to go to better schools than the one in our old district.

SANDRA
So it's a money laundering scheme.

SMILEY
What? No. It's a genuine scholarship.

SANDRA
So it's recruitment? Get people to be indebted and loyal to you, then they join your gang.

SMILEY
Sandra, that isn't fair. I know we went very different paths but we agreed/to
SANDRA slams the newspaper down.

SANDRA
(Slightly yelling)
We agreed to meet here at 6 am every six months. What Isn't-

She notices her volume increase, looks around and quiets down.

SANDRA (CONT'D)
What isn't fair is that the past six times you have been either late, covered in blood, or in today's case, both. Yes our lives are dangerous, yours more than mine, but it feels like you never put in the same effort as me.

SMILEY looks at SANDRA, not saying anything. MARY comes by with his food and they both quietly thank her. He looks at his cup of coffee.

SMILEY
I'm... I'm sorry. Every time I leave I genuinely leave earlier so that I can come here but shit keeps happening and it's frustrating.

They both take a moment to drink their coffee.

SANDRA
I appreciate it.

SMILEY begins eating his food and SANDRA continues eating hers.

SANDRA (CONT'D)
I want to apologize for insinuating that the scholarship wasn't genuine philanthropy.

SMILEY
Eh I understand considering what I do. But I assure you, I want to help more people than I want to hurt.

SANDRA raises her fork to her mouth but stops.

SANDRA
I worry. I know I don't show it but a part of me keeps on thinking that I won't see you walk through that door.

SMILEY
Now that's grim.

SANDRA
Ass. I'm serious

SMILEY
(mouth-full)
I know you are, and that's why it's dumb.
(chews and swallows)
You know I'm good at what I do.

SANDRA
I worry you're too good. You know I risk a lot meeting you like this?

SMILEY
I know. I know I've suggested a more private place but...

SANDRA
The Carabiner is our place.

SMILEY
The Carabiner is our place.

SANDRA stares at her plate as SMILEY continues eating

SANDRA
Do you ever think that we shouldn't, Mick?

SMILEY
(Mouth-full)
Hm? Like meet up?

SANDRA
I mean more than that. Do you ever think we shouldn't be staying friends?

SMILEY
(Still eating)
If I'm being honest... I don't know and I really don't care.

SANDRA
Why?

SMILEY laughs and slightly chokes on his food, coughing

SANDRA (CONT'D)
Jesus, don't die.

SMILEY
(Takes another bite but this time takes the time to swallow and chew)
Despite everything, despite where you are in life and where I am, we are best friends. Hell, you stuck around after proofreading my fanfics.

SANDRA
Yeah, I don't know why.

SMILEY
Neither do I.

He takes a sip of his coffee and gives out a relaxed sigh.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
That's so fucking good. Look. You're going with my sister to get your dresses fitted later this week. Marcus and Nora even needed to sit down and discuss to figure out who you're gonna stand next to.

SANDRA
Wait really? How did they figure it out?

SMILEY
They still haven't.

Sandra and Smiley laugh.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
We see you as family and nothing will ever change that you are our family. You are Sandra Fucking Hardwell, you deserve to be where you are. You've earned it. And if anyone has a problem with that, I know I don't have to fight them cause you'll sucker punch them before I even say anything.

SANDRA just looks at SMILEY for a moment, they both do. They pick up their mugs and sip it together and put it down
together.

SANDRA
Thank you, Mick. I really needed to hear that.

SMILEY
I love you, Sandra. You are not getting rid of me even if you tried.

SANDRA
I could have you arrested.

SMILEY
Then I'll be staying even closer than before.

SANDRA
(Laughing)
Fuck, I didn't think of that.

SMILEY
Just accept reality and eat your damn food before it gets cold.

SANDRA
You sound like Mary.

SMILEY
Good.

SANDRA chuckles and begins eating again. SMILEY stretches and winces as the pain is finally creeping in.

SANDRA
All right, I'll bite. What happened?

SMILEY
I thought you didn't care.

SANDRA
That was when I was angry and worried, now I'm curious. What the hell happened that's got you looking worse than you usually are?

SMILEY
What, you don't think the blood adds charm?

SANDRA scrunches her face and shakes her head. SMILEY laughs heartily.

SMILEY (CONT'D)
All right, all right. So as I said it's an excellent reason for being late. Now I was leaving my building...

CUTS TO BLACK