Scene 7
INT. HIPSTER DELICATESSEN — DAY
Behind the counter, PETER, 34, thin, bookish, writes an order on a piece of paper. His customer, KEN, 34, hefty, bearded, takes him in.
KEN: Did you go to Ridgewood?
Peter looks up. Gestures to his t-shirt which reads — Ridgewood High, Class of 2002.
PETER: Yep. What gave it away?
KEN: When’d you graduate?
Peter once again gestures to his shirt. He’s a little curt with his customer, but Ken doesn’t seem to notice or care.
PETER: 2002.
Peter hands the order off to KAYLA, 28, a well-built, fixed-gear riding hipster type. She begins preparing the sandwich, but keeps an ear peeled to their conversation.
KEN: No shit. I was ’02 as well. I’m sorry. I don’t recognize you. What’s your name?
PETER: Peter Erickson.
KEN (thinking): No, doesn’t ring a bell. Were you involved in anything? Sports? Prom committee?
PETER: Robotics club.
KEN: Oh. I see. We probably didn’t cross paths then.
PETER (slight brag): I’m actually working on my PHD thesis. Nearly finished.
Ken isn’t really listening. Seems more intrigued by the past.
KEN: Not really groups that mix. Unfortunate that that’s still the case, huh?
Kayla hands Peter a sandwich wrapped in foil. Peter tosses it on the counter.
PETER: Here’s your BLT.
KEN: Thanks, guy. Love the sandwich you make here. Never skimp on the bacon.
Ken hands over cash for his lunch.
KEN: Nice seeing you, Petey. I’ll see you on Monday.
Peter hands him the change. Nods his head.
KEN: And best of luck on the thesis.
Peter lets off a hint of a smile. Ken leaves the store. Kayla shuffles up to the counter.
KAYLA: That guy’s been in here every weekday for a month and he still doesn’t remember beating your ass in high school?
PETER: I guess when you’re giving someone a swirly, you don’t see their face all that much.
Peter thinks to himself for a moment.
PETER: Do you know what a vanilla chocolate swirly is?
KAYLA (hand up): No. And please don’t tell me.
PETER: Besides, the way I see it I’m taking his lunch money every day.
KAYLA: Can’t knock the power of perspective.
PETER: I’d spit in his sandwich every so often, but he seems like he’s better adjusted now. And all that pork fat’s gonna kill him long before I do.
KAYLA: That’s more like it. Influential from behind-the-scenes. Way of the outcast.
Kayla makes a kung-fu-like salute. Peter brushes her off.
PETER: Make sure we’re not running low on bacon. The good kind, with all the saturated fat.
KAYLA: You got it, Sensei.