INT. PLUSH OFFICE – DAY
SMARTLY DRESSED BUSINESSMAN ARCHIE HAS JUST CLINCHED A CONTRACT FROM A NEW CLIENT. THEY SIT OPPOSITE EACH OTHER AT A LARGE DESK.
CLIENT
I have to say your presentation was most impressive. I particularly liked the emphasis on reliability of service.
ARCHIE FINISHES SIGNING A DOCUMENT AND PUSHES IT ACROSS THE DESK.
THE CLIENT REACHES INTO A DRAWER AND RETRIEVES A BOTTLE OF SCOTCH AND A COUPLE OF GLASSES.
CLIENT
The contractors we've used in the past have been something of a let down... bloody cowboys some of them.
THEY SHARE A LAUGH AS THE CLIENT POURS A COUPLE OF MEASURES OF SCOTCH.
CLIENT
But, do you know what? I've got a good feeling about this arrangement.
HE TAPS THE CONTRACT ON THE DESK BEFORE PASSING ARCHIE A GLASS. ARCHIE'S EXPRESSION DARKENS AS STARES AT THE GLASS IN HIS HAND.
CLIENT
Here's to a long and prosperous partnership.
ARCHIE IGNORES THE CLIENT. HE ADOPTS THE DEMEANOUR OF A TIRED OLD WARRIOR. WEARILY CONTEMPLATING ANOTHER VALIANT, EPIC STRUGGLE AGAINST A LIFELONG FOE. A FOE THAT, OVER THE YEARS, HAS BECOME MORE LIKE A FRIEND.
ARCHIE
(TO THE GLASS) So, my old nemesis... we meet again...
THE CLIENT CHUCKLES GOOD-NATUREDLY.
ARCHIE
It has been too long... Jim’s sister’s wedding I seem to recall…
THE CLIENT LOOKS A LITTLE CONCERNED.
CLIENT
Archie?
ARCHIE
...you left me broken, humiliated... soiled. But I swore vengeance that day... and here we are.
CLIENT
Archie, who are you talking to?
ARCHIE
Once more your timing and your choice of battlefield have me at an immediate disadvantage... but then I have come to expect nothing less...
CLIENT
Are you all right?
ARCHIE
Your underhand tactics have long lost any element of surprise...
THE CLIENT ACTIVATES HIS INTERCOM.
CLIENT
(INTO INTERCOM) Daphne, could you call security, please?
ARCHIE
But enough of this foreplay. The time for talking is over and the time for battle is nigh. And this time my old friend... this time, victory WILL be mine!
HE KNOCKS BACK THE SCOTCH IN ONE GO.
ARCHIE
HA HA! First blood to me.
THE CLIENT LOOKS AGHAST AS ARCHIE REACHES AGGRESSIVELY FOR THE BOTTLE.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. UNDERPASS – NIGHT
WE SEE A TRAIL OF EMPTY LAGER CANS AND BOTTLES LEADING INTO THE UNDERPASS. WE HEAR THE ECHO OF SNORING.
WE SEE ARCHIE. HE IS UNSHAVEN AND DISHEVILLED, HE WEARS THE SAME CLOTHES AS BEFORE BUT HIS TROUSERS ARE ROUND HIS KNEES AND HIS TIE IS TIED ROUND HIS HEAD. HE IS HUGGING A TRAFFIC CONE.
FRAGMENTS OF TORN UP CONTRACT ARE LITTERED AROUND HIM.
HE SLOWLY ROUSES, LIFTS HIS HEAD AND TAKES IN HIS SURROUNDINGS.
ARCHIE
Vanquished... again.
END
