The Meeting

The Meeting

Business not as usual

Written by

Alton Good Plume

INT. BEADWORK SHOP. DAY.

Gilbert pulls up to the Beadshop/Jeweler. He walks inside the store. He walked up to the beader who is behind the counter.

GILBERT

Hello.

MAYA

Hello.

(She doesn't look up when saying hello she is concentrating on his work)

GILBERT

Is my piece done yet?

(he has a silver grill in his bottom mouth.He put his hands on the counter. he looks down in the glass case to see other beaded pieces.)

MAYA

(He glances at Gilbert and recognizes him.)

Few more hours it will be done.

(he goes back to concentrating on the work he is doing.)

GILBERT

Alright, is there a local coffee shop near by?

Maya decides to take a break and stands up.

CAMERA SHOT

FIRST CAMERA. WILL FILM GILBERT WALKING INTO STORE. FOLLOW HIM UP TO COUNTER. CAMERA PERSON WILL GET UP AND FILM UP TO BEADER (NOTE SO WE KNOW WHAT THE JEWELER IS DOING.)

CUT TO:

CAMERA 2 WILL STAND NEXT TO JEWELER AS HE WALKS UP FILM GILBERT STANDING THERE. CLOSE UP WHEN FIRST DIALOGUE.

CUT SCENE TO ANOTHER VIEW BESIDE GILBERT RIGHT SIDE SHOWING BEADER STAND AND SPEAK.

MAYA

Ah yes. There is one a couple blocks down.

(the beader moves his one hand in a motion to signify the direction the coffee shop is in.)

Called the Red Arrow Coffee.

Gilbert checked what time it was on his black yellow gold Rolex. It was 2:17. The beader turns around grabs a water and takes a drink.

CAMERA SHOT: CU GILBERT TOP RIGHT ANGLE COMING CROSS AND LOWERING CAMERA.

GILBERT

alright you said a few hours?

the beader turns back around.

MAYA

Yes three to four.

GILBERT

OK. I shall be back.

(gilbert nods his head and is backing up slowly)

MAYA

Ok.

GILBERT

Thank you

MAYA

You are welcome.

Gilbert turns around and grabs his iPhone out of his pocket. He looks down at it and starts to walk out the store. His friend sent him a text message. he stops to text his friend.

TEXT MESSAGE

Man bro they want to meet tomorrow. They said they bring their lawyer to help us understand the agreement. What you think?

GILBERT

(test messaging)

OK lets meet....

He stopped texting and deleted and started over.

GILBERT

(text messaging)

OK tell them seven A.M.

He sent the message. Gilbert proceeds to walk out the store.

EXT. SIDEWALK. DAY.

CAMERA SHOT FROM AFAR WATCHING GILBERT WALK OUTSIDE

NEXT CAMERA SHOT FRONT VIEW OF GILBERT COMING OUT OF THE STORE. CAMERA THEN WALKS WITH GILBERT TOWARD THE COFFEE SHOP. MAKE THIS SCENE LIKE CUTS AND SLOW MOTION AND FAST MOTION AND DIFFERENT SHOTS LIKE SECONDS SHOTS SS.

Gilbert has his phone in his hand and in the middle of the sidewalk it bings indicating he received a text message.

TEXT MESSAGE

Seven AM? What if they don't go for it? Because that is early.

GILBERT

(text messaging)

If they don't, tell them how about next week? I have other interest wanting to meet as well.

he hits the send button and puts his phone back in his pocket. He proceeds to the coffee shop.

CAMERA SHOT SHOOT FAR AWAY AND THE CUT TO CLOSE UP AND THEN MEDIUM DIFFERENT STANCES AND COLORATION.

Before gilbert goes in the store someone walking by ask Gilbert for some money and he hands them a twenty. And they show their blessings and appreciation. Also does things out of the ordinary like a picture with the guy on the street. gilbert then eventually walks into the store.

INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY.

CS SHOWS HIM WALKING IN FROM MEDIUM VIEW LIKE TEN FIFTEEN FEET AWAY OR SO.

Gilbert greets the coffee shop worker.

COFFEE MAKER

Hello.

GILBERT

Hello, can I have an Americano with a splash of white chocolate and cream no sugar.

Gilbert grabbed his phone to use apple pay.

COFFEE MAKER

Sure can

GILBERT

You do apple pay right

COFFEE MAKER

Yes we do.

GILBERT

OK cool

The coffee maker then rings up his total for his purchase

COFFEE MAKER

That will be 2.50.

Gilbert then pays for the coffee using the card reader. He moves his phone over the card reader. It beeps indicating it was approve.

COFFEE MAKER

Would you like a receipt?

GILBERT

No thank you. Where you get the coffee beans from?

COFFEE MAKER

Ah, Imported from Columbia. Brazil.

Coffee maker turned around when he was saying his dialogue he was starting the process of making coffee. a "bing" on Gilbert phone another text message was received.

CAMERA SHOT: CAMERA GOES BACK AND FORTH ANGLE SHOTS SHOWING GILBERT AND THE COFFEE MAKER. SHOW TEXT MESSAGE ON SCREEN BUT GO BACK TO A MID VIEW OF THE WHOLE SCENE.

Gilbert walks over to a table and sit down while looking at his phone.

TEXT MESSAGE

(text message)

Alright man, but this is a big deal. I hope we don't screw this up.

gilbert clicks on the other message on his phone.

TEXT MESSAGE

Yo, good news, at first they wanted to set the time they said 3 pm. I said seven am or let meet next week have other interests as well. Then they messaged back and said OK seven am. Where at?

Gilbert responded.

GILBERT

Red Arrow. downtown.

(he sent the message.)

He put his phone on the table and looked around the shop.

CAMERA SHOT: TAKE CAMERA OFF GILBERT WHILE HE WAS TEXTING ALSO BRING A SHOT THAT SEEMS TO FLOAT WHILE THE TEXT MESSAGES ARE BEING DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN. MAYBE LET HANG FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS A PIECE. PAN TYPE FLOAT CAMERA. AFTER HE PUTS PHONE DOWN THEN BRING PHONE DOWN TO FACE HIM AND WATCH HIM. ONCE HE STARTS TO LOOK AROUND THEN PAN AS IF SEEING FROM HIS EYES.

He sat there looking around. Thinking about his piece getting done a few blocks down, he grins. What was the purpose. (this phrase what was the purpose can actually be a vocal like speaking his thoughts.) Oh yeah, to flex. He looked down at the table eyeing his suit and straighten his collar. He then did a jolt type flick with his body to bring his hands up over the table. A gesture appreciating his attire. He claps and rubbed his hands together feeling proud. The coffeemaker walks up with his coffee.

COFFEE MAKER

Here is your coffee.

GILBERT

Thanks.

(he touches his cup with the tips of his fingers)

COFFEE MAKER

Your welcome.

The coffee maker walks away. He goes back behind the counter and sits down. Its only him and Gilbert. Gilberts mind is thinking about what is to be in 16 and half hours. It’s 2:30 pm. What will it be? Do we sell out with the exceptions of fast money, or do we stay local and make it with the people? “If I am to agree I want certain things that will benefit the workers.” He thought. He thought about his gramma and what she would say. What would gramma say. (we can make these last two sentences as a thought spoken out loud). He sits there thinking he looks up. The man out in the street asking for money. He then says out loud.

WE CAN SHOOT THIS SCENE OF HIM THINKING AND RUNNING THE THOUGHTS ACROSS THE SCREEN IN THE UPPER CORNER BACK AGAINST THE BACKGROUND.

GILBERT

Well, why wait lets do this now.

Gilbert looks at the camera.

Gilbert pulls out his phone and begins to text.

GILBERT

(Text messaging)

Hey Bryan, actually tell them, lets meet in five hours. Tell them I am booked up, took too long to respond but in five hours we can discuss and see what we come up with. If not then we step. That my word.

Gilbert put his phone back on the table and takes a sip of his coffee.

CAMERA SHOT: EMPHASIZE ON THE PHONE BEING PUT DOWN ON THE TABLE. AND HIS HANDS GRAB THE COFFEE AND TAKES A SIP. CAMERA IS AT TABLE POINT OF VIEW AND WATCHING HIM TOO AND DO A DIFFERENT ANGLE TO MIX AND MATCH IN EDITING.

(***at this point we can either make some different scenes that will reflect his thoughts as he imagines them real quick***. )

(He thought to himself how he got where he was at in life within the business realm.)

INT. / EXT. BUILDING/ OUTSIDE OF BUILDING. DAY.

HAVE CAMERA SHOT COME IN ZOOM IN ON HIM AND PASS HIM BY AND BRING IT BACK LIKE HIS AS IF HIS THOUGHT IS TRAVELING AROUND THE ROOM.

CUT TO SCENE

gilbert is meeting and shaking hands with people. Signing papers. Smiling and laughing. Also a shot at dinner everybody laughing.

CAMERA SHOT REGULAR LEVEL VIEW SHOT.

FADE OUT

CAMERA SHOT IS LANDSCAPE VIEW. CAMERA CLOSE UP HEAD SHOTS.

Gilbert is outside saying thank you no sound.

INT. HOUSE. DAY

( He reflect on his up bringing and how he changed his life. )

Gilbert drinking and an act of hanging on the street at a young age.

CAMERA SHOT IS FROM TOP VIEW LOOKING DOWN BUT COME UP AND DOWN REAL FAST. MAYBE WITH BACKGROUND MUSIC.

Gilbert is drinking a forty inside a living room with homegirls and homeboys. One girl is playing with a bag "coke" and there is bottles on the coffee table. Someone on the phone. Have Gilbert look into camera.

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE. DAY.

SAME SHOT AS THE SAME INT. HOUSE. DAY. SCENE.

Gilbert is standing there looking into the camera and now every one surrounding him is in a group setting with one person holding a clip board.

BRING CAMERA BACK IN VIEW OF THE WHOLE SCENE.

(After taking the time to see the business realm for what it is he vowed to never be a corporate pig.)

He seen first hand the workplace sexual harassment, the bribery, the fear tactics to keep employees in place, and the toxic work environment within certain industries.

INT. BUILDING. DAY

Gilbert was in the break room or in a room and a co worker was telling him how the boss coerced her to have sex or she would lose her job,

JESSICA

Yeah I feel bad because my man doesn't know.

CAMERA CLOSE UP ON JESSICA AS SHE SAYS THAT.

GILBERT

Hey you fucker. You is a piece of shit!

Gilbert then hits the boss man. He gets fired but no charges.

Camera shots about one second show hit and knock out show him getting fired and her keeping her job. Him walking out. Show Jessica and Gilbert on phone. Her finally telling her man and the cops maybe coming IDK.

Show gilbert having a meeting with some people and showing signs for better work environment. Or show the papers they are going over. Have a board and Gilbert showing people.

CAMERA SHOWS AUDIENCE AND THEN GILBERT FOLLOWS.

He thinks about all the times he got denied because he wouldn’t agree to the business contracts. He was stubborn. But the people loved him. They supported his efforts. He made a difference. He gave people higher wages. He was influencing a different way of doing business

He also reflected on how he wouldn’t play the victim to a yelling demanding boss and got in a couple fights because of it. He thought about his company and how it was innovated and diverse.

INT. HOUSE. NIGHT.

Gilbert is holding a meeting with a few people. They are going over the plans with the business and the years everything would happen.

CAMERA IS SHOWING WHOLE ROOM AND ZOOM ON TO THE PAPERS AND THEN TYPE WORDS ON THE EDITING FOR THE VISUAL OF THE SCREEN.

His company represented diversity and every step of the way so far his company was gaining potential for international growth. He wanted his store fronts to be owned and operated by said community to benefit from the company. A company owned by the community. The one thing the corporate interest wanted was percentage of ownership. He didn’t want to give up any ownership and wanted it all owned locally. The only reason he is meeting with these guys is to flex and tell them off. This meeting was never to be a formal negotiation. He seen how his father worked and was never appreciated by the owners. He didn’t want to be like that and treat his employee like that.

The coffee maker seen that he was almost done with his coffee so he walks over to Gilbert. He approaches on the left side of Gilbert.

COFFEE MAKER

How is the coffee?

GILBERT

Good good. Thank you

(Gilly Looked at him and rose his cup to him.)

COFFEE MAKER

Would you like a refill?

GILBERT

Sure.

The coffee maker walks away to get more coffee. Gilly phone vibrates. He grabs at it and looks at it.

Camera shot show text on screen.

BRYAN

text message: at the coffee hop? They said OK they can do that.

GILBERT

Text message: Good and yes the coffee shop 7:30 p.m.

Gilbert continues to drink his coffee as he sat there for a bit. Talked with the coffee maker a bit. He checked his watch. It is 5:45 p.m. (***when gilbert checks his watch make sure to put the time stamp on the screen***). He gets up and walks to the door. He is heading to the jeweler.

CAMERA SHOWS HIM CHECK HIS PHONE. CAMERA THEN CUTS TO ANOTHER CAMERA LIKE IF IT WAS BESIDE THE LAST CAMERA AND GOES IN A BIT AND RISES UP WHILE GILBERT STANDS UP.

As gilbert walks out the building he has his phone in his hand.

EXT. SIDEWALK. LATER IN DAY.

gilbert has his phone and a message comes across. He keeps walking looks at his phone.

BRYAN

Text message: I will be there around 6:15.

GILBERT

Text message: OK I am at the jeweler.

Gilbert brings his phone down and walks over to the jeweler store.

CAMERA SHOT CAN BE CREATIVE HERE. WE CAN MAKE HIM KIND OF WINDOW SHOP FOR A BIT. I AM PUTTING THE ACTIONS WITH THE CAMERA SHOT BECAUSE THE CAMERA SHOT IS ALSO GOING TO CATER TO THE ACTION.

So the action with this camera shot I want different aspects like different thoughts of him walking on the street so he is sitting on the bench while he walks by he is posts against the wall talking to people laughing. Looking down the road. Have some people come by him smoke cigarette or joint.

INT. JEWELRY STORE. DAY.

CAMERA IS INSIDE TOWARD DOOR.

CAMERA TWO HOWS OTHER ANGLE OF STORE FROM FRONT VIEW TO THE BEADER DWELLING.

Gilly walked up to the counter. The jeweler pulled a black wooden box from under the counter. He turned it to open toward Gilly. He opened it and brought it out. Gilbert was excited to see this piece.

BEADER

Here is your piece

GILBERT

Ahhh hell yeah! That looks nice!!

BEADER

yeah. It looks like a nice piece.

Gilbert looks at the Beader for a few seconds.

CAMERA SHOT A CLOSE UP OF GILBERT AND THE JEWELER.

GILBERT

You want to know why I got this piece done?

(he start to put it on.)

BEADER

Why you get this piece done?

GILBERT

To flex on these corporate pigs. For us, I haven't been home for some time now. You hear about that new company coming here in a few months? The grocery store idea?

(gilbert is finishing putting the necklace on.)

BEADER

yeah I did hear about it! Is that you?

(he asked as he starts to type on the til,gilbert grabs his phone and types in his code and puts it to the card reader.)

GILBERT

Yup.

(Gilbert puts his phone in his pocket.)

Sure is brotha. And today I have a meeting with a corporation that wants to own a percentage and give me some money to go international. But I am only have the meeting to flex. And tell them to fuck off.

(Gilbert gives a look of seriousness. The beader laughs. and Gilbert laughs.)

wish me luck.

BEADER

Good luck.

GILBERT

Thank you for the work on the piece. I appreciate it.

BEADER

Yeah no problem.

GILBERT

I'll see you again.

BEADER

Yeah have a good day.

GILBERT

You too.

Gilbert turned around and walked out the store.

Camera shot fades out and goes to outside.

EXT. SIDEWALK. LATER IN DAY.

He checked his watch it was 5:52. He crossed the street and sat down on a bench in front of the barber shop.

HAVE DIFFERENT SHOTS SET UP MAKE SURE TO MISS OTHER CAMERAS OR WE CAN SHOW THEM. HAVE THEM WATCH HIM CROSS THE STREET AND SIT DOWN ON THE BENCH.

Bryan pulled up in his BMW. Gilbert yelled at him and waved him over. Bryan pulled up between the jeweler and coffee shop. He walked over to Gilly.

Gilly was smiling ear to ear.

GILBERT

Ready!!!

BRYAN

Man you sure you want to do this this way, because this is a lot of money they offering us.

Bryan was walking up to Gilbert and shook his hand.

They both sat down on the bench. Gilbert looked at his watch.

GILBERT

In about an hour we will walk over to that coffee shop, talk to the worker, sit and wait.

(Gilbert looked up from his watch while he is talking and looks at the coffee shop.)

BRYAN

You got this all planned out don't you?

(bryan is smiling leans back from Gilbert and looks at him.)

GILBERT

Oh yeah you said they bringing their lawyer.

BRYAN

I don't know now they said they were. We shall see.

They talk for a bit more and laugh.

CAMERA SHOT DRONE SHOT ANGLE SHOTS

Gilbert and Bryan are talking standing up and also leaning against his car talking. Then eventually walk over to the coffee shop. they are waling across the street.

GILBERT

You bring that joint?

BRYAN

Yup.

GILBERT

Cool.

They both enter the coffee shop. Bryan takes off his glasses.

CAMERA IS FOLLOWING THEM WALK ACROSS THE STREET. ALSO OTHER ANGLES OF CAMERAS. ONE OFF TO THE LEFT OF THEM WALKING TOWARD THE CAMERA AND ANOTHER ONE DOWN THE WAY LEFT SIDE OF THEM.

INT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

They stayed standing around the counter by the worker moving when customers came in. The two men they were meeting pulled up and walked in. The men made a wave of a gesture and Gilly got offended. He felt like that was a sign of disrespect. It didn’t matter what it would have been, Gilly was going to do what he was going to do.

CAMERA SHOT SHOW THEM TALKING AMONG EACH OTHER CUT SCENES MAYBE THREE TO FOUR. SHOW CUSTOMERS COME UP AND THEM MOVE OUT THE WAY. CAMERA SHOT FROM WHERE THEY STAND SEE CAR PULL UP AND PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE CAR.

They walk in the store and one waves. as the last one walks in Gilbert puts his coffee down and walks straight to one guy. He pushes the guy up against the wall.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

What the hell man you can't

GILBERT

I didn't want this meeting to discuss any business I ordered this meeting to let you know that we don't need your money. You see this coffee shop. It's local. The jeweler. It's local. Do you understand?

Gilbert let up on the guy.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

Got damn Gilbert we just came to

Gilbert looked at him and hits Leroy in the mouth and he drops. Gilbert stand over him and hits him again.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

(blood came out when he spoke)

OK OK. Gilly! I got you.

gilbert stood up staight. Looked over to the coffeemaker. He then came and brought a rag for the guy to wipe his mouth. Leroy stands up. Fixes his attire. Gilbert and Bryan go outside.

GILBERT

Before you go order a cup of coffee in return for the rag to wipe your mouth.

(Gilbert and Bryan go outside.)

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

Thanks.

(Leroy and Bobby stood there watching Bryan and Gilbert walk out. They then turn around toward the coffeemaker. Leroy is holding the rag to his mouth.)

Gilbert and Bryan walk out.

Camera shot for the fight will follow from the back side of gilbert to Leroy being hit in the mouth and we will put a camera under them in a way we see the punch looking up on right side. Or depending on what hand he uses to hit him with. We can slow motion the punch scene so characters arent hurt in real life.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

Gilbert and Bryan walk through the front door of the coffee shop. Gilbert turn to Bryan shaking his hand that he hit Leroy with. He just looks at him.

CUT TO:

INT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

Leroy is buying some coffees.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

You get them types like that lot?

COFFEE MAKER

No but he from the neighborhood.

(coffee maker is just standing there still staring at Leroy.)

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

makes sense, can I get a couple Americano from you?

COFFEE MAKER

Sure. On the house.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

Whats that?

COFFEE MAKER

On the house. We don't need your money.

Leroy puts his card back in his wallet.

CAMERA SHOT IS A SHOT IN BETWEEN THE TWO BUSINESS MEN AND THE COFFEEMAKER.

CUT TO

EXT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

GILBERT

You got that joint?

(he lifts his arm in a way if he was about to grab it from Bryan but he leaves his hand up.)

BRYAN

Oh shit. Yeah.

(he reacts and pulls it out of his collar shirt top pocket)

Need a lighter?

GILBERT

Yeah.

Bryan hands him the joint and Gilbert grabs it and puts it in his mouth. Bryan then grabs a lighter out of pocket and gives it to Gilbert as Gilbert waits to grab it.

GILBERT

Fuck them man.

(He grabs the lighter and lights the joint)

CAMERA SHOT CLOSE UP TO GILBERT HITTING THE JOINT. SPECIAL EFFECTS THERE. EMPHASIS THE HAND MOVEMENT OF WAITING FOR THE JOINT. THE LIGHTER. FACIAL EXPRESSION WHEN HE SAYS FUCK THEM. SHAKING OF HIS HAND.

Gilbert blows a hit out and passes it to Bryan and Bryan grabs it.

CUT TO:

INT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

Leroy and them grab there coffees.

LEROY BUSINESS MAN

Thanks.

Him and the other guy turn around and start for the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

Bryan is passing the joint back to Gilbert as he takes a hit. Leroy and the other guy come out the door. Gilbert just stares and nods his head. Leroy is looking toward Gilberts way and head nodded back. Leroy when nodding his head he tips the actual coffee cup to him and nods. Gilbert hands the joint back to Bryan. Gilbert steps forward as they drive off. Blows the smoke out. Joint still in his hand. He takes another hit.

BRYAN

Now what?

Gilbert turns around and gives the joint back to Bryan.

GILBERT

Calms my nerves. Now what? Hang on

Bryan takes a hit.

GILBERT

Be right back.

(he turns his head toward the coffee shop.)

Gilbert went back into the coffee shop.

INT. COFFEE SHOP. EVENING.

Gilbert walks up to the coffeemaker. Pulls out a business card.

GILBERT

Give me a call. Got some business to discuss.

COFFEE MAKER

Alright sounds good.

Gilbert takes off the necklace just made.

GILBERT

Look next person walks through that door that you know is local and needing a business give them this. Tell them to go down to the jeweler give them my name and sell this to him. Then have them call me too.

COFFEE MAKER

Sure thing Gilly.

Gilbert and Coffee maker shake hands.