Ok, I managed to get the formatting sorted - although I haven't pressed the submit button yet so anything can happen. This is the second part of this script. I was going to wait until I had more, but it's probably better in smaller chunks.
INT. CANTEEN - SHORTLY AFTERWARDS
There are a handful of people at tables around the canteen. Alex is standing by the counter ordering a coffee. The camera moves through the room until it is right next to him as he pays for his drink. He turns and looks for a seat. An empty table is by the window and he takes it.
He pulls out a battered A4 spiral notepad and puts it on the table. A big yellow post-it note is stuck on the front. It reads: PITCH in big marker pen letters.
ALEX
Right. This is to me what the Bible is to Cliff Richard. This is like Elvis Presley’s mother. I have guarded this book with my life.
Someone passes by, bumping the table and causing a glop of coffee to leap from the cup and splat on the cover of the pad.
Alex lets out a girlish gasp and swipes up the pad, shaking it vigorously to one side. Coffee flies. He wipes the dregs off with his hand.
ALEX (CONT’D)
Some people just don’t care about this kind of thing. I know what some of you are thinking. “Why’s he getting so wound up about it? It’s just a book.” Remember the chocolate bar? Then remember the same thing goes for the book.
Alex opens the book and starts flicking through the pages.
ALEX (CONT’D)
In here are all my ideas, story lines, characters. Everything I’ve ever thought of. Well, not everything but the important bits. And here (opens the book fully on one page) is the one. Think of all the stories you used to hear as a kid. I wanted to take some of those stories and turn them into something new and different. It’s always about doing something different.
CAROLINE (O.C.)
They say it’s the first sign of madness.
Alex slams the book shut, shocked at the sudden arrival. ALEX What?
CAROLINE
Talking to yourself. (She sits down in the seat next to him) Don’t worry though. I don’t think that.
ALEX
Right. Good. That’s great.
CAROLINE
I think it’s mysterious. Makes me want to know what’s going on (lowers her voice to a husky whisper) inside. Do you ever find yourself wondering what goes on inside people? (suggestively) What it would be like to be inside?
ALEX (quickly)
Not that I can think of.
CAROLINE (smiles)
Of course not. You’re a good boy, Alex. A very good boy.
Caroline moves slightly closer, the unease in Alex’s body language is clear, but his face remains unchanged.
ALEX
I try to be. Saves me getting into trouble.
CAROLINE
Oh yes. There’s nothing worse than getting into trouble. Although, sometimes there isn’t anything better.
Alex stands up too quickly. Toppling his chair backwards.
ALEX
Whoa is that the time? Right, I’ve got a meeting in... oh... about an hour.
CAROLINE
Aww, shame you have to shoot off so soon. I hoped we could have (pauses and smiles) gone on for longer. Maybe later.
ALEX
Yes, maybe.
CAROLINE
Tonight at six?
ALEX
Yes to- tonight? What? I... No I can’t. I’ve got something important to do tonight.
CAROLINE (pouts)
And I was hoping that something could be me.
ALEX
Oh, and there it is. Right, gotta go. Grab... catch you later.
Alex starts to move away, then realises he has left his book on the table. He casually steps back up to the table, smiles and snatches up the book before making his exit.
INT. HALLWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER
Alex is walking down the corridor, clearly flustered.
ALEX (to camera)
It doesn’t get any better. I’m not meaning that in a good way either. You know? Not, “This is so good it can’t get better.” More, “I’m in the seventh level of hell and all I’ve got to look forward to is the eighth.”
Alex pushes through a set of double doors into the second part of the corridor.
ALEX (CONT’D)
It’s not the end of the world though. I keep out of the way of Caroline as much as I can, or at least make sure there’s a crowd to stop her jumping me and humping me into the ground. I do get a few minutes peace around here sometimes, when I don’t have to hide or run.
The doors Alex is approaching burst open and DAN bounds though them, pirouetting dramatically to avoid colliding with Alex.
DAN (shouting)
Move, move. It’s all over the place. Everything is going to go up if I don’t get some tissue right now! Alex throws himself back against the wall.
ALEX
What this time?
DAN Latte.
If anyone asks, tell them it’s going to be all right. Tell everyone not to panic!
Alex doesn’t have a chance to reply before Dan is gone through the other doors.
ALEX (to camera)
Somehow I forgot to mention Dan. Did you ever catch 24? The one with Jack Bauer? Well Dan believes that he is the living embodiment of Jack Bauer. Whatever little incident happens, Dan will act as though Russia has just declared the launch of a thousand missiles all aimed at his arse.
Alex walks out of the doors Dan entered though, which leads back to the office where his desk is.
ALEX (CONT’D)
So as I was saying, my stories. Imagine the Grimm tales, dark and moody, but longer, more detailed and adult themed. (Pause) No, not adult in that way. I’m not writing Snow White Does The Seven Dwarfs. That’s been done anyway. Gave me nightmares for weeks.
He arrives back at his desk and finds a post it note stuck on the screen. He takes it off and reads it.
ALEX (CONT’D)
But for any of it to get to a publisher, I first have to get it finished. And things like this (holds up the postit) just get in the way.
Alex turns and walks off down another corridor where he knocks on a door bearing a nameplate that says “THE BOSS”
ALEX (CONT’D) (to camera)
Maybe I should just point something out about what I just said there. Don’t think that I spend all my time loafing off work to write my stuff. I don’t. I bust my balls doing eight hours of work in four hours each day so I have time to spend doing what I want afterwards.
FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)
Are you coming in or not?
Alex jumps, then opens the door and walks inside.
