SCENE 1
INT. CAR — DAY — POV FROM HOOD
DAD (40) enters the passenger door and sits. SON (16) Enters the driver door and sits.
DAD: Belt. Belt first.
SON: I know.
DAD: Before you even…
SON: …put the key in the ignition, I know!
DAD: …put the key in the ignition…
SON: Belt.
DAD: Belt.
DAD watches SON. After a moment, SON reaches for the seat belt. DAD does the same. They both belt up in sync.
DAD: Now…
SON: Brake. I know! Brake!
DAD: Check the brake.
SON rolls his eyes and pulls on the handbrake
SON: Brake is set.
A BEAT
DAD: Next?
SON: Gear, I know, gear. But dad, this is a new car. It wouldn’t even let you stop the engine if the gear wasn’t in Park!
DAD: How old were you when I learned to drive?
SON: Oh God.
DAD: How old?
SON: How old were you when you learned to drive?
DAD: Fourteen.
SON thinks a moment.
SON: Negative ten.
DAD: How many years more experience driving do I have, then?
SON thinks a moment.
SON: Twenty-six.
DAD and SON lock eyes for a few moments. Without looking away, SON thumps the gear shift with his hand.
SON: Gear’s in Park.
DAD: Okay, pre-check done!
SON: Key in.
SON puts the key in the ignition.
DAD: Key in.
SON: Ignition.
SON turns the car over.
DAD: Ignition.
SON hesitates. DAD turns to look at him. SON begins looking around the dash and console, trying to think of what is next.
DAD: Don’t panic. You got this.
SON: Uh… Uh…
DAD: Think.
SON becomes more frantic.
DAD: How’s your hair looking?
SON looks at DAD, puzzled. Then gets it.
SON: Mirrors!
DAD: Mirrors. Center mirror.
SON adjusts the center mirror, becoming more excited.
SON: Center mirror!
DAD: Left.
SON adjusts left mirror.
SON: Left mirror!
DAD: Right.
SON adjusts right mirror.
SON: Right mirror!
DAD: (excitedly) You got this!
SON: I got this!
DAD: You the man!
SON: I’m the man!
DAD: I think you’re ready! I know you’re ready!
SON: I’m ready!
DAD: Engine off.
SON: What?
DAD: Engine off.
A BEAT. SON turns the key and kills the engine.
DAD: (holding out his hand) Key.
SON gives DAD the key. A BEAT.
SON: You said I was ready.
DAD: You are ready.
A BEAT
DAD: I’m not ready.
DAD unbuckles his belt, opens the door and exits. A BEAT
SON: (calling after him) We’ll try again tomorrow! Tenth time’s a charm!
