SYNOPSIS:

This script is a work in progress, the following excerpt is a draft from June 2009. It is the first, and currently only, writing from this script to be put in front of the public. Jason is a college graduate suffering from an early mid-life crisis, whose crisis is quickly escalated when he is confronted by a man claiming to be the Archangel Gabriel who says that Jason will die in two weeks. Jason has to wrestle with the additional stress that his impending demise places upon him as his relationships fray and he struggles with the question, "If you know how much time you have left, what do you do with it?"

TWO WEEKS (FIRST PUBLIC DRAFT)

Act 1, Scene 1 Scene: A crowded coffee shop. At Rise: GABRIEL is sitting at a table alone with a newspaper. JASON, a college student. quickly enters. FRANK, the coffee shop owner, is busy working the counter. He is not a major character, and is named merely to aid the plot. JASON: Sup, Frank. Busy morning? FRANK: Jason! Yeah, sure is, but I always got time for my favorite customer. The usual? (JASON nods.) Comin' right up! JASON: Man, it's packed in here. (He looks around, notices GABRIEL) Hey, mind if I sit here? GABRIEL: No, go ahead. JASON: Thanks. I'm Jason. (He extends his hand to GABRIEL) GABRIEL: Gabriel. (He shakes JASON's hand. When he makes eye contact, a surprised expression comes over him.) JASON: What? Somethin' on my face? GABRIEL: ...You're going to die in two weeks. JASON: (Indignant.) What the hell are you talking about? GABRIEL: I see things - before they happen. I'm a prophet, you might say. JASON: I DO say you're nuts, and you need some help. GABRIEL: Listen to me. You want proof? Your "usual" that the barista is fixing up for you is a large latte with three packs cream, two sugar. No substitutes, because "fake sugar tastes like sand." Your words. JASON: Oh I see. So you're some crazy stalker. GABRIEL: I've never seen you before in my life. Ask the barista if you think I've been here before. FRANK: Order up! Yo, Jason! (JASON stands, crossing to FRANK without ever breaking eye contact with GABRIEL.) Whassa matter with you, kid? You look like you'se seen a ghost. JASON: Nah, I'm okay. I'm fine. (Pause.) Hey, does that guy come here often? (He gestures towards GABRIEL.) FRANK: Him? Nah, I ain't never seen him around here before. You sure you're okay? Ya look even more pale now. Here, a cuppa joe'll fix all your problems. JASON: Thanks, man. See ya later. (He returns to the table.) Alright, you better start explaining yourself. GABRIEL: Your barista friend's never seen me before, has he? JASON: I didn't ask. I just got my coffee. GABRIEL: Come on now, Jason. You asked him, and he said he's never seen me. He's never seen me because I've never been here. I came here because I knew your fate and I knew I'd find you here. I told you, I see things. I see how you're just curious enough to listen to me. JASON: And how do you know that? GABRIEL: You're still at this table. JASON: (With a sigh.) Alright. Let's assume you're not crazy. What are you trying to tell me? GABRIEL: I'm trying to tell you that two weeks from today, a drunk driver will plow into the side of your car and you'll die in the crash. JASON: Wow, way to spoil the plot. Your audience may as well just leave now. GABRIEL: I haven't spoiled the plot, because you haven't made it. Sure, here's the exposition, and you just heard the ending. But what happens in between is up to you, hero. (He stands.) If you still don't believe me, let me leave you with this: I wouldn't take the bus home today. (He taps his watch.) Remember, two weeks. (He exits.)