ACT I

INT. DENTIST OFFICE - PRESENT DAY - AFTERNOON

Bright fluorescent lights. DRILLING. A tool is drawn from a person's mouth, MECHANICALLY WHIRLING to a halt. White gloved hands hold a cloth. A client lies back on an elevated chair before a dentist. Their bloody teeth are wiped. Bleeding gums.

This is Elliot Knox, Carter's son. (32) tall, handsome, and dressed in dentist attire. He WRAPS the bloody cloth into a disposable bag then TOSSES it into a garbage can.

ELLIOT
The left side will give you problems, that area took the most scraping. Please contact me if that side becomes too painful for your comfort. I'll readjust the antibiotics.
(nods)
Alright, you're all set, just remember to floss twice a day. I'll call when a checkup date is available.

ELLIOT hands the client, a teenage boy, a dental care bag.

CLIENT
(mumbles)
Cool.

The CLIENT removes a white covering from around their neck and stands. The teen hands the dentist the covering and leaves the office with sluggish body posture.

ELLIOT
Have a nice day.

The teen doesn't respond. Elliot shakes his head then FOLDS the neck covering. His work badge dangles past his neck. Reading: Elliot Knox, D.D.S, Periodontist. A Mona Lisa-esque badge picture.

A brown-skinned woman STEPS into the office, dressed in white and blue. This is Sonya Myers (23) short, pretty, with black braids in a bun.

SONYA
Need any help?

Elliot turns to face her.

ELLIOT
Aren't you on lunch?

SONYA WALKS inside. She goes to GATHER tools from the work table beside the operation chair.

SONYA
Yeah...I got sick of
sitting in the break room.

She goes to a sink in the back and RUNS WATER. HISSING. Sonya CLEANS the instruments. Her work badge hangs, reading: Sonya Meyers, D.D.S, Endodontist. Her badge picture holds a big smile.

ELLIOT
(firmly)
That's against policy...

SONYA
(roll eyes)
Relax...I'm offering help, besides who actually follows policy? We're cool.

ELLIOT
You know I hate that word.

Sonya smiles maliciously.

SONYA
I know.

ELLIOT
I honestly think there's something in the air that forces teens to not respond appropriately.

Sonya chuckles.

SONYA
There's another trigger of yours, maybe you can tweet about it.

ELLIOT
I don't think a post allows enough words, I'm better off writing a book.

SONYA
Or a blog. Hmm...
(ponders)
The boomer peeves
would be a good name.

ELLIOT
Not a bad name...but I'm not a boomer.
(throws away a wrapper)
Alright, Sonya, what's the rundown?

She places the washed tools on a drying mat, before TWISTISNG off the faucet. HISSING WATER STOPS.

SONYA
Okay, last round of the day!

She DRUM-ROLLS her hands on the counter, squinting at a clipboard atop it.

SONYA (CONT'D)
Mrs. Vincent in thirty minutes for periodontal issues. Four new clients in for deep cleanings, and...that's a wrap!

THE DRUMMING ENDS.

Elliot removes his gloves. RUBBERY SOUND. He PRESSES a wall dispenser to sanitize his hands.

ELLIOT
Alright. Could you inform the receptionist to send Mrs. Vincent
in? Then get the others into rooms? I'll be with them as soon as I can.

SONYA
What's the rush?

ELLIOT
The Healings Donation. It's tonight.

SONYA
Ooh, the rookie one, right?

ELLIOT
Yeah, that's the one.

Sonya tidies up the sink area, WIPING water from the metal lining.

SONYA
Have you ever donated?

Elliot STROLLS to the chart on the counter; UN-CLIPPING a pen from his badge to SCRATCH OUT a time slot.

ELLIOT
A little.

Sonya leans against the counter.

SONYA
Well, the amount doesn't matter as long as you gave.

Their eyes meet sweetly.

ELLIOT
(softly)
That's true.

Sonya's gaze shifts to the side.

SONYA
(blushes)
I actually always wanted to attend a charity event. I could tag along...? If not that's cool...I mean if that's okay.

ELLIOT
That's fine, you can if you want.

SONYA
Really?

ELLIOT
(jokes)
Yes...just don't say that word again.

SONYA
Cool.

Sonya smirks at him.

SONYA
(teasingly)
So, I finally get to see
how you act outside of work?

Elliot shakes his head.

ELLIOT
I'm the same way I am now,
I don't know what you're expecting.

Sonya RIPS a paper towel from a holder to dry her hands.

SONYA
I'm expecting a funner version of you.

ELLIOT
Well, just giving you a heads up,
you're going to be highly disappointed.

An apple watch BEEPS from her wrist.

SONYA
Everyone acts different when
their job title doesn't apply.

She PRESSES a button on the side of the watch, killing the noise.

SONYA (CONT'D)
We'll see.

She LEAVES the office. Elliot's eyes linger after her, amused.

EXT. CAR - PARKING LOT - DUSK - LATER

Heavy snow falls, BLOWING flurries. Elliot, in a black coat, WALKS to a vehicle. His boots SINK into high snow. JIGGLING comes from his pocket. He pulls out keys; PRESSING the unlock button.

A midnight blue Nissan BEEPS. It's buried in thick snow. Elliot OPENS a back door and reaches for a snow brush. Something catches his attention. A letter.

He HUFFS out frost then retrieves the letter. The sender's name reads: Carter Knox. Elliot gives a look of disgust. He RIPS open the letter. Inside is a check made out to him in the amount of $500,000.