THE PHARMACIST (SHORT)

The Pharmacist (Short)

CHAPTER I

City driver - (Car Horn sounds) Move it Jack ass!

Julien - Shut up! Where are you going?! There’s literally nowhere to go! That’s why they call it traffic.

City Driver - You’re not in a car! Get the hell out’ve the street, you fool.

Julien - Yeah, Yeah.

Julien “Horn“ Kross is a 28 year old miserable pharmacists assistant, who’s beyond down on his luck. He’s rude, malcontent & just an overall grump. His last girlfriend left him on Christmas after he got too drunk at her parents house and threw up on their cat. His friends no longer reach out to him for various reasons, some larger than others. For instance, His best friend Lawrence, isn’t talking to him because Julien decided to try & sleep with his mother after already sleeping with his sister. Julien had burned every bridge he had. Without remorse...

Julien - (Enters Job) Hey Shelia, If anyone asks for me, I’m not here. *Shelia smiles awkwardly & nods in agreeance*

As Julien enters work, he is disruptive & obnoxious, knocking over products & nearly knocking over customers. (Julien Knocks over a box of maxi pads in front of a customer and then proceeds to ask for excuse). Approaching the pharmacist station, he proceeds top open the employees only door..

Julien - (putting on his apron) Ah man, Why is the line so long Freddy? (Pushes customers stuff off counter)

Freddy - Julien, there’s only 3 customers! (Said wit a bit of confusion in regards to Juliens question)

Julien - That’s 3 too many!

It was in that moment where Julien saw her.. The woman that would change his life forever. Her face was Bronzed with a golden shimmer. Her cheeks were Raspberry & her lips were full and pink from her favorite shade.

Freddy - Next!

Julien - I got this 1 Freddy.

April - Hi, I’m here to..

Julien - You’re here to pick me up? I know. I’ve been waiting for you.

(April Giggles & smiles awkwardly with embarrassment and pity towards Juliens vailed and failing attempt)

April - (Still Laughing Slightly) No. I’m here to pick up my grandmothers prescription.. It should be under Janice Owens.

Julien - Janice Owens.. Hmmm. Are you also a Owens?

April - Maybe (Drags the annunciation out for dramatic effect & Giggles)

Julien hadn’t had anyone receive his flirting this well in a very long time. He was elated and excited.

Julien - Let me check in the back for you Ms. Owens. Or is it Mrs. Owens?

April - Umm, Excuse me ( laughs) My Grandmother Is the Mrs. (Misses) ... I’m Just Ms., Thank you very much (looks at Juliens name tag That reads Carol)... Carol??(April Says in confusion)

Julien - (Laughs) Don’t laugh at my name! I was named after my great grandmother (Makes April smile)

Customer behind April - Um Sir! Can you hurry up and stop flirting with woman? I got thangs to do. (Customers on line share similar sentiments)

Julien heads towards the back where the prescriptions are held and handled. Finding Mrs. Janice Owens prescription, Julien sees the numbers 18-25-28-31 & 42 on the RX prescription sleeve holder.

Julien - Here you go Ms. Owens. That’ll be $18.72.

April - Are you sure? She told me that there was no Co Pay.. is it possible there was a mistake made?

Julien- Uh, Let me check.

Julien, who is terrible at his job, was going out of his way for this woman. He didn’t understand why, but he felt the need to help her. Which makes Freddy, his co-worker look over at him in surprise and laugh a bit.

Julien - Unfortunately, there is a co pay.. I could use my discount to help a bit?

April - That would be super sweet of you Carol.. Such a gentleman ( she says with a hint of sarcasm) (Julien Smiles & Laughs)

As April sits her bag on the counter to retrieve her wallet to pay, she takes out a few items to reach said wallet. Her current shade of Lipstick, which Julien takes notice to, A black, small sized personal notebook which Has The initials A.O.H engraved on it & finally her wallet.

Julien then swipes his employee card which gives April a discounted total of $7.87. April looks at Julien and smiles as she takes out a Ten dollar bill from her wallet and proceeds to put her things back in her Bag.

April - So, Carol, Are you going to tell me your real name so I can properly thank you for all your help today?

Julien - (Smiling) It’s. Julien. My names Julien.

April - Well, Carol Julien,(Julien and April both laugh) I’m April. It’s a pleasure to meet you and I appreciate all of your help today. Do you usually go out of your way for strangers and customers like this?

Freddy Laughs and exclaims“NO!” Loudly.

Julien - Shut up Freddy! Not usually, No, But you have the kindest face and spirt i’ve ever seen April.

(April smiles and moves her hair from her face slightly seductively & Flirting)

April - Thank you Julien. I needed to hear that today. I appreciate the compliment. I hope to see you again 1 day. I gotta run. My grandmothers expecting me.

As Julien watches April walk out of the pharmacy, He sees she accidentally left her engraved Black Book. As he calls out to her and tries to get her attention, April hurries off and exits to get to her grandmother.

Julien - April! Wait, Wait! Damn..

As Julien looks down at the Black book, he sees the numbers again from the prescription sleeve.

Julien - (utters slow & low) 18-25-28-31 & 42.. E.S.C

Julien then looks up and sees a sign reading “Empire Safe Co”.

After his shift ends, we find Julien waiting outside the Safety Deposit place (Empire Safe Co.) Hoping to see April so he could give her the book and maybe ask her out.

After a hour of waiting, Julien decides to head inside of Empire Safe co. Curious about the numbers, Julien comes up with an idea of how to get inside the safety deposit box.

Empire Safe Employee - Hello, good afternoon. How can I help you today?

Julien - Hi, yes.. Well I have a bit of an issue. I don’t actually own a safety deposit box with you guys but my grandmother does.. A one Mrs. Janice Owens?

Empire Safe Employee - I’m.. sorry sir. We’re not allowed to open a box for anyone but the official renter of said Box.

Julien- Totally understand, Totally.. But, I’m planning an engagement and I really wanna use my grandmothers ring and she’s so sick (Starts to pretend to tear up) she wouldn’t be able to travel down here and open it herself. I just wanted her to see me get engaged to the love of my life and maybe, just maybe, that joy would give a few more months of life. Maybe even a year or so..

As the Empire Safe Co. employee starts to sympathize with Julien he looks across the street and sees April rushing in to his Pharmacy.

Empire Safe Employee- Ok.. Ok. I’ll let you in. Just need to know the combination and code word.

Julien- Code word?

Empire Safe Employee - uh, yes. Mrs. Owens has a code word.

Julien - Yes. Yes. Of course. The combo is uh 18. 25. 28. Uh 31. & um 42.

Empire Safe Employee - Ok, perfect. Now I just need that code word.

Julien - Right. Right. Of course. The code word is ...

As Julien looks down at the Little Black Book and sees April’s initials engraved in it he yells out..

Julien- April!! it’s uh. (Whispers) April

Empire Safe Employee - Perfect. Follow me sir.

As Julien follows the Empire Safe Co employee to the safety deposit box, he grows increasingly more anxious about the contents in the box. His mind started to wonder..

Juliens subconscious:

“Is April a drug dealer?” No way she’s too sweet for drugs.

“Maybe she’s a weapons smuggler” Nah too cute.

“Maybe she’s a murder And she keeps her victim’s toes in here” what the hell is wrong with me

Empire Safe Employee - Here you are sir! I’ll give you a few moments by yourself. Congratulations, I hope she says yes!

Julien - (Laughs awkwardly) Yeah. Yeah me too. Let’s pray (Makes prayer hands).

As Julien moves towards the safety deposit box, his mind still wondering about what’s in it, he finally opens it and to his surprise its money... About $20,000 worth of cash and behind that.. diamonds. Diamonds on top of Diamonds.. Julien then decides to take all the contents of the box except for 1 Diamond, but before exiting, he leaves April a note reading “I have the Black Book. I have the Cash & the Diamonds.. Meet Me by the pier.. I want in”.

Julien exists hastily and ducks into his car. Just as he pulls off, we see April exit the pharmacy in what looks like worry and rage all over her face as she is crossing over to the Empire Safe Co.

TO BE CONTINUED...