Date Law

LOG LINE:

A young couple tries to have a romantic first date in a world where such interactions require lawyers.

FADE IN: 

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

STUART (20s) is drinking coffee. GRACE (20s) enters. They smile at each other.

STUART

(on the phone)

You know that coffee shop where we met up with Sarah?

Yh, yh Grindhouse coffee.

She's there every morning. 

I know.

I think so. 

Yh, I know. 

Need to get myself a lawyer now. 

Not sure. 

Do you have someone I could use?

CUT TO: 

INT. STUART'S FLAT - DAY

Someone is knocking on the door. Stuart opens the door. JIMMY LEE (30s) extends his hand, Stuart shakes it. 

STUART

Come on in. 

(Steps aside. Jimmy walks into the flat, surveys it)

STUART

(Walks into the flat)

Sorry, I didn't catch your -

JIMMY

(turns around to face Stuart)

Jimmy Lee, date lawyer, I've worked with Mark for a while. 

(Walks back towards the door)

Right, are you ready to go?

STUART

(Puts on a scarf)

Yh, of course. 

JIMMY

Can I your prepared statement?

STUART

Ummm. what statement?

JIMMY

The approach statement. 

STUART

I didn't know I had to... 

JIMMY

Hang on, is this your first time?

STUART

Yh, didn't Mark tell you? 

JIMMY

He didn't tell me anything, he just told me to come here. 

I've got to be honest, kid, I don't normally work with first-timers. 

STUART

I could pay you. I know Mark is doing me a favour. 

JIMMY 

It's not about the money. It's just more work for me, you know? 

(Walks back into the flat)

Look, kid, you're Mark's friend so I've got to help you out,

but you've got to listen to everything I say. 

STUART

Yh, of course. 

JIMMY

(Scrolls through phone)

I've got a generic approach statement here. 

(types on phone)

Just got to change a few details.

You got a printer?

CUT TO: 

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Stuart and Jimmy are sitting at a table. Grace walks in. Stuart looks at her and Grace smiles back. 

STUART

That's her.

JIMMY 

(reading the contract, looks up and sees Grace)

You sure?

STUART

Yh. 

JIMMY

You know if things work out, you're starting a long process.

STUART

Process?

JIMMY

Yh, you know, moving in together, getting married, 

having kids.

That's why there are so many pages in this contract, 

once you start, you're expected to proceed to the next stage, 

and the stage after that, and the stage after that,

and with different lawyers all along the way, 

so you better be sure. 

STUART

Ummm...

JIMMY

I'm just playing, kid, let's just make the approach first.

Jimmy approaches Grace. Stuart looks up. Grace takes a photo of Stuart. Stuart waves and smiles awkwardly. 

JIMMY

Congratulations, kid. You got the signature. 

STUART

That's great!

JIMMY

(checks his phone)

Right, let's see who represents your girl.