9pm. The door swings open in the Denny’s revealing Vincent walking inside. He’s working the night shift and has his uniform on. He walks behind the counter, looking over at the only customer at the counter, a middle-aged man in a black suit and a black hat, attention buried in a newspaper. The chatter of people seated at tables panned at either side.
Vincent: Sorry to keep you waiting, sir, how may I help you today? (He pulls out a small notepad and a pen)
Alden: (He turns his head up to face Vincent, smiling slightly.) Cheeseburger, medium rare. No pickles or onions, thank you.
Vincent: (Nodding and writing it down) Oookay, and would you like anything to drink?
Alden: I’ll have just water.
Vincent: Great. Thanks, we’ll get that ready for you. (Walks back to get the man his water. It’s a little too quiet. There’s a small pause, before Vincent speaks again.) You’re dressed fancy, where’d you come from?
Alden: Funeral home down the block. I’m the director.
Vincent: Oh, that’s interesting. I didn’t know there was a funeral home in the area. (Puts the glass of water in front of Alden)
Alden: (Nods, takes a sip)
Vincent: (Leaning over the counter, waiting for the burger to be finished) How do you manage in a job like that? Like, surrounded by death and everything.
Alden: You never really “get over” it… you more so learn to dissociate yourself from the subject. Even that’s hard with the worst cases… children, especially.
Vincent: (Regretting asking) Right.
Alden: It’s terrible, but someone’s got to do it.
Vincent: That's understandable. What’s your name?
Alden: (He pulls a small business card out of his coat and puts it on the table. It has his phone number on it.) Alden. You?
Vincent: (Picking up the card and stuffing it in his pocket.)
Vincent.
Alden: (There’s another pause. Alden looks puzzled, then glances down at his newspaper. He looks like he’s reading something very closely.) Vincent… Vincent Wheeler?
Vincent: (His eyes widen slightly, but he keeps his cool.) Uh… yeah. How do you know my last name?
Alden: (His face goes pale, but he keeps his poker face the best he can.) Oh that’s not good. (He’s tracing the words on the page with his finger to triple check.)
Vincent: (Slightly stuttering) What’s not good? (Trying to lean in to see the newspaper)
Alden: (Attempting to block him from seeing) No, trust me it’s for your own good.
Vincent: (Stops trying to lean over the counter and just stares at Alden like a deer in headlights)
Alden: (Looks Vincent dead in the eyes) This isn’t gonna make any sense, but I need you to go into the bathroom. Don’t ask questions. I'm not following you in. Just go.
Vincent: (Hesitates, but then starts walking away from the counter.)
Okay… (You see him go into the bathroom. (Actor just walks off stage))
Alden: Okay okay… um… (He frantically flips backwards through the pages of his paper, until landing on a page he’s happy with.) That should do it.
Vincent is still in the bathroom. He seems to have fallen asleep, and is slowly waking up. The wallpaper and door look completely different, and the lighting feels warmer. The Denny’s is packed for breakfast. There’s many more people here than there would be on a normal weekday morning. Again, the wallpaper is more funky and the seats are completely different. The drink kiosk is completely gone, replaced with an aquarium and a bunch of black and white photographs.
Vincent: (Speaking from off stage, voice slightly muffled by the door) Ughh… my head… (He stumbles to his feet and looks up at the ceiling.) What…? (Tossing and turning, trying to process his surroundings) That’s not… where am I? (He frantically tries to walk up to the counter. He finds a girl working there with an entirely different uniform.)
Denny’s Employee: Hello sir, how may we help you… (She notices his outfit, with an entirely different Denny’s logo and color scheme.) today… huh? (She looks behind her at her boss, who’s working in the back.) Boss, who is this? I don’t remember him working here.
Denny’s Boss: (Looks up from what they were doing and marches over to the counter.) Who the hell are you?
Vincent: (Frantic) Who the hell are YOU? I work here, you’re not my boss!
Denny’s Boss: Well I don’t remember hiring you! Now go, there’s people waiting! You’re holding up the line!
Vincent: What are you talking about, I’ve worked here for three years!!
Boss: GO. SCRAM!!
Vincent: (Turns between the counter and the door before walking out of the restaurant.)
Fade Out