A Collection Of Microstories.part two

11. The Cloud Storage (Sci-Fi/Drama)Characters:CLARA: 70s, tech-illiterate but stubborn.MARC: 20s, a "Memory Technician."[SETTING: A sterile white room. Marc holds a tablet.]MARC: We’re almost out of space, Mrs. Gable. You’re at 99%.CLARA: Just delete the recipes. I know how to make a pot roast by heart.MARC: That only clears two megabytes. To make room for your grandson’s wedding tomorrow, you need to let go of a "Core File."CLARA: (Quietly) Not the summer of ’74.MARC: It’s a huge file, Clara. High definition. The beach, the music, the way your first husband smelled like salt... it’s taking up half your drive.CLARA: If I delete it, will I know it’s gone?MARC: You’ll know there was a summer. You just won’t feel the sunburn anymore.CLARA: (Beat) Keep the sunburn. Delete the wedding. I haven't even met the girl yet.12. The Spoiler (Comedy)Characters:ORACLE: Draped in robes, eyes glowing.DAVE: Wearing a "I Heart Pizza" shirt.[SETTING: A mystical cave.]ORACLE: Mortal! I see your future! It is written in the stars!DAVE: Whoa, hey! Stop! No spoilers!ORACLE: You will encounter a great betrayal at the hands of—DAVE: (Plugging his ears) La-la-la! I’m not listening! I want to be surprised!ORACLE: It is the destiny of your bloodline to—DAVE: Is it a "Season 8 Game of Thrones" level disappointment? Because if so, just tell me now so I can skip the next forty years.ORACLE: ...You will have a very average tuna sandwich for lunch.DAVE: (Unplugs ears) Seriously? That’s it?ORACLE: The mayo is slightly past its expiration date. That is the betrayal.13. High Stakes (Thriller)Characters:VICTOR: Calm, playing with a coin.LEO: Bound to a chair, sweating.[SETTING: A basement under a single lightbulb.]VICTOR: Heads, you tell me where the flash drive is. Tails, we do this the hard way.LEO: I don't know anything! I’m just the guy who delivered the pizza!VICTOR: (Flips the coin. Catches it.) Heads. Lucky you.LEO: I’m telling you, it was a pepperoni with extra cheese! No flash drive!VICTOR: (Looks at the coin. Pauses.) Wait.LEO: What?VICTOR: This is a nickel. I usually use a quarter. The weight is off.LEO: Does that mean... we redo the flip?VICTOR: (Sighs) No, it means I’m losing my edge. (Untying Leo) Go. Get out of here.LEO: Really?VICTOR: Yeah. But leave the pizza. I’m starving.14. The Pet Project (Surreal)Characters:SARAH: Anxious.DR. VANE: A mad scientist type.[SETTING: A laboratory with a cage covered by a cloth.]SARAH: You said you could recreate him.VANE: DNA is a wonderful thing, Sarah. A single hair from his brush was all I needed.SARAH: I missed him so much. The way he’d sit at the end of the bed...VANE: (Pulls the cloth away. Inside is a miniature, middle-aged man in a business suit.)SARAH: ...That’s not my Golden Retriever.VANE: (Checks clipboard) Ah. My apologies. This is "Rex," a regional sales manager from Ohio. The labels must have been swapped.REX: (From the cage) Does anyone have a copy of the quarterly earnings report?SARAH: Can he at least fetch?REX: Only if there’s an incentive-based bonus structure.15. The Last Stand (Historical-ish)Characters:KNIGHT: Clanking in heavy armor.PEASANT: Holding a hoe.[SETTING: A muddy field.]KNIGHT: Stand aside, Peasant! I must reach the castle to save the Princess!PEASANT: You’re gonna want to take the bypass, Sir.KNIGHT: There is no time for bypasses! Valor awaits!PEASANT: No, I mean, the dragon moved. He’s not at the castle anymore.KNIGHT: (Stops) What?PEASANT: Yeah, he found a cave with better insulation and a local farmers' market. The Princess moved in with him last Tuesday. They’re doing a podcast together.KNIGHT: (Devastated) A podcast? What am I supposed to do with this enchanted sword?PEASANT: Can it slice bread? We’re short on knives for the village potluck.