scene 1: gradually accepting one's loss for words.

ext. convenience store parking lot - night

close up -a brief shot of mia pressing the button that rolls the window up.

james' head falls back, he rolls his eyes, and exhales in barely interested frustration. he crouches down, looks at mia, stands back up, looks again at the convenience store, and then closes his eyes.

mia
this is awkward slash creepy.

james (eyes still closed)
what was in there, mia?

mia
sam. sam was in there and she acted like she didn't even see me.

james opens his eyes and lets them wander around the parking lot. mia has her hands on the steering wheel as if she's ready to go.

james
that sounds about right. and you're affected by this why?

mia
we should probably go see if she's okay. why isn't anyone coming out of there?

james
you look like you're ready to get outta here, not go check on dear old sam. was it just her and the cashier in there?

mia
i thought i saw another guy in there too. at the atm.

there is a brief pause where james stares off into space while biting his tongue, then he takes his phone out of his pocket and starts dialing.

james
well i'm going to call the police and let them know about the weirdness, we'll keep going on our way, and---

suddenly lights beam on across the street and nearly blind mia and james. mia and james turn around to see two large adjacent translucent windows with alternating clear, orange, and blue window panes. behind them, two visible black shadows pour through the lightness.

close up - james' phone saying "connecting..."

mia starts the car.

mia
or we could just leave now.

james gets in the car while still looking across the street. as they pull out of the convenience store parking lot, we hear james' cell phone starting to ring from the call he was making, then a click signifying someone picking up on the other line.

voice on other line
james, give mia the phone.

james' eyebrows begin to rise and he very quickly and nervously tosses the phone into mia's lap.

mia
who did you call?

james
i never pressed "connect"! i never called...anyone.