1 INT/EXT. CAB RANK OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
MATT, 40ish, a little overweight, hair thinning, sits in his cab, close to the head of rank, rapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel; his left thumbnail blue, possibly from a recent hammer accident. An unlit cigarette balances on his lower lip. He wears a tan sports jacket with a football club logo on the breast pocket.
He is parked outside a popular night spot: “Dance Till U Drop”; his eyes on a long queue of trendily dressed young men and women lined up outside, waiting to get past a thick-set BOUNCER checking ID cards and dress code.
Matt’s attention is caught by TRACY - a platinum blonde Marilyn Monroe wannabe. She wears a micro mini skirt, her midriff is bare, save for the stud in her navel; her uplifted breasts barely contained in a front-closing bustier.
Her lips bright red, Tracy is dressed and made up to look 20 is probably only 16 but trying as best she can to pass as a ‘sexy’ young woman. A red heart-shaped fake-leather hand bag is draped over one shoulder.
As she moves to the head of the queue, close to the Bouncer, Tracy stumbles a little in her red high-heeled shoes.
As Matt smiles, moves closer to the head of the rank, checks his watch, Tracy, who hasn't yet mastered the art of flirting, holds her ID at cleavage level for the Bouncer. The effect is comic.
He leans forward a little to look at Tracy's ID.
BOUNCER
This is a fake.
Tracy tilts her head, smiles, inhales, lifting her breasts; flirting in a way she has picked up from an American movie.
TRACY
These aren't!
The Bouncer raises his eyebrows, smiles, shakes his head.
BOUNCER
Sorry sweetheart.
A YOUNG WOMAN, late teens, drunk, arms linked with her BOYFRIEND, leans into the passenger window of Matt’s cab.
YOUNG WOMAN
You free, driver?
MATT
No, I expect to be paid. (A BEAT) Hop in.
Matt takes the cigarette from his lip, puts it behind his ear and turns on the ignition as the Young Woman and her BOYFRIEND get into the back seat.
Matt glances at Tracy, in the background, smiling coquettishly as she playfully wraps her small hand part way around one of the Bouncer’s biceps.
2 EXT. CAB. CITY STREET. NIGHT
Credit Sequence.
Through the windscreen of his taxi, Matt can be seen driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He flips through radio stations looking for music he likes.
Behind him, in the back seat, sit the Young Woman and her Boyfriend, wrapped in each others arms; kissing; petting heavily.
As Matt finds music he likes, he smiles, turns the volume up.
From the radio:
MENTAL AS ANYTHING
“Don't let it happen again
'cause that I couldn't take…”
Matt turns up the music a little. An old favourite.
MENTAL AS ANYTHING
“…once was quite enough…”
A smile plays on Matt's lips. The song brings back memories. He mouths the words; knows them by heart.
MENTAL AS ANYTHING
“…It's easy to forgive,
harder to forget.”
The Young Woman leans forward, close to Matt.
YOUNG WOMAN
Once is never enough…Good night?
(Matt makes a ‘so-so’ gesture.)
How would you rate it? (A BEAT) Between 1 and 10?
Matt makes it clear with a polite gesture that he does not want to have this conversation.
YOUNG WOMAN
Nine, eight, seven, six...
Matt ignores her. Her Boyfriend gestures to her to stop, reaches out to pull her back into his embrace. She ignores him; wants to wind Matt up.
YOUNG WOMAN
Five, four, three, two one...
(Matt ignores her)
Sourpuss!
She laughs, turns to her Boyfriend.
YOUNG WOMAN
I think he’s pre-menstrual.
Her Boyfriend laughs; pulls her back into his arms.
YOUNG WOMAN
Do you think he’s...
He shuts her up with a kiss.
Matt’s old mobile phone, resting in a cradle close to the dash board, light up; emits the sound of a rooster crowing.
On the cracked LCD screen, one word: Juliet.
Matt smiles, reaches out; presses an icon. A photo appears:
a smiling girl (15, 16) with braces on her teeth
MATT
Sweetheart.
Juliet sounds nervous; tense.
JULIET'S VOICE
Hey, dad. (A BEAT) You driving?
MATT
Yep. (A BEAT) You okay?
JULIET'S VOICE
Can you talk?
Matt glances in the rear vision mirror at the Young Woman; listening. She blows Matt a kiss.
MATT
Call you back in five, okay?
JULIET'S VOICE (DISAPPOINTED)
OK
Matt looks in the rear-vision mirror; checks his side-mirrors; takes his mobile from its cradle; holds it to his ear; speaks softly.
MATT
You OK?
JULIET'S VOICE
I guess!
MATT
Got some passengers but am about to drop them off.
BOYFRIEND
Next left, thanks, driver.
MATT (NODS)
OK. Call you straight back.
JULIET'S VOICE
OK.
Matt reaches out to replace his mobile in its cradle. He misjudges and it falls to the floor. The Young Woman laughs.
3 EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. NIGHT
Matt's taxi drives down a leafy street in an affluent suburb.
YOUNG WOMAN (VOICE OFF)
And next on the right, Sourpuss.
The right hand indicator of the taxi flashes yellow.
4 INT. CAB. UPMARKET SUBURBAN STREET. NIGHT
Matt drives down a street with a park on one side; large expensive houses on the other. The Young Woman is whispering in her Boyfriend’s ear. He laughs; shakes his head.
BOYFRIEND
Anywhere here thanks…
Matt slows, pulls to the side of the road; does not notice the Young Woman taking off her high heeled shoes; looks at the meter.
MATT
$36.
The Young Woman gets out, carrying her shoes. Her Boyfriend walks slowly to the driver's door; takes out his wallet. Matt registers:
The Young Woman, shoes in hand, walking barefoot into the park. As the Boyfriend opens his wallet the Young Woman breaks into a sprint.
The Boyfriend smiles sheepishly at Matt; shrugs.
BOYFRIEND
Sorry…
He turns and runs into the park after the Young Woman.
MATT
Fuck!
Matt is out of the car in a flash and giving chase.
5 EXT. TAXI/PARK. NIGHT
Matt chases the Young Woman; the Boyfriend veering off in another direction.
Matt is a big barrel-chested man whose muscles have lost their tone. He can run fast, however, and is rapidly gaining on the Young Woman. He is within grabbing distance when one of his casual slip-on shoes has come off and he stumbles.
Matt stops, picks his shoe up, continues the chase. The Young Woman is now pulling away from him. Matt, in his frustration, throws his shoe at her. It would be a direct hit were it not for the fact that the Young Woman turns at just the right moment, sees the shoe coming at her, reaches out and catches it - letting out a joyous whoop as she does so.
Matt, out of breath, puts his hand to his heart, tries to bring his rapid breathing under control.
The Young Woman, 30 meters away, slips her high-heeled shoes back on; walks casually up a street on the other side of the park - tossing Matt's shoe into the air, catching it.
Matt looks down at his feet: one red sock, one green sock. He takes off his remaining slip-on shoe and turns to return to his cab. He hears laughter, turns and sees:
The Boyfriend running up to the Young Woman. She passes Matt's slipper to him as if it were a football. The Boyfriend catches it and they stroll off, laughing.
6 EXT. TAXI/PARK. NIGHT
Matt walks back towards his cab, shoulders stooped in weary resignation and defeat, clutching one slip-on shoe - a small lonely figure illuminated by the headlights of his taxi.
7 INT. CAB. SUBURBAN STREET. NIGHT
As Matt drops into the driver's seat, shuts the door, stares into space a long moment, the sound of a rooster crowing intrudes. Matt does not register that his mobile is ringing.
Suddenly, explosively, Matt smashes his left fist into the windscreen. It does not break but from his painful yelp and the way he shakes his wrist it is clear Matt has hurt himself. He looks at his knuckles.
The skin is broken. Blood appears. Only now does he register the rooster crowing sound. It takes him a moment to remember that his mobile is on the floor. As he reaches down to pick it up he notices that small droplets of blood have appeared on his knuckles. He looks at the screen: Juliet. As he holds the mobile to his ear it stops ringing.
MATT
Fuck!
Matt looks at his bloodied knuckles, licks the blood away, grimaces; it stings; opens and closes his fist, checks for broken bones. There seem to be none but he is in pain.
He tries to press 'J' and 'U' on the keypad, but with the pain and his big fingers he has difficulty pressing the right keys on the small device. He gets it eventually. The photo of Juliet appears onscreen.
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of…
Matt terminates the call, tries again.
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of Jules, not to be confused with…
Matt terminates the call, returns his mobile to its cradle.
He sits for a moment; checks his watch: 12.15
He reaches under the seat, takes out a sign:
SOUTHERN SUBURBS; sticks it on the windscreen. He opens the glove compartment; takes out a pack of Kleenex tissues.
8 INT. CAB. HIGHWAY. NIGHT
Matt driving, blood-stained tissue wrapped around his hand, presses ‘call’ icon on his old smartphone in its cradle.
MATT
Happy birthday.
SERENA’S VOICE (SPEAKER PHONE)
Not so fast, buster! I’ve still got 90 minutes of my thirties left.
(Matt smiles)
How was your night?
MATT
I’ve had better. You?
SERENA’S VOICE
Champagne’s on ice. Don’t be late.
MATT
Be there in an hour, come hell or high water. Promise.
SERENA
If you’re not, I’ll give you hell! Promise.
Matt laughs, ends call; glances at a small wrapped parcel on the passenger seat; presses ‘redial’ on his mobile.
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of…
He terminates the call, turns the music on the radio up; doesn't like it; punches another button; changes stations. He doesn't like the new musical option either, punches another button in frustration. The sound of a rooster crowing.
Matt glances at the screen: Juliet. He lifts the mobile out of its cradle and to his ear; sees a police car approaching, drops it from view, waits till the police car passes, checks his rear vision mirror, lifts it to his ear. Before he has a chance to speak:
JULIET'S VOICE
You still got a passenger?
MATT
No.
JULIET'S VOICE
You were going to call me back!
MATT
I tried, but got your message bank.
JULIET'S VOICE
I didn't get any message. (A BEAT) You driving?
MATT
I'm pulling over. Hang on.
Matt slows, moves to the side of the road, stops.
MATT
You wanted to talk to me about...?
(Silence)
Sweetheart?
JULIET’S VOICE
Please don’t call me sweetheart, dad! I’m 18..
MATT
OK.
(Silence)
Fire away.
(Silence)
Are you OK?
JULIET’S VOICE
Yes, sortov, but...
A long silence. Matt is at a loss how to talk with his daughter.
MATT
How’s school?
JULIET'S VOICE
Uni…
MATT (GRIMACES)
I meant uni…
JULIET’S VOICE
It is what it is. Good, I guess.
MATT
OK.
(Silence)
How’s your mother?
JULIET'S VOICE
You don't really want to know!
MATT
Okay.
JULIET'S VOICE
Okay, okay, okay! Fuck! Hassling me bigtime…about, you know…that money…for my teeth!
MATT
Is your mother there?
JULIET'S VOICE
No. This is me calling…Fuck dad!
MATT
Okay.
JULIET'S VOICE
Sorry for calling so late… early…but…
MATT
It's OK.
(Silence)
Why doesn't your mother call me herself?
JULIET'S VOICE
I didn't call you about my teeth.
MATT
Tell her I'll put some money into her account tomorrow, okay… today…How much do you need?
JULIET'S VOICE
Whatever you think I'm worth. Bye dad.
MATT
You wanted to ask me a question?
(Silence)
What was it?
JULIET
Doesn’t matter.
MATT
OK.
JULIET’S VOICE
Gotta go, dad.
MATT
OK.
JULIET’S VOICE
Fuck!
She hangs up, leaving Matt crestfallen, confused; angry with himself. He tries to call Juliet back, gets her message bank:
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of…
Matt terminates the call; at a loss to understand. As he stares out through the windscreen a car approaches, it's high-beam headlights blinding him for a second and drawing his attention to something on his windscreen. He leans forward, looks at it closely, but can see nothing.
Matt turns on the interior light but can still not make out what it was he saw. He picks up a flashlight, shines it on the windscreen, finds the right angle. There is a tiny crack where his fist met the glass. Matt laughs, shakes his head. It is not a happy laugh. He looks down at his bloody Kleenex covered knuckles. His attention is caught by a soft cracking sound. The tiny crack is growing - one inch, two inches…and then it stops. Matt stares at it; his jaw clenched tight.
9 INT. CAB. CITY STREETS. NIGHT
Matt drives. He is not happy.
10 INT. CAB RANK OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
Matt sits in his taxi, six cabs back from the head of the rank. As he takes the blood-stained Kleenex from his knuckles Tracy can be seen in the background arguing with a young man with shaggy red hair, whom we will get to know as BLUE.
Matt does not see Tracy and Blue. His attention is focused on his hand. The bleeding has stopped but he has raw pink wounds on three knuckles. Matt places the Kleenex in a plastic rubbish bag at his feet, takes a wad of $10 and $20 bills from his money pouch; begins to count his night’s takings.
11 EXT. CAB RANK OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
A wide shot. Matt, his taxi in the queue of cabs at the rank, counts his takings. A little up the road Tracy can be seen arguing with Blue; giving him a good dressing down.
Blue nods a lot, has difficultly getting a word in edgewise; holds his hands up in defeat.
12 INT. CAB RANK OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT
Matt finishes counting his nights takings, sighs; shakes his head. A bad night! He looks at his watch, yawns.
In the background Tracy turns, righteously indignant, walks away from Blue, leaving him dispirited.
A ‘ping’ announces a ‘notification’. The screen of his mobile lights up. In bright pink letters:
TOYS FOR HER
In the background, THREE DRUNKEN YOUNG MEN make no attempt to hide their hormone-driven interest in Tracy as she sashays past them, towards the taxi rank.
Matt lifts his mobile from its cradle, opens TOYS FOR HER; scrolls through it. We do not see what he is looking at.
He does not notice Tracy standing on the pavement surveying the drivers in the rank one by one.
Close on Matt as he scrolls.
TRACY (VOICE OFF)
Squeeze me!
Matt looks up in shock; covers the screen with his hand. Tracy smiles at him with bright red lips; flirtatious.
TRACY
Wanna take me home, driver?
Matt nods in the direction of the head of the rank.
MATT
Gotta take the first cab in the rank.
TRACY
Ouch! What did you do to your hand?
Matt dismisses the question with a gesture. Tracy plays nervously with a silver ring on her finger. Matt notices. She points to the head of the rank.
TRACY
First cab in the rank?
Matt nods. Tracy nods, smiles and, as she turns to walk off, waves goodbye to Matt like a young child: thumb outstretched and four fingers moving, flapping up and down: 'ta ta'.
It is a gesture that catches Matt’s attention; means something to him.
Matt watches Tracy as she walks to the head of the rank; stumbling in her red high heeled shoes. He smiles, his attention then drawn to the Three Drunk Young Men watching Tracy; laughing amongst themselves.
Matt presses ‘redial’ on his mobile.
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of…
The terminates the call, glances at his bloody knuckles, picks up the slim parcel on the seat beside him, tied with a ribbon, opens the envelope attached to it, takes out a greeting card, flips it open, takes a pen from his pocket; writes:
You know…
The deep base throbbing of a revving car engine intrudes. Matt sees, in the mirror at the side of his car, a 'pimped out' purple sedan (outsize wheels, gold dragon decals along the sides) cruising slowly up in the adjacent lane.
It pulls up alongside him. The man in the passenger seat, whom we will get to know as GBH, has a shaved head with skull-and-crossbones tattoo. The driver, SPIDER, has a tattooed spider crawling up his neck. RAT, every available inch of his skin tattooed, sits in the back seat.
Matt tilts his head slightly to read the letters tattooed beneath the skull-and-crossbones in italic script: GBH.
GBH turns, sees Matt looking at him. His face becomes contorted with an angry snarl (“What the fuck are you looking at!”) as he looks directly into Matt's eyes - challenging him to look away. Matt holds his gaze, shakes his head ever so slightly: (“Sorry, mate, I'm neither intimidated nor impressed!”)
GBH raises his fist aggressively at Matt, who raises his bloody-knuckled fist in response. Macho standoff!
Spider draws GBH's attention to something a little further down the road. GBH nods; a malicious smile appearing on his face. He sneers at Matt; gestures to SPIDER to drive. He puts his foot on the accelerator. The purple car careens down the road, tires screeching.
Matt, his view partially obscured by late night revellers, sees Blue running fast away from where the purple car is pulling up - 20 or so metres in from the taxi rank. He glimpses GBH, a tall solidly built man carrying 30 kilos too much weight, leap from the car and, with surprising agility, give chase to Blue through the crowd of revellers.
Matt loses sight of what transpires next but then sees GBH lifting Blue off the ground by the scruff of his jacket.
Matt shakes his head. He’s seen all this before!
Blue, tiny compared with GBH, waves his arms around, talks fast, trying to placate GBH.
Through a break in the crowd that has gathered to watch the drama, Matt sees GBH relax his grip; lower Blue to the ground.
Blue lifts his knee hard between GBH'S legs.
Matt watches as:
GBH crumples to the ground in agony as Blue races off, disappearing from view.
GBH struggles to his feet and hobbles back to the purple car, bashing the bonnet hard with his fist before getting back in.
The purple car then performs a radical u-turn - tyres screeching - and drives back in the direction it came from.
Matt catches a glimpse of GBH as the purple sedan passes - his face expressing both his rage and his humiliation.
Matt's attention returns to the gift card in his hands. He continues with his writing:
You know how much…
As he thinks about what to write, Matt presses ‘redial’ on his phone again.
JULIET’S VOICE MESSAGE
Hey, Jules here. Voice of…
As he terminates the call Matt looks up; sees:
Tracy, at the head of the rank, leaning towards the driver; talking to him through the window.
Matt looks back down at the card, writes tentatively - not just because his hand hurts but because he is uncertain how to express himself. He pays no attention to:
Tracy, two cabs in front, leaning close to talk to the driver through the window. Not won over by her bright smile, her vamp flirting, the driver shakes his head.
Matt looks up, sees Tracy looking at him. She grins, shrugs her shoulders. Matt acknowledges her with a perfunctory nod; looks back at the gift card.
Tracy moves to the cab in front of Matt; leans to talk to, smile at, the driver through the window, lifting one leg in the air in a 'sexy' gesture she has seen in some movie.
Matt looks up; takes an interest in Tracy’s beginner’s attempt to play the vamp. She hasn't quite got her performance right yet!
Matt smiles, looks back down at the card, continues writing, pauses, thinks what to write next.
You know how much I…
Tracy walks up, grinning cheekily.
TRACY
You’re almost are the first cab in the rank, now. (A BEAT) They all said no?
(Matt looks up at her)
Problem is, I haven't got any money.
Matt, not wanting to be rude but wanting her to go away, raises his pen as if to continue writing on the card.
TRACY
On me, that is. I lost my wallet and…
MATT
…but you've got money at home, right?
TRACY
Right.
MATT
And you'll just run in and get it while I wait in the street?
TRACY
I'm not a runner. Promise. I need… (A BEAT) Do I look like a runner?
Matt looks at her from head to toe and back again; raises his eyebrows.
TRACY
OK, OK, but ya judge a book by its cover though, ay?
MATT
You got a mum or dad could pick you up?
TRACY
Nup, I'm a test tube baby.
(Matt smiles)
A mum. As for a dad...mmm, sortov!
MATT
Y’mum know where you are?
TRACY (COCKY)
I hope not! (A BEAT) You got a daughter?
Matt smiles, looks down at the card resting on the parcel.
TRACY
I'll take that as a yes. How old is she? (A BEAT) Sorry, I'm a busy body, a motor mouth…
Tracy leans in a little; her breasts close to Matt’s head; looks down at the card.
TRACY
For someone you love?
MATT
First cab in the rank.
TRACY
Girlfriend? Boyfriend?
MATT
I'm not driving you home.
TRACY
But I'm driving you mad, ay?
MATT
Barking.
TRACY
Woof.
Tracy, reading, leans closer still; tries hard to sound sexy but doesn’t quite succeed.
TRACY
“You know how much I...” ...would love you to take me home.
Matt turns, looks directly into her eyes. Tracy holds his gaze for a moment; looks down at the greeting card.
TRACY
That’s a really stupid way to start a letter, you know!
Matt closes the card, shakes his head; smiles to himself.
TRACY
When my boyfriend gives me a present it's usually because he's fucked up bigtime.
MATT
Where's home?
TRACY
Rydalmere.
MATT
That's west! My shift’s finished and I'm heading south.
He points to the 'SOUTHERN SUBURBS' sign. Tracy nods.
TRACY
No worries. I'm Tracy by the way.
MATT
Pleased to meet you, Tracy.
TRACY
Liar! You're not pleased at all.
(Matt smiles)
Not gunna tell me your name?
Matt shakes his head. Tracy laughs, leans across him; looks at his Driver's ID; her breasts close to Matt’s head.
TRACY (READS)
GQ 1734.
Tracy studies his face for a long moment.
TRACY
Were you good looking when you were young, GQ 1734?
(Matt smiles)
Hey, you've got quite a sexy smile, GQ. For a man your age!
Their heads are quite close.
MATT
And you've got too sexy a smile for a girl your age.
TRACY (COQUETTE)
Wanna take me home?
Matt looks into Tracy’s eyes; his face giving nothing away.
Tracy looks away - vulnerable but trying to cover it with faux cockiness.
TRACY
Where d'ya live, GQ?
MATT
Cronulla.
TRACY
Long way from Rydalmere to Cronulla, ay?
Matt nods, moves his taxi closer to the head of the rank; Tracy following alongside; close.
MATT
But a good fare this time of night… $70? $80. One of these guys...
(He gestures to the cabs behind him)
...will take you…for sure.
TRACY
Not if I tell them I don't have any money.
MATT
You really do have money at home?
(Tracy nods )
Then don't tell him you've lost your wallet.
TRACY
Lie, you mean?
MATT
No, just don't mention it.
TRACY
Y'reckon not telling the whole truth’s the same as lying? I mean if no-one asks for the whole truth and you...someone...keeps stuff secret? Is that lying?
MATT
I reckon its OK to have secrets?
TRACY
Tell me a secret, GQ. One of yours.
(Matt laughs)
You tell me one of yours and I'll tell you one of mine.
MATT
I'm sorry Tracy, my shift's finished so…
TRACY
I know, you can't drive me home. That's OK. But you can talk to me, right, till you get a fare?
MATT
Even if you had money...I've got to be somewhere…
He taps his watch with a finger.
TRACY
Where? (A BEAT) Sorry, I’m a busy body, but...?
MATT
I’ve promised someone…
TRACY
Promises are important ay? To keep?
MATT
They are.
TRACY (RECITES)
“...and miles to go before I sleep.”
Matt looks at her: puzzled; intrigued.
TRACY
From a poem.
(Matt’s phone rings)
“Promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”
Matt looks at the screen; lifts the mobile from its cradle; looks at Tracy; makes a 'wait a moment' gesture. She nods: ‘no worries’. She is standing close.
MATT
It's private!
TRACY
That's OK. I'm good at keeping secrets. (A BEAT) Girlfriend?
Matt raises his eyebrows: “Some privacy please!” Tracy smiles; backs away a few feet.
Matt presses ‘accept’ holds his mobile to his ear.
JULIET’S VOICE
You called me!
Matt speaks softly; doesn’t want Tracy to overhear.
MATT
You said you wanted to ask me a question and I thought...
Tracy strains to listen in.
JULIET’S VOICE
Thought what?
MATT
It’s the middle of the night and...
JULIET’S VOICE
I’m 18, dad! It’s OK for me to be awake in the middle of the night.
MATT
OK.
JULIET’S VOICE
Will you stop fucking saying “OK”? Fuck!
MATT
OK...sorry
(Silence)
I’m sorry I missed your 18th. If that’s what this is about.
JULIET’S VOICE
I’m sorry too, but that’s not what “this is about”.
Matt is at a loss how to talk to his daughter.
MATT
I’m doing the best I can here, Jules, but I’m not psychic.
JULIET’S VOICE
You can say that again!
MATT
I’m doing the best I can here, Jules, but I’m not psychic.
JULIET’S VOICE
Ha ha. (A BEAT) I shouldn’t have called. Sorry.
MATT
I don’t know what to say.
JULIET’S VOICE
You can say that again!
MATT (SMILES)
OK, I don’t know what to say.
Juliet laughs. Matt smiles. Juliet’s laughter is brittle.
MATT
Jules…I’m close to the head of the rank...
JULIET’S VOICE
And you cant talk? (A BEAT) Of course...bye, dad…
MATT
I’ll call...
Juliet hangs up.
From Tracy’s point of view we see Matt sigh; replace his mobile in its cradle.
She walks back up to the window as Matt moves his cab to second in the queue.
TRACY
Wotcha you do to piss her off? It was a ’she’ right? Or what didn't you do you should have done?
Matt ignores her; lost in his own thoughts.
TRACY
Someone you love, ay? Wife? Girlfriend?
MATT
Daughter.
Tracy drops her cocky coquette act. She is now a curious, vulnerable, 16 year old.
TRACY
Do you love her? (A BEAT) Your daughter?
Matt looks at her for a long moment; thrown by the directness of the question. Tracy’s look in return suggests that the answer is very important to her. When none is forthcoming, she is deflated but tries to cover it with good cheer.
TRACY
Hey...Good talking to you, GQ.
Matt nods, looks directly at her; smiles.
MATT
And to you, Tracy.
Tracy plays nervously with the silver ring on her finger for a long moment.
TRACY
See ya.
She turns, starts to walk off. Matt calls out to her.
MATT
Tracy!
She turns, her face breaking into a hopeful smile.
MATT
You be careful, okay?
Tracy's smile fades.
MATT
I know this is the kind of thing that your mum probably says, but…You really shouldn't be out alone at this time of night.
TRACY (CHILDLIKE)
Yes dad.
This throws Matt. He looks at her. Tracy slips back into acting like a confident young woman, smiling 'sexily', speaking in a way she has seen a women do in some movie.
TRACY
See ya.
Matt nods. Tracy hesitates, her eyes on the taxi windscreen.
TRACY
You know you've got a crack in your windscreen?
Matt nods; reaches out for his mobile. Tracy hesitates a moment before walking off. After a few paces she stops; thinks to herself.
Matt, mobile in hand, watches her. After a long moment Tracy walks back and stands by Matt's window. Her cockiness has been replaced with a quiet vulnerability. She looks from his bloodied knuckles to the windscreen.
TRACY
Did the windscreen do something to hurt your feelings?
Matt smiles.
TRACY
I have days like that too. Like yesterday. Yesterday sucked bigtime. But…
Matt is now first cab in the rank. A MAN IN A SUIT, a little drunk, kebab in hand, approaches the rank. Tracy sees him. And he her.
TRACY
What if I have to hitchhike home and get raped or murdered or something and you read about it in the paper? How are you going to feel?
MATT
You do a runner on me and I can’t make my mortgage payments this week how do you reckon I'd going to feel?
TRACY
Like you want to hit someone.
Tracy indicates Matt's bloody knuckles.
MATT (DEFENSIVE)
I didn't hit anyone.
TRACY
Didn't say you did. Said you want to.
MATT
No I don't.
Tracy raises her fists and makes a little boxing gesture. Matt smiles, shakes his head.
The Man In A Suit stands a few metres away, swaying a little, eating his kebab; watching Matt and Tracy’s interchange; smiling drunkenly.
MATT
Can't call your dad and get him to pick you up?
(Tracy grimaces)
You got a dad?
TRACY
Yes and no.
MATT
Test tube baby, ay!
TRACY
Biological, yes, but…the rest of the dad stuff...
(She shakes her head)
...uh huh!
The Man In A Suit finishes his kebab, wipes his hands on his shirt; takes out his mobile.
MATT
You know who your dad is?
Tracy bites her lip, plays nervously with her hair. The thin sound of an upbeat pop song (“I Love You Baby Doll”) emanates from her mobile.
TRACY
Yes, but he doesn’t.
MATT
Doesn't know...?
Tracy holds up her hand to stop Matt, answers her mobile.
TRACY (ABRUPT)
What!
Tracy walks to the front of the cab, glances briefly at the Man In A Suit, ogling her as he talks on his own mobile.
Matt watches through the cracked windscreen. The Man In A Suit, on his mobile, undresses Tracy with his eyes.
Tracy listens for a moment; angry. Her eyes flare; her temper formidable.
TRACY (ON PHONE)
You promised me! I trusted you and you lied to me. Your promises are worth fuck all. I never want to see you again.
Tracy punches 'end' on her mobile petulantly; walks back to stand by Matt’s window. Close on Tracy:
TRACY
Men! Can you explain men to me?
MATT
Can you explain teenage girls to me?
TRACY (GRINS)
Cost ya a ride t'Rydalmere.
Matt laughs. The sound of the passenger door opening.
MAN IN A SUIT (VOICE OFF)
You right for Cronulla, mate?
Matt turns, sees the Man In A Suit leaning in through the front passenger door window; hesitates a moment.
MATT
Sure.
As the Man In A Suit opens the door and drops into the seat, Matt looks at Tracy; catches the moment of disappointment in her face before she smiles, gives him a double thumbs up.
TRACY
Cronulla! Way to go.
(Matt nods, smiles)
Fun talking to ya, GQ.
Tracy pauses for a moment before turning to walk off.
MATT
For me too, Tracy.
Tracy turns, beams a smile at him, turns keeps walking. Matt takes down the SOUTHERN SUBURBS sign; turns on the ignition.
MAN IN A SUIT
Nice piece of pussy!
Matt seems not to have heard. He looks back out the window.
Tracy is standing on the pavement, looking a little lost.
The Man In A Suit watches Matt watching Tracy as she studiously ignores the Three Young Men standing nearby; keen to connect with her.
Matt’s mobile rings. He takes it out of its cradle.
MAN IN A SUIT
What’s better than fucking a sixteen year old minx?
Matt ignores him; holds his mobile to his ear.
MAN IN A SUIT
Fucking a fourteen year old.
JULIET’S VOICE
What! Fourteen...!
MAN IN A SUIT
Yeah, tight pussy. Way to go...
JULIET’S VOICE
Who’s that?
MATT
No-one.
He turns to the Man In a Suit; holds up his hand: “Shut up”
MAN IN A SUIT (LAUGHS DRUNKENLY)
I saw the way you were looking...
JULIET
Looking at who?
MAN IN A SUIT (LOUD)
The little minx. Teen pussy...I love teen pussy.
Matt clenches his fist, holds it up; warning the Man In a Suit of the consequences of not shutting up! He laughs.
MATT
Now is not a good time to talk, Jules.
JULIET
You’re driving?
MATT
No, but I have a passenger and...
MAN IN A SUIT
Yeah, poor cunt just missed out on a great piece of teen pussy.
JULIET’S VOICE
Pussy!? Dad!
Matt grabs the Man In A Suit by the scruff of his shirt; dropping his mobile in the process.
MATT
Get the fuck out of my cab.
JULIET’S VOICE
Dad, what the fuck!
Matt lets the Man In A Suit go, leans across him, opens the passenger door; physically ejects him.
Breathing fast, Matt picks his phone up from the floor.
MATT
Jules!
JULIET’S VOICE
What was that all about?
The Man In A Suit gets up from the road; glares at Matt.
MATT
You don’t want to...nothing.
JULIET’S VOICE
Didn’t sound like nothing to me!
MAN IN A SUIT (SHOUTS)
Cunt!
JULIET’S VOICE
What...
MATT (ANGRY)
Drop it.
JULIET’S VOICE
But...
MATT
Jules, please...And please stop hanging up on me.
JULIET'S VOICE
You don't have a clue, do you?
MATT
About what?
JULIET'S VOICE
Anything.
MATT
I’ll call you back in…
The Man In A Suit appears at Matt’s window; taunting him.
MAN IN A SUIT
Teen pussy....mmmm...
JULIET'S VOICE
Don’t bother.
MATT
For fuck’s sake, Jules, you know I can’t talk on the phone when I’m working.
JULIET'S VOICE
But you’re not driving now, are you?
MATT
No, but...
JULIET'S VOICE
Fuck you, dad.
MATT
Jules, you’re 18 and want me to treat you like an adult? Then behave like one, and speak like one. Call me when you’re not going to swear at me.
JULIET’S VOICE
But…
Matt hangs up on her; puts his head in his hands; at the end of his emotional tether; mobile in hand.
He sits like this for a long moment before looking up and seeing:
Tracy talking animatedly to the Three Young Men lurking outside ‘Dance Till You Drop’. From their body language it looks as though they are making plans of some kind.
Matt’s mobile announces the arrival of a text message. Matt looks at the screen for a moment:
Juliet
Uncertain whether or not to read it, Matt’s attention is drawn to Tracy and the Young Men as they start to walk up the road together, away from the club.
His eyes meet Tracy’s for a moment. She waves to him like a young child: thumb outstretched and four fingers moving, flapping up and down: 'ta ta'.
Matt puts the mobile in one of the pockets of his sports jacket; performs a fast (and illegal) u-turn to the other side of the road.
13 EXT. ‘DANCE TILL U DROP’. NIGHT
Matt’s taxi pulls up 20 feet from Tracy and the Young Men. He leans over, opens the passenger door; calls out to her:
MATT
Get in.
Tracy’s eyes light up. The Young Men are shocked.
TRACY (LAUGHS)
You offering me a ride?
MATT
Long as you don't take me for one!
TRACY (EXCITED)
Yay.
Tracy walks fast towards Matt’s taxi, loses her high-heeled footing, stumbles, and in the process drops her heart-shaped fake-leather handbag. Its contents spill on the pavement.
The smile disappears from Tracy’s face as she scrambles to get her lipstick, other make up, keys and odds and ends back into her bag.
There is a knife with a 4 inch blade.
Tracy glances quickly and nervously around, and up to Matt, to see if anyone has seen the knife. It seems not. She slips the knife into her hand bag.
14 INT. CAB. NIGHT
Tracy drops into the passenger seat; hand bag in her lap.
MATT
Seatbelt.
Tracy laughs, snaps her seatbelt into place; beams a radiant smile at Matt; hugs her red handbag.
END PART # 1
