A Rough Opening for 'The Wheel'

Howdy! I thought I'd share a piece I wrote a little while back. This is a story about a couple trying to set up one friend with another because she's been kinda third wheeling with them for a while. All of the characters are weirdos and it's set in Ireland so apologies if any of the cultural things are confusing. I haven't been able to figure out where the story should go from here so this opening is very much a rough draft, I haven't even spell checked it. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it, and I'd be interested in any ideas as to where things go from here. ~Ian

INT. CINEMA LOBBY - NIGHT

Phil, Lizzy and Dolores walk through the doors of the cinema and towards the food counter.

PHIL

What d'you wanna eat babe?

LIZZY

Hmm, big popcorn and cola please.

Phil nods and starts toward the counter but is nudged in the ribs by Lizzy, who nods towards Dolores.

PHIL

Oh right, can I get you anything Dolores?

DOLORES

It's fine I can get my own.

Phil and Lizzy exchange a brief tense look.

PHIL

No really it's cool I'll get it.

DOLORES

Um alright. I'll just get a small popcorn and a water please.

LIZZY

Wai- yeah, I'll have the same. Just the small popcorn and water. 

Phil shrugs and heads to the counter.

INT. CITY STREET - DAY

Phil is walking through town on the way to meet Gary. He pulls out his phone and calls Lizzy. She promptly answers and is hanging out in a local cafe

LIZZY

Hey babe, what's up?

PHIL

Howdy Liz, I'm just about to meet up with Gary. I've got a pretty neat idea.

LIZZY

Oh cool, I'm just waiting here on Dolores. We're grabbing coffee.

PHIL

Ok brilliant you can ask her so. I'm gonna ask Gary to go on a date with her. 

LIZZY

What? They're a bit of an odd match. Sure since when do you care about their love lives?

PHIL

Ah we all know this third wheel thing is getting a bit old now. We won't have to feel bad about being in love around her then either, plus Gary's great craic.

LIZZY

I suppose it'd be pretty cute to have a proper couple friend. A yin to our yang. I'm just not sure if Dolores would be into a blind date.

PHIL

I'm sure you can convince here. Here, I may let you go. I'm outside Gary's now. Ciao.

LIZZY

Alright talk later. I love you.

Phil has already hung up the phone. He pockets it and takes a breath. He is standing in front of the garden gate to his friend Gary's house, in a row of similar, grandparent type houses. With a bit of effort, he pulls open the gate and strolls up the driveway. He bangs loudly on the door and looks around him. The street is completely empty and quiet. There is scuffling from inside the house and then the door opens. A middle aged woman in a towel is standing there, she gives him a half-hearted smile.

MRS. MULLEN

Hi Phil. GARY! Come down will ya. How are you Phil?

PHIL

Grand Mrs. Mullen, grand. You're looking well.

MRS. MULLEN

As always. Are you planning on getting my boy into trouble?

Phil goes to speak but is interrupted by Mrs. Mullen with a smirk.

MRS. MULLEN

Don't worry I hope you are. Mind you, he could do with it.

The pair laugh as a sleepy voice echoes from upstairs.

GARY

What's up Ma?

MRS. MULLEN

C'mon would ya. Philly's here.

PHIL

Well eh, I do have a bit of a plan for him. There's this friend of mine, she wants a ri- a date with him. 

MRS. MULLEN

A date? Okay, more power to you. I'll let you at him.

Gary ambles down to the bottom of the stairs. Mrs. Mullen waves at Phil and returns back into the house. Gary walks past her with a quick hug goodbye and walks out the door, pulling it closed behind him.

GARY

Well.

PHIL

Well. I've news for you loverboy. You've got a hot date.

GARY

Oh really, who's that now?

PHIL

It's this bird Dolores, she's a friend of me and Lizzy. Been single a couple of months now. You're not busy tomorrow night, the four of us will go to Dignam's together.

GARY

Am I not busy? Um, no you're right. I'm not doing anything tomorrow.

PHIL

I know.

GARY

Yeah but I'll be honest pal I'm not mad on the idea. I'm not desperate for a ride or anything. We could get some of the lads and go for a few pints instead though. 

PHIL

We can do that anytime. Besides, you'll like Dolores. 

GARY

I'm sure she's grand but I don't think I need to be dealing with the whole woman craic right now.

PHIL

Alright, I know what you mean and you know I'm not gonna bullshit you. I won't pretend she's never bored or annoyed me but the worst part is that I have to stay loyal to herself. I reckon if I can't have her, then you should have first dibs. But I can ask Danny or someone if you really aren't interested.

Gary spends a moment rubbing the few hairs on his chin as Phil eyes him up waiting for a response.

GARY

So how good looking are we talking? Like if we were at a club would I be eyeing her specifically up? Would I be tempted to approach or would I just be waitin-

PHIL

Ah here lad look she's gorgeous. I do have Lizzy so I don't plan on spending much time visualising how good looking she is.

GARY

Fair enough. Gorgeous so, hm, does she have Instagram or anything? 

PHIL

Sure, I'll show you a picture.

Phil rolls his eyes and pulls out his phone to show Gary pictures. The pair of them nod.

INT. CAFE - DAY

This scene happens simultaneously with the previous scene. Lizzy puts her phone down on the table, she looks up to Dolores as she arrives back and sits down. 

DOLORES

I got them to hold the cream on your cappucino, good shout?

LIZZY

Great shout, thanks. What did you get to eat?

DOLORES

Just a BLT, can't go too far wrong. I feel like this place has gotten a lot less consistent the past few months.

LIZZY

Yeah the sandwiches were better homemade. Y'know it's been a few months now, have you thought about getting back on the horse?

Dolores prepares to speak but pauses and purses her lips. Then a server brings over their food and drinks. They thank him and he leaves. Lizzy gives Dolores a curious but nervous look.

DOLORES

Well, I have thought about it. I feel like I should be ready, and yeah I get the odd bit of existential dread about dying alone but really I feel maybe open to it but I don't need to get dating again. 

LIZZY

That's a really good attitude hun. Y'know I was thinking, I have a friend I think you'd like, Gary, the four of us could go out to Dignam's tomorrow evening.

DOLORES

I'm not sure Lizzy. Is this about the other night at the pictures?

LIZZY

What? Of course not! I just think...

Lizzy looks away and continues moving her mouth but no words come out. Dolores bows her head.

LIZZY

It's not that Dolores. I just- just feel like I'm putting you into an uncomfortbale position when it's me you and Phil. I think it'd be good for you to properly move on from that tosser, even if it's just to try see people casually.

DOLORES

I'm sorry Lizzy, I really feel like I've just been an annoying hangabout for you two the last few months.

LIZZY

Absolutely not. We love having you around. Sometimes I worry Phil likes you a bit too much.

Lizzy laughs out loud. They look at each other as she does. Dolores rubs her eye and lets out a small giggle. 

DOLORES

So this uh, Gary, what's he like?

LIZZY

Hm, well he's, I guess, sure you know yourself I suppose he's kinda just like, like most normal guys really.

DOLORES

Ha, maybe I'm a bit too familiar with the type.

LIZZY

Oh no, not like that. He's actually kinda smart, and quite nice really. I think you'd find him real cute. A bit awkard and shy but a proper flirt.

DOLORES

Alright, I mean if you really think he's nice it can't be any harm to go out for dinner.

LIZZY

Absolutely!

The two ladies smile and tuck into their meal.