DJ - Dina (Chapter I)

EXT. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE – MORNING
DIANA (wearing her short sleeve skull and crossbones shirt, and torn jeans) walks down the sidewalk while carrying her backpack, and listening to music on her headphones. What she’s listening to is up to the reader/viewer. After a good walk from her place, DIANA looks up at a sign that says “Rob’s Club”. Small in scale, but has the “music” to make up for it. DIANA takes a deep breath before entering through the double doors.


INT. “ROB’S CLUB” – MORNING
DIANA enters through the front door with a quiet chime letting the manager know who’s coming in. The place looks clean, but a little too clean; sterile to an extent, yet “hip”. SHELDON over at the bar cleans his glasses with a washcloth. SHELDON stares up with his monotone glare at DIANA after noticing her arrival. DIANA moves over to the bar as if she were another customer.

                                                DIANA
                        Morning, Mr. Bartender.
                                             
                                               SHELDON
                        Huh…you’re here early.
                                               
                                                DIANA
                        What can I say...the nights have been kind to me.
                                             
                                               SHELDON
                        Unlike the other nights you’ve had last week?

                                                DIANA
                        Hey, I was just testing the waters, you know? I had to get myself adjusted somehow.

                                                SHELDON
                        Yeah, and I’m sure slacking off is your cornerstone to every job you’ve had.

                                                DIANA
                        That seems a little harsh, don’t you think? Sometimes I need a brake every now and again.
                        Does that really constitute me as being a “slacker”?

                                                SHELDON
                        Call it what you want, but I know laziness when I see it.
                                                 
                                                DIANA
                        Oh, and I’m sure you’ve always been the perfect one.

                                                SHELDON
                        Well, unlike you, I’ve actually had to work my way up just to get where I am today.

                                                 DIANA
                        And that would be to serve drinks in a low-rent, D-list bar. Okay.

                                                SHELDON
                                         (Chipped his glasses)
                        Oh, crap. You’re a real smartass, you know that?

                                                 DIANA
                        I call as I see them.

The front door opens and in comes a much older individual, punk rocker-looking DJ, still attractive in nature, but rambunctious in her own way.

                                                  DIANA
                        Hey Sasha!
                     
                                                  SASHA
                        Hey Dina, how’s it going?
                                           (High fives DIANA)
                        You’re here early.
                                          (Sits down next to her)

                                                   DIANA
                        Yeah, “Early to bed, early to rise…” right?

                                                  SHELDON
                        So, wait…“Dina”?

                                                   DIANA
                        It’s my stage name.

                                                  SHELDON
                        Since when?

                                                   DIANA
                        Since I started working here.

                                                   SASHA
                        We figured she should have her own nick name if she’s ever going to perform.

                                                  SHELDON
                        Wait, have you performed?
                                               
                                                   DIANA
                                                  (Pause)
                        A little bit…maybe…sort of. Look, I’m still a cadet all right? But I want to be known for something when I get my shot.

                                                   SASHA
                        I’m sure you will, Dina. Rob wouldn’t have hired you if you were horrible, right?

                                                  SHELDON
                        “Dirty Diana” would have worked just fine too.
                                                   
                                                   DIANA
                        Oh ha, ha.

                                                  SHELDON
                        Hey, “I call as I see them”.
                   
                                                   SASHA
                        By the way, what happened to your glasses?

                                                   SHELDON
                        Oh…I may have cleaned them a bit too hard, I suppose. Don’t worry I have an extra pair in the back.
                                              (Heads to the back)

                                                    SASHA
                        So, you excited for tonight?
                                                   
                                                    DIANA
                        Do I ever. I’ve got something that I’m sure will bring the house down.
                                 
                                                    SASHA
                                                 (Small laugh)
                        Oh, yeah? What would that be?

                                                    DIANA
                        I’ll show you.
                                               (Removes backpack)
                                                  (Unzips it)
                        Check it out!
                                   (Shows a vinyl record of “Fleetwood Mac”)

                                                    SASHA
                        Fleetwood Mac, huh? You’re really going old school, aren’t you.

                                                    DIANA
                        No, no...Just imagine the remixes of it when I go on stage.

                                                    SASHA
                        You think Rob would allow it?

                                                    DIANA
                        Who doesn’t like Fleetwood Mack?

                                                    SASHA
                        No, I know…it’s just…Rob kind of has everything planned for tonight.

                                                    DIANA
                                                   (Pause)
                        Seriously? He really planned that far ahead without telling us?

                                                    SASHA
                        That’s kind of how Rob runs business.
                        We mostly run on digital nowadays, so we wouldn’t be able to play your record anyway.

                                                    DIANA
                        Oh…I see.
                                                   (Pause)

                                                    SASHA
                        If it were me running the place, I would do it in a heartbeat. But that’s just not what the public wants.

                                                     DIANA
                                                   (Quietly)
                        More like what Rob wants.

                                                     SASHA
                                            (Thinks for a moment)
                        But hey, if you go up to him maybe he can make some arrangements.

                                                     DIANA
                        Maybe so, but didn’t you just say Rob only does digital?

                                                     SASHA
                        Yeah…but that doesn’t mean he won’t make arrangements.

                                                     DIANA
                        Are you sure?

                                                     SASHA
                        Totally.

                                                     DIANA
                        All right…well…is he here today…or…

SHELDON comes back with a new pair of glasses.

                                                    SHELDON
                        Rob’s in the back if you want go talk to him.

                                                     DIANA
                        Oh…thanks.
                                              (Heads to the back)

                                                    SHELDON
                                                    (Pause)
                        So…what did you guys talk about?


INT. ROB’S OFFICE – MORNING
DIANA enters from behind the curtain entrance. The place is mostly dark with the exception of a blue light shining the computer, desk, paperwork, plaques hanging on the wall, and a name placement that says “Robert Ulrich”. Near the corner of the computer is a calendar with multiple writings, cross-outs, and a “No Work Day” on Saturdays.

                                                     DIANA
                                                 (Takes a seat)
                                                 (Looks around)
                        Hello?
                                                  (Hesitates)
                        Rob?
                                                    (Pause)

                                                     ROB (V.O.)
                        Be out in a minute.

ROB exists the back door and into his office. The blue light reflects off his slight bald spot like a mountain peak. What's left of his hair surrounds that peak along with his bright brown beard. A stern yet approachable face grabs DIANA's attention.

                                                     ROB
                        Oh, Diana…
                                           (Sits down at his desk)
                        What can I do for you?
                                                     
                                                     DIANA
                        Yeah…hi, um…
                                                    (Pause)
                        So…you’ve got everything prepared for tonight?

                                                      ROB
         Yeah, I was just making some last-minute adjustments; looks like we’re going to play some of the top ten favorites on the billboard.
         I made a phone call to the execs’ to see if they’d like to come by for a visit.
         But…other than that, things seem to be going quite smoothly.

                                                      DIANA
                        Glad to hear.
                                                     (Pause)
                        I was wondering if I could show you something.
                                                     
                                                       ROB
                        Okay, what is it?

                                                      DIANA
                        Well…
                                           (Reaches into her backpack)
                                           (Places record on the desk)

                                                       ROB
                        Fleetwood Mac, huh? I remember listening to them when I was a kid.
                        And you got it in vinyl record too. Quite the find in this day and age.

                                                      DIANA
                        Well…records are making a comeback.
                        I was thinking that…maybe…if you would that is…uh…to have me perform…with this?

                                                       ROB
                                                     (Pause)
                                              (Looks at the record)
                                                  (Deep breath)
                        I don’t know.
                        We just installed the new digital streaming devices, and I all ready got rid of my old turntable.
                        Unless you have the songs on your iPod, we can play it.
                        Other than that I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do at this point. Sorry.

                                                       DIANA
                        I see.
                                                     (Pause)
                        I mean…I do have the songs on my iPod, but I want the richness and the authenticity of it.
                        Plus I’ve come up with all sorts of remixes to it that I wanted to show you and everyone else who comes.

                                                        ROB
                        I appreciate that, I do, but even if I had a full functioning turntable, I’m afraid this isn’t what the public wants.
                        What people want is the familiar, and what’s popular.

                                                       DIANA
                        How do you know that?

                                                        ROB
                        Excuse me?

                                                       DIANA
                        How do you know what everyone wants and what they don’t?

                                                        ROB
                        It’s simple: we go ask the focus groups what they want to listen to, and we have them represent the target demographics.
                        This is something we’ve been doing for years, and so far it always seems to work.
                        When we know when a certain song or album can make it in the main stream, we then release it to the general public.

                                                       DIANA
                        But doesn’t that contradict the whole point of music as an art form?
                        Isn’t music supposed to…encompass a general feeling of euphoria that it’s…I don’t know…

                                                        ROB
                        I get what you’re trying to say, but…it’s just not going to cut it.
                        As much as I would love to hear Fleetwood Mac again, I’m afraid no one wants to hear it.
                        The majority of teenagers and young adults probably don’t know who Fleetwood Mac is.

                                                       DIANA
                        So why not reintroduce it to the public? We both know its good music.
                        Even Bill Clinton used one of their songs for his campaign theme.
                        Wouldn’t people want to listen to something that’s “good” instead of something that could be forgotten in the next week?

                                                        ROB
                        Diana, this is just our policy. We’re incredibly busy and there wouldn’t be enough time to make more reservations.
                        Besides, you’re not ready for the big time.

                                                        DIANA
                                                       (Pause)
                                                    (Deep breath)
                         Right…okay.
                                                     (Stands up)
                         Thanks anyway.
                                                   (Takes her leave)

                                                         ROB
                         Oh, Diana?

                                                        DIANA
                         Yes?

                                                         ROB
                         You’re still running the lights and sound tonight?

                                                        DIANA
                         Yeah…yeah I still am.

                                                        ROB
                         Okay, good. See you tonight then.

                                                        DIANA
                         See you tonight.
                                                       (Leaves)


INT. “ROB’S CLUB” – ALMOST NOON
Only one or two people enter the club. SHELDON is serving drinks while talking with SASHA. DIANA exits Rob’s office with a chip on her shoulder. DIANA sits down in a deep stupor.

                                                        SHELDON
                         What’ll be, if I may ask?

                                                         DIANA
                         Maybe a good bottle of scotch with a cyanide pill on the side?
                                                       (Head-desk)

                                                         SASHA
                         Geez…went that bad, huh?

                                                         DIANA
                                                       (Deep sigh)

                                                         SASHA
                         Well I did tell you, didn’t I? Rob just has a fixed system that works for him. And if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

                                                         DIANA
                                                   Yeah…sure.

                                                         SASHA
                         Just give it some time. One day you’ll get your shot.

                                                         DIANA
            What, so I’ll have to listen to focus groups all day? Playing music that they “want” to hear instead of something they need to hear?
                                                 
                                                        SHELDON
                       Sometimes that’s just how things work. When it comes to running a business, you have to know what sells and what doesn’t.

                                                         DIANA
                         And what makes you such an expert?

                                                        SHELDON
                        I have a business degree. It’s all about listening to what works and what doesn’t.
                        It’s like predicting the environment: when you know it’s going to be cold and rainy, people would want to buy umbrellas.
                        So you invest your money into those said umbrellas, and you make a profit off them.

                                                         DIANA
                          But umbrellas are for tourists.

                                                         SHELDON
                          You get my point, though. When it comes to money and making a living, people need something that’s safe and familiar.

                                                         DIANA
                                               (Raises her head back up)
                          “Safe and familiar”? Like listening to Nicki Minaj talking about her ass, while asking for her boyfriend’s penis?
                           That’s “safe and familiar”?

SHELDON glares at DIANA.

                                                         SASHA
                           What Sheldon, I think, is trying to say is…don’t get too discouraged over something you can’t change overnight.
                                                      (To SHELDON)
                           Am I right?

                                                        SHELDON
                           Yeah…that’s basically the gist of it.
                                               (Back to serving drinks)

                                                         SASHA
                           I know you wanted to do this for a while now, and it’s really awesome you have a passion for it.
                           If you like, we can run the turntables when we have free time, and you can show me what you got. Would you like that?

                                                         DIANA
                           I think so. I mean I still run the tech stuff, and at least I know how things operate.

                                                         SASHA
                        See, that’s the spirit. After tonight’s performance, you can show me what you have in store, and I’ll listen, all right?

                                                         DIANA
                            Yeah, sounds good.
                                                   
                                                         SASHA
                            Okay.

                                                         DIANA
                            You’re performing, right?

                                                         SASHA
                            I’m the only employee here who has that job, so…yeah.

                                                         DIANA
                            All right, just checking.
                                                         
                                                         SASHA
                                          (Experiencing a train of thought)
                            Oh! That reminds me. I’ll be right back.
                                               (Heads to Rob’s Office)

                                                         DIANA
                                                      (Stands up)

More customers seem to poor in by the dozen. DIANA looks at the stage with the digital turntables. She heads onto the stage to inspect them. DIANA imagines herself as the performer.

                                                     RANDOM PERSON
                             Excuse me.
                                                   
                                                         DIANA
                             Yes?
                       
                                                     RANDOM PERSON
                             Are you performing tonight?

                                                         DIANA
                             No…I wish. I’m just checking to see that everything’s working. What gave you that idea?

                                                     RANDOM PERSON
                             I’m sorry. After looking at your hairstyle I assumed you were a DJ.

                                                         DIANA
                                                       (Laughs)
                             Well I’m not quite there yet…I’m just an amateur. I mostly do the tech stuff.

                                                     RANDOM PERSON
                             Oh, okay. Well I’m sure your job is just as important.
                             Sometimes we need the little people to keep the big things in focus, you know?

                                                         DIANA
                             Yeah…I suppose.

                                                         SASHA
                             Hey Dina! I’m going to my place to pick up something. Do you want to come?

                                                         DIANA
                             Wait, what about watching the place?
             
                                                         SASHA
                             It’s okay. I talked to Rob and said it was fine. I just need to get back here before 6.

                                                         DIANA
                             Okay, but…

                                                         SASHA
                             Did you check the turntables?

                                                         DIANA
                             Huh…oh, yeah. They’re pretty much in shape.

                                                         SASHA
                             Then let’s go.

                                                         DIANA
                             All right.
                                                 (Steps off the stage)
                                                   (To RANDOM PERSON)
                             It was nice talking to you.
                                                  (Grabs her backpack)

                                                     RANDOM PERSON
                             Likewise.

DIANA starts to head out the door, but then turns around to find SASHA kissing SHELDON before leaving. Deciding to question it later, DIANA and SASHA head out the door.