The scene opens with a wide shot of an average-looking bar. A dozen or so people are sitting around talking. A very typical bar scene.
Two guys walk through the bar. They are wearing nice pants, dress shirts, and ties. They sit down at two empty seats at the bar.
Andy: Bartender, can we get two beers, please?
Bartender: Coming right up.
Carl: I was hoping that we could have been on the 8 o’clock flight home. I can’t believe how picky those guys were about some of the fine points of our proposal for their web site.
Andy: Well, I think we came to an agreement where everyone was happy. I’m sure once we start designing the web site everyone will relax quite a bit.
Bartender brings over two beers. Andy and Carl start drinking them.
Carl looks at the woman sitting next to him. She doesn’t seem to be with anyone else. She is smoking a cigarette. Carl turns towards her.
Carl: Hi there, my name is Carl.
The woman totally ignores Carl and blows cigarette smoke into the air. This infuriates Carl. He leans over to Andy.
Carl: Did you see that? That bitch next to me won’t even acknowledge that I exist. What, is it too much effort to say “hi” back to me?
Andy: Yeah, I saw that. Maybe she doesn’t like the computer geek types.
Bartender: Excuse me, would you two gentlemen like some HELP?
Carl: Uhhh… I suppose. Is she deaf or something?
Bartender: No, not at all. You see fellows, you are in the Internet Bar. In here all the rules of talking to people through Instant Messenger apply. It is quite possible that the woman you contacted is busy doing something else at the moment. Maybe when she has some free time she will respond.
Andy: Are you crazy? She is just sitting there doing nothing! How hard is it to say hi?
Bartender: We don’t like troublemakers in here. If you can’t follow the rules you will be reported and asked to leave.
Just then the woman finishes her cigarette, puts it out in an ash tray, and turns toward Carl.
Woman: Hi Carl, my name is Jenny. How are you doing tonight? Sorry I didn’t respond sooner– I was out smoking a cigarette. So do you have a picture?
Carl: That’s OK, I’m kind of new here. I’m just in town for the night because… why do want to see a picture of me?
Woman: I just want to see what you look like. Hold on, I might have a picture of me you can see.
The woman pulls out her purse and starts looking through a series of pictures. The first one is exactly like what she looks like now, the next is an older picture of her when she was in better shape and sitting in a bikini next to the pool. The last one looks kind of like Brittany Spears. She pulls out the bikini picture and hands it to Carl.
Suddenly a young teenager bursts through the door and starts running around the bar yelling and screaming.
Teenager: Who wants to see naked pictures of Christine Aguilara? I’ve got all your favorite teen celebrities on my site. Come to my web site and see. It’s only 2.99 for the first week! It’s the best porn money can buy! If you aren’t happy….
Two bouncers came over and grabbed the kid from behind. They shove a towel in his mouth to shut him up. They quickly escort him to the door.
Woman: (talking to Carl) This place may be a dump, but at least they have good security.
A bald middle-aged man sits down next to Andy.
Bald man: Hi there, my name is Erin.
Andy: I’m Andy. How are you doing?
Bald man: I’ve been busy getting drunk with all my Sorority friends.
Andy: What? You are a bald fourty-something old man sitting here in a cheap suit.
The bartender looks up at Andy. The bouncers come over and get ready to remove Andy from the bar. The bartender gestures for the bouncers to hold off for a minute.
Bartender: Listen buddy, you are new here, so I’m going to give you a second chance. If you can’t follow the rules for chatting online I’ll have to ask you to leave.
Andy: OK, I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again. I promise.
The bartender smiles at Andy and the bouncers move back to the door. Andy uncomfortably turns to the bald man.
Andy: I was just kidding.
Bald man: Oh, that’s OK, I like to play games. Especially drinking games.
Andy: Well, I’m a little old for that. And anyway I’m married.
Bald man: I think older men are HOT. They really know what they are doing. And I don’t care that you are married.
Andy: Well, that’s great and all, but I’ve got to get going.
Bald man: Are you sure you don’t want to come over and get drunk with me and my girlfriends?
Andy: Uhh… maybe some other time. Bye.
Meanwhile, Carl is making small talk with the woman next to him. A man in walks in and sits next to the woman. He is wearing a greasy jumpsuit like one you would see at a factory. He is six feet tall, black, and very muscular. He turns and looks at the woman.
Black man: Hey baby! Remember me?
The woman, who didn’t notice the man come, is startled and quickly turns around.
Woman: Oh, God, how could I forget? You are amazing. WINK
Black Man: Thanks-you were pretty good yourself. So what are you up to tonight?
The woman looks over to Carl and sighs. She turns back to the black man.
Woman: Nothing. Want to get together? I’d love to see you again.
Black Man: Great. How about we meet at the same bar as last time?
Woman: I’ll be there in ten minutes. See you then.
The man walks out of the bar. The woman gets ready to leave. Before she gets up she turns to Carl.
Woman: It was nice meeting you, Carl, but I’m really tired. I think I’m going straight to bed tonight. Maybe we can talk some other night.
Carl: OK, have a good night.
The woman runs out the door. The bald man who was talking to Andy moved on to someone else. Andy turns to Carl.
Andy: This place is too strange.
Carl: Yeah, but I think it’s growing on me. I think I had a chance with that last woman. Did you see the picture of her in the bikini? She is good looking.
The camera slowly zooms away as the two are talking.
Carl: Maybe I should get a picture of myself to show people.
Andy: Why bother? Everyone can see you as it is.
Carl: You are missing the whole point.
Andy: And that is?
Carl: Sigh– it’s hard to explain.
Carl and Andy finish up their beers as the screen fades to black.