INT. BOX OFFICE – LATER

Luke is in the box off. Pirate Patron stands at the counter.

PIRATE PATRON

Let's try this again, shall we? One for—oh you know the rest.

Luke punches in the movie information and hands him a ticket.

LUKE

Here you go. And here is your mini replica of Captain Dary's ship.

He pushes a toy ship through the window hole.

PIRATE PATRON

The Iron Ruby! It's the greatest and strongest ship that ever set sail on the big, wide blue. After it was destroyed in a huge storm at sea that no one saw coming, and was rebuilt into this later version. Fun fact.

LUKE

Fun fact number two: It's made from the exact same material as the ship used in the movie. You're welcome.

PIRATE PATRON

Hats off to you, matey.

He tips his hat.

PIRATE PATRON (CONT'D)

My friends went to see the movie at the big IMAX theater downtown. Boy, are they in for a doozy. Those scallywags.

He chuckles and walks away, rocking his ship in the air. A young girl approaches the counter next. She leans in close to the window and stares into Luke's eyes.

LOVESICK PATRON

Hi. Daylight's Diary, please.

She pushes her money across the counter.

LUKE

You are going to love that movie. Pun intended.

Luke winks. Lovesick Patron sighs.

LUKE (CONT'D)

I hope you've brought tissues.

She drops a box of tissues with hearts all over them on the counter.

LOVESICK PATRON

Never leave home without them.

LUKE

Good call.

He hands her the ticket.

LUKE (CONT'D)

Enjoy.

She grins, chin in her palm as she continues to stare into Luke's eyes.

LOVESICK PATRON

I'm enjoying it already.

Daisy walks up to the counter and knocks on the glass.

DAISY

Do you have tape? A customer is complaining that I didn't rip his ticket perfectly down the middle. Who collects their movie stubs?

LUKE

For one, I do. And I will ignore the hint of bitterness in your tone.

He searches his surroundings.

DAISY

I have a long line waiting. Could you speed it up?

LUKE

I'm looking.

He continues to search.

LUKE (CONT'D)

It's around here somewhere.

Impatient, Daisy enters the booth and helps him look for it. She trips over a box of Iron Rubies. Luke swiftly catches her with both arms. Their faces are concealed behind the boxes, but it looks like they're kissing. Lovesick Patron snatches a tissue and runs away.

INT. BREAK ROOM – NIGHT

Derek, Luke, Craig, and Trevor sit around the table. Complaints are piled up in the center between two filing trays. One is labeled Keep. The other is labeled Toss.

Derek fishes for a complaint.

DEREK

Fix the loose seat in Theater 9.

TREVOR

I've been meaning to get to that.

He taps Craig's notebook.

DEREK

Toss.

Derek throws the complaint into the Toss tray. Craig takes it out of the Toss tray and moves it to the Keep tray.

CRAIG

Chair fix, in. Can we please take this seriously so we don't have to re-read the entire Toss pile.

DEREK

I happen to like the squeaky chair. It gives me something to do if I get bored.

He returns it to the Toss tray.

CRAIG

The customers are always right.

He puts it back in the Keep tray.

DEREK

Well, some of our customers are idiots.

He reaches for it, but Trevor intercepts.

TREVOR

Why don't vote on it? All in favor of the squeaky chair remaining squeaky, raise your hand.

Derek raises his hand. No one else follows.

TREVOR

The squeak is hereby gone.

He drops the complaint in the Keep tray.

DEREK

Oh, now you want to be a good manager.

LUKE

My turn.

He picks out a note written n pink, floral stationery.

LUKE (CONT'D)

I think the Royal Cinema employees are all great.

TREVOR

Aw. I think you're great.

He tickles the stationary.

LUKE

Everyone except Daisy. She's mean and should be fired.

DEREK

Say what?

He snatches the stationary and rereads it for himself.

LUKE

Should we vote?

He slowly raises his hand.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE