FOOD COURT: a man falls and embarrasses himself.
m- Humiliation is worse than death.
f- What?
m- yeah.
f- no, what the hell are you trying to say? wh- why are you saying that to me?
m- don't you think so?
f- i...i haven't gotten around to that idea so far in my life.
m- well - here's something: people - since forever ago - have ALWAYS been OBSESSed by being remembered and for having had an impact during their lifetime. Pharaohs are my backup here. Historic, factual proof that people want to be remembered, in a good way, forever.
f- alright...so?
m- listen! People have killed themselves to put an end to the misery filled days following humiliations they experienced. Books and movies and newspapers document it. It's a really powerful emotion or experience. It makes normal people go totally wacky. People would rather die than live with embarrassment.
f- ...
m- am i right?
f- ...i guess.
m- yeah.
f- but would YOU kill yourself? would you?
m- ...
f- would you choose death over a shitty week ahead? seriously.
m- would you?
f- it's my question.
m- ugh. well- what degree of humiliation are we talking about here?
f- i don't know! How bad does it HAVE TO BE?? God...it's sick thinking about how screwed up people's heads get over something so trivial.
m- or impacting.
f- what.
m- well, what if i was thought of and an icon for good, honest business and I was a total family man; everyone loved me - and then one day i made a mistake. or met the wrong person. say - i tried some random big drug, got addicted, dwindled my family's savings and maybe was fucking up my work life too and i was exposed. i'd ruined my whole life and my family's. I'd be humiliated because i turned into such a disgusting person.
f- you'd hate yourself and probably still be drugged enough to off yourself rather than deal with it, is that what you're saying?
m- people who used to love me would hate me.
f- well, they'd be really confused.
m- i would be so embarrassed and wouldn't see a chance of them getting over it.
f- yeah, it'd seem black and white.
m- yeah! I'd want NOTHING to do with them. I'd run away or lock myself up and selfishly off myself.
f- that's awful.
m- it'd be like a 'fuck you' to everyone i cared about and who cared about me.
f- you're deranged.
m- I just have an active imagination.
f- yeah, that's it.
m- shut up. i love you.
f- i know. i love you too.
m- only because it's interesting to talk to someone so deranged. YOU'RE the sick one.
f- shut up. you're so defensive.
m- maybe i'm insecure.
f- maybe i love you and it doesn't matter.
m- good. that's fair.
f- ha. fair. that's awesome.
m- ha. yeah.
they smile, then kiss.
FADE OUT.
