The Letter

A short film by Jack McKinney

November 2018
Black Screen

Open on a black screen, a man narrates.

Man
If you’re reading this, I’m gone. I’m not going to defend myself or anything like that, I just want
to tell you my story...our story. Everything I did, was for her. Every action, every thought, every
word...She was my everything. My sole purpose in life was to be with Mia. I lived for her, and
now...if everything worked...chances are I died for her.

Int. Coffee shop- day

A beautiful barista is serving customers in line for coffee. She’s a young, attractive blonde. A
young, handsome man approaches her in line.

Barista
Next...Hi what can I get for you today?

Man
Hi, could I get a small black coffee please.

Barista
Sure. Cream and sugar?

Man
No thanks.

She turns to start making the man’s order.

Man
You look familiar? Do I know you?

Barista
Um, I don’t know? (laughing)

Man
(Flirtatiously) Do you work out at the gym on 3rd Ave?

Barista
Yea? How’d you know?

Man
I’m in there every day!
 Barista
Really? I don’t think I’ve seen you.

Man
I’m usually in the back on the bikes

Barista
Oh, I’m usually in the front on treadmills.

Man
That’s so funny...I’m Jake (reaches out hand).

Barista
(shaking hand) I’m Mia nice to meet you.

Jake
You know you have the most beautiful eyes…

Mia
(A little creeped out) Um thanks…

Jake
Oh, jeez I bet that sounded creepy...I’m a photographer I shoot models all the time and I just
haven’t seen anyone with eyes like yours. They’re stunning!

Mia
(Blushing) Aw thanks!

Jake
You know if you’d let me I’d love to do a shoot with you sometime. I’m working on a new
collection of black and white stills for an exhibit coming up.

Mia
(Blushing even more) Me? Really?!

Jake
Of course!

Mia
I mean, I’ve never really done anything like that before…

Jake
It’s easy, you sit and look pretty while I shoot. You would fit great in my exhibit, you’re the
perfect...hmm...what’s the word?

Mia
 (Sarcastically) “Specimen”?

Jake
(Smiling) Exactly! Here, here’s my number. Give me a call if you’re interested, if not...no hard
feelings.

Mia takes Jake’s number and hands him his small coffee. She writes her name on it, with a little
heart.

Mia
(Sarcastically) I don’t usually take numbers from strangers.

Jake
(Smiling) I hope you can make an exception. Have a nice day- (looks at coffee cup) Mia.

Ext. Sidewalk- Day

Jake leaves the coffee shop. The song “Crazy” by Patsy Cline starts playing. Jake walks with a
spring in his step, radiant about his upcoming date with Mia. Jake continues to walk and turns to
the door of an apartment building. He enters

Int. Jakes Apartment- Day

Jake enters his apartment and sets his cup with Jens name and number on the table. The song
“Crazy” is still playing.

The camera follows Jake as he enters his bedroom

The camera pans across the room to reveal hundreds of photos of Jen posted on the walls.

Jakes room looks like a shrine to Mia. Covered from wall to wall in pictures of her.

Pictures of Mia when she’s not looking. Pictures of her in her car. Pictures of her in the window
of her apartment. Pictures of her working out at the gym.

The camera continues to pan across the room, and pans to Jake.

As the song climaxes, a proud Jake takes a look around the room.

He takes a deep breath, and smiles.

Cut to black