A short scene I wrote while waiting hours in line for gas this morning

Fade In:

EXT. - CROWDED HIGHWAY - DAY

A long line of cars taking up the entire right lane of a highway extends for miles in front of a crowded gas station.

About 30 cars back we see a red couple with a middle aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, sitting in the front seat

INT. - RED COUPE - DAY

Mr. and Mrs. Smith sit in their car looking tired, impatient, and frustrated.

MRS. SMITH
This line is ridiculous, it’s been over 2 hours.

MR. SMITH
(leaning his head out the driver’s side window to see ahead) I think I can see the station up ahead, I’d give us another half hour. Let’s just hope they don’t run out before we get there.

MRS. SMITH
We should have gotten that other hybrid car.

MR. SMITH
Well...

Mr. Smith’s eyes look up as he thinks back to two months ago.

The screen turns hazy as we enter a flashback.

INT. CAR DEALERSHIP SHOWROOM - DAY

Mr. and Mrs. Smith examine a red coupe in the showroom.

A Salesman approaches them. He is sharply dressed with a chipper attitude.

SALESMAN
I see you’re interested in the coupe. It’s one of our best sellers.

MR. SMITH
Well, we’re browsing. How accurate would you say the MPG numbers on the side are?

SALESMAN
Those numbers are accurate, in fact in reality you’re likely to get even better numbers with real world driving.

MRS. SMITH
Impressive.

SALESMAN
Well, if you’re concerned with mileage, let me introduce you to a new model.

The Salesman directs the Smiths to a similar coupe in green.

SALESMAN (CONT’D)
This is our latest model, it has all the performance and amenities of the other car but this one runs on frustration.

MR. SMITH
Excuse me? Did you say frustration?

SALESMAN
That’s right, genuine, everyday, human frustration.

MRS. SMITH
How is that even possible?

SALESMAN
There’s a lot of fancy Japanese technology involved but essentially this car is fueled by your frustration.

MR. SMITH
Assuming all this is true, is it practical to have a car that only runs on frustration?

SALESMAN
You would not believe how much daily frustration modern life generates for the average person. Any kind of frustration, big ones, small ones, will do: workplace frustration, frustration at home, frustration with your personal life, frustration with...

MRS. SMITH
Sexual frustration?

Mr. Smith awkwardly eyes Mrs. Smith

SALESMAN
Err...yes of course. Even existential angst in a pinch, although the mileage won’t be as great.

MR. SMITH
Well I’ll be, a car that runs on frustration. Does it come it red?

SALESMAN
Sorry only green for now.

MR. SMITH AND MRS. SMITH
We’ll pass.

The flashback ends and we are back with the Smiths in traffic.

INT. RED COUPE - DAY

MR. SMITH
Boy that other car sure would have come in handy today.

A green coupe drives up next to the Smiths on the highway. It is being driven by the Salesman. He recognizes the Smiths.

SALESMAN
(Smiling) Hey! Smiths! Should have gone with the new model eh?

The Salesman’s car stalls due to the lack of frustration.

SALESMAN (CONT’D)
Oh damn it.

The car starts up again and drives down the road.

SALESMAN (CONT’D)
Alright!

The car stalls again. The Salesman drives off in this stop and go manner as he experiences alternating feelings of frustration and relief.

The Smiths look on in confused frustration.

THE END