Tomorrow is cancelled

FADE IN.

 

NICK'S HOUSE, HOME OFFICE AND RUBY'S LIVING ROOM, PRESENT.

 

INT. NICK'S HOME OFFICE – DAY

 

NICK, late 20's / early 30's, sat in an office chair. His face is quite serious as he is typing away. The sound of a video conference call ringing can be heard. NICK stops typing, raises his eyebrows and lets out a sigh before looking towards the bottom of the screen. He smiles broadly when he sees who is calling. He composes himself and then answers the call.

​

NICK

(singing in the style of the Kaiser Chiefs)

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

 

INT. RUBY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

​

RUBY, late 20's / early 30's, has a look of mock annoyance on her face and is shaking her head slightly.

​

RUBY

I'm not doing it.

 

INT. NICK'S HOME OFFICE & RUBY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

(INTERCUTTING BETWEEN THE TWO)

 

NICK

Er, you have to?

 

RUBY

Er, no I don't.

 

NICK crosses his arms, raises his eyebrows and looks directly at the camera in silence. RUBY mimics him. They both sit in silence for a moment, before RUBY smiles and playfully rolls her eyes.

 

RUBY (CONT'D)

Fine.

(in the style of the Kaiser Chiefs)

Ahahahahahaaaa.

 

NICK has a contented look on his face. RUBY smiles warmly.

 

NICK

(bowing his head)

Thank you. Now, how can I help?

 

RUBY

Is CRM working for you? I've just tried to log on and it's not letting me in?

 

NICK looks to another part of the screen and starts typing.

 

NICK

Hold the line please caller, I'll just see if I can sort that for you.

 

RUBY smirks and shakes her head. Nick is still typing and looking at another part of the screen. He stops typing and looks up rather than at the camera.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

Hi, Miss Tuesday, it's Nick from Support here.

​

RUBY

(looking puzzled)

Miss Tuesday?

 

RUBY shakes her head when the penny drops. Nick smirks.

 

RUBY (CONT'D)

(mockingly, quietly)

Yes, yes, very good.

 

NICK continues to look anywhere but at the camera as if he is on the phone to someone.

 

NICK

(smirking)

As I was saying, I presume you are trying to access the CRM via the internal site address and not the external one. If you would be okay to stay on the line, I can send you the external address you need.

 

RUBY puts her hand to her head.

 

RUBY

Doh! Of course, thanks.

 

NICK types something. RUBY reacts when she sees it on her screen.

 

RUBY (CONT'D)

Ta.

 

NICK

No problem at all ma'am, all part of the service. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

 

RUBY

Wow, who knew? You're wasted in sales; you should be on our support desk!

 

NICK looks back at the camera.

 

NICK

Ha, no chance. Not got a clue what those guys are going on about 90% of the time. The truth is you got lucky. I did exactly the same thing yesterday and thankfully I'd kept an email from Olly with the two separate web addresses on.

 

RUBY

Keeping every email ever, does actually pay off sometimes then?

 

RUBY gives him a sweet smile and a little wink.

 

NICK

Erm, I stand by my process entirely, thank you. You never know when you might need something.

(beat)

Yes, I may have over 20,000 emails in my Inbox, but each one has been meticulously filed and can be called upon within a moment's notice.

 

RUBY puts her hands up to faux apologise for mocking him.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

Whereas, if I remember correctly, the last time I saw your Inbox.

 

NICK tilts his head and gives her a wide-eyed look.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

If you'll pardon the expression.

 

RUBY shakes her head and smirks.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

It was, and I say this with all due respect, an absolute abomination.

 

RUBY

It's not that bad!

 

NICK

Really. Okay, how about this. If you have under 300 unread emails, then lunch is on me for a week, next time we are back in the office.

 

NICK looks straight into the camera. RUBY holds his gaze for a second.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

(straight into the camera)

Go on, how many?

 

RUBY makes a half-jokingly exasperated sound and removes her gaze from his and looks at a different part of the screen. She grimaces slightly and then grits her teeth.

 

RUBY

(really quietly)

367.

 

NICK cups his ear and points it towards the camera.

 

NICK

Sorry. How many?

 

RUBY

(loudly)

367! Happy now!

 

NICK looks very pleased with himself.

 

NICK

I will be at lunch, especially as you're paying.

 

RUBY

Er, I don't actually remember agreeing to that.

 

NICK

Worth a try. Who knows, will lunch still even be a thing when we get back?

 

RUBY'S tone changes slightly.

 

RUBY

When do you think we'll be back in the office?

 

NICK

Honestly don't know. From the way they are talking on the news could be two or three months?

 

RUBY has a slightly sad look on her face.

 

RUBY

(slightly quietly)

It's all a bit surreal, isn't it.

 

NICK

(mournfully)

It really is.

 

NICK notices she looks a bit upset.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

(upbeat)

I've not worn shoes since Sunday!

 

RUBY smiles.

​

RUBY

(more perkily)

Slippers are wildly underrated! You're not taking advantage of your daily exercise allowance then?

 

NICK looks down towards his stomach and then up at RUBY.

 

NICK

Whoa, what are you trying to say?!

 

RUBY

(smiling widely)

You know what I meant!

 

NICK ponders the previous question for a moment. His tone changes.

 

NICK

(more seriously)

I was. But then.

(pauses)

I got a bit freaked out by it all if I'm honest.

 

RUBY

(concerned)

Really, in what way?

 

NICK

Dunno. Just felt weird being outside.

(beat)

Like I was going to get stopped and asked what I was up to.

 

RUBY gives him a troubled look which he notices.

 

NICK (CONT'D)

(slightly more upbeat)

And don't get me started on shopping at the moment!

 

RUBY

What? You love shopping! Is it because you can't get your bargains.

 

RUBY gives him a little smile.

 

NICK

Exactly! It's honestly a nightmare!

 

RUBY

You know most people only usually go to one or two shops, not 27!

 

NICK

Hey now, I do five supermarkets at the most. Usually!

 

NICK grimaces slightly.

 

RUBY

(sardonically)

Oh, that's fine then.

 

NICK smiles at her image on the screen for a moment. Which makes her smile. He looks to the distance.

 

NICK

(slightly sadly)

It was pretty horrible though. Queuing up outside two metres apart, having to shuffle along and then go in one-by-one. Just felt like I shouldn't be there.

(beat, voice trails off)

Which I suppose is the point.

 

There's a moment of silence. NICK continues to look to the distance.

 

RUBY

I've only been to my local shop, they are letting two people in at a time, but it's not too bad. Did you at least get everything you needed?

 

NICK

Mostly. Just a couple of bits they didn't have. Bought loads more than I normally would have mind.

 

RUBY

Wow, can't believe you are a dirty stockpiler!

 

RUBY smiles, NICK smiles widely back.

 

NICK

Ha, never! I just don't want to have to go back for a while. I even had to pay full price for some stuff! Outrageous!

 

NICK smiles at RUBY.

​

RUBY

Jesus. It really is a new world!

 

A beep is heard and NICK looks to another part of the screen.

 

RUBY (CONT'D)

They don't monitor these chats do they?

 

NICK

Christ, I hope not! Nah, they can't do? Some of the stuff Trev and I were talking about yesterday, I'd have been fired already!

(he smiles)

Did you see that email from Fletchers?

 

RUBY looks at a different part of the screen and reads.

 

RUBY

Cool, are you going to have to pick that one up?

 

NICK

Dunno, it's Alan's account by rights?

 

RUBY

Is he actually working though? I thought he was properly.

 

RUBY does air quotes as she says the next words.

 

RUBY (CONT'D)

"Self-isolating."

 

NICK

(smiling)

I'm sure he's still picking up email. I'll drop him a line in a bit. So, what's it like not having to put up with me every day then?

 

RUBY

Quiet!

 

NICK

And by quiet, you mean devastating, yes?

 

RUBY

Something like that.

 

RUBY smiles. NICK smiles back and then looks hesitant.

 

NICK

It's not quite been the same. I'm having to make my own coffee for a start!

 

RUBY

Wow, the sacrifices we make!

 

NICK

(slightly quietly, and quickly)

I've missed you.

 

There is a brief pause.

 

RUBY

I've missed you too.

 

They both smile warmly at each other.

 

NICK

I wish things were different.

 

RUBY

Me too.

​

They both look a bit forlorn. They share a pleasant silence. In the background, on NICK'S screen, you see a door opening and a woman, AMY, late 20's early 30's, walk in. NICK and RUBY both move their hands instinctively away from where they had been. They had previously been close to the screen the whole time as if they were trying to hold hands. AMY smiles as she sees RUBY on the screen. AMY stands behind NICK and puts her hand on his shoulder.

​

AMY

(to the screen)

Hey Rubes, how's it going?

 

RUBY

Yeah, not too bad thanks, Ames. You okay?

 

AMY

Yeah, fine. Oooh, Have you and Jay set a date yet?

 

RUBY nonchalantly looks away from the camera, and then quickly back to AMY.

 

RUBY

Not yet, no. His mom's steering us towards an Autumn wedding though.

(slightly surprised)

Because she says the flowers will look nicer?

 

AMY

The flowers? That's hardly the most important part, is it?

 

RUBY

That's what I was thinking?

 

AMY

Well hurry up and set a date, then this one might finally sort ours!

 

AMY ruffles NICK'S hair. He briefly smiles.

 

AMY (CONT'D)

Oooh! I know, don't want to make it a double wedding do you?

 

RUBY and NICK both look somewhat wide-eyed. Before RUBY has had a chance to answer, AMY turns to NICK.

 

AMY (CONT'D)

Look how white he's gone! He's worried how much one wedding will cost, let alone half of two!

 

AMY starts to laugh and then removes her hand from NICK'S shoulder.

 

AMY (CONT'D)

Anyway, I'd better let you two get back to work.

(to NICK)

I'm making a coffee babe, do you want one?

 

NICK

Erm, yes please.

(beat, distractedly)

Thanks.

 

AMY lovingly strokes NICK'S shoulder and then turns back to the camera.

 

AMY

Speak to you soon Rubes. We'll have to go for dinner.

 

AMY starts giggling as she begins to walk out of view.

 

AMY (V.O.)

Ha! You know what I mean, when this all blows over!

 

NICK and RUBY both have forced smiles on, they are silent for a moment. You hear a door close.

 

RUBY

Right, I'd better get on.

 

NICK and RUBY stare at each other for a second.

 

NICK

Yeah, course. Catch you tomorrow?

 

RUBY

(beat, sadly)

Yeah. Probably.

 

FADE OUT.

​

(KAISER CHIFS' RUBY PLAYS FROM THE POINT OF "DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST, TOMORROW IS CANCELLED, LET THE CLOCKS BE RESET AND THE PENDULUMS HELD.)