going down

EXT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

A black feather is tossed around by the wind. It settles on the pavement near a café entrance, only to be picked up and pitched again by the breeze.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

LU stands at the bar, smoking, and drains the dregs of a glass of wine. He is talking to a pretty little Goth boi. MIKE enters, back to the camera, and touches Lu to draw his attention. Lu reacts to Mike’s presence.

Cut to:

EXT: MUDFLATS. DAY.

Mike and Lu’s battle. Their argument escalates each moment, words heated and running together. As a finale Mike backhands Lu across the face.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

Been a while.

MIKE

Can I buy you a drink?

Cut to:

EXT: STREET. DAY.

GOD’S feet walking along the pavement.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

Mike and Lu, glasses in hand, head for a table and sit.

To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Are we playing the servant again, Mike?

MIKE

Why did you have to start shit with him?

I wanted to be treated like an equal, not just another pretty little bauble. I deserved better than that.

Mike

But when was the last time you actually tried to talk to him?

Cut to:

EXT: DESERT. DAY.

God is alone in the desert. Lu is suddenly with him, but God refuses to acknowledge his presence. The distance between them grows, shot by shot, until Lu is on the ground weeping.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

I don’t recall.

Mike

Liar.

I’m not the only one…

Lu stubs out his cigarette and reaches for another.

Lu (cont’d)

I can’t believe he still riles me up so much.

Mike

You let everyone get to you. It’s so petty.

Unfortunately, Mikey-dear, not all of us can spend our lives floating around on cloud nine with our heads up our arses pretending nothing’s wrong.

MIKE

What happened to you? You used to be so sweet.

I used to be just like you.

Cut to:

EXT: STREET. DAY.

God walks down the street, observing his surrounds. A preacher is on the corner, waving his pamphlets around.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

mike

What, you think this is a change for the better? At least I’m not alone.

Hey, if he hadn’t thrown me out, I would have left anyway. He drove me up the fucking wall. I don’t know why you put up with it. He needs to have your attention all the time, his ego grows daily, he acts as if he owns you and he is the most temperamental being in existence.

mike

But you love him still.

Mike…

mike

He’d take you back. Two little words and you could come home.

Cut to:

EXT: MUDFLATS. DAY.

Lu’s imagined interactions with God if he returned home.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

I can’t.

Cut to:

EXT: STREET. DAY.

God’s POV of a child looking directly up at him.

Cut to:

INT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

MIKE

You were good enough for him.

Is that why he threw me out?

Mike

Lu… I am sorry for what happened.

I know. But I belong here now.

(pause)

He’s not going to be happy when he realises you’ve seen me.

MIKE

I miss you, we all do.

It’s better I be missed than my return regretted. C’mon, walk me outside.

Mike and Lu exit the café/bar.

Cut to:

EXT: CAFÉ/BAR. DAY.

Lu fondles the crucifix end of the rosary beads about Mike’s wrist. Mike kisses Lu’s forehead before letting him exit.

Mike

(whispers)

Take care of yourself, Lucifer.

Mike reacts to God’s arrival.

Mike

Hello, Father.

GOd

You have seen him again, haven’t you?

mike

Don’t be ridiculous.

God pulls Mike to him and kisses him delicately, then circles him once.

GOD

Your lips taste of sulphur and your tongue of lies, Michael.

(Pause)

How is he?

MIKE

You know exactly how he is. I wish you both would just move on!

god

He disgraced me. And himself! I will not forgive him that easily.

mike

Of course not. But are you going to forgive me?

GOD

I know where your loyalties lie. You have done no harm, angel. Besides, someone must look out for him. Come it is time to leave.

God exits and Mike moves to follow. Hesitating, he stoops to pick a black feather off the ground. Closing his fist around the feather, he raises his hand to his mouth. Pausing for a moment, he blows the feather into the breeze. It is white. He exits, smiling. The feather twists and turns is the wind.

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