Work Text:
INT. CAR – DAY
ALBERT FROG (31) stares out the cab window, loosely gripping a bagged item in his lap. Tall, athletic, but emaciated-looking, he wears a HOODIE to hide himself.
MUFFLED LYRICAL MUSIC plays through the car speakers.
MOSES (mid-60s), the cab driver, taps along on the steering wheel, mouthing the song’s lyrics. He's a stocky man with a keen interest in connecting with his clients — like a tone-deaf teacher trying too hard to stay hip.
He occasionally glances at Albert through the rearview mirror, particularly at the item in Albert’s lap. He eases onto the brakes as they approach a row of cars at a red light.
Albert notices something out the window. His expression hardens.
OFFSCREEN, BELLS begin to ring.
Bored, Moses glances back at Albert through the mirror again and follows his line of sight — a church, with a group of parishioners exiting the building.
Moses reaches for the radio and changes the station. CHRISTIAN MUSIC begins to play.
Albert turns at the sudden change, catching Moses faintly smiling at him. Albert smiles in return, then looks back out the window.
Moses’s smile fades. He glances down at the bag in Albert’s lap, then back to the road.
The light turns green.
Without warning, the cab jerks forward, launching the bag from Albert’s hands.
Albert bends down to pick it up. He opens it and peeks inside. A wave of relief washes over his face.
MOSES
Is it okay, Mr. Frog?
Albert straightens up, meeting Moses’s gaze in the mirror.
ALBERT
Yeah, it's all good.
MOSES
What is it?
Albert doesn't respond. Instead, he notices the time on the radio clock.
He rolls up his sleeve to check his own watch. The time matches. He grips the bag tighter.
ALBERT
How much longer until we arrive?
MOSES
About half an hour. Sermon’ll be long over.
ALBERT
Damn. Well, hopefully it’ll still be open.
MOSES
Open? Church doesn't close till midnight.
ALBERT
No, not that. There's this cook-off there.
MOSES
Really? Huh. Never driven a chef before.
ALBERT
I’m not one yet, technically. But I’m trying.
MOSES
Why not earn one of them certificates? You can do ’em online, y’know.
ALBERT
I would, but my employer won’t let me.
MOSES
Employer? Why would that matter?
Albert sinks into his seat, fidgeting with the bag again. Moses watches him for a moment, then returns his focus to the road.
MOSES
Y’know, even before ’04, things were always mixed around here. But that big bang... it really set everything loose.
(beat)
Say, Albert — is that dish big back home?
ALBERT
Um, I guess so. It’s my grandfather’s recipe.
MOSES
Huh. Is he a chef too? Does he work around here?
ALBERT
No, he doesn’t. Not anymore, at least.
MOSES
Oh, a veteran, eh? Did he have five stars?
Albert suddenly straightens
ALBERT
Four, actually. He even made headlines.
MOSES
Hah, seriously? What was this — ten, eleven years ago?
ALBERT
Eight, exactly. It was in all the papers.
MOSES
Hm. Weird. Don’t remember reading about that.
Albert shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
ALBERT
Well... maybe you just forgot that day.
MOSES
I read the morning paper every day, kid. You calling me senile?
Albert falls silent, breaking eye contact. He turns to the window and perks up as a GRAVEL ROAD comes into view.
ALBERT
Uh, thank you, sir. They still haven’t paved the road, so you can just drop me here.
MOSES
Wait — it’s getting late. Dangerous out here alone.
ALBERT
It’s fine, sir. Really. You can go.
MOSES
My shift’s already over. I’ll accompany you till we arrive.
EXT. UNPAVED ROAD – NIGHT
Albert and Moses walk up a dimly lit path. Albert still clutches his bag. Moses eyes it curiously.
MOSES
Y’know, you still haven’t told me what’s in there.
ALBERT
I did. It’s a family recipe.
MOSES
Yeah, but what kind of dish?
ALBERT
Oh, well... it’s traditional cuisine.
MOSES
Huh. So like pork pie and pudding and stuff?
ALBERT
No, it’s, um... a kind of pierogi.
MOSES
Sorry — could you repeat that?
ALBERT
Maybe showing it will be better.
Albert opens the bag. Moses peers inside — then stops in his tracks. He looks up at Albert.
EXT. CHURCH – NIGHT
The men arrive at the church. Albert approaches the entrance with a faint look of relief.
ALBERT
Thanks for accompanying me.
MOSES
My pleasure — and good luck out there.
Albert nods in return and enters the church.
MOSES (CONT'D)
And Albert?
Albert turns back.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Until we see you again.
(in Polish)
Albert smiles, waves goodbye, and disappears into the building.