The Unexpected Roommate
Scene 1: The Apartment
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - DAY
The living room is cluttered with boxes. JESSICA, a meticulous and slightly neurotic woman in her early 30s, is directing movers as they bring in more boxes. SAM, her laid-back best friend, lounges on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
JESSICA
(Clearly stressed)
Okay, that box goes in the bedroom! And be careful with that one, it’s fragile!
SAM
(Nonchalantly)
Jess, you need to relax. It’s just stuff.
JESSICA
(Frustrated)
It’s not just stuff, Sam! It’s my life! Everything has to be in its place, or I can’t function.
SAM
(Grinning)
Your therapist would have a field day with that one.
Jessica glares at him. The doorbell rings. Jessica opens the door to reveal MARK, a scruffy, disheveled man in his late 30s.
MARK
(Holding out a piece of paper)
Hey, I’m Mark. I’m your new roommate.
JESSICA
(Stunned)
Excuse me? Roommate? I didn’t agree to this.
MARK
(Shrugs)
The landlord said you needed a roommate to cover the rent. Here I am.
Jessica turns to Sam, who is trying to stifle a laugh.
JESSICA
(Sighs)
Is this your doing?
SAM
(Trying to look innocent)
Hey, I thought you could use some help with the rent.
JESSICA
(Rolling her eyes)
Fine. But there are rules. Lots of them.
MARK
(Smiling)
I’m great with rules.
SAM
(Muttering)
This should be fun.
Scene 2: The Kitchen
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - MORNING
Jessica is making a perfectly organized breakfast. Mark stumbles in, looking groggy. He opens the fridge and grabs a carton of milk, drinking straight from it.
JESSICA
(Horrified)
What are you doing?!
MARK
(Confused)
Uh, having breakfast?
JESSICA
(Pointing to a sign on the fridge)
Rule number one: No drinking from the carton!
MARK
(Smirking)
Guess I missed that one.
JESSICA
(Exasperated)
Rule number two: Read the rules!
Mark chuckles and pours himself a bowl of cereal, clearly not taking the rules seriously. Jessica watches, her frustration mounting.
Scene 3: The Living Room
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Jessica is meticulously arranging books on a shelf. Mark enters, carrying a guitar.
MARK
Hey, do you mind if I practice here? The acoustics are great.
JESSICA
(Firmly)
No loud music after 8 PM. Rule number four.
MARK
(Playfully)
It’s only 7:59.
Mark starts playing, loudly and badly. Jessica covers her ears, but gradually her expression softens as she starts to appreciate his enthusiasm, if not his talent.
Scene 4: The Breakthrough
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - NIGHT
Jessica is sitting at the kitchen table, looking exhausted. Mark enters and sits across from her.
MARK
(Tentatively)
Look, I know I’m not the perfect roommate. But maybe we can find a middle ground?
JESSICA
(Sighs)
I guess I can be a little...rigid.
MARK
(Grinning)
A little?
JESSICA
(Laughs)
Okay, a lot. But this is my home. It’s my safe space.
MARK
(Sincerely)
And I want to respect that. How about we come up with some new rules together?
JESSICA
(Smiling)
Deal.
Scene 5: The Compromise
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - DAY
Jessica and Mark are sitting on the couch, a whiteboard between them. Sam enters, looking curious.
SAM
What’s this?
JESSICA
(Grinning)
We’re making new rules. Together.
MARK
(Nods)
Rule number one: Respect each other’s space.
JESSICA
(Adding)
Rule number two: Be flexible.
SAM
(Laughing)
Never thought I’d see the day.
Jessica and Mark share a smile, their newfound understanding evident. The living room, though still cluttered, now feels a bit more like home.
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End
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