The Pungent Pendant
March 21st, 2021
Starring: Pierce (male, 30’s), AC (male, 50’s), Jeweler (35-45), Guard (male, 30’s)
A small boutique jewelry store, on a weekday afternoon. Rows of display cases with gold, diamond, etc. There’s a guard at the front door. Jeweler is behind the main display case, standing across from Pierce (in a trendy blazer/no tie look). Jeweler’s holding up an elegant pendant necklace, as Pierce looks on:
PIERCE
Magnificent.
JEWELER
Isn’t it?
Nothing celebrates a 10 year quite like emerald.
PIERCE
Indeed.
…
This is a singular piece? I know that will be important to her.
JEWELER
Absolutely completely one-of-a-kind, no duplicates. That’s so much of its beauty.
PIERCE
And the pricetag...
JEWELER
Ah yes, well it’s certainly hefty. But I like to tell people that if they’re coming in here, they have to have some idea of what they’re getting into.
PIERCE
No, of course I do.
JEWELER
And I really don’t always say this, but when it comes to pieces like these, bargain shouldn’t be in the vocabulary. No matter the price, it’s a steal.
PIERCE
I agree. A real heist.
Cut to the air conditioning units, situated on the roof of the store. AC, dressed as a repairman, surveys the system, whistling. After looking over the units, he nods, then walks over to his utility bag. He zips open a side pocket and pulls out a filtered mask and thick gloves, putting them on. Now protected, he zips open the bag’s main compartment and pulls out a quadruple-wrapped plastic grocery bag. He pulls out a knife and cuts the top, then reaches for a full roll of duct tape.
Finally, from the bag, AC pulls out a Durian, overripe and close to rotten. He takes a nice chunk of duck tape and attaches it to the spiny fruit, then adheres it to the top of air conditioner vent (above the fan). AC repeats this process with the remaining Durians, until the entire bag (maybe 7-10) have been taped to the top of the units. He steps back and looks at his work, still whistling. He then takes off a glove to take out his cell phone, sending a text.
Back below, Pierce’s phone dings. Jeweler watches as he takes out his phone and reads the text.
JEWELER
Everything alright?
PIERCE
Oh yes, that’s her wondering where I am.
JEWELER
What did you say?
PIERCE
Doing a job.
He puts the phone away, looking back down at the pendant:
PIERCE
Do you take checks?
Jeweler nods. Pierce takes out his checkbook and begins to write one. As he does so, the guard coughs. Jeweler sniffs the air and makes a face.
JEWELER
Do you...?
PIERCE
Pardon?
The guard starts coughing louder.
JEWELER
Do you smell that...?
PIERCE
Wha...
...
oh.
Oh. Oh yes I do.
JEWELER
Quite strong—
PIERCE
Oh my—
The guard covers his nose with his blazer, retching a little. Pierce and Jeweler cover their noses too:
JEWELER
God it’s...it’s getting worse!
PIERCE
Hard to breathe—
JEWELER
Where is it coming from—??!
PIERCE
It could be a gas leak?
JEWELER
Gas?!
PIERCE
The smell's reminiscent...
The guard runs out of the store for fresh air, almost throwing up. They both watch it happen, starting to cough and wheeze too.
PIERCE
Maybe it’s time we evacuated—
JEWELER
I’ll lock up—
PIERCE
There’s no time!
JEWELER
I’m calling the fire department—
PIERCE
Yes, do that. But once we get outside!
They hold their breath as they run outside, onto the sidewalk. The guard has thrown up some. Pierce motions across the street to them.
PIERCE
We should cross! Something could explode at any second!
Guard and Jeweler nod and run with Pierce to the other side of the road. Jeweler gets on the phone. Guard is still bent double, having trouble catching his breath.
JEWELER
Hi I’d like to report a potential gas leak?!
Yes, we’ve evacuated. The address is 9382....
The sound fades out. From the roof of the building, AC spots them across the street. With that, he takes his bag over his shoulder and walks down a back flight of stairs, eventually leading into a side-entrance of the store. He goes into the main room, walks behind the left-open display case, takes the pendant, and lowers it gently into his bag.
The sounds of a fire engine come closer. AC goes back out the side door, then out the back door into an alley. There’s a service van parked there, which AC unlocks and gets into.
Back at the front, a fleet of fire trucks are parked in front of the store. A crew of firemen are inside, wearing respirators, poking around. Outside, Jeweler is talking with the fire chief, Guard is breathing out of a brown paper bag, and Pierce is just standing around, holding his checkbook, watching the action.
Then, the white van turns from around the corner, coming down the street, moving slowly between the trucks parked on the curb. As the van passes Pierce, he and AC make brief eye contact. AC gives the thumbs up, Pierce nods. The truck makes its way through. Pierce watches it drive off into the day, unable to contain a smile.
PIERCE (to himself, softly)
A whole lot better than guns...