Hedge
November 10th, 2020
Starring: Tate (male, 18-20), Fernando (male, 35-45)
The front yard of a nice home, a weekday afternoon,. Fernando and his coworkers are finishing up the lawn: one is mowing, one is weed whacking, one is trimming the bushes. Fernando has a leaf blower backpack on.
Tate comes outside from the front door, holding an envelope. He’s wearing a polo with the logo of some popular Division I state school. Fernando sees him and stops blowing leaves, taking off his ear protection to say hello:
TATE
Hola Fernando!
FERNANDO
Hey buddy! Long time no see.
TATE
My dad’s on the treadmill, he wanted me to give you the check.
FERNANDO
Thank you buddy. How’s school going?
TATE
Fine, I guess.
FERNANDO
You studying hard?
TATE
Ehh, así-así.
FERNANDO
Haha! That’s good man. Gotta have some fun.
Your team’s got a big game this weekend huh?
TATE
Very big. You gonna watch?
FERNANDO
You better believe it. I got a big bet going with a couple of my guys.
TATE
Oh yeah?
FERNANDO
You bet?
TATE
I’ve been getting into it more. Now that I’m legal, haha.
FERNANDO
Ohhh yeah. You got a bookie?
TATE
I do at school, but he’s kind of a dumbass.
FERNANDO
Well if you’re still looking to put something down before the weekend, I know a guy.
TATE
...really?
FERNANDO
Yeah he’s good.
…
TATE
Would you give me his number?
FERNANDO
I would, but I can’t. He’s got a family and a real job, so he’s kind of on the downlow. Real professional though.
I can put something in for you.
FERNANDO
You would?
TATE
For sure, my friend.
…
TATE
Ok.
Do I like, pay you now?
FERNANDO
Whenever. I’ll be back on Friday.
TATE
Dope.
FERNANDO
I’m gonna hedge.
TATE
Yeah I was thinking I would too...
FERNANDO
No like, I gotta trim the hedges.
TATE
Oh. Haha right...duh.
…
Yeah so I’ll pay you Friday?
FERNANDO
Cash.
TATE
You bet.
FERNANDO
No, you bet.
They both laugh, semi-awkwardly. Tate starts to go back inside, then comes back:
TATE
Fernando?
Just uh...don’t mention it with my dad.
FERNANDO (finger to his lips)
Lips sealed my man.
TATE
No Fernando.
You’re the man.
They fist bump.