DOWNLOAD ENTIRE TEXT (CLICK HERE)

Once, if my memory serves me well, my life was a banquet where every heart revealed itself, where every wine flowed.

-Arthur Rimbaud, A Season In Hell

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

-American folklore, origin unknown

August 1944

New York City

Screen is black.

Joan (v.o.)

I dare you.

Cut to:

Int. Drugstore - Day

Classic, comfortable Americana, complete with a soda fountain.

JOAN VOLLMER, SADIE, and MARY lurk by the magazine rack.  Joan is a post-collegiate, dark-haired beauty.  Sadie has a heart-shaped face, with softer features and softer temperament.

Joan gives Sadie a challenging look.

Joan

(repeats)

I dare you.

SADIE

I dare you.

Joan smiles impishly.  Mary frowns; she's the stickler of the group.