Soup’s On
In a remote diner during a bad snowstorm, a man unwisely accepts
an invitation to meet a woman who he wronged years earlier.
Who doesn’t love a diner? The utimate in Americana, the word “diner” brings up memories of chicken soup, weekend pancakes, a needed cup of joe and - after a long day on the road – a safe, homey, inviting spot to turn off one's troubles and sit down.
Even better, diners are everywhere (not as much as before, but still around). In cities, suburbs, rural outskirts. And for eateries out on the edge of nowhere, diners serve more than just hamburgers and fries. They’re also a great location to schedule a private meet, far away from prying eyes.
In Soup’s On, that’s what protagonist Edgar’s come for when he pulls into Dan’s Diner. Pretty secluded even in the best of times, night and a light snow are both falling. And so Dan’s Diner provides the only source of warmth and light.
Upon entering, Edgar’s greeted by middle aged Waitress Shirley. Pretty quickly, it becomes evident Edgar’s NOT interested in an order.
SHIRLEY
Can I get you something?
EDGAR
No thanks. I’m here to meet someone.
SHIRLEY
Here?
EDGAR
Yeah. I’m a little early.
SHIRLEY
Old friend?
EDGAR
I don’t know what you’d call her.
SHIRLEY
So it’s a woman.
Quite the sleuth, our Shirley. Maybe she missed her calling, and should’ve been a detective instead?
Or a psychiatrist – ‘cause Shirley’s good at picking up social cues. One more sales friendly nudge, and she’s got Edgar ordering Chicken Gumbo… Dan’s speciality, so Shirley swears.
Calling in the order to the kitchen, Shirley continues to pry. And kind of like Diner Soup itself, Edgar starts to warm up.
SHIRLEY
(beat)
So you’re meeting a lady here
tonight?
Edgar sips the water.
EDGAR
Uh huh.
(beat)
Are you always so. . . chatty?
SHIRLEY
It’s a bad habit of mine.
There’s not much to do here.
You’re the only customer we’ve had all night,
and Sylvia back there in the kitchen isn’t much of a talker.
(beat)
I didn’t mean to upset you.
EDGAR
You didn’t - not really.
(beat)
Yes, I’m meeting a lady here. She
called me up out of the blue and
said she really needed to talk
with me. I don’t know how she even
got my phone number! She specified
that she wanted to talk here.
SHIRLEY
What about?
EDGAR
I have no idea. I haven’t even
thought about her in years.
Catching up with old, um, acquaintances? That’s good – right?
That’s if Edgar’s telling the truth. And what’s the deal with unseen Sylvia in the kitchen? In the snowy, secluded middle of nowhere, questions abound.
A very easy shoot, Mike Murphy’s Soup’s On only requires a handful of actors. And a diner, of course. Put that together with the right directorial vibe, and audiences will have a tasty ending. Presumably, one as tasty as Dan’s Diner’s apple pie!