Shifter

Ten, nine, eight

When I was little I had an old music box.

One day it got knocked off the shelf

and one of its sides split open.

I could see the inside; all the gears and mechanics.

I took it all apart, examined every piece,

and then put it all back together again.

When my dad saw what I had done, he asked, "Why?"

I said, "Because I realized I could."

Holy shit.

Hello?

Hey, it's Theresa.

- Huh? - From work.

Oh, okay.

Um, I was thinking about going out tonight

and I was just wondering if you wanted to join me.

Tonight?

It's kinda late for that.

Yeah, um, I'm just celebrating, so, um...

Is it your birthday or something?

Uh, um.

You're right, yeah, it's, it's probably too late,

so just nevermind.

Um, sorry.

Hey, what can I get ya?

Oh, um, champagne, please.

Thank you.

Did you get stood up?

Oh, uh, um, no, I'm not waiting for anybody.

I didn't think so.

I've seen, seen you a few times around here.

- Always alone. - Oh.

You from around here?

Um, kind of, just outside the city.

Ah, the farmland.

You're a country gal.

Not really, um, my dad just thought he was a farmer.

And he wasn't?

He was not.

What's he do now?

Nothing.

Uh, listen, it's getting kinda loud in here.

You know, my place is just up the street.

You know, we can talk a bit if you want

or we can kinda go there and have some drinks.

Oh, um, actually I think it's getting pretty late.

I better go.

Seriously?

Yeah, I think so.

Can you believe this bitch?

- (THERESA SIGHS) - You're right.

The world isn't ready.

Here's kitty, you're so cute.

I love you so much.

Kitty!

So, what'd you tell him, can you tell me?

I mean, what can I tell him?

I mean, he's the one screwing it up,

so it's on him.

Yeah, but it's just hard to talk to him sometimes

right as he gets in.

But did you highlight it for him?

- Of course I did. - Yellow or orange?

Okay, it's yellow.

Maybe it's because it was yellow and he just...

You know you have...

- Thought maybe that... - To do the orange one.

I specifically said, "Gary, sign all of these um, yellow."

Hey, um, Theresa.

That was you that called last night, right?

Um, oh, uh, yeah.

So, did you go out?

Uh, oh.

Um...

Well, happy birthday or whatever.

Happy birthday.

- (FELICIA SIGHS) - Heard about the stunt

you pulled the other day.

You know, you may be smart, Chaney,

but you can sure do a lot of stupid shit.

These machines are dangerous!

They'll rip your damn arm off if they get the chance.

God dang it.

If someone's wrong with one of 'em you call me,

and then I call the people who know what the hell

they're doing and they will fix the machines.

You are not allowed to crawl inside the damn thing

and try to fix it yourself.

- (FELICIA SIGHS) - I...

No, I don't wanna hear it.

Pull another stunt like that

and I'll rip your damn arm off myself.

Okay, I may be small, but I can rip a damn arm off.

Now, get back to work.

Miss Theresa, I brought tomatoes!

So, how are things down at the factory?

- (FAUCET SQUEAKING) - Fine, I guess.

Got any weekend plans?

Just some work around here.

Now, a girl like you needs to go out on the weekends,

find yourself a nice man.

I have plenty to do around here.

Well, it must get lonely sometimes

being here all by yourself.

You need to find somebody and bring 'em in

and help get this place up and running again.

Hm, you know, when I was a kid, about 10 years old,

my friend lived in this house.

Now, this was way before your family moved in.

Must be 1967, '68, somewhere along there.

But she swore that this place was haunted.

She said they would hear sounds and screams,

but they never knew what the source was,

but one night they saw a, oh,

an apparition right here in this very room.

Said they'd never seen or heard nothing like it.

Have you seen or heard anything?

Of course not.

Well, they heard something because they moved

out of here mighty quick.

Now, you know if you ever need anything,

I am happy to help.

Actually, if you could please hand me...

Toodaloo.

Hi, uh, you can just go ahead and have a seat

and we'll be right with you.

You still tinkering with old junk

in that barn like you used to?

It's good to see you again, T.

Listen, I know it's been quite a while

since your dad's funeral.

I'm real sorry I missed it.

I had to work, you understand that, right?

You see, when his dementia kicked in

I had to find work elsewhere.

That's just a fact.

I swear I woulda helped out if I could've.

I was sure praying for you though.

You do this all the time.

Not all the time.

Yeah, all of the freaking time, yes.

You're like (GROANING), I'm Blake the flake,

Sam, here's my workload.

I need to take a break for a family emergency dinner

for homework, I got a new porno mag to read through...

Okay, okay, okay, I know, I'm sorry.

It's just I really need to get this project done.

I'm pressed for time and the deadline's coming up.

I just really need this, please.

Sure, Blake.