Title: Outside the Box
====
FADE IN:
INT. THE STEEPLE – MORNING
JONATHAN is trapped in a hallway corner between two different groups of people.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Still not sure if I should go inside to The Assembly...
Jonathan cautiously looks through the neighboring double door glass windows; various states of attention and distraction can be seen in the crowd of listeners inside.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Interesting view from back here... outside the box...
XI SHI abruptly walks out of the dining room and passes by Jonathan with a quick high five.
XI SHI
(in Japanese)
Doing okay?
JONATHAN
(in Japanese)
Doing alright;
XI SHI continues to walk into The Assembly while Jonathan checks his phone. After a few more minutes, various conversations begin to form as the meeting in The Assembly comes to a close. The doors open as people begin to filter out of The Assembly.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Guess I don’t have to decide, now...
MRS STYLIST is among the people walking out of The Assembly and stops to chat with Jonathan.
MRS STYLIST
How’s it going, Jonathan?
JONATHAN
Oh, it’s going alright...!
MRS STYLIST
Did you have a good Thanksgiving?
JONATHAN
Yeah, it was kind of a small Thanksgiving, but it was nice. How was yours?
MRS STYLIST
Oh, it was good. We got to see our kids and their families...
Mrs Stylist takes out a photo of her grandchild.
JONATHAN
Wow, growing up so fast; sounds like it was a good time!
MRS STYLIST
Yeah, it was; well, I better get going, but I hope you have a good week!
JONATHAN
You too!
Jonathan cautiously makes his way into The Assembly. The FATHER comes over to chat.
FATHER
(in Japanese)
Doing alright?
JONATHAN
(in Japanese)
Doing alright; just a little busy, lately...
FATHER
(in Japanese)
Oh, busy, I see;
JONATHAN
(stutters in Japanese)
Yeah, final tsts--final tests...
FATHER
(in Japanese)
Oh, right; well, hang in there!
Jonathan turns around to talk with the FLORIST who is standing nearby.
FLORIST
And I’m glad you’re here; the ties for Mr Thesis’ wedding are going to be silver... and they will be provided.
JONATHAN
That’s great to hear; I don’t actually have a silver tie...
FLORIST
Okay; and here’s how the wedding layout is going to look--
Jonathan and the Florist begin to walk around The Assembly room while the Florist explains where the wedding plans will take place. At some point, BALLERINA walks by and the Florist pauses for a moment.
FLORIST
Oh, and have you decided on if you’d like a brooch or a corsage for the wedding?
BALLERINA
(dancing around)
Oh, wow, that’s great! Maybe a corsage? I’ve never had that kind of corsage, before...!
The Florist is all smiles.
BALLERINA
Thanks!
After a while Jonathan and the Florist walk back to the side of the room.
FLORIST
So what are you up to?
JONATHAN
Oh, just hanging out until AINOKEA gets...
Just then, AINOKEA walks through the entranceway of The Assembly dressed in a trendy scarf and warm-looking winter jacket.
AINOKEA
Hey, what’s up?