Chapter 1:
Running on Empty
Enharmonic
FADE IN:
INT. YUUKI’S ROOM - NIGHT
It’s 5:26am in the morning. Yuuki, just turned 21, Japanese boy with tan skin and side parted bangs, sits in the darkness of his room lightly strumming the strings of his guitar, testing a new riff sample. He’s deep in thought as the instrument fills the quiet ambiance.
YUUKI
Maybe pitch this down a bit more… The strings should come in at the second verse… Oh and a bit more reverb right here.
A smile appears on Yuuki’s face. The new outcome has him feeling content.
YUUKI
There! That’s so much better.
Yuuki continues working on the track until the 5:30am alarm of his clock abruptly catches his attention. He nearly gasps at the red flashing numbers that halt his creative process.
YUUKI
Oh shit, it’s morning already?
He tries to recall why he set his alarm clock to go off so early, then remembers...
YUUKI (CONT’D)
Crap, I have an opening shift today…
It occurred to him that pulling an all nighter on his music probably wasn’t the best idea.
YUUKI
At least I only have one class later today. I can come back here and take a nap.
It’s the first day of winter semester. Immediately, Yuuki scrambles to get himself ready for the day. He drapes a shirt over one shoulder while scrubbing the bristles of his toothbrush impatiently across his teeth.
He briefly checks his hair in the mirror and quickly parts it to the side. Finally, he grabs his phone and jacket.
Even with all the urgency of getting started for the day, Yuuki’s mind keeps drifting back into thoughts of his music. There were a number of ways that he knew he could improve his track.
YUUKI
The bridge is still missing something. Backing vocals? More percussion?
INT. ERIC AND YUUKI'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Yuuki heads to the living room and notices that his roommate, Eric, also 21, a Korean boy with lightly bleached brunette hair, is up already. He’s making a smoothie and looks like he’s living his best life.
ERIC
Good morning!
YUUKI
Morning.
Yuuki grabs the granola bar on the counter in order to make up for some kind of breakfast.
ERIC
Seems like someone didn’t get much sleep.
YUUKI
How do you know I didn’t just wake up early?
ERIC
Your dark circles say otherwise.
In the nearby mirror, Yuuki takes account of just how much his sleep deprivation is affecting his appearance.
YUUKI
Ugh great. Now I look like a fucking panda.
ERIC
Pandas are cute though!
YUUKI
That’s not the point.
Then, Yuuki slides his laptop into his backpack from the dining table and collects other items he might need for his first day back at school for the spring semester.
YUUKI
Got any interesting classes starting this semester?
ERIC
Oh just the usual. Acting studio, scene studies, improv, etc.
YUUKI
Sounds fun!
ERIC
Yup and I managed to cram 15 units into two days!
Yuuki looks up at Eric, who looks proud about only having to go to class 2 days out of the week.
YUUKI
Bro… seriously? Why’d you do that? You’ll literally be stuck at school for like 12 hours on those days.
ERIC
Yeah! That way I don’t have to worry about classes for the rest of the week AND I get more time to hang out with people.
YUUKI
Hm okay... I don’t know if that’s a smart move or a stupid move.
ERIC
Eh we’ll see. But I am working on a project this semester, so that’ll probably take up a large chunk of my time.
YUUKI
Cool, is it for your major?
ERIC
For a film club actually. And I got the lead role!”
YUUKI
Nice! Well, I look forward to seeing it in the future!
The time on the clock tells Yuuki that it’s time for him to leave.
YUUKI
Ugh I need to go. Morning shift today.
ERIC
Okay. Have fun at work!
YUUKI
See ya later.
Taking his keys in hand, Yuuki shuts the door to the apartment behind him. Putting the car key into the ignition, Yuuki heads over to work.
EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - DAY
More buzzing, this time from the phone placed near his dashboard, calls out to him. He looks over to see the Caller ID reads: Miyuki. It’s his older sister, who’s currently studying optometry at NYU.
YUUKI
(under his breath)
What the hell. Why’s Miyuki calling me?
YUUKI
Hello? Why are you calling me so early?
MIYUKI
It’s already 9:30am here in New York.
YUUKI
Oh... right, sorry. Well it’s still 6:30am here.
So what’s up?”
MIYUKI
Mom told me to call you. She knew you’d pick up if I called, so that’s what's going on.
The mere thought of having to endure some small talk with his mom caused Yuuki to cringe.
YUUKI
What does she want?
MIYUKI
Hmmm nothing that I know of. I think she just wants to talk to you.
YUUKI
Mom just wanting to talk? Unheard of. Something’s gotta be wrong.
MIYUKI
Ughhh Yuuki why are you always so pessimistic when it comes to mom? Who knows?! Maybe she’s just concerned, because her son lives on the other side of the country and never contacts her.
Yuuki instinctively pinched the bridge between his nose and scowled.
YUUKI
Well, I don’t know why she’d be concerned in the first place if she’s the one that kicked me out.
MIYUKI
She didn’t kick you out! You left.
YUUKI
Because of her. Same thing.
Miyuki, sensing his frustration, attempts to lighten the mood.
MIYUKI
Sure… How’s school? Better than Julliard?
Yuuki instantly picks up on his sister’s tone and shifts his attitude.
YUUKI
Hm I don’t know if “better” is the right word, but I’m definitely enjoying it more.
MIYUKI
Okay that’s good to hear. At least you don’t have to deal with the cold in LA. It’s freezing here in NYC.
YUUKI
True, but I kinda miss having seasons. It rains like once a year here.
MIYUKI
You should come back home once your semester is over! And we can go to that one bar in Soho I kept telling you about! You weren’t old enough to go when you lived here, but you are now.
YUUKI
That does sound nice. I’ll think about it.
The street light finally turns green and Yuuki turns into the plaza where the cafe he works at is located.
YUUKI
Gotta go. I just got to work.
MIYUKI
Okay talk to you later. Oh also I might visit LA during spring break. I’ll text you about it.
YUUKI
Okay.
MIYUKI
Call Mom.
YUUKI
Maybe!
INT. CAFE - DAY
Many chattering voices fill the cafe. It is a busy morning like any other where people request a drink to awaken their senses.
There are also others who take advantage of the wifi and work upon their laptops.
CUSTOMER
Hi, can I order a medium, extra hot, sugar free, cold brew, vanilla latte with almond milk?
YUUKI
Okay. Will that be it?
CUSTOMER
Actually, wait. Make that a half sweet, caramel macchiato with soy milk instead. Iced.
Yuuki withholds a sharp exhale at a large chunk of the order he had written now having to be crossed out.
YUUKI
Of course! No problem.
Just the perfect day to be dealing with an entitled Karen.
INT. CAFE - DAY - LATER
Taking a quick stretch, Yuuki pulls out his phone and notices the time. He is thankful to see that his shift is almost over.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Thank god. I can finally leave.
He walks over to his manager, who’s keeping herself busy doing absolutely nothing.
YUUKI
I have class soon, so I’m going to clock out.
Yuuki quickly changes out of his work uniform and back into his regular clothes to look more suitable for class.
But of course, he had barely made it a step out the door when the manager approached him. She had a look in her eyes that were as icy as her personality.
MANAGER
Oh, Yuuki. Are you free tonight?
He doesn’t like the tone of her voice and the question doesn’t sound promising.
YUUKI
Yeah. After 6pm.
MANAGER
Perfect. Can you come in for an hour during closing? Elena called a few minutes ago and told me she has to leave early today.
It takes him a second to answer. He considers lying to get out of it, but then remembers how much gas prices have gone up recently. Making some extra money doesn’t sound bad.
YUUKI
Um sure. I guess an hour isn’t too bad.
MANAGER
Thanks. See you later.
A twitch of the brow indicated just how peeved Yuuki was.
MANAGER
Make sure to mop the floors!
EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - DAY
YUUKI (V.O.)
I swear to god- That lady hates me. She just wants me to do all the dirty work. Welp, there goes my plan for the evening.
Finally, he headed out the door of the cafe. And just as he exits, a girl makes her entrance.
A momentary glance passes between the two. Yuuki hesitates for a moment.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Asami?!
He considers looking back to if that girl he just passed was his long lost childhood friend, but he keeps walking.
YUUKI (V.O.)
There’s no way I’d run into her here…
It’s been a long time since he’s thought about Asami. She was the closest thing he had to a best friend when they were in elementary school. That was until his whole family packed their bags and moved to New York.
YUUKI (V.O.)
I haven’t talked to her in a while. I hope she’s doing well.
FADE OUT:
Instagram @monicasivart
Search #EnharmonicMSA for more artwork of the characters!
You can resume reading from this paragraph.
Please log in to leave a comment.