Apparently this has been a bit difficult to read due to this site's layout. I've reformatted the previous chapters to match the scheme with this one. It appears more like script format this way and it should be a lot easier on the eyes. - Kyle Castorena

There is a KNOCK at the door.

ELK
Who is it?

There's another KNOCK.

ELK
It's open!

There's an even louder BANG. Perhaps they kicked the door?

ELK
All right.

Elk got out of his chair and opened the door. It was Aida, and she was carrying a few bags of groceries. The girl tried to enter, but Elk was blocking her way.

ELK
What are those?

AIDA
Groceries. Let me in.

ELK
(stern)
Why did you bring food here?

Elk wouldn't get out of her way. Aida forced her way in.

AIDA
To cook, obviously. I'm borrowing your kitchen.

Aida entered the

KITCHEN

Elk followed closely behind.

ELK
(stern)
You didn't answer my question. Why did you bring food here?

AIDA
Because poor Mew would starve if I left her to you.

Mew made her way in.

ELK
She's my responsibility, I can handle it. And I never asked for your help.

Aida slammed her hands on the counter and turned towards Elk.

AIDA
I'm not helping you!
(pointing to Mew)
I'm helping her! You don't want to accept my generosity then fine! I won't cook any for you.

Elk's eyes grew narrow.

ELK
Fine.

The boy turned and calmly left the room.

MEW
(worried)
(meow)?

AIDA
What the hell was that about?

A door is heard OPENING then CLOSING.

TNT (O.S.)
You hurt his pride.

TNT sneaked in behind Mew.

AIDA
Pride?

TNT
Yeah. Take a look at this place. He's poor, there's no other way to put it, but he's living on his own. Doesn't have roommates or anything. Doubt he even asks his parents for money.

AIDA
So what? I just wanted to help a little bit.

TNT took a deep look at the girl, it made her uncomfortable.

TNT
You live with your parents, don't you?

AIDA
Yeah. So?

TNT
I knew it. Then you don't understand his sense of accomplishment. Even I don't live completely on my own. He must work very hard just for piece of mind.

AIDA
Is it really such a big deal?

TNT
It is for him. He probably has a really overprotective parent at home. He's trying to prove that he can take care of himself, at least that's what I think. Though he overacted a bit, it probably would have been better if you asked him first.

Aida turned back to the food and began preparing to cook.

AIDA
I guess I'll make him some anyway.

EXT. FRONT DOOR – NIGHT

Elk is sitting right outside the door, starring at the night sky. From the outside you can hear murmuring coming from inside, but you can't make out what anyone's saying. The door creaks open, it's Aida.

AIDA
You don't need to sulk out here.

ELK
I'm not sulking. It's rude to eat in front someone who isn't. I just excused myself. So what do you want?

Aida clenched her fist, but she tried not to get upset.

AIDA
There's still some left. If you want to grab some, then go ahead.

ELK
I'm not hungry.

Aida opened her mouth like she wanted to yell at him, but no words escaped. She took a second to calm down and spoke calmly.

AIDA
Mew's not eating.

Elk's turned towards her.

AIDA
She hasn't touched her food. All she's be doing is staring at the door.

INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM

Mew is sitting just a few feet away from the door, starring into nothingness. There is a plate full of food on the floor.

EXT. FRONT DOOR

AIDA
It looks like she doesn't want to eat until you do.

Elk looks back out to the stars. After a few seconds he gets up and opens the door.

ELK
I guess I don't have a choice.

He enters the apartment. Aida is slow to follow.

AIDA
You're welcome.

MONTAGE – AIDA AND TNT SPEND THE NIGHT

-- Bedroom – Mew and Aida are sleeping together on the mattress.

-- Living room – TNT is sleeping in Elk's seat. He's snoring fairly loud.

-- Living room – Elk is lying down on the hide-a-way sofa. He is wrestling around on his bed.

END MONTAGE

INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM – DAY

Elk is dressed and ready to leave. TNT is still sound asleep, snoring away. Aida enters. She too is fully dressed.

AIDA
Good morning.

ELK
Mornin'.

AIDA
I slept surprisingly well last night.

Elk didn't respond.

AIDA
You're not going to school today?

ELK
My next class is tomorrow.

There was an awkward silence while Aida tried to think of something to say.

ELK
Why did you cook yesterday?

AIDA
Are we going over this again? I already told you that...

ELK
That's not what I mean. I found Mew. I should have taken her to a hospital immediately, but I didn't. She's my responsibility now. But you, what reason do you have for wanting to help.

AIDA
Oh, that. I guess it's because...Mew makes me feel warm.

ELK
What?

AIDA
I don't know what it is, but there is something very...familiar about her. It feels like I'm in a dream.

INT. STREET – DAY

Elk is walking down a busy street. It appears to be several hours later.

MOM (V.O.)
She said that?

ELK
Yeah. I asked her if she thinks she has met Mew before, but she said no.

MOM (V.O.)
How odd. Well I'm glad.

ELK
Glad?

MOM (V.O.)
Yeah, you have a girl visiting your apartment and cooking for you. I thought you would never reach that stage.

ELK
It isn't like that. She only came to...

MOM (V.O.)
(overlapping)
Then again, you now have two women in your life.

ELK
Are you listening to me?

MOM (V.O.)
(overlapping)
But I wonder if Mew counts? If she were normal I'm sure she...

Elk ended the phone call.

ELK
She gets sidetracked too easily.

He put the phone in his pocket and continued walking down the street.

ELK
I took TNT's suggestion and began my search 20 years back, but I still haven't gotten a single clue.

People walking past the young man give weary stares as they pass.

ELK
If she was like that since she was born, then I should be able to find something...

Elk passes by an outdoor café. He stops, opens up his wallet, and then takes a seat. At the table next to him there is a Man in Black. Elk gives his waitress his order and sits back. He looks over to the Man in Black. This person looks exhausted.

ELK
You sure get around.

MAN IN BLACK
Huh?

ELK
I've been seeing you around quite a bit.

MAN IN BLACK
Well I got a lot of ground to cover.

ELK
What do you do?

MAN IN BLACK
I'm searching...I'm taking care of my bosses dirty work. I remember seeing you around a bit too. What do you do?

ELK
I'm a student. I've been running around doing research and stuff.

The man stands up and pulls his chair to Elk's table.

MAN IN BLACK
(shakes the boy's hand)
Name's Reno.

ELK
I'm Elk.

RENO/MAN IN BLACK
So what are you researching?

ELK
To be honest, I don't know. I got this problem I need to figure out, but I don't know where to start.

RENO
(laughs)
I know what you mean. I have to take care of plenty of things I don't know how to begin. My boss is a real slave driver. He gets in over his head, and I'm the one who has to take care of it.

The waitress brings Reno's order.

ELK
One look and I knew we had the same problem. I too have to clean up someone else's mess.

RENO
Birds of a feather.

The pair clinks their drinks together.

RENO
You know the name Dimitri Mauser?

ELK
No, I don't. I'm not from around here.

RENO
That's right, you're a student. You must be from out of state.

The waitress brings Elk's order.

ELK
Yeah.

RENO
Well words of advice, don't just follow the money. You'll end up doing things you don't want to do.

ELK
Hmm?

Reno finished his lunch surprisingly quick. He stands up and pushes his chair in.

RENO
I got to get back to work. I guess I'll catch you later.

ELK
Yeah.

Reno walks away.

ELK
Cool guy.