Filming Amanda
Tag to Filming Raul, Season 1, Episode 18
"What are you doing?"
Francine has just entered the conference room with files in hand to organize this afternoon's meeting.
Lee is in the dark, watching a film.
He combs his hand through his hair.
"Argh, Billy has asked me to watch all the films made by Scotty. Just to be on the safe side."
"Found something?"
She sits next to him and looks at the pile of reels on the table.
"Nope. Not yet. Not that I think I'll find anything."
He's freeze-framed the film on a shot of Amanda leaving her car, her arms full of supplies. It's a medium shot of her. She's smiling to someone, her smile reaching her eyes.
"Man, this woman always looks so perky, it's scary," Francine remarks sarcastically.
She grabs her files and stands.
"Well, it's a dirty work but someone has to do it, I guess," she mocks him. She pats his shoulder. "Good luck. I'll be back in an hour to set up the conference room."
He waits for her to close the door behind her and let the movie roll again.
The camera tilts to reveal Lee's face as he turns to Amanda and waves at her. The camera adjusts to follow him as he walks up to her and helps her with her bags.
She smiles at him, mouthing a thank you.
The camera tracks them to the exit of the parking lot then follows them down the street with a long shot.
We see Lee's hand settle on the small of her back as their figures become smaller.
Lee breathes in and changes the reel. All the tapes are labeled "him and her". He's down to his sixth and there are four more to go.
When Francine walks in back an hour later, Lee is just switching off the projector.
"Found anything interesting?" She smirks. "Or are you so bored to death you're ready to bite into your standard-issue cyanide capsule?"
He pouts. He makes a neat pile of the reels and lifts them into a cardboard box.
"It wasn't that bad. But, no I didn't find anything of interest to the Agency. I'm going to file these."
He bumps into Amanda as she enters the bullpen.
"Oh, hey, partner," she quips. "Seems like we always bump into each other these days."
He frowns. "I told you I didn't have partners."
"Bad hair day, Scarecrow?" She teases him.
He grumbles. "No, thank you, my hair is just fine."
She grins and stares at him. "I have to agree with you. It looks really fine to me."
He rolls his eyes and pushes past her. "Excuse me. I need to get this to Archives."
He doesn't. He takes the elevator down to the underground parking lot instead and stashes the box in his trunk.
We see Lee leave work. He exits the underground parking lot and drives to the one on the street. He parks on the curb and walks to the booth. Scotty is sitting there, waiting for his shift to end. Most cars have left already.
"Say, Scotty, do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Mr Stetson." The attendant stands to attention. We see he's eager to please.
"I wanted to ask you a few questions about the reels you've entrusted to IFF."
Scotty nods nervously. He knows now it was a huge mistake, filming people without asking for their permission.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to chide you or anything. I just want some clarification," Lee explains. He leans his shoulder on the booth. "I noticed some of the tapes are mostly about me."
Scotty looks embarrassed. "Well, Sir, to tell you the truth, you're my favorite character."
"Character?" Lee frowns.
"Oh, yeah, right. Let me try to explain. Hum, I got an assignment to choose one person I found interesting and film them in their daily life – see how they interact with others. I chose you."
"Why?"
"Well, you have an interesting social life." Scotty blushes. "I mean, women-wise."
Lee coughs. "Yeah, right. So, you were saying assignment?"
"Well, I was supposed to find the right angles to shoot a scene so the audience gets it. You know, how people feel about each other." Scotty looks away, embarrassed. "You do have a way of communicating non verbally with women."
Lee stares at him. "Really?"
"Really, Mr Stetson. Especially with Mrs King." He grins at Lee. "I mean, I get it, you know. She's a really fine lady."
Lee pouts. "And you needed ten tapes to do your homework?" he chides the kid. "That's a lot of wasted reel, if you ask me."
Scotty smiles at him. "Oh no, Mr Stetson. I got an A for that one. My professor said I had captured it perfectly." He waves when he sees Lee frown. "How you two lean towards each other. That's grand. I mean, we all agreed in class. You two should be in a rom com. No contest. You go perfectly together."
Lee shakes his head in disbelief. "That is preposterous. We just work together." He breathes in and points at Scotty. "I… I wish you a good evening, Scotty." He starts towards his car then turns around. "Just don't… don't film us again, OK?"
Scotty grins and salutes him. "Yes, Sir. Good evening, Sir. Say hi to Mrs King for me."
Lee shakes his head. "I'm not seeing Amanda… Mrs King tonight."
"Oh, alright. Well. You two can't spend all your time together, can you?"
We see Lee at night, in his apartment, sitting on his couch, in the dark. We don't see what he is watching but there's light coming from a projector. There's a plate left untouched on the coffee table. He's holding a glass of red wine that's almost empty. We see him bite his bottom lip and lean back in his couch.
"Damn," he mutters to himself, "I'm so screwed!"
THE END