“News”

(The following conversation is real. It took place just outside the mall across the street from my work.)

EXT. DAY – FOOD COURT ENTRANCE
(JOHN walks by a blue NEWS VAN. Standing beside a TABLE of COKE and PEPSI, he sees a tall BLONDE with long legs and a short skirt holding a microphone. A CAMERA MAN clues in on John as the Blonde approaches.)

BLONDE: Excuse me, sir.

JOHN: (dismissive) I’m not interested.

BLONDE: We’re doing research…

JOHN: (stopping) Research?

BLONDE: Yes, we want to find out if you…

JOHN: (interrupting) Wait a second. You mean to tell me that soda is the news?

BLONDE: (a little tentative) We…

JOHN: Did you hear the Vice President signed oil contracts while he was still CEO of that company of his — and sent Bush a letter in 1997 dictating a strategy of removing Hussein from power to maintain those contracts indefinately?

BLONDE: (looking back at the camera man) Uh… well…

JOHN: And you’re doing research. (leaving) See you at 6:00.