"The Drive-In Spot"
Written by Kenley White-Reus
Mockumentary Sitcom - 30 minutes
ACT ONE
(Pages 3-10)
EXT. THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - CARHOP STATION - DAY
Holly walks toward a parked car, trying to look graceful. She nearly trips on the sidewalk edge but recovers with a forced smile.
HOLLY
(to camera)
I've been here almost a year now. I've seen some things. People ordering twelve corn dogs at 9 a.m. A fox stealing a bag of tater tots. A man proposing with a chili cheese dog. I'm basically a veteran.
SEBASTIAN opens the drive thru window.
SEBASTIAN
Holly! You forgot the ketchup!
He tosses a packet. It hits her on the forehead.
SEBASTIAN
Oops. My bad. You okay?
HOLLY
Yep. Totally fine.
SEBASTIAN
Oh okay. You know, my girlfriend makes that same face when she's annoyed.
HOLLY stares into the camera like she's dying inside.
CUT TO INTERVIEW
INT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - KITCHEN - DAY
MIRANDA wipes down countertops with the intensity of someone scrubbing away an uncleanable spot.
MIRANDA
Holly, girl, you look stressed. Want a snack? A hug? A rag to wipe the counter?
HOLLY
Probably all three.
MIRANDA hands her a cleaning rag first.
MIRANDA
Clean first. Cry later.
HAYES flips a burger like he's auditioning for a cooking show.
HAYES
If I ever leave this place, it'll be because the fryer finally claimed me.
JETT walks in smelling faintly of smoke.
JETT
If the fryer doesn't get you, the customers will.
HAYES
Facts.
CUT TO THE INTERVIEW:
HAYES sits in the walk-in freezer, shivering.
HAYES
I like working here. It's fun. Chaotic. Terrifying. Like a haunted house, but with mozzarella sticks.
He sneezes.
HAYES
Can we film somewhere warmer?
CUT BACK TO THE SCENE
INT . DRIVE-THRU WINDOW - DAY
Sebastian and Holly work side by side. Sebastian keeps brushing past her, smiling, teasing, being unintentionally cute.
SEBASTIAN
Hey, Holly, rate my customer service voice.
He presses the headset button.
SEBASTIAN(deep voice)
Welcome to The Drive-In Spot, where the ice-cream machine works…sometimes.
HOLLY laughs despite herself.
HOLLY
You sound like a youth pastor trying to be relatable to the "youngins"
SEBASTIAN
Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
SEBASTIAN sits on a milk crate.
SEBASTIAN
Holly's cool. She works hard. She's funny. She's-
(pauses)
-fast at making slushes. That's important.
He nods like he's said something profound.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . BREAK ROOM - DAY
EMORY sits quietly eating fries, looking exhausted.
JETT walks in, sees her, freezes.
JETT
Hey.
EMORY
Hey.
Awkward silence.
HAYES
Wow. Riveting.
EMORY glares at him.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
JETT
Emory's boyfriend is…let's just say if red flags were a sport, he'd be in the Olympics.
CUT TO:
EMORY
Jett flirts with girls. I don't care.
Not really.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - DAY
HEATHER bursts in like she's entering a reality show.
HEATHER
Okay who wants the tea?
Everyone groans.
MIRANDA
It's 5 minutes till closing.
HEATHER
Drama doesn't close.
She leans in.
HEATHER
So I won't say who…but someone (cough, Sebastian) has been in a conflict with his girlfriend.
HOLLY freezes mid-slush-pour.
HOLLY
What?
HEATHER
Oh don't worry. I'm sure it's nothing.
(beat)
Unless it's something.
Camera cuts to HOLLY staring into the void.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
HEATHER
I don't try to start drama. I just…report the news.
She smiles proudly.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . MANAGER'S OFFICE - DAY
SAGE sits at a desk, scrolling on her phone.
SAGE
Holly, babe, you look like you just saw a ghost.
HOLLY
Well, Heather said Sebastian and his girlfriend got into something.
SAGE
It's Heather. You know she spreads drama like glitter - annoying and impossible to clean up.
HOLLY
Do you think it's true then?
SAGE
Do you want it to be?
Holly hesitates.
HOLLY
…No.
(beat)
Maybe.
(beat)
I don't know.
Sage nods like in a wise fashion.
SAGE
Girl, same.
ACT TWO
(Pages 11-20)
INT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - KITCHEN LATE AFTERNOON
The dinner rush is beginning. The fryers hiss. The slush machines hum ominously, as if plotting another explosion.
ARCHER bursts through the swinging doors, slightly out of breath.
ARCHER
Alright, team-heads up! Corporate is coming tomorrow.
Everyone groans loudly.
MIRANDA
Ay Dios mio…
JETT
I'm calling in sick
ARCHER
You can't call in sick if you're already here.
JETT
Watch me
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
ARCHER sits in his tiny office, surrounded by paperwork and a crooked "TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK." poster.
ARCHER
Corporate visits are like tornado warnings. You hope it misses you, but you also know your roof is probably gone either way.
He sips something from his cup.
ARCHER
I love my employees. I do. But they're…a lot.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CRUMPTON appears out of nowhere holding a broom, a bag of ice, and a random receipt.
CRUMPTON
Archer, we're out of napkins, lids, and soap for the bathrooms.
ARCHER
We only have the budget to fix two of those things.
CRUMPTON
I'll go to the store.
ARCHER
I didn't ask you to-
CRUMPTON is already gone.
HOLLY
(to the camera)
He does that. Like a work fairy. Or a cryptid.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
CRUMPTON sits on a milk crate, sipping a milkshake.
CRUMPTON
I don't like standing still. If I stop moving, I start thinking. And if I start thinking, I remember I work here.
He smiles.
CRUMPTON
So I just keep moving.
CUT BACK TO THE SCENE:
INT . DRIVE-THRU WINDOW - EVENING
Sebastian and Holly are working at the window together. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow through the window.
SEBASTIAN
Hey, Holly, could you hand me those chili cheese tots?
HOLLY reaches for them. SEBASTIAN reaches at the same time. Their hands brush.
HOLLY freezes.
SEBASTIAN doesn't notice.
SEBASTIAN
Thanks.
HOLLY stares at the camera, eyes wide, like she's been hit by a truck full of feelings.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
HOLLY
It's fine. It's just…hands. Touching. Accidentally.
(beat)
I'm fine.
CUT BACK TO SCENE
INT . BREAK ROOM - EVENING
EMORY sits alone, scrolling on her phone. She looks stressed.
JETT walks in holding a drink.
JETT
You okay?
EMORY
Yeah. Just tired.
JETT
You want me to cover your next order?
EMORY
(smiles softly)
Thanks.
There's a quiet moment - warm, complicated.
Then HEATHER bursts in like a firework.
HEATHER
Okay, so I heard that Emory's boyfriend is-
EMORY
Heather. No.
HEATHER
But-
EMORY
No.
HEATHER pouts.
CUT TO INTERVIEW
HEATHER
People say I gossip too much. But if I don't tell them, who will?
(beat)
Exactly.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - EVENING
SAGE rushes in, holding her phone.
SAGE
Guys! Corporate moved the visit to tonight.
Everyone screams.
HAYES
What!? Why?
SAGE
Apparently they were "in the area."
HAYES
Who just casually happens to be "in the area" of our Drive-In Spot?
JETT
Serial killers.
MIRANDA
Or corporate.
ARCHER
Same thing.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
SAGE
I'm a manager. I'm supposed to be calm under pressure.
(beat)
I'm not calm.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Everyone scrambles.
MIRANDA wipes down counters at lightning speed.
HAYES throws away random objects.
JETT tries to hide a vape behind his back.
ARCHER looks at him.
ARCHER
No.
JETT
(sighs)
Fine.
Suddenly, the door swings open.
MR.HAWKINS enters, clipboard in hand.
MR.HAWKINS
Good evening. I'm here for a routine evaluation.
Everyone freezes like they've been caught committing tax fraud.
SEBASTIAN
(Whispering to HOLLY)
Routine? Like…a normal one? Or like … "we're shutting down" routine?
HOLLY
If they were shutting us down, Archer would've already faked his own death.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
ARCHER
I have a plan for that. I'm not proud of it, but I have it.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
MR.HAWKINS inspects the kitchen.
MR.HAWKINS
Why is there a fox standing outside the freezer room?
Everyone turns to HOLLY.
HOLLY
He's a regular.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
HOLLY
His name is Jeff Foxworthy. Jeff for short. He pays rent with good vibes and emotional support.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CLAY suddenly appears behind MR.HAWKINS, holding a bag of women's underwear.
CLAY
Anybody lose these? I found these in my boat.
MR.HAWKINS
(stunned)
Your….what?
CLAY
My boat. For my girls. And my minions.
MR.HAWKINS slowly turns to ARCHER.
ARCHER
Please don't put that in the report.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
CLAY
I like boats.
He smiles.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
MR.HAWKINS scribbles something onto his clipboard.
Everyone panics silently.
HOLLY looks at SEBASTIAN. SEBASTIAN looks at her. Something unspoken hangs in the air.
Then-
MR.HAWKINS
I'll finish my evaluation outside.
He exits
Everyone exhales loudly.
HAYES
Yep. We're all fired.
JETT
We're doomed.
SAGE
We're fine! We're fine. We're
(beat)
We're not fine.
CUT TO INTERVIEW
HOLLY
I don't know what's happening. But I do know one thing:
(beat)
I need a slush.
ACT THREE
(Pages 21-28)
EXT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - BACK LOT - NIGHT TIME
The sky is dark now. The neon sign flickers. The dinner rush has slowed, but the tension hasn't.
HOLLY steps outside, holding a slush. She sits on the curb, taking a deep breath.
HOLLY
(to the camera)
I joke a lot..but this place matters to me. It's loud and messy and smells like fryer oil, but it's also where I learned how to work hard, how to deal with people, how to be part of something.
(beat)
And these people? They're my people.
The door opens. SEBASTIAN steps out, holding his own slush in his hand.
SEBASTIAN
Hey. You okay?
HOLLY
Yeah. Just…long day.
SEBASTIAN
Same.
He sits beside her. A comfortable silence.
SEBASTIAN
You know…you're one of the best workers here.
HOLLY looks at him, surprised.
SEBASTIAN
I mean it. You make this place better.
HOLLY swallows hard.
HOLLY
Thanks.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
HOLLY
I'm not reading into it. I'm not reading into it. I'm…
(beat)
I'm reading into it.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
EXT . BACK LOT - CONTINUOUS
HOLLY and SEBASTIAN are still looking at each other.
HAYES
Guys! Archer needs everyone inside! The corporate guy is coming back and he looks like he hasn't smiled since 1998!
SEBASTIAN
(sighs)
Duty calls.
He stands. HOLLY follows.
As they walk inside, SEBASTIAN holds the door for her. She smiles softly.
CUT TO:
INT . KITCHEN - NIGHT
Everyone gathers around ARCHER like he's about to announce a natural disaster.
MR.HAWKINS stands stiffly, clipboard in hand.
MR.HAWKINS
I've completed my evaluation.
Everyone holds their breath.
MR.HAWKINS
This location is…chaotic.
Everyone deflates.
MR.HAWKINS
However…it is also efficient. Surprisingly so.
Everyone perks up.
MR.HAWKINS
Your teamwork is strong. Your customer satisfaction scores are high. Your food quality is pretty consistent.
ARCHER beams.
ARCHER
(to the crew)
See? I told you guys we're not a disaster.
MR.HAWKINS
I didn't say that.
ARCHER'S smile drops.
MR.HAWKINS
You passed. Barely.
The crew cheers.
MIRANDA wipes a fake tear.
MIRANDA
We did it. We actually did it.
JETT
I have to say, I'm shocked.
HAYES
I'm offended that you're shocked.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
ARCHER
I knew we'd pass. I had faith.
(beat)
Okay. I had… mild hope.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
EMORY stands near the drink station, watching JETT laugh with SAGE. SAGE touches JETT'S arm. EMORY'S face falls.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
EMORY
I don't care.
(beat)
I care a lot.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CRUMPTON appears holding three bags of groceries.
CRUMPTON
I got napkins, lids, and some bathroom cleaner.
He hands MIRANDA the bathroom cleaner.
MIRANDA
Time to get to work.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
I don't do it for praise. I do it because if I don't, this place will literally burn down.
CUT BACK TO THE SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - NIGHT
ARCHER claps his hands.
ARCHER
Alright, team! We survived corporate. Let's clean up and go home.
Everyone cheers again.
SEBASTIAN walks past HOLLY, nudging her shoulder gently.
SEBASTIAN
Good job today.
HOLLY
You too.
Their eyes linger for a moment- warm, complicated, unspoken.
Then HEATHER barges between them.
HEATHER
Soooo….did you guys hear that Clay bought lady's underwear today?
HOLLY
Heather!
HEATHER
What? I'm just saying.
CLAY walks in holding a mop.
CLAY
They were in my boat.
Everyone groans.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
CLAY
I like boats.
He smiles proudly.
CUT BACK TO SCENE:
INT . KITCHEN - NIGHT
ARCHER stands in the middle of the chaos, watching his crew laugh, clean, tease each other, and exist in their messy, lovable way.
ARCHER
(to the camera)
They drive me insane.
(beat)
But I wouldn't trade them for anything.
He smiles.
FADE OUT.
TAG
(Pages 29-30)
EXT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - NIGHT
The neon sign flickers. The parking lot is quiet. The night is over with. The crew is clocking out, exhausted but proud.
The camera pans across the lot…and it stops on a familiar figure.
JEFF FOXWORTHY - the fox - waddles confidently towards the trash can.
CUT TO:
INT . KITCHEN - SAME TIME
ARCHER is finishing paperwork. He hears a noise outside.
ARCHER
Please don't be Clay. Please don't be CLAY.
He steps outside.
EXT . THE DRIVE IN SPOT - CONTINUOUS
ARCHER freezes.
JEFF FOXWORTHY is dragging an entire bag of tots across the pavement.
ARCHER
Oh, come on, man. Not tonight.
The fox stops. Stares at ARCHER. Hisses.
ARCHER slowly backs away.
ARCHER
(to the camera)
I'm not paid enough for this.
CUT TO:
INT . BREAK ROOM - SAME TIME
CLAY stands in front of the camera, holding a tiny life jacket.
CLAY
This is for my boat.
The camera operator audibly sighs.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - CONTINUOUS
HOLLY, SEBASTIAN, EMORY, JETT, HAYES, MIRANDA, SAGE, HEATHER, and CRUMPTON all exit the building together, laughing and talking.
They stop when they see ARCHER facing off with the fox.
HAYES
Is that JEFF?
MIRANDA
Ay, leave him alone! He's hungry!
HEATHER
I heard fox's can open doors.
Everyone looks at her.
HEATHER
What? I'm just saying!
The fox suddenly drops the bag of tots…and charges toward the crew.
Everyone screams and runs.
The camera shakes as the crew sprints across the lot, slipping, tripping, and yelling.
HOLLY
Why is he so fast?!
JETT
He wants the tots, Holly! He wants the tots!
CRUMPTON
I'll distract him!
CRUMPTON throws a corn dog like a grenade. The fox veers toward it.
Everyone collapses in relief.
ARCHER
(to CRUMPTON)
You're getting a raise.
CRUMPTON
I know.
CUT TO INTERVIEW:
HOLLY sits in the break room, hair messy, still out of breath.
HOLLY
We survived corporate, a dinner rush, and an attempted attack from a local fox.
(beat)
Honestly? That's a pretty normal day here.
CUT TO:
EXT . THE DRIVE-IN SPOT - NIGHT
The fox drags the corn dog triumphantly into the darkness.
TITLE CARD:
"THE DRIVE-IN SPOT"
ROLL CREDITS.