THE NEW PLACE by Mikko Tormala

Based on the story by Chelsea Jordan

EXT. FANCY HOUSE - DAY PAUL (20s), casually dressed, holds a phone to his ear as he opens the trunk to his car, filled with moving boxes, and retrieves a skateboard. He makes his way to the front door. PAUL Dude, the place looks even better than in the pictures! Im telling you, Craigslist is the bomb! Yeah, uhhuh. Listen, Im gonna go check out the inside. We still good for later? Sweet. Talk to you later. He pockets the phone and pulls out his key chain. INT. FANCY HOUSE - DAY Paul steps inside. He takes the view in and appreciation, a grin of his face. The place furnished and adorning the walls are framed classic films and an occasional bikini-clad Niiice. PAUL nods in is stylishly posters of babe.

SOUNDS from the living room make him go investigate. LIVING ROOM Paul enters the living room, fully equipped with a killer home-theater system, and a football game on the big screen. The game is in a tight spot and his attention is drawn to it. Someone CLEARS THEIR THROAT off screen. Surprised, Paul turns to see BRANDON (20s), handsome and in good shape, standing in the kitchen doorway. He is buck naked and wears a dead serious look on his face. BRANDON What are you doing in my house? Paul stammers and looks for words as Brandon stares at him. PAUL I, uh.. I... I mean, uh... Suddenly Brandon breaks into a wide grin. BRANDON Aah! Im just messing with you! You must be Paul, right? Im Brandon.

2. Paul recognizes Brandon and the tension in him disappears. He lets out a nervous laugh. PAUL You got me. Brandon walks over and Paul holds out his hand. Brandon grabs it and pulls him into a hug. Paul is too stunned to react to the naked embrace. Brandon eases up. BRANDON Hold on a sec. (calls out) Drew! The new guys here! From somewhere in the house a voice replies. DREW (O.S.) Sweet! Ill be right there! Brandon turns back to Paul and motions at the kitchen. BRANDON I was making hot dogs. You like hot dogs? Extra long frankfurters and fresh buns to slide them into. Paul tries to find something to say, but fails. BRANDON (CONTD) Im kidding! Theyre veggie. Paul nods slowly, and then manages to shake his head. DREW (20s), handsome and in good shape, enters. Hes naked. DREW The Paul-man! Welcome dude! He walks directly to Paul and pulls him into a hug. Again, Paul is too flustered to react. Brandon motions to the couch. BRANDON Hey, lets get comfortable. CUT TO: The three sit on the couch. Paul in the middle, clearly uncomfortable, flustered and slightly sweating. Sandwiched. PAUL So... What can you tell me about yourselves?

3. DREW Well, Im from Silver City, and Brandons from Roswell. Im majoring on Philosophy, and -BRANDON And Im a Feminist Lit major. PAUL And uh, howd you guys meet? DREW Oh, our girlfriends are best friends. Youll love em once you meet. And FYI: they know tons of cute girls. Cute, single, girls. Paul relaxes and smiles. He lets out a laugh. Theyre hetero! PAUL Heh, that sounds great man! I can already tell, this is going to be an awesome flat-share. Hold on, Im a bit hot. He takes of his shirt, revealing another one: I LOVE BACON Brandon and Drew see it and they turn serious. They glance at each other and Paul. They have a silent conversation of nods and shakes. They distance themselves from Paul. BRANDON Paul, listen... I dont think thisll work out. He motions at the shirt. Pauls smile slowly fades. PAUL Wait... what?! Because of Bacon? DREW Im sorry, but it would just be too weird. Paul is incredulous. EXT. FANCY HOUSE - DAY Paul stands outside the house as the door closes behind him. PAUL Fucking Craigslist.