Self-Served

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY

In the after-hours absence of an employee parking structure, PATRICK scrambles to make a delivery by parking at the neighboring gas station. He rushes into the office building, oblivious to the protests of the GAS STATION OWNER.

GAS STATION OWNER

Excuse me, sir! SIR! HEY!

Patrick makes his delivery. He returns to find the man, with arms akimbo, shaking his head in disappointment.

GAS STATION OWNER

So, are you just gonna ignore me?

PATRICK

I'm sorry?

GAS STATION OWNER

I was yelling at you to stop and you just ran away from me.

PATRICK

Sorry. What did you want?

In spite of Patrick's respectful tone, the man grows illogically frustrated.

GAS STATION OWNER

You can't just park here and run off. This is for customers only.

PATRICK

Oh. I didn't see a sign anywhere.

Now the man is furious.

GAS STATION OWNER

There isn't one! I'm telling you now.

PATRICK

Okay, sorry.

The man steps down his fury a half notch.

GAS STATION OWNER

If you want to park here, you can come in and buy something.

PATRICK

Alright, well. Note to self.

Patrick enters his car and starts it to find he is dangerously low on gas.

In plain view of his verbal assailant, he pulls out of the station and into the one across the street. He purchases the most satisfying 22.4 gallons of premium gasoline he ever has... or ever will.