Scene VI — The Handover Scene

Pivotal scene of the short, in which Scott comes face-to-face with the leader of the drug racket (known only as "K") that Robyn has asked him to hand a suitcase back to: she told Scott that the suitcase was full of money that the drug lord was owed, but unbeknownst to Scott, she has given him an empty case, hoping that he will be the scapegoat for the money she has stolen.

1. Possible ext. establishing shot of the two through the bar window, before cut to profiles of both Scott and "K". Scott sits down, entering the frame, significantly more visible than K.
2. We initially planned for the following few shots to depict conversation immediately after Scott is seated, possibly using a split-screen effect to show over-the-shoulder shots of both characters, similar to those used in films such as Tarantino's Kill Bill (see right). We have since discussed this decision and, while we are fond of the split-screen effect, we think that withholding conversation for as long as possible would be conducive to building tension, and we want this scene to perhaps be the most tense scene in the short.
3. ECU of Scott's hands clasped together on the table, fidgeting nervously. The use of extreme close-ups would help raise the tension, a technique often seen in noir films, thrillers et cetera to do so.
4. ECU of a glass of water for Scott, possibly with a drop of water running down the side. We have discussed the so-called 'strudel scene' from Inglourious Basterds, and like the effect that extreme close-ups in silence have on the tension level of the scene.
5. OTS mid shot of Scott picking up his glass of water to begin to drink.
6. Match-on-action mid shot of Scott drinking to alleviate his dry throat due to his nervousness. We hope that this shot, by highlighting how out of his depth he is, will serve to humanise Scott and endear the viewer to him.
7. Mid shot of Scott over-the-shoulder of K. K addresses Scott with a simple "so?", and Scott remembers the briefcase, fumbling to pick it up from his feet and put it on the table.
8. Slight zoom/jump cut to CU on empty suitcase as K opens it. Scott is oblivious to the lack of money in the case, making the viewer fear for him.
9. CU on a very worried Scott, asking K what is wrong.
10. Cut to K (keeping 180-degree-rule in mind), reply: "You've got a lot of explaining to do."