C'mon, That's Stupid!

INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

A man dressed in a black hoodie, white pants and sandals, RICKY stares blankly ahead. He quickly glances down at his watch. The elevator walls are decorated with thin planks of a fake wood halfway down until they are met with steel. The doors of the elevator open.

JERRY walks into the elevator. He is carrying a briefcase. Jerry gives Ricky a brief, yet friendly nod. He presses the button for the lobby and reclines in the corner of the wall. Once the doors close, Ricky turns to Jerry.

Hey… aren't you the host of that game show?

Yes, yes I am. "C'mon, That's Stupid," Friday nights on ABC.

Yeah. That's the one. You know, replacing buzzers with sponges soaked in random juices was a nice touch. Really brings out the personal reaction in people.

Thanks. You know, I always felt that game shows today have been lacking balls. Nobody wants to push the edge without being overly physical, like some "Jackass" rip-off.

Yes. That was brilliant. You don't remember me, do you?

Uh, not… well, now that you mention it, you do look familiar. Have we met before?

Oh, we have, Jerry. We have.

Silence ensues. The elevator comes halfway between floors nine and eight when Ricky presses the emergency stop button. The elevator comes to an abrupt halt. Jerry's grip on the briefcase tightens.

What, what's going on? What are you doing?

Try long. Try hard. Does this face mean anything to you?

Look, I'm really sorry, but it's not coming to me right now.

Ricky Price. Three months ago, I was on the show. I lost. Remember?

Oh. Oh! Of course! Hey, look, sorry about losing, but I can't bend the rules.

Do you remember what my consolation prize was... Jerome?

Um… yeah, I remember it.

Really? Then why don't you refresh my memory.

We had a live feed from your house shown on public television.

Go on.

We, uh, called the IRS, informing them of your tax dodging. They foreclosed your house and declared you a wanted criminal. One of the repo men started making out with your pregnant wife. She… seemed to enjoy it.

Yep. That sounds about right. Jerry, I have two sets of the same clothing. I have been wearing the last set for six weeks until I could make enough pocket to wash them. Had I not bolted off after your… roasting, I'd be playing a little game of "prison yes" right now.