Bottled Up Grocery Store Script 1

EXT. MIKUMART - DAY 

Ran comes to a halt just outside the GROCERY STORE. 

The storefront’s NEON LIGHTS contrast sharply against the alabaster walls of the store. The words “MIKUMART” flicker a bright teal color before the LED goes dark again. 

Chatter from a COUPLE OF TEENS exiting the automatic sliding doors startles Ran a bit, and she carefully steps aside as they walk by. They both shoot her a curious glance when she skirts around them and dashes into the store. 

INT. MIKUMART - CONTINUOUS 

The interior of the supermarket is a rather empty place. Only a FEW SHOPPERS mingle about, grabbing only what they need and putting it into a semi-full basket hanging from the crook of their elbows. Quiet chatter and infrequent mumbling emerge from the shoppers occasionally. 

Ran picks up an empty basket before making a beeline for the groceries. An air of intent surrounds her. 

RAN

(mumbling) 

First things first, the vegetables. Then,

maybe, I can pick up a couple snacks

for me and-- 

Ran halts in her tracks upon seeing a familiar face. 

WATANABE (42), a thin, wiry man of tall stature, stands hunched over a section of instant foods. He wears a full suit, but his normally put together demeanor is betrayed by his crooked tie and unusually unkempt hair. 

Two different products, shrimp instant ramen and curry, are in each hand as he raises and lowers each in contemplation. 

Upon noticing Ran standing at the edge of the aisle, he puts both back and waves her over. 

RAN (CONT’D)

Mr. Watanabe! It’s been so long. 

WATANABE

Ran, it’s good to see you again. How’s

your mom doing? 

RAN

Mom’s fine! I’m actually running an

errand for her right now. 

WATANABE

That’s good to hear. 

Watanabe smiles slightly, softening the deep wrinkles that mars his otherwise young appearance. 

Ran can’t help but notice the heavy eye bags that sit underneath his eyes. 

WATANABE (CONT’D) 

Tell her I said hello and congratulations

on the promotion. 

RAN

I will. 

(beat) 

How about you, though? How are you

doing, Mr. Watanabe? 

Watanabe chuckles, but it’s heavy and hollow. His shoulders sag as if he holds the weight of the world. 

WATANABE 

I’m alright, all things considered.

Work has been busy, but it’s nothing

out of the ordinary. 

Watanabe places the curry back on the shelf and tosses the shrimp ramen into his basket. He hesitates, adding: 

WATANABE (CONT’D)

I appreciate the concern, but I’m just

a little tired. It’ll pass soon. 

Ran remains unconvinced, but Watanabe doesn’t look like he wants to press on the topic further. 

RAN

...Oh, okay. Hopefully things’ll get

better soon. 

WATANABE

I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you,

Ran. 

(beat)

Well, I should be heading back to the

office now. There’s still lots of paper-

work to finish. 

RAN

You’re going back this late? Even my

mom’s heading back home soon! 

Watanabe doesn’t humor her with a response. Instead, he gives her a tired smile before bidding her farewell and turning away. 

As Watanabe rounds the end of the aisle, Ran catches a glimpse of the same murky dark sludge that previously tainted Aoi. 

RAN

(thinking)

It’s that tar stuff again... I’ve been

seeing it a lot these days. 

(beat)

I need to take care of it. 

Without wasting time, Ran sets her shopping basket on the ground and transforms into a MAGICAL GIRL. 

END SCENE.