NERD

Written by

Mike Graham
INT. BREAK ROOM

Three people, BRENNA, TAYLOR, and AUSTIN are talking

excitedly amongst themselves while having lunch. Sitting
alone eating lunch nearby is a a nerdy looking person, MAX.

TAYLOR
And I read a whole book on the
plane!

BRENNA
Oh my god you’re such a nerd!

TAYLOR
I know, right? I’m totally like a
huge nerd!

Max stirs in their seat uncomfortably when Taylor calls

themself a nerd. Taylor, Brenna, and Austin notice but move
on quickly.

AUSTIN
Totally! Who reads that fast? Total
nerd behaviour!

Max starts to clench their fists angrily.

TAYLOR
Exactly!

Max’s brow furrows, and their face contorts in anger.

TAYLOR (CONT’D)
I’m such.

Max is fuming.

TAYLOR (CONT’D)
A.

Max tries to calm themself down.

TAYLOR (CONT’D)
Nerd.

Max slams their hands on the table.

MAX
No!

Taylor, Brenna, and Austin all look strangely at Max.

TAYLOR
What?
 2.

MAX
You’re not a nerd.

Taylor rolls their eyes.

BRENNA
We were just joking, Max. It’s not
that serious.

Max walks uncomfortably close to Brenna.

MAX
Is my life a fucking joke to you,
Brenna?

BRENNA
What are you talking about?

Max walks towards Taylor.

MAX
How many Magic, The Gathering cards
do you have, Taylor?

TAYLOR
What?

MAX
What’s the name of your Dungeons
and Dragons character?

TAYLOR
What? I don’t play Dungeons and
Dragons, I’m not a loser.

Max laughs aggressively.

MAX
Oh, you’re not a loser now but ten
seconds ago you were a nerd! What’s
the difference, Taylor?

Taylor uncomfortably shrugs.

TAYLOR
I... I don’t know.

MAX
That’s right, Taylor. You DON’T
know! You don’t know anything about
being a nerd.
(MORE)
 3.
MAX (CONT’D)
You don’t get to come into my world
and cosplay as me just to get your
little rocks off pretending you
know anything about what it takes
to live this life. This is a 24/7
commitment, Taylor. You don’t get
to pretend to be a nerd and then go
back to your life of popularity and
friends. Tell me, Taylor. What did
you do this weekend? Did you hang
out with your friends at a party?

TAYLOR
I...yeah, so?

MAX
You know what I did, Taylor? I
spent 36 hours painstakingly
painting warhammer 40k miniatures
so that my space wolf army would be
ready in time for the next battle.
This is not a goddamned hobby,
Taylor. This is real fuckin life.

TAYLOR
Okay, I’m sorry--

MAX
Oh, you’re sorry, Taylor? You’re
sorry? Cool. Great. No problem. Now
everything is okay because TAYLOR
IS SORRY. Don’t patronize me
Taylor.

TAYLOR
I don’t know what you want me to
say.

MAX
GOOD. Feeling a little alienated
Taylor, like you don’t know what to
do?

Taylor looks towards Brenna and Austin, who are frozen in

place, for help.

MAX (CONT’D)
Don’t look at them, look at me.

TAYLOR
Okay, sure, yeah, I feel a little
alienated.
 4.

MAX
(quietly)
Welcome to my world, Taylor.

Taylor starts crying. Austin and Brenna run to her and

console her.

MAX (CONT’D)
So, anyone wanna trade me for my
pudding cup?

END.