The Hitchhiker
The scene unfolds on a vehicle speeding along a deserted highway, the sun searing hot. Classical melodies blare from the radio. Gloria and her spouse, Markus, are on the way back to their dwelling after a professional gathering.
Judging from their attire, it's evident the pair are affluent, however, there's a lack of harmony in the vehicle. Markus remains quiet, gazing out the window, as Gloria meticulously scrutinizes the potential business agreement they just discussed. Recognizing his lack of attention, she switches off the stereo.
'The client is nearly sold,' she persists. 'He just needs a bit more persuasion. ' Markus remains silent.
'Perhaps next time,' Gloria suggests, throwing Markus a sidelong glance, 'I should just go alone!' Still, her husband doesn't respond. Ahead, they spot a teenage girl standing by the roadside, thumb outstretched, a small suitcase at her feet. The girl, awkward and lanky, looks out of place, anxiously watching the approaching car.
'We should offer her a lift,' Markus suddenly suggests, breaking his silence. Gloria looks at him as if he's lost his mind. 'Are you joking?' She scoffs.
'You know we need to get back and finalize this deal. We don't have time for this!' Markus takes a deep breath before facing his irate wife. 'I wish to offer her a ride,' he reiterates with authority.
With a roll of her eyes, Gloria reluctantly pulls over. Markus winds down his window and the anxious girl peers in at them. 'Would you like a lift?' He inquires.
She glances past him at Gloria, who is struggling to hide her irritation. 'It's ok darling,' she says. 'We won't bite.
My husband just wishes to offer you a ride. so please. get in if you're going to, alright?' The girl nods nervously and makes her way to the backseat. As she does so, Markus unbuckles his seatbelt and makes to exit the vehicle. 'What are you doing?' Gloria whispers, grasping his arm.
Markus looks at her with cold eyes. 'I'm going to sit with her,' he responds before storming out and slamming the car door. The scene transitions to the title card.
The trio drive in silence, Gloria seething in the front seat while Markus sits in the back with the girl, ogling her with desire. She seems aware and very uncomfortable. 'What's your name?' He asks.
She tells them it's Andi. Technically Andrea. but all her friends call her Andi. 'How old are you, Andi?' Gloria inquires, keeping an eye on her husband through the rear-view mirror.
She tells them she's 19. Gloria shakes her head. This one is young.
Markus begins to casually stroke Andi's thigh, asking her more about her destination. She tells them she's from Oregon and is headed to a music festival in San Diego. But she missed the bus and all her friends left without her.
She's almost made it there herself hitchhiking. It's the most daring thing she's ever done! The couple exchange glances as Gloria tries to silently dissuade her husband from escalating things further. 'You both look very dressed up,' Andi says, squirming.
'Are you going to a party or something?' Gloria responds curtly that they are business associates. They've just returned from a critical meeting. 'Oh, I thought you were a couple,' Andi murmurs.
Gloria rolls her eyes again. 'We are,' she replies. Markus inches closer to the jittery teen.
''We'll take you as far as our home,' he whispers in her ear. Her eyes dart between him and the irate woman in the front seat, Andi nods nervously. 'That would be really great,' she says.
The scene transitions to the car pulling into the driveway of their mansion. Gloria storms out of the car first, her heels pounding on the ground as she enters the house. Markus follows, leading Andi out by the hand.
'You can enter,' he says. 'To grab a bite and unwind. ' Andi hesitates, trying to wriggle out of Markus' grip.
She tells him that he's been very kind. But, she should probably find another ride before it gets too dark. Besides, his wife doesn't seem pleased that she's there.
'My wife is okay,' he says. 'We do this regularly. ' Maintaining a firm hold on her, he leads her into the house.
When they enter, Gloria is nowhere to be seen so Markus invites Andi to sit on the sofa. He gazes at her for a few awkward moments of silence before asking if she'd like a drink. She declines.
'He's European,' Gloria says, suddenly re.
Judging from their attire, it's evident the pair are affluent, however, there's a lack of harmony in the vehicle. Markus remains quiet, gazing out the window, as Gloria meticulously scrutinizes the potential business agreement they just discussed. Recognizing his lack of attention, she switches off the stereo.
'The client is nearly sold,' she persists. 'He just needs a bit more persuasion. ' Markus remains silent.
'Perhaps next time,' Gloria suggests, throwing Markus a sidelong glance, 'I should just go alone!' Still, her husband doesn't respond. Ahead, they spot a teenage girl standing by the roadside, thumb outstretched, a small suitcase at her feet. The girl, awkward and lanky, looks out of place, anxiously watching the approaching car.
'We should offer her a lift,' Markus suddenly suggests, breaking his silence. Gloria looks at him as if he's lost his mind. 'Are you joking?' She scoffs.
'You know we need to get back and finalize this deal. We don't have time for this!' Markus takes a deep breath before facing his irate wife. 'I wish to offer her a ride,' he reiterates with authority.
With a roll of her eyes, Gloria reluctantly pulls over. Markus winds down his window and the anxious girl peers in at them. 'Would you like a lift?' He inquires.
She glances past him at Gloria, who is struggling to hide her irritation. 'It's ok darling,' she says. 'We won't bite.
My husband just wishes to offer you a ride. so please. get in if you're going to, alright?' The girl nods nervously and makes her way to the backseat. As she does so, Markus unbuckles his seatbelt and makes to exit the vehicle. 'What are you doing?' Gloria whispers, grasping his arm.
Markus looks at her with cold eyes. 'I'm going to sit with her,' he responds before storming out and slamming the car door. The scene transitions to the title card.
The trio drive in silence, Gloria seething in the front seat while Markus sits in the back with the girl, ogling her with desire. She seems aware and very uncomfortable. 'What's your name?' He asks.
She tells them it's Andi. Technically Andrea. but all her friends call her Andi. 'How old are you, Andi?' Gloria inquires, keeping an eye on her husband through the rear-view mirror.
She tells them she's 19. Gloria shakes her head. This one is young.
Markus begins to casually stroke Andi's thigh, asking her more about her destination. She tells them she's from Oregon and is headed to a music festival in San Diego. But she missed the bus and all her friends left without her.
She's almost made it there herself hitchhiking. It's the most daring thing she's ever done! The couple exchange glances as Gloria tries to silently dissuade her husband from escalating things further. 'You both look very dressed up,' Andi says, squirming.
'Are you going to a party or something?' Gloria responds curtly that they are business associates. They've just returned from a critical meeting. 'Oh, I thought you were a couple,' Andi murmurs.
Gloria rolls her eyes again. 'We are,' she replies. Markus inches closer to the jittery teen.
''We'll take you as far as our home,' he whispers in her ear. Her eyes dart between him and the irate woman in the front seat, Andi nods nervously. 'That would be really great,' she says.
The scene transitions to the car pulling into the driveway of their mansion. Gloria storms out of the car first, her heels pounding on the ground as she enters the house. Markus follows, leading Andi out by the hand.
'You can enter,' he says. 'To grab a bite and unwind. ' Andi hesitates, trying to wriggle out of Markus' grip.
She tells him that he's been very kind. But, she should probably find another ride before it gets too dark. Besides, his wife doesn't seem pleased that she's there.
'My wife is okay,' he says. 'We do this regularly. ' Maintaining a firm hold on her, he leads her into the house.
When they enter, Gloria is nowhere to be seen so Markus invites Andi to sit on the sofa. He gazes at her for a few awkward moments of silence before asking if she'd like a drink. She declines.
'He's European,' Gloria says, suddenly re.
Actors:
