”Swagger Back”

EXT. ROOFTOP RESTAURANT - EVENING

A diverse group of individuals mingle around a large table - enjoying an immersive dining experience, courtesy of one of the NFTs in their collection. Some people already know each other - others are recent additions to the club. The premise is to meet and greet, so at some point everyone takes center stage.

The night is a perfect opportunity for ASHLEY to memorably introduce Themself beyond just the Facebook, Twitter & Instagram persona.

ASHLEY - The Collector / Investor / Social Media personality & Inflencer. (They / Them)

•      AYAKO
• Oh Juan - you’re not telling that same story again, are you?

•      JUAN
• Ha ha - si si…

•      AYAKO
• Don’t believe him Ashley - everything that comes out of his mouth gets gabillions of views and a mountain of Likes.

•      JUAN
• Ayako - you flatter me.

•      AYAKO
• Juan, this is Ashley.

•      JUAN
• Hola.

•      ASHLEY
• Hello.

Small talk ensues. EZRA holds court at one end with a viewing of his Bored Ape, while SHARON is discussing her recent purchase of an A-listers NFT movie. She’s convinced it’s a total game changer. PHIL is full of piss and vinegar and is blathering on about his skepticism for just about everything.

•      SHARON
• (to Phil) And yet here you are. A tad hypocritical, no?

The record scratching moment causes everyone’s attention to focus on Phil.

•      PHIL
• (stammering) Sorry… long day..

Ashley seizes the moment -

•      ASHLEY
• Don’t sweat it Phil - these are crazy times.

•      PHIL
• Thank you, but still - that’s no excuse.

•      ASHLEY
• I think we can all sympathies and relate. I know I’ve had my share of (air quotes) long days.

•      JAYDEN
• 💯.

•      SHARON
• I am also not immune.

•      PHIL
• (holds up his almost empty glass) Preciate that.

•       EZRA
• Ashley, please share with us the source of your wisdom and this positive energy?

•      ASHLEY
• (laughing) In my case, definitely… Big Snuggler.

•     JUAN & JAYDEN (together)
• Big Snuggler?

At this point, Ashley / each Collector can fill in the conversation details using a story from their own life - a situation that required them to hug themselves. Ashley tells a quick story of her personal gender journey.

•      ASHLEY
• Well... like a Hollywood starlet (voguing), I’ve always chased the rainbow.

The other over achievers in the group nod - they get it. Probably why they are all here together tonight.

•      ASHLEY (…continued)
• But along the way, I discovered that even a pot of gold was not going to fix everything.

•      SHARON
• Been there.

•      ASHLEY (…continued)
• At some point, I looked around and discovered that my city of angels was really more like a boulevard of broken dreams.

•      JAYDEN
• You're singin' my song.

•      ASHLEY
• So I decided to turn my attention inward - just about the same time I came across (shows NFT pic) Big Snuggler.

•      AYAKO
• Ha! That’s cute.

•      PHIL
• Hilarious.

•      ASHLEY
• My connection was instant - the 'it's all free hugs' til it isn't visual immediately spoke to me.

•      JUAN
• I can see why.

•      ASHLEY
• When I was a kid, my teddy bear was everything to me. No matter what I was going through, I could hold it close and everything would be okay.

•      PHIL
• I loved my teddy bear, too.

•      ASHLEY
• Now, whenever I need to set the mood, or if I’m having a long day (nods to Phil) - I take a moment to check out my Twisted Teddy.

•      PHIL
• Twisted Teddy?

•      ASHLEY
• My connection was instant - it immediately spark to me. Layin’ there all splayed out - feelin’ alone and sorry for myself. (slight pause) That was I / me at my worst.

•      AYAKO
• (under) Oh Ash.

•      ASHLEY (…continuous)
• But do u see those eyes of hope and that They / Them - we’ve got this grin. Well that’s me too!

•      PHIL
• (over under) Giddy up.

•      ASHLEY (…continuous)
• So whenever I need to set myself right - or if I’m having a long day (nods to Phil) - I put my arms around the situation - and myself and give a great big squeeze. And in no time, I've got my swagger back.