DAN'S VAN: AN ACCIDENT STORY PART TWO

Transcription

1 'S VAN: AN ACCIDENT STORY PART TWO CHARACTERS: Dan Davis, a 28-yr-old independent construction contractor Tanya, Dan's wife, an assistant manager at Kmart Female recorded voice at Nationwide Richard, a Nationwide associate Ellen, a Nationwide associate Patricia Gonzalez, a Nationwide associate Learning Worlds 15 W 26th St, 2nd Fl New York, NY (212)

2 2 SCENE 1 INT. 'S HOUSE SUNDAY MORNING is frantically searching through all the papers on his desk at one side of the living room. Crap! Where is it? [walking into the room] What are you looking for? The insurance policy, I need it to... Suddenly he is struck by a memory and sinks into his chair. Oh no. What? The policy. It's in the box of papers I had in the van. What would it be doing in there? All the paperwork I needed to set up my company was in there. I had a meeting scheduled next week with the accountant, so I just put the whole box of papers in the van so I'd have it with me. And it's still in there? Yes. At the repair shop. Which I can't get to without a car.

3 3 Oh no. Well, maybe you should just call Nationwide anyway. They probably have it. I hope so. SCENE 2 INT. 'S HOUSE SUNDAY MORNING Dan sits at his desk and dials the phone. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE Thanks for calling Nationwide. Para espanol, marque siete. If you are a current Nationwide auto or home customer and want to make a payment, request a change, or ask a question about your current Nationwide policy, press 1. If you are not a Nationwide auto or home customer, and would like to buy a new policy or get a quote for a new policy, press 2. To report a new claim or ask about an existing claim, press 3. To ask about a life policy or... With a BEEP, Dan presses 3. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE Please hold while I transfer your call. RECORDED MUSIC plays for a moment. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE Nationwide Insurance call center. Para espanol, marque siete. Please tell me the reason for your call, and I'll get someone to help you. New claim. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE Would you like to file a personal auto claim? Yes. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE Is this a glass-only claim?

4 4 No. I'll transfer you. RECORDED FEMALE VOICE RECORDED MUSIC plays for several minutes. Hello, thank you for calling Nationwide. My name is Richard. How can I help you? Hi. I was in an accident and I need to file an auto insurance claim. All right, I can help you with that. What's your policy number? I don't know it. The policy was in the van and they towed it away. All right, I can look that up for you. What's your last name, please? It's Davis, d-a-v-i-s. First name? Daniel. [sound of tapping on computer keyboard] And what is the make and model of your vehicle? It's a 1997 Ford Econoline cargo van.

5 5 [more tapping on computer keyboard] All right, looks like I have your record here. Is this a personal auto claim? Yes. Is this a glass-only claim? No, I was in an accident and the van was totaled. An accident claim? All right, if you'll hold on one moment please, I need to transfer your call to one of our accident claim representatives. Okay, I... RECORDED MUSIC plays for several minutes. Dan sighs. FADE OUT ELLEN Hello, thank you for calling Nationwide. My name is Ellen. How can I help you? Hi, I was talking to someone about filing an insurance claim. I was in an accident and... ELLEN All right, I can help you with that. What's your policy number?

6 6 SCENE 3 INT. 'S HOUSE LATE SUNDAY MORNING Dan hangs up the phone as Tanya storms into the room. That was fun. I was on the phone for an hour with four different people. I had to repeat myself so many times. Well, I just got off the phone with the rental car place. There are no cars! No cars? They say they're all booked up, and the soonest we can get a car is tomorrow morning. Wow, that's terrible. Yes, it's terrible. I can't believe you've put us in this position! How are we supposed to live our lives with no car? I'm really sorry, honey. We'll get through this. At least they'll deliver the car to us, I made sure of that. They'll drop it off tomorrow at 8. Well, that's good, right? I'll be able to get Adam to school on time.

7 7 Yes, but I have to get to work this afternoon. I guess I'll give Marie a call, see if she can pick me up. Honey... What? Did something else happen? Well, they found my policy, and it turns out the towing charge wasn't covered. What?! What were you supposed to do, drag the van to the repair shop on a rope? Yeah, or just leave it there in front of that woman's house till the city towed it, I guess. Have you heard anything from the repair shop? Not yet. I left them a message last night, but they haven't returned my call. SCENE 4 INT. RENTAL CAR MONDAY MID-MORNING Dan is dropping Tanya off at work in a 2-door compact car. Could this car possibly be any smaller?

8 8 Dan's cell phone rings. I know. It was the cheapest one they had, and the only one I could get for that ridiculous daily rental allowance they gave us. Guess I won't be hauling any two-by-fours this week. I hope James can help me out, we've got a new job starting up. And I don't know what we'll do about carpooling the boys either the car seats won't all fit back here. I've gotta go, see you later. She kisses him quickly and gets out of the car. Hello? [answering the phone] Hello, may I please speak to Daniel Davis? That's me. Hello, my name is Patricia Gonzalez. I'm your Nationwide auto insurance associate. Oh good, hi Patricia. I'm calling to let you know I've reviewed all your claim materials, and we have been

9 9 in touch with the auto body repair shop. Oh wow, I couldn't even get them on the phone! They've provided an estimate for the body repairs on your vehicle. Is there a number at which I can fax it to you? OK, but I'm not at my desk right now can you tell me what they said? Yes, I can do that for you, sir. The estimate for repairs is 7,450 dollars. What?! I didn't pay that much for the van in the first place! Why is it so much? I'm sorry, sir, I don't have any information on that. If you wish to speak to the repair shop directly, I'm sure they can provide you with more detail. Yes, great, I'll try to call them later today. I do have some good news for you, sir. That would be so nice to hear. In light of the fact that the estimate amount for repairs

10 10 exceeds the book value of your vehicle, we have classified your vehicle as a "total loss." Nationwide is prepared to settle your claim immediately, in the amount of three thousand, eight hundred and ninety-five dollars. Thirty-eight ninety-five? Isn't that kind of low? I looked up the van's blue book value on the internet, and it was higher than that. Yes sir, that's the amount. Frequently the blue book value is based on a vehicle in excellent condition, so the actual amount can vary. I see. So what happens now? We'll be sending a check out to you within the week. Okay, well, if that's what happens, I guess... thank you. If you have any questions, sir, you can reach me at any time through our 800 number. All right, thank you.

11 11 SCENE 5 INT. 'S HOUSE THURSDAY EVENING Dan is on hold on the phone, and talking to Tanya in the living room. I don't know what the heck I'm gonna do about getting a new van. I made some calls, but the prices are all high. I guess we could ask my parents for some help... [into the phone] Hello, yes, I'm holding for Patricia Gonzalez. I haven't received my claim check yet. [pause] Daniel Davis. [pause] An injury? I thought Leslie said she was fine. [pause] Okay, what's his name? Fine, thank you. What happened? [angry] They said they had to change my associate because the other party claimed an injury. Oh my god. They said the guy should have called me already, this happened on Tuesday. Did they send the check at least?

12 12 I couldn't find out the guy on the phone didn't know anything. Oh my god. What are we going to do? The rental allowance only lasts through next week and we can't afford it ourselves. It's even worse I think I might have to get a lawyer to deal with this personal injury stuff. A lawyer? And pay for it with what? I can't believe this. [hugging Tanya] I know, honey... we'll just have to deal with it. I'm sure everything will work out all right. THE END