[ WP ] I 'm a filmmaker looking to produce a short film with someone from /r/WritingPrompts . Here are the parameters .

`` Take the photo. Then pay the man.'' She read it aloud twice, sounding it differently each time. 
 
 The morning sunlight was harsh, washing out the room. She blinked both the sleep and the sun out of her eyes as she read the note. Her absent minded chewing of last nights leftover pizza interrupted her reading aloud. 
 
 *With this? * There must have been thousands in the small holdall. A small camera was perched on top of the money. 
 
 The door buzzer went off suddenly, startling her. She walked quickly down the stairs to the door and opened it without peering through the spyglass. 
 
 `` Hi, this is 244 Pinafore Lane?'' 
 
 She stepped back involuntarily, eyes wide with shock. 
 
 `` John?'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` John! Oh my god! I ca n't believe you're back!'' She reached forward to hug the man but he stepped back quickly, clearly surprised by her reaction. 
 
 `` What are you doing?'' 
 
 `` What do you mean?'' 
 
 `` Why are you trying to hug me. What's going on here? I'm not *'' John'' * or whoever you seem to think I am.'' 
 
 `` What do you mean what's going on here? John! I ca n't believe you're back! Are you ok?!'' 
 
 `` What are you talking about? Look, I'm not this John guy.'' 
 
 Are you trying to be funny, cos it's not?'' 
 
 `` Funny? Ok look, I do n't know what's going on here but I'm not interested in being made a fool of. I'm out of here.'' The stranger turned to walk away. 
 
 `` No, no, no wait! What do you mean you're not John? What's your name?'' 
 
 The stranger paused. `` I was told I would n't have to give my name.'' 
 
 `` What? Told by whom?'' 
 
 `` You do n't know? What the fuck is going on here? Look, I was told to come here to have a fucking photograph taken. I was told I would be paid. I was told not to say anything to anyone. I'm here now but I'm about to fucking walk away, money or not.'' 
 
 `` No, no it's ok. Come in. I have the camera. It's just... It's just you look just like someone I know.'' 
 
 `` Well I'm sure he has a great time with the ladies.'' The stranger peered in the door, craning his neck to try to see behind her. `` Is there anyone else in there?'' 
 
 `` No it's just me,'' she said. Then guardedly, `` why does that matter?'' 
 
 `` Let's just get this over with.'' 
 
 She turned to walk up the stairs. 
 
 `` Do you want me to... do you need me to take off my shoes? Or anything? Is it ok to walk in?'' 
 
 `` What?... Yeah it's fine.'' He followed her upstairs, his movements awkward and uncomfortable. 
 
 `` Alright so I'm going to take your picture I guess. I'll take a couple of shots?'' 
 
 `` Yes, that's fine.'' 
 
 She raised the camera from the table to her face. 
 
 `` Wait. Here? Do n't we need a white background?'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` A white background? For the photo. We need a white background.'' 
 
 `` Why!?'' 
 
 `` What? Listen this is getting strange... I mean it was already strange. But now this is even weirder. This is n't even a proper studio. What's going on here?'' 
 
 Her patience had at last started to wear thin. `` Oh god! What now? I'm going to take your photo, then give you the fucking money.'' 
 
 `` Ok but it needs to be a white background. Or off white.'' 
 
 `` Why?'' 
 
 `` Do you want me to leave?'' 
 
 `` No. Ok go into the bathroom... There on the left.'' She followed him into the tiny bathroom. ``... And sit on the edge of the bath.'' He did so. 
 
 `` Ok now?'' she asked. 
 
 `` Ok.'' 
 
 The flash of the camera punctuated the uncomfortable silence. 
 
 `` Ok?'' he asked. 
 
 `` Ok.'' 
 
 `` My money?'' 
 
 `` It's here,'' she said walking back to the kitchen. `` How much were you to get?'' 
 
 `` Oh god, you're not going to try and screw me now?'' 
 
 `` No? It's all here'' 
 
 `` Ok cos like there's nobody else here. If I do n't get my money the deal's off. I'll take that camera off you if I have to.'' 
 
 `` Look, here's the money I have. It's all here.'' 
 
 `` Do I have to count it?'' 
 
 `` I do n't know... and I do n't care. But you're not counting it here.'' 
 
 He grinned. `` You do n't know any more about this than I do, do you?'' 
 
 `` No, now it's time for you to go.'' 
 
 `` Ok.'' He picked the bag off the table, hefting it briefly then nodding. 
 
 `` It feels alright.'' 
 
 `` Ok great. Now time to go.'' 
 
 He turned and walked down the stair to the apartment door. She followed him. 
 
 `` Sure. Oh, yes... I was told to say that the guy will be around later for the photo.'' 
 
 `` Thanks for letting me know,'' she said as she closed the door behind him. 
 
 *************** 
 
 Six hours later the buzzer rang again. She walked down stairs, slowly this time, with the camera in hand. She peered through the spyglass before slowly opening the door. The man at the other side simply raised his eyebrows and said nothing. She offered him the camera. He took it. Then raised his eyebrows again. 
 
 `` What?'' She said? 
 
 `` The passport?'' 
 
 `` What passport?'' 
 
 `` Harper?'' 
 
 `` Yes? Who's asking.'' 
 
 He ignored her question. `` Harper Philips? I'm to pick up the photo and your passport.'' 
 
 `` What? No!'' 
 
 `` Do you know John Philips?'' 
 
 `` Yes...'' 
 
 `` Then you need to give me your passport.'' 
 
 Pausing for barely a second she said `` Wait here.'' Then turned and ran up back up the stairs. A minute later she returned and handed the man her passport. 
 
 `` John says he'll see you soon.'' The man turned and walked away.
