Bottom Feeders
A waitress must silence her dark past before starting a new chapter in her life.
Despite what some splatter flicks like to believe, violence doesn’t sprout from a void. In real life, violence generally grows from a toxic brew of frustration, anger, helplessness; a lifetime of painful emotions bottled up until they explode. Does that always justify them? No. But if we’re to be honest - they’re understandable, nonetheless.
Digging into that agonizingly-uncomfortable side of being human is one of the missions of good film. In Bottom Feeders, author Rick Hansberry does exactly that: painting a slice of life peek at protagonist Wynona; a woman about to start a new life.
For Wynona, things are looking up. Engaged to fiance Jerry, the two are making honeymoon and “settle down” plans. They’ve found a small house to call their very own. Enough gear and space to start a website. They’ve even got plans to go fishing on days off.
A rosy future, indeed. But what’s dark is Wyona’s “now.” A waitress at Hooter’s wanna be joint “Bottom’s Up”, Wynona’s job and life isn’t her own. Instead, she’s expected to serve, smile, and tolerate every dehumanization paying customers throw her way.
Tonight, her antagonizer’s pumped up gym dude Frank. Unfortunately, Wynona’s caught his eye.
Wynona carries a tray past FRANK, 28, a gym rat that never passed a mirror without offering a quick Hello. Frank has a beer in front of him and several more inside him.
FRANK
(To Wynona passing)
‘Scuse me, Sweetness. C’mere.
Wynona barely bends over, forces her ‘Bottoms Up’ grin.
WYNONA
Can I get you something?
FRANK
Absolutely. Your sweet ass right here on my burger.
That -- I would enjoy. How ‘bout it, huh? C’mon.
Wynona tries to deflect, but charmer Frank pushes his luck.
FRANK
Don’t look so indignant, Baby. The way you lookin’? You gotta want it.
WYNONA
As a matter of fact, I’m off in five minutes.
FRANK
I’m gettin’ off hearin’ you talk about gettin’ off. So, we good?
Wynona leans over Frank’s table with a Bottoms Up tease pose. If Frank looked at her eyes, he’d see the venom in them.
WYNONA
I want you to follow me. There’s a room.
No one will know we’re there.
Everyone has a point at which they snap. Frank’s about to find out where Wynona’s line is drawn (or is that cast?) Will a bright future with Jerry pull her back? Read Bottom Feeders and find out.
Done thoughtful and artistically, Hansberry's short has the potential to be dark, ugly and eternally memorable. As long as you’re a director unafraid of blood and the painful side of the human psyche, your future will be bright… no matter where Wynona and Frank end up!