" It's All Me "

SCENE 1: Outside of class, at MSCC.

[ Marisa is standing in a corner near

her classroom. ]

“Hey, you hiding from someone?”

[ Startled, she turns around. ]

MARISA: Oh, hey. What would give

you that idea?

[ She laughs nervously and follows

her friend into class. ]

LORI: You’ve been acting strange

for the past two weeks. What’s

going on?

MARISA: Its nothing.  Have you

seen Airynn around since classes

started?

LORI: No, I haven’t.  Don’t tell me

you like him again.

MARISA: Of course not.  I was just

wondering. 

[ Lori gives her a look and sits down

at the table.  Marisa walks away,

looking down at her phone. ]

“Incoming Text: Airynn”

“Hey, sorry I haven’t gotten ahold of

you in a while.  Something came up

that night and I couldn’t make it to

the park.  We should talk. I’ll meet

you after class.”

[ Marisa sits down with a worried look on her face. ]

LORI: I knew something was wrong. That was

him harassing you, wasn’t it?

MARISA: Listen, Airynn’s not the problem.

I am.  And I have to leave.

[ She grabs her bag and exits. ]

SCENE 2: In the Salon office.

“Morning.  I’m ready to hear all

your fabulous ideas now.”

[ Karie smiles, walking up to Hithe. ]

HITHE: Oh hey. How are the appointments

looking for today?

KARIE: Better, I guess.  We’re set until

late afternoon.

HITHE: That’s good.  I have a plan for the

rest of the day too.

[ Hithe stands and begins walking around the room. ]

HITHE: I’m going out there to speak

with the entering customers.

KARIE: Out where? There’s no one around.

HITHE: Not over here.  In front of TA.

[ He opens the door to the office and steps out. ]

KARIE: Yeah. Well, don’t let Mark find out.

HITHE: Not a problem.  I rule at being sneaky. 

[ Outside of TA, Hithe sees a familiar face

coming toward him. ]

“Mrs. Monroe, you’re looking exquisite

today.  Is that a new dress?”

MRS. MONROE: Why yes it is.

Thank you, Hithe.

HITHE:  You’re very welcome.

[ He winks at her and comes closer. ]

 HITHE: You know what would go well

with that?  A nice trip into our salon.

Some new hair.   A romantic night.

 Surprise your husband, maybe? 

SCENE 3: At Marisa’s apartment.

[ Marisa comes in, shutting the door

and drops her stuff on the ground. ]

“I am truly loosing it!”

[ Picking up her phone she calls the

first person who comes to mind. ]

MARISA: Hey, what are you doing

tonight?

Really, that sounds interesting.

I’m serious.  You dress up for those

right?  I’ll get ready and meet you

around 7:30.

Cool.  See ya soon.

SCENE 4:  Hithe enters the Salon.

KARIE: Well, damn.  You have fun bothering

people all day?

HITHE: Bother my ass.  I got the salon

a whole slew of new clients.

Without even leaving the parking lot.  I’d

say I did an exceptional job. 

[ Turned to Karie, he doesn’t see

Mark walk in behind him. ]

KARIE: Someone came to congratulate you.

[ Hithe turns around fast. ]

MARK: Yeah.  Can I speak to you outside?

SCENE 5: Outside in a quiet parking lot.

[ Marisa gets out of her car in a long,

white dress and waits beside it.  Looking

at her phone, she sees the time change

to 7:30. ]

[ 5 minutes later, a truck pulls up close

and a familiar person walks toward

her. ]

MARISA: Thanks for meeting me.

JOH: No problem.  I’m surprised you

wanted to come out here.

I still remember you and Airynn’s

reaction when you first found out

I was a Witness. 

MARISA: Yeah, sorry about that.

The last thing I wanted was

to make you uncomfortable. 

Or rub anything in.

JOH: I know that and Airynn

was just being himself.

MARISA: You mean, an ass?

[ He laughs and she looks away. ]

MARISA: Sorry. Bad word choice.

JOH: It’s fine. I’m not your dad.

So, why sit through a meeting?

[ She stands up and faces him. ]

MARISA: I’m not sure.  I guess I’ve

just been feeling lost lately.  And I

thought that maybe this could be

what I need. 

JOH: Sure, that makes sense. But

what about this?

[ Joh picks Marisa up and sits her down

on the back on his truck.  Not giving her

a chance to speak, he kisses her until

she soon forgets what she was saying. ]

SCENE 6: In between TA and the Salon.

HITHE: First off, have you taken your meds

today?

MARK: Good one, Hithe.  But as much as

I’d like it to be, this isn’t a reaming.  I actually

wanted to tell you tomorrow will be the last

time we need you to manage the late

afternoon. 

HITHE: Thank god.

[ Hithe looks up to Mark staring at him. ]

HITHE: I mean, it was hard balancing both

places.  You know?

MARK: I know you would rather help with

the Salon.  No hard feelings.  By the looks

of things, Ace could use all the help he

can get. 

HITHE:  No.  The kid was just exhausted.  He’ll

be in tip top shape to return tomorrow. 

[ Marks smirks before walking away. ]

MARK: Whatever you say, man. 

[ He leaves and Karie comes outside. ]

HITHE: He’s so damn cocky.

KARIE: Who, Mark?

HITHE: Yeah, it’s like he has no

trust in me or Ace.  His supposed

best friend.

KARIE:  He’s the store.  We’re the Salon.

Why does his opinion matter?

HITHE: It just bothers me.  I’m gonna

show him though.  And anyone else

who dare doubted us. 

[ He walks away, leaving Karie
in shock. ]