" Concrete Start (Part 2) "

SCENE 1:

Nighttime, Research Center.

[ Jeszyca wakes up suddenly from

what feels like a week-long nap.

Heading to the mirror, she checks

her forehead. ]

‘Nothing still.’

[ Now in the dark hall, she walks

toward the bathroom.  Hearing

loud voices, Jeszyca leans on

the door to listen. ]

FEMALE1: 250, 200…What should

we pay out this time?

FEMALE2: Who cares as long as

they get the same.  Can you believe

they increased it from $300 to 5?

[ She takes the notice off her desk

and slides it into the shredder. ]

FEMALE1: Yeah, too bad we’ll be

the only ones reaping the benefits.

Meanwhile, at The Telazon’s

[ Airynn opens his freezer & sees

Its full of ice cream, pizzas, and

various other frozen items. ]

SCENE 2:

In The Living Room. . .

[ Chais and Billy are sitting on the

couch tossing a football  back and

forth. ]

CHAIS: No more Connor MS!

[ He speaks through a mouthful

of mint chocolate chip. ]

BILLY:  Now you can spend the

summer following Jenni around

like you wanted.

[ Chais punches him in the arm.  ]

CHAIS: Yeah right dude.

Chais doesn’t chase.

Next morning, at Ace’s . . .

[ Ace is slowly walking through the

the living room, trying not to wake

anyone up. 

Finally inside his car, he checks his

voicemail. ]

‘Please come in to get your results.’

‘Message Erased.’

SCENE 3:

At Jeszyca & Larrie’s.

[ Jeszyca sits on the couch, staring at

the way too short check in her hand. ]

‘The nerve.’

[ Opening her laptop, she searches

her history to find the website where

she first saw the Research Ad.

Jeszyca is surprised to see a new

one had already been schedule for

the next day. ]

JESZYCA: We’ll see about that.

[ Her phone rings . . . ]

JESZYCA: Hey Larrie

LARRIE: I just got your text.  Wonder

how long they’ve been getting away

with this.

JESZYCA: I don’t know, but they won’t

be doing it any longer.

LARRIE: Don’t tell me you want to go

back there and investigate.  You know what

 happened the last time you stuck your nose in.

[ Jeszyca takes a second. ]

JESZYCA:  Yeah.  Maybe, you’re right.

SCENE 4:

Community Hospital, (Parking lot).

[ Ace is back in his car now.  His

appointment was done half an hour

ago, but still he sits frozen by what

the doctor just told him.

Dialing furiously, he waits for his

best friend to answer the line. ]

ACE: I’m so glad you answered.

MARK: Hey, what’s going on?

ACE: Look, I haven’t exactly been

honest with you or anyone in the

last few months…about what I’ve

been going through.

About a month ago, I noticed a

bump underneath my arm.

MARK: Okay, but you got it taken

care of, right?

ACE: No, not exactly.  I’ve just been

really caught up in the Salon.

But now it’s gotten worse.

MARK: How bad is it?

ACE: Mark, it’s serious.

The doctor told me today I

have a rare disease called

Castleman’s.

SCENE 5:

Late night, Outside the Research

Center.

[ A dark figure with a mask enters

the parking lot and slowly creeps

up to the side door of the building.

Looking around first before trying

to open the door. ]

‘Since when is this locked?’

[ Before getting an answer, a

series of bright lights are suddenly

shining onto the intruder. ]

“Its police! Put your hands in

the air.

And turn around slowly.”

[ The intruder obeys, waiting for

further instruction. ]

“Now remove the mask!”

[ The mask is removed, &

Jeszyca stands there in fear. ]

SCENE 6:

At Ace’s place.

[ Ace is wrapping up a phone

conversation with Mark. ]

ACE:  You promise to keep

your mouth closed.

MARK: I don’t agree with

what you’re doing, but at

least keep me informed.

Alright, man?

ACE: Okay, I have to go.

[ Ace hangs up, & meets

Karie on top of their bed. ]

KARIE: How’s Mark?

ACE: He’s good.  Enjoying

his extended vacation.

[ Karie gets closer to him. ]

KARIE: And how are you?

ACE: Better now.  Much

better.

[ They roll over in the bed. ]