76: Ready, Set, Go! ( Preview )

The Joker (First & Last7)

SCENE 1:

Outside Magic Springs High.

[ Billy walks up to Jenni’s car

& gets out. ]

BILLY: Thanks for the ride.

No clue what happened to

Airynn.

JENNI: How was rehearsal?

[ She pulls out of the parking

lot. ]

CHAIS: Yeah.  Forget any lines

today?

BILLY: Nope.  I think I got every-

thing down now. 

JENNI: That’s good.  If another

Telazon ruins a school play

here, the principal will be

pissed.

[ Chais starts to laugh. ]

BILLY: Right.  I almost didn’t

get to audition cuz of that

stunt he pulled.

JENNI: Anyway, you guys hungry?

CHAIS: Starved.  Let’s get a pizza.

[ He looks out the window. ]

CHAIS: Hey, isn’t that your bro’s

car parked on the side of that

building?

JENNI: Wanna stop?

BILLY: Naw, I’ll just text him.

Keep driving.

SCENE 2:

Across from TA.

[ Amber & Ski are seated

at a table, talking while

Hithe is on his phone. ]

SKI: Something wrong?

You haven’t spoken since

we ordered.

HITHE: Sorry guys, just

getting a little worried

about Kristyn.

AMBER: Kristyn, huh?

What’s going on?

HITHE: Well, she let Sara

move away with Jared

the other day and I haven’t

heard from her since.

[ Hithe looks concerned. ]

AMBER: She’s probably just

adjusting, but are you sure

that’s it?

SKI: Right.  We’ve seen that

look on you before, man.

[ Hithe starts to laugh

& Amber smiles. ]

HITHE: What look?

AMBER: You’re still into her.

I can totally tell.

SCENE 3:

Meanwhile, inside TA.

[ Charles & Sandie are

walking up the steps to

Mark’s office. ]

SANDIE: Explain to me

why I need to be here

again.

CHARLES: Come on babe,

Mark is pretty reasonable

He just wants to talk.

SANDIE: Fine.

[ They knock, then enter

the office. ]

MARK: Hi.  Have a seat

please.  So I heard you

didn’t get the loan.

SANDIE: Charles!

MARK: It’s alright.  I’m

prepared to offer you

a better deal to stay.

SANDIE: Like what?

MARK: I realize now

how much you’ve done

to get our bakery off

the ground and I’m

sorry for not offering

you more assistance.  I talked

to Jim about separating

that department from TA.

Kind of like the Salon, if

you’re Interested.

[ Sandie stays silent, lost for

words. ]

SCENE 4:

At the Telazon’s.

[ Jenni’s gone.  Billy & Chais

are in Airynn’s bedroom. ]

CHAIS: Are you seriously

hacking into your brother’s

laptop right now?

BILLY: Yes.  I need to figure

out why he’s acting so weird

and distant lately. 

CHAIS: Whatever dude.  I’m

gonna have a front row seat

to the ass whooping of the

year.

[ Billy ignores him. ]

BILLY: Got it.  Idiot used his

exes’ name. Whoa.

CHAIS: What is it?

[ Chais stands behind him. ]

BILLY: It’s a news story about

some group called Paleseto

something.  Wonder what he

wants with them. 

CHAIS: Who cares.  Just close

It before he gets back.

BILLY: Fine.

SCENE 5:

Late afternoon, the Salon.

[ Hithe, Sascha, & Lorenzo

are talking in the break

room. ]

SASCHA: You alright boss?

LORENZO: Right.  You haven’t

bitched me out today for

anything.  I’m starting to

get worried.

HITHE: Nope.  I’m actually

pretty clear headed.  I just

need to talk to Kristyn and

finally get something off

my chest. 

SASCHA: Oh yeah?  Well, I

think I know what that is.

Let me know how it goes.

[ She pats Hithe on the

back & leaves to assist a

client.  Suddenly Jeszyca

enters the room. ]

JESZYCA: Hey Hithe.  Someone’s

here to see you. They’re waiting

outside.

[ She smiles at him & exits. ]

SCENE 6:

Back at the Telazon’s.

[ Billy & Chais are playing

video games when Airynn

enters the front door. ]

BILLY: Uh hi.  Thanks for

coming to get me earlier.

AIRYNN: Sorry bro.  I got

busy.

[ He heads for his room,

not saying anything else.

A few minutes later, they

hear Airynn rustling around

with stuff in his room.  Billy

knocks on the door. ]

BILLY: Let me in.  I wanna talk

to you.

AIRYNN: Okay.  Just a second.

[ After awhile, Airynn opens

the door. ]

BILLY: Everything cool?

AIRYNN: Yeah, I’m fine.

BILLY: You’re still going to

my dress rehearsal on

Friday, right?

AIRYNN: I promised you,

didn’t I?

BILLY: Yeah, it’s just.

AIRYNN: Just what?

BILLY: Nothing.

SCENE 7:

Outside the Salon.

[ Hithe sees Kristyn waiting

In her car, walks over &

gets inside. ]

KRISTYN: Hey, I got your messa-

ges.  Sorry I just wasn’t in the

mood for a conversation.

HITHE: Until now?

[ Hithe smiles at her. ]

KRISTYN: Yeah.  I miss her already.

HITHE: I understand.  I’ve gotten

so close to H, if he ever wanted

to leave I would be devastated.

[ Kristyn looks over at him, sha-

king her head in agreement. ]

KRISTYN: So what now?

HITHE: You still have Mairya here.

And Monica.  And me.

KRISTYN: I know.

[ She looks over catching Hithe’s

stare in her direction.  Before

Kristyn can move, he’s moved

toward her, placing his lips

onto her’s.  She backs up. ]

           

KRISTYN: What are you doing?

SCENE 8:

Back by the car.

[ Hithe steps outside & Kristyn

drives off.  Not noticing Jeszyca

looking through the window, he

comes back inside. ]

HITHE: That didn’t exactly go

well.

JESZYCA: Why, what happened?

HITHE: I kissed Kristyn.  She

gave me a weird look.  And

now she’s gone.

JESZYCA: I’m sorry.  Maybe we

we’re wrong to make suggestions.

HITHE: It’s cool. Time for me to

recognize that ship has sailed.

She’s has bigger things to

worry about.

JESZYCA: Oh well.  So do you.

HITHE: Yeah, I better head

home.  Go pick up Little H

from Ski’s.

JESZYCA: See ya.

[ Hithe leaves & Lorenzo

comes over. ]

LORENZO: Let me guess.

Things didn’t work out.

SCENE 9:

MS High, next day.

[ Billy & Jai are sitting

on the stage, waiting

for their rides. ]

JAI: Only one more practice

left and we’re on.

You coming over tonight?

[ He looks at Billy who doesn’t

respond. ]

JAI: Hey.  You hear me?

BILLY: You’ve heard of brain

washing right?  I was reading

about it last night online.

They we’re doing sick

things to people.

JAI: Like what?

BILLY: I don’t know. Torturing

and stuff.  What do you think?

JAI: You said these people

we’re on the news.

BILLY: A while ago, yeah.

JAI: Don’t you think if there

was something more serious

to report it would have been

said.  All they talked about

was religious ceremonies.

BILLY: I guess so.  It still

has my head spinning.

JAI: Maybe you should just

forget it.  You can’t afford

to lose your focus right now.

SCENE 10:

Hithe’s apartment.

[ Little H comes in the

kitchen & Hithe is sitting

quietly at the table. ]

LITTLE H: Dad, what’s up?

HITHE: Nothing.  You hungry?

[ He starts to get up. ]

LITTLE H: No.  You could tell

me the truth.

HITHE: Alright. It about me

and Kristyn.

LITTLE H: What about her?

HITHE: I just did something

I shouldn’t have.  It’s

hard to explain.

[ Hithe gets up, walking

toward the refrigerator. ]

HITHE: Do you want waffles

or pancakes?

LITTLE H: It doesn’t matter,

I’m not that hungry.

[ Someone knocks on the front
door. ]

HITHE: Can you get that please?

I’ll be done in like fifteen.

SCENE 11:

That Night, at TA.

[ Ski, Weis, Joh,

Stuu, & Tiesun are

waiting to start. ]

JOH: It’s five after.  I don’t

think Airynn is going to

show.

SKI: This is the 3^rd night

In a row.  I have no choice

but to replace him. 

You can act as supervisor

for now.

[ He points back at Joh. ]

WEIS: Who wants to answer

to you?

[ There’s a moment of silence

then everyone starts to laugh.

As people are leaving the room,

Weis pulls Stuu aside. ]

STUU: What’s up roadie?

WEIS: Get it right dude,

you’re my roadie.

[ Stuu takes off Weis’

hat & runs.  ]

WEIS: Hey!

SCENE 12:

The next night.

[ A crowd is gathered in

the auditorium of MS High,

while the actors are waiting

backstage.

Billy peaks through the

curtain, looking at the

faces. ]

[ Relaxing he finally sees

Airynn sitting down, near

the front of the stage.

Further in the back. . . . .]

SKI: This is going to be good.

MARK: I hope so.  The tickets

we’re enough.

[ Ski hits him playfully in

the arm. ]

AMBER: Thanks for inviting us.

[ Dyminic motions for her to

follow him & they go outside. ]

DYMINIC: Since the title of this

is truth.   I think it’s time for

me to show some.

[ Amber looks puzzled. ]

AMBER: What kind of

[ Dyminic kisses her. ]

DYMINIC: I’ve wanted you

this entire time.

SCENE 13:

Day before.

[ Kristyn enters Hithe’s kitchen. ]

KRISTYN: Something smells

good in here.

[ Hithe turns around surprised. ]

HITHE: Yeah, I’m making my

mixed berry pancakes.

[ She sits at the bar & Hithe

stands across from her. ]

KRISTYN: About my reaction

last night.

HITHE: You don’t need to explain.

I had no right.

KRISTYN: I wouldn’t say that.

Listen, I’ve been so worried

about Jared and the kids lately

that I haven’t been true

to you.  There was a reason

I started coming back over.

HITHE: You mean, you weren’t

just in the neighborhood?

KRISTYN: It was because I

 missed us.

SCENE 14:

After the play is over.

[ Billy comes out last to a

roaring crowd.  As the lights

go dim, he can see Airynn

leaving out the side door.

Later, he is sitting on the

stage when his phone starts

to vibrate. ]

TEXT: Dear Billy, I probably

won’t be able to see you

for a long time.

I’m sorry but I had to

do this.

[ Chais walks up to him. ]

CHAIS: Let’s go celebrate.

[ Billy just looks at him. ]

BILLY: He’s gone.

New Begin

SCENE 1:

Late afternoon, TA.

[ Kristyn & Monica are talk-

ing in the break room. ]

KRISTYN: So I think my girl

has her first crush.

MONICA: Oh yeah, on who?

KRISTYN: Little H but I don’t

think he’s into it.

MONICA: Aw that’s too bad.

Did I tell you Kii has a girl-

friend now?

KRISTYN: No way.

MONICA: Yup. He’s dating a

junior.

KRISTYN: Damn.  Get it get it,

I guess.

[ They both laugh.  Amber enters

the room. ]

AMBER: Hey, Kyle’s outside.

MONICA: Thanks.  I better get

going then.  See you two later.

[ Monica exits & Amber sits

down across from Kristyn. ]

AMBER: Not to be the bearer

of bad news but I saw your

ex outside too.

KRISTYN: Jared?  He never

comes around TA.  Wonder

what he wants.

[ Amber shakes her head

while Kristyn gathers her

stuff. ]

SCENE 2:

Random street, downtown.

[ Airynn pulls into a parking

lot, gets out & starts walking

toward the building.

Reaching the door, he knocks

& hears someone walking

up to it immediately. ]

STRANGER: Are you lost?

AIRYNN: No.  Well depends

on how you look at it, I

guess.

[ Airynn smirks, while the guy

steps out & looks around. ]

STRANGER: Come in then.

[ He holds open the door

for Airynn to step inside.

Looking around, he sees

a group of people sitting

in a circle on the floor. ]

AIRYNN: What is this, like a

bible study or something?

STRANGER: Not hardly.

Sit down.  We’re about

to get started.

I’m George by the way.

SCENE 3:

Outside the Aisles.

[ Kristyn goes up to Jared’s

car and he rolls down the

window. ]

JARED: Hey, we need to talk.

KRISTYN:  You couldn’t of

called, what is this about?

JARED: You never answer.

If you did, you’d know that

I’m moving to a new town.

It’s a couple hours away.

KRISTYN: Okay, just let me

know the address and we

can meet half way on your

weekends.

JARED: I’m afraid it’s not

that simple.

[ He hands Kristyn a folder

of papers. ]

KRISTYN: What's this?

JARED: We have a court date

in a few days and I suggest

that you be there.

I’ve already talked to Sara.

KRISTYN: Talked to her about

what?

JARED: I’m sorry Kristyn, but

she wants to go with me.

SCENE 4:

Back inside the meeting.

GEORGE: Does anyone want

to get things started?

[ Airynn watches as a few

hands go up in the air. ]

FEMALE: Sure, I will.

Who’s your friend?

AIRYNN: I’m Airynn.  Hi

everyone.

[ He waves & smiles but

they all stay silent. ]

AIRYNN: Anyway, I’ve seen

you guys on the news and

was curious as to what this

was about.

GEORGE: That can’t be the

only reason, come on.

FEMALE: Yeah, what else?

[ Airynn looks down & she

comes over to him. ]

AIRYNN: Fine, I’ll level with

you.  I guess lately I’ve been

feeling like I’m all alone.

My parents are always working.

My only brother is busy with

school stuff and my one friend

is never around.  

SCENE 5:

At Kristyn’s house.

[ She is talking to her

daughter in the kitchen. ]

KRISTYN: So why didn’t

you tell me about this

situation with your dad?

[ Sara looks up at her. ]

SARA: Because Mom, I didn’t

want you to be upset.

KRISTYN: I just don’t understand

why you would want to leave.

You know your Dad is never

around anyway.

SARA: That’s not the point.

KRISTYN: Then what is it?

[ Sara stands up. ]

SARA: I’m not like Mairya,

alright.  Popular with tons

of friends. I just thought

that if I went to a different

school, in a new place.

Maybe I could start over.

KRISTYN: I didn’t know you

felt that way.  I’m sorry.  I

just don’t wanna be with-

out you.

[ Kristyn starts to cry &

Sara hugs onto her. ]

SCENE 6:

After the meeting.

[ Airynn & George are talking. ]

GEORGE: So, how do you feel?

AIRYNN: Great actually.  It’s nice

to get out your feelings and

actually have people listen.

GEORGE: Cool, that’s what being

In Paleseto is all about man.

A place to be away from all

the cold that’s out in this

world.

[ Airynn grabs his bag & prepares

to head toward his car. ]

AIRYNN: Now that I’ve met you

guys.  Is it cool if I come back?

Say maybe once a week or so.

GEORGE: This isn’t a motel.

[ He gives Airynn a weird look. ]

GEORGE: You join. . . . .you

stay.