[ Mark & Ski’s Home . . .Sunday Morning. ]
[ Mark strolls leisurely past the living room,
noticing his new visitor rustling underneath
the comforter on the sofa, he calls to him. ]
[ Erme sits up slowly, opening his eyes
and letting out a long yawn. ]
“Hey, are you feeling any better?”
[ Mark sits down next to him. ]
ERME: You mean, have I gotten over
the fact that one of our horses died
and my parents are blaming me for it?
No, not at all.
MARK: Sorry.
I can’t believe they just
kicked you out over speculation like
that.
ERME: I know.
I appreciate you letting
me stay here.
Me and Yaz haven’t
been dating that long and I want to
give her space sometimes.
MARK: It’s no problem, you can stay
here as long as you need to.
“Hey, is anyone home?”
[ Erme looks at Mark as his face switches
from its morning stillness to sheer excite-
ment. ]
[ He retreats to the doorway, seeing Ski
standing there with his luggage. They
hug and embrace. ]
MARK: Why didn’t you tell me you
we’re coming back today?
SKI: Because I wanted it to be a
surprise.
Duh!
[ They hug again as Erme comes around
the corner. ]
MARK: Ski, this is Erme, a fellow TA.
Erme, this is Ski. My long, lost partner.
SKI: Well, not anymore. I’m back.
Nice to meet you.
[ Ski smiles, extending his hand out
to Erme. ]
[ Meanwhile. . . At Stuu & Tiesun’s. ]
[ In the kitchen, Stuu is scrolling on his
phone while his daughter Mila sits across
from him enjoying her cereal.
Tiesun joins them at the table. ]
TIESUN: Big night tonight. Are you ready
to see your ex perform on stage?
STUU: Not even remotely. Can you believe
it’s been six years since me and Weis split
and I quit the band?
TIESUN: And now they are touring all
over the States without you.
STUU: I know, but I’m fine. Let’s talk
about something more interesting. Like
your random date with this stranger.
TIESUN: We’re not dating. I just asked
him to the awards ceremony. He’s kind
of a loner and I just want him to feel
welcome.
STUU: Awe, that’s nice of you. And it
doesn’t help in any way that he is exactly
your type.
TIESUN: And what’s that?
STUU: Come on, Airynn? Larrie?
It all checks out.
TIESUN: Of course. Why don’t you
ride with us if you’re so concerned
over my well-being?
STUU: That’s okay, I have a date.
She’s from Kutz.
I’ll introduce you
tonight.
And just to be sure, we’ve
already had the talk about my a-
sexuality.
TIESUN: Great, that’s a good start.
[ Later, Stuu is sitting in the living
room alone.
Looking over his feed, he sees a post
from fellow TA member Scott. ]
“Last minute outfit check for tonight.
Can’t wait to see Kira’s.”
[ Stuu’s sudden realization turns fast to
rage. ]
STUU: Every. Single. Time!
[ He states, tossing his phone down
in disappointment. ]
[ Early Eve. . . Back At Mark & Ski’s. ]
[ Monica & Kyle, Amber & Dyminic, Hithe
&
Fang, Sunshine & Jeszyca are seated around
the dining table while Ski & Mark are across
from each other. ]
[ Mark sits down, drinking from his glass
of white wine. ]
“Thanks for letting me practice my speech
for Jim on you guys. He’s retiring after
tonight and I wanted to make sure it
sounded alright.”
MONICA: It was wonderful and sweet.
Out of all the managers in the district,
it shows a lot for him to ask you.
MARK: I’m honored, I know.
AMBER: Aren’t they doing his award
first?
MARK: Yeah, right after Slees opens.
HITHE: With Ski back now. This feels
just like old times.
SKI: I know, it's so good to be home.
I missed you all.
SUNSHINE: So, where is Ace?
HITHE: Who knows. Probably getting his
billionth commemorative tattoo.
MARK: Well, everyone eat and drink up.
The limo will be here in an hour to take
us to the ceremony.
[ He motions for Ski to follow him out
to the living room. ]
MARK: Hey babe, we need to talk. And
I couldn’t wait any longer.
SKI: Okay, what’s going on?
MARK: The speech wasn’t the only thing
that was talked about. They want me to
step up as the new District Manager.
SKI: That’s awesome! But I just got back.
MARK: I know, and you didn’t tell me
you were staying until this morning.
I’m sorry, I’ve already said, ‘Yes’.
[ They stand apart, not speaking. ]
[ An Hour Later . . .Outside The Ceremony. ]
[ Various team members from the district
arrive, fancily dressed and stopping to take
pictures on the blue carpet.
[ Mark & Ski step out of their limo. They are
spotted by Mark’s Mirror ‘Manager Of The
Year’ frenemy and he strides over smirking
at them. ]
MIRRORMGR: So, are you ready to get
beat again?
Just like I beat you last year.
MARK: Oh buddy.
[ Mark pats him forcefully on the shoulder. ]
MARK: You take this too seriously. I’m
just here to support my team.
MIRRORMGR: Please, we all know you’ve
been itching for that 10th win for
years now.
But newsflash, it’s never going to happen.
MARK: Maybe not.
On the other hand, you
might want to start showing me a little
more respect.
MIRRORMGR: Why would I need to do that?
MARK: Because starting next month, I’m
your new boss.
MIRRORMGR: Jim asked you?
MARK: Who else would he ask. Have fun
at the awards though.
[ He laughs, taking Ski’s hand and posing
for a picture.
[ Further down the carpet; Stuu, Mila, Tiesun
& Rediki are taking pictures when Stuu notices
Weis, LeeVigh and their replacement band mate
getting out of their white limousine.
Stuu leaves them to walk towards. ]
“Hey.”
[ Weis turns around. ]
WEIS: I was gonna call you. Just
wasn’t sure if.
Anyway, it’s good to
see you.
STUU: You too.
How have you been?
WEIS: Great!
Ever since we won the
band competition, it’s been non-stop
shows. How
are you and Mila?
STUU: We’re good.
WEIS: Well, I have to go get ready.
It’s almost show time.
[ He stares at Stuu, then joins the rest of
the band heading inside. ]
[ Milestone Awards . . .Inside The Ceremony. ]
[ After presenting a lifetime service award to
Jim,
Mark walks off and Amber appears from back
stage in a flowing, off-the-shoulder blue dress.
Taking her place at the glass podium. ]
AMBER: The managers in this category
demonstrate what it takes to maintain
a store at a higher and more distinguished
level. Setting
us apart from the competition.
[ The audience starts in on a rousing clap. ]
“The nominees for ‘AM Of The Year’
are. . .”
AMBER: Hahn Kaphor. TA-Magic Springs.
[ Hahh is shown in the audience with his
wife Syria, then a clip begins to play. ]
HAHN: The last twelve years at TA
has provided with me more than just
financial stability. Working here
doesn’t feel like a job, it feels more
comforting.
Like a home.
[ Down in the audience, Erme & Yaz
are sitting in front of Hahn & Syria. ]
YAZ: Some home.
[ She whispers loudly to Erme. ]
ERME: Yeah.
How embarrassing!
[ Hahn overhears, Syria places her hand
firmly on his. Hoping he ignores them. ]
AMBER: And the winner is. . .
“Laura Braun.
TA-Mirror.”
[ The winner stands up in shock as Hahn
makes his way to the back of the room
in a huff. ]
MARK: Good!
Hopefully he takes
the hint and just leaves.
SKI: I can’t imagine him wanting to be
here.
[ The audience calms down as the AM
begins her speech. ]
[ Back At The Awards . . .On Stage. ]
[ Scott saunters up to the podium, wearing
all black.
Grinning with confidence, he scans
the audience.
Seeing Maxx, Ricky, Brian, &
Kira standing up cheering for him. ]
SCOTT: I was supposed to be sharing this
responsibility with my good friend, Brian.
But of course, when he was asked to make
up for someone who couldn’t make it
tonight. He
jumped at the chance to ditch
me!
“Anyway, over the past year. These four
nominees have not only proven what a
TA member should be but also take
the initiative to go above and beyond.”
“And the nominees are. . .”
“Maura Blackwell. TA-Mirror.”
“Tyler Trullo.
TA-Maison City.”
“Ermensau Towne.
TA-Magic Springs.’
“Kelsie Cline.
TA-Round Rock.”
SCOTT: The winner is. . .
[ He opens the envelope. ]
SCOTT: Ermensau Towne.
[ Back in the audience, Hahn is standing
by the entrance. ]
HAHN: What a joke!
[ Erme gathers himself while Yaz escorts
him on to the stage. Scott stops clapping,
standing away from them. ]
ERME: Wow, this is a huge surprise!
I would like to start by thanking my
manager, Mark Simon. Who is not just
a great boss but also an active friend
who really cares about his. . .
[ Erme is stunned as Hahn is seen running
from the doors to the stage. Getting close
to Erme, he starts to shout at him. ]
“You should be in jail.”
ERME: Excuse me?
[ Hahn repeats himself. Now close to the
microphone and in Erme’s face. ]
HAHN: You should be in jail, you
little horse fucker!
[ The crowd gasp at this reveal. ]
[ Mark stands up, heading to confront
Hahn but Ski stops him. Two security
guards arrive from the back and grab
Hahn, dragging him away from the
stage. ]
ERME: I guess someone had a bit too
much.
[ He laughs, nervously as the commotion
starts to die down. ]
[ Milestone Awards . . .Final Award. ]
[ Acer is on stage now. ]
ACE: Well, that was intense. It wouldn’t
be a Milestone Awards or TA if something
out of the ordinary didn’t happen.
Kind of similar to our nominees in this
category.
Always thinking of out of the
box ways to keep our teams on their toes
and pushing our stores forward.
“Sunshine Walli.
TA Care. Magic Springs.”
“Kiler Hydeen. TA Kutz.
Round Rock.“
“Mark Simon.
TA Store. Magic Springs.”
“Luke Bangel.
TA Store. Mirror.”
ACE: The winner is. . .
Sunshine Walli.
[ Mark & all the other TA members from
Magic Springs stand up to congratulate
her.
Jeszyca escorts Sunshine up to the
stage.
Down in the audience, Tiesun notices Rediki
hasn’t returned from his bathroom break. ]
[ On the phone, outside. ]
REDIKI: I’m at an award show with
my girl but it will be over soon.
Oh yeah.
Everything is all good.
Everyone at TA bought that whole
I want to kill myself scene. It got
me exactly what I needed and more.
[ He hauls out a sinister laugh. ]
“And what was that exactly?”
[ Rediki turns around seeing Tiesun
and hangs up. ]
TIESUN: So, it was all some sick game.
A lie to get our sympathy. Was any of this
even real?
[ She starts to walk away but he takes her
hand tuning her to him. ]
REDIKI: Wait, it wasn’t all a lie. I was sad and
the family part is true.
Also, the way I feel about you.
[ She drops his hand, slowly backing away. ]
TIESUN: You know what. Stuu was right.
I don’t know you at all. I’m going back
inside.
REDIKI: Tie, come on! Just let me explain.
[ She turns around looking ice cold
in his direction. ]
TIESUN: Don’t!
Follow me.
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