March 5, 2025

Before The Finale: Dismantled [ #Surprise25 ]

 

[ The Café . . .Across From TA. ]

[ Jeszyca, Amber, & Tiesun are deep
into conversation on their lunch. ]

JESZYCA: So, how is Ava doing?

AMBER: She’s been fine for the last
few days. Her doctor started her on
some new medication so we’re just
hoping that it helps.

On the other hand, I’m pretty sure my
3rd grader has a crush on someone. But
he won’t tell me who, of course.  

TIESUN: Really, isn’t he friends with
Mila?

Wouldn’t it be wild if it was her?   

JESZYCA: Stuu’s daughter?  

TIESUN: Yeah.

AMBER: She’s about to graduate this
year.  I doubt it.  

JESZYCA: I mean, you’re one to talk.
Hello! Your husband is much older. 

Maybe it runs in the family.  

[ Amber grabs a roll off the table
and tosses it at her but she catches
it. ]

JESZYCA: Anway, switching gears.

Who is that guy I saw walking you
to your car the other night?

TIESUN: That was Rediki.  He’s a new
hire.  

And it’s a very, long story. 

[ They both look at Tiesun, intrigued. ]

JESZYCA: Go on then.  We’ve got time. 


[ Attica Elementary School . . .Cafeteria Area. ]

[ Dibur is nervously sitting at the table,
staring across the room when two of
his buddies sit down next to him. ]

“Who are you looking at?”

DIBUR: No one.

JOEY: He likes Mila and is too
much of a baby to tell her.

[ The other guys laugh. ]

DIBUR: I am not! I’m telling her
today.

[ He states, frustrated and chewing
on his pizza slice. ]

BRODIE: Just go over there and
ask her out right now.  Before
someone else does.

JOEY: If you’re not scared.  

[ Dibur sighs, getting up from his seat.
Finding Mila at a table with her best 
friend Xalia he stops. ]

DIBUR: Hey.

[ He smiles big at Mila. ]

MILA: What’ s up?

DIBUR: Would you like to
go out with me?

MILA: Sure.  We hang out all
the time.  

[ Dibur looks away. ]

XALIA: I think he’s asking you
to be his girlfriend.  

[ She starts to cackle, knocking
over her drink. ]

MILA: Seriously?

[ She questions but can tell from Dibur’s
expression what he means. ]

MILA: I’m sorry.  I can’t.  

[ Dibur turns around, turning red &
taking off out of the room. ]


[ Towne Ranch . . .Near The Stables. ]

[ Erme is walking toward the barn eager
to start his normal task, when he is met
by his father and an unknown male. ]

ERME: Hey Dad, who is this?

MERRILTOWNE: This is Pablo Saint John.

I hired him to keep an eye on the horses.

ERME: Okay, but I do that.  

MERRILTOWNE: Why don’t you go have
a look around, so you can get used to the 
property?  I’ll be back with you in a bit.

[ The stranger leaves and he continues. ]

MERRILTOWNE: Not anymore!

Your manager called me yesterday.

ERME: What about?

MERRILTOWNE: I don’t even want to
voice this.  But have you been screwing
around with the animals?

ERME: No Dad!  I could never.

MERRILTOWNE: You’re lying Ermensau,
I can always tell. You need help and until
you get it you won’t be allowed back here.


ERME: Mark would never do this to me.

Who called you?

[ His Dad ignores the question. ]

MERRILTOWNE: Just go back to the house!

I have business to attend to.  

[ He looks at Erme with anger and disappoint
-ment streaked across his face. ]


[ Amber & Dyminic’s . . .Later That Day. ]

[ Dyminic is sitting in his office when
he sees his son appear in the doorway. ]

“Hey, you we’re quiet at dinner.  

Is something going on?”

DIBUR: I don’t want to go back
to school.  Ever.

DYMINIC: Okay. . .Why?

DIBUR: I asked out this girl.

And she said no. Everyone
made fun of me.

DYMINIC: I’m sorry.  Was she older
than you?

DIBUR: It was Mila.

DYMINIC: I see.  Well, you are way too 
young to be even thinking about dating,
Mr.  

Focus right now on school, your
friends and your sports.  

DIBUR: But I really like her.

DYMINIC: I know but you have
to settle on just being her friend.

 Don’t worry. When you’re ready. . .



The 3Ms Airport . . .On The Plane. ]

[ After heaving their luggage into place,
Jeszyca & Sunshine sit relaxed in their
first class seats. ]

JESZYCA: I have a surprise for you.

SUNSHINE: Another one?  As if the
spontaneous weekend trip wasn’t
enough.  

[ She hands her girlfriend an envelope
adorned in fancy letters spelling out
her full name. ]

JESZYCA: It’s from TA Corporate.  

Do you know what this means?

SUNSHINE: I’m getting the can?

JESZYCA: No.  Just open it.  

[ She peels the sticker back, revealing
the invitation. ]

“ You And A Guest Are Invited To
Our Annual Milestone Awards. . .

NOMINEE: Manager Of The Year. “

SUNSHINE: Oh my God!  This isn’t real.

JESZYCA: Are you kidding me?  It was
your idea to open on Saturday’s.  Plus how
Care’s client based has increased over the
past year.  They would be insane to not
nominate you.  

SUNSHINE: Yeah, but I’m up against Mark
and that Mirror manager.  They get nominated
ever year.  

JESZYCA: Oh well.  Just lay back and relax.

When we get to beach.  We’re celebrating.


[ Attica Elementary School . . .The Next Day. ]

[ Dibur arrives at school, looking for his
friends when he notices Brodie down the
 hall perched by a window with Mila. ]

[ Seeing them laughing & sitting close
insights his rage, as Dibur picks up his
pace toward them. ]

JOEY: Hey, what are you doing?

[ He calls to Dibur as he walks past.
Eyes set on Brodie. 

Reaching them now, he pushes Brodie
knocking him back into a plant fixture. ]

BRODIE: What is your problem?

[ He shouts, standing up but Dibur stays
silent.  Teasing him with his fist. ]

MILA: Enough!  

[ Joey runs up grabbing Dibur from
behind and pulling him in the other
direction. 

Mila walks away with her arm around
Brodie, guiding him to the office. ]


[ Back At Towne Ranch . . . ]

[ Erme sneaks down to the Stables. On
a mission after everyone at home is 
sleeping. ]

He attempts to open the door, not noticing
the locks that have been installed. ]


[ Erme let’s out a howling yell of defeat.
Kicking the doors, over and over again. 

Eventually, falling to the ground with 
tears streaming down his face. ]


[ Ocean Beach, CA . . . ]

[ After lounging in the sand all day,
Jeszyca & Sunshine are sitting at
a fancy dining table talking over
food and glasses of wine. ]

“This has been amazing!”

[ She gleams, kissing Jeszyca on
the cheek. ]


SUNSHINE: It is.  And it was exactly
what I needed. Thank you.

JESZYCA: We’ve been through so much
over the last six years but I feel like all
of it has just made us stronger as a couple.

And that’s why I wanted to know if.

[ She stands.  On her knees in front of 
Sunshine now, she presents her with
a diamond ring. ]

“Will You Marry Me?”


[ Meanwhile . . .At Syria & Hahn’s. ]

SYRIA: Mark’s on the porch.  He said
he needs to talk to you.

HAHN: Okay?  Since when does our
manager make house calls at night?

[ He joins Mark outside. ]

HAHN: Are you here to congratulate
me on my 'AM Of The Year' nom?  

MARK: Not exactly.  I’m here to ask
you if you were the one who contacted
Erme’s parents.

[ Hahn freezes for a second. ]

HAHN: They needed to know.  It could
have affected their business.

MARK: I told you to stay out of it!  

Either way, it wasn’t your place.

HAHN: I’m sorry, Mark.  At least now
he is getting the help that he clearly
needs.

I did that kid a favor.

MARK: No, I’m sorry Hahn.  This wasn’t
the right way.  

And you’re fired! Don’t come back to TA.  

[ Mark drives off, leaving Hahn trembling
with wrath. ]


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