Strictly Exposed: Part 1 [ #Surprise25 ]

 

[ TA Care . . .Break Room. ]

 

[ A somber morning, Tiesun is indulging

in her blueberry muffin when Rediki

enters the doorway. ]

 

TIESUN: Hey.  How did your play

time with the kiddos go?

 

REDIKI: It was fine.  A tad too much

excitement for first thing though.

 

TIESUN: Well, that was our goal. 

 

I bet you’re awake and ready to

conquer the day now.

 

REDIKI: Yeah.  Totally.

 

[ Walking across the room, he

moves a chair close to her and sits

down. His eyes fixed on her face. ]

 

REDIKI: First time I’ve done ‘Duck,

Duck, Goose’ in a suit.

 

TIESUN: Yeah, the owner likes us

to be dressed well.  It set us apart. 

 

REDIKI: I can’t say how much I

appreciate everyone giving me a

chance here.  

And your help especially.

 

TIESUN: We’re happy to have you.

And you seem to be adjusting.  It’s

like a family here at TA.  

You’ll learn that soon. 

 

In fact, I just got an invitation to

the nominee’s brunch on Saturday.

 

Would you like to be my plus

one?

 

REDIKI: That sounds intriguing.

 

I’d love to.  I have to get going

though.  I have a counseling

session at noon.

 

TIESUN:  Oh right.  See ya.

 

[ He leaves for the parking lot. ]

[ Yaz’ Apartment . . .Later That Day. ]

 

[ Erme & Yaz are cuddled together on

a bench, looking over the view off her

balcony. ]

 

YAZ: As much as I enjoy your company

here every day, don’t you want to go home

some time and visit with your animals?

 

[ Erme drops her hand, standing up fast. ]

 

ERME: Not right now.

 

YAZ: Why?

 

YAZ: Then don’t.  Tell me the real reason.

 

ERME: My parents don’t want me around

them.  They think I’m doing things to the

animals.

 

YAZ: Doing things?  Like what?

 

ERME: As in sexually.

 

[ He looks away from her. ]

 

ERME: Look, I was.  But I stopped.

 

And I don’t need any help for it.

 

[ She stands up, backing away from him. ]

 

YAZ: I don’t know what to say. 

 

[ Erme turns around, grabbing her hand. ]

 

ERME: I’m going to change.  I promise.

 

I already have.  Just please don’t think

about leaving me. Like everyone else has.

 

[ Yaz can see his emotions taking over

with the look in his eyes. ]

 

YAZ: I won’t. 

 

[ She kisses him on the cheek

and whispers into his ear. ]

 

YAZ: I know what will take

your mind off this. Come on.  

 

[ Erme follows her back inside. ]

[ Conscious Professional Office . . .That Afternoon. ]

 

[ Caleb hears a loud knock on the door. ]

 

“Come in.”

 

[ He stands up, shaking his client's hand. ]

 

CALEB: Hey man.  How’s it going?

 

REDIKI: Pretty good actually. 

 

[ He sits down in a chair while Rediki

gets comfortable on the couch in front

of him. ]

 

CALEB: Great!  You know that’s the

first time I’ve heard you say that.  I

take it you’ve found Care to be a

good fit for you then.

 

REDIKI: Yeah.  The people there are

nice and comforting.  It’s been cool. 

 

CALEB: Good to hear that. 

 

So today we’re going to be trying

something a little different.

 

REDIKI: Okay.

 

CALEB: The first couple sessions

I spent some time getting to know

you and your situation but now we’re

 going to dive into some techniques

that can help you better cope with

the issues you face.

 

It’s called dialectical behavior therapy.

 

REDIKI: Sounds complicated.

 

CALEB: No, no.  It’s essentially just

being able to focus, center your thoughts

and manage them in an effective way. 

 

Let’s get started with some examples.

 

[ Rediki sighs, lying back with his

feet up. ]

[ The Aisles . . .Back Break Room. ]

 

[ Scott & Brian are excited about a

joint discovery when Maxx comes

in. ]

 

“It’s been a whole decade!”

 

[ He sits dejected by his friends. ]

 

MAXX: Am I ever going to get

nominated?

 

[ They immediately change their

expressions to saddened. ]

 

BRIAN: Don’t worry buddy. Your

time will come.

 

MAXX: Oh, excuse me.  Mr. Best

New Employee 2014.

 

[ He looks at Scott. ]

 

MAXX: And 2015. 

 

SCOTT: Hey, at least we’re getting

our ten-year trophies Sunday.

 

MAXX: So? I don’t get to go on

stage for that.

 

SCOTT: I didn’t get nominated this

year either.  But I did get this!

 

[ He takes out a shiny decorated envelope,

waving it in Maxx face & Brian joins him. ]

 

MAXX: No way. You get to present.

 

I hate you both!

 

SCOTT: Yeah. In the category we won.

 

BRIAN: Wait a minute.  Did you see who

is on the noms list?

 

[ Maxx comes over to look. ]

 

‘Ermensau Towne’.

 

SCOTT: What the hell?  He’s only worked

here for three months.  

[ Back At Care . . .Manager’s Office. ]

 

[ Jenni is looking over paperwork at

her desk while Kaori cautiously comes

by. ]

 

KAORI: Just doing some quick copying.

 

JENNI: It’s fine.

 

[ They stay in silence except for the sound

of the machine. ]

 

JENNI: Look, I’m not proud of the way

I acted when I found out.  And I want

to be there for you.

 

KAORI: It’s okay.  Really, I know what

you’ve been going through. 

 

JENNI: Have you decided what you’re

going to do?  Maybe you would

consider working things out with Jai.

 

KAORI: Yes, I have.  And no, I’m not.

 

I wasted many years on Jai. Wanted

him to take us seriously and move

forward with our relationship but

I’ve come to terms with the fact that

he never will.  It’s not in him.

 

 

KAORI: That’s why I’m giving the

baby up for adoption. 

 

I don’t want to raise his child. 

 

[ Hearing a crash, they turn around.

Seeing that Jai has dropped a box of

supplies and is staring at them. ]

[ Syria & Hahn’s House . . . Evening Hours. ]

 

[ Syria, Ricky, and Kira are sitting at the

dining room table drinking tea and

chatting. ]

 

RICKY: Is everyone ready for the

Milestone Awards?

 

[ She states then remembers Hahn’s

firing. ]

 

SYRIA: Yeah, I’m not sure that

would be appropriate. 

 

Hahn is already starting to spiral

out of control but he thinks that

I haven’t noticed.

 

KIRA: That’s too bad.  Where

is he now?

 

SYRIA: Who knows. But I do

know many employees are

furious with him including

Mark.  So it is best he stays

away. 

 

[ The front door opens and Hahn

walks inside.  Making his way to

the dining room, he enters showing

off his purchase in an open bag. ]

 

“I got a new suit for Sunday. Can’t

wait to match it with one of your

dresses.”

 

HAHN: Oh, hey girls. 

 

SYRIA: You really think that’s

a good idea?

 

HAHN: I was nominated and got

an invitation.

 

Why wouldn’t I go?

 

[ Hahn shrugs, hauling his revenge

suit off to his closet. ]

[ Magic Springs Event Center . . .Saturday Afternoon. ]

 

[ Tiesun and Rediki arrive in the meeting room,

seeing the long banquet set up with various brunch

items down the middle of the table.

 

Many fellow TA nominees sitting around

with Mark and Acer placed at the head. ]

 

[ Acer stands up and everyone quiets down. ]

 

ACE: Mark was supposed to give this speech

but he’s already been drinking since

this morning, so I’ll step in.

 

[ He pats his best friend on the shoulder. ]

 

ACE: Once again, I’m proud to say that

TA-MS has the most nominations this

year with a whopping thirty.

 

Let’s make that the most wins too!

 

[ Everyone drowns off into their own

conversations. ]

 

SCOTT: I still can’t believe he got

one.

BRIAN: Well, you know Mark. He’s

like in love with him.

 

[ At the other end of the table. ]

 

YAZ: Waffles or french toast?

I can't decide.

 

ERME: Hold on.  My Dad is calling.

 

“Hey. I need you to get home right

now.”

 

ERME: Why, I’m with Yaz? At the brunch.

 

MERRILTOWNE: That’s fine.  Bring her too.

 

But come right now.

 

[ He ends the call. ] 

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Nada More Than Korny [ #Surprise25 ]

[ Towne Ranch . . .Inside Stable Area. ]

[ Yazmyn stands wide eyed and intrigued,

observing as her boyfriend tends to his

 favorite white mare. 

Erme lies still, his face flush with its bare

skin. Contently, he brushes each part of the

the body.  Using slow, downward strokes. ] 

“Well, she’s out.  I’m assuming

that you’d want next.” 

[ He remarks, caressing her sides &

lifting Yazmyn up to carry her over

to the bench. ]

YAZ: You’ve got the magic touch.

ERME: I’ve known her since I was

five years old.  I’d say we have a

understanding.  

[ He puts her down, sitting close. ]

YAZ: Almost 15 years. That’s 

certainly a long-term relationship.

I noticed she’s the only all white one.

ERME: Yeah, they are pretty rare. 

That’s why Lady’s special.  

[ Not interested in any more talk, Erme

sternly plants his lips.  Connecting with

Yaz through back-to-back kisses and

 smooth rotations of their tongues. 

He opens his eyes as she backs off a bit.

Placing her finger coyly on his drying

mouth. ] 

YAZ: Wait! Before we go any further.

We should probably have a talk. 

[ They separate. ]

[ Across Town . . .A Random’s Bedroom. ]

[ Diane is standing near the bed while a

much younger man is sat down before

her.  Visibly shaken, he reaches his arms

out and soon they are wrapped up in each

other’s embrace. ]

[ Diane joins the stranger on his bed, sit-

ting behind him now.  Feeling her warmth

emitting near him, he starts to calm down. ]

“Thanks.  This feels right to me.”

DIANE: Shh.  Just stay silent for a moment.

 

Take some deep breaths.  In and out.

[ Caleon takes her advice as Diane stays 

ridged yet soft, up against his back and

feeling every circulation of air moving

within his chest. 

An hour later, Caleon is settled under the

covers, falling asleep.  Diane gets her purse, 

taking cash off his desk and starts toward the 

door when she hears a loud series of knocks. ]

[ Startled, Caleon jumps up to answer but 

the door is already opening on them. ]

“What is going on in here, Cal. . .

Who the hell is this woman?”  

CALEON: She’s a therapist Dad.  I’ve 

been having trouble sleeping since the 

diagnosis.

CALEON: That’s it.  Honest.  

DIANE: I think I should go.  Now.

Sorry for the confusion, Sir.  

[ Diane exits the room quickly as the 

Dad stares her down in shock. ]

[ Back At The Ranch. . . ]

[ Erme is anxiously waiting. ]

“How many girls have you been

with?”

ERME: Just one.  Someone I was

dating back in high school.

[ Yaz stands up, walking a little way

from him. ]

YAZ: And what happened with that?

ERME: She was going off to college 

and I knew that we were moving here.

We decided we’d be better off ending

things rather than suffering through long

distance.  

[ She turns around, walking back toward

Erme. ]

YAZ: Sounds logical.  Was that the only

reason?

ERME: Yes.  Why?

[ He takes her hand, pulling Yaz back

toward him. ]

YAZ: Just trying to get to know you

better.  Is that alright?

ERME: Of course it is.  So, what would 

be your answer then?  

[ She stays quiet, choosing to stare off

into the night sky view coming from

the open doors instead. ]

ERME: What? I’m not going to judge.

You can tell me anything.  

YAZ: Okay then.  None.  

I’ve never been with anyone.

[ TA Kutz . . .The Following Afternoon. ]

[ Jeszyca & Diane are discreetly talking

at a back table in the break room. ]

JESZYCA: So, how did your cuddle

session go last night?

DIANE: Great until his father showed

up, wondering what the heck I was

doing in their house.  

JESZYCA: You’re kidding!  

DIANE: I wish!  Thankfully his son

was intuitive and came up with

that therapist excuse on the fly.

[ Diane starts to laugh but stops

when she sees Jeszyca’s face. ]

JESZYCA: That could’ve turned really

dangerous, Diane!  

DIANE: Oh, that was nothing.

JESZYCA: You don’t worry about people

getting violent or pressing you to do

more?

DIANE: I’m very prepared, Dear.   

No one’s going to mess with me.

[ Still At Kutz . . . Back Area. ]

[ Kira is busy cleansing & sanitizing her

brushes when Yaz enters the room. ]

“Hey.  How was your date?”

YAZ; It was good, until I decided

to bring up my lack of a sexual

past.  

KIRA: Well, it’s rare to be waiting

at your age.  What was his response?

YAZ: He didn’t have one.  

KIRA: That’s a good sign.  You’re

both adults. He may be a few years

younger but he seems to be mature.  

It’s probably not an issue for him. 

YAZ: Maybe.  But that makes me

wonder if he’s the type to look

elsewhere.  

KIRA: You don’t want to jump to

any conclusions, he’s been honest

with you so far.  

Just talk to him. Make sure everything

is out on the table.  

[ A 2nd Random’s . . .Later That Evening. ]

[ Diane is dressed in a long, flowing white

night gown. Standing on the bed barefoot 

 and in silence as an older gentleman 

friend smiles, waiting on her next move. ]

[ She grabs for a pillow, playful and lightly

hitting her opponent until they are locked

in with a full-on battle. ]

[ Moments go by and they are spooning

on the bed with Diane in front of him. ]

“That was exhilarating!”

GENTLEMAN: My heart is still racing.

DIANE: I’m sorry.  Didn’t mean to be

too much for you.

[ She teases him. ]  

GENTLEMAN: It was fine.  And it wasn’t

too much.  In fact, it was just enough.  

DIANE: Enough for what?

[ Suddenly Diane feels a firming up 

against her back as the man’s grip 

starts to get tighter around her. ]

DIANE: What do you think you’re doing?

[ She stands up fast, pushing him off. ]

Gaining her composure, Diane starts to 

head toward the table and he follows. ]

“You’re not getting away that easy!”

[ Diane reaches in her pocket, yanking out

a small bottle.  Without hesitation, she

points and sprays it into the man’s face. ]

“Prick!”

[ She snatches her payment off the table,

leaving him yelling there in agony. ]

[ Towne Ranch . . .Overnight Hours. ]

“Thanks for staying over.  I figured

your old man wisdom might come

in handy one day.”

[ Erme jokes, while him and Scott

are lying on the ground looking up

at the view. ]

SCOTT: Funny. I’m glad you’re cool

with Yaz’ decision and you’re not

gonna be one of those guys.  

ERME: I’m not and won’t ever be.  

Besides there’s other ways to meet

that need, if you know what I mean.

SCOTT: What, like your hand?

ERME: No like.  Never mind.

SCOTT: You gotta tell me now.

I won’t say anything.  

ERME: You know that massager I use

on the horses.  Well, I found out that

it works well in other places on them

too.  

[ Scott just stares ahead, caught off guard.

Searching for the words as the realization

 sets in and his stomach starts to churn. ]  

___________________________________________________________

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If You Were In Scott's Position. . .What Would You Do?

A/ Tell Right Away. 

B/Give Erme A Chance. 

C/ Keep It A Secret Forever.

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