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.

Party Smartie

SCENE 1:

Friday Night, at Hithe’s.

[ Hithe & Little H are talk-

ing in the living room. ]

LITTLE H: What?  There’s

nothing wrong with me.

HITHE: You sure, man. 

You’re usually talking my

ear off?

LITTLE H: I’m serious but

you should have let me

cook tonight. 

HITHE: Sorry the girls wanted

Chinese.  I don’t know why

your so pressed.  You never

usually make food.

[ Little H goes silent & Hithe looks

over, getting an idea. ]

HITHE: Oh I see. You’re into Mairya,

aren’t ya?

LITTLE H: No Dad.  We’re just friends.

HITHE: Yeah, yeah.

[ Just then the doorbell rings & Hithe

 motions for Little H to get it.  Taking

his time, he approaches the door. ]

LITTLE H: Hey.

MAIRYA: Hey, what’s up?

SCENE 2:

Next afternoon, at The Aisles.

[ In separate areas of the store. ]

SYRIA: Five.

MARK: Four.

AMBER: Three.

MONICA: Two.

HAHN: And one.

[ They all receive the same text. ]

HAHN – It’s my birthday. Hey, hey.

[ Twirling around, he walks over

to the self-scan lanes. ]

SYRIA: Was that you vibrating in

my pocket just now?

HAHN: Yup.

SYRIA: Happy birthday, sweetie.

HAHN: Thanks baby. So now

will you give me a hint as to

what you have planned

later?

SYRIA: No I will not.

Isn’t it about time for you

to get out of here anyway?

HAHN: Maybe.  You trying

to get rid me?

[ Hahn teases Syria before

leaning over & kissing her

on the cheek. ]

SCENE 3:

The Night Before, Hithe’s.

[ Kristyn & Hithe are sitting

at the table eating. ]

KRISTYN: You sure it’s safe to

leave those two in there alone?

HITHE: According to H, they’re

just friends.

KRISTYN: Please.  You know how

that goes. 

HITHE: Right.  Then again, you

might say the same about us.

[ Inside Little H’s room. ]

MAIRYA: You happy about being

on break soon?

LITTLE H: Yeah but I’ll probably just

stay around here.

MAIRYA: Why? There’s plenty of

stuff we could do instead.

LITTLE H: Oh yeah, like what?

MAIRYA: I could show you better

than I can say.

[ H looks down. ]

LITTLE H: I can’t leave, sorry.

MAIRYA: Hithe wouldn’t let

you take a walk? It’s just

around the corner.

LITTLE H: I’ll be right back.

Wait here.

SCENE 4:

Following Night, at Hahn’s.

[ Syria brings out covered food

& sets it down in front of Hahn. ]

SYRIA: I ordered your favorite.

HAHN: Thanks, I’m starved.

[ He opens the box, revealing

a pile of steak burritos sitting

on rice.  Hahn grabs one,

taking a slow bite. ]

HAHN: These are pretty good.

You should try Ole Ole.

[ He sits it down, sampling

the rice as Syria joins

him. ]

HAHN: Or wait.  Wait.

There’s a place in Maison

City that’s to die for.

They have the best nachos

too.

SYRIA: Oh yeah? Maybe I

should have gone there

then.

HAHN: And now you know

for next time.

[ Hahn gives her the thumbs

up, devouring a mouthful

of food. ]

SCENE 5:

A neighborhood near TA.

[ Little H. & Mairya are walking

down the street. ]

MAIRYA: I’m guessing he said

yes.

LITTLE H: I wouldn’t lie to you.

MAIRYA: See.  Maybe you should

give him more of a chance.

LITTLE H: I guess so.  You know

Dad can be a little

MAIRYA: Much to deal with?

LITTLE H: Yeah.  I mean, you’ve

known him longer than I have.

What was he like when he

was dating your Mom?

MAIRYA: I don’t know.  Mom

kind of kept him away from

us.

LITTLE H: Why would she do that?

MAIRYA: Because of my Dad.

LITTLE H: Oh.  What did you Dad

think?

[ Mairya stops, stepping in front

of him. ]

MAIRYA: You ask a lot of questions.

[ H freezes while Mairya leans

in, barely touching his face. ]

SCENE 6:

Much later at Hahn’s.

[ The living room is dark & calm.

Hahn drinks his beer, watching TV

until Syria breaks the silence. ]

SYRIA: How about a movie?

Oh, I know something you

will love.  Just put up tonight.

[ She takes the remote, settling

on a romantic comedy.   A few

minutes into it, Syria realizes

she is the only one laughing.

Sighing, she turns it off. ]

HAHN: Why did you do that?

Not the best choice but I

would’ve watched the rest.

[ Syria stands up. ]

SYRIA: I have tried my best

all day to make things as

perfect as possible for you

but you’re really starting

to act like a brat, Hahn.

[ She throws down the remote,

exiting the room. ]

(Updated 1/25)

Gone Crazy

SCENE 1:

Day before Thanksgiving.

[ Charles is waiting in the

living room & Sandie comes

down the steps. ]

CHARLES: You’re not dressed

for work, I thought your

suspension was over.

[ Sandie sits down, sipping

her coffee. ]

SANDIE: It is.  I’m just not

going back.

[ Charles nervously laughs. ]

CHARLES: Wait.  You’re serious.

Why?

SANDIE: Because I’m doing my

own thing now.  I have an appoint-

ment this afternoon to see about

a loan.

CHARLES: Isn’t that a little hasty?

SANDIE: No.  I raised that department.

Barely had any customers before

I made changes that your manager

was too busy to look into.

I have the experience to do it alone.

CHARLES: If that’s what you want

to do.  I won’t stop you.

[ He smiles at Sandie & they kiss. ]

SANDIE: And don’t worry about TA.

There’s no hard feelings.

SCENE 2:

At Tessa’s apartment.

[ LeeVigh is sitting on

the couch when Tessa

walks in the room. ]

TESSA: See, isn’t this better?

More peaceful. More privacy.

[ She sits down, placing her

hand on LeeVigh’s knee. ]

LEEVIGH: Hey, I never said

I didn’t like your place.  It’s

just that’s mines a lot closer

to work for us. 

TESSA: That’s true but I think

there’s more to it.

LEEVIGH: What else?

TESSA: You’re always playing

the Dad role with your

roomates.  You can’t even

leave them for a weekend

without worrying.

LEEVIGH: So? I just care about

my friends.

TESSA: I know.  I’m not judging

you at all babe.  Anyway, what

are you going to wear to dinner

with my parent tomorrow night?

[ LeeVigh looks up quick. ]

TESSA: Oops.  Did I forget to

mention that?

SCENE 3:

Between TA and The Salon.

[ Charles is outside waiting

when Mark joins him on

the bench. ]

MARK: So where is Sandie?

CHARLES: Listen, I don’t know

how to break it to you so

I’ll just do it fast.  She isn’t

coming back, man.

MARK: What? Just because

of the two weeks.  That was

Jim’s recommendation.  Not

me.

CHARLES: Yeah, I understand

that.  It’s alright though.  I

mean you still have her

assistant. 

[ They stand up & Mark is

looking across the street. ]

MARK: Wait.  Isn’t that Sandie

over there checking

out that empty store?

CHARLES: Oh no.

MARK: Oh no what?

CHARLES: I gotta go. 

I’ll be back.

SCENE 4:

Thanksgiving afternoon.

[ Tessa, LeeVigh, her parents,

& little brother are sitting

around the table. ]

TESSA’sDAD: So you two work

together and stay around each

other most of the time.

Don’t you ever get sick

of her?

[ He points at Tessa & starts

to laugh jokingly. ]

LEEVIGH: I could never get

tired of your daughter.

TESSA’sDAD: Yeah.  How long

has it been?  A few months.

TESSA: Dad.  More like six.

TESSA’sMOM: Oh well.  And

you have your own place?

[ She looks at LeeVigh. ]

LEEVIGH: Kind of.

TESSA: Actually he lives with

two other guys.

[ Her Dad looks up, making

a weird face. ]

LEEVIGH: Friends.  Just good

friends Sir, I met in college.

[ Everyone continues to eat. ]

SCENE 5:

Day before, TA.

[ Charles joins Sandie across

the street. ]

 CHARLES: Well this doesn’t

seem like your cool with

TA?  What’s going on?

[ She ignores his question. ]

SANDIE: Hey babe.  This place

looks a lot bigger from the

inside.  And it already has

a lot of what I need.

CHARLES: Don’t you care

about the store?  You

couldn’t find a different

location.

SANDIE: I could but that would

defeat the whole entire purpose

of my moving on.

CHARLES: And what’s that?

SANDIE: When I get through with

this store, it’s going to be the

best bakery this town has ever

seen and I’m coming after them.

[ She angrily points at the TA

sign, while Charles stands there

in shock. ]

SCENE 6:

Thanksgiving evening.

[ After dinner, Tessa & LeeVigh

are waiting outside to start

Black Friday shopping. ]

LEEVIGH: Is it just me or was

your Dad on a negative kick

earlier?

TESSA: Don’t let it get to you.

It takes him a long time to

warm up to new people. 

LEEVIGH: That’s fine then

cuz we have all the time

in the world.

[ She smiles at him. ]

TESSA: Don’t let me forget

to get something for my

aunts.  Who did you wanna

shop for?

LEEVIGH: Me, myself, and I.

Merry Christmas to me.

[ He starts to laugh & Tessa

gives him a look. ]

TESSA: You’re silly.  It’s getting

colder out though.  Let’s

go inside.