" Mister What-Not "

SCENE 1

Morning, at TA Salon.

[ Karie is finishing up Larrie’s

cut. ]

“Yeah, thankfully I didn’t have

to bail Jess out of jail the

other night.  She just

got a trespassing ticket.”

KARIE: Wow.  Can’t say she

doesn’t have balls.  Don’t

know what I’ve would

have done if people we’re

stealing my money.   

[ She removes his cover, &

they walk toward the back

for a shampoo.  Karie notices

Sascha doing some cleaning. ]

SASCHA: Seems like Ace has been

gone all day.  Is something

wrong?

KARIE: He’s here.  Just locked in his

office.

SASCHA: That’s weird.  Normally he’s

at the desk or talking to clients. 

[ Larrie is sitting, listening. . . ]

[ After paying at the counter with

Hithe, Larrie goes to the back to

visit his cousin.

Seeing the door is propped, he

knocks on it but instead it comes

flying open.  Ace is gone and

a note is left on his desk.

‘Going home.  Love, Ace’

SCENE 2

Meanwhile, inside TA store.

[ Hahn is talking to Syria in front

of her lane. ]

HAHN: Yeah, you should check

out that movie soon.

Twists around every

corner.  Wicked stuff. 

SYRIA: Thanks, I will.

[ She gives him a friendly smile

before returning to work. ]

[ Hahn checks the time on his

watch & goes outside to wait

on a new arrival.

In the middle lot, Amber &

Ski are sitting & eating lunch. ]

AMBER: We should do this

more often.  Too bad Hithe

couldn’t join.

SKI: I know.  Last night was

crazy!  Imagine my short ass

trying to peel Mark off of

Chais.  He was trying to old

school whip him, belt to skin.

  

AMBER: So, he was the thief.

SKI: Yup, him and his best friend.

I’m like, Mark you can’t do that

anymore.

Then I grounded Chais.

SCENE 3:

Back at the Salon.

[ Karie is reading her text &

and she starts to think, when

Sascha comes in. ]

SASCHA: And now we’re slow.

You're in a good mood. What

changed?

KARIE: I think I know why Ace

has been so hush hush lately.

He’s nervous about asking me

to marry him. 

I mean, we’ve been going out

for nine months.  

We've met each other's

 families already. 

Even talk about kids.  

SASCHA: But what if your wrong

and it’s something else?

KARIE: Like what?

SASCHA: I don’t know but I’m

sure there’s a reason he hasn’t

spilled.

KARIE: Whatever, it is.  I’ll find

out tonight. 

SCENE 4:

[ Hahn sees new bagger Jenni

come in & he immediately

approaches her. ]

“Hahn, right?”

HAHN: That’s me.  Welcome to TA.

JENNI: Thanks.

[ They start walking & he gives her

a tour of the store. ]

HAHN: I actually started as a bagger.

So did our night manager, Ski.

JENNI: That’s cool.  This is my first

job ever.  I’m kind of nervous.

HAHN:  It was mine too.  So I understand.

But don’t worry.  It’s like an extended

family around here.

This is Kristyn, our floral manger.

JENNI: Hi, I’m Jenni.  

[ Kristyn greets her & Hahn bends

down to tell her something.  ]

KRISTYN: Sure, no problem.

HAHN: Thanks.  See ya.

Shall we continue?

[ Hahn & Jenni walk on. ]

SCENE 5:

At Ace & Karie’s. . .

[ Karie enters the empty rooms,

one by one and searching for

a hidden box.

Now in their bedroom, still with

nothing.  Karie sits down, attempting

to tap into her boyfriend’s smarts. ]

“Where could it be?

The recliner!”

[ Karie is sifting through the storage

expecting to find a jewelry box. 

Getting closer she notices, its filled

with information and notices from

the hospital. ]

[ Reading through Ace’s papers, Karie

has to sit down.  As she fights tears,

he comes through the door unaware. ]

ACE: Babe, what are you doing?

[ Karie stands up & Ace walks to her

but she backs away. ]

KARIE: How long have you been 

lying to me?

[She states, sifting through pages.]

 This is serious, Ace.

ACE: I’m sorry.  I just don’t want

anyone treating me like. 

I’m dying.

[ He sits down on the couch,

Karie stays standing. ]

SCENE 6:

[ After Jenni leaves, Hahn is passing

the front break room and hears Syria

and another male voice talking

back and forth.

With no one around, he leans toward

the door.  Listening. ]

DYMINIC: So, you have a good day dear?

SYRIA: Yeah, it’s fine.  I’m surprised

you came here on my break.

DYMINIC: About that.  I arranged you a

ride tonight.  I’m going out with my

boss. 

SYRIA: Again.  You would think you have

kissed his cufflinks enough.

DYMNIC: Yeah, not quite.  He’s relentless.

You done with the cell.  I gotta take off soon.

[ Suddenly the phone gets a text from an

unsaved number. ]

“Can’t wait for tomorrow night!.”

SYRIA: Okay slick.  Who is this?

[ She raises her voice and slides the phone

 to him ]

DYMINIC: Just my boss, Sear.

Relax.

[ Hahn bust through the door. ]

HAHN: Everything alright in here?

[ He lets out a big, uncomfortable

smile. ]

(Updated 10/24)

" Concrete Start (Part 2) "

SCENE 1:

Nighttime, Research Center.

[ Jeszyca wakes up suddenly from

what feels like a week-long nap.

Heading to the mirror, she checks

her forehead. ]

‘Nothing still.’

[ Now in the dark hall, she walks

toward the bathroom.  Hearing

loud voices, Jeszyca leans on

the door to listen. ]

FEMALE1: 250, 200…What should

we pay out this time?

FEMALE2: Who cares as long as

they get the same.  Can you believe

they increased it from $300 to 5?

[ She takes the notice off her desk

and slides it into the shredder. ]

FEMALE1: Yeah, too bad we’ll be

the only ones reaping the benefits.

Meanwhile, at The Telazon’s

[ Airynn opens his freezer & sees

Its full of ice cream, pizzas, and

various other frozen items. ]

SCENE 2:

In The Living Room. . .

[ Chais and Billy are sitting on the

couch tossing a football  back and

forth. ]

CHAIS: No more Connor MS!

[ He speaks through a mouthful

of mint chocolate chip. ]

BILLY:  Now you can spend the

summer following Jenni around

like you wanted.

[ Chais punches him in the arm.  ]

CHAIS: Yeah right dude.

Chais doesn’t chase.

Next morning, at Ace’s . . .

[ Ace is slowly walking through the

the living room, trying not to wake

anyone up. 

Finally inside his car, he checks his

voicemail. ]

‘Please come in to get your results.’

‘Message Erased.’

SCENE 3:

At Jeszyca & Larrie’s.

[ Jeszyca sits on the couch, staring at

the way too short check in her hand. ]

‘The nerve.’

[ Opening her laptop, she searches

her history to find the website where

she first saw the Research Ad.

Jeszyca is surprised to see a new

one had already been schedule for

the next day. ]

JESZYCA: We’ll see about that.

[ Her phone rings . . . ]

JESZYCA: Hey Larrie

LARRIE: I just got your text.  Wonder

how long they’ve been getting away

with this.

JESZYCA: I don’t know, but they won’t

be doing it any longer.

LARRIE: Don’t tell me you want to go

back there and investigate.  You know what

 happened the last time you stuck your nose in.

[ Jeszyca takes a second. ]

JESZYCA:  Yeah.  Maybe, you’re right.

SCENE 4:

Community Hospital, (Parking lot).

[ Ace is back in his car now.  His

appointment was done half an hour

ago, but still he sits frozen by what

the doctor just told him.

Dialing furiously, he waits for his

best friend to answer the line. ]

ACE: I’m so glad you answered.

MARK: Hey, what’s going on?

ACE: Look, I haven’t exactly been

honest with you or anyone in the

last few months…about what I’ve

been going through.

About a month ago, I noticed a

bump underneath my arm.

MARK: Okay, but you got it taken

care of, right?

ACE: No, not exactly.  I’ve just been

really caught up in the Salon.

But now it’s gotten worse.

MARK: How bad is it?

ACE: Mark, it’s serious.

The doctor told me today I

have a rare disease called

Castleman’s.

SCENE 5:

Late night, Outside the Research

Center.

[ A dark figure with a mask enters

the parking lot and slowly creeps

up to the side door of the building.

Looking around first before trying

to open the door. ]

‘Since when is this locked?’

[ Before getting an answer, a

series of bright lights are suddenly

shining onto the intruder. ]

“Its police! Put your hands in

the air.

And turn around slowly.”

[ The intruder obeys, waiting for

further instruction. ]

“Now remove the mask!”

[ The mask is removed, &

Jeszyca stands there in fear. ]

SCENE 6:

At Ace’s place.

[ Ace is wrapping up a phone

conversation with Mark. ]

ACE:  You promise to keep

your mouth closed.

MARK: I don’t agree with

what you’re doing, but at

least keep ME informed.

Alright, man?

ACE: Okay, I have to go.

[ Ace hangs up, & meets

Karie on top of their bed. ]

KARIE: How’s Mark?

ACE: He’s good.  Enjoying

his extended vacation.

[ Karie gets closer to him. ]

KARIE: And how are you?

ACE: Better now.  Much

better.

[ They roll over in the bed. ]

(Updated 10/24)

" It's All Me "

SCENE 1: Outside of class, at MSCC.

[ Marisa is standing in a corner near

her classroom. ]

“Hey, you hiding from someone?”

[ Startled, she turns around. ]

MARISA: Oh, hey. What would give

you that idea?

[ She laughs nervously and follows

her friend into class. ]

LORI: You’ve been acting strange

for the past two weeks. What’s

going on?

MARISA: Its nothing.  Have you

seen Airynn around since classes

started?

LORI: No, I haven’t.  Don’t tell me

you like him again.

MARISA: Of course not.  I was just

wondering. 

[ Lori gives her a look and sits down

at the table.  Marisa walks away,

looking down at her phone. ]

“Incoming Text: Airynn”

“Hey, sorry I haven’t gotten ahold of

you in a while.  Something came up

that night and I couldn’t make it to

the park.  We should talk. I’ll meet

you after class.”

[ Marisa sits down with a worried look on her face. ]

LORI: I knew something was wrong. That was

him harassing you, wasn’t it?

MARISA: Listen, Airynn’s not the problem.

I am.  And I have to leave.

[ She grabs her bag and exits. ]

SCENE 2: In the Salon office.

“Morning.  I’m ready to hear all

your fabulous ideas now.”

[ Karie smiles, walking up to Hithe. ]

HITHE: Oh hey. How are the appointments

looking for today?

KARIE: Better, I guess.  We’re set until

late afternoon.

HITHE: That’s good.  I have a plan for the

rest of the day too.

[ Hithe stands and begins walking around the room. ]

HITHE: I’m going out there to speak

with the entering customers.

KARIE: Out where? There’s no one around.

HITHE: Not over here.  In front of TA.

[ He opens the door to the office and steps out. ]

KARIE: Yeah. Well, don’t let Mark find out.

HITHE: Not a problem.  I rule at being sneaky. 

[ Outside of TA, Hithe sees a familiar face

coming toward him. ]

“Mrs. Monroe, you’re looking exquisite

today.  Is that a new dress?”

MRS. MONROE: Why yes it is.

Thank you, Hithe.

HITHE:  You’re very welcome.

[ He winks at her and comes closer. ]

 HITHE: You know what would go well

with that?  A nice trip into our salon.

Some new hair.   A romantic night.

 Surprise your husband, maybe? 

SCENE 3: At Marisa’s apartment.

[ Marisa comes in, shutting the door

and drops her stuff on the ground. ]

“I am truly loosing it!”

[ Picking up her phone she calls the

first person who comes to mind. ]

MARISA: Hey, what are you doing

tonight?

Really, that sounds interesting.

I’m serious.  You dress up for those

right?  I’ll get ready and meet you

around 7:30.

Cool.  See ya soon.

SCENE 4:  Hithe enters the Salon.

KARIE: Well, damn.  You have fun bothering

people all day?

HITHE: Bother my ass.  I got the salon

a whole slew of new clients.

Without even leaving the parking lot.  I’d

say I did an exceptional job. 

[ Turned to Karie, he doesn’t see

Mark walk in behind him. ]

KARIE: Someone came to congratulate you.

[ Hithe turns around fast. ]

MARK: Yeah.  Can I speak to you outside?

SCENE 5: Outside in a quiet parking lot.

[ Marisa gets out of her car in a long,

white dress and waits beside it.  Looking

at her phone, she sees the time change

to 7:30. ]

[ 5 minutes later, a truck pulls up close

and a familiar person walks toward

her. ]

MARISA: Thanks for meeting me.

JOH: No problem.  I’m surprised you

wanted to come out here.

I still remember you and Airynn’s

reaction when you first found out

I was a Witness. 

MARISA: Yeah, sorry about that.

The last thing I wanted was

to make you uncomfortable. 

Or rub anything in.

JOH: I know that and Airynn

was just being himself.

MARISA: You mean, an ass?

[ He laughs and she looks away. ]

MARISA: Sorry. Bad word choice.

JOH: It’s fine. I’m not your dad.

So, why sit through a meeting?

[ She stands up and faces him. ]

MARISA: I’m not sure.  I guess I’ve

just been feeling lost lately.  And I

thought that maybe this could be

what I need. 

JOH: Sure, that makes sense. But

what about this?

[ Joh picks Marisa up and sits her down

on the back on his truck.  Not giving her

a chance to speak, he kisses her until

she soon forgets what she was saying. ]

SCENE 6: In between TA and the Salon.

HITHE: First off, have you taken your meds

today?

MARK: Good one, Hithe.  But as much as

I’d like it to be, this isn’t a reaming.  I actually

wanted to tell you tomorrow will be the last

time we need you to manage the late

afternoon. 

HITHE: Thank god.

[ Hithe looks up to Mark staring at him. ]

HITHE: I mean, it was hard balancing both

places.  You know?

MARK: I know you would rather help with

the Salon.  No hard feelings.  By the looks

of things, Ace could use all the help he

can get. 

HITHE:  No.  The kid was just exhausted.  He’ll

be in tip top shape to return tomorrow. 

[ Marks smirks before walking away. ]

MARK: Whatever you say, man. 

[ He leaves and Karie comes outside. ]

HITHE: He’s so damn cocky.

KARIE: Who, Mark?

HITHE: Yeah, it’s like he has no

trust in me or Ace.  His supposed

best friend.

KARIE:  He’s the store.  We’re the Salon.

Why does his opinion matter?

HITHE: It just bothers me.  I’m gonna

show him though.  And anyone else

who dare doubted us. 

[ He walks away, leaving Karie
in shock. ]

(Updated 10/24)