Wising Up

Scene One: 

Sunday morning, Simon house.

[ Mark is flipping through 

channels when Jai walks 

in rubbing his eyes. ]

MARK: Heard you were having

a rough night. Get in a fight

with your friend?

JAI: No. Well kind of.  What

made you think so?

MARK: Because normally you

don't sneak in until about 9

in the morning.

What's going on with your

arm there?

[ Jai looks a little shaken

as Mark moves his gaze 

toward the tiny bumps he

hadn't noticed. ]

JAI: It's nothing. I must

have rubbed up against 

something sitting outside.

[ Saved by his phone ringing,

Jai walks into the bathroom.

Checking himself in the mirror. ]

A'MYAN: Hey.

JAI: Didn't think you were

going to call me.

A'MYAN: Yeah.  I'n sorry bro.

Last night got out of control

but it's cool.

You know what you did but

we can just forget about it.

[ Thinking. ] JAI: What I did?

JAI: You should know I didn't

mean any disrespect.

[ Trying to appease. ]

A'MYAN: It's fine. I have to go

though.  My side is killing me.

Talk later.

[ He hangs up the line. ]

Scene Two: TASalon.

[ Tila is saying goodbye to one 
of her regulars when Lorenzo 
comes over to her station. ]

"Anymore progress?"

[ Tila shakes her head. ]

LORENZO: Maybe I could

give you some ideas.

[ He twist a lock of his hair so

it's sticking up to the side &

makes a sexy face in her mirror.]

TILA: I don't think so Renzo.

LORENZO: We should be able

to do whatever styles we can.

It would draw different busi-

ness here. I don't understand.

TILA: I know but it's Salon rules.

Everything has to be reviewed

by the head.

[ They stop talking as Sascha

ironically walks past them

to the back.

Dean comes by to clean the

floor & Tila smiles at him. ]

"Thanks."

DEAN: No problem.

TILA: I've already heard of

others talking about it.  I

have to think fast.

LORENZO: Who else?

[ Tila doesn't speak but nods

in the direction of the two

newest stylist. ]

Scene Three: TA Grocery.

[ A female customer is pushing

her cart & gaining frustration

as her twin teenaged sons lag

behind.

She hears them burst into 

laughter & has had enough. ]

"One of you push this cart."

[ She walks off to the fruits &

vegetables while they take

their time. ]

ZYLER: Play it again.

[ His brother starts a video

on his phone.

A young girl is seen laying

down in bed under the covers

while a guy is filming her. ]

ZYLER: Was that a shirt?

[ They hear their mother yell

for them to come on & put it

away. ]

TALAN: You know who that is.

Don't you?

ZYLER: No but I want to.

TALAN: A junior.  Her name is

Mairya.  

ZYLER: I know she does more

than kiss.  You can just

tell.

TALAN: Maybe.  Her mom is right

over there.  Why don't you ask

her?

[ Their own mother returns taking back

the cart & Zyler starts to speed

toward the floral counter. ]

TALAN: Wait! 

[ Zyler ignores him, picking up

his pace. ]

Scene Four: At the Salon.

[ In a back room, Tila is busy looking
over the volunteers to make sure
their styles are at her best. 

Tila walks up so they all can see. ]

TILA: I really appreciate this.

She should be in any minute.

[ Before long Sascha join them. Tila
smiles, but her manager stays silent.
Cold with her unchanged expression. 

She begins to walk, eyeing the 'models'
one-by-one.  Stopping at the third, she
tugs on a strand of loose hair. ]

SASCHA: There was some things I
really like about style 1 and 2.
However, I am not sure if 3 is
something our clients would
relate to.
Can you explain yourself?

[ Tila freezes for a moment, not
expecting the quick feedback.

Later after Sascha has left.  Tila
notices a folder of files sitting off
to the side.  She opens it &
starts looking though. ]

TILA: Suggestions, To Do List,

I thought so.

Tila spots the two documents that
confirm her competition.  Without
hesitation she grabs them, crumbles
them in her pocket & heads out. ]


Scene Five: Late afternoon, TA.

"Thanks for the information."

[ Kristyn waves at the twins as they 
run off to the parking lot.  She turns
in the floral desk & begins texting
her daughter. ]

KRISTYN: I knew it wasn't a good
idea to let your boyfriend stay in
my house.
What we're you thinking making
such an obscene video? I'll talk
to you when I get home but he
has to leave tonight.

[ At Kristyn's.  Mairya sits her phone
down. ]

MAIRYA: Why would you show that
video off?

MICAA: I didn't.  I swear.
MAIRYA: Well my mom has seen it.
And she's tripping the fuck out
like usual acting like I'm Kim K
or something.

She said you had to go.  

[ Little H comes in from the living
room. ]

LITTLE H: Hey.  I'll look around
for you. Too bad my Dad's not
home right now he'd talk to her
MICAA: Thanks.
MAIRYA: Imagine if we had
really given her something to
whine about.  
MICAA: What did you have
in mind?

[ He looks up sneakily. ]

MAIRYA: I'm leaving too.


Scene Six: Outside Mark's.

[ Weis parks his car across from the
street & approaches the Simon
residence.

Later, he & Mark are in the base-
ment alone. ]

MARK: Feel free to light up down
here.  Chais does.

WEIS: Sweet. I've been watching
Mila all day.  Stuu just got home
like an hour go.
But I wanna know, since when
did you get so relaxed?

MARK: Well he is paying to live
here and pretty much an adult
so I don't say anything.  You
know I've never had a problem
with "green".
WEIS: That reminds me.  I need
an oil change.
MARK: He's been doing so well
around town Chais may even do
it for free.
WEIS: And how is Jai doing?

MARK: I don't know. He's becoming
secretive lately.
WEIS: Yeah.  Notice anything else?

[ Mark thinks for a second. ]

MARK: He did have these tiny bumps
all over his arm today and acted
weird when I asked about them.
WEIS: I don't wanna jump to conclusions
but there is a drug where its common
for those to show up.  Have you ever
seen him smoking or even noticed
or heard a lighter?

[ Before he can finish, Mark is sprint-
ing toward Jai's room to investigate. ]

( Episode 716* )

Them vs. Me vs. Us

Scene One:

[ Ski walks into the house &

sees Jai passed out on the

couch. ]

"Hey! You know it's 7:30."

[ Jai sits up fast, disoriented. ]

JAI: Shit.  

SKI: Are you alright? I feel

like we haven't talked in

awhile. You're always dis-

appearing at night.

JAI: Yeah I'm fine.  We'll

catch up later I promise.

Can you text Jenni for 

me?  I'll be there in an

hour.

SKI: Sure bud.

[ Jai grabs his stuff & heads

for the bathroom. ]

[ Much later; Ski joins Amber,

Jeszyca, & Hithe at the Cafe

across from TA. ]

"You ready for your fake

camping trip?"

[ Amber smiles, Hithe starts to

laugh a little. ]

SKI: Hey. We're not spending all

our time in the RV.  

HITHE: Give him credit.  This is

probably the most outdoorsy

thing he's ever done.

[ Ski goes silent for a moment

thinking about how Jai was

earlier. ]

AMBER: How's everything going

at home?  I heard that Jenni and

Jai are doing well at Care now.

SKI: Yeah.  I'm not sure how Jai

is really handling it. He has

school also.  I mean we weren't

wrong letting him do both. Were

we?

JESZYCA: Everyone gets tired and

runs late.

HITHE: Unless it gets worse.  I

wouldn't worry about it.  Jai

would tell you if he didn't

think he could handle it.

AMBER: Yeah.  I don't see a pro-

blem.

[ The waiter returns to take

their orders. ]

Scene Two:

[ Charles is standing up to the

counter waiting for his wallet

to be returned to him.

A flash of the past three months

he's spent locked away over take

him until he realizes the clerk is

staring, waiting for him to move. ]

"Thank you."

[ As the door shuts & locks behind

him, Charles notices his friends

waiting in the parking lot. ]

CHARLES: I didn't think anyone

would come.

[ They come closer. ]

RICKY: You think we'd let you walk?

MAXX: Not when we've been counting

the days until we see you.  Why don't

we get something to eat?

CHARLES: Great.  Can we stop at my

place first so I can change?

[ Charles gets in the back & Maxx

heads out of the parking lot.

They turn right & Charles begins

to stare out the window. Cracking

the window, he gasp enjoying the

fresh air. ]

CHARLES: I should call Hahn.

[ Maxx turns down the music &

Ricky pretends not to hear him. ]

CHARLES: For some reason it's

not going through.  My phone

is on.  I already checked it.

MAXX: Yeah about that.  I don't

think you'll be hearing from

Hahn anymore.  And I wouldn't

try to contact him either.  

Sorry man.

Scene Three: The night after.

[ As the sun begins to set at

Mirror Lake.  Ski, Larrie, & Joh

are drinking beers & sitting on

chairs near the water. ]

SKI: Can't believe I've never

heard of this place before.

[ He smiles, behind his shades.

Replacing his empty glass. ]

JOH: Yeah. Nice find.  I'm sur-

prised your girl didn't wanna

come along.

LARRIE: I don't have a girl

anymore.

[ Ski sits up to speak. ]

LARRIE: And no I don't need

to talk about it.  Remember

this is meant be relaxing.

SKI: I agree.  No relationship

drama while were here.

JOH: Fine with me.  I didn't

ever have one.  

[ They start to laugh. ]

SKI: There is something kind

of personal I wanted to discuss

though.  

JOH: You're finally telling me

secrets.

[ He looks excited, getting closer. ]

SKI: Not exactly.  When I ask

you, I'll need your up front

and honest opinion, Okay?

LARRIE: Just say it already.

SKI: Do you think that I'm.

Scene Four:

[ Charles is sitting at the table

with Ricky & Maxx across from

him.  All three are sipping on

their milkshakes. ]

"So what exactly did Hahn say?"

RICKY: Pretty much that he didn't

want to hear from you.  Aside from

making sure your place was around

he's done.  

MAXX: Don't worry about it man.  You

got us.  

CHARLES: This doesn't make much sense

though.  He came in to see me every

week.

MAXX: Not everyone understands that

when you were seeing all those girls

you weren't in your right state of mind.

CHARLES: What is that suppose to 

mean?

I didn't force them to do anything.

[ Maxx takes a break.  Looking for the

words. ]

RICKY: We know that.

CHARLES: But Hahn doesn't. Of all

people he should know.  He should

know me.

MAXX: You can't make him though.

Just try to focus on what you do

have.

CHARLES: Yeah, what's that?  I'm 

tired of starting over.

Scene Five:

[ They continue their conversation in
-side while Larrie is preparing some
food. ]

JOH: Do I think you're shallow?

Well you're married and I don't
really see you checking out
guys.

SKI: I know.  I was just think-
ing the other day about my
choice of friends.
LARRIE: What about us?

[ He actually looks threatened. ]

SKI: Nothing about you per se.
It's me.  I'm attracted to every
single one of you.
JOH: Well thank you.

[ He smirks at Ski. ]

SKI: I think it's starting to really
affect my place as manager too.
LARRIE: Judging by the new hires
I saw last week, I dont think so.

[ He looks over at Joh for approval. ]

SKI: Weis hired them and that's
not really my point.  It just feels
wrong.  Maybe I should see some-
one about it.
LARRIE: Hey, if you need another
opinion I'll just tell you now. We're
all crazy.

SKI: Thanks.

[ He shrugs his shoulders, feeling
worse. ]


Scene Six:

"I thought you were leaving."

MAXX: Figured you might not
want to be alone tonight.

[ He waves & Ricky drives off. 

Back in Charles' living room. ]

MAXX: Fire up the system.

[ He pulls out a bottle of alcohol
& sits two glasses down on the
table. ]

CHARLES: Seriously?
MAXX: Yup.  That's what we're
doing.  

[ Charles watches as the drink
slowly fills each glass.

They both takes long sips. ]

MAXX: I know it's not easy losing
someone you've spent so much
time with.  Real people are hard
enough to find as it is.  That why
I'm gonna be here whenever you
want me to be.  
CHARLES: Thanks man but I'm not
going to cry over it.

MAXX: Focus on the game instead.

Just one more thing.  Promise me
you're not going back.

[ Charles looks up at Maxx. ]

CHARLES: I promise.

Great Pretender: Part 2

Scene One: At Mark & Ski's.

[ Jenni & Billy are sitting across

from each other at the island

while Chais stands. ]

"What do you want babe?"

JENNI: Waffles sound good.

[ Billy is off into space. ]

CHAIS: What about you heathen?

[ He raises his voice. ]

BILLY: Whatever is cool. Who is

passed out on the couch?

JENNI: I didn't even notice.

[ Chais answers without turning

around. ]

CHAIS: It's Uncle Ace.  I guess

it was someone's birthday

last night.  He drank so much

Dad had to carry him from

the car.

[ He turns to see Billy preparing

to get up. ]

CHAIS: Leave him alone or no

food for you.

[ Suddenly Jai walks into the

kitchen. ]

CHAIS: And where have you

been?

JAI: At a friends.  Not that it's

any of your business.  

[ He sits Jenni & Billy's plates

down. ]

CHAIS: I was joking.  Anyway

sit, eat.  You still haven't told

me about this A'myan guy.

JAI: I'm not hungry.

JENNI: Kaori is on her way if

you wanna meet her.

[ She calls but Jai is already

heading for his room. ]

Scene Two :

[ Locking the door behind him,

Jai enters, grabs his laptop &

lays out on his bed.

Minutes fly by as he stays 

still daydreaming & focused

on the music around him. ]

[ Later Jai hears a crash that

seems to be coming from the

hallway. He springs up to check

on it but no one is out there.

Getting a quick idea, he opens

up his window.  Grabbing the

pipe from his backpack. ]

[ After hiding the evidence

& freshening the room.

Jai turns up the music &

begins to dance around

in circles. ]

[ A sudden knock on the

door puts him to a halt. ]

JAI: It's open.

KAORI: Sorry I was using the

restroom and I heard your

music.  I like Russ too.

[ Jai looks around the hall. ]

JAI: What's everyone doing?

KAORI: They're watching a

movie.

Your Dads are still sleep.  I

can tell that's what you were

getting at.

JAI: Yeah thanks.  Come in.

[ As she walks in & sits down,

Jai freezes noticing what is

still out on the nightstand. 

Kaori turns around & immed-

itely picks up his torch, gaz-

ing at the bluish flame. ]

Scene Three:

[ In the living room, Jenni
is getting off the phone. ]

"What was that about?"

JENNI: Just Sunshine letting
me know we passed our
evaluation.

CHAIS: Hooray.  Now she can
stop riding you guys' 

[ He is stopped by her phone
ringing again. ]

CHAIS: Grand central station.

[ Jenni motions for him to
be quiet. ]

JENNI: It's Trailyn.

[ Billy wakes up & rolls over. ]

BILLY: Tell her about the movie.

[ Jenni walks into the kitchen. ]

BILLY: Is Ace ever getting up?
CHAIS: Oh he did.  Long enough
to run to the bathroom and
back.  

[ Kaori enters the living room. ]

CHAIS: You've been gone awhile.
Must have hit it off with my
brother.
KAORI: Yes.  We like a lot of the
same music.  

CHAIS: Interesting.


Scene Four:

[ Jai is sitting on a chair near
his television screen, remote
in hand, & driving around
on the game.

Focused, he talks through
his headset. ]

JAI: Where are you at?  I
can't find you.

A'MYAN: Turn left and go down
a few blocks.  You'll see me by
the white pickup.
JAI: Okay.  I'm on my way.

[ His phone vibrates & he pauses
the game. ]

"See you at the movies.
Love, Trailyn."

JAI: Sorry I'm back.  This house
is so full it's hard to get away
sometimes.
Even in my own room.
A'MYAN: That sucks.  You can
come back over here tonight
if you want to.

JAI: I'm suppose to be going to
a movie with all my friends.
A'MYAN: What do you want
to do?
JAI: I think you know. I'm just
worried about school and
work on Monday.

A'MYAN: You'll be fine. Just
crash all Sunday.

[ Jai goes silent as the game
gets a little more hostile. ]


Scene Five:

[ That night, at the theater. Mairya

Micaa, Little H, Dean, Chais, & Billy

are waiting to go in the movie.

Jenni takes Trailyn off to the side. ]

"Have you heard from Jai?"

TRAILYN: No he isn't texting me

back.  

JENNI: He's suppose to be bring-

ing my sister.

TRAILYN: I know.  I haven't gotten

a chance to meet her.

[ Mairya comes over. ]

MAIRYA: We're going in.  I'll save

you a seat.

[ Jenni & Trailyn wait while the

group walks on.

Meanwhile, on the road Kaori

is laughing at Jai's off behavior. ]

KAORI: I don't care that you experi-

ment.  I did my fair share of it

when I was your age.

JAI: Well I really don't.  I just like

the feeling I get.  And I only do it

on the weekend.

KAORI: Right. You seem to have

things under control.  How far

until we get to the theater?

[ Jai takes a sudden right and

heads toward a country road

highway. ]

JAI: We're not going to the movie.

I want you to meet my friend.

Scene Six:

[ The next morning, at the Simon's.

Mark walks up to the front door,

opens it & Trailyn is outside. ]

MARK: Hey.  Come in.

TRAILYN: Sorry to come by so

early but Jai never showed

up to the movies last night.

MARK: It's fine.  You know you

can come by anytime.

I'm not sure if he is awake

yet but you can go and see.

[ Mark walks off & Trailyn

starts toward the hallway.

Reaching his door she is sur-

prised that it is unlocked.

Slowly it opens & she sees

Jai passed out on the bed

with Kaori next to him. ]

[ Trailyn immediately goes to

the side of the bed and starts

shaking him. ]

"Jai.  Get up!  What is going

on?"

[ He doesn't wake up.  ]

"I can't believe this."

[ She walks out, slamming the

door behind her. ]

I Can & I Will

scene one:

Inside TA Salon.

[ Kristyn, Hithe, Acer, & Mark

are sitting in the break room

enjoying a Chinese lunch. ]

"So it finally happened."

[ Everyone looks up at Hithe

while Kristyn makes an 'I told

you so face'. ]

MARK: What?  I'm confused.

KRISTYN: He caught H this morn-

ing.  With a new friend.

HITHE: Thank you.  That would

be the best way to put it.

[ Acer cracks, holding back while

Mark looks surprised. ]

MARK: No way. Not at my house.

KRISTYN: Mine either. Not like

that is going to stop them though.

HITHE: Exactly.  And H has been

... active since before he came

to me.  Otherwise things would

be different.

ACER: I didn't know you were

allowed to do that in a group

home.

[ Mark, Kristyn, & Hithe exchange

glances while Acer waits. ]

HITHE: You're not.

scene two:

Near downtown.

[ Pierre & his co-workers are

wrapping up their final day

of construction. ]

PIERRE: Has anyone seen the

boss?

RUDY: Really, you expect him to

show up on the last day.  That

man has never cleaned anything

in his life.

PIERRE: You're right.  What was I

thinking?

RUDY: In fact, you pretty much do

everything around here anyway

when it comes down to it.

[ Pierre takes a seat, pondering

the compliment but not in full

belief. ]

PIERRE: I'm just an assistant man.

Dave finds the projects.  He's

the leader.

RUDY: Anyone can do that and

walk away.  But who makes sure

everyone is where they need to

be with everything they need.

[ Rudy sits down next to him. ]

PIERRE: That would be me.

RUDY: And you don't need Dave

for that.  Hell, you don't really

need anyone.  

My advice.  Go independent.

scene three:

Later inside The Aisles.

[ Kristyn is tidying her area in the

floral department when she sees

a customer lingering near her

work station. ]

"Afternoon.  Is there something

in particular you're looking for?

[ The stranger's clothes are dirty

and torn.

He doesn't speak, just walks away

toward the bathroom. ]

"Manager to floral."

[ Kristyn hangs up her phone &

is shaken when she turns around

to see Syria standing there. ]

SYRIA: Sorry.  Is everything okay?

KRISTYN: Yeah I'm fine.  How are

things going up front?

SYRIA: Busy busy.  

[ Hahn arrives & Syria leaves.  He

smiles at Kristyn. ]

HAHN: How can I help you?

KRISTYN: You see that guy stand-

ing by the far right doors?

[ Hahn quickly looks & nods. ]

KRISTYN: Keep an eye on him.

scene four:

At Pierre & Sascha's.

[ Pierre is taking advantage of

some alone time.

Stretched out on the couch with 

his laptop, he does a search for

independant contractors. ]

"I could do this."

[ He starts to think to himself.

Satisfied for now, he lays down

excited to tell someone the news. ]

[ Much later, Sascha arrives home.

Seeing Pierre sound asleep on the

couch, she grabs a feather from

a living room table and walks over.

Lightly she tickles his nose with

it until he wakes up. ]

"Hey. I'm glad you're home."

[ Pierre sits up right away. ]

PIERRE: I got something very impor-

tant to tell you.

[ Sascha looks a little concerned,

sitting closer to him. ]

PIERRE: I decided I'm no longer

working with Dave.  Today was

my last day.

scene five:

[ End of shift, Kristyn is waiting to

leave when Mairya enters the

store.

She is shocked to see the same

guy from earlier, slightly more

clean & trailing after her daugh-

ter.  Not thinking she charges

over to them. ]

"What is going here?"

[ Kristyn looks over to see a cus-

tomer staring at her. ]

"Excuse me."

[ She hustles Mairya off to the

side. ]

MAIRYA: Good job Mom.

KRISTYN: This isn't a joke. We

just got finished talking about

your behavior.

MAIRYA: Yeah.  You told me

you just wanted to be inform

-ed.  So here he is.

[ Kristyn stands in silence as

Mairya bring over her new

friend. ]

KRISTYN: Nice to meet you.

Does he need a ride home?

[ She hints to her daughter but

it goes lost with her agenda. ]

MAIRYA: Yeah.  About that.

scene six: 

"You don't think I can do this."

SASCHA: No I just didn't expect

it.  You've been working with him

for so long.  And this is going to

take a lot of work.

PIERRE: I know but I was talking

to Rudy and he got me really

thinking.  

SASCHA: Rudy huh, what does

he know about it?

PIERRE: Don't worry, I did my rea-

search and I'm going to find out

more.

Trust me.  This is a good idea.

[ Sascha stays silent. ]

PIERRE: Better pay. Better opportuni

-ties for us and our future.

 I can see it now.

[ He sits back. Taking a swig off

his can of brew, then kisses Sascha

firmly on the lips. ]