With Bitter Certainty: Part 2 (Finale)

scene one:

Behind TA employee lot.

[ Sunshine, Jenni, & Jai are

gathered.  Waiting for Mark. ]

"I'm Mark's son, Jai.  Nice to

meet you.  

[ He smiles, extending his

hand to Sunshine. ]

SUNSHINE: It's my pleasure.

[ She feels confusion but

stays polite. ]

JAI: This is just my brother's

girlfriend.

JENNI: Excuse me I worked at

TA.  Just like you did and for

longer Mister.

SUNSHINE: Not to interrupt but

aren't you two a little young

to be working in a bar?

JAI: What bar?

JENNI: Ohh.  She didn't get

the company email.  

SUNSHINE: We have email?

[ Jai pulls out his cell, points

& begins reading. ]

JAI: Attention employees.  Due

to greater need expressed

through local visitors. The 

new TA building will now

be used for TACare.

[ They watch as Sunshine's

expression changes from

excitement to annoyance. ]

SUNSHINE: I hate kids.

[ Noticing their faces she

wishes she had kept this

information private. ]

SUNSHINE: I mean.  

[ Jai starts to laugh. ]

JENNI: That's great.

SUNSHINE: Just don't tell

your Dad I said that. Okay.

"Don't tell me you said

what."

[ They turn around to see

Mark standing there. ]

scene two:

Night before, inside Charles'.

 "What are you doing here?

Not that I'm not happy to

see you."

[ Charles throws his coat down

& walks into the living room

where Ricky & Hahn are seated. ]

RICKY: We were worried about

you.

CHARLES: Well I appreciate

that.  I found work out of

town so I've been staying at

hotels during the week.

HAHN: Well you're here now

and we're making dinner.

RICKY: Maxx should be by

soon.  You two can catch

up.

CHARLES: Good.  I'll be

down in a minute.

[ He watches them, then

hurries upstairs.  Shutting

the door he throws his

backpack down on the

ground as it unzips.

Piles of cash layer the

ground. ]

[ Hearing someone coming

up the stairs, Charles shovels

it all back in just in time. ]

HAHN: Dinner's ready.

CHARLES:  Thanks.  Do you

mind giving me some time

after?  I'm really worn out.

HAHN: Sure.  No problem bud.

I can take a hint.


scene three:
Present Day, TA Care building.

[ Mark is finally ready for the
meeting. ]

"Glad you're here Dad."

[ Jai walks over beside him. ]

JENNI: Yeah.  We we're just
discussing how our -------

[ Jenni is about to wander with
her words but Jai cuts her off. ]

JAI: How eager we all are to
be working with kids.  Right?

[ Everyone looks at Sunshine
who isn't chiming in. ]

SUNSHINE: Yes. It's a dream.
MARK: Good to hear.  Anyway
we should be able to do more
in a couple weeks when we're
cleared to go inside.
Then everyone can start to
concentrate on their separate
roles.

SUNSHINE: Which are what?

MARK: You will be my general
manager as we discussed. Jai
will be in charge of marketing
and Jenni will run the sitters.

Okay.  I'll email everyone
again when we have a
set schedule in place.

[ Afterwards, Jai finds Sunshine
walking to her car. ]

"Hey.  We're going to do 
great things.  Don't worry."

[ She turns around. ]

SUNSHINE: Oh I'm not.
  
Not anymore.


scene four:

[ Outside after Charles leaves,
Hahn takes the opportunity to
look over a notepad he hid in
his search earlier.

Flipping through the pages
he sees women's names,
different locations, dates,
& times for meeting. ]

[ Quickly, Hahn dials up Maxx. ]

"Hey, are you guys still in
the area?"

MAXX: Yeah man.  What's up?
HAHN: I think Charles may be
in trouble.  The way he was
acting earlier and then I
found a log of his affairs.
MAXX: Affairs, like what?
HAHN: Yes.  He's obviously
been doing more than just
going on dates with these
women.  

And the bag he carries around.
It's all starting to add up.

I'll text you an address.  I'll need
help confronting him but this has
to end tonight.


scene five:
Meanwhile, at Amber's.

[ Dyminic is standing at the
island putting together a salad
for their meal when Amber
comes from behind & covers
his eyes. ]

"Hey, I kind of need those."

[ He smiles as she removes
her hands. ]

AMBER: Sit down.  Entertain
your wife for a second.
DYMINIC: Okay.  Is there some-
thing you need to tell me?
AMBER: Maybe there is.

[ Dyminic places their hands
together. ]

DYMINIC: I actually have to tell
you something too.
AMBER: Oh well go ahead.
DYMINIC: I'm going back to the
practice next week. I think it's
time.
AMBER: You sure your done with
exploring?

DYMINIC: Definitely.  I found out
too much fun isn't a good thing.

What were you gonna say?
AMBER: Nothing babe. I'm just
kind of.  Pregnant!

[ Dyminic tries to speak but is
at a loss for words. ]

AMBER: You should see your
face.


scene six:

[ Maxx & Ricky get out of the car,
meeting Hahn across the street. ]

"I don't think we should bother
them."

[ Ricky states, looking at Hahn. ]

MAXX: Yeah.  Let's just wait for
Charles to come out and then try
and talk some sense into him.

HAHN: I can't believe this is how he's
been paying his way the whole
time.
RICKY: The last thing we want to
do is judge.  It's better to find
the reason why first.  

[ Hahn steps a little away. ]

HAHN: We know the reason.  Sandie.
And his inconsiderate, drug deal-
ing brother.  
MAXX: They were in the wrong but
they also didn't make him do this.

[ Suddenly their conversation is
silenced by the hustle going on
across the street.

They see Charles being carried
out of the building by a police
officer.  Two females being brought
out beside him. ]

[ Hahn starts to head over & Maxx
stops him. ]

MAXX: What are you doing? We
should leave.
HAHN: I have to explain.  Maybe
if I.

RICKY: You can't fix this Hahn.  It's
over.

[ She states, with tears in her eyes.

Maxx shuffles him into the back,
Ricky gets in the passenger seat
& they drive off as Charles is
being taken away. ]


  ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Journal One (Continued.) . . . . . . #eott

" 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)

" Poisoned P.A. "

SCENE 1: Late morning at Markis’ place.

[ Tiesun hurries inside the back

 of the house. ]

“About time!  Homie is shitty about

you missing his meeting earlier. “

TIESUN: I know, right.  Damn if I get

an education.

[ They both laugh. ]

TREY: Yeah, or have any other

type of life.  That bro is all

business.

Speaking of…I better get on

the deliveries.

Enjoy your peace while it last.     

[ Trey gets up and lets her sit at

the desk. ]

After he leaves, Tiesun goes to close

the blinds when she sees an unknown

guy sitting inside Trey’s car. Brushing

it off, she goes back to her emails. ]

[ An hour later, she is deep into some

reading when there’s a loud knock

on the back door. Startled she gets

up and answers it. ]

TIESUN: Hi.  Can I help you?

“Where the hell is Markis?”

TIESUN: Out.  I’m not sure.

And who are you?

“I’m Ja’rell, Markis’ brother.

And you standing in my crib.  

Now tell me what the fuck

is going on here.”

SCENE 2: Outside the Salon.

[ Joh sees Stuu standing near the

 back. ]

JOH: Still here? Figured you’d skip out

 early.  You figure things out with

Weis?  Finally.

STUU: No need. It was just frustration.

A minor glitch in my celibacy.  You

of all people should understand.

JOH: Trust me. I get it.

Sticking to my morals isn’t

always easy. 

STUU: Yeah, it wasn’t about Weis.

And I’m just here for the free cut. 

‘Hey lames.’

[ Larrie waves, as him

& Jeszyca walk to the

front. ]

LARRIE: What a modest

turn out, I’d say. 

JESZYCA: Listen.

You could at least try

and be supportive of

your cousin.

[ Larrie laughs. ]

LARRIE: Right.  That kid

has no clue what he’s

doing.  You’ll see.

SCENE 3: Meanwhile inside. . .

“Acer, my man.  Calm down.”

[ Ace is steadily walking back and forth. ]

HITHE: There’s a good crowd outside and

the news crew should be here anytime

now.

[ Ace stops and turns around. ]

ACE: Wait, what?  You didn’t tell me we

we’re gonna be on TV.

HITHE: Yup, at 6 and possibly 10 tonight. 

ACE: Great! I look like hell.  Haven’t slept

for days and didn’t prepare anything.

HITHE: Don’t worry man, I got this under

control.

Just introduce yourself and I’ll take it

from there.  You ready?

[ Ace puts out his hands that are

now shaking and follows Hithe

outside. ]

ACE: Hello everyone. Thanks for coming. I’m

the owner and here is Hithe our manager.

[ He clears his throat and steps down,

wiping his forehead. ]

HITHE: Hello all.  Whose ready to cut this

tape? [ laughs ]

I feel like we’ve done this before. 

[ Hithe hands Ace the scissors and he stands

In front of the tape still shaking. Then he starts

to feel lightheaded and slowly falls to the ground

dropping the scissors. ]

[ The crowds gasps as Hithe knells down

calling Ace’s name. ]

SCENE 4: Back inside Markis’.

‘Is there a reason why this

room is locked?’

TIESUN: No clue. Markis

should be back any time

now.

[ He stares at her and Tiesun pretends

she has work to do on her laptop. ]

[ About 10 minutes later, Trey rushes in

 the door. ]

“Damn, we’re slow.

I haven’t gotten any. . .

[ He sees the look on Tiesun’s face and

stops turning around. ]

TREY: Oh, hey bro.

TIESUN: Yeah, this is Markis’

older brother.  He’s back

in town and came to check

up on his house.

TREY: Cool. Can I talk to you

outside for a sec?

[ On the back steps. ]

TREY: What the hell was he

thinking doing this behind

his brother’s back?

[ Tiesun shakes her head. ]

TIESUN: I don’t know but I’m

keeping my mouth shut.  Markis

is on his own now. 

SCENE 5: In a room, at the ER.

“Cuzo down!”

[ Larrie laughs. ]

ACE: Would you fucking quit saying

that and help me get out of here?

I need to get back to the Salon.

LARRIE: No, you’re exhausted.  You

have to sleep this off.

ACE: Well, I’m at least checking in.

[ He goes to make a call. ]

ACE: Damn signal!

LARRIE: Look, I’m sure your girlfriend

and Hithe have things under control. 

[ At the Salon. ]

“I thought we’ve have more traffic

coming in.’

HITHE: Me too.  Whatever you do.

Don’t tell Ace.  He’ll freak.

How’s he doing anyway?

KARIE: He’ll be alright If he gets

some rest.  He’s so stubborn!

[ She shakes her head. ]

HITHE: I know.  And don’t worry

about the turn out.  We’ll do

some promotions.  It’s

just the first day. 

KARIE: Alright

SCENE 6: In Markis driveway.

[ Tiesun is sitting in her car

and sees Trey leaving with

his head down.  Minutes

later Markis comes out

and she rolls down her

window. ]

“I need you to do me

a favor.”

TIESUN: What’s going on?

MARKIS: I need a place to

store the plants.  Just overnight

until I can figure something

else out. Deondre is on his

way with the truck. 

You’re the only one who

has their own place.

Is it cool?

[ He looks up at her with a

worried expression. ]

TIESUN: You’ll have them

out in the morning?

MARKIS: First thing.

TIESUN: Fine.  But after

that I’m done.

You’ll have to find

another PA.   

(Updated 10/24)