Switchin Lanes

The Simon's Basement.

[ Jai joins his brother on the

couch as he's counting out a

stack of cash. ]

"New shoe time.  Already?"

CHAIS: Not today bro. This is for rent.

[ He puts it away, changing the

subject. ]

CHAIS: Since when do you work

on Saturdays anyway?

JAI: Since today.  How's the auto

repair going?

[ Chais just looks at him. ]

CHAIS: I mean.  Have you seen

any business here lately?

[ Jai shakes his head. ]

JAI: Why don't you just come

work for Dad?

CHAIS: Nah.  I'll figure it out.

JAI: Alright. I gotta go. Ride's

here.

[ They hear a car horn. ]

CHAIS: Who is that?

JAI: A'myan. I got him a job.

CHAIS: You got a meth head

a job with kids?

JAI: He's clean now.  We both are.

So stop judging. Later.

[ Minutes go by, Chais is sitting

alone & texting on his phone. ]

CHAIS: They're gone.

Go ahead and bring it.

Local Jail, Magic Springs.

[ Stuu sees his Dad being led

into the room.  Hesistant, he

sits down.  Picking up the phone. ]

STUUsDAD: Can you look at me?

[ Stuu bring his head up. Staring

him eye to eye. ]

STUU: I can't believe you  did this.

And for what, just to get some

attention from us.  An obvious

fail.

STUUsDAD: You wouldn't begin

to understand son.

STUU: Oh come off it.  Change

for once and maybe you get

some different results.

[ Stuu notices the guard's expression

& lowers his voice. ]

STUUsDAD: You mean, like you did.

STUU: My relationship and child

have nothing to do with this.  

STUUsDAD: At least the family you

created won't abandon you like my

real one has.  

[ He attempts to hang up the phone

but Stuu gives him a stern look,

tapping lightly on the glass. ]

STUU: This isn't about that. But of

course your selfish ass isn't even

thinking of the people that were

hurt.  I'm done.

And don't bother calling Mac. He's

not coming.

Back in the basement.

[ Chais walks down the steps, removing

a large sized plastic bag from underneath

his shirt full of plump, light green buds.

He goes in his room, locking the door 

behind him. ]

"Where should I hide this?"

[ Before he can think too long, he hears

a knock on his door. 

Chais throws the bag in the closet. ]

"It's me!"

CHAIS: Damn.  You couldn't of text.

Who let you in?

BILLY: Ski's home.  What's your

problem?

CHAIS: I finally did it.  Look in the

closet.

BILLY: Holy

CHAIS: Yeah.

BILLY: Better not let Ski see any of

that.

CHAIS: I'm not worried. They don't

come down here but I might need

your help.

Getting connects and shit.

BILLY: I knew that you would

one day need my expertise.

CHAIS: You sold for a week and

got caught by the principal.

BILLY: True but at least I got

out of being expelled due to

my "mental problems".

[ They are interrupted by Chais'

cell ringing. ]

"Jenni."

[ He sends her to voicemail. ]


Stuu & Weis' apartment.

[ After a long drive, Stuu returns
home to see baby Mila sleeping
and Tiesun in the living room. ]

"Has Weis been around?"

TIESUN: Nope but sit.  I wanna
hear how everything went 
down.

[ She listens for awhile to him
retelling the conversation. ]

STUU: Ever since he did this. Weis
has been staying out more.  Larrie's
been calling off work.

Ski is worried about him spiraling.
And I don't want my Dad's dumb
decisions to ruin anyone's life.

TIESUN: That's not going to happen.
Those two have plenty of support.
And we're not going to let it.

I'll keep an eye on Larrie.  And
you watch Weis.  

STUU: Okay.

[ She gets up, gathering her stuff. ]

TIESUN: I'm going to head over to
Larrie's now.  A little surprise
visit.

Find your man.

[ She exits out the front door. ]


Near close, the Salon.

"Long day?"

TILA: Something like that.
Ready to head home.

LORENZO: Oh yeah? Think
maybe you're finally ready
to take me up on the double
date offer.
TILA: No.  My man is not really
the double date type.

LORENZO: I see. What type is
this mystery man?

TILA: My type.

[ She gives him an evil look. ]

LORENZO: Well. Can I at least meet
him.

TILA: He's here.

[ They walk outside & Lorenzo is shock
to see a limo parked. A professional
older gentleman gets out, removing
his sun glasses. ]

LORENZO: He must be lost.

[ Lorenzo starts to walk over but
Tila passes him.  Giving the man
a kiss on the cheek, she looks
at Lorenzo before getting into
the car. ]

Before The Finale II: Backhand

SCENE ONE:

At home, dining room.

"I've been trying to reach

you all night.  Are you still

joining us at the dance hall?"

[ Syria places her phone down

getting up to prepare some

breakfast.  Kneeling at the

fridge, she almost jumps

with the noise of Sandie's

response. ]

"We'll be there sorry.  I do

appreciate the invite.  No

worries my friend. :]"

[ Not able to help herself, Syria

rolls her eyes at the misplaced

intent. ]

"I saw that look.  Who is it for?"

[ Hahn walks in to the kitchen,

facing her across the island. ]

SYRIA: It's nothing of concern.

Where are you off to dear?

HAHN: Charles asked me to go

running again. Something 

about having a lot more

energy nowadays, I don't 

know.

SYRIA:  Okay.  Just don't

wear yourself out before

we get to shake it.

[ Hahn smiles, kissing her. ]

HAHN: Everyone is going to

be surprised.  This night

is all about me, you, and

our seductive moves.

[ He pouts his lips & spreads

out his arms causing Syria to

nearly choke on her juice. ]

SCENE TWO:
Outside the workout center.

[ Finishing their run, Kyle grabs
Caleb's arm.  Dousing him with
water as they sit down. ]

CALEB: Is this how you treat all
your clients?

[ Kyle looks at him, thinking it
over. ]

KYLE: Yeah man, pretty much.  I
mean normally when you're here.
You're quiet, kind of brooding and
lately this.  I thought I'd take
advantage.

CALEB: Well thanks. It's been three
months since I had that break-
down.  I've obviously changed a
lot but I feel like my friends
don't see it.
KYLE: I get it.  They will though
and in the meantime just focus
on you like you have been
doing.

[ Suddenly Caleb grabs his stomach.
Turning over in pain. ]

CALEB: Hey I need to go out to
my car real quick.

KYLE: Sure.  I can take my free
hour now.  

[ Caleb heads to the lot, not expecting
his trainer to follow him. ]

SCENE THREE: 

Later that night.

[ After dining; Syria, Hahn,

and Trikl are waiting for

the dances to begin. ]

"Is that your real name?"

TRIKL: Yes.  Like the rain.

[ He tries to charm, leaving

Hahn uneasy. ]

SYRIA: Interesting.  So what

is it that you do?

TRIKL: I run a repair shop.

SYRIA: Hahn's good friend

works on cars some times.

TRIKL: Maybe I know him.

HAHN: You don't.  I think I

heard something about a

last call.  Maybe you should

find Sandie.

[ Syria leaves with her eye on

him while Hahn stands near

Trikl.

In the next room, Sandie is

walking slowly through a line

of dangling, crystal chandeliers. ]

[ She starts to run as row after

row flickers off above her head.

Faster & faster until she eventually

tumbles onto the floor, breathing

heavily.  

As she lays there laughing, Syria

comes into view. ]

"What are you doing? This room is

off limits."

[ She gets serious.  Following Syria

out. ]

SCENE FOUR:
Earlier inside Caleb's car.

"Is that really what helps you.

What about medicine?"

[ Caleb exhales, coughing a
little. ]

CALEB: I've been on countless
ones and they're all a joke.
I manage my symptons better
on my own.

KYLE: You know what if it's
working.  Then it's whatever
to me.  It's not the worst
thing you could be doing.

You seem like a decent
enough kid.

[ Caleb looks at Kyle. ]

CALEB: I'm not a kid.  And
yeah.  It should be legal
everywhere anyway.
KYLE: Maybe one day. Here
is fine because no one comes
over but I would suggest not
smoking in your car.  If you
wanna stay safest.

So what are your plans for
the rest of the day?

CALEB: Probably nothing.

[ Caleb hears his phone go off. ]

KYLE: That was me.  Text me if
you get bored.  Later.

[ He exits Caleb's vehicle. ]


SCENE FIVE:
Back at the hall.

[ Syria & Hahn are showing Sandie 
and her date the current dance. ]

HAHN: We must be on fire. Every-
one seems to be staring in this
direction.

[ He smiles, hand-in-hand with
Syria.  She glances over at
Sandie who is making out
at the side. ]

SYRIA: They're not looking at us.

[ She stops Hahn.  Walking over
to her friend, she clears her
throat. ]

SYRIA: You're suppose to be learn-
ing.
SANDIE: I think we have a good
grasp on things now.
SYRIA: Really.  And you think this
sort of behavior is appropriate.

Why are you acting like this?

[ She waits while Trikl is playing
in Sandie's hair. ]

SANDIE: Maybe because I'm tired
of hiding from you.  

This is Charles' brother.  And what-
ever your opinion on the matter is
you can save it.  We've already
heard enough.

[ They walk off the dance floor,
leaving Syria in surprise. ]


SCENE SIX:

[ Smiling, Caleb parks his car.
Saving his new friend's number,
he walks inside the house.

Tripping over boxes, he turns
on the light.  Seeing his dad
sitting at the kitchen table. ]

"What is going on?"

DAD: There's something I have
to tell you.  Sit down.

[ Caleb joins his dad, quietly. ]

DAD: It's my job.  They're reloca-
ting me.  We have to move out
by this summer.

[ Caleb immediately gets up. ]

DAD: I'm sorry.  There's nothing
I can really do.  Are you okay?

CALEB: I'm fine.  It's fine.  I'm
just worn out.  I need to lay
down.  

[ He exits the room. ]

A Sandy Reception

SCENE ONE :

Back break-room, TA.

[ Sandie & Syria are each sipping

their well sugared coffee drinks. ]

"He just packed up and left 
then.  Last night."

[ Staying straight faced, Sandie

firmly answers. ]

SANDIE: Pretty much.  It wasn't

working out so we're over.

No need for any further

examination on the matter.

[ She half smiles for reassurance. ]

SYRIA: I see.  And Charles

feels the same way?

SANDIE: Yesss. Is it so shocking

that two adults could come to

this mutual decision?

SYRIA: Not at all but after every-

thing you went through to get

back together.  It seems a tad

bit sudden.

[ Syria gets up to leave. ]

SYRIA: I'm sure you know 

what you're doing.

[ Later Sandie takes advantage

of her alone time to text a

new friend. ]

"Still on for tonight?"

SCENE TWO :

Meanwhile, front break-room.

[ Stuu & Brian are discussing his
first few weeks of fatherhood. ]

STUU: She's not crying for hours
much anymore.  So that's good.
BRIAN: You don't look very pleased
with that.  Is there something
else going on?

With Weis maybe?

STUU: Not really.  He's actually
been great.  Just my head has
been all over the place lately.

Do you think we're doing the
right thing for Mila?

BRIAN: Of course.  I mean,
you're bringing her up in
a happy environment around
two committed people.  What
else do you need?

[ Stuu stands up, walking toward
the wall. ]

STUU: I don't know.  A mom
maybe.  My family all thinks
she should be with adoptive
parents. A male and female.
BRIAN: Don't let them bother
you.  She's your daughter and
you chose to raise her this way.

It's no one else's business.

STUU: And we're happy.  So
screw them!


SCENE THREE :
Later that evening.

[ Sandie is pouring her date a
glass of wine as they sit out on
her balcony. ]

"When you called, I think it
would be an understatement
to say I didn't expect it."

SANDIE: We've always gotten
along.  You shouldn't be so
surprised.

TRIKL: True.  Family gatherings.
My engagement that lasted
for three whole weeks. So I
wouldn't be a complete jackass
to say I can recall some long-
ing glances.

[ Trikl laughs. Sandie stays silent. ]

TRIKL: It's all good.  Things happen
for a reason.

[ Suddenly Sandie is shaken by the
ring on Trikl's cell. ]

SANDIE: Someone has bad timing.
TRIKL: Uh yeah. It's my brother.

[ Trikl looks down at his phone. ]

"Incoming Call.  Charles."


SCENE FOUR :
At Stuu & Weis'.

[ Stuu returns from a jog around
the block.

He joins Weis, who is sitting
down in the living room. ]

WEIS: She's still sleeping.  Nice 
run?

[ Stuu nods, leans over & kisses
him on the cheek. ]

WEIS: Good.  I'll be downstairs.

Then we can watch a movie or
something.

[ Stuu gives Weis a look. ]

WEIS: What?
STUU: I still think it's best
if you don't do that here.
WEIS: She's in the room up
here on the other side of the
house from me.  It never 
bothered you before.

STUU: I know.  Just never mind.

WEIS: Nah, it's cool.  I'll just go
to Zain's.  See ya.

[ Before Stuu can move the door
slams behind Weis.  He sighs, 
immediately hearing Mila start
to cry. ]


SCENE FIVE :

[ Things are getting cozy back
on the balcony. ]

SANDIE: I'm glad you took my
advice and ignored that call.

TRIKL: It can wait.  I have more
important things to attend to.

[ He looks over, undressing her
with his sleazy eyes. ]

SANDIE: Anyway.  I asked you
here for a reason.  Did you bring
some?
TRIKL: Yes and you're lucky.  I
was just about to give this up.

[ He opens a box.  Not being shy
he takes a small amount of the
white powder and places it on
his hand.

Without any warning, Sandie
leans down.  Sniffing up the
contents. ]

TRIKL: You're a fast learner.

[ Sandie sits up. ]

SANDIE: I've been around.


SCENE SIX :

[ Stuu is holding baby Mila
while rummaging through
the messy house. ]

"Where on earth are all
the bottles?"

[ He starts to get panicked
as Mila continues to holler
in his ear.

Picking up the phone, he
speed dials Weis. ]

"You've reached Weis.  Leave
a message."

[ Stuu angerily tosses the 
phone as the crying gets
worse. ]

STUU: Crap.  I'm so sorry.

[ Finally locating the bottle he
sits down on the couch.  He
starts to feed her & Mila's
relaxed state calms him. ]

" Getting Out "

SCENE 1: At Kristyn’s house (someone’s knocking).

[ She opens the door, not expecting anyone. ]

“What’s going on?  I thought you got off at 9.”

MONICA: Am’s covering for me. 

I think we should talk.

[ Inside the entrance way. ]

KRISTYN: So, what’s this about?

MONICA: Alright.  I’m not trying to assume 

anything at all.  But Kyle found these in the 

trash earlier.  

[ She takes a prescription bottle out of her 

bag and hands it to Kristyn. ]

KRISTYN: My medicine. Thank god.

I’ve been tearing this house apart.

MONICA: Girl, if your head wasn’t screwed on.

[ Kristyn starts to laugh, then nervously looks 

away. ]

[  Meanwhile, with Kyle at a local party… ]

“So, where’s your girl?  We’ve been dying to meet her.”

KYLE: She’ll be here soon.  Had a stop to make.

So, what this surprise that you brought for me?

MARTY:  Well, you said your job was stressing

you out.  Dude, this will calm you down for sure.

[ He hands Kyle a balloon & sits a small container

down on the table. ]

KYLE: What’s all this? Don’t tell me we’re making

animals out of these. 

MARTY: Not hardly, my dude.

 Get ready for the mind fuck of your life.

SCENE 2: A park, near downtown.

[ Markis steps out of a truck.  Looking

around, he gets out his phone. ]

‘Calling. . .Trey.’

[ After no answer, he leaves a message. ]

MARKIS: I get it. I should’ve told you it

wasn’t my crib.  But listen, Tie wouldn’t

hold the plants any longer and I only

have your bros truck until tonight.

So, if you have any ideas please

let me know.

Alright bye.

[ Frustrated, Markis sits down on a 

bench.  Looking at the ground, he

notices something shining in the

grass. ]

[ He picks up a necklace with ‘KING‘ 

spelled out on it.  Putting it in his

pocket, he starts  back to the truck.

Not paying attention, he bumps into

a girl that’s walking toward him. ]

MARKIS: My bad.  Hey, you dropped 

something.

[ Bending over, he picks up a small plastic bag

with a large sticker and writing on the front. The

girl snatches the bag back and starts to walk

off in a rush. ]

SCENE 3: Outside of the party. . .

“What was in that? I think I’m getting

 a headache.”

MARTY: I told you not to suck so hard, 

loco ass.

[ He laughs & takes the balloon out of Kyle’s hand. ]

KYLE: I need to sit down.  Monica’s gonna 

be here any minute. 

So who all did you invite anyway?

 MARTY:  You know.  Plenty of right chicas.

[ Kyle laughs.  Hearing the doorbell, he gets

up slowly before walking out of the room.  

Seeing Monica standing in the middle of

his friends, Kyle stays silent. ]

MONICA: Well, hey!  Sorry I took so long.

[ She hugs Kyle, not noticing his blank stare. ]

KYLE: Hey. . .um.

[ He starts to lean &quickly catches himself,

grabbing his head. ]

KYLE: Sorry, this headache.  Came on all of a

sudden.  

[ He kisses Monica.  Hearing a loud noise, they stop. ]

KYLE: What the hell?

[ Walking up to the door, he cracks it and sees

Marty lying on the ground.  Flinging it fully open, 

Kyle runs to him. ]

[ He kneels down, screaming for help. ]

SCENE 4: At the park, Markis is running.

[ Catching up to the girl, she turns around

 to face him. ]

“Why are you following me?”

MARKIS: Sorry, it’s just. . .

I could tell what was inside

your bag

STRANGER: It’s medical. And if you’re

looking for a score.  I’m not a dealer.

[ She starts to walk away. ]

MARKIS: Nothing like that.  Just give me

a minute to show you something.

[ The girl follows Markis to his truck.  He

opens the door, letting her look inside. ]

STRANGER: You grew all of these?

MARKIS:  Yup.  I had a business going until

my bro found out and threatened to

turn me in.   

STRANGER: A business, right.

MARKIS: Illegal, yes.  But me and my

three friends made bank, if you know

what I mean.

[ Markis shuts the door & they lean

against the back. ]

STRANGER:  It’s late.  The cops are all over town.  

Don’t you worry about getting caught?

MARKIS: Yeah, sometimes  

STRANGER: You know, there is an easier and

more legal way to do it.  If you’re willing to

do some work for it.  

MARKIS: Okay, I’m listening.

SCENE 5: In the hall, at the hospital.

            [ Monica is standing, while Kyle is sitting 
with his head down. ]

MONICA: How’s Marty doing?

KYLE: He’s awake.  That’s all they would
tell me.   
MONICA: Good, I’m relieved.  This has been one
hell of a night, I tell ya.
KYLE: Yeah, I shouldn’t of let things get so
out of hand.  I wasn’t thinking.

MONICA: So, you never said what exactly
happpend in there?

KYLE:  He was on an inhalant.  That’s what
caused him to fall down, I guess.
I don’t know much about them.
MONICA: Are you serious?  You know how
dangerous that is!  Wait a second. . .

 You didn’t participate, did you?

KYLE: Of course not babe.


[ Kyle stands up, facing Monica. ]
 
MONICA: Alright.  Go check on your friend.
 I’ll be out here. 

 [ Kyle’s enters Marty’s room and sees him

struggling, wrestling around and knocking
things over. ]

 “Whoa.  What’s going on?”

[ There’s no response. Suddenly Marty
turns around, just noticing Kyle. ]

MARTY:  I can’t hear.  Anything.

SCENE 6: Abandoned field, near the highway.

 [ Alone now, Markis is pulling plant after plant

out of the truck and emptying them out on
the ground.  Getting nervous, he sits back
looking at months and months of his hard
work laying all over. ]
 
“What am I doing?”

[ Thinking ahead, he pulls the cap off a gas can
and starts to douse everything in sight.  Taking
a second, he pulls out a torch lighter and lights
a piece of paper.  Stepping back, he launches
it into the air and it falls slowly down. ]

“Boom!”

[ With the crackling sound of the fire, Markis
watches as it slowly consumes it all. ]

(Updated 10/24)