About My Friends

SCENE ONE :

Overnight shift, The Aisles. 

[ Joh & Weis are watching

Castle Watch feeds in the back

room while chatting. ]

"I thought Ski was getting rid

of all the temps.  Why is she

still here?"

[ Joh stands up & starts pacing

around the room. ]

WEIS: What's the problem?

JOH: Jacki is nosy and runs her

mouth too much.  I made the

mistake of talking to Ski about

my registry situation and she

walked by.  I'm screwed.

WEIS: It's likely she didn't

even hear you.  Calm down.

[ He sits back at the table

& continues spooning

pudding into his mouth. ]

JOH: I know she did because

ever since then she's been

making little comments.

WEIS: Who cares.  Ignore her

then.  Everyone else knows

the truth.  

Anyway, I have a question for

you.

JOH: Yeah, what's up?

WEIS: Do you think I'm mature

enough to raise a child?

JOH: I mean you have grown

up a lot since I first met 

you. Wait, whose kid?

[ Suddenly Stuu enters the room

& trades places with Weis. ]

STUU: I feel like I was interup-

ting something. What's his deal?

[ Slowly putting it together, Joh 

just looks at Stuu & shrugs his

shoulders. ]

SCENE TWO :

Afternoon, the day before.

[ Jeszyca, Acer, & Hithe

are taking a break while

Karie is sitting by herself.

Her cell rings & she happily

answers it, leaving the room. ]

"So about that game."

[ Hithe attempts to steer the

conversation but Acer isn't

having it.  He rolls his eyes,

before breaking in. ]

ACE: No one cares that she's

moved on.  I don't know why

she finds it necessary to keep

throwing up little signals.

JESZYCA: She was just answer-

ing her phone.  Could've been

anyone.

ACE: Yeah.  You didn't see the

look Karie made though.

HITHE: You agreed to be cool

with her working here three

months ago.  Can't exactly go

back on that now.  

JESZYCA: If it's bothering you

that badly then talk to her

about it.

ACE: I'll try but you know she's
like a brick wall.

JESZYCA: Here's the papers for

your evaluations later on.

ACE: Crap thanks.  I almost

forgot about that.  

JESZYCA: No problem.

[ She looks up, seeing Acer's 

stale expression. ]

SCENE THREE :

Early AM, the next day.

[ Joh is returning from break

& he sees his gossip victim

talking with Tiesun.

As he goes to confront her,

Mark appears in the building

& he walks toward him instead. ]

"Hey, long time no see."

JOH: Glad you're here actually. 

Can we talk in private?

[ Joh looks around before

following Mark upstairs to 

his office. ]

"You've never called me in

here before.  It's kind of

exciting."

[ Mark teases him a little. ]

JOH: I'd laugh but this is serious.

Normally I'd just go to Ski

but I was hoping maybe

you could do it for me.

MARK: I'll see.  What about?

JOH: You know that new girl

Jacki.  She's been saying some.

[ He looks up at Mark. ]

JOH: Discriminatory type things

to me and I want her to be

let go.  

SCENE FOUR :

Back at the Salon.

[ Jeszyca is busy checking in

clients.  Acer walks out of his

office & goes right up to Karie. ]

"You don't have to hide."

KARIE: Hi.  And excuse me?

ACE: You don't have to be all

secretive around here. I can

take a hint.

KARIE: I wasn't.  I just don't

think it's appropriate to

talk about certain things

anymore.  You need to

understand that and mind

your own business.

[ She walks away, carrying her

cleaning supplies to the back.

Acer joins Jeszyca at the desk. ]

JESZYCA: Look, you two should

get it together.  We're too busy

and people are starting to notice.

ACE: I'm sorry. I tried to talk to

her and it backfired.  I don't

know what else to do.

JESZYCA: I suggest you figure 

something out then.  More 
sooner than later please.

SCENE FIVE :

[ End of shift, Joh & Stuu are

waiting for Weis outside. ]

"I can't believe you lied."

JOH: It wasn't a lie exactly.  And

hey we don't need someone

like her messing up our family

vibe.  

STUU: You're slick.  You know

they're actually in there discuss-

ing what to do right now.

JOH: I figured.  So can we talk

about something a little more

serious?

STUU: What' s more serious?

JOH: What are you planning

on doing about the baby?

[ Stuu stands up, caught off

guard. ]

JOH: You know we'd talk.

STUU: It's not that.  I just 

wanna do the right thing

and I'm not sure what

the right thing is.

I'm running out of time to

make a decision.

JOH: Just talk to Weis.  What-

ever you decide, it seems like

he just wants to help.

SCENE SIX :

[ Jeszyca is outside when

Ace comes out after locking

up. ]

"She put in her two week."

JESZYCA: As much as I love

Karie, I think that would

be the best for both of you.

ACE: You're right.  We do

need some time apart.

JESZYCA: Besides the Salon

is getting bigger everyday.

You're going to be plenty

busy.

What are you doing tonight?

ACE: Going home and sitting

in a dark room sounds good.

JESZYCA: I think not.  You're

coming over to watch movies

with us.  Larrie is always say-

ing you never wanna do

anything.  That changes

this weekend.  

ACE: Well yes ma'am.  

( CLICK THE PICTURE FOR A STAND: TRAILER )

" Backfire "

SCENE 1: Early afternoon at TA.

“Something wrong? Don’t tell me

It’s Hithe drama again.”

KRISTYN: Nope. There’s no drama.

Unless you were lying when

you said it’s his last day.

MONICA: I was very serious.

In fact, Amber is training

his replacement right now. 

Just wait until you meet him.

[ Monica gives her a look &

Kristyn rolls her eyes. ]

KRISTYN: I don’t care.  I have

much bigger things on my

mind right now.

MONICA: Like what?

KRISTYN: Like…I’ve been kind

of exploring my other options.

MONICA:  Hold on.  You’re thinking

about quitting, seriously?

[ Hearing someone behind her

Kristyn turns around to Amber

& the new manager waiting.  ]

AMBER: Hey, I just wanted to

Introduce you to Hahn.

This is Kristyn and Monica.

MONICA: Hello.

[ Kristyn smiles & turns around.  Hahn

gives her a weird look before walking

 off. ]

MONICA: Well, that was cold. 

Even for you.

KRISTYN: I’m just not in a social

type of mood today.  Sue me.

SCENE 2: At Mark and Ski’s house.

[ Ski feels shaking and wakes up. 

Turning over, he sees Chais at

the foot of his bed. ]

“Get off.  I told you about that!”

SKI: Damn it, what time is it?

CHASE: Three, were you getting

up this year or maybe next?

SKI: Ha-ha, you little asshole. 

Think fast.

[ Ski chucks a pillow and hits

Chaison in the head.  ]

CHASE: Mark left you a note.

It’s in the kitchen. 

SKI: Yeah.  I thought I told

you about that too.  It’s Dad. 

CHASE: What. Ever!

[ He starts making kissing sounds. ]

SKI: I’m not playing, punk.

Show some respect already.

[ Chais ignores him and sits

down, shaking the bed again. ]

CHASE: Make me, bitch. 

SKI: Alright.  You wanna play?

CHASE: Yeah, I do.  You ain’t about

 nothing.

[ Chais starts laughing and

doesn’t notice Ski lifting his leg

up until he feels himself falling

off of the bed.  ]

SKI: Respect the floor then.

SCENE 3: In the break room.

[ Just as Kristyn sits down, the

door opens.  Hahn and Kyle

walk inside. ]

HAHN: Hey.  We meet again.

KRISTYN: Yup.  Imagine that. 

Working in the same place

and all.

[ Kyle laughs until he sees

Kristyn’s dead expression. ]

KYLE: Alright then.  I think I’ll

break over here. 

[ He walks away and Hahn sits down

across from Kristyn. ]

HAHN: Giving the situation, shouldn’t

you be happy I’m here now?

KRISTYN: Excuse me?

HAHN: I kind of heard about Hithe. 

KRISTYN: That loose lip little girl.

HAHN: It wasn’t Amber.  Anyway,

you seem sort of hostile right.

So I’ll back off.  I’m just trying

to get to know everyone. See ya.

[ He exits & Kyle walks over.  Sitting

down on the table. ]

KRISTYN: I have zero time for some

 flirt trying to distract me at my

job again.  It’s so unprofessional.

KYLE: What?  You’re being delusional.

That is not what’s going on here.

[ After Kyle leaves, Kristyn takes a bottle

of medicine out of her purse.  Getting up,

she tosses it in the trash and walks out. ]

SCENE 4: Ski is on the phone.

SKI: Thanks for the next to no

warning about your guest.  I

have so much to do. 

MARK: Sorry babe, you know I’m

always forgetting stuff.

Do you need anything?

SKI: No, I’m fine.  So, who is this

guy you found for our

commercials?

MARK: You’ll see.  We’re just

finishing up a few things.  Be

home in a couple hours.

SKI: Okay, bye.

[ Two hours later the front door

opens.  Mark and his guest walk

inside. ]

“Hey Mark.  Mark’s friend.”

[ Mark raises his hand to Chaison.

He makes a face, running off. ]

LANDYN: Your kid calls you Mark? 

MARK: Yup.  That one does.

[ Suddenly Ski walks up to the

entrance way.  Seeing Landyn

standing there, he freezes and

drops the pan he has in his hand. ]

MARK: I guess we’ll be skipping that

part of the dinner, right?

[ He hits Landyn in the arm. ]

MARK: 86 the rolls! 

[ Mark starts to laugh.  And Ski

walks back in the kitchen. ]

SCENE 5: The end of Kristyn’s shift.

[ Amber is walking past floral and

Kristyn sees her. ]

“So Am, why is it your place to

spread my personal business

around? Just wondering?”

AMBER: I have no clue what

you’re talking about.

[ Amber walks away, looking concerned.

Kristyn grabs her stuff and walks right

out the door, not seeing Hahn watching

her leave. ]

[ Meanwhile, in the break room Kyle

 is emptying the trash can as a half full

pill bottle falls to the floor.  Curious

he picks it up and reads the label. ]

“Kristyn…”

[ Monica comes in behind him. ]

MONICA: Hey babe.  What’s that?

KYLE: Kristyn was acting weirder

than usual today and I think I

know why.

SCENE 6: In Mark & Ski’s kitchen.

“Sorry about the joke.  I can make

more bread.”

SKI: This isn’t about that.  You have no

clue who that is, do you?

MARK: I know his name is Landyn and

I hired him about a month ago.

SKI: Yeah, he’s also Weis’ ex.

MARK: Oh.  So, you’ve met before?

SKI: Not exactly.  But I’ve heard Joh

and Weis argue about him in the

break room.

He’s a drug addict.  And it’s probably

not safe for him to be around the

kids.

MARK:  Look, I know about that.  And

actually he went to rehab. He’s

doing fine now.

SKI: I don’t know. I'm guessing Weis

has no clue he's back in town.  

LANDYN: Hey, sorry to intrude but I

can hear you in the hallway.  I know

you’re friends with Weis and you

probably have a bad idea about

me.  So did Mark.  But I’m not the

same person I was back then. 

[ Ski looks at Landyn who is waiting

for a response. ]

SKI: Fine.  I guess I’ll be cool.

MARK: Great!  Now who wants a

drink?

[ Mark high fives Landyn. ]


Edited 01/14/17

" Justice ( First 7 ) "

SCENE 1

[ Early morning
there’s a knock
on Mark’s office
door. ]

‘Come in.’

ACE: Hey Mark.
MARK: What’s up?
ACE: Just wanted to
clear up some things
about the Salon
opening.
MARK: Sure. Only
seven days left.
You ready?
ACE: Yup. I hired
some of my girl’s
stylist friends.
New furniture is
coming at one.
MARK: That’s great
ACE: Yeah, I’m pretty
excited.
MARK: So, you worked
out the finance issue
with Jim?
ACE: Not exactly.
That’s actually
what I wanted
to talk to you

[ Mark’s phone rings. ]

MARK: Sorry man.

[ Ace gets up. ]

ACE: It’s cool.
I’ll just tell you
later.

[ Ace leaves. Walking
through the back door
he bumps into someone
coming in ]


SCENE 2

‘What are you
doing here?’

HITHE: The delivery
needs a signature.
And since you’ve
been M.I.A. all
morning they
called me.

ACE: Sorry. I just
got a lot on my
mind right now.
HITHE: Well, you
got my transfer
approved right?
Mark knows I’m
. . .leaving.
ACE: Not quite.

[ They continue
walking. Passing
by Kristyn, she rolls
her eyes at Hithe. ]

‘He makes me
sick.’

MONICA: I know. You
think he told Ace
how he’s getting
the money?
KRISTYN: Doubt it.
Of course Amber
got the promotion.
MONICA: Yeah, I
know. Kyle’s in an
uproar over it.
KRISTYN: He really
thought he had it?
MONICA: Girl, I guess.


SCENE 3

“Everything is
top of the line.
I’m putting you
ahead before we
even open.”

ACE: Wow these
chairs alone must
have cost a fortune.
Are you sure we
can afford this?
HITHE: My man,
Acer. Everything
here is good.
All we need now
is to finagle that
transfer out of
Mark.

ACE: Well, that’s
easier said than
done.
HITHE: Right. I
should probably
leave. Later.

[ Hithe exits the Salon
walking outside onto
the parking lot. ]

‘Hithe! Hold on.’

[ He slowly turns. ]

HITHE: Mark, hey.
MARK: Glad you
stopped by. You’re
the last one on my
list.
HITHE: List?
MARK: Yeah, I’m
throwing Ace a
surprise opening
party tonight
Be here at ten?
HITHE: Uh. . .
sure.
Sounds great!


SCENE 4

[ Meanwhile there’s
a sudden knock on
Markis’ back door. ]

‘Can I help. . .’

[ Tiesun sees Marisa
smiling back at her. ]

TIESUN: What are
you doing here?
MARISA: I need to
talk to Markis. It’s
kind of important.
TIESUN: Oh I’m
sure. Thing is. . .
we don’t just let
any random
person walk up
in here.

MARKIS: Whose
at the door?
TIESUN: See
for yourself.

[ She walks away. ]

MARKIS: Marisa,
right?
To what do I owe
the pleasure?
MARISA: I have
a favor to ask
of you.
MARKIS: Okay?
MARISA: Yes. It
has to do with a
certain ex-friend
of yours.
My ex-boyfriend.
He did us dirty.
And now we need
to execute our
revenge.


SCENE 5

[ Nightshift at
Aisle 6n9. ]

‘Can you believe
there’s a party
going on upstairs
and we’re out here
watching the store?’

STUU: Yay for being
underage, right?
WEIS: Yup.
JOH: Well, I’ve been
assigned up front.

[ He starts walking. ]

JOH: Try not to kill
each other while
I’m gone.


[ Meanwhile upstairs. ]

‘Hey Kristyn, Monica,
Kyle. . .’

[ Kyle rolls his eyes
as Mark walks past
him. ]

MARK: Thanks for
coming everyone.

[ He finishes his
glass of wine as
Amber approaches. ]

MARK: You talked
to Karie, right?
They are coming.
AMBER: Of course.

She’s texting me
when they get
here.


SCENE 6

‘Let me get this
straight. . .’

MARKIS: You want
to hire my boys to
scare Airynn for
you.
MARISA: Oh, not
just scare.
I want him so
terrified that he
begs for our
forgiveness.
.MARKIS: What are
we gonna do
exactly?
Run up on him
and yell boo.

[ He laughs. ]

MARISA: This isn’t
a damn joke.
I’m serious.
Don’t you have
guns or something?
MARKIS: Really?
No, but if you
wanna end this
I have a better
idea.


SCENE 7

‘Did you really need
chips and salsa
this late at night?’

KARIE: You know
me and my cravings.

[ She comes behind
him and puts on
a blindfold. ]

ACE: Hey. You
remember what
happened the
last time I was
like this?

[ She laughs. ]

KARIE: Just
follow me.

[ Leading him up
the stairs they walk
into a dark room
and Karie turns on
the light. . . ]

‘SURPRISE!!!’

[ Ace sees everyone
standing there and
Mark walking toward
him. ]

MARK: When we first
had the idea to open
the Salon, Jim wasn’t
too sure about
hiring you.
But I convinced him.
And now you’re six
days until opening.

Congratulations Ace,
you did it.

[ Mark takes a sip
of wine, handing
Ace a glass. ]

ACE: Listen, Mark.
I have something
to tell you.

[ The party goes silent. ]

ACE: I’m taking Hithe
with me.


(Updated 10/24)

218 WE GOT THEM GUNs

‘ So, am I the only

one here not under

any influence? ’

[ Ski looks around at Larrie,

Joh, & Weis who are sitting

at a table with him. . . ]

JOH: Oh, I’m definitely not

WEIS: Yeah, he just acts

like us normally.

SKI: Well, that’s pretty

sad guys.

[ Everyone laughs. . . ]

JOH: So, which one of us

is going one-on-one

with Mr. Abercrombie

today?

[ sighs ] SKI: That guy is

the epitome of the type

of person I can’t stand!

WEIS: Yeah, me too. . .

Wait, what’s epitome?

JOH: It means. . .if you were

to look up Ski’s enemies

in the dictionary

You’d see Airynn’s face

as an example.

[ Everyone just looks at Joh. . . ]

WEIS: See what I mean.

[ Before anyone can laugh

Airynn walks in with Markis ]

AIRYNN: Uh, why is everyone

staring at me?

LARRIE: We’re trying to

figure out what were

looking at.

[ walks up ] AIRYNN: What

was that you fucking

weirdo?

[ stands up ] JOH: You heard him

and you won't do anything about

it.

AIRYNN: Maybe not, but I’ll

tell you what I will

do something about. . .

You seeing Marissa

JOH: What are you

talking about?

AIRYNN: She’s my girlfriend

now. . .it’s all over.  

[ Airynn looks at him, smirking

& Joh just shakes his head

walking off. . . ]

SKI: Wow, is it time to

start already?

[ Larrie & Ski get up then

Weis follows them. . . ]

WEIS: Hey Ski. . .you left

this outside my parent’s

place.

[ Hands him his license ]

SKI: I didn’t even realize

it was gone, thanks

[ Back in the breakroom

Airynn & Markis are

walking out. . . ]

MARKIS: So, you stole your

best friend’s girl. . .

That’s kind of fucked

up

AIRYNN: First of all, we’re not

best friends & second,

he never even dated her

MARKIS: Still man, you know

he likes her. . .

No offense, but if you did

that shit to me or any

of my homeboys we’d be

beating your ass

[ faces him ] AIRYNN: Oh yeah? &

who are these ‘homeboys’

of yours?

MARKIS: You wanna find out?

If you think you can handle

it we can chill after work

AIRYNN: Oh, I’ll be fine

MARKIS: OK then, man

[ Markis turns around &

starts stocking cereal ]

[ A little over 8 hours

later, Markis & Airynn

are getting into Markis’

Sunfire. . . ]

MARKIS: Ready?

AIRYNN: Yeah. . . [ sits

down ]

Sweet ride

MARKIS: Yeah

[ Markis turns up his car

system & speeds out of the

parking lot. . . ]

[ 15 minutes later they

pull up to an

apartment building. . . ]

AIRYNN: Where are we?

MARKIS: We’re picking up

the twins [ honks horn ]

AIRYNN: Oh, are they your

homies?  [ He laughs. ]

[ Two guys dressed in

similar clothes walk to

the car & get in . . . ]

MARKIS: This is Trey

& D’Ondrae

[ Airynn says ‘hey’ but

doesn’t turn around. . . ]

TREY: What’s up?

MARKIS: Not shit, this is

Airynn from TA.

TREY: Yeah, I know him

D’ONDRAE: Didn’t he go to

our high school?

[ Airynn turns around,

seeing Trey for the first

time. . . ]

TREY: I remember you. . .

always hanging with

that other white boy

MARKIS: You mean, Joh?

TREY: Yeah, that’s him

D’ONDRAE: You’re gay, right?

[ Trey starts to laugh &

Markis looks away. . . ]

TREY: Damn, bro.

You can't just assume that.

[ turns around ] AIRYNN:

No, I’m not

I have a girlfriend

D’ONDRAE: Oh, my bad

MARKIS: I got a little

delivery

to make first, aight?

AIRYNN: What kind of delivery?

[ Markis pulls a bag out of

his center console & throws

it in Airynn’s lap. . . ]

AIRYNN: You’re selling

drugs?

MARKIS: No, I used to.

This is for someone

else though [ takes it

back ] Be right back

[ He gets out & walks to

the back of an apartment. . . ]

TREY: You smoke?

AIRYNN: No, I don’t

D’ONDRAE: I have a question. . .

AIRYNN: Yeah?

D’ONDRAE: Are your

parents rich or

something?

AIRYNN: Not really,

why?

D’ONDRAE: Oh, it just

seems like it

[ Markis gets in suddenly

& it’s completely quiet. . . ]

MARKIS: Hey. . .what’s

up?

[ At Markis’ parents. . .the

twins are playing PS3

while Airynn & Markis

go upstairs. . . ]

[ shuts the door ] MARKIS:

You should probably

change

AIRYNN: What, why?

MARKIS: If you go where

we’re going dressed like

that you’ll get shot [ He smirks ]

AIRYNN: Where are

we going?

MARKIS: Just to a party

AIRYNN: Why does it

matter then?

MARKIS: Trust me,

Just put this on & meet

me downstairs. . .

[ Markis leaves, & Airynn

looks at the outfit on the

bed. . . ]

[ A few minutes later

Airynn walks into the

living room. . . ]

MARKIS: Aight, let’s go

TREY: Damn, you did a

straight eye for the

queer guy. . . [ laughs ]

[ About 15 minutes later

they park at a dead end

& get out. . . ]

MARKIS: Come on!

[ Everyone follows him

to the back where

some people are partying ]

[ walks up ] ‘Markis! What’s

good, bro?’

MARKIS: Not shit, got any

alcohol in this piece?

GUY1: Over there

[ Markis motions for Airynn

to follow & they walk into

a tent. . . ]

MARKIS: Want a beer

or something?

AIRYNN: I don’t really

drink beer

MARKIS: OK. . .what

about

TREY: Give him a brownie

MARKIS: I don’t think

that’s a good idea

D’ONDRAE: Yeah, I don’t think

he can handle it

AIRYNN: Oh yeah?

Give me one [ gets one ]

MARKIS: Wait man, you

don’t even know. . .

[ Before he can finish Airynn

takes a small bite & then

eats the rest. . . ]

[ Trey & D’Ondrae take some

then leaves. . . ]

AIRYNN: I feel fine

MARKIS: Yeah, you’ll be

cool

[ Markis takes a few &

starts eating them while

a girl comes up behind. . . ]

GURL1: Hey Markis. . .

Whose your friend?

[ turns around ] MARKIS:

That’s Airynn

GURL1: Oh [ starts walking

to him. . .]

MARKIS: Yeah, I’ll leave

you alone then [ smirks

at Airynn ]

[ Markis leaves. . . ]

[ Ten minutes later, Airynn’s

walking to the car & Markis

is hidden behind a tree/ He

comes up & Airynn feels some-

thing in his back. . . ]

[ Airynn turns around quick ]

AIRYNN: Dude, what the

fuck?

MARKIS: Relax man, it’s not

even loaded

AIRYNN: Still that’s not

fucking funny, OK?

MARKIS: Damn, I’ll go put

It back. . . So, what did that

girl want?

AIRYNN: Uh, nothing. . .

Let’s get out of here

& go fuck with those

losers at the store

[ At TA everyone is in the

back room & Airynn bangs on

the door. . . ]

JOH: What was that?

[ Suddenly Airynn burst in

with Markis behind him. . . ]

AIRYNN: Hey losers!

LARRIE: Oh, look. . .

It’s Eminem!

SKI: What are you doing

here?

JOH: Yeah, & what are

you wearing dude?

AIRYNN: Don’t worry. . .

We were just leaving

[ He shuts the door

and they’re gone. . . ]

JOH: Well, that was

weird

WEIS: Yeah, maybe it’s

just me. . .

But didn’t Airynn

seem high?

(Edited 09/24)