[ Amber & Dyminic’s House . . .Monday
Morning. ]
[ Dyminic, Amber, Dibur, & Ava are
sitting around the kitchen table at the
conclusion of their dining. ]
AMBER: Alright you two. Go get your
bags ready so I can drop you off.
[ Her daughter and son leave. ]
“Maybe we can actually get there
on time today.”
[ She sighs, rinsing dishes in the sink.
Not noticing Dyminic come up behind
her. ]
DYMINIC: What’s going on, Dearie?
You seem upset.
[ Amber turns off the water & turns
around to face her husband. ]
AMBER: I’m alright, just thinking
about Ava’s class situation.
DYMINIC: Everything will be fine.
Those rude students have been talked
to and the teachers are keeping a closer
eye on her.
AMBER: I know that. And I know they
are used to being around kids with her
condition but still.
[ Dyminic kisses her & walks to the liv-
ing room to say goodbye to his children.
Amber takes a satisfying last sip of her
coffee before entering the other room.
Pleased to see both her offspring on
the couch and ready for day. ]
DIBUR: I’m getting in the car.
[ She bends down to speak to Ava. ]
AMBER: Good job getting your stuff
for school, sweetie! You’re going to
have a fun day today.
[ Ava smiles cheerfully at her mother
and they leave. ]
[ Chicks Ahoy Tattoo & Piercing . . .Night
Before. ]
[ Acer sits tranquilly in his chair, anxious
to begin his long-awaited arm sleeve.
His female artist enters the room.
Holding her gun intensely as if it
contained more. ]
“You didn’t need to take off your
shirt for this.”
ACE: I know. It’s just more
comfortable that way.
ARTIST: Oh yeah, for whom?
[ She stays stern, sitting down next to him. ]
ACE: Maybe us both?
[ The artist rolls her eyes at him. ]
ACE: I’m adopting a new year, new
me mantra. And yes, I know people say
that all the time but I’m actually going
to do it this year.
ARTIST: And what inspired this?
[ She starts pressing the needle into
his skin as Acer exhales. ]
ACE: I’ve been single for years.
I’m approaching 40. I need something
more in my life than just managing a
salon. Something I can have a real
passion for.
ARTIST: I understand that. I wouldn’t
be happy if I weren’t tattooing or doing
something artistic.
ACE: Right and there must be a reason
why I haven’t been able to settle down
yet.
Since my personal life is so blah, I need
some other distraction.
ARTIST: Well, getting tattoos can be
very therapeutic.
ACE: You’re right about that. I always
feel calm and serene while getting one
done. And of course, the sexy views in
here make it so much better.
[ Acer goes silent, pondering his thoughts
while still flirting with a locked,
sensual grin. ]
[ TA Store . . .The Next Day. ]
[ Mark comes into the assistant’s office
with Hahn and they walk over to his
desk. ]
MARK: So, what is it that you needed
to show me?
[ Hahn looks concerned, unpausing
the security footage as they watch. ]
ERME: Hey, do you know what’s
going on with Scott? He won’t
talk to me.
MAXX: Not exactly but ever since
game night when he went to look
for you he’s been kind of distant.
What were you doing out there,
anyway?
[ Erme doesn’t reply. ]
MAXX: Well, whatever it was
it freaked him out.
HAHN: You don’t think that this
alludes to being sexual?
I mean, this kid is obsessed with
animals.
MARK. Yeah, he mentions them a lot.
And Scott did request last week that
he not be put in his section. It’s
all starting to come together now.
HAHN: Alright then. What are
we going to do about it?
MARK: I admit, it's a very unsettling
thought.
But . . .nothing.
HAHN: Seriously?
MARK: Yes!
[ A look of utter shock sweeps across
Hahn’s face as Mark leaves him for
downstairs. ]
[ Meanwhile . . .At TA Kutz. ]
[ Acer & Hithe are in the men’s bathroom. ]
ACE: Man, you gotta check out my new
ink!
[ He states looking in the mirror while
washing his hands. ]
HITHE: Right now? We have a meeting in
ten minutes.
ACE: That I’m hosting. It can wait.
[ Hithe turns around after zipping up
to see Acer with his shirt already
unbuttoned. ]
HITHE: You never miss a chance
to strip off.
[ Acer slowly reveals his arm. ]
HITHE: Very neat! I like the coloring.
ACE: Right! From now on, I only
let woman tattoo this body.
You should come with me this
weekend for number ten.
HITHE: You have got to get a
life.
ACE: What’s wrong with getting
tattoos? It really centers me and
I enjoy the process.
HITHE: Nothing. But right now
you need to be focused on this
meeting before we look like
complete fools in front of Jim.
It’s important that we gain new
regular clients this quarter.
Or have you already decided to
skip out on your obligations?
[ Hithe exits the bathroom, shaking
his head. Acer remains stuck in his
own reflection. ]
[ Attica Elementary School . . . Lot Area. ]
[ Dibur has run ahead inside while Amber
is escorting Ava. Seeing the familiar
building in front of her she gets excited.
AVA: Time for school.
Time for school.
[ She repeats as they walk inside.
Instantly a woman greets them. ]
“Hi, I’m Ava’s teacher.”
KTEACH: Hi Ava.
[ Happily addressing her student
but barely looking toward Amber. ]
KTEACH: You can drop her off
here. Class is about to start.
[ Ava let’s go of her mother’s
hand, following the teacher
but Amber takes it back fast. ]
AMBER: I was told I could stay.
Just for a bit. To make sure she
is adjusting.
KTEACH: She seems fine.
[ The instructor sighs, turning
around in a huff, ]
KTEACH: But no problem.
Right this way.
[ She takes off down the hall,
her footsteps getting louder
with Amber close behind. ]
[ Back At TA Kutz . . .After The Meeting. ]
[ Acer is at his desk, video chatting with
his friend Kyle. ]
KYLE: I see your Gram is turning into
a tattoo sanctuary.
ACE: Yeah, and you work out way
too much. What about it?
KYLE: I’m just observing, Anyway,
you won’t believe the story that
I heard from one of my clients
today.
ACE: What on?
KYLE: Turns out there’s a guy who
goes to my gym. An older gentleman
who runs some sort of polyamorous
free-for-all at his mansion.
ACE: You’re kidding.
KYLE: No, I’m serious. He showed
me proof on video. Apparently, he
holds them every week.
ACE: Interesting. How does one get
an invite to such a party?
KYLE: I don’t know, and I don’t
care. Anyway, I have to go my
next client just came in.
And Ace. . .
ACE: What?
KYLE: Don’t get any crazy ideas!
[ He ends the call. ]
[ On The Road . . .Amber's Atlas. ]
[ She is listening to music trying to get
her head in a different place when
she receives a phone call. ]
“Hey stranger!”
SKI: Hey! I was calling to tell you
I have some great news.
AMBER: Oh yeah? What’s up?
SKI: I’m moving back home.
AMBER: Boy, don’t play with me!
SKI: I’m not. I got a transfer so I
could do my last year of my masters
there.
AMBER: That’s wonderful! Mark’s
gonna be so relieved. I know he
misses you a lot.
Have you told him?
SKI: Not yet. I’ll be at the awards in
a couple weeks. I’ll surprise him
with it then.
Talk to you later and see you soon.
[ Amber arrives at her home. Getting out she
sees the panic expression on her husband’s
face as he walks up. ]
AMBER: You home for lunch?
DYMINIC: No dear. We have to get to the
school right now.
AMBER: Honey, what is it?
DYMINIC: It’s Ava. She’s had a seizure.
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