With Bitter Certainty: Part 1 (Finale)

scene one:

[ Jeszyca is dressed up enjoying

her breakfast at the table

when Sunshine comes in. ]

"Aren't you running late?  I

thought you had to be there

at 7."

[ She questions as Sunshine

sits down. ]

SUNSHINE: Yeah I decided to

lessen my time at the fitness

center.

JESZYCA: Okay.  To how many

days?

[ She looks at Jeszyca, smiles

& bites into her toast triangle. ]

SUNSHINE: Not sure yet. Now

that I can work anywhere I 

want to consider my options.

JESZYCA: Its nice to consider.

Better to have a concrete plan.

SUNSHINE: You're right.  And

speaking of, I have got to get

going.

Mmmmm.  What did you coat the

berries with?

JESZYCA: A little this, a little

that.  Maybe some vodka.

[ Sunshine isn't surprised. Kissing

her & walking towards the door. ]

SUNSHINE: Good thing I only had

one piece.  See you tonight babe.

[ Jeszyca smiles, indulging in

a spiked blueberry. ]

scene two:
Inside Syria's living room.

[ Ricky walks inside joining
Hahn on the couch. ]

HAHN: Thanks for coming.

RICKY: You sounded frantic
on the phone.  What's going
on?
HAHN: Have you noticed any-
thing different with Charles 
lately?
RICKY: Well I don't hear from 
him much and when I do it
tends to be general conver-
sation only.

HAHN: Yeah same here. Sadly I
have no clue what's going on
anymore.  He just won't let
me in.
RICKY: If Charles wants to be
secretive and go all MIA. What
can we really do about it?

[ Hahn stands up, walking &
Ricky turns toward him. ]

HAHN: We could find him and
try to force out the truth.

[ He pulls out a single key
from his khaki pocket. ]

HAHN: I knew keeping this
would come in handy.  He's
staying at my old place.

I'll drive.

[ He stands, waving the key. ]

RICKY: After you.


scene three:
Night before, at The Aisles.

[ Ski is showing Joh the new
ordering system when Stuu
shows up. ]

"Cool I think I got it."

JOH: Hey man, how's the
baby?

STUU: She's good.  Weis is
home.  

[ He stands there, quiet &
trying to keep his eyes
open. ]

SKI: Here.  You need this
more than I do.

[ He hands Stuu his coffee
drink & he takes a sip. ]

STUU: Thanks.  Things have
been hectic ever since Zain
went on vacation.  I'm use
to having that nap time
after I get off.
JOH: Yeah.  He'll be back
from New Zealand in another
week.  He met a girl while
he was there too.

STUU: Of course he did.

[ Stuu half smiles. ]

JOH: I don't think it's
serious though. Don't freak.
SKI: You sure about that?

[ They look at Ski's screen
as picture after picture
scroll of Zain, holding &
kissing this new girl. ]


SKI: Looks pretty for real.

scene four:
  TA, the next afternoon.

[ Sunshine is seated comfort-
ably in Mark's office when
he starts to speak. ]

"You're probably wondering
why exactly I called you
in."

SUNSHINE: Normally I've read
a description of the job but
in this case.

MARK: I know.  I contacted
you first.  I've heard about
your experience from Jeszyca.

And there's something coming
up with TA that I think you
would be the perfect fit for.
SUNSHINE: Really, what is it?

A restaurant of some sort?  
MARK: You're on the right track.
There will be food involved.

[ He stands up, revealing the
model that's placed on his
desk. ]

MARK: This is what the inside
of the first Aisles Bar will
look like.
SUNSHINE: Wow.  That's amazing.

MARK: And you haven't even
heard the best part.

I know you have bartending ex-
perience. But we decided someone 
with your drive and talent should
really be at the forefront of
this whole operation.
SUNSHINE: What does that mean?

MARK: It means I want you to
manage.  


scene five:

[ Ricky is standing behind
Hahn as he unlocks the door. 

Walking in, they can tell
right away that no ones 
inside. ]

"Look around. Maybe will
find something."

RICKY: This is kind of weird.

[ She walks into the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, she sees
a few random food items and
a jug of milk. ]

RICKY: Milk is expired.  I'm
guessing you were right and
he hasn't been here in a
few weeks.
HAHN: His brother has a cabin
I think but I doubt he be there
after.

[ Ricky enters the living room
where Hahn is going through
papers on the table. ]

RICKY: After what?
HAHN: He found out Sandie is
sleeping with his brother.
RICKY: That's crazy.  No wonder
he left town.  I wouldn't want to
be near them either
HAHN: Who is this?

[ He shows Ricky a hotel notepad
with an unknown name written
down on it. ]

RICKY: I don't know but maybe
someone at this hotel has
seen him.
HAHN: Yeah it's in Mirror. We
should check it out.    

[ Suddenly they hear a key rat-
tling its way into the lock.

Shaken still, eyes toward the
front door. ]

HAHN: He's here.


scene six:

"Thank you again. I won't
let you down."

MARK: Don't be nervous about
being new to management either.

We're one team at TA.  I'll make a
path for you.  

[ He stares at Sunshine as
she exits his office. 

Turning around, she almost
bumps into another worker. ]

"Hey.  Can I ask you a quest-
ion?"

SCOTT: Sure anything.

[ He smiles at her.  Trying not to
show his obvious attraction. ]

SUNSHINE: How do you feel about
Mark as a manager?  Is he
a trustworthy guy?

SCOTT: Yeah.  I'd say so.  
Why are you considering
coming on?  Maybe in my
department.
SUNSHINE: No it's somewhere
else.  I'll see ya.


[ She leaves Scott disappointed,
walking out. ]

How Will It End?

Setting Up

SCENE 1:

In the guy’s basement.

[ Stuu, LeeVigh, & Weis

are sitting around the

room. ]

LEEVIGH: Okay.  Let’s talk

about subject matter.

STUU: Why don’t we use

the song I wrote? The one

I auditioned with.

[ They both look at Weis across

from them on a chair. ]

WEIS: That’s a solo thing. It’s

not right for a band.

STUU: Well, we could add to it.

LEEVIGH: It would be better if

It was a group effort.

WEIS: Yeah, I agree.

[ Stuu shrugs his shoulder. ]

STUU:  Then why don’t we

go with love?  Since Lee

has a new girlfriend and

you’ve been in love

[ He points at Weis. ]

What, two…three times?

[ Stuu rolls his eyes but

Weis doesn’t see him. ]

SCENE 2:

Late afternoon, at TA.

[ Amber enters Mark’s office. ]

AMBER: Hey, did our extra

work last week pay off?

[ She sits down. ]

MARK: Nope.  Ski’s team still

won.  They deserved it

though, it’s fine. 

[ He smiles at Amber. ]

AMBER: Yeah.  Speaking

of Ski, I thought you had

a picture of him and your

boys up, where’d it go?

[ Mark looks away. ]

MARK: Uh, I had to take

It down.  Had some execs

in here earlier.

AMBER: Oh, I see.

Well, I better go get

started.  See you later.

[ She quickly exits the

office & makes her

way downstairs. ]

SCENE 3:

Back at band rehearsal.

“It can’t just be about

love either.”

STUU: True. A personal

experience would be

better. 

[ Weis stands up. ]

WEIS: I got it, then.

How about you never

in life wanting to have

sex?

LEEVIGH: What?

STUU: That’s a decision I

made a long time ago.

What about it?

LEEVIGH: Just curious, why?

STUU: I just have never had

a desire to.  I don’t know.

It’s hard to explain.

WEIS: Well, think about it.

[ Weis hands Stuu his

notepad and a pen. ]

STUU: This is too much.

[ He puts the stuff down

& excuses himself from

the room. ]

SCENE 4:

Front break room, TA.

[ Lacey is eating her lunch

when Amber sits down

next to her. ]

AMBER: Hey girl.

LACEY: Good you’re here.

[ She moves closer. ]

AMBER: What’s going on?

LACEY: How well do you

know Mark, the boss?

AMBER: Pretty good, why?

LACEY: Ever since the casino

weekend, he’s been acting

weird towards me.

AMBER: Wait a minute, you

were there?

LACEY: Yeah, with a friend.

I had no idea Mark & Ace

would show up.

AMBER: Wow.

LACEY: Is he dating anyone?

[ Amber recalls the missing

picture. ]

AMBER: Mark is engaged.  Has

been for awhile. 

LACEY: You mean, I was

involved in an affair?

SCENE 5:

Outside, after rehearsal.

[ Stuu & LeeVigh are talking

in the driveway. ]

LEEVIGH: Well, that was fun.

STUU: Oh yeah. At least we

got part of it done without

a major blow out.

Too bad it’s at my expense.

LEEVIGH: What do you mean?

STUU: I’m just not comfortable

putting myself out there like

that and Weis knows it.

He takes advantage. 

LEEVIGH: Well, don’t worry about

It.  I’m not gonna judge you.

And Weis will come around.

[ Stuu turns to leave & a paper

falls out of his jacket. LeeVigh

picks it up & calls to him. ]

LEEVIGH: Wait, what’s this?

Application for being a

donor.

[ Stuu takes the paper back

& leaves. ]

SCENE 6:

Outside Mark’s office.

[ Mark is locking up when

Amber approaches him. ]

“Can we talk?”

MARK: I was just leaving

but what’s going on?

AMBER: Tell me the truth,

did something happen on

your casino weekend?

Lacey told me you’ve been

acting strange.

[ Marks looks right at her. ]

MARK: I have to pick up my

son.

AMBER: Don’t lie to me Mark,

I of all people understand

what you’re going through

but if something happened,

you need to tell Ski.

[ Mark stays silent. ]

AMBER: I can’t believe this.

You're the last person I'd

expect this from.

If you don’t say anything,

then I will. 

NEW PREVIEW . . . . .

(Updated 11/24)

" Mister What-Not "

SCENE 1

Morning, at TA Salon.

[ Karie is finishing up Larrie’s

cut. ]

“Yeah, thankfully I didn’t have

to bail Jess out of jail the

other night.  She just

got a trespassing ticket.”

KARIE: Wow.  Can’t say she

doesn’t have balls.  Don’t

know what I’ve would

have done if people we’re

stealing my money.   

[ She removes his cover, &

they walk toward the back

for a shampoo.  Karie notices

Sascha doing some cleaning. ]

SASCHA: Seems like Ace has been

gone all day.  Is something

wrong?

KARIE: He’s here.  Just locked in his

office.

SASCHA: That’s weird.  Normally he’s

at the desk or talking to clients. 

[ Larrie is sitting, listening. . . ]

[ After paying at the counter with

Hithe, Larrie goes to the back to

visit his cousin.

Seeing the door is propped, he

knocks on it but instead it comes

flying open.  Ace is gone and

a note is left on his desk.

‘Going home.  Love, Ace’

SCENE 2

Meanwhile, inside TA store.

[ Hahn is talking to Syria in front

of her lane. ]

HAHN: Yeah, you should check

out that movie soon.

Twists around every

corner.  Wicked stuff. 

SYRIA: Thanks, I will.

[ She gives him a friendly smile

before returning to work. ]

[ Hahn checks the time on his

watch & goes outside to wait

on a new arrival.

In the middle lot, Amber &

Ski are sitting & eating lunch. ]

AMBER: We should do this

more often.  Too bad Hithe

couldn’t join.

SKI: I know.  Last night was

crazy!  Imagine my short ass

trying to peel Mark off of

Chais.  He was trying to old

school whip him, belt to skin.

  

AMBER: So, he was the thief.

SKI: Yup, him and his best friend.

I’m like, Mark you can’t do that

anymore.

Then I grounded Chais.

SCENE 3:

Back at the Salon.

[ Karie is reading her text &

and she starts to think, when

Sascha comes in. ]

SASCHA: And now we’re slow.

You're in a good mood. What

changed?

KARIE: I think I know why Ace

has been so hush hush lately.

He’s nervous about asking me

to marry him. 

I mean, we’ve been going out

for nine months.  

We've met each other's

 families already. 

Even talk about kids.  

SASCHA: But what if your wrong

and it’s something else?

KARIE: Like what?

SASCHA: I don’t know but I’m

sure there’s a reason he hasn’t

spilled.

KARIE: Whatever, it is.  I’ll find

out tonight. 

SCENE 4:

[ Hahn sees new bagger Jenni

come in & he immediately

approaches her. ]

“Hahn, right?”

HAHN: That’s me.  Welcome to TA.

JENNI: Thanks.

[ They start walking & he gives her

a tour of the store. ]

HAHN: I actually started as a bagger.

So did our night manager, Ski.

JENNI: That’s cool.  This is my first

job ever.  I’m kind of nervous.

HAHN:  It was mine too.  So I understand.

But don’t worry.  It’s like an extended

family around here.

This is Kristyn, our floral manger.

JENNI: Hi, I’m Jenni.  

[ Kristyn greets her & Hahn bends

down to tell her something.  ]

KRISTYN: Sure, no problem.

HAHN: Thanks.  See ya.

Shall we continue?

[ Hahn & Jenni walk on. ]

SCENE 5:

At Ace & Karie’s. . .

[ Karie enters the empty rooms,

one by one and searching for

a hidden box.

Now in their bedroom, still with

nothing.  Karie sits down, attempting

to tap into her boyfriend’s smarts. ]

“Where could it be?

The recliner!”

[ Karie is sifting through the storage

expecting to find a jewelry box. 

Getting closer she notices, its filled

with information and notices from

the hospital. ]

[ Reading through Ace’s papers, Karie

has to sit down.  As she fights tears,

he comes through the door unaware. ]

ACE: Babe, what are you doing?

[ Karie stands up & Ace walks to her

but she backs away. ]

KARIE: How long have you been 

lying to me?

[She states, sifting through pages.]

 This is serious, Ace.

ACE: I’m sorry.  I just don’t want

anyone treating me like. 

I’m dying.

[ He sits down on the couch,

Karie stays standing. ]

SCENE 6:

[ After Jenni leaves, Hahn is passing

the front break room and hears Syria

and another male voice talking

back and forth.

With no one around, he leans toward

the door.  Listening. ]

DYMINIC: So, you have a good day dear?

SYRIA: Yeah, it’s fine.  I’m surprised

you came here on my break.

DYMINIC: About that.  I arranged you a

ride tonight.  I’m going out with my

boss. 

SYRIA: Again.  You would think you have

kissed his cufflinks enough.

DYMNIC: Yeah, not quite.  He’s relentless.

You done with the cell.  I gotta take off soon.

[ Suddenly the phone gets a text from an

unsaved number. ]

“Can’t wait for tomorrow night!.”

SYRIA: Okay slick.  Who is this?

[ She raises her voice and slides the phone

 to him ]

DYMINIC: Just my boss, Sear.

Relax.

[ Hahn bust through the door. ]

HAHN: Everything alright in here?

[ He lets out a big, uncomfortable

smile. ]

(Updated 10/24)

" Mind Cluck Rhyme "

SCENE 1:

Next morning, At TA. . .

[ Mark enters the store & is greeted

by the morning cashier. ]

“Hey, how was your vacation?”

MARK: Really good.

Thanks for asking. How

are things around here?

SYRIA: Oh, you know.

Same old, same old.

[ Suddenly Hahn approaches

Mark with a look of concern.

They walk into the assistant’s

office. ]

MARK: So, what’s up?

HAHN: Well, we lost $350 worth

of product the other day.  Some

was stolen, the rest left out to

melt all over the floor.

[ Mark doesn’t answer. ]

HAHN: Hey boss.  Did you hear me?

MARK: Yes sorry.  You reported it to

Jim right?

HAHN: Yeah, he wants you to run

the cameras and try and figure 

out what happened.

MARK: Alright, I will later. Thanks.

[ Hahn leaves.  Distracted, Mark

attempts to reach Ace but there’s

no response. ]

SCENE 2:

At a studio downtown.

[ Markis is on the mic & Trey

Is sitting, running the boards. ]

TREY: Nice bro.  So, you seen

Michelle around?

She hasn’t hit me up in awhile.

MARKIS: Naw man.  Tie said

she’s been MIA.  But don’t

worry, I’m sure she’ll make

it back around to you.

[ Trey laughs & Markis comes

over, sitting down. ]

MARKIS: You heard from Weis

since he went mad crazy on you?

TREY: Nope.

[ Trey looks away from him. ]

MARKIS: Can’t believe he basically

pistol whipped your ass. 

TREY: Shut up.  Anyway, you’re

wasting valuable time.  I suggest

you focus on your raps if we’re

ever gonna finish this mixtape.

MARKIS: Alright, alright.

I got you.

[ Trey sighs, turning the music

back up. . . ]

SCENE 3:

In Mark’s office.

[ Mark is trying to concentrate

on some paper work but all

he can think about is why Ace

isn’t returning his call.

Frustrated, he dials the number

to the Salon. ]

“TA Salon, how can I help you?”

MARK: Hey Hithe, is Acer there?

HITHE: Nope. He called off today.

MARK: Okay, thanks.

[ Hithe hangs up & Mark makes

another call. ]

MARK: Sorry for waking you,

I just really need to talk to

someone.

SKI: You’re fine.  What’s

going on?

MARK: It’s about Ace.  He’s

really sick and he wants to

keep it a secret. Karie doesn’t

even know.

SKI: Wow, how bad is it?

MARK: Very.  I feel like he’s slipping 

away and there’s nothing I can

do about it.

SCENE 4:

Back at the Studio. . .

[ Markis is wrapped up

& Trey is sitting in the

room alone. ]

“Ugh, why did Markis

have to mention him?”

[ Looking outside, he sees his

brother & Markis.  Now chilling

inside his car.

With no one around, he turns

the music back on & enters

the booth. ]

“You flew off the handle. 

Rage deep in your eyes.

But even as things sit,

I still consider you a prize.”

DEONDRE: Whoa, what was

that about? I’ve never seen

you try to spit.

[ Trey comes out. ]

TREY: Nothing, just messing

around.

DEONDRE: Listen, I have to

tell you something.

It’s about Michelle.

SCENE 5:

Back at TA. . .

 [ Mark is in his office, searching

through the security screens

from a couple days ago.

All of sudden he sees two

familiar young boys walk

right into the store. ]

MARK: Oh shit.

[ Minutes later, after he gets

off the phone with his boss

Jim, Hahn comes back ]

HAHN: Hey, did you figure

it out yet?

MARK: Yeah and you will

never guess who it was.

HAHN: Really, who?

MARK: My son Chais and his

friend Billy.  Thankfully Jim

doesn’t want to press charges.

But that boy better run when

I get home.

HAHN: At least now you know

who took your keys.

[ Hahn laughs. ]

MARK: Yup. I think I’m

gonna take off a little early.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

SCENE 6:

Outside the Studio.

[ Trey and his brother DeOndre

are smoking in his car. ]

TREY: It’s puff, puff pass.

You’re babysitting it.

[ DeOndre laughs & hands it

to him. ]

TREY: Now what did you want

to tell me, bro.

DEONDRE: There’s a rumor going

around town that Shell is

pregnant.

TREY: So? It could be anyone’s.

DEONDRE: Right but I stopped

fucking with her a long time

ago.

That leaves you. . .

TREY: And Markis?

DEONDRE: Right.

So what are you gonna do?

[ Trey looks down at his phone,

hiding the pic he is looking at. ]

TREY: Nothing.

(Updated 10/24)