Strictly Exposed: Part 1 [ #Surprise25 ]

 

[ TA Care . . .Break Room. ]

 

[ A somber morning, Tiesun is indulging

in her blueberry muffin when Rediki

enters the doorway. ]

 

TIESUN: Hey.  How did your play

time with the kiddos go?

 

REDIKI: It was fine.  A tad too much

excitement for first thing though.

 

TIESUN: Well, that was our goal. 

 

I bet you’re awake and ready to

conquer the day now.

 

REDIKI: Yeah.  Totally.

 

[ Walking across the room, he

moves a chair close to her and sits

down. His eyes fixed on her face. ]

 

REDIKI: First time I’ve done ‘Duck,

Duck, Goose’ in a suit.

 

TIESUN: Yeah, the owner likes us

to be dressed well.  It set us apart. 

 

REDIKI: I can’t say how much I

appreciate everyone giving me a

chance here.  

And your help especially.

 

TIESUN: We’re happy to have you.

And you seem to be adjusting.  It’s

like a family here at TA.  

You’ll learn that soon. 

 

In fact, I just got an invitation to

the nominee’s brunch on Saturday.

 

Would you like to be my plus

one?

 

REDIKI: That sounds intriguing.

 

I’d love to.  I have to get going

though.  I have a counseling

session at noon.

 

TIESUN:  Oh right.  See ya.

 

[ He leaves for the parking lot. ]

[ Yaz’ Apartment . . .Later That Day. ]

 

[ Erme & Yaz are cuddled together on

a bench, looking over the view off her

balcony. ]

 

YAZ: As much as I enjoy your company

here every day, don’t you want to go home

some time and visit with your animals?

 

[ Erme drops her hand, standing up fast. ]

 

ERME: Not right now.

 

YAZ: Why?

 

YAZ: Then don’t.  Tell me the real reason.

 

ERME: My parents don’t want me around

them.  They think I’m doing things to the

animals.

 

YAZ: Doing things?  Like what?

 

ERME: As in sexually.

 

[ He looks away from her. ]

 

ERME: Look, I was.  But I stopped.

 

And I don’t need any help for it.

 

[ She stands up, backing away from him. ]

 

YAZ: I don’t know what to say. 

 

[ Erme turns around, grabbing her hand. ]

 

ERME: I’m going to change.  I promise.

 

I already have.  Just please don’t think

about leaving me. Like everyone else has.

 

[ Yaz can see his emotions taking over

with the look in his eyes. ]

 

YAZ: I won’t. 

 

[ She kisses him on the cheek

and whispers into his ear. ]

 

YAZ: I know what will take

your mind off this. Come on.  

 

[ Erme follows her back inside. ]

[ Conscious Professional Office . . .That Afternoon. ]

 

[ Caleb hears a loud knock on the door. ]

 

“Come in.”

 

[ He stands up, shaking his client hand. ]

 

CALEB: Hey man.  How’s it going?

 

REDIKI: Pretty good actually. 

 

[ He sits down in a chair while Rediki

gets comfortable on the couch in front

of him. ]

 

CALEB: Great!  You know that’s the

first time I’ve heard you say that.  I

take it you’ve found Care to be a

good fit for you then.

 

REDIKI: Yeah.  The people there are

nice and comforting.  It’s been cool. 

 

CALEB: Good to hear that. 

 

So today we’re going to be trying

something a little different.

 

REDIKI: Okay.

 

CALEB: The first couple sessions

I spent some time getting to know

you and your situation but now we’re

 going to dive into some techniques

that can help you better cope with

the issues you face.

 

It’s called dialectical behavior therapy.

 

REDIKI: Sounds complicated.

 

CALEB: No, no.  It’s essentially just

being able to focus, center your thoughts

and manage them in an effective way. 

 

Let’s get started with some examples.

 

[ Rediki sighs, lying back with his

feet up. ]

[ The Aisles . . .Back Break Room. ]

 

[ Scott & Brian are excited about a

joint discovery when Maxx comes

in. ]

 

“It’s been a whole decade!”

 

[ He sits dejected by his friends. ]

 

MAXX: Am I ever going to get

nominated?

 

[ They immediately change their

expressions to saddened. ]

 

BRIAN: Don’t worry buddy. Your

time will come.

 

MAXX: Oh, excuse me.  Mr. Best

New Employee 2014.

 

[ He looks at Scott. ]

 

MAXX: And 2015. 

 

SCOTT: Hey, at least we’re getting

our ten-year trophies Sunday.

 

MAXX: So? I don’t get to go on

stage for that.

 

SCOTT: I didn’t get nominated this

year either.  But I did get this!

 

[ He takes out a shiny decorated envelope,

waving it in Maxx face & Brian joins him. ]

 

MAXX: No way. You get to present.

 

I hate you both!

 

SCOTT: Yeah. In the category we won.

 

BRIAN: Wait a minute.  Did you see who

is on the noms list?

 

[ Maxx comes over to look. ]

 

‘Ermensau Towne’.

 

SCOTT: What the hell?  He’s only worked

here for three months.  

[ Back At Care . . .Manager’s Office. ]

 

[ Jenni is looking over paperwork at

her desk while Kaori cautiously comes

by. ]

 

KAORI: Just doing some quick copying.

 

JENNI: It’s fine.

 

[ They stay in silence except for the sound

of the machine. ]

 

JENNI: Look, I’m not proud of the way

I acted when I found out.  And I want

to be there for you.

 

KAORI: It’s okay.  Really, I know what

you’ve been going through. 

 

JENNI: Have you decided what you’re

going to do?  Maybe you would

consider working things out with Jai.

 

KAORI: Yes, I have.  And no, I’m not.

 

I wasted many years on Jai. Wanted

him to take us seriously and move

forward with our relationship but

I’ve come to terms with the fact that

he never will.  It’s not in him.

 

 

KAORI: That’s why I’m giving the

baby up for adoption. 

 

I don’t want to raise his child. 

 

[ Hearing a crash, they turn around.

Seeing that Jai has dropped a box of

supplies and is staring at them. ]

[ Syria & Hahn’s House . . . Evening Hours. ]

 

[ Syria, Ricky, and Kira are sitting at the

dining room table drinking tea and

chatting. ]

 

RICKY: Is everyone ready for the

Milestone Awards?

 

[ She states then remembers Hahn’s

firing. ]

 

SYRIA: Yeah, I’m not sure that

would be appropriate. 

 

Hahn is already starting to spiral

out of control but he thinks that

I haven’t noticed.

 

KIRA: That’s too bad.  Where

is he now?

 

SYRIA: Who knows. But I do

know many employees are

furious with him including

Mark.  So it is best he stays

away. 

 

[ The front door opens and Hahn

walks inside.  Making his way to

the dining room, he enters showing

off his purchase in an open bag. ]

 

“I got a new suit for Sunday. Can’t

wait to match it with one of your

dresses.”

 

HAHN: Oh, hey girls. 

 

SYRIA: You really think that’s

a good idea?

 

HAHN: I was nominated and got

an invitation.

 

Why wouldn’t I go?

 

[ Hahn shrugs, hauling his revenge

suit off to his closet. ]

[ Magic Springs Event Center . . .Saturday Afternoon. ]

 

[ Tiesun and Rediki arrive in the meeting room,

seeing the long banquet set up with various brunch

items down the middle of the table.

 

Many fellow TA nominees sitting around

with Mark and Acer placed at the head. ]

 

[ Acer stands up and everyone quiets down. ]

 

ACE: Mark was supposed to give this speech

but since he’s already been drinking since

this morning, I’ll step in.

 

[ He pats his best friend on the shoulder. ]

 

ACE: Once again, I’m proud to say that

TA-MS has the most nominations this

year with a whopping thirty.

 

Let’s make that the most wins too!

 

[ Everyone drowns off into their on

conversations. ]

 

SCOTT: I still can’t believe he got

one.

BRIAN: Well, you know Mark. He’s

like in love with him.

 

[ At the other end of the table. ]

 

YAZ: Waffles or french toast?

I can't decide.

 

ERME: Hold on.  My Dad is calling.

 

“Hey. I need you to get home right

now.”

 

ERME: Why, I’m with Yaz? At the brunch.

 

MERRILTOWNE: That’s fine.  Bring her too.

 

But come right now.

 

[ He ends the call. ] 

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Boo Hoo, Raa Raa! [ #Surprise25 ]

 

[ Employee Lot . . .Behind The Aisles. ]

 

[ The Following Day. . . Sunshine takes her

usual morning stroll from her Miata toward

the welcoming entrance of Care.

 

Crunching fresh snow underneath her

boots, she hastens to unlock the door. ]

 

“Morning!”

 

[ Sunshine turns around to see Jenni

subtly promenading in her direction. ]

 

JENNI: Our first Saturday!  Aren’t

you excited?

 

SUNSHINE: Oh yes.  I’m beaming.

 

Who knew the promotion from that

disaster would turn out to be such

a blessing for us. 

 

[ Inside now, they are both standing and

warming up in the corridor hallway.

 

Jenni takes a sip of her latte, sitting down

on the bench.  Sunshine turns facing her,

peering out the window and across

the lot. ]

 

SUNSHINE: That’s unusual, Mark didn’t

mention any construction work being done

today. 

 

JENNI: What do you mean?

 

SUNSHINE: There’s a man walking around

on the store roof. 

 

[ Jenni stands and joins Sunshine watching

out the window. Suddenly they see the

unknown getting closer and closer to

the building’s edge. ]

 

JENNI: Oh no!

 

[ She takes off for outside with Sunshine

sprinting after her. ]

 

[ Meanwhile, Brian arrives at TA.  ]

 

“Sir, can you hear me?  Are you alright?”

 

[ The women yell to him with no response. ]

 

SUNSHINE: How did he get up there?

 

JENNI: I’m not sure. 

 

[ The sound of a glass bottle hitting a nearby

tree startles them as the stranger appears

sitting with his feet dangling off the edge.

 

Brain comes around the corner. ]

 

BRIAN: What’s going on?

 

JENNI: There’s a man up there.

 

SUNSHINE: He won’t speak. 

 

JENNI: I’m calling the police. 

 

[ She gets on her phone, frantically

dialing. ]

 

BRIAN: Okay good.  Just keep trying

to talk to him calmly.  I’ll be right back.

 

[ He runs inside the store. ]

[ Ricky & Maxx’s . . .Same Morning. ]

 

“Good morning, my meat queen.”

 

[ Ricky opens her eyes in bed, seeing her

shirtless husband standing with a tray

of exquisite breakfast delights. ]

 

“Hey.”

[ She gleams as Maxx sets the mini feast 

down, further romancing her with a 

 kiss.

 

He joins her on the bed. ]

 

RICKY: This is actually perfect because

there is something we should

talk about.

 

MAXX: Every man’s favorite line.

 

RICKY: I’m serious.  Things have been

going great with us this past year.  I think

we’re on track to start talking about the

next steps in our marriage.

 

[ Maxx stares at her through bites of his

sausage links. ]

 

MAXX: I’m assuming you’re talking

about adoption. 

 

RICKY: Well yes, neither of us are

getting any younger.  If we’re going

to have that big family you’ve always

wanted we’ll have to start soon.

 

[ Maxx shakes his head in agreement,

a little surprised. ]

 

RICKY: I know. I wasn’t sure about

being a mother at first but ever since we

got married, I don’t know. Something’s

changed. 

 

I guess what I’m trying to say is.

 

I’m definitely ready now. 

 

[ The Aisles . . .Back Outside. ]

 

“Where the hell are they it’s been

20 minutes?”

 

[ Jenni exclaims, still standing at the

corner with Brian & Sunshine. ]

 

BRIAN: Sir, is it alright if I come

up there with you?  Just to talk. 

 

[ The stranger finally responds with

a sullen & shuddering ‘Yes’. ]

 

JENNI: Please be careful.

 

BRIAN: It’s fine. I’ve been trained

for this. 

 

[ They watch as he climbs to the top

on an extended ladder. ]

 

BRIAN: What’s wrong?

 

[ Brian keeps his distance, managing

the situation. ]

 

REDIKI: It’s my family.  I had a huge

fight with my brother.  And everyone

is taking his side. 

 

[ He says choking back tears. ]

 

REDIKI: I have no one.  My family

all can’t stand me.  My brother is

moving away with his wife today. 

 

I have no other choice!

 

[ He screams, standing up. Struggling

to catch his balance. ]

[ At Mark’s House . . . ]

 

[ Mark, Jai, & Kiilyn are spread out in

the living room watching a sports game. ]

 

JAI: So, when are we going to meet

your new girlfriend?

 

MARK: Wait, I thought you didn’t

date.

 

KIILYN: Well, Tori’s different. She’s

a woman.  And she’s changing me. 

 

JAI: Is it her, or the residency she

controls for you?

 

KIILYN: It’s her. 

 

JAI: That’s good.  At least someone in

this room’s love life is going well.

 

MARK: I told you.  Just talk to Kaori.

You’ve been together for too long to

just throw in the towel. 

 

JAI: There’s no point!  All we seem

to do is argue, Dad.

 

I’m pretty sure. . .

 

[ Kiilyn sees a car pull into the drive

-way & goes over to the window. ]

 

KIILYN: Yeah, maybe not.

 

She’s here.

[ The Aisles . . .On The Rooftop. ]

 

[ Rediki is still standing on the edge

with tears streaming down his face.

 

The police officers are trying to get

him to come down from the ground. ]

 

BRIAN: Listen, I understand how you

feel right now.  Like everything is messed

up and you have no other way out. 

 

Many years ago, I was so lost that I got

myself wrapped up in this cult and

they almost killed me. 

 

But then I got a job at TA and everything

started to slowly get better for me. 

 

You can do the same. 

 

REDIKI: No, I can’t.  No one cares about me.

 

BRIAN: Then I will. 

 

But you have to start by getting away from

 the ledge.

 

[ Rediki looks out seeing everyone on the

ground’s concerned expression and fear.

 

He turns around, slowly walking over to

Brian as he grabs ahold of Rediki, clinging

on to him while he weeps. ]

[ Amigos & Amigas Gym . . .The Next Morning. ]

 

[ Maxx & Brian are conversating in the

locker room. ]

 

“I can’t believe you saved someone’s

life yesterday. You’re a hero.”

 

[ Brian is looking at his build in the 

mirror over Maxx’s head. ]

 

BRIAN: I’m just relieved that I could

help and finally got him to get to a

better place with it all.

 

Turns out he’s alone and lost his job

so I’m talking to the TA managers to

see what we can do. 

 

MAXX: That’s awesome! 

 

BRIAN: Mark’s also going to help 

him get into some counseling. 

 

MAXX: So, Ricky is ready to start

the adoption process. 

 

BRIAN: It’s about time!   

 

MAXX: I guess but I’m not sure

if I want to go that route.  If I’m

going to raise children, I really

want them to be ours. 

 

BRIAN: I get that, but Ricky can’t

exactly get pregnant. 

 

MAXX: I know. But they could

at least be half of ours.

 

I’m just unsure of how that would

make her feel. 

[ Chais & Jenni’s Home . . .Later That Day. ]

 

[ Jenni is at the door letting her sister

Kaori inside. ]

 

KAORI: I heard you had a whirlwind of

a day on Saturday. Are you okay?

 

JENNI: Yes, I’m fine.  More importantly

so is Rediki now.

 

KAORI: That’s good.  I actually came

over here to tell you something pretty

important.

 

JENNI: What’s going on?

 

KAORI: I don’t really know how to

say this to you.  You’re my sister

though and I didn’t want to hide it.

 

I’m pregnant. 

 

JENNI: What? 

 

[ Kaori burst with joy not being able

to contain herself, she waits for a

positive reaction.

 

But Jenni can’t help it to look at

her with growing hurt in her eyes. ]

 

“Unbelievable.”

 

[ She thinks but doesn’t voice. ]

 

_________________________________________________

Q: SHOULD BRIAN HAVE HANDLED REDIKI 

DIFFERENTLY. . .

. . .WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

A: ( Sound Off In The Comment Section Below! )

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