ATTENTION
The following is a work of fiction not intended for younger audiences. Discretion is advised.
HEATHENS
INT. VRAIL’S BATHROOM – PREDAWN
Steam bellows from a raging SHOWER. A pair of boxers hit the ground. Vrail’s feet dance out of them and hop through the decorative curtain into the shower.
INT. JAMES’S KITCHEN – SAME
The rubber sole of a black work boot SQUEAKS against the pristine linoleum.
JAMES SHANNON, 40’S, smooths his crewcut and slides his mug into the Keurig. He pushes the button and holds it.
JAMES
One. Two. Three.
He squeezes his fist. A single pat of butter waits on a knife and saucer beside a hot toaster.
JAMES (CONT’D)
One.
​
He glares at the pat of butter squeezing his fists to white knuckles.
JAMES (CONT’D)
One.
He stares at the pat of butter.
JAMES (CONT’D)
One.
INT. VRAIL’S BEDROOM - PREDAWN
Sneaker boxes neatly line the walls along the floor and fill the space beneath the bed.
Pink, fuzzy slipper-clad feet shuffle across the rug. They halt at the dresser. The stereo fires up.
A Lil’ Wayne song blasts through the speakers.
VRAIL, 24, clutches a towel around his waist and collapses onto the bed. His dreadlocks cover his shoulders. His bunny slippers fall to the floor.
INT. JAMES’S KITCHEN – SAME
James sips his coffee and scans the morning paper. His phone VIBRATES on the table, breaks the SILENCE. James answers and listens for several moments.
JAMES
Slow--
He folds the paper and places it on the table. He slides his fingertip firmly down the first crease.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Okay...
He folds the paper in half and slides his thumb across the new crease at the bottom.
JAMES (CONT’D)
(whisper to himself)
Two.
He pushes his palm down on the newspaper and smashes the creases down sliding is palm up toward the top left corner.
James takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Ravyn... Ravyn. Just call as soon as you get there.
EXT. MOUNTAIN TRAIL – PREDAWN
Vrail does footwork drills up a steep incline. His sneakers shuffle and scuff and kick up dust.
He shadowboxes with wrapped fists. He reaches the top of the hill and springs up toward the sky.
VRAIL
Woo, baby!
EXT. HIGHWAY –PREDAWN
Morning traffic slinks along in fits and starts.
A black motorcycle flies through traffic between lanes. A car cuts into its path. HONK
The motorcycle’s engine WAILS.
INT. SQUAD CAR – PREDAWN
James adjusts the collar of his uniform in the rearview mirror. He triple-checks.
He relaxes and spits sunflower seed shells into an empty water bottle.
Through the windshield, he looks out over a cliff at a small beach town on the pacific coast.
A blacked-out Range Rover sits near a cliff in the far distance.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – PREDAWN
The black SUV sits beside a “Restricted Access” sign. Vrail scales the cliff side that leads up to the SUV.
INT. SQUAD CAR – SAME
Vrail emerges over the cliff.
James cocks his head.
Vrail approaches the SUV.
James straightens up and screws the top on the bottle.
Three firm twists.
JAMES
One. Two. Three.
His eyes study their reflection in the rearview mirror then fix on the black Range Rover.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – PREDAWN
Vrail stands in the open driver’s side door of the Range Rover and pulls the tape off his fists.
He tosses the strips onto the passenger seat, takes a long swig from a water bottle, and hops into the vehicle.
INT. RANGE ROVER – CONTINUOUS
Vrail crushes the empty water bottle and tosses it.
He licks his fingertips and smooths his eyebrows in the rearview mirror.
His dreads bounce as he grooves to the song “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots blasting on the high quality sound system.
VRAIL (singing)
You’re lovin’ on the psychopath sittin next to you.
You’re lovin on the murderer sittin’ next to you.
He watches his eyes in the rearview.
VRAIL (CONT’D)
You’ll think, how’d I get here, sitting next to you...?
His eyes stare back.
A phone call RINGS in over the music.
Vrail pushes the button.
INTERCUT - EXT. HIGHWAY, INT. SQUAD CAR - PREDAWN
The motorcycle rider’s head snaps around.
​
SEAN (V.O.)
Vrail!
ZOOM. A car just misses the back tire.
James studies the SUV and squeezes the bottle, repeatedly.
VRAIL (V.O.)
Slow down, Sean. Wha-- what happened?
The rider’s helmet reflects the morning sun and speeding vehicles.
SEAN (V.O.)
I think my sister just tried to kill me!
The rider leans and dips between cars.
VRAIL (V.O.)
What are you talkin’ about? Where the hell are you?
James sets the bottle down in the spotless cup holder. He squeezes his fist.
SEAN (V.O.)
I’m almost there.
The bike speeds through a light.
SEAN (V.O.)
I’ll-- fuck... I’ll just tell you in a sec.
The bike disappears around a corner.
SEAN (V.O.)
I’m pulling up now.
A black Infinity bends the corner and pulls up behind the Range Rover. James gnaws on the side of his thumb. He glances at the bottle.
JAMES
(whisper)
One...
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD - PREDAWN
SEAN, 23, swings the Infinity’s door open and steps out then leans back into the car.
INT. INFINITY – CONTINUOUS
Sean snatches his keys from the ignition and grabs his wallet from the passenger seat. His driver’s license drops out and lands face up on the seat.
He clicks the dome light on and rummages through the center console, grabs a sack of weed, and shuts the console.
​
INT. SQUAD CAR – SAME
James watches Sean slam the door; glances at the bottle; watches Sean storm toward the Range Rover.
INT. RANGE ROVER – PREDAWN
Music fills the vehicle. Vrail shakes a protein shaker to the beat. He takes a huge swallow.
BANG BANG BANG
Vrail nearly pours the shake down his chest.
VRAIL
Son of a—
INT. SQUAD CAR – PREDAWN
Sean yanks the SUV’s door open.
James throws the car in reverse and heads around the ridge.
Vrail throws his hands up. Sean shakes his head. The two men and their vehicles disappear behind the ridge as the squad car takes the curve.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – PREDAWN
Sean pulls Vrail out of the vehicle. They embrace and kiss.
VRAIL
So what happened, babe.
Sean tosses his things in the car and jumps in the driver’s seat. He changes the radio to a hip-hop station.
SEAN
The fuck are you listening to, Vrail. I can’t wit you.
Vrail hovers in the door over Sean.
VRAIL
Layers, Sean.
SEAN
Layers? Bruh, you are one complicated nigga.
Women are easier to figure out.
VRAIL
Maybe you need a woman then?
Sean bites his lip.
SEAN
Sorry, strickly dickly my nigga.
He glances at his designer watch.
SEAN (CONT’D)
Aye, you go meet me at the spot after you’re done?
How long you go be here?
VRAIL
All I have left is cardio, like twenty minutes.
I have to shower after though.
SEAN
For what? You can’t wash away gay, black, or ugly.
VRAIL
Ugly? Nigga, fuck you.
SEAN
Word?
They laugh.
VRAIL
We’ll see.
Vrail scans their surroundings while Sean settles in the SUV.
VRAIL (CONT’D)
Be careful with the trailer.
SEAN
Worry bout yo training.
Vrail smiles and leans in for a kiss. Sean turns abruptly and head butts him by mistake.
Sean jumps out of the vehicle.
SEAN (CONT’D)
Sorry, babe, let me look.
Vrail holds his face and backs away. He dabs the blood on his lip and chuckles.
VRAIL
I’m fine, Sean. Just a busted lip.
Sean kisses Vrail’s cut and smiles.
​
SEAN
Man up, nigga. I’m just preparing you for Saturday.
You ready?
VRAIL
Four more days. I’ve never been more ready, babe.
For real, I’m bout to be the Champ, baby!
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD – PREDAWN
The squad car creeps around a corner.
INT. SQUAD CAR – PREDAWN
A “FaceTime” comes in on an iPAD.
James pulls the squad car over, throws it in park, and squares up with the screen.
He taps the answer icon. TAP, TAP, TAP.
RAVYN, 18, appears on the screen. She shakes her curly mane out of a black motorcycle helmet.
RAVYN
Hi, Daddy.
James glances at his watch.
JAMES
Ravyn, how are you there already? You must have--
RAVYN
Daddy? ...
While James is distracted by his call, the black Range Rover passes in the rearview.
Ravyn waits. She giggles at her father’s agreeing smile.
RAVYN (CONT’D)
Ok so, per our agreement, I am here. I am safe. You are aware.
I will call you before I head home. Kisses!
She kisses into the screen three times.
James kisses his fingertips, taps the screen, and kisses them again.
JAMES
Fair enough, sweetheart. Talk to you soon—
RAVYN
K. Love you, Daddy. Bye.
JAMES
Bye—
Ravyn’s call drops from the screen.
James TAP, TAP, TAPS the screen.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – PREDAWN
Vrail stretches his hamstrings on the bumper of the black Infinity. A streetlight glows in the advancing dawn above his head. The dome light in the car fades out.
Vrail inserts earbuds. A WORKOUT MIX blasts in his ears. He jogs up a trail and out of sight.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – PREDAWN
Ravyn sits on the tailgate of a pick-up and sips a beer with a group of twenty-something’s. Several dirt bikes and ATV’s stunt on the jumps.
SLOAN, 22, a gorgeous tomboy, hops up next to Ravyn on the tailgate. She pulls a laptop from her backpack.
SLOAN
Check this out.
She turns the screen so that Ravyn can see, video feed from an aerial drone.
RAVYN
Is that Mike’s?
Sloan smiles.
RAVYN (CONT’D)
Where is he?
SLOAN
Up at the cross.
The drone zips through a dust cloud.
RAVYN
Tell him to go all the way up.
EXT. HIKING TRAIL – PREDAWN
Vrail runs on a dirt path. His intensity matches the MUSIC BLASTING in his head.
INTERCUT - EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD/HIKING TRAIL – PREDAWN
The squad car CHIRPS and bends the corner.
Vrail takes off full speed.
James shines his Maglite and peers through the Infinity's windows. He circles the car, searches as he goes.
His light finds Sean’s ID on the seat. His finger TAP, TAP, TAPS the flashlight.
Vrail rounds a corner and heads down a downgrade. He spots the squad car and tries to slow down. His feet SKID down the loose dirt on the path.
SLOW MOTION: James spins. His hand covers his weapon, and he speaks into his radio MOS. He clicks the button three times. Three loud, slow CLICKS.
END SLOW MOTION.
​
Vrail’s palms drag on the gravel behind him until he skids to a stop and ducks behind a large rock.
James shines his flashlight in Vrail’s direction.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – DAWN
Ravyn watches the screen, beer in hand. Sloan types in a message box on the screen. The video angle gets wider as the drone goes higher up.
At the peak, the squad car and black Infinity emerge on the screen. Ravyn and Sloan immediately take notice.
SLOAN
What’s that?
RAVYN
Tell Mike to go closer. Can he?
Sloan types away at the keys.
SLOAN
Looks like someone having a very bad day.
RAVYN
I hope he’s not black.
Sean pulls past in the black Range with a trailer in tow. He leans out the window and searches for a place to park.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – DAWN
Vrail leans back against the rock and rubs his knee. Blood smears on his pant leg.
VRAIL
Fuck.
He looks at his palms, bloody and dirty.
James advances a quarter inch at a time, Maglite trained on Vrail’s hiding spot, hand over his sidearm.
Vrail fumbles with his phone. His face appears on the screen with “FaceTime Sean”.
It RINGS.
James adjusts his stance and stumbles back, slightly.
JAMES
Son, there’s no problem here. Step
out, slowly, with your hands visible.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – CONTINUOUS
Laptop Screen: Vrail stands and spins to face James, hands in the air, fist clutching his phone.
Ravyn and Sloan look at each other.
RAVYN AND SLOAN
FUCK...
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – CONTINUOUS
James squares off in a defensive stance. His hand covers his weapon.
His finger TAP, TAP, TAPS
Vrail shakes his head at the taps.
JAMES
Hands—
VRAIL
It’s my phone.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – CONTINUOUS
Laptop screen: Vrail inches sideways toward the Infinity.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – CONTINUOUS
Vrail’s arms shake above his bobbing head.
His knees buckle.
James side steps.
He holds his pistol grip in the holster. One strong squeeze on his thigh.
Vrail’s eyes lock on James’s weapon.
James straightens up. He cracks his neck and cocks his head at the car.
JAMES
Relax, son. Your ID in there?
Vrail nods.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Grab it for me.
Vrail’s hands fumble with the car door.
INT. INFINITY – CONTINUOUS
Vrail’s hands find Sean’s ID on the seat.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD - MORNING
Vrail hands the ID to James.
JAMES
What happened to your lip?
​
Vrail tongues his lip.
VRAIL
Fuck. Uh... I busted it sparring this morning.
Vrail’s hands shake. James notices.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – CONTINUOUS
Ravyn chews the side of her thumb and watches the screen.
James heads toward the squad car.
Sean fumes into his phone and unlocks the trailer. He swings the door open. Two dirt bikes wait inside.
SEAN
Stop fuckin’ around, Vrail. I can’t see anything.
Let me get the bikes unloaded and I’ll hit you back.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – DAWN
SLOW MOTION: James reaches for the door of the squad car. He looks down at Sean’s ID in his hand.
Vrail takes a deep breath. He turns away from James and turns his attention to the “FaceTime” still up on his phone.
James triple taps Sean’s ID with a blood smear across the photo. His head snaps around.
His hand releases the ID. It spins to the ground. Vrail hovers over his phone with his back to James. James draws his weapon and spins down to a knee. He hollers MOS.
Vrail spins around, phone in hand. James takes aim.
His finger TAP, TAP, TAPS.
Vrail drops the phone.
He looks at the car door.
JAMES
Freeze.
Vrail looks at James; at the car door; at James.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS – CONTINUOUS
Ravyn chews her thumb.
Sloan motions for a group of guys to come look at the screen. Sean hollers into his phone.
SEAN
WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?
Screen: Vrail lunges for the car door.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD – CONTINUOUS
Vrail dives.
​
The gun muzzle flashes.
​
Vrail collapses to the ground.
EXT. DESERT JUMPS - DAWN
Ravyn buries her face in Sloan’s chest.
Sean hollers into the phone.
Screen: James inches toward Vrail’s limp body on the ground.
EXT. CLIFF SIDE ROAD - COTINUOUS
James side steps and inches toward Vrail. He speaks into his radio MOS.
END SLOW MOTION.
JAMES (whisper)
One
​
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Vrail opens his eyes. Sean sleeps in a cot near the window snuggling an old, ragged teddy bear. Vrail smiles.
Two young ladies spoon in the second bed, limbs and hair everywhere. Vrail’s chuckle comes out as a stutter of pointed breaths.
His attention's immediately overtaken by the man in uniform slumped and snoring in the chair near the bathroom. A police officer. Vrail raises an eyebrow. Sean begins to stir.
Sean notices Vrail awake and immediately slides into bed beside him. He lays his head on Vrail’s chest and cries. Vrail smells his hair and kisses Sean on the forehead. He lets him get most of the heavy, silent sobbing out of the way.
VRAIL
Babe? Was I shot?
Sean sniffles and nods without lifting his head from his boyfriend’s chest.
VRAIL (CONT)
Is that a cop?
Same response.
VRAIL (CONT)
Is that the cop that shot me? Or do they all just look alike?
Same response.
VRAIL (CONT)
The fuck is he doing here?
​
SEAN
He’s my fucking Dad.
The sobbing takes a bit longer to subside this time.
Sloan peaks up from behind Ravyn’s head. She and Vrail exchange smiles that say enough for 3 am. Sloan nods, gives her sleeping girlfriend a sleepy kiss, and goes back to sleep.
Vrail keeps looking back at James in the chair in disbelief. His mouth opens to speak, but then closes in the same surreal silence.
VRAIL
So, does this mean he knows?
Sean nods; sniffles; swipes his nose with the back of his hand. The aftermath of ugly crying on and off for the past 40 something hours straight.
He finally sits up and looks Vrail in the eyes.
SEAN
You ain’t go believe what he said when I told him.
VRAIL
What?
JAMES
If you would’ve told me, he probably wouldn’t’ve gotten shot.
​
James straightens up in his seat, clears his throat, adjusts his collar his color.
VRAIL
What are you doing here? How they let you hang
out in the room of the person you almost killed?
JAMES
You want me to go?
VRAIL
Naw, I want you to answer my question.
JAMES
It’s complicated, but the short of it is this. The shooting was justified,
so there’s little the department can do other than place me on
administrative leave. Which they have. I’m still a private citizen and
my son’s boyfriend was shot and was in critical condition. They weren’t
really capable of keeping me away.
VRAIL
Justified?
The girls, now wide awake and fully attending to the situation currently unfolding in the room, look at each other, at Sean, and then all three look back to Vrail astounded that he hasn’t moved. His vitals haven’t changed a bit.
James notices as well. He clears his throat and tries to swallow. The third attempt is hard won and unsatisfying.
JAMES
Look. You handed me my son’s ID with blood smeared on it. You
had a busted lip, blood smeared on your hands
and the keys to my son’s vehicle. I instructed you not to
move.
You lunged for the vehicle.
I had no idea what you were going for.
Am I glad I shot you?
No.
Do I regret it.?
Yes. Yes, I do. Was there another option?
Sure, but the circumstances did not afford
you the benefit of the doubt. Son.
Had I known..
Look, I can only base my
decisions off of the given information.
In a way, you somewhat set me up.
​
There’s silence for a long while, aside from BEEPS and intermittent HUMS from the machines monitoring Vrail’s vitals, which have not changed at all, and the TAPPING coming in bursts of three from James’s seat.
RAVYN
Dad.
The tapping STOPS.
Then James’s boots make this kind of half SQEEK half SWOOSH sound, from him moving his toes in a certain was inside. Again, in bursts of three.
SEAN
Dad?
James CLANKS his front teeth together three times. The third time drawing blood from his tongue. He gets up and goes into the restroom. Shuts the door.
SILENCE.
INT. BLAKE HOME – MASTER BEDROOM – MORNING
SONAY BLAKE, 45, gets herself together in the vanity mirror.
Her husband, MARQUISE BLAKE, 45, sits in the bed, still under the covers.
SONAY
Baby, you bout to get left.
MARQUISE
Bye. I told you, I ain’t going back in that room until my son is awake.
They got you over here bamboozled. Talkin bout my son gay
and the officer that shot him just happens to be the father of his lover?
Come on now. They tryin’ somthin’ on some Sandra Bland type shit, and you lettin’ it slide.
SONAY
Watch ya self. I ain’t letting nobody do a damn thing. That’s why I’m takin
my black ass down there as soon as visiting hours are open.
I’m takin care of our baby until and after he wakes up, regardless of his sexual
orientation. You know what’s crazy to me, though? You over here more flustered about
Vrail being gay than—
MARQUISE
He ain’t gay.
SONAY
Than you are about him being shot. He’s in critical condition and you chillin in yo
jammies bout to Netflix and chill witcha damn self? What kind of sense does that
make to you, Marquise? If you’re right, he probably needs our support even
more than if you’re wrong; wouldn’t you think?
Both their phones ring at the same time.
​
They both answer.
MARQUISE AND SONAY
Hello
​
​
INT. HOSPITAL CAFETERIA – MORNING
James fills several cups with hot coffee. He places a lid on each and arranges them in carriers. He reaches for the sugar, but someone grabs it first.
​
James looks up.
SEAN
Thought you might need a hand.
His smile offers a kind of love that, fortunately for James, transcends even the type of mistake that James made two days ago. James returns the smile, blinks three times, clenches his jaw, and triple checks the cups in the carriers. He fills a cup with cream and secures it in the carrier beside the cup Sean filled with sugar.
INT. CAR – MORNING
Marquise drives a bit faster than necessary with white knuckles and a clenched jaw. Sonay speaks on the phone, clearly agitated with Marquise and whomever she is speaking with.
SONAY
He woke-up sometime in the middle of the night..
I have no idea. We’re on the way there now..
Alright. Will do. Love you too.
(to Marquise)
Can you please slow down? I’d like to make it there
without having to check either of us in.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – MORNING
James and Sean pass coffees to the girls.
SEAN
If ya’ll want cream and sugar they’re there.
Vrail comes back around. The sound of Sean’s voice puts a sleepy smile on his face.
VRAIL
Is there one for me?
SEAN
(to James)
Should he have coffee?
James shrugs.
SLOAN
What’s the worst that could happen?
Sean answers with a curt smirk.
RAVYN
He wants some, give him some.
JAMES
We have enough. Let him have it.
VRAIL
I don’t even know why you trippin’. I feel fantastic.
SEAN
Yea. That might be that drip-drip talkin’.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Sonay, nearly frantic, but doing well to hold herself together, begins to lose control of all of the gifts she carries in both arms. Marquise, still brooding, mindlessly accepts each item she hands him. They bound towards the nurses’ station.
TIFFANY, 30's, the nurse behind the desk, smiles nervously.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
James grabs the button for Vrail’s morphine drip, and without thinking, pushes the button three quick times. His eyes get big and are mirrored by Sean, Ravyn, and Sloan’s.
A foolish type of smile stretches across Vrail’s face, and his eyes wobble back in his head.
The door swings open hard. Sonay b-lines for Vrail’s bedside. Marquise loses it, immediately.
MARQUISE
Are you fuckin kiddin me? Get the fuck away
from my son, you son of a bitch.
He snatches the button from James’s hand.
VRAIL
(laughing)
Damn, Daddy cusses now? That’s crazy. Man, I like this.
This shit right here? This shit right here hit
harder than weed by a country mile.
Sean snatches a bag of chips off the tray and hops onto the spare bed with Ravyn and Sloan. He offers the bag to them without taking his eyes from the action. They behave like audience members at a movie premier, eyes glued on the unfolding drama.
Sonay dotes on Vrail.
​
Marquise all but chest bumps James through the bathroom door.
JAMES
Alright. Alright. Alright.
MARQUISE
Alright? Naw, we’re far from alright. The hell
are you even doing in here?
(to Vrail)
Son, you can tell me the truth now. Your mom and
I will always be here for you. Let me help. What’s goin on?
Vrail chuckles somewhat drunkenly.
VRAIL
Daddy, I’m gay as fuck and lying about it got me
shot by my boyfriend’s daddy ass cop.
SONAY
Watch your mouth.
He chuckles again then shrugs and drifts back off the sleep.
James, Marquise, and Sonay share an uneasy silent glare.
Sean, Ravyn, and Sloan share a secret chuckle.
As soon as Vrail is out, Sonay turns on James like a seasoned drill sergeant.
SONAY
Sit. Down.
James immediately sits to the surprise of everyone in the room aside from Sonay.
Marquise looks around nervously for a place to sit. None found, he tries to figure out what to do with his hands and feet. He almost leans against the wall but thinks better of it. Considers joining Sean and the girls on the bed but is visibly terrified at the thought of passing within arm’s length of his obviously livid wife.
She squints at him.
​
He clears his throat and smiles quickly.
​
Sonay turns her full attention back to James, burning a hole between his eyes.
James swallows real hard and slow and offers a sheepish smile.
​
It’s immediately chased away by Sonay’s narrowing eyes.
​
He tries to swallow again.
JAMES
Pretty warm in here, huh?
He pulls at his T-shirt collar.
SONAY
You feed my son that bullshit about getting shot cuz
he’s in the closet? Have you lost your fucking mind?
He begins to reply; she cuts him off.
SONAY (CONT)
These your kids, right?
He manages a nod.
​
Sean, Ravyn, and Sloan, quite entertained, share the best seat in the house.
​
Marquise has stopped fidgeting.
​
James sweats profusely.
SONAY (CONT)
I bet you'd do anything in
the world for them.
James nods.
SONAY (CONT)
You'd probably kill the man in your
place if you were in mine,
wouldn't you?
​
James can't get a word in, but he he nods, in blasts of three, his understanding.
​
Well, that's my kid lying in that bed damn near dead.
Why don’t you try explaining this in a way that would satisfy
you as a parent in my position.
I need to understand just how threatened
you must have felt by my son, about half your weight soaking wet.
I need to understand what would make a man your size need to use a firearm
on an unarmed kid and how him being gay or not has any fuckin’ thing to do
with it. I need to understand what the hell you think you’re doing here
feeding my son this bullshit when he just barely opened his damn eyes
after two days of fighting for his life behind your shoddy ass split decision.
James continues to try not to blink in spurts of course of threes.
​
SONAY (CONT)
And for the love of all the souls in
Heaven and Jesus Christ himself, please Lord,
help this man explain to me so I can understand what the
hell he thinks he’s doing touching my son’s medication IV.
JAMES
Well.. Ma’am. Um, Ms. Blake-
SONAY
Mrs. Blake
JAMES
Mrs. Blake.. Um, please allow me, first and foremost, to apologize for any
pain I’ve unintentionally caused by my actions and my-
SONAY
This isn’t a press conference. Leave the bullshit
on the bottom of your shoes. I’m not interested.
Those sitting on the bed snicker.
​
Sonay’s glare nearly tips the bed.
SONAY (CONT)
You all think this is funny?
RAVYN, SEAN, SLOAN
No, Ma’am.
RAVYN (CONT)
That’s just how Daddy communicates, particularly when confronted
and most especially when done so by a powerful woman.
Mama couldn’t stand it. Probably one of the reasons she left.
James continues his attempt at swallowing the lump of fear down out of his throat to no avail.
​
Here’s where the stuttering begins.
JAMES
Sh-she had a lot of reasons.
Y-you actually re-remind me
of her
a bit.
Matter fact,
Haven’t we met?
Or, am I losing it?
​
RAVYN
These are Kassy’s parent’s, Daddy.
JAMES
Kassy?
​
All the color leaves his face.
​
JAMES
I don’t remember Kassy having a brother.
SEAN
He joined the military as soon as he graduated high school.
All James can do at this point is sigh and blink in clusters of three.
Marquise feels almost sorry for the man and is all but tempted to offer that universal look of brotherly support, but not quite. The thought of Sonay’s reaction to that hypothetical gesture gets him back to fidgeting and searching for a place to sit, folding and unfolding his arms, adjusting his stance from foot to foot.
It reminds Sean of Vrail. He grabs his boyfriend’s hand and kisses his palm.
​
EXT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Sean, Ravyn, and Sloan exit the building. Sean pulls out Vrail’s car keys and pushes the unlock button.
SEAN
We should make this quick.
I’m not sure how long we should
leave Vrail alone with those three.
​
​
INT. VRAIL’S SUV – DAY
​
Three doors shut. Sean starts the engine and finds Ravyn and Sloan’s faces in the rearview.
SEAN (CONT)
What am I? The fuckin Uber driver?
They shrug and chuckle.
He shakes his head, throws the vehicle in gear, and takes off.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Vrail’s black SUV swoops into the parking spot. They step out and make their way to the entrance.
SEAN (CONT)
Don’t be in there cupcakin’.
Sonay might kill our father if we
stay gone too long.
RAVYN
Bro, you take way longer than me
in the damn shower.
SLOAN
Facts
INT. APRTMENT FOYER – DAY
At the end of the hallway, the girls go right, and Sean goes left. The girls enter one apartment; Sean enters another.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – SAME
MARQUISE
How you end up with two gay kids anyway?
What you got going on in your house?
SONAY
Marquise, now you know that ain’t right.
VRAIL
Homosexuality isn’t the result of some type of
parental misstep, Daddy.
INT. SLOAN’S FRONT ROOM – SAME
Ravyn leads Sloan by the hand into the master bedroom.
INT. SLOAN’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Ravyn removes her top and tosses it on the floor.
Sloan does the same.
RAVYN
You heard the man. We need to save time.
I suggest we share the shower.
Ravyn kisses Sloan like she misses her and pulls her into the bathroom.
INT. VRAIL’S BATHROOM – SAME
Sean steps out of his draws and into the shower. He sits and lets the hot water pour over his head and back. He sobs silently.
INT. SLOAN’S BATHROOM - SHOWER – SAME
Ravyn and Sloan hold each other under the steaming water.
RAVYN
Sean’s been tryin’ to keep it together, but
I know he’s been terrified this whole time.
I’m so damn happy Vrail finally woke up.
This shit is just unreal, babe.
SLOAN
Baby girl, I would literally lose my shit if that
was you in that hospital bed. I don’t know
how your brother made it through these
last couple of days.
INT. VRAIL’S BATHROOM - SHOWER – SAME
Sean suddenly springs up to his feet. He shakes off the last of the worry and fear, squirts a huge glob of shower gel into his loofa, and lathers up.
INT. HOSTPIAL ROOM – DAY
JAMES
From what I hear, I’m not the only
one batting a thousand in that game, friend.
Vrail’s mouth drops open and a chuckle falls out.
Sonay twists her head to James in disbelief and then at Vrail’s reaction.
Marquise jumps to his feet.
Sonay tries to restrain him.
VRAIL
Daddy!
EXT. HOSPTIAL – DAY
Vrail’s black SUV settles into a parking spot.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DAY
Sean pushes the door open. Ravyn and Sloan walk in. Sean follows.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Vrail nearly jumps out of the bed to get between Marquise and James.
Sonay face palms and throws her hands up.
Sean grabs James by the shoulders and ushers him to the other side of the room, sets him down on the other bed.
Vrail’s movement yanks something out of one of the machines.
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.
Marquise and Sonay rush to Vrail and get him settled back in his bed.
Tiffany explodes through the door.
TIFFANY
Everything alright in here?
She scans the room of exasperated faces.
When she gets to Sloan’s, she holds up a box of cards.
SLOAN
We were just getting ready to play some
cards, and Mr. Man over there got a little
too excited. Guess he forgot about all the plugs.
The nurse chuckles in appreciation of the quick cover-up.
TIFFANY
Here, let me reset these, and
I’ll let you get back to it.
She plugs a cord back in, pushes a button, smiles at the girls, squeezes Sonay’s shoulder as she passes, and exits the room, swiftly.
SEAN
We weren’t gone an hour.
The hell, Dad?
MARQUISE
This muthafuckah got my daughter name in his
mouth makin accusation I don’t appreciate.
RAVYN
What’s he talkin bout, Daddy?
JAMES
All I said was-
SONAY
He implied that Kassandra was gay.
Sean, Ravyn, and Sloan’s jaws drop. Ravyn makes the same snicker Vrail did.
Sonay gives her the same look she gave James and Vrail, with an added nostril flair.
Marquise sits down beside James knowingly. He looks at Vrail for confirmation. Vrail’s expression gives it.
RAVYN
Well, she was my first girlfriend.
Sloan shuts her mouth and nods slowly like she just got four from two and two for the first time.
Sean rubs his head and tries to squeeze this reality out of his face.
SEAN
Oh. My. God. Yaw cannot do this
to these people right now! That girl been
missin’ for four years now, probably dead by now-
SONAY AND RAVYN
She’s not dead.
SEAN
Either damn way, yaw can’t put all this on
these folks like this. This is too much all
at once. Yaw stressin’ me out.
JAMES
I probably would’ve let Ravyn go to
the concert with Kassandra that night
had I not walked in on them making out
in the basement the week prior.
Sonay sits down on the bed with James and Marquise, nods her head, and rubs her knees.
Sloan holds up the black card box.
SLOAN
Anyone down for some
“Cards Against Humanity?”
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – EVENING
Marquise reads a question card, and one by one reads the answer cards. Everyone laughs at some of the answers. Marquise picks his favorite and reads it again.
SEAN
Aww, yea! That’s right!
That’s me! That’s game!
Everyone tosses their cards on the tray table. James and Sonay collect them all and put them in the box.
SLOAN
Damn, I only needed one more, too.
RAVYN
I’m used to Sean takin my victories at the
last minute. Been doin’ it since we were kids.
Vrail snores lightly; Sean shakes his head.
SEAN
How this nigga go fall asleep in
the middle of the game though?
​
SLOAN
Clearly, you’ve never had the bitter
pleasure of a morphine drip before.
SEAN
Can’t say that I have.
He glances at Ravyn with a look that raises Sloan’s eyebrow. No one else notices.
RAVYN
I guess “Black Card Revoked” will
have to wait ‘til next time.
James notices Sonay glance at her watch.
JAMES
About that time?
Tiffany peeks her head in the door.
TIFFANY
Just a heads up ya’ll. Visiting hours
are through in ten. Three can stay.
SLOAN
Thanks, hun.
Ravyn cocks her head a bit.
TIFFANY
Who won the game?
RAVYN
Big head over there.
SLOAN
He ain’t shit.
Sean chuckles.
SEAN
They’re just bitter. I beat that ass.
Ravyn shakes her head.
SLOAN
He won by one and got
lucky with that last question.
SEAN
That shit was funny as fuck-
Sonay clears her throat. James and Marquise give Sean the eye.
Sean lowers his voice.
SEAN (CONT)
Yaw know that shit was funny as fuck.
SONAY
I can still hear you.
Her eyes narrow.
Sean gives a sheepish smile.
VRAIL
(groggy)
Don’t kill him, mama.
That’s my baby.
Marquise forgets to hide his discomfort.
SEAN
Aye, look who’s back. Just in time.
Visiting hours are over, babe.
We’re gonna head out and-
VRAIL
No, you stay. Let our parents go home.
Ravyn and Sloan give each other a look.
SLOAN
Well, we all road together in your truck, so-
VRAIL
You can take my truck if you wanna go, but I want Sean.
Marquise rolls his eyes and motions to Sonay to go. He grabs their stuff.
RAVYN
(under her breath, over the last half of Vrail’s statement)
Damn, those really are some strong drugs.
(to Sloan)
You tryin to stay? Or you wanna roll?
Sloan smiles mischievously.
INT. ROOM – SAME
A chain RATTLES faintly in the pitch dark. A muffled conversation rumbles through the door.
OLDER MAN (OS)
She no longer meets my pleasure.
We’re losing revenue hand over fist.
You brought her. The loss is on you.
LEYDEN (OS)
Don’t worry, Sir. I’ll recoup your losses.
OLDER MAN (OS)
Oh, I’m not worried. They won’t be
my losses. By the way, how was your
niece’s birthday party this weekend?
How old is she now? Eight?
LEYEDEN (OS)
Nine.
OLDER MAN(OS)
How pleasant.
LEYDEN (OS)
You’ll have your money within the week.
EXT. JAME’S HOUSE – EVENING
James arrives at the front door.
Graffiti plastered all over it reads: “DEFUND THE POLICE, BLM, ACAB, NO JUSTICE NO PEACE, JUSTICE FOR VRAIL BLAKE”
He turns on his heals.
INT. BLAKE HOME - LIVINGROOM – EVENING
Sonay and Marquise scan the room exhaustedly. Flowers and condolence cards, casserole dishes and edible arrangements cover the tables and countertops.
MARQUISE
All this. They act like Vrail was killed.
SONAY
This thing is much bigger
than our son, than our family,
than our town
Just like with Kassandra.
Marquise embraces his wife and kisses her forehead.
She kisses him back.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – SAME
Sean climbs into bed with Vrail.
Vrail winces.
SEAN
Oh, shit. I’m sorry, babe. You ok?
Should I-
VRAIL
No, no, no, no, no. You stay right here.
Vrail embraces his boyfriend and kisses him on the forehead.
Sean kisses him back.
INT. SLOAN’S BEDROOM – SAME
Ravyn pulls an oversized t-shirt over her head and climbs into bed.
Sloan climbs out of her pants, adjusts her boxer briefs, and climbs into bed next to her. She takes off her shirt, tosses it, and lays back with her arm behind her head.
SLOAN
So,
you never told me Kassy was your
girlfriend.
You always refer to
her as you best friend.
Ravyn snuggles up on Sloan with her face in her neck.
RAVYN
I’m sorry, babe. I probably should’ve told
you. It’s kind of hard for me to talk about,
you know? Does it bother you?
SLOAN
Naw,
just caught me off guard.
Kind of makes me wonder if there are
other things you’re too uncomfortable to
tell me. You can trust me, you know.
I’ll always be here for you, love.
Sloan embraces her girlfriend and kisses her forehead.
Ravyn kisses her back.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – SAME
James grabs a file from his desk drawer and slams it shut.
EXT. POLICE PRECINCT – EVENING
James climbs into a dark colored sedan.
INT. JAMES’S CAR – CONTINUOUS
James tosses the file on the passenger seat.
The label reads: “BLAKE, KASSANDRA MP 7/11/16”
​
​
EXT. DESSERT ROAD – DAWN
A dusty burnt bronze F-150 lumbers down the road.
INT. TRUCK – SAME
From beneath a blanket on the back floorboard, someone’s eye watches the sunrise through the dusty window.
INT. JAMES’S LIVINGROOM – SAME
Sunlight spills over the coffee table covered with paperwork.
James blows then sips his coffee slowly while reading from his laptop screen.
He clicks the mouse pad.
The printer fires up and prints some pages.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVINGROOM – SAME
Ravyn hops in still pulling her pants on.
Sloan lounges back on the sofa. She sips her coffee slowly.
RAVYN
Is there more.
Sloan smiles and motions at a steaming mug on the coffee table.
RAVYN (CONT)
How’s my hair?
SLOAN
(with a soft chuckle)
Perfect.
Ravyn kisses her girlfriend and grabs her coffee.
INT. BLAKE HOME - HALLWAY – SAME
Marquise shuffles toward the bedroom, a steaming mug in each fist. He blows on his and sips it slowly.
INT. BLAKE HOME – MASTER BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Sonay sleeps soundly in the plush covers.
Marquise sets both mugs on the end table and climbs into bed behind his wife. She snuggles up close to his body. He kisses her neck softly. She pulls his head closer, rolls over, and kisses her husband.
SONAY
Good morning, husband.
MARQUISE
Grand rising, my queen.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – SAME
Sean drools a bit on Vrail’s chest.
Tiffany knocks at the door and peeks her head in.
TIFFANY
You ready for you breakfast, handsome?
VRAIL
(chuckles quietly)
Can I have coffee?
TIFFANY
If I say no, are you gonna wake that one
up to go get some anyway?
Vrail responds with a smile.
TIFFANY
I’ll see what I can do.
VRAIL
Thanks, love. I’ll take that tray.
TIFFANY
You want the TV?
VRAIL
No thanks.
TIFFANY
K.
Tiffany sets the tray down and glances at the monitors on her way out the room.
Vrail kisses his boyfriend’s head. Sean snuggles up closer and squeeze Vrail a little too tight. Vrail winces silently, kisses Sean again, pushes the morphine button, and drifts off to sleep.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Vrail wakes with a faint whimper.
James peers up from his laptop screen still sipping his coffee.
Vrail scoots up in the bed.
VRAIL
(groggy)
Where’s Sean?
JAMES
He’ll be back in a few.
Needed some fresh air.
VRAIL
That my coffee?
JAMES
Afraid not. I can grab one for you.
VRAIL
Tiff said she was bringing me one.
JAMES
Tiff?
VRAIL
The nurse.
JAMES
Oh. Yea, I drank that one when
I got here this morning.
(glances at his watch)
About six hours ago.
VRAIL
I slept six hours?
JAMES
My guess is more like nine.
It was cold when I got to it.
VRAIL
Where’s everyone else?
JAMES
Not entirely sure, but I do
know they’ll be here with some
dinner in about thirty.
VRAIL
Word.
He spots a couple of empty Jello cups on the tray.
VRAIL
You eat all my Jello?
James nods.
Vrail frowns.
JAMES
Seems like I got some making up to do, huh?
No reply.
JAMES (CONT)
How much have you looked into
Kassy’s disappearance?
VRAIL
I mean, not much lookin’ I can do.
Why do you ask?
JAMES
Anyone ever mention the name
Leyden that you recall?
VRAIL
Uber driver?
JAMES
Yea.
VRAIL
Just that.
JAMES
Did you know he was at the venue
just after midnight when the concert let out?
VRAIL
Makes sense, I mean, dude
was probably tryin to get another ride.
JAMES
Right. Except he didn’t. He turned the app
off just after the concert let out.
Vrail raises an eyebrow.
VRAIL
Will you text Sean and ask him
to bring me a coffee on his
way back in? Please.
James unlocks his phone.
Sean walks in with two steaming cups.
Vrail and James chuckle.
SEAN
Rise and shine, princess. Pleasant dreams?
VRAIL
You know better. Did you get cream
and –
SEAN
I got you, boo.
(winks)
I know how you like it.
James pauses his laptop CLICKING.
Vrail and Sean chuckle.
Less than amused, James clicks his teeth three times and resumes his laptop work.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVINGROOM – DAY
The front door opens. Sloan enters.
SLOAN
Babe, you here?
INT. SLOAN’S BATHROOM – SAME
Ravyn shuffles some things under the sink and quickly sits on the toilet, pants at her ankles, magazine in her hands.
INT. SLOAN’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
SLOAN (CONT)
Ravyn?
RAVYN (OC)
In here, babe.
SLOAN
You think I have time to
shower before we head over?
INT. SLOAN’S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
RAVYN
For sure. I just got off the phone with
Sean. He said sleeping beauty is still out.
Sloan walks in the door, lights a candle, starts the shower, and steps out of her jeans.
SLOAN
You getting in or what?
Ravyn tosses the magazine and removes her top.
INT. HOPISTAL CORRIDOR – DAY
Sonay, Marquise, and Sean approach the nurses’ station. Marquise has a backpack and several grocery bags. Sonay and Sean also hold several bags. Tiffany comes around the desk.
SONAY
Hi, Tiffany
TIFFANY
How are you, Mrs. Blake?
They kiss cheeks.
TIFFANY
(to Marquise with a smile)
Mr. Blake
She rushes to and opens the door for them. She follows them in.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
TIFFANY
Mmm. That food smells amazing.
Where’d you go?
Marquise unpacks the bags and covers the trays and spare bed with a feast.
SONAY
Marquise actually cooked all of this.
We brought plenty for you and
the other nurses. Fried chicken, baked
mac and cheese, some collard greens.
MARQUISE
Made some corn bread too.
VRAIL
Any sun-tea, Daddy?
SONAY
Of course.
TIFFANY
Sun-tea?
SEAN
I never heard of it before I met Vrail, either.
Sweet tea brewed in the sun. Girl, you go
fall in love. Watch.
VRAIL
Where my girls at, Sean? They better get
here before we tear this mess up.
Sean grabs his phone.
SEAN
Let me-
The door swings open and Ravyn and Sloan immediately start helping Marquise and James get the food ready.
SLOAN
Y’all got the nurses out there swooning
and drooling at the door. You cook this
Mrs. Blake?
SONAY
Nope. This is
all my wonderful husband.
TIFFANY
Well, after you’ve all had your meal,
we’d definitely love to try some.
MARQUISE
You all are more than welcome
to join us now. I know you can’t all
be in here at once, but you can make
plates to take back to the station.
Ravyn offers Tiffany a plate with a wide grin.
SONAY
Consider it a thank you for taking
such good care of my baby and putting
up with all of us these last couple of weeks.
TIFFANY
Well, since you insist. There’s no
need to thank us, but I can’t resist.
My mouth been watering since you
got off the elevator.
JAMES
(gesturing towards the door)
Should I?
TIFFANY
Just hit the call button. Cedric will come in.
And speaking of our star patient, guess who’s
on the schedule for physical therapy starting
tomorrow morning?
Sean squeezes Vrail’s hand and kisses his palm.
SEAN
We start PT tomorrow?
Tiffany nods over her plate as she covers it with piles of greens and mac and cheese.
TIFFANY
And that morphine drip will be gone
after dinner. From now on, we’ll be
administering all of your meds manually
so we can start weening you down.
The doctor will come in later to go
over it all with you. I think he’ll be switching
you to dilaudid and we’ll lower the dose a bit
each day, as you can tolerate it.
Vrail pats his IV.
VRAIL
It was good while it lasted, but I’m ready
to get back to bud. This mess just knocks
me out cold. Can’t even enjoy the high.
SONAY
Boy, hush. You ain’t got no sense.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – MORNING
Sean walks beside Tiffany; she wheels Vrail towards a set of double doors.
SEAN
I was surprised when you said we
were starting PT so soon. I thought
you’d have him off the meds before then.
TIFFANY
Well, your boy here has been doing so well,
the doctor decided he should get him started
before he gets to tryin too much on his own.
We’re really trying to avoid setbacks.
If he’s going to be pushing himself,
the doctor wants him to do it the right way.
He’ll mostly be doing a lot of stretching.
Nothing too crazy, although it’ll probably
be more challenging than it sounds.
I’m a little more concerned about you
to be honest. You’re always talkin this we
stuff. Don’t you have a job to get back to?
Sean chuckles.
VRAIL
Sean’s an entrepreneur. He makes
his own schedule.
TIFFANNY
An entrepreneur, huh?
You your own boss?
SEAN
More or less. I have partners, but
I definitely have enough wiggle room
to be here anytime I need to.
EXT. LEYDEN’S HOUSE – MORNING
TIFFANY (VO)
And what about your dad?
Any news on when he goes
back to work?
LEYDEN, 30’s, wears shorts and no shirt. He washes an F-150 in the driveway.
James drives by in his dark colored sedan. He watches Leyden in the rearview mirror.
SEAN (VO)
He should be back at his desk this
week. I don’t know when they’ll let
him back out on the street though.
Any day now, I suppose. He’s just waiting
on clearance from the higher ups.
Leyden sprays clumps of mud from under the wheel wells and takes a scrub brush to the bumper and undercarriage.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVINGROOM – SAME
Ravyn, in business casual, grabs her coffee and bag and heads to the door.
TIFFANY (VO)
And your sister?
Sloan runs through the apartment.
SLOAN
(hollering)
Ravyn! Ravyn!
She gets to the door and kisses her.
SLOAN (CONT)
I wanted you to take that with you.
She smiles, showing teeth.
RAVYN
Dork
SLOAN
Are you being mean?
RAVYN
No.
SLOAN
Now I feel like making you late.
RAVYN
No, no, no, no, babe.
Ravyn tries to maneuver herself out the door.
Sloan slides her hand up Ravyn's shirt and whispers something in her ear. She nibbles her ear lobe. Kisses her neck.
Ravyn shuts the door behind her back.
RAVYN(CONT)
Fuck it. What's one more day?
They said take off as long as I need.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRICOR – SAME
Tiffany, Vrail, and Sean bend a corner and head towards a set of double doors.
SEAN
I’m not sure. She works four our
stepdad, so I don’t think she has
a set day she needs to be back.
TIFFANY
Ya’ll got the set up. I heard that.
And how about your folks, Vrail?
INTERCUT - INT. BLAKE HOME – MARQUISE’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – SAME
Marquise types away at a computer in an eclectically decorated yet immaculately kept office space. CLASSICAL MUSIC plays faintly in the background. He sips tea and rotates back and forth in his chair.
VRIAL (VO)
Well, my dad works from
home most of time. He’s an
author and freelance writer.
Tiffany wheels Vrail through a set of double doors marked: “PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHAB”
Sean follows.
TIFFANY
Oh, I honestly thought
he was a chef. He certainly
has the culinary skills from
what I tasted last night.
Marquise picks up an unplugged electric guitar and plays along with the MUSIC. Sonay brings Marquise a book and kisses his cheek.
SEAN (VO)
That’s not all he’s good at.
I’m fairly certain he and Vrail
can actually do anything and everything.
INT. HOSPITAL – PHYSICAL REHAB – SAME
Tiffany parks the wheelchair in front of the reception counter and signs them in on the clipboard. Sean looks around the room.
SEAN (CONT)
I can’t think of one thing they’re actually
bad at. Aside from taking it easy.
A double amputee breaks in his new prosthetic legs on a treadmill across the room. Sean squeezes Vrail’s shoulders. Vrail reaches up towards Sean. Sean kisses his palm.
VRAIL
That’s what I got you for, babe.
Tiffany smiles.
INT. BLAKE HOME - MARQUISE’S OFFICE – SAME
Marquise kisses Sonay’s hand. She grabs a book from the shelf and disappears through the door. Marquise continues his playing.
TIFFANY (VO)
What about your mom?
INT. BLAKE HOME – HALLWAY – DAY
Sonay searches through a book and makes her way to the end of the dark hallway to a door with a red bulb lit above it.
INT. BLAKE HOME - SONAY’S DARKROOM – CONTINUOUS
Color prints cover the walls. Several prints hang from a line to develop.
Sonay sits on a tall stool and continues to read under the red light.
INT. HOSPITAL – PHYSICAL REHAB - DAY
Tiffany, Sean and Vrail wait to be seen.
VRAIL
My mom hasn’t really worked
since my sister disappeared.
INT. BLAKE HOME - SONAY’S DARKROOM – SAME
Many of the prints on the wall are of an outdoor concert venue. Some taken during the day, others at night. Some while the venue is empty, others while it is full of people.
TIFFANY (VO)
I remember reading about
your sister’s disappearance
a while ago. She went to a
concert at the park and never
came home?
The prints on the line begin to develop. They are pictures of a person, some zoomed in, some from a far distance.
VRAIL (VO)
She used to be a staff photographer
for TIME MAGAZINE. Now, she
focuses all of her time trying to
piece together what could’ve
happened to Kassy.
The prints fully develop. They show Leyden unloading bags from a dusty F-150.
INT. HOSPITAL – PHYSICAL REHAB – SAME
SEYREN, 30’s, wears athletic shorts and a fitted T-shirt and bears a striking resemblance to Leyden. He grabs the clipboard and signs his name beside Vrail’s name: “Seyren Drake”
SEYREN
Vrial Blake?
VRAIL
That’s me.
They shake hands.
SEYREN
I’m Seyren. I’ll be your
torturist, I mean
therapist for the day.
They laugh.
SEYREN (CONT)
You ready?
VRIAL
As I’ll ever be.
SEYREN
Let’s get to it then.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DAY
Sean pushes Vrail’s wheelchair up to a set of double doors. He smashes the button on the wall. The doors swing open. He snatches the chair and continues.
SEAN
Look, I was just tryin to
help. If you want, I won’t
go with you tomorrow, so you
and your boy can do your thing.
VRAIL
I can’t believe you’re actin like
this right now. I mean, I’m in a
fuckin wheelchair tryin to recover
from bein shot by your fuckin father.
You think you might have a little more
sympathy. Everything ain’t about you, Sean.
SEAN
I know it ain’t about me, nigga.
I was tryin to help yo ass, but you
wanna snap at me like I’m supposed
to know what I’m doin.
VRAIL
I’m sayin. Maybe you could
let Seyren do his job. That is
what he’s there for.
SEAN
Like I said. I’ll let you go on
your own tomorrow. Let
you two handle it.
VRAIL
Cool, cool. Whatever you say.
I knew that lovey-dovey shit
wasn’t go last too long.
You do you, boo.
They arrive at Vrail’s room. Sean swings the door open and pushes Vrail through.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
James sits in the chair in the corner, staring intently at his laptop screen.
VRAIL
Great.
James peers over the screen.
JAMES
Everything alright, fellas.
How’d your first day of PT go?
Sean shakes his head, irritated.
VRAIL
Frustrating. Aren’t you supposed
to be back at work this week?
JAMES
I’m working from home the
rest of the day. They got me
riding a desk for a couple more
weeks anyway. I’ve been
going over your sister’s file and—
VRAIL
Look, chief. I know you feel
bad about nearly killing me and
everything, but you not bout to
make up for it by finding Kassy.
No offense, but if you had cared
half as much about her when it
first happened, you might have
found her. Seems like four years
later, you might be a day late and
a dollar short. Not a single cop cared
when she went missing. Now, all of
a sudden you got all this interest and
all these leads? My mom’s been on
that Leyden dude you mentioned.
Ya boys ain’t wanna hear nothin
about it. As far as I know, they
questioned dude once for like—
JAMES
Ten minutes. I know. I couldn’t
believe it when I read it. You’d’ve thought
they were writing a letter of recommendation
for the fuckin valedictorian or something.
I had the tenuous pleasure of speaking
with the officers in charge of the case
at the time. They’re not exactly
the pride of the force. I’ll just leave
it at that. I was expressly excluded
from the investigation four years ago
because of my daughter’s relationship
with Kassandra and the fact that our names
were mentioned by your folks when they
filed their original report. Ravyn was
supposed to be with Kassy that night.
I don’t know if we’d be missing both
of them now or if her being there
would have prevented this. I’ll never
know, but I do know my decision to not
allow her to go has haunted me for the
past four years. My administrative leave
has given me the time to look into it, and
now that so much time has passed, no one
at the job gives a damn who cares about that
case. None of them do any damn more.
VRAIL
That we can agree on.
JAMES
You said your mom’s Spidey-sense
went off about this Leyden guy.
I wonder if she has any info on him my
vacuous collages failed to find.
Vrail and Sean chuckle.
VRAIL
Yea. She definitely has more
than a ten-minute verbal blowjob.
SEAN
Bro, you are on one. We need
to get some grub in you ASAP.
VRAIL
Word. And some pain meds.
I haven’t had anything since breakfast.
Vrail hits the call button.
VRAIL (CONT)
This come down is brutal.
Everything is pissin me the fuck off.
INT. HOSPITAL – ER – SAME
DAGEN, 17, stumbles through the door covered in tacky blood from head to toe, wearing one shoe and no socks. He staggers toward the counter and collapses into the arms of two nurses.
ER NURSE
Are you ok?
Whose blood is this?
Are you alone?
DAGEN
He killed them.
He killed them both.
ER NURSE
Who killed whom?
DAGEN
He killed them both
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – DAY
James sets his coffee on the desk.
MARK DRISKEL, 40’s, hangs up the phone.
MARK
Don’t even sit. You’re not staying.
JAMES
What are you talking about?
MARK
You hear about that kid
at the hospital, showed up yesterday
covered in blood?
JAMES
Yea, I was in the building.
MARK
Doing what?
JAMES
Minding my own business.
Was there more to your story?
MARK
Anyway.
Yea, he finally said something.
Gave the shrink an address.
We’re all headed over there now.
Serge said you’re coming too.
JAMES
She's a psychologist not a shrink.
​
MARK
Whatever.
​
JAMES
Did Serge say why she
wants everyone at the scene?
MARK
Nope. Were you
visiting that kid you shot?
James grabs his coffee and heads for the exit.
MARK (CONT)
Sick fuck.
EXT. THE HOUSE – DAY
James and Mark step out of the squad car.
OFFICER ONE, 20’s, gets sick in the bushes. OFFICER TWO stumbles out the front door, sits on a step, and hangs his head between his legs.
James tucks his mouth and nose into his shirt collar, swats away a few flies, and enters.
INT. THE HOUSE – SAME
OFFICER THREE shakes his head pitifully and points James and Mark down the hall.
They make their way to the attic door.
INT. THE ATTIC – SAME
James clenches his shirt to avoid touching the blood smeared on the walls and handrail. Nothing can be done to avoid walking in it on the way up the stairs.
Mark's boot SMACKS off the third step. He does an about face and exits the way he came.
James turns and watches him leave, shakes his head, and proceeds into the gore. He slips on the last step and regains his balance still keeping his hands to himself.
EXT. THE HOUSE – SAME
Mark plops down onto the step beside the officer with his head between his knees.
MARK
Why did Serge call all of us here?
OFFICER ONE
Punishment.
He gets sick again.
MARK
I’ve never smelled anything
like that. What the fuck is that?
OFFICER TWO
Death. Old. Rotten. Death.
​
MARK
Why is that blood so damn gooey?
​
Officer Two dry heaves and shakes his head between his knees.
​
Officer One gets sick again.
Officer three nearly trips over the two men seated on the stairs.
OFFICER THREE
Where’s the effin’ EMT?
MARK
I think they’re getting ready to leave. Why?
James emerges, out of breath and smeared with tacky blood.
MARK (CONT)
The hell happened to you?
OFFICER THREE
That girl in there’s alive, bro.
MARK
No shit?
James CLICKS the radio thrice and waves the EMTs over.
JAMES
Dispatch, please be advised,
we got a pulse on the Jane Doe
and a possible 20 on Kassandra Blake.
I’ll be escorting her to the hospital
with the EMT already on scene.
Over.
Mark clammers to his feet.
MARK
Shut the fuck up.
James and the EMT rush back into the house. Mark’s left speechless.
OFFICER TWO
(finally raising his head)
Who’s Kassandra Blake?
Mark shakes his head and heads back inside.
EXT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Vrail’s SUV’s hazards flash. Sean shuts the passenger door, takes the wheelchair to the entrance, jogs back to the driver’s door, and hops in.
INT. VRAIL’S SUV – CONTINUOUS
Vrail sets his phone in the cup holder. Sean notices his troubled expression.
SEAN
Everything alright?
VRAIL
Your dad just called
me for the third time.
SEAN
Yea, we got into it last night.
He keeps calling, but I ain’t fuckin
wit him right now. He’s probably callin
for me.
VRAIL
Babe, life’s too short for
holdin grudges. You should
answer the next time he calls.
INT. VRAIL’S APARTMENT – LIVINGROOM – DAY
MOTOWN plays over the stereo.
Ravyn and Sloan stand on chairs to hang a banner that reads: “WELCOME HOME, VRAIL”
Marquise stirs a steaming pot and taste the spoon. Sonay stirs rum into the punch.
SLOAN
Vrail’s gonna love this. Got all
his favorites. Some oldies
playin on the stereo.
Marquise in kitchen
throwin down…
RAVYN
Only thing missin is some bud.
SONAY
Don’t you start now.
The girls hop down. Sloan whispers in Ravyn’s ear.
SLOAN
I got flower and edibles
in my bag. You know
I got yo boy’s back.
Marquise’s phone VIBRATES on the counter. It stops. Sonay’s RINGTONE sounds.
MARQUISE
Persistent, isn’t he?
RAVYN
Most definitely.
MARQUISE
Maybe I should just answer
to see what he wants.
SONAY
He’s probably just wondering where
we all are. I just don’t want to invite the
man that shot him to Vrail’s home coming
If Vrail wants him here
after he arrives, no problem.
The girls exchange a look that Marquise eloquently verbalizes.
MARQUISE
Fair enough.
Ravyn looks up from her phone.
RAVYN
Sean say’s they’re five minutes away.
Should I stall for mor people to show?
SONAY
Who else did you invite?
RAVYN
No one. I thought…
Never mind. I’ll tell him to come on in.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM – SAME
James slouches in the uncomfortable chair and taps his phone on his lips thrice.
Tiffany emerges from around the corner.
TIFFANY
Any luck? I’m dying to
know if it’s really her.
Imagine, Vrail checks out
within minutes of his long lost
sister checking in. This is the
stuff soup operas are made of.
JAMES
Wait. Vrail checked out today?
TIFFANY
You didn’t know?
James taps his lips three more times.
JAMES
No, but I bet I know why.
There’s probably a party goin
on right about now to which I was
strategically uninvited.
Tiffany’s look says she doesn’t get it yet.
JAMES (CONT)
Who invites the gunman to
a welcome home party?
She finally gets it.
JAMES (CONT)
Maybe if I call Sloan, they’ll
assume it’s an emergency.
TIFFANY
Why don’t you leave a message?
JAMES
I left several for them
to return my call, but this
isn’t the type of news you
leave over voicemail.
TIFFANY
That’s fair.
James taps his lips thrice more. He hops up and heads for the elevator.
JAMES
I’ll be back.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Sean helps Vrail out of the SUV.
VRAIL
How we doin this, babe?
Sean turns around and offers his back to Vrail.
VRAIL (CONT)
I ain’t jumpin up on yo back.
SEAN
No. Hold my shoulders. Use me like a walker.
VRAIL
Oh, I get you. Yea, that could work.
A dark colored sedan screeches into an adjacent parking spot.
Vrail almost loses his footing.
Sean almost loses his shit.
James jumps out the driver’s seat.
SEAN
Fuck, Dad!
The fuck is you doing here?
You almost got fucked up
pullin up like that.
How’d you—
JAMES
I’ve been callin everybody
all morning. I had to come.
Vrail, I need permission to
use your blood to compare to
a Jane Doe from a scene.
James produces a consent form from his uniform pocket.
SEAN
Seriously, Pop.
That couldn’t wait?
JAMES
The girl in question is alive
in a comma at the same hospital
you just left. They have tissue
from your surgery still at the lab,
but we need your consent to test it.
I found the girl myself this morning.
It’s been a while and she’s pretty
banged up, but my gut says it’s Kassandra.
Sean and Vrail exchange a look of surreal disbelief.
INT. APARTMENT FOYER – DAY
Sean leads Vrail down the hall.
VRAIL
You think it’s really Kassy?
SEAN
Well, my dad seemed really
excited about it, and he’s never
really excited about anything.
VRAIL
This shit’s nuts.
SEAN
Real talk. Your family
has some crazy fuckin
connection.
VRAIL
What do you mean?
They turn the corner at that the end of the hall and approach Vrail’s apartment.
SEAN
Your timing. She gets checked
in as you simultaneously check
out of the same hospital.
Spooky as fuck.
INT. VRAIL’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
The door swings open.
EVERYONE INSIDE
Surprise!
Vrail nearly pulls Sean to the ground. Sean catches him and pulls him up into his arms.
VRAIL
Oh, you’re good.
RAVYN
Were you surprised?
SEAN
Oh yea.
RAVYN
Not you, fool.
SEAN
(chuckles)
Oh.
INT. HOSPITAL – NURSE’S STATION – DAY
James leans on the counter. Tiffany walks around to her chair and sits.
JAMES
How long do you think it’ll take
to get the results.
TIFFANY
Not too much longer.
James looks confused.
TIFFANY (CONT)
We started the test right
after you left.
His eyes get big.
Tiffany shrugs.
JAMES
What if he had refused?
Tiffany shrugs.
James rolls his eyes.
INT. VRAIL’S APARTMENT – DAY
Sean and Vrail hover over the bean dip at the kitchen table.
Sloan startles them.
SLOAN
What are you girls over here
chatterin about?
SEAN
Just, noting how delicious
this bean dip is.
Sonay ladles more jungle juice into her cup.
SONAY
You two gonna have
anything to drink.
VRAIL
I’ll have some punch
if there’s any without the
extra umph. I’m still on
some pretty strong meds.
SLOAN
Does that mean you’re not
interested in the other party
favors I brought?
They respond with perplexed expressions and a nostril swipe.
SLOAN (CONT)
No fools. Bud.
Sean rolls his eyes.
VRAIL
Shiiiit. Bitch, all damn day.
INT. HOSPITAL – NURSE’S STATION – DAY
Tiffany’s eyes get wide. She hands James a sheet of paper.
His eyes get even wider. He looks at her. She has no words.
James stares at the page for a few more seconds.
JAMES
Pregnant?
Tiffany, mouth agape, nods absently.
James shows her the page.
JAMES (CONT)
What does this mean?
Are they—
TIFFANY
Half siblings.
Same mother.
Different fathers.
James TAPS his teeth three times and starts humming strangely, likes he’s getting ready to speak, but never does.
TIFFANY (CONT)
You alright, Officer Shannon?
JAMES
Uh… Yea. I guess. Uh… I’ll be back.
He walks the opposite way from the elevators.
TIFFANY
Where you going, sir?
James turns with a CHUCKLE and heads for the elevator.
Tiffany searches around for something to do, but finally sits, astounded.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Ravyn, Sloan, Vrail, and Sean sit on the steps smoking a blunt.
James bounds up the path and stops when he notices them.
His eyes say enough.
SEAN
Shut the fuck up.
Ravyn and Sloan look at each other and then back at James.
RAVYN AND SLOAN
What did we miss?
Vrail hits the blunt and passes it to Sean.
JAMES
Your folks inside?
The door swings open, and Sonay peeks her head out.
SONAY
So, this is where you ran off to.
SEAN
(whispers to Vrail)
See what I mean?
(tilts his head to Sonay.
Vrail chuckles.
Sonay notices James.
SONAY
You smoke?
JAMES
I might after I give you this news.
You might wanna grab—
SONAY
(hollers into the building)
Marquise!
INT. HOSPITAL CORIDOR – DAY
Sonay’s out the elevator first and halfway down the hall.
SONAY
Which way.
She turns to James. He points down the hall. She increases speed. The rest barely keep up.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
KASSANDRA BLAKE (BLAKE), 17, lies unconscious in the bed. A feeding tube protrudes from her mouth. A machine breathes for her.
Sonay explodes through the door; the rest follow.
Sonay kisses Blake’s palm and forehead.
MARQUISE
Any idea who did this?
JAMES
We’re working on getting
permission to question the
kid that provided the address.
Right now, he’s barely
speaking and only to the
psychologist. I, um, do have
one more thing to tell you though.
They all turn and stare.
James swallows hard, three times.
He opens his mouth to speak and his phone RINGS. He glances at the screen.
JAMES
It’s my Lieutenant.
I gotta take this.
It’ll be quick.
(into the phone)
Officer Shannon.
You’re kidding.
No, I’m at the
hospital with the Blakes.
Yes, Ma’am.
Yes, Ma’am.
Absolutely.
Thank you, Ma’am.
Will do.
Bye.
James pockets his phone on the way through the door.
JAMES (CONT)
Sorry, folks.
I gotta go.
The news can wait.
I have a feeling I’ll
have even more for
you when I get back.
RAVYN
Where are you going, Dad?
JAMES
That kid turned eighteen today.
SEAN
So?
JAMES
So, we don’t need parents to
question him anymore.
I’ll be back.
James takes off.
MARQUISE
What kid?
VRAIL
It’s kind of a long story.
SEAN
We’ll fill you in.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – DAY
James B-lines it for the interview room. He nearly reaches the door.
LT
Shannon!
James turns.
​
LIEUTENANT TAYLOR (LT), 40’s, could be former First Lady Michelle Obama’s body double. She summons James into her office.
JAMES
Ma’am I--
LT
Join me for a sec.
JAMES
Yes, ma’am.
INT. LT’S OFFICE – DAY
LT settles in behind her very expensive looking desk.
LT
Have a seat, Shannon.
​
James sits with a smile, taps his foot three times, and catches himself.
JAMES
Sorry for, um, I just
didn’t want to miss the
kid’s interview.
LT
You won’t miss it.
Listen. I just finished
reading the report on
the scene. Twelve other
officers and two sergeants
there and you’re the only one
that thinks to check if that
poor girl was still alive.
JAMES
Kassandra, ma’am.
LT
Excuse me?
JAMES
Her name’s Kassandra, ma’am.
She was—is a good friend
of my daughter.
LT
I see.
So, it might be safe to
say that you have a personal
stake in Miss Kassandra’s case.
To be honest,
with the way you reacted at
that crime scene,
if you didn’t have some
personal connection with
our survivor,
I’d be interviewing you
in 2.
JAMES
That’d be safe to say, ma’am,
and entirely understandable.
LT
Fair enough.
Seems to me you might
be exactly who we need on
this case. A detective like yourself—
JAMES
Officer, ma’am.
LT opens a desk drawer.
LT
Is that so?
She tosses a silver badge to James. He catches it and stares for moment.
JAMES
You serious, LT?
LT
I am. I’m going to need
that one in exchange.
She indicates the badge on James’s chest.
JAMES
Seriously?
LT
One more
and you’ll have your three.
I’m quite serious,
Detective Shannon.
Now, get in there and
get some answers from
young Dagen. Please do wish him
a very happy birthday from us all.
James taps his new badge to his lips three times.
JAMES
Con much gusto, LT.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM #1 – DAY
James shuts the door behind him. He sets a water bottle and a note pad on the table and sits across from Dagen.
Dagen finishes a bag of chips and downs a can of soda. He stuffs the empty chip bag in the empty can and crushes it.
JAMES
Can I grab anything
else for you, Dagen?
Am I saying that
right?
DAGEN
Yea, you got it.
I’m good.
JAMES
Good. Listen—
DAGEN
Actually, officer,
do you think I could
get some water?
JAMES
Here—
James hands him his water bottle.
JAMES (CONT)
Have mine.
Dagen accepts the bottle and chugs it. He crushes it, replaces the cap, and sets it neatly beside the crushed can.
JAMES
All good?
DAGEN
Perfect.
JAMES
Fantastic.
Were you ever
able to get in touch
with your folks?
DAGEN
Still haven’t heard back
from my mom. It’s pretty
typical of her to
go a week or longer
even without
checking in.
JAMES
You don’t say.
When is the last time you heard from her?
DAGEN
At least a week ago.
I mean, I didn’t speak
with her. My brother,
Dacey, he talked to her.
JAMES
Dacey? Is that the young
man we found in
all that blood with
Kassandra?
DAGEN
Kassandra?
JAMES
Oh, you didn’t
know her name?
DAGEN
No. My dad didn’t
tell us her name.
JAMES
Your dad?
DAGEN
Well, my stepdad,
Frank.
JAMES
Frank.
How is he connected
to Kassandra?
DAGEN
Well, she was his. He kept her
in that little hidden
closet room
in the attic.
When my mom is away
he brings her out.. to play.
He would sometimes
force Dacey and I
to play along.
He even sometimes
made videos, you
know
for
his
friends.
JAMES
You ever meet any of these
friends?
DAGEN
Naw.
JAMES
So what happened to your
brother and Kassandra?
DAGEN
I can’t say.
JAMES
Why not?
DAGEN
I don’t know.
JAMES
You don’t know
why you can’t tell
me, or you can’t tell me
because you don’t know?
DAGEN
Yea, that.
JAMES
When’s the last time
you saw your stepdad?
DAGEN
I don’t know.
JAMES
Are you experiencing memory loss,
Dagen?
DAGEN
I think so.
I can’t really remember anything
after Wednesday when I got
back from basketball practice.
Next thing I remember,
I’m at the hospital
talking to
the nurse
about
blood.
JAMES
Hmm.
Ok. Listen, I know
this must be difficult for you,
Dagen. I only have a few more
questions and I’ll work on
getting you outta here.
You said Frank would
take Kassandra out
while your mom was away,
to
play.
What do you mean by that?
DAGEN
I mean he would
fuck her.
JAMES
I see.
And he forced your brother
and yourself to participate in
this while making videos
for his friends?
DAGEN
You got it.
JAMES
But you never met any
of these friends.
DAGEN
Not once.
JAMES
About how long would
you say Frank has had
Kassandra in that room?
DAGEN
How long?
JAMES
Yea.
DAGEN
For as long as I can remember.
JAMES
How long have you lived at that house?
DAGEN
Dacey and I had our fourteenth
birthday there, couple months
after we moved in.
JAMES
You twins?
DAGEN
Yea.
JAMES
About how long after that
do you think you met Kassandra
for the first time?
DAGEN
Not sure.
JAMES
You think it was less than a month?
DAGEN
Naw.
JAMES
Less than a year.
DAGEN
Yea.
JAMES
Can you approximate any
closer than that?
DAGEN
Naw.
JAMES
You remember what season it was?
DAGEN
Baseball season.
JAMES
Baseball?
DAGEN
Yea. Dacey and I both
made the team.
He played catcher and
I played pitcher.
JAMES
No kiddin?
DAGEN
We were an unstoppable
team.
JAMES
No kiddin?
DAGEN
No kiddin.
James notices he’s been CLICKING his pen. Probably in sets of three, for who knows how long.
JAMES
You got a way of
getting ahold of Frank?
DAGEN
You could try his cell.
JAMES
Do you have the number?
DAGEN
‘Fraid not.
Lost my phone.
JAMES
That’s ok. I’ll find it.
You sit tight, kid.
I’ll see if I can’t get
you outta here.
DAGEN
Sure.
James goes to exit, stops with his hand on the knob.
JAMES
Oh. Dagen,
you ever hear the name
Leyden Drake before?
James studies Dagen’s face.
DAGEN
Can’t say that I have.
JAMES
Alright.
Sit tight.
Shouldn’t be long.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
James shuts the door behind him. LT waves him over. He stops at Mark’s desk.
JAMES
Do me a favor.
Mark looks up from his paperwork. James grabs a beef stick and cheese from his desk drawer.
JAMES (CONT)
Grab a coke and take it
with these to the kid.
Tell him I got
a burger on
the way for him.
Grab his trash and
check it into evidence.
​
Mark nods, grabs the offered snacks and heads to the vending machine.
James proceeds to LT’s office.
INT. LT’S OFFICE – DAY
LT
Outstanding job in
there, detective.
We need to
get someone in there
to grab that trash.
JAMES
I got Driskel
on it.
LT
Perfect.
What are your thoughts?
JAMES
I really wish Miss Blake would
wake up.
Something’s telling me
that kid is full of sh—
crap.
LT
I got the same impression.
How might you proceed?
JAMES
I’d love to work on
finding the stepfather,
Frank, and maybe
go check on
Kassandra.
LT
You do that.
James heads for the door.
LT (CONT)
And Shannon?
JAMES
LT?
LT
Don’t let me see you
in that uniform again.
JAMES
I guarantee it, ma’am.
LT
Good.
Get out.
James chuckles thrice on his way out.
The phone rings. LT answers it.
LT (CONT)
Taylor.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – DAY
Mark and James meet at James’s desk.
JAMES
Did you grab that stuff?
MARK
I gave him the snacks
and told him a burger
was on the way, but
there was no trash.
JAMES
Hmm.
LT’s door slams open. She hollers from inside.
LT
Shannon!
JAMES
(to Mark)
Can you check the
video and see what
he did with that shit?
MARK
Yea.
You better get
in there.
INT. LT’S OFFICE – DAY
James shuts the door and sits.
LT
I just got off with forensics.
There’s an unknown DNA
profile in the that muck
from the attic.
JAMES
How could they even
isolate profiles
in that?
LT
The third profile was
lifted from some
stains on the
underside of the
matters.
JAMES
Damn. Maybe the kid
was tellin the truth
after all.
I gotta find this Frank
guy.
LT
Did you know the kid
and the deceased are
identical twins?
JAMES
Well, I knew they
were twins.
I guess we don’t need that
trash after all then, huh?
LT
Yea. They’ll have identical
DNA profiles.
JAMES
I still wanna know what he
did with that shit though.
If he didn’t do anything,
why’s he so weird about
his trash?
LT
Don’t even worry about
that. The truth
will find the light.
You worry about finding
Frank.
JAMES
I’m on it, LT.
LT
Alright. Get outta here.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – DAY
James shuts the LT’s door.
Mark startles him as he turns to leave.
MARK
Sorry.
JAMES
Don’t worry about it.
What’s up?
MARK
He has the trash
in his crotch.
What should I do?
JAMES
(rolling his eyes)
Let him keep it.
We don’t need it.
Let him sit on it for
a few more hours.
I’m about to go find
his stepfather.
MARK
Roger.
Also, there’s some
lady downstairs going off
about us questioning
her son without a lawyer.
JAMES
Did she give his name?
MARK
You even gotta ask?
JAMES
Well, I’ll be.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – INFORMATION DESK – DAY
James and Mark exit the elevator.
SANDRA JACOBS, 40’s, a slender woman with a wide mouth and hateful eyes, gives the UNIFORM behind the desk a tongue lashing.
SANDRA
My sons are minors
and are being held without
my knowledge.
If I find out they’re being
questioned without my attorney
being notified, heads
are going to roll.
I guarantee it.
Who’s in charge
of this--
MARK
Mrs. Daniels?
James cringes.
Sandra turns on Mark like a cobra.
SANDRA
Daniels is my ex-husband’s
name. I’m Sandra Jacobs.
Where the hell are my sons?
James steps in and takes her by the arm.
JAMES
Please excuse my
colleague, Mrs. Jacobs.
I’m Detective James Shannon.
I’d be happy to
escort you
to your
son.
James summons the elevator.
JAMES (CONT)
I love your bag.
It goes beautifully with
your heels.
Are those Louboutin?
They board the elevator arm in arm, leaving Mark behind.
SANDRA
They are.
Good eye,
James.
James smiles and gives Mark a slight head tilt that asks him to meet him back upstairs as the elevator door shuts between them.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – DAY
James escorts Sandra down the corridor.
JAMES
I want to apologize
again for the misunderstanding.
I’ve actually been trying to get in
touch with you for a few days now.
They arrive at INTERVIEW ROOM #2
James holds the door open.
JAMES (CONT)
After you, Mrs. Jacobs.
SANDRA
Sandra’s fine, James.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – OBSERVATION ROOM – SAME
Mark watches a series of monitors. One shows a live feed of Dagen scarfing down a cheeseburger in Interview room #1. The other pictures James and Sandra as they enter Interview room #2.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – SUNSET
Ravyn sits on the second bed and hugs her knees to her chest, Sean and Sloan on either side of her. Vrail stands and stretches. Sean hops up to spot him.
Marquise rubs his face. Sonay holds Blake’s hand. The machines BEEP intermittently. The RESPIRATOR keeps steady time.
The setting sun breaks through the window. Sean checks his watch.
SEAN
Damn. Dad’s been
gone all day.
How he go leave us
hangin like that?
VRAIL
That kid must’ve
had a whole lot to say.
Marquise stands and stretches with a sigh. He squeezes Sonay’s shoulder. She grabs his hand and kisses the palm.
MARQUISE
I think I need some fresh air, babe.
You wanna go take a walk
outside with me for a bit?
​
Sonay nods, stands and stretches.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – INTERVIEW ROOM #2 – SAME
James hands Sandra a bottle of water. She sets it beside her expensive bag.
SANDRA
I thought you said we were
going to see my sons.
JAMES
My colleague
will be bringing Dagen
in shortly.
First, I have some news
about Dacey.
SANDRA
Yes?
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – EVENING
Marquise waits by the door. Sonay grabs her purse.
Vrail stands in Sean’s arms. He grabs his face and leans in until their foreheads touch.
​
VRAIL
I’m pretty beat, babe.
You wanna head home?
SEAN
Yea. I know it’s been
a long day for you.
SONAY
You know, we should all
probably just head home.
Get some rest—
RAVYN
I’m staying.
Everyone looks a bit surprised, aside from Sloan.
RAVYN (CONT)
I don’t want her to
wake up and there be
no one here.
MARQUISE
The chances—
SLOAN
Don’t even waste your
breath, Mr. Blake.
You’re not gonna
change her mind.
Marquise nods acceptance.
SEAN
You want us to grab
you some food before
we go?
RAVYN
We can Grubhub or
something. Or Uber Eats.
I know one of those will
come up here.
SLOAN
We should walk them out, love.
VRAIL
You don’t really need to—
SLOAN
I wanna grab those gummies
out of the car.
Sloan slides her shoes on and hands Ravyn hers.
SLOAN (CONT)
Come on, sweetheart.
She’s not gonna wake up in
the next fifteen minutes.
You could use the air.
RAVYN
Fine.
SLOAN
Atta girl.
Sloan pulls Ravyn to her feet and kisses her forehead.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – OBSERVATION ROOM – SAME
LT peeks her head in.
LT
How’s it going?
Mark points to the monitor of room #1. Dagen nods off in his chair.
He shakes his head at the second monitor. James holds Sandra in his arms. She sobs into is shoulder.
MARK
Poor thing’s been
wailing into Shannon’s
chest for the past
twenty minutes.
She’s slowed to
a steady sob.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – INTERVIEW ROOM #2 – SAME
JAMES
I know this must
be terribly difficult,
Sandra, but it’s highly
imperative that we talk
to your husband sooner
than later.
Do you have any way
of getting in contact
with him?
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – OBSERVATION ROOM – EVENING
James busts through the door.
He’s surprised to see the LT inside instead of Mark.
JAMES
LT?
My apologies.
I thought Driskel
had my six on this.
LT
I relieved him.
I didn’t see the point
in paying him overtime
to watch Mrs. Jacobs
cry on your shoulder
for who knows
how long.
JAMES
Makes sense.
Well, she gave me three phone
numbers and two addresses
where I might find her,
and I quote—
​
LT raises her hand to stop him.
LT
I caught the
epithet from in here.
Thanks.
You can head home
and follow up tomorrow.
JAMES
You sure, LT?
LT
Absolutely.
It’s been a long day.
Start fresh mañana.
JAMES
Fair enough.
James holds the door for LT. She touches his arm on the way out.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – RESTROOM – NIGHT
SERIES OF SHORT SHOTS:
-
Ravyn clutches the end of a rubber tourniquet in her teeth.
-
She shoots up.
-
She leans back against the way.
-
Her eyes roll back in her head.
-
Her fists squeeze the washbowl.
-
Her dim eyes stare back at her in the mirror.
-
She pops the tourniquet off her arm and leans into the door.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Sloan snores softly in the second bed.
Blake’s machines BEEP. The RESPIRATOR keeps time.
Ravyn drops the needle in the sharps box. She turns and chokes on her surprise.
RAVYN
Dad?
When’d you get here?
James sits beside Blake in the dark. He sniffles and wipes his eyes.
Ravyn shoves the tourniquet in her pocket.
RAVYN (CONT)
Are you crying?
JAMES
Yea.
I’m sorry.
It’s been a day,
and seeing Kassandra like that.
She’s not even recognizable.
RAVYN
It’s not your fault, Dad.
JAMES
No. I know.
I can’t stop crying
though
because I’m grateful.
I’m grateful that’s not you
in that bed.
I’m glad I didn’t let you go that night,
and I feel sick for thinking it
over and over again.
I keep thanking God all damn day.
The things that kid told me—
Raves, I’m so fucking glad it wasn’t you.
Sloan’s eyes blink open. She stares off in silence.
Ravyn hugs her father.
INT. VRAIL’S BEDROOM – SAME
Sean leans back against the headboard. Vrail cries on his chest.
INT. BLAKE HOME – MASTER BEDROOM – SAME
Sonay sleeps in Marquise’s embrace, clutching a tissue in her fist. Marquise wipes the tears from under his chin. Sonay sniffles. Marquise kisses her head.
INT. VRAIL’S BEDROOM – SAME
Sean kisses Vrail’s head and wipes a tear from his own eye.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – SAME
Sloan swallows her tears in the dark, clutching the blanket under her chin.
Ravyn and James cry together.
Blake’s respirator SWOOSHES.
INT. HOTEL ROOM – SAME
Sandra and Dagen drag in. Sandra sinks onto the bed. Dagen lines their bags near the wall.
Sandra’s whole-body heaves. She sobs. Dagen sits beside her and puts his arm around her. She collapses into his arms and cries. His reflection stares blankly back at him from the dark window.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Ravyn’s reflection stares back at her from the dark window.
RAVYN
So, you got promoted
for shooting a black kid?
JAMES
Wait, hold on.
Clearly, I did not get
promoted for shooting Vrail.
RAVYN
Clearly, is a bit overstated.
It clearly didn’t prevent your
promotion. Same shit, pops.
Sloan clears her throat and rolls over.
RAVYN (CONT)
Sorry, babe.
Did we wake you?
SLOAN
It’s all good, love.
I was barely sleep anyway.
JAMES
You were snoring pretty
load when I got here.
Sloan stops her chuckle short. Ravyn and James laugh.
SLOAN
What yaw talkin bout?
RAVYN
My dad got promoted to
detective today.
SLOAN
Is that what you
were gonna tell us
before you left?
JAMES
No. Actually,
I almost forgot about that.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell
you two until Kassandra’s
parents are informed.
Ravyn and Sloan share a look. Ravyn shrugs.
SLOAN
Did that kid give you
any good info?
JAMES
Unfortunately, I can’t
discuss an on going
investigation
with you, but suffice
it to say. Yes.
I’m gonna have my
work cut out for me for the
foreseeable future.
Matter of fact,
I should get going.
We should all try
to get some rest.
He leans down and kisses Blake’s forehead, then Ravyn’s, then Sloan’s.
JAMES (CONT)
I’ll stop by in the AM
on my way into the office.
Love you.
RAVYN
Love you, Dad.
Drive safely.
SLAON
See you in the morning,
Mr. Shannon.
JAMES
Feel free to call me dad
or James or Jay, sweetheart.
Mr. Shannon makes me
feel older than I am.
The girls exchange a look and a chuckle.
SLOAN
You got it, Jay.
Ravyn holds the door open for her father.
RAVYN
See you in the morning, Dad.
Ravyn shuts the door. Sloan grabs her by the waste and pulls her down onto the bed.
INT. VRAIL’S BATHROOM – SHOWER – MORNING
Sean helps Vrail wash his dreads.
SEAN
So, Kas was a serial
killer, and she wanted your
help killing my dad
who the two of
you watched get
promoted for shooting you?
VRAIL
Yea. And all the other
cops were all like,
“Great job, Surge. Wish we
could all promote under
such exemplary circumstances.”
They were all dressed in their
“fancy” uniforms and sipping
Champaign and shit. It was wild.
Then, all types of fish
were, fuckin, swimmin
up through the floorboards and
shit. The cops were all
tryin to stomp em like whack-a-mole
or something. Babe, I’m tellin you
the shit was crazy, and
Kassy was serious
about takin your pops out.
She had a dungeon and
a whole plan laid out and
everything.
SEAN
Sounds like you might
have a bit of a grudge forming
against my pops. Maybe a touch
of the PTSD from the way
you woke up screamin,
and someone is definitely pregnant.
VRAIL
I thought that’s what fish meant.
Well, I know it ain’t us.
They both laugh.
SEAN
Not for a lack of tryin, though.
Vrail bites his lip. Sean kisses his boyfriend like he misses him.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Everyone stares at James in disbelief.
VRAIL
Did you throw a ball
in your blues, with butlers
and a live band and have
a Champaign toast
to your achievement?
JAMES
No.
VRAIL
So, you just get an accommodation
for shooting black folks these days?
JAMES
No.
VRAIL
You got a lot
of fuckin nerve bringin
yo ass up in here wit this shit.
MARQUISE
Maybe you should just go.
JAMES
I— I--
VRAIL
Oh, here come
Stutterin Stanley again.
Stutterin Stanley, Stutterin Stanley.
Third times the muhthafuckin charm, chump.
What the hell you tryin to say
any damn way?
SONAY
L’Vrail! Calm down.
You don’t need to act like
that. That’s unnecessary.
There’s no reason to be
so nasty.
Period.
VRAIL
(to Ravyn and Sloan)
Are one of you pregnant too?
RAVYN
What? No. Why—
Sean stops her question with a hand gesture and a head shake.
VRAIL (CONT)
Mama?
SONAY
Mama what?
VRAIL
Are you pregnant?
Sean covers his mouth.
MARQUISE
Watch ya’self, son.
JAMES
Kassandra is.
SONAY
That supposed to be
a joke?
Cuz it ain’t funny.
VRAIL
Why are you still here?
JAMES
It’s not a joke.
It’s what I wasn’t able to tell
you yesterday before I left.
MARQUISE
You should go.
JAMES
I—
RAVYN
Daddy.
She nods.
James does too. Then, he leaves.
Sean tries to comfort Vrail. Vrail evades him and walks out on his own.
MARQUISE
That boy is in rare form today.
SEAN
You know this ain’t like him.
They cut the narcs off, yaw.
The struggle is real.
He’s angry.
Real angry.
For no damn reason.
And now he got a reason,
so it’s even worse.
I better go makes sure he’s ok.
RAVYN
We’ll come too.
SONAY
Was he abusing his pain
meds or something?
RAVYN
I doubt it.
He’d be sick
if he had.
Not just mad.
Ravyn pulls Sloan out the door with her behind Sean.
Marquise and Sonay are left to simmer with the news.
Sonay sits and holds Blake’s hand. Marquise holds in his mounting anger, barely.
The BEEPS of Blake’s machines grow distant. The room gets large, lonely, and silent.
EXT. HOSPITAL – PARKING LOT – DAY
Smoke drifts out the back window of Vrail’s SUV.
INT. VRAIL’S SUV – DAY
Sean and Vrail occupy the front seats. Ravyn and Sloan, the back. Vrail passes the lit blunt to Sloan behind him.
RAVYN
How’d you know about
Kassy, Vrail?
VRAIL
A dream.
SLOAN
You have prophetic dreams?
VRAIL
Apparently.
SEAN
No lie.
He told me about
it this morning in the shower.
He knew dad was promoted
and that someone was pregnant.
​
Ravyn takes the blunt from Sloan, hits it twice and passes it to Sean.
RAVYN
Kassy used to have
those kinds of dreams
all the time.
She exhales a cloud of smoke.
VRAIL
Yea, she was in
it too. She wanted me to
help her kill your dad.
Ravyn chokes a little and shares a wide-eyed glance with Sloan.
Sean passes Vrail the blunt. He passes it to Sloan without hitting it.
VRAIL (CONT)
I can’t get too faded.
I have PT in less than an hour.
SLOAN
How’s that going?
SEAN
Swell.
​
Sloan passes the blunt to Ravyn, and they share a silent chuckle.
RAVYN
What’d we miss.
VRAIL
Sean thinks
my therapist has a thing for me.
RAVYN
Insecurity ain’t a good look, big brother.
SLOAN
Not at all.
SEAN
Ok. Yaw come with
me to pick him up after.
I’ll let yaw decide if I’m trippin.
Vrail shakes his head. Ravyn passes the blunt to Sean. Sean hits it.
SEAN (CONT)
So, I’m lyin?
Vrail smiles, takes the blunt, hits it and passes it to Sloan.
SEAN (CONT)
Ya boy always touchin
on your thighs and shit.
VRAIL
It’s his job, Sean.
SEAN
Whatever, nigga.
That muthafuckah loves his
job a little too damn much.
The girls chuckle.
SEAN (CONT)
I’m not playin.
Watch.
Yaw go come and
see or what?
VRAIL
You trippin, bro.
SEAN
Oh, I’m bro now?
VRAIL
You trippin.
Seyren’s bout to get
this nigga back in the game.
You feel me?
I was bout to fight for the
title. Remember?
Seyren has a tough
job. You not bout to make
it harder by bringing
your drama up in there.
EXT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Sloan holds the door open for Ravyn, Sean and Vrail. Vrail uses Sean as a human walker, leans in and wipes sweat from his forehead onto the back of Sean’s shirt.
SEAN
Damn, bruh,
like that?
I’m yo sweat rag now?
The girls laugh.
VRAIL
I’m bruh now?
SLOAN
Aye, for real though.
Sean’s right about yo boy.
VRAIL
What?
RAVYN
Naw, real talk.
He was all sweet to yo ass.
SLOAN
But oh boy with
the prosthetics,
bruh got chewed out every
five minutes about
something else.
RAVYN
Yo slow ass over there
getting high fives,
atta boys and good games
and shit.
SEAN
Thank you!
VRAIL
Yaw crazy.
SEAN
Naw, bruh,
ya boy wanna clock
some over time
witcha.
SLOAN
That’s real.
VRAIL
Yaw crazy.
RAVYN
As true as that might be.
I’m pretty sure we right as well.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Sandra paces between the window and the beds. Her cell phone rings on load speaker. Someone picks up.
SANDRA
Frank?
FRANK
Sandy?
SANDRA
I told you to please not
call me that.
I’m not a golden retriever,
Frank.
FANK
I don’t know any golden
retrievers by that name.
Her frustration mounts.
SANDRA
Where are you?
FRANK
Got a job in Fresno.
Where you at?
He hushes someone in the background.
SANDRA
Who are you hushing?
FRANK
Huh? Oh, nobody.
That’s Joe being disrespectful.
SANDRA
Joe my ass.
You with that whore again?
FRANK
What whore?
No, I’m at a job with Joe.
SANDRA
Well, you better hope so.
Otherwise, you better get lost,
and I mean for good.
The police are lookin for you
for whatever the hell you
did at the house, and I’m about
to tell them where your
little whore lives—
He hangs up on her.
She about throws the phone but composes herself enough to make one more phone call.
INT. LUCY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – DAY
Frank stands up from his seat off the edge of the bed, pulls his pants up, and buckles them.
Lucy holds his shirt hostage.
FRANK
Woman, don’t play with me.
LUCY
I ain’t playin.
You leave here now,
you bet not ever bring
yo sorry ass back.
You said you were leavin
her crazy ass anyway.
FRANK
What if she’s being for real?
LUCY
What did you do?
FRANK
I ain’t do a damn thang.
She bout angry enough
and damn sure crazy enough
to set me up for damn
near anything though.
He holds his hand out for his shirt and gives Lucy a pleading look.
LUCY
You know she ain’t bout
to do a damn thang.
He tilts his head and reaffirms his gesture for the shirt.
Lucy leans back in the bed.
LUCY (CONT)
You want this shirt,
you go have to come get
it off me, then.
He grabs for her playfully. She giggles and pulls him in by the pants and unbuckles them.
INT. LUCY’S HOUSE – FRONT ROOM – DAY
BANG, BANG, BANG. Someone pounds on the door.
JAMES (OS)
(through the door)
Police! Open up!
INT. LUCY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – CONINUOUS
Frank jumps up off his mistress. He re-buckles his pants.
Lucy rolls her eyes and tosses him his shirt.
FRANK
She’s really sellin it
this time, huh?
BANG, BANG, BANG
INT. LUCY’S HOUSE – FRONT ROOM – DAY
Frank opens the door.
James and Mark produce their badges.
JAMES
Frank Jacobs?
FRANK
Yea?
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – INTERVIEW ROOM #2 – DAY
Frank, visibly distraught, tries to avoid looking at the gory crime scene photos strewn across the table. Mark leans back in his chair and chews on a straw. James paces behind Frank.
FRANK
I’m telling you,
I had nothing to do
with any
of this.
He glances at the pictures.
FRANK (CONT)
I think I’m gonna be sick.
JAMES
I’m not feeling convinced, Franky.
I think you’re gonna
have to do better
than that.
MARK
How’d your DNA
get on that
mattress, Frank?
FRANK
I don’t know.
I mean, maybe
I took a woman
or two up there
from time to time.
My wife is away
on business, a lot.
JAMES
Uh huh.
FRANK
All of my women
are legal though.
I’m tellin you.
I’ve never seen that
poor girl in my life.
I swear it.
I’m a shitty husband,
but I’m not—I’m
not—I could never
do those things.
That shit’s beyond sick.
JAMES
I’d have to agree with you
on that, Franky.
Your denial won’t matter much
once we get that paternity test
back.
FRANK
Paternity test?
MARK
Oh, you didn’t know
you got her pregnant?
FRANK
Who?
JAMES
Kassandra.
She’s still in coma from
that beating you
gave her, but the baby’s
doing fine so far.
Not due for a few more
months, but as soon as we
can get that test done—
FRANK
She pregnant?
So, you’ll be able
to tell it wasn’t me!
What happens then?
JAMES
Don’t get so excited, buddy.
Dagen told us you forced
them to participate.
You won’t get off
the hook that
easy.
James tilts his head at Mark toward the door. Mark nods.
INT. POLICE PRECINCT – CORRIDOR – DAY
Mark shuts the door behind him. James turns to face him.
JAMES
Man, I must be losing it.
I fuckin believe this guy.
MARK
You’re not used to
interrogations, Shannon.
Everybody lies.
JAMES
No. I know. It’s just.
Something isn’t sitting
right. The shit just
isn’t fitting.
MARK
It fits perfectly, man.
He’s just pullin at your
heart strings, trying
to dance outta this thing.
What more evidence do
you need to be convinced?
JAMES
I don’t know, man.
I don’t know.
He knows for
a fact that the baby
can’t be his.
Something just ain’t
addin up.
INT. VRAIL’S FRONT ROOM – EVENING
Sean grabs his keys and kisses Vrail.
SEAN
I shouldn’t be gone more
than a couple of hours.
Rave’s just up the
hall if you need
anything.
VRAIL
I’ll be fine, babe.
But I might go over
there if I get bored.
Maybe blaze
a bit.
SEAN
Alright.
Sean kisses Vrail again and heads out the door.
INT. VRAIL’S FRONT ROOM – NIGHT
Vrail shuts off the TV, tosses the remote on the table, stands and stretches. He eyeballs his little jar of indica.
VRIAL
Why not.
He grabs the jar and heads out the door.
INT. APARTMENT FOYER – NIGHT
Vrail lightly knocks on Sloan’s apartment door. He waits a bit then knocks again. He checks the knob. It turns. He pops his head in.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Vrail looks around the candle lit room.
VRAIL
Raves?
Vrail hesitantly heads toward the bedroom. A toilet FLUSHES in the master bathroom.
VRAIL
Raaaavyn?
INT. SLOAN’S BATHROOM – NIGHT
Ravyn slumps on the floor, propped up against the bathtub, tourniquet waving from her bicep, syringe falling out of her hand. She nods off a bit.
VRAIL
Raves, what the fuck?
Her eyes snap open and she jumps to her feet in Vrail’s face. She wobbles. He catches her and ushers her into the
MASTER BEDROOM
They both kind of slide down the bed to the floor.
VRAIL (CONT)
Damn. When’d this start?
RAVYN
I couldn’t tell you.
Feels like forever.
VRAIL
Does anybody else know about this?
RAVYN
I doubt it.
Not something folks
keep quiet about
once they
find out.
VRAIL
You like that shit?
RAVYN
You remember that drip drip?
He answers with a facial expression that sarcastically communicates, of course.
RAVYN (CONT)
Well, this is even
better than that.
Euphoria.
A beautiful dream
that only sucks when
you have to wake up.
You never wanna wake up.
VRAIL
Damn.
RAVYN
You wanna try it?
His chuckle hides a tinge of offense.
VRAIL
Naw. I’m straight.
RAVYN
Are you now?
She gives him a look. He takes pause.
VRAIL
Naw.
Another chuckle to hide his mounting irritation.
VRAIL (CONT)
You tryin to blaze though?
He holds up the little jar of bud.
Ravyn takes it and heaves herself up off the floor. She helps Vrail to his feet and heads out the door. Vrail follows.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Vrail passes Ravyn the lit blunt and takes a gulp of brown liquor from nearly empty rocks glass, then refills it and the one Ravyn holds out from a bottle on the table.
VRAIL
I just wish she
would wake up already,
you know?
I have so many
questions, and I swear she’s
awake in my dreams cuz
I dream about her damn near
every night.
RAVYN
You too?
Bro,
When she first went missin
I dreamed about her every night.
Weird shit too.
Then,
it just kind of tapered off,
until it had been
months, maybe years
since my last dream
about her.
But since she turned up,
it’s been like every night,
and I wake up exhausted
from the shit she be
havin me doin?
Vrail gives her a TMI type of look.
RAVYN (CONT)
Not like that, nasty.
I mean, sometimes.
She laughs a little and nudges Vrail. He’s drunk enough now to flirt back. They stare at one another, both clearly contemplating something stupid.
VRAIL
I just miss her,
you know?
RAVYN
I do.
VRAIL
She’s my fuckin heart.
My baby sister.
Raves,
I thought she was dead.
RAVYN
I know.
Me too.
Ravyn scoots closer while Vrail finishes another glass of whiskey. He taps the bottom of her glass as he starts to refill his own.
VRAIL
You gonna baby sit
that shit all night?
He hits the blunt. Ravyn puts the glass to her lips, and Vrail tips it up. She finishes. He refills her glass. She grabs his and set them both down. She grabs his face. They finally make that stupid mistake.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Vrail and Ravyn wake up, wide-eyed and faded, to the JANGLE of Sloan’s keys outside the door.
RAVYN
Fuck
She grabs her clothes and darts to the bedroom. Vrail slides his draws on and passes back out on the couch.
Sloan gets the door open, spots Vrail on the couch and chuckles. He wakes up.
VRAIL
Hey. Time is it?
He finds the blunt in the ashtray and lights it.
SLOAN
Three thirty.
Vrail offers the lit blunt.
Sloan accepts and slumps down on the couch beside him.
SLOAN
Where Raves at?
VRAIL
Prolly sleep.
You see the debauchery
we was getting into
without our
adult supervision.
I probably passed out
on her.
RAVYN
Yep, about three hours ago.
Ravyn emerges from the hallway. Sloan offers her the blunt. She accepts and slumps down between them on the couch.
INT. APARTMENT FOYER – NIGHT
Vrail slips out of Sloan’s apartment. He makes it to his own door. Ravyn catches up to him.
RAVYN
Hey, Vrail.
Wait up.
You’re not gonna
tell Sean about—
VRAIL
About what just went down?
RAVYN
I mean,
I figured you wouldn’t
tell him about the—
what we did, but
you won’t tell
him about
what I
did?
VRAIL
Oh. Naw, your
secret’s safe with
me, but that
shit’s all bad
if you ask me.
You’re better
than that, Raves.
That shit’ll ruin your
life if you’re not careful.
Does Sloan know—
RAVYN
Naw. I told you, nobody knows.
I told your siter in a dream
once. Knowin her, she’ll
give me hell about it when
she wakes up
just like she did then.
VRAIL
You’re probably right.
You don’t have to worry about
me spillin the beans though,
but I gotta go get some rest.
I got PT in a few hours.
RAVYN
Oh, goin to see your boo?
VRAIL
Yaw trippin.
Seyren’s just doin
his job, and he’s a fuckin
beast at it. He’s gonna have
me back in the octagon by
this time next year.
Watch.
DREAM SEQUENCE – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
JAMES’S NIGHTMARE SHARED WITH VRAIL, RAVYN, AND BLAKE
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - NIGHT
James watches from the shadows while KASSY, about seven years old, and L’VRAIL about fourteen, stroll down the dark desolate neighborhood street.
The streetlights TINK above their heads as they pass.
KASSY
If we met with no masks,
would you recognize me?
L’VRAIL
Are you wearing one right now?
KASSY
Oh, so you can’t tell then.
That’s ok. You were definitely
right about that breathing thing.
Kassy pinches her nose and covers her mouth. Her belly continues to move with each supposedly impossible breath.
James pears around a corner.
Kassy and L’Vrail pass without seeing him, cross the street and put their hoods on simultaneously.
James shivers and peers over his shoulder into the darkness.
Something huge, maybe a large dog or mountain lion, cowers back into the shadows.
Spooked, James turns back and sees a massive, pulsating DARKNESS of some sort surrounding a house.
James crosses the street and passes into an enormous cloud of smoke.
He spots Blake. No sign of Kassy and L’Vrail.
It’s dark, calm, quiet, still. Blake runs her hand though her hair subconsciously as she meanders and scans her environment for the source of the smoke.
She wanders up to a home.
EXT. THE HOUSE - CONTINOUS
Vrail, dressed in very fashionable formal attire, sways slowly on a gliding swing. His foot taps out a rhythmic beat. He sips whisky neat from a rocks glass and smokes a blunt.
Blake notices him, squeals-
BLAKE
Vrail!
-and bounds up the steps and hops up into his arms from like the second one down.
Vrail jumps to his feet, and in a half stride, scoops Blake up in his arms and spins her around in a huge bear hug. She giggles like a little girl. He laughs and smothers her face with kisses.
VRAIL
How’s my baby sister doin?
BLAKE
What are you doing here?
Vrail sets her down to catch her breath and balance. He resumes his position on the glider and motions for Blake to sit beside him. He hits the blunt and relaxes, head back, eyes bobbin’, SATURATING the atmosphere with exhaled SMOKE. He adjusts his dreadlocks and smiles at his baby sister through a thickening CLOUD.
Blake enjoys watching the smoke move. She watches it BELLOW and ISSUE from Vrail’s mouth and nostrils and engulf his face, head, and torso. She gawks with curious intrigue, taking note of everything the smoke touches. It WEAVES through Vrail’s dreads and INTERMINGLES with his facial hair.
She can almost feel what it feels. She plays in her hair and watches the SMOKE SLITHER and TWIRL and HOVER all around.
The SMOKE GROWS and FLOWS and CREEPS across the floor and SEEPS into the cracks. It SLITHERS up the walls and WEAVES through the shutters’ slats.
Blake feels almost lifted herself, swathed in indica smoke. She begins to giggle.
She catches it before it gets out of control and clears her throat. She tries to sound serious.
BLAKE
So, the shutters don’t shut?
VRAIL
Nope.
BLAKE
So, they’re nothings.
A chuckle slips out.
​
VRAIL
They’re open.
The lack of expression in Vrail’s reply strikes Blake as hilarious. She gets weak with laughter. Tears stream down her cheeks, and she tries to catch her breath between scattered chuckles.
Vrail stands up, stretches his legs a bit, and rubs his neck. He squints down the road at something Blake can’t see yet. She stands up beside him to get a look at what he’s seeing.
James ducks back into the deep shadows.
BLAKE
Where does that bridge lead?
VRAIL
The other side.
BLAKE
Of?
She puzzles at the absent look in Vrail’s eyes then looks back at the bridge.
BLAKE
Can we go?
VRAIL
When it’s time, you’ll know.
Vrail sits back down, hits the blunt, and passes it to Blake. She slumps and slouches down beside him, hits it and chokes immediately.
Vrail chuckles.
VRAIL
I’m being promoted soon, you know.
She doesn’t know. In fact, she has no idea what he’s talking about, but she can’t stop coughing enough to speak yet.
Vrail chuckles.
VRAIL
They all love you once you’re gone, I hear.
Blake wants to ask what he’s talking about, but she can’t catch the cough. Vrail just laughs until she settles down to giggling off and on to herself. Then he laughs a bit harder. He offers her his whisky. She takes a swallow and coughs until her eyes pour tears.
James’s eyes mirror the stalking beast behind him in the SWELLING DARKNESS. His expression is worried, studious, intrigued. He inches closer, taking great pains to stay cloaked in the shadows, as close as he can get whilst remaining concealed.
Their choking gives way to undying laughter. They laugh and linger together for a good minute until Blake notices a large dog, like a black wolf, stalking down the dark, desolate street.
She marvels at its flexing muscles and glistening coat, jet black with a CRIMSON AURA. There’s something of a regal shimmer about the beast as it approaches the porch, silently staring Vrail dead in his eyes.
Blake follows the dog’s stare to Vrail’s unflinching grin. He sips his whisky, hits the blunt, and passes it. Blake hits it and looks back to the curious creature, now grown to the size of a man.
She exhales a CLOUD OF SMOKE in the creature’s direction, and all at once, the creature and Vrail take off running.
The creature bounds full tilt down the street into the PITCH-BLACK DARKNESS.
Vrail darts into the house.
Blake follows Vrail, perplexed but intensely intrigued.
INT. THE HOUSE – FRONT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
An unpleasant odor greets Blake at the threshold giving her more than a moment of pause. She holds her breath to avoid her gag reflex and advances into the eerie, dark, and dusty interior.
It appears to have been abandoned years before. A thick layer of dust covers all surfaces, the floors, furniture, fixtures, appliances, everything.
Blake doesn’t know the house, nor does she like the feelings it gives her.
THE HALL
STRETCHES AND TWISTS IN HER VISION, so she tries to spin to stabilize the dream and her lucidity, but that makes things worse. Now she’s woozy.
She leans, more like stumbles, nearly falls really, through a door that leads down to the
BASEMENT
She clumsily staggers down the stairs and sits on the last step, resting her head on her knees.
She breathes slowly and deeply, her eyes heavy and kind of sore. They burn a little under the lids like she has a high fever or something.
She scans the empty room with her swaying head and stinging eyes. It’s empty aside from a vanity and little chaise set square in the middle.
Blake stares at them for a while; the heavy, antique, hardwood mirror; the cheesy princess paint job that she tried to peel off in the back; that sturdy bench, stool, chair thing with the fancy velvet cushion that no one had a name for, but everyone loved to longue on, like a chaise, but short.
This vanity is hers, but this is not her room, not her house, and not her basement.
She feels woozy again. The room starts to spin so she shakes her head again, and again, takes a couple of deep breaths.
No use. Her mouth starts to water, salty, warm.
BLAKE
Oh, God.
She covers her mouth, but the vomit gushes out anyway.
Onto the hardwood floor, Blake spews… fish?
GUPPIES, GOLDFISH, and a BETA; they swim along in the grooves between slats. Their fins tickle Blake’s toes as they weave between them and finally DISAPPEAR through the cracks in the floor.
Blake slumps down onto the chaise. The reflection in the mirror is so bright, she has to cover her eyes. She lays her head down on the cool, polished surface of the vanity.
The cold feels good on her face.
She breathes steadily, deeply.
Her head hurts.
Bad.
It’s pounding in fact.
BLAKE
(thinking out loud)
What kinda’ dream?
How long’s this shit gonna’ last anyway?
VRAIL (OC)
As long as it takes.
Vrail startles Blake up right. Her eyes hurt. He smirks in the mirror, leans with one hand on Blake’s shoulder, and retrieves something from the vanity drawer.
Blake likes his hand there. It’s soothing, lovely.
He produces a straight razor; a beautiful antique, heavy and sharp.
BLAKE
What’s that for?
VRAIL
Your face.
His hand strokes her cheek gently.
Blake stares at her reflection for a moment then squints at Vrail’s smirk. He offers her the razor.
VRAIL
Go ahead. It really only hurts at first.
Blake studies the blade but can’t decide what it is that she’s looking at. Her lucidity is waning.
BLAKE
Is this a dream?
VRAIL
As much as any other.
Blake unconvincingly nods her understanding and grabs the razor. Vrail stands behind her, both hands on her shoulders, watching in the mirror with delightful anticipation.
Blake folds her ear back and places the razor in the crevice behind it.
She stops.
BLAKE
You’re not my brother.
No attitude. No apologies. No hard feelings. Just facts.
Vrail grunts, his face FLICKERS faintly, and he vanishes.
Blake slowly stands and turns. She’s bombarded by a scene of horrific violence. Her JAW DROPS.
The vanity mirror is starred, shattered, spattered with and nearly floating in soppy, frothy blood, as if someone’s head was shoved through it, and they bled out right there.
A thick, tacky slick of coagulated blood coats the floor and the vanity surface top. Sticky sickles drip from the corners to the floor and onto the wobbly, crooked, and cracked chaise. When her eyes meet with those of the partially decomposed body, festering on a filthy old mattress in the corner, her legs lose the nerve to hold her, and the chaise nearly collapses under her weight.
She struggles to but can’t look away.
Flies crawl across his glassy eyeballs, swollen, blistered lips, and slimy, black tongue.
The smell plows her like a Mack truck. She drops to her hands and knees and gets sick again.
More fish. They flip and smack around in the sticky gore, spattering Blake’s face with a clumpy, icky muck.
Turning her back on the bloating body, Blake climbs back onto the bench.
She clutches the vanity with all of her might as if she believes that might stop the ROOM from SPINNING.
It doesn’t.
She steadies herself, but the shock of seeing her own reflection almost knocks her back to the ground.
She looks like she was beaten about the head with, well, a room, I guess. Or at least its walls, its floors, and all of its contents. Both eyes are black. Her nose, broken and bleeding. There’s a hole in her upper lip big enough to poke her tongue through. Her left eye socket is crushed.
The bone fragments grind beneath the skin when she palpates the saggy, lumpy sack of gore that was once her cheekbone. The back of her head is slightly caved in at the base on the right side, just above the neck. The stain of a blood cascade covers her back and neck. In fact, blood has crept into her every crevice. When she blinks, her eyelids smack.
BLAKE
The fuck happened to me?
Blake hears the sounds of that fat dead guy struggling to his feet. She catches his reflection in the mirror as he stands fully upright. She turns just as she’s tackled out of the chaise and slammed into the vanity.
INT. JAMES’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
James SCREAMS out loud and jumps up out of his sleep, sweaty, crying, and clutching his pillow with a bear hug.
INT. SLOAN’S BEDROOM – SAME
Ravyn wakes up hollering and fighting the covers. She jumps to her feet and hits the lights. It takes her a minute or two to catch her breath, doubled over, head shaking, sweating and struggling to fill her lungs with air.
Thank God that’s over. Her entire body shakes, but her hands most notably.
She snatches her dream journal up off the floor where she apparently flung it in her effort to wake.
Ravyn stops dead in her tracks at the sight of her reflection in the blood-spattered vanity.
It’s Blake’s; battered, bruised, and bleeding.
A hand tugs at her shoulder.
Vrail carves his eyes out in the mirror’s refection behind Blake. Blood streams down his cheeks freely, warm, smooth, deep, dark crimson falls flowing over Blake’s head and shoulders.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. SLOAN’S BEDROOM – SAME
Ravyn SCREAMS out loud and out of her sleep.
She searches for Sloan.
INT. VRAIL’S BEDROOM – SAME
Vrail SCREAMS out loud and out of his sleep.
Sean, dead to the world, drools into his pillow.
INT. APARTMENT FOWER HALL – NIGHT
Vrail and Ravyn exit their respective apartment doors and meet in the middle of the hall. Vrail wraps his arm around her. She rests her head on him.
Vrail kisses her forehead.
VRAIL
Can’t sleep?
She shakes her head in his chest.
They make their way to Sloan’s apartment door and lean in.
EXT. JAMES’S HOUSE – NIGHT
James deadbolts the graffiti covered front door and turns on his heels. Something hits him hard in mid turn.
DREAM SEQUENCE – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
INTERCUT WITH REALITY – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
TOTAL DARKNESS filled only with the smell of rotting flesh, flies and a non-stop chorus of THREE-ROUND BURSTS somewhere, everywhere, and nowhere around.
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
James’s entire body shakes incessantly in rhythm with the THREE-ROUND BURSTS. He stopped hollering for help what feels like days ago. No one’s there and that’s exactly who’s coming to save his ass.
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
WHISPER (O.S.)
I’m here.
JAMES
Who’s here? Who’s here?
Where are you?
James SCUFFLES about in the darkness. He has no idea where he is or how long he’s been in it, but he has figured out that he is, or at least thought he was, the only breathing human in the mass grave he woke up in God knows how long ago. It has been dark, pitch black. He has no way of keeping time. All he knows is that it’s been maddening, and that whisper means the hallucinations might be stepping it up a notch, or else..
JAMES
Is there someone else here a-a-alive?
James’s lip quivers the last word out three times over.
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
As do the three-round burst somewhere off in the distant, vast darkness, his voice grows smaller, his cadence, much slower and softer with each word or so.
JAMES (CONT)
If you’re h-h-here, please
make your presence clear,
or else I fear
that I might be
going crazy
cuz
I am.
James suddenly SHRIEKS and takes off in a sprint down a COLD, DARK, SMOKEY
STREET
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
He sprints full tilt past L’Vrail and Kassy as they simultaneously flip their hoods up on their heads. James stammers belligerently at them over his shoulder.
JAMES (CONT)
Only heathens out
this late.
Their coming.
Best get back
home right now.
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
JAMES (CONT)
No one ever--
James tries with everything he has to avoid it, but he can’t see until after he SLIDES untenably down the side of a rocky cliff.
T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT, T-T-TAT
He shields his eyes from certain death and struggles for several moments to catch his breath.
James stops cold in his tracks in the middle of a BLOOD DRENCHED room. He stands staring in the starred mirror of a cute little pink and white princess vanity, holding a splintered and blood clotted broom.
A young woman shivers on a tiny chaise chair in front of the vanity. She painstakingly avoids making eye contact with James. He smirks. His eye twitches thrice. He’s delighted. The young woman has started crying, and her tears are of blood.
Kassy flinches despite her efforts to not, when he leans close to her ear and whispers.
JAMES
Work faster, my dear.
Start here, behind your right ear.
Blood from the broom smears across Kassy’s already blood caked cheek. She successfully holds back a shriek.
Her face loses color when his reflection dives beneath her seat. She can’t help it, right then, but to weep because she knows there’s already nothing she can do to stop the Preacher Man’s plans when his reflection leaves from behind her. His mind’s already made up. He’s decided she’s fucked up and now in blood’s how he’ll be making her pay.
She’ll wake up in a day or two, busted rib, missing tooth. All she knows is struggling just ain’t no use and it’s gonna hurt worse than the last time probably times two.
Kassy’s SCREAM pierces right through the dream and it shatters.
INT. JAIL – SUICIDE WATCH CELLL – NIGHT
James eyes bounce open. The dim light HUMS high above his head tucked tight behind a little steel grate.
James struggles to his feet, scratches his balls thrice and staggers belligerently across the cell. He retrieves a tarp, the only thing in the cell other than his stark-naked self. He wraps himself with it, sucks his teeth, and flicks some rubberized paint from underneath his disgusting ass fingernails.
He walks over to the grate in the floor, squats, takes a shit, sprays piss every-fuckin-where and gets sick all over himself. All the while staring, confoundedly, at the designs left behind on the walls and floor from folks having scratched and peeled the rubberized safety paint shit off.
A GUARD peeks in the tiny window in the door. He disappears. The hole in the ground is flushed with a high-pressure stream of water.
James collapses to the floor and losses consciousness.
The guard on the other side of the tiny window motions for help.
INT. SLOAN’S LIVINGROOM – NIGHT
Vrail and Ravyn nod off together on the sofa.
BANG, BANG, BANG
They hop up together. Ravyn scurries and cleans up the mess on the table, pills and potions.
Sean blasts through the door as his key finally turns the deadbolt.
SEAN
It’s dad.
They stand struck pretty much caught with their pants tugged down. Sean turns on his heals and takes off. Ravyn and Vrail follow Sean back out.
INT. SANCTUARY – NIGHT
James watches from the shadows.
Archangel MICHAEL stands at attention in the center of a black obsidian circle.
GOD
LOWER YOUR WINGS IN THE BACK ANGEL. STAND TALL.
Michael obeys then lowers his head in a reverent bow.
MICHAEL
The Great I AM
GOD
I AM
Michael’s lips move with the words, but only THE VOICE is heard.
GOD (CONT)
ALWAYS HAVE BEEN
AND ALWAYS WILL BE
YOUR SWORD
SHIELDS THEM
MICHAEL
Always has
and always will.
Michael bats his massive wings and spins the entire scene to oblivion and back, but with different characters.
A MAN grovels before a KING on his throne.
The King beats the man about the face with his crown.
Each swing casts blood upon the walls, ceiling and floors in designs that pulsate and morph.
The King returns to his thrown. He crowns himself and blood trickles down his brow.
Blood flows down James’s face as well. He wipes it from his eye and is surprised to see that his hands and arms are spattered with blood. He looks to the King on his throne.
The King licks the blood from his lip before it drips.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. HOSPITAL ICU – NIGHT
Ravyn, Vrail, and Sean stare though the glass at James, unconscious in the bed.
SEAN
All I know is he was found
slumped against the front door
unconscious, in a pool of his own blood.
RAVYN
I’m tired of this place.
VRAIL AND SEAN
Same.
INT. BLAKE HOME – MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT
Marquise reads a book in bed. Sonay hangs up her phone.
MARQUISE
Everything alright?
SONAY
No. James is in critical condition.
He was attacked outside his house.
Beaten half to death.
MARQUISE
Well, ain’t that something.
I’m not exactly a fan of the
man, but this won’t solve anything.
No ideas who’s responsible, I suppose.
SONAY
None yet.
They’re still waiting for
him to come to.
MARQUISE
Lord, have mercy.
Sonay lays her head on her husband’s chest. He sets his book aside and kisses his wife’s head.
INT. HOSPITAL ICU – NIGHT
LT silently approaches Ravyn, Vrail, and Sean from behind.
LT
How’s he doing in there?
All three of them jump at the sound of her voice. They turn and uniformly puzzle at her presence.
LT (CONT)
I’m Lieutenant Taylor.
They uniformly nod their understanding.
LT (CONT)
How are you all holding up?
SEAN
We’re just about to go take a
smoke break, matter of fact.
LT
Well, I will certainly leave you
all to that. I’ll be here with
your father for the time being.
They uniformly respond with temporary smiles and a quick exodus to the elevator.
INT. HOSPITAL ER – NIGHT
Sean explodes through the doors in a frantic frenzy.
SEAN
Help. somethings fucking wrong.
I need help now!
A SECURITY GUARD and TWO NURSES follow Sean out in a quick hurry.
INT. HOSPITAL ER – NIGHT
Sean and the security guard push through the door. The two nurses follow close behind, each pushing a gurney with Vrail and Ravyn unconscious on each. Sean gawks helplessly as they are taken back into the restricted area.
SEAN
What the hell is goin on here?
GUARD
Well, son, I was hoping you could tell me.
What were you up to out there?
Sean shakes his head searching for the meaning of the guard’s question.
SEAN
We were just smoking.
GUARD
Smoking what?
SEAN
Just pot.
GUARD
Did you smoke any?
SEAN
I didn’t get a chance.
They both just kinda slumped out.
Like at the same time.
Like someone just, turned em off.
Just flipped a fuckin switch.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Tiffany passes Sean in the hall. The lack of color and expression on his face gives her pause.
TIFFANY
Sean. What are you doin here?
You alright?
Sean passes her with nothing more than a faint headshake to indicate his mental presence or lack thereof. He absently wonders into a room.
INT. HOSPITAL ICU – NIGHT
LT watches intently though the glass as James begins to come to. She pulls out her phone and makes call.
EXT. AIRPORT – NIGHT
Sandra and Dagen grab their bags from the trunk of a car. Dagen glances over his shoulder and follows his mother into the building.
INT. JAIL – SUICIDE WATCH CELL – NIGHT
Frank shivers in the corner of the otherwise empty cell, wrapped in a tarp, sweating and crying.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Sean slumps into the chair beside Blake’s bed. He lays his head on her stomach and starts to sob, uncontrollably. Tiffany places her hand on his shoulder.
TIFFANY
Sean?
SEAN
Fentanyl.
Someone put fuckin
fentanyl in the fuckin weed.
They put fentanyl in the fuckin weed,
and now.
Now..
Sean lifts his head and makes eye contact with Kassandra Blake.
They stare at one another. Silently. Unbelievingly.
Tiffany follows Sean’s gaze to Blake’s wide-open eyes.
TIFFANY
Oh my.
She snatches up the call button. Blake’s eyes glance in Tiffany’s direction then back at Sean.
SEAN
Kassy.
Vrail’s dead.
He lays his head down on her belly. She lifts a shaky hand to his head and silently comforts him as he sobs.
The room gets big and quiet.
Blake stares blankly into oblivion.