Hanru Sazuki

(Hanru’s home)

(There is a ring at the door. Hanru goes down stairs and he opens the door. Hanru has a shocked look on his face once he sees who it is. Hanru closes the door behind him and turns around. Yoko comes downstairs and gets a bit nervous.)

Yoko: Oh? Who is this?

Hanru: This is your new father. The man Ada and I presumed to be dead for over a year- My uncle Leo.

(Leo waves to Yoko.)

Leo: Nice to meet you. How long have you been here?

Yoko: A few hours. I’m Yoko by the way.

Leo: Nice. (Turns to Hanru) So the entire time I’ve been gone, have you gotten yourself a job yet?

Hanru: I… no.

Leo: Are you serious?! So is that why you and Ada moved all the way out here to Chicago and are living in this poor neighborhood? Is Ada paying all the bills and rent here herself while you sit around all day?!

Hanru: Please don’t rub it in.

Leo: I’m not- (Sighs in frustration) trying to rub it in. I’m just sort of disappointed in you for not doing anything with yourself after a year. A FULL YEAR! I was stuck in a coma and I wake up and you still haven’t done anything!

Hanru: I’m trying-

Leo: Well try harder! (Takes a deep breath) Look, nephew, I’m not trying to make you feel down, but you are a grown man who’s 20 years old and you still don’t have a job or any accomplishments!

Hanru: (Stares down at the ground) I promise, when I do, you’ll be the first to know.

Leo: Chin up, kid, ‘cause if you’re looking for sympathy, you’re not getting it from me.

Hanru: After a whole year and this is what you have to say to me?!

Leo: Well I’m sorry but the moment I woke up my first thought, was you! I was worried about you and looking forward to seeing your accomplishments! I wasn’t thinking about my life, or Ada, or my messed relationships with my family. I was thinking about you! So before you snap at me, take into consideration other people’s feelings.

Hanru: (Thinking) Once again, I’m the wrong one...

Leo: Yoko, I’m sorry, you shouldn’t be in the middle of this.

Yoko: It’s okay, I’ve been through a few different homes; I’ve seen worse.

(Miami)

(It is nighttime. Al parks his car in front of a house in the middle of a ghetto neighborhood. He seems nervous.)

Al: What, are you gonna score some crack?

LJ: I’m gonna get your wife that medicine.

Al: What, off the black market?

LJ: Do you want to help your wife or don’t you?

Al: (Nervous) Just make sure it’s safe and not tainted, alright?

LJ: Don’t worry, I got chu. (Gets out the car)

(There are people hanging around the front yard and in the house and loud music is going off. A variation of Black, Mexican, and Caucasian people attend the party. Three men are standing on chairs on the porch. The big one is closest to the door, the one in the middle is scrawny, and the one on the far end is average side, but he seems out of it. The big one stops LJ as he tries to walk in.)

Marcus: (Excited) Hey! What’s happenin’ homie?! (Both do various handshakes to greet one another) I a’int seen you in forever! Man, whatchu doing ‘round here.

LJ: Marcus, man. I’ve been through some things. Started working directly for the mob, squashed that job, got a retirement and now I’m just chilling with a new girl and a daughter.

Scrawny: Aigh, man, you got a daughter now- she cute?!

(Marcus elbows Scrawny.)

Marcus: Man shut up, Scrawny! A’int no-body got time to be listening to you complain about cho’ blue-balls problem, Negro!

Scrawny: Man, whatever, I’m high.

Marcus: Man, you toasted! (Both start laughing)

LJ: Look, guys, I’d really like to catch up, but you know my man out in the car and he need some candy for his wife.

Scrawny: Actual candy, or uh. (Looks suspicious and leans over Marcus’ body to get closer to LJ and talks softly) Candy, candy?

LJ: Anti-depressant candy.

Scrawny: Oh!

Marcus: (Pushes Scrawny back in his chair) Aigh, Scrawny man, get out my face!

(The man at the far end finally talks.)

Beef: Gingerbread Man a’int here, no more, dogg. He moved somewhere downtown and is stalling on the jellybean supply. I got some stuff upstairs if you wanna check it out. I work wit him on the side so he sometimes hook me up with some stuff.

LJ: Alright, thanks Beef. Appreciate that, homie. Hey, how the barbershop doing since I let you three stooges run the business?

Marcus: Man it’s off the hook. One-time found out about that secret underground club you were running. They couldn’t do nothin’ about it though, but they always snoopin’ around.

LJ: Alright, I’ll holla at you all later, Beef, man, where the Jellybeans at? Beef?

Marcus: Man dis fo’ den pass out.

Scrawny: Straight went to sleep, just like a Negro!

Marcus: Man, the stash should be upstairs under the mattress. Only take what you need, though, homie. Nothing personal, just business, you know what I’m saying.

(They both do a special hand shake bump chests.)

LJ: Yeah, I feel you, homie, don’t worry, I’ll get you back for dis. Thanks, man. (Runs inside)

(LJ walks upstairs and in the hall, he sees two women making out hardcore. He looks down a sees a huge bulge coming out of the dress of one of them. She begins to mumble in a deep voice. He continues down the hall and enters the bedroom. Soft Old-School rap is playing in the room and a young white male skater is seen smoking a wrap and rubbing a dog’s stomach as it lies upside-down high and moaning. Three half-naked hookers are passed out in the corner on the other side of the bed, and a guy and girl are on the bed about to get their freak on. They stop kissing and stare at LJ. They begin laughing.)

LJ: Kyle?

Kyle: Hey, man it’s DJ-Loops man, DJ-Loops!

LJ: I see you and miss Cherokee Caitie Sullinger are friends again.

Caitie: What do you want, man, you’re killin’ the mood?

LJ: I need the pills from under the mattress.

Kyle: Go ahead, home-dogg. We’ll just be over here doing our thing. So… yeah!

(Kyle and Caitie continue making out. It was a good day by Ice Cube plays softly in the background. LJ raises the side of the mattress up a little bit and sees nothing. He walks over to the other side and tip-toes over the passed-out hookers. He raises the corner and finds the bag. He peaks over to make sure the hookers are still sleeping. He reaches for the bag and as soon as he grabs it, one of the hookers wakes up over the sound of the bag. She wakes up high out of her mind.)

Hooker: (Sees the bag in LJ’s hand) Mm, you gonna share some of that honey?

LJ: Uh…

Hooker: (Gets up) Hold on, let me get a kick first.

(There are 4 white lines of cocaine on the computer desk next to the hooker. She grabs the straw next to the lines of powder and is about to put it in her nose, but she stops. She begins sniffing and hocks a loogie. She spits out on the floor and then resumes taking a huge sniff of power. She closes her eyes in ecstasy.)

Hooker: Oh gosh…!

(The hooker passes out and her face drops on the desk.)

LJ: Okay, well at least, I don’t gotta share.

(Kyle and Caitie roll over to LJ’s side of the bed and crush his hand.)

LJ: Ah! Ah!

(Kyle and Caitie giggle and roll back over. LJ pulls his hand out with the bag and quickly leaves the room. He walks back in and turns the lights off for the two of them to enjoy each other’s company. He pulls out the pills he needs while walking down the stairs and three cops walk in. He wastes no time quickly running back upstairs.

Mack: Alright, you rats! Party’s over! I’m up for the position of Sergeant so let’s do this by the book and no one has to get hurt! The new wife and I are having a kid and the pay for Sergeant would really help us out.

(LJ jumps out the back window and onto the roof. He quickly jumps off the roof and onto the grass of the back yard. Two chained dogs in the back chase after him. He quickly takes off and hopes the fence to get away from them. While walking down the street, a black SUV parks next to him and the door opens for him automatically.)

Al: Sorry, man, after I saw the cops I had to take off before they saw me at the house. I drove around the neighborhood looking for you just in case.)

(LJ gets in the vehicle and closes the door.)

Al: Did you get the pills?

LJ: I’ve got a large ziplock bag full. The thing is, this isn’t my product to sell. So eventually, someone’s gonna come looking for it.

Al: We’ll worry about that later. Let’s get to my wife.

(Hanru’s home)

(Ada is sitting in the driver seat and Lawrence sits in the passenger seat. Ada’s car is parked in the driveway. She turns the ignition off.)

Ada: Now I was serious about what I said earlier at the store. I don’t want you doing anything that may jeopardize losing my newly adopted daughter.

Lawrence: I’ve been thinking about that lately actually, like why would you adopt a Japanese 17 year old when you’re Chinese-American?

Ada: (Impatient) Lawrence!

Lawrence: Alright, fine, I won’t do anything to ruin your precious mother-daughter time. Can I go now?

Ada: No.

(Lawrence’s phone rings.)

Lawrence: Oop, better get that. (Answers his phone) Yello?

Israel: I want to spend Thanksgiving with you.

Lawrence: (Serious) Oh, really?

Israel: After what Natasha and I did, I have a feeling this will be our last Thanksgiving, if I live long enough to see it that is.

Lawrence: H-hold on one second. (Lowers his phone and sighs) Would it be alright to add a plus one to the Thanksgiving dinner?

Ada: We still need to finish our talk.

Lawrence: (Sighs) I can’t promise you that trouble won’t come to your doorstep, but if it does, I will be here to handle it.

Ada: What kind of trouble are you talking about?

Lawrence: I’ve been mixed up-

Ada: (Sighs in frustration) Oh gosh.

Lawrence: - with some people and I’ve been working with them to make sure Hanru stayed safe, but now I’m not working for them anymore and now Hanru and even you are in danger. I came back to make sure the two of you are alright. I’ve told you the truth so now please, may I have a plus one- at least.

Ada: (Sighs) Ugh. The damage is already done. So fine, you can stay here and you can have your plus one, just as long as they don’t put any of us in danger also.

Lawrence: She’s my girlfriend. The only one in danger will be me.

Israel: (Over the phone) I’m your EX-girlfriend and I heard that!

Lawrence: Case in point; she’s a violent one. (Raises phone up to his head) It’s okay for you to come by.

Israel: (Calms down and sounds a bit sad) Alright… Lawrence, I… I love you. But don’t think for a second that means I want to get back together with you!

Lawrence: (Smiles) Thanks for letting me know before I got my hopes up.

Israel: Bye for now. (Hangs up)

Lawrence: Love you too… bye… (Hangs up phone)

Ada: Come on, we’ve got a lot of groceries to take in. (Gets out of the car)

(Ada and Lawrence walk into the house. Lawrence is carrying a tone of bags.)

Ada: Gosh, between, protesters, police, Black Friday campouts, holiday shoppers, and news crews, it is impossible getting passed that traffic. (Walks into the living room) You know-

(Lawrence walks into the living room.)

Lawrence: Is that a dead cat in the driveway or is…

(Lawrence and Ada are speechless and immobilized by the sight of Leo sitting on their couch. He stands.)

Leo: Hey, Ada.

(Ada runs over to Leo and jumps into his arms. He squeezes her tight in a sweet intimate embrace.)

Leo: Don’t say anything, baby. It’s really me. I’m here now and I’m gonna make things right. I won’t leave you again, I promise. (Kisses her forehead)

(Ada begins bursting out on tears. Lawrence and Hanru can’t help but to stand beside each other caught off guard by the intensity in the room.)

Ada: Leo, I didn’t think you were ever coming back.

(Lawrence taps Hanru’s shoulder and gives him a nudge to meet him outside. The two of them walk out and Yoko quickly follows them. They’re walking in the driveway; toward the trunk of the car.)

Lawrence: I was unaware he was back.

Hanru: Believe me I was just as surprised as you.

(They get to the trunk and as Lawrence turns around, he is surprised to see Yoko smiling back at him. Hanru turns around and looks at her as well.)

Yoko: Sorry, I was just coming out here to help with the bags is all. (Peeks in the trunk) I see there’s a lot. (Smiles nervously)

(Lawrence glares at Yoko a few seconds. He reaches into the trunk for a few seconds, collecting bags and he hands about 8 of them to her. She happily grabs them.)

Yoko: Oh, okay, thank you. I’ll um… Just go then.

Lawrence: (A bit mean) Sounds like a great idea.

Yoko: Okay. (Turns around and quickly walks away)

Lawrence: She’s a weird one; think she’ll last?

Hanru: I honestly have no clue. She’s not very exciting.

Lawrence: Yeah, well anyway, look, bro, I don’t know if I can stay with him here, you know? It’s nothing personal but-

Hanru: Gosh, are you still on that stuff with our parents? I understand how hard it is-

Lawrence: He almost got us kille-

Hanru: DON’T! Talk over me. I am sick of people never listening and always trying to tell me what they think I need to hear without even giving me a chance to talk.

Lawrence: (Frustrated) Fine so talk. (Crosses his arms)

Hanru: (Sighs) Wow.

Lawrence: What?! You told me to hear you out, so I’m hearing you out!

Hanru: By that look on your face and your body language, I can already tell you’re not going to hear what I have to say. You’re just gonna listen to my words, nod, and then grill me about how whatever you’re feeling prioritizes over what I have to say. That’s what everyone always does. It’s happened to me my entire life.

Lawrence: What is it you were gonna say?

Hanru: It won’t matter-

Lawrence: (Emphasizes) What… were you… going… to say….?

Hanru: Uncle made his mistake in the past and now he’s trying to make things right. He hired someone to go after dad, but the person he hired attacked mom, dad, and me, and yes we almost got killed. But we’re still here, and I’m still alive. I don’t even know why you are so upset in the first place.

Lawrence: I know that, but Leo is still a cruel person.

Hanru: That is true yes, but he doesn’t deserve to be hated. He is insensitive and cruel yes. He constantly shut me down while I was growing up, and always threatened to call the mental institution on me whenever I was trying to express myself. He was probably joking but still, I was a little kid and overtime that stuck with me. Whenever I needed comforting or love, or motivation, Leo would always get angry and get off the subject. Whenever I would try and share a part of myself with him and bond, he shut me down and got angry and it was always my fault apparently. Whenever I would try and speak up to him, I would sometimes get hit and he would yell at me about talking back to him or being “bold” with him, when really I was only just talking. My natural voice was as deep as a grown man’s when I was younger is all. Because of the way I’ve been treated as a kid somehow I ended up developing Social Anxiety Disorder. It’s nearly impossible for me to express myself. I’m just this emotionless blah of a person with all these issues. Whenever I would explode in sadness because of how severed I felt our love was, or because I felt our relationship was damaged- (Lawrence is becoming very, very impatient) Uncle Leo would always just mock me for being “dramatic”. Sometimes he would even bring those situations up in conversation and then laugh some more. I never got respect from him, or the love I felt I needed. But hey! What I think doesn’t matter! I don’t have the right to be upset with him because he always does these things like buy me stuff all the time when we both know I don’t deserve it! If I was hungry, he would always sacrifice for me to get me food even if he starved! He always sacrificed for me for the big stuff, but my personal feelings are small from everyone else’s point of view and I’m just an ungrateful little whining baby! That’s all people think of me is just some whiner! I have all these problems and I cannot fix them and… And it’s always my fault. Everyone always blames me, everyone always gives me this mature adult-advice that is completely logical and makes my feelings, thoughts, and opinions, meaningless. And I have no argument except for the fact that all advice given to me, never, ever, ever works, no matter how hard I try to listen. Whenever someone’s sad or upset, about something, sometimes I try and help them, but then they get mad at me! My philosophy, morals, thoughts on love and life, are always wrong! I’m sick of it. I’m just so sick of… I’m just so sick of this life. I’m sick of this world. What do I have to live for other than the people who supposedly care about me and I care for, but who constantly see my flaws and how negative and messed up of a person I am? I loved Randi, but during my desperate cry for wanting to strengthen our love, she left me out in the cold. I was upset and she begged me to tell her about my problems after I told her multiple times NO, because I was afraid of losing her, but after she kept insisting I told her and after… she told me I was too much of a negative individual and she left. Think about all of the fears you have when loving another person and then having them all come true, multiple times, but you still love this person and you stay with them. That was me in our relationship. She brought all of my fears of love to the surface and I still stayed by her side. But then… I tell her a few problems I had which were caused by me feeling unloved and lonely she responds by calling me negative and leaving me. She’s left me many times and always came back but this time… This time I just wanted her to be here for me through my problems because we both supposedly loved each other, and apparently I was wrong… because I was negative…

Lawrence: (Tries to be sympathetic) Hanru… Brother. Listen to me. Leo felt he was doing something positive. So therefore, his actions were always justified apparently. And I get that. I perfectly understand where you’re coming from.

Hanru: (Thinking) but…

Lawrence: But… That has nothing to do with me. Those are all your problems that you need to deal with. Just get a therapist.

Hanru: That’s what everyone says whenever I try and explain a problem- every single person…

Lawrence: (Aggressive) Then stop being a big baby and get over your psychological issues. Other people in the world have it worse than you! At least you have a family who’s still alive, a roof over your head, friends who actually care about you, and food to eat! You don’t have the right to complain because your life is an easy life! You’re 20 years old and don’t have a job, have never had a legal job, and you don’t have parents grilling you or threatening to kick you out! It sounds to me like all of your little problems are all psychological and emotional problems that wouldn’t be in your life if you weren’t such a crybaby pussy! Toughen up! You’re a man. Randi left you because she had her own emotional BS going on and you telling her your problems weren’t making it easier for her! You can take on people’s problems and be happy doing it, because you don’t love yourself enough to care about your own happiness! But for other people, like every person in the world who’s actually normal and not a complete wimp, we care about our happiness and we want to be happy in this miserable world! So quit playing the victim! (Mocking) Oh you were trying to make your love stronger and get sympathy from the girl you loved, but she shut you down and abandoned you like so many other people in life you cared for and love. (Stops mocking and gets aggressive) Yes, that may have happened, but she had her own problems too and she just couldn’t stand your constant complaining! Yes you have a big heart and you love to take on other people’s feelings, but other people don’t want to take on your feelings. She needed a man who had his stuff together, who was inspiring, could take care of her, and fulfill her life. She just wanted to be happy, and you were taking that from her by always sharing your problems and thinking you were making your love stronger. You started loving yourself and you were beginning to want happiness, and in that process of being happy, you were making her miserable, and now the only way she can be happy is by making you miserable by leaving. So you see, in the end you were wrong. It was your fault on so many levels, and I’m just telling it like it is. I know you don’t wanna hear the truth, but that’s the way it is. You were a leech to her. If you really loved her, you would have dealt with things your own way but no, you had to be selfish. nobody is going to have sympathy for you, so you need to learn how to live with your problems and deal with them without involving other people. People don’t want to hear your problems and always look at you and feel sorry for you. People aren’t that kind! So you deal with yourself. I’m done talking about this. Toughen up, be a real man, and bottle your feelings up inside like the rest of us do! (Walks away)

(No words can describe what Hanru is feeling right now or even what’s going through his mind at the moment. No description can match. Lawrence stops and turns around to face Hanru.)

(Miami)

(Al walks out onto his front yard and stands next to LJ.)

Al: Thank you again, for this, neighbor. I really appreciate the sacrifice you made here tonight. (Give LJ a hug of appreciation for 3 seconds) It’s getting late. Swing by tomorrow with the pluses and we’ll have ourselves a Thanksgiving. (Smiles)

LJ: You got it, Al. (Grins)

(LJ walks into his home and sees Janet lying on the couch looking at a magazine. He sits next to her.)

LJ: Whatcha readin’ there?

Janet: It’s a Home magazine for décor. They have some pretty snazzy stuff in these magazines.

LJ: They do, yeah. So, tomorrow, we’ll be spending Thanksgiving with the neighbors.

Janet: (Feels self-conflicted) Yeah.

LJ: Whoa, baby, y-you good?

(Janet turns to LJ and stares him in the eyes a few seconds)

Janet: I’m fine. I really am I…

(Janet looks down and she slowly titles her finger.)

Janet: I just need a couple hours to myself to think is all.

LJ: Okay, baby. (Wraps his arm around her and kisses her cheek) Take the time you need, just try not make it too long, okay?

Janet: (Quickly stands up and walks away in frustration) Yea.

(Janet leaves the house and LJ is left on the couch a bit bothered. Janet walks out onto the lawn and sees Holly running out from the side of the house.)

Janet: Holly!

(Holly stops in the middle of the front yard and turns around to nervously face her mother.)

Holly: Mom… (Smiles) I was just going to check the mail.

Janet: Have you forgotten what I used to do? Those clothes you are wearing are trashy and revealing and your hair is nice and well-done. It’s like 2 degrees out here and you’re wearing a skirt! You’re going to a party, aren’t you?

Holly: No, mom…

(A black car parks in front of the house near the curb. The lights are turned off but the car is still running.)

Janet: Let me guess, short curly hair, bad-boy personality, tall, cute, and a disregard for anything seemingly or even remotely “uncool”?

Holly: His name is-

Janet: Jake, right?

Holly: (Smiles) Yes, actually. How did you know?

Janet: I was once a teenager too. (Giggles)

Holly: Okay, mother, it’s really cold out here and you know I’ve been like looking forward to this party for weeks now so please, can I go? Please, please, please?!

Janet: I don’t know; I may need to tell your dad I caught you sneaking out the house so late. If you take me with you, there’s no way I can blab to your father. And who knows, maybe I’ll accidentally take a drink or two I think are punch and forget everything altogether. (Smiles)

Holly: Okay, mom; you’re invited. Let’s just go. I shaved and my legs feel like they’re going to freeze and snap apart. Let’s go.

(Michael’s home the next morning)

(George is escorting Israel through the mansion and into the indoor pool area. George and Israel walk up to Michael and Scarlet as they watch Ethan swimming with his floaties. The two of them are lying on their pool beds reading magazines.)

George: It is my honor to present to you Ms. Israel Rayne.

Israel: Hey.

George: If you should need anything, please do hesitate to give me a holler. (Walks away)

Michael: We won’t, thank you, George.

Israel: (Glances over at Ethan swimming) How is my little brother doing?

Michael: We’ve been very over-protective of him since he was taken from us.

Scarlet: I’ve been thinking about taking him to see our parents for the holidays.

Israel: Your parents? I thought Scarlet was your wife?

Michael: My family is very complicated… On paper Scarlet is technically my wife yes, but in reality she is my birth sister. My family believes in keeping pure blood in our heritage, because our family is of royal ancestry. To avoid any suspicions, my sister was born and put under a different family’s legal surname. Therefore when she became of legal marrying age, as well as me, my parents reclaimed her into our surname legally through false documents of marriage.

Israel: Well, my family can be pretty monstrous too. (Takes a seat)

Scarlet: You know he was just messing with you, right?

(The three of them lightly chuckle.)

Michael: So why are you here? Is it to visit your little brother?

Israel: That’s one reason, yeah.

Michael: Thank you for delivering him to me by the way. You have no idea how much that means to me.

Israel: Yeah just… (Closes her eyes and collects her thoughts for a few seconds) The other reason why I came here was to tell you that his biological mother will be looking for him soon. She’ll want to take him back I’m sure.

Michael: Well she can’t have him back. She shouldn’t have given him up when he was born.

Israel: She had no other option. My father was a very abusive individual and by now Ethan would have probably been a part of the cult my dad and Jason and I were in.

Michael: You mean the cult you’re running from now because you delivered him to me?

Israel: You know exactly who I am running from. If you want Ethan to be safe, you need to give him up.

Michael: (Blows her off) Yeah, well not gonna happen.

Israel: If Jason finds out you have Ethan you are putting yourself and your wife’s life at risk.

Michael: Maybe we just need to go, then problem solved.

Israel: (Sighs) Your foolishness is going to get somebody killed.

Michael: It wouldn’t be the first time.

Israel: (Stands up) Happy Thanksgiving, you too. Hopefully you’ll live long enough to see it. (Walks away)

(Jessica’s apartment)

(Jessica and Henrietta are both in the bathroom talking side-by-side and fixing up their hair. Henrietta has just gotten out of the shower and is still in her robe.

Etta: So, I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to re-spark the sexual flame between us.

Jesica: (Confused) You and me?!

Etta: No, you, self-obsessed lesbo; I’m talking about Keith and I. Keith and I haven’t been intimate in a while and I’m starting to think he’s getting bored of me.

Jessica: Well usually I’m not good at this but you’ve helped me with my boy-problems, so now I’m going to help you out with yours. When you get out of the shower, please, do not use the towel in the bathroom to dry yourself off down there, when you don’t wash.

Etta: Well, how else do I dry off?

Jessica: Air-dry! Please do not take this the wrong way, but wash yourself sometime- Seriously.

Etta: But you’re not supposed to use soap there.

Jessica: Then rinse yourself with hot water or something. Also eat tomatoes. I read somewhere they help with PH balance and pineapples make you smell and taste better. There is some sisterly advice to you.

Etta: Keith doesn’t seem to mind it.

Jessica: Maybe that’s because he’s too afraid to say something to you.

Etta: (Embarrassed) It is kind of embarrassing hearing that stuff, you know? But no, if he had a problem, he would tell me.

Jessica: If you say so, I mean, you know him better than I do. Etta, you and I both hade it rough growing up and we had to learn how to be women on our own. There’s a lot of things we weren’t taught, and we need to look out for each other.

Etta: Yeah. Thank you.

(Etta goes in to hug Jessica. Jessica hugs back. They branch after a few seconds.)

Etta: Before you go, I have one more embarrassing thing to… ask you. I uh… Sometimes when me and Keith are together, and I… Release, I… fart. Is that normal?

Jessica: Ugh, you’re so lucky I like you. Yes it’s normal.

Etta: (Unsettled) Yeah. Imma go… take another shower, I… Yeah… (Walks into the shower room and closes the door)

(Jessica leaves the room and walks into the living room. She hears someone in the kitchen. She walks in and sees Keith opening a tiny bag of Chex-Mix. She leans up against the edge of the counter.)

Jessica: Hey, Keith.

Keith: Hey, Jess. How’s it going?

Jessica: It’s great. Yeah… So how are things with you and Etta?

Keith: They’re good; they’re really good, yeah.

Jessica: The way you answered that question, seemed like you thought I was trapping you or something.

Keith: You know how girls are sometimes. They send their best friends to test their boyfriends and find out stuff about them.

Jessica: I assure you Etta didn’t send me, but there are a few personal things I would like to ask you.

Keith: (Nervous) I don’t know.

Jessica: Even if I blabbed to Etta, it would in no way put the two of you at risk of breaking up.

Keith: … Uh, I guess…

Jessica: Etta is worried about why the two of you haven’t been intimate in a while.

Keith: Well… There are actually multiple truths to that question.

Jessica: Okay, so what are they?

Keith: Well one is that she… there are a few gross things about her.

Jessica: Such as?

Keith: They’re personal things that I feel shouldn’t be shared with anyone other than her and I.

Jessica: I’m a girl too, Keith, it’s okay to tell me all the scary girlie stories that happen between you two.

Keith: Well… she isn’t the freshest person… down there, if you know what I mean, and she tends to fart a lot whenever we’re together… in THAT way, and I just feel really… See I don’t want to sound like a terrible person for saying this.

Jessica: It’s alright, Keith; it’s just you and me here talking.

Keith: I feel really… disgusted when I’m with her… not in person; in bed. When I feel myself going into her, I just feel so grossed out. She feels so sloppy and the more we go at it, the more this stuff comes out and it’s really just sick and it gets everywhere. Overall she is gross to be with intimately and our entire relationship is based on sex. I really wish it wasn’t though because it’s making me very uncomfortable. She cooks and I appreciate it, but her food isn’t always the best, and I keep lying to her face trying not to hurt her feelings ‘cause I know she works hard on cooking these meals for you and I. Ugh, am I a bad person?

Jessica: Well, Keith, you have some issues with her, and I think you should be honest with her. One thing I’ve learned about the cycle of life, the cycle of growth, the cycle of birth, and THE cycle, is that chaos and pain is a necessity for growth and stability. If you want your relationship to grow, you can’t be afraid to hurt your partner’s feelings.

Keith: I can’t do that to her.

Jessica: You have to, otherwise you’re going to remain in this lie-based relationship for a long time and continue to lie even when it’s not necessary. Her cooking can always get better and maybe you can both learn how to cook together. That’ll give you something new to focus on other than sex.

Keith: What about the sex issues?

Jessica: You can’t be too picky about that, Keith. You say you don’t want your relationship to revolve around sex, yet you make it the big issue as to why things are so messed up. Keith, Etta is who she naturally is. She doesn’t have any diseases to spread to you; you’re clean. Her vagina doesn’t have teeth that’s gonna bite your junk off. Her vagina isn’t going to eat you. So stop being so afraid of it, okay? If you’re not ready, then you’re not ready; tell her that. But she is your girlfriend, Keith and she wants you to feel just good as you make her feel. Every time you are intimate with her, you have no idea how amazing you make her feel spiritually and physically. She literally feels one with you, to the point where she can fully release. She loves you so much and you need to be honest about these issues you have, otherwise, deal with them. She loves every part of you; you need to love every part of her too, no matter how “messy” or “gross” she may be. Sometimes the grossest thing about a person is what makes them special. You can’t see that?

Keith: Well… I just… (Looks down and exhales) I feel like such a jerk now.

Jessica: Don’t, Keith. I think you’re just not ready for sexual relations. I know she can be a bit aggressive sometimes, especially when it comes to intimacy. Did she pressure you into sex?

Keith: I don’t know, she… Well… she kinda did, but it wasn’t entirely her. I was feeling sorta vulnerable and she offered sex to me as a way of trying to help me get over my lingering feelings for my ex-girlfriend. It worked at first and after the first time, I was cured of those lingering feelings I had, but then Etta continued wanting to be sexual with me. She said she wanted nothing more than to erase all of those bad memories I had and replace them with ecstatic pleasurable memories of her. She’s done so much for me and I… (Shakes his head and shrugs) I can’t just hurt her by telling her how disconnected I feel from her.

Jessica: I advise you do share this with her, but at the same time try and work through these issues. I know you can do it. If you need help, Etta is here for you and so am I. (Pats Keith on the shoulder)

Keith: Thanks, Jessica. This definitely needs to get resolved.

Jessica: So resolve it. (Snatches bag of Chex-Mix from his hand and quickly walks away)

(Suburban neighborhood)

(LJ is seen grabbing his mail out of the mailbox. He closes and locks it. He walks through his yard and his over-excited neighbor Al walks out wearing his office suit.)

Al: Hey, neighbor! How goes your morning?

LJ: Just fine, Al, thank you.

Al: Hey uh… (Looks at watch) You got a few minutes? I actually don’t have to be to work until another half hour. This time change really messed up my sleeping schedule.

LJ: I’ve gotta get back inside to the wife now, Al.

Al: Oh, so she came back?

LJ: What?

Al: Well the wife and I were up late last night and we saw your lady sneaking out of the house around 3AM.

LJ: She’s fine, Al. Thanks for your concern.

Al: Alright, neighbor! If there’s anything at all you’d like to talk about, I’m a foot away. (Smiles)

LJ: Thanks. I’ll see you tonight, I’m sure.

Al: Hey, I’ve got an extra 20 minutes to spare. You wanna grab some quick breakfast down the corner?

LJ: Uh… (Thinks for a few seconds) If you’re paying.

Al: (Laughs) Alright, deal!

LJ: Alright, then, just let me put this mail up and grab my keys.

Al: Hey, no trouble. I’ll drive you there and back really quick.

LJ: You sure?

Al: We’re neighbors, remember? We do favors for each other all the time with no strings attached. Well, sometimes, but this isn’t one of those times. (Points at LJ) Or is it?

LJ: I don’t know, Al. we’ll see once you stop opening that flap box of yours.

Al: (Laughs) You’re a hoot.

(Hanru’s home)

(Hanru and Leo sit in the living room alone talking about something that seems to be really serious.)

Leo: I’m really disappointed in what your life’s become. You haven’t done anything. You dropped out in 2011 or 2012 I believe and then you’ve never gotten a real job after that. It’s already the end of 2014 and you still haven’t done anything with your life.

Hanru: I’ve always had a plan sinc-

Leo: Well it obviously didn’t work, so get a new plan. Stop making excuses all the time and get your lazy butt up and do something! I know I just got here, but if you don’t have a job by Christmas, I don’t care, I’m throwing you out in the cold. You better get busy searching ‘cause you don’t have much time left.

Hanru: It’s not like I’m not trying, I’m doing my best, but-

Leo: Your best isn’t good enough. Try harder. It’s not hard getting a job. Look at me, I just got out of a coma a few weeks ago and I already had a job waiting for me here in Chicago.

Hanru: That’s different, you have experience, you’re an adu-

Leo: That’s no excuse. Obviously what I’m saying isn’t getting through to you because you keep trying think of more excuses to tell me, so I’m gonna say this one last time, then move on- GET A JOB! (Fiercely stands and walks away)

(Michael’s home)

(Scarlet enters the house after Ethan. She closes and locks the door behind them. They walk into the kitchen and see Michael drinking a cup of red juice. He seems depressed.)

Scarlet: Aiden, honey, why don’t you let Michael and I have our time.

(Without saying a word, Ethan walks away. Scarlet walks up to Michael.)

Scarlet: I have some bad news.

Michael: I don’t wanna hear it.

Scarlet: Our parents were not too happy to learn about Ethan not being ours and they were so disgusted, they decided to kick us out of the mansion… Actually… They decided to kick you, out of their mansion…

Michael: So that leaves you with all of this. (Takes another sip)

Scarlet: It wasn’t my decision, Mikey. You know how our family is.

Michael: Yeah. I’m guessing you’re going to marry our brother, right? He’s gonna take my identity and… I’m just gonna poof- be gone.

Scarlet: I’m sorry, Michael.

Michael: I’m not upset about it. I’m sick of this life anyway. I’m sick of this family, this spoiled rich lifestyle, I’m sick of not being able to love whomever I chose; I’m sick of everything.

Scarlet: If you give up Ethan, your parents will forgive you, is what they told me.

Michael: They must really hate the boy now that they know he isn’t ours.

Scarlet: They really do.

Michael: Well, Ethan is staying with me. So I guess that’s the end of that conversation.

(There is a knock at the door.)

Michael: I’ll go get that. (Puts cup down and walks to the door)

(Michael answers it while still in his depressed mood.)

Michael: What do you want?

Erika: I was wondering if a mister Michael Augustine lived here.

Henry: We really need to speak with him.

Michael: As of right now, I am Michael Augustine.

Erika: Hi, I’m Erika Sunderland and I am Ethan’s biological mother.

Michael: Ethan? How do you know that name?

Erika: Right, Ethan’s name was legally changed after his adoption to Aiden.

Michael: Well… Okay then. You’re not having him back, sorry.

Henry: You’re denying a mother from seeing her only born child?

Michael: She shouldn’t have abandoned him. Now, please excuse me. (Closes the door in their face)

(Henry rushes into the house after him a few seconds later.)

Michael: Hey, this is private property!

Henry: I don’t care about that, Michael. We travelled here all the way from Miami to see her son, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do!

Erika: Okay, now I don’t want things to get too violent now, Henry. There must be some way of peacefully resolving this?

(Ethan and Scarlet walk into the front room. Ethan looks at Erika and Erika looks back at him. The room gets quiet for a few seconds.)

Erika: (Stammering) Is this him? Is this my son?

Scarlet: Your son?!

Michael: Yes. That’s little Ethan. Now you’ve seen him, so get out, now!

Henry: Let them have their time together.

Michael: What? No! Absolutely not!

Erika: At least for the holidays!

Ethan: Are you really my mom? My real mom?

Erika: I am yes.

Ethan: I’ve wondered what you would be like in person.

Erika: I’m not too interesting, but I’m here. Can I have a hug?

(Ethan runs up to Erika and gives her a big hug. She hugs him back.)

Erika: Hey, if it’s okay with daddy Michael, would you like to spend Thanksgiving with me? I plan on surprising my parents today and it would be nice for them to meet their grandson.

Ethan: (Turns to Michael) May I please, go, daddy? I wanna meet my real family.

Michael: No, Ethan. I’m sorry but I already lost you a few weeks ago and I’m not losing you again!

Ethan: (Saddened) Please, dad?

Michael: No!

Ethan: Fine, then I’ll just go anyway!

Michael: What?!

(Michael tries to walk forward up to Ethan, but Henry holds him back.)

Henry: Hey, the kid wants to spend time with his mom. Let him. It’s not like she’s taking him away for good. It’s only for a few days.

Michael: Egh! Fine. You can take him for Thanksgiving but only under one condition: I go too.

Erika: That’s fair. I guess you can pose as my boyfriend or fiancée or whatever.

Michael: Alright then.

Erika: So, I’m actually on my way there now. So you should get ready.

(Miami)

(LJ and Al are in a Sonic’s drive-through.)

Al: Now, I trust you know why I was so assistive of having you tag along with me this morning?

LJ: I’m afraid I don’t, sorry.

Al: (Takes a deep breath) I’m having some problems with my youngest, you know, my daughter. And you’re raising two of ‘em.

LJ: One of them actually. The other just helps out with bills.

Al: Same principle applies in this issue. You deal with young women; I want to know how you do it. My daughter is getting to be a bit outta hand and the old lady and I can’t handle her behavior.

LJ: The only behavioral problems I’ve had to deal with came from my daughter dealing with father issues.

Al: Come on, help me out with something, neighbor. You’ve gotta have an idea of some sort as to how this situation can be handled.

LJ: I think… Ah, I don’t know, man. I’m sorry. Maybe you can teach her about the dangers of being a teenager. I don’t know. Honestly, I always thought I’d be coming to you for daughter advice once they began to surface- Ironic, isn’t?

Al: We’re both fathers dealing with hormonal girls. So how about we make a deal? (Offers a handshake) From now on, we’re external brothers, like an Oreo. (Laughs) Whenever a problem arises and we need family advice, we both try and figure out solutions together.

LJ: (Thinks for a few seconds, and then shakes Al’s hand) Alright, deal.

Al: (Excited) Alright!

(Snow is everywhere and the sun is beginning to set. In the middle of a dead forest, there is a large pond. Large cement blocks are tied with ropes to various black trash bags. A large elderly man wearing blue overalls grabs one black trash bag at a time and dumps them into the lake. He throws about 16 bags in there. He pulls a paper out of his pocket that has a list of names on it. Notable names on there that stick out are Janet Abernathy and Aria Lainey. Next to Janet’s name is Meukie and next to Aria’s name is Sarah. The man indulges in the cold embrace of the weather one last time. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. The sound of a cold wind can be heard through the 10 seconds of silence. He takes another deep breath and then opens his eyes. He turns around and walks away from the frozen lake.)

TO BE CONTINUED…

[“White Noise” by Exitmusic]