Hanru Sazuki

(Hanru is seen sitting at a dinner alone in the middle of the afternoon. The entire area is packed full of people of various emotional states. Some are annoyed, some are afraid, and some are even happy.)

Hanru Narrating: What is life really about when you think about it? This is a question I believe we all ask ourselves at some point.

(Hanru looks behind him and sees a little boy around 4 years old with a scared look on his face. His father aggressively grabs his hand and walks him to the restroom in the back of the restaurant. Hanru looks beside him and sees a lady in her 30's or 40's talking to an elderly lady who looks like she may be in her 60's or 70's.)

Woman: No, mom.

Lady: What?

Woman: Would you like some hash browns? Look, they have hash browns. you want some hash browns and eggs with a side of pancakes?

Lady: (Unaware of what's going on) Oh... Okay. Where is my hot chocolate?

Woman: We haven't ordered yet, mom. Would you like some hash browns?

Lady: (Looking around endlessly) Where's the lady, so we can order? Is she bringing my hot chocolate soon?

Woman: She'll be back soon, mom. Here, you want some pancakes with your meal?

Lady: (Looks down at menu) Oh... Do they have hash browns, dear?

Woman: Yes, mom, is that what you want; some hash browns?

(The old lady just ignores her daughter for a few seconds.)

Woman: Mom.

Lady: Yes dear; I like hash browns. Do eggs come with them too?

(Hanru looks back and sees the father bringing his son back to the table with the rest of the family. The boy quickly clenches unto his mother. The father grabs some food off of his plate and tries to feed it to the boy but he sinks the back of his head deeper into his mother's chest. The sister, who's about the same age the boy, grabs some of her food and gives it to the boy and he quickly grabs and eats it. Hanru looks back at the woman and her mother beside him ordering.)

Woman: I thought you were hungry, mom.

Lady: Oh, I am, dear.

Woman: You just said you weren't.

Lady: Okay, dear.

Woman: We'll order some hash browns with a side of pancakes.

Waitress: Sure thing.

Lady: Hold on a minute! What do you think you're doing?

Woman: I'm ordering you Hash browns and pancakes like you wanted.

Lady: I said that?!

Woman: Yes, mom.

Waitress: Sooo...

Woman: Hash browns and scrambled eggs please with original pancakes.

Waitress: Coming right up. (Walks away)

Hanru Narrating: It breaks my heart to see someone so unaware of what's happening around them. How can someone be so brain-dead and so lost within their own mind? She can hardly walk or do anything on her own...

(Hanru imagines the old lady in her youth sitting around a table in an 80's era diner eating fries, drinking shakes, and having laughs with all of her high school gals. The vision fades away like a cloud and he snaps back into reality.)

Hanru: (Thinking) How could someone's life change so much? We see old people all the time but do we ever take into consideration that these elderly people were once like us and experienced what we go through almost every day? It's like no matter what generation we live in or who we are, we all experience the same issues in our lives. Life itself is an endless loop and we're all trapped inside of it. We start from nothing and over time slowly manifest into a living organism unable to fend for ourselves or do anything. We're born. We wear diapers, relieve ourselves where we stand, find boredom or fascination in almost everything we do, we cry all the time, T.V. seems to catch our attention, we need to be fed, we can't walk, we can't process memories very well, and we always need someone to look after us and take care of us so we don't hurt our fragile bodies. These seem to be the characteristics that we as a species share when we are babies, and when we are elderly. What's the point of building lives if by the end of it we revert back to our original beings? Is the purpose of life to prepare for death? Then what's at the end of the tunnel?

(Hanru looks in front of him and sees 4 male college students all happily talking amongst each other.)

Student 1: Dude yeah! You didn't hear about that?! They said within the next couple years we're all gonna have the choice to get this chip implanted in our hands and it's gonna be like a credit card so instead of having to carry a credit card around, they'll just need to scan your hand and you can make purchases.

Student 2: (Surprised) What?!

Student 1: (Excited) Isn't that legit?!

Hanru: (Thinking) They must not know the true story behind that.

Student 1: I know people with certain Healthcare have the chip already and military soldiers have the chip as a requirement. I actually know someone who has the chip who was in the military so this thing is no joke.

Hanru: (Thinking) Back in I believe the 50's and 70's there were many conspiracy theorists that talked about mind control and this chip. Even the bible itself talked about this chip but no one believed that such a thing was possible and that these crazy stories were made up. In today's society, all of the conspiracy stories and predictions that the bible and may prophets made are all coming true and many have already come true. People choose to ignore these facts, but for a borderline sociopath like me who's analytical about everything and studies in more than one field, I can't ignore all of the signs in front of me and around me. But that leads to other issues.

(Gustavo sits across from Hanru at the table.)

Gustavo: Ah, more room for lunch. Whew! After that episode, I'm gonna need to eat 2 lunches to get my energy back.

Hanru: I'm not your mom; I don't care about how you take your number 2's. Keep that to yourself.

Gustavo: (Grins) You know I really don't like your attitude.

Hanru: I don't like you, so we're even.

Gustavo: Ah... I see what you're doing. (Rests his back) You're trying to feel more secure about your safety when you're around me so you act like a brat to feel better about yourself and hide the fact that you're really scared.

Hanru: I am upset over what you allowed to happen to Jordan. Look, I'm sorry, I've been so rude before that situation even happened, but now I have a reason to show my aggression.

Gustavo: He shouldn't have stolen my money.

Hanru: Yeah, but he didn't deserve to die either.

Gustavo: He was a greedy man and greedy men are what's wrong with this world. My nephew did right by shooting him.

Hanru: And what makes you the judge of him, huh?

Gustavo: The greed of men is evil and so are those who choose to be a slave to it. He was guilty and deserved what happened to him.

Hanru: Whether or not he was, 2 completely innocent people died!

Gustavo: Is that what's bothering you- the family? They were witnesses and had to be put down; plus the girl was dying of cancer and I ended her suffering.

Hanru: What gives you the right to play God? On what authority are you allowed to choose who's evil and who's not? Who are you to kill those who are evil by religious commandments of which you don't even follow?

Gustavo: (Chuckles) Is this how you treat everyone who's kind enough to take you out to lunch?

Hanru: I refused the lunch; you forced me to come here at gunpoint.

Gustavo: (Smiles) But I'm still paying. Look, I'm sorry, but Jordan is gone and nothing can change that. If his family wasn't in the equation, you wouldn't be sitting here pouting like a baby because then you would know for sure he was guilty of being greedy.

Hanru: You're wrong.

Gustavo: I'm wrong?

Hanru: (Nods) Yeah.

(4 seconds of silence.)

Gustavo: (Laughs) So you think guilty people deserve to live? You think serial killers and rapists deserve to live? Huh? I didn't think so. Let's go. There's something I wanna show you.

(Jack Gustavo's nephew stands in the middle of a forest talking on the phone with him.)

Dalton: Uncle, are you sure you wanna do that?

Gustavo: Yes, nephew. I've already had enough of this boy and he's proven to me he's nothing special. I was going to kill him after I brought him to lunch, but we'll reschedule. I've got plans for him today.

Dalton: Yes, sir, uncle. I'm kinda disappointed though, but oh well. Maybe I'll play some GTA or something instead.

Gustavo: Those games are bad for you.

Dalton: Not as bad as cigarettes.

Gustavo: You got me there.

(LJ's home)

(LJ and Janet both sit on stools around the island in the kitchen talking. Two bowls of soup are in the background being warmed up in the microwave.)

LJ: How does it feel being out of the hospital?

Janet: No more free meals; that's a bummer.

LJ: Well you won't have to worry about that.

Janet: Ooh, are we getting a maid?!

LJ: No.

Janet: (Disappointed) Eh, oh well; not so much of a letdown.

LJ: I'll be cooking dinner tonight.

Janet: Eww, no...

LJ: Thanks for the encouragement.

Janet: I'm sorry, but you've never cooked dinner before, I don't think, and I doubt you'd be any good at it.

LJ: (Trying to hold in his frustration) ... Exactly; that's why I needed your support on this.

Janet: Yeah, well I'll support you on things I know for sure you'd be good at, but not this.

LJ: (Getting more frustrated) Yes, well, I'm gonna do my best not to mess this up.

Janet: Yeah good luck with that.

LJ: Darn it, Janet, I'm trying to make things better with us. Now I don't mean to act like a baby about this, but it took a lot of guts for me to open up to you like this, put my angry feelings toward you aside, and do something nice for you like this.

Janet: Whatever, look, if you wanna do something nice for me, how about taking me out someplace nice instead of wasting your time TRYING to do something you KNOW isn't going to make me happy?

LJ: Wow, okay...

Janet: (Shrugs) Sorry.

(The doorbell rings.)

Janet: You should get that; it's the man's job to answer the door in his household.

LJ: (Chuckles) That's a new one!

Janet: Eh, well. (Ignores LJ and examines her nails)

(Extremely frustrated, LJ leaves the kitchen and answers the door for Erika.)

Erika: Hey; it's me again; how's it going?

LJ: If I answer that question honestly, the neighbors might call the police on me.

Erika: Ouch, it's that bad, huh?

LJ: You know I'm actually glad you're here. Hey, Janet! Company for you!

Janet: Who is it!

LJ: Get off your lazy booty and come see who it is, woman! (Walks away)

(Erika is left at the door feeling awkward. Janet comes to the door a few seconds later.)

Janet: Oh, hi. What do you want?

Erika: I was just coming by to-

(LJ runs up to the door and hands Erika some money.)

LJ: Here you go! Janet, since you're so high class, I want you to go out with someone who actually cares enough to look at you and have a good time at someplace fancy and expensive! Erika, take her out to the most expensive restaurant in this city and keep whatever change is left over. See ya! (Walks away)

Erika: (Feeling awkward) Umm...

Janet: Well, I don't know you at all really, but hey as long as there's a free meal for me involved, let's go.

Erika: What restaurant is so expensive to where he gives me $300.

Janet: Really, he gave you that much? (Scoffs) It's no wonder why he's so full of himself; rich punk. Let's go to the mall and buy some classy outfits before we go out to eat.

Erika: This is... really awkward, but... okay. Let's go.

(LJ sits in the backyard on the steps alone trying to calm himself down. Tsuki walks out back and sits next to him. The moment remains silent for 3 seconds after Tsuki sighs.)

Tsuki: (Sighs) I heard what was going on in the kitchen.

LJ: No surprise there.

Tsuki: Hey, I know what you're going through, trust me, but I also understand it from her point of view.

LJ: Oh, so let me guess, you understand from both points of views, BUT, I'm the one who's wrong, right?

Tsuki: (Sighs) Well...

LJ: Yeah, I thought so.

Tsuki: Look, you and I don't get along, but I wanna try and help you guys get through this. This is a one sided fight right now and you have no one else to fight but yourself. Yeah, Janet is an adult but she is still a woman and a lot is changing for her and she really needs to go on her own journey to find who she is as an individual.

LJ: (Pinches the top of his nose with his fingers and takes a deep breath) So what do you want me to do?

Tsuki: I'm not gonna tell you what you need to do because telling someone the answers isn't the same as learning them yourself, even if the end is the same result. In math, there are always different equations to solving the same answers that are asked differently. So what do you feel you should do?

LJ: (Sighs) Just... I don't know.

Tsuki: Now you see in my Psychology class we've learned about that. You have the answer, you're just too afraid to accept it.

LJ: (Clenches fists together and rubs them) I guess I Just need to be there for her and show her I love her and she has someone who cares.

Tsuki: Alright. That's your first step.

LJ: Why should I be the one to have to bow down to her when she's an adult acting like a child?!

Tsuki: (Takes a deep breath) You know I studied feminism last semester- and I realized that equality between both men and women will never happen. Woman will always have more issues than men and we will always need to be taken care of whether it be by our lover or ourselves, so if the law allows men and women to be equal in every single way, women will always need addition laws that abide to our special needs. Equality isn't about having the same privileges; equality is about seeing eye-to-eye on things and having mutual understanding about each other's roles. She is lost right now, LJ and at some point she will need someone to fall back on and that needs to be you.

LJ: I know... I know...

(Nicky's apartment)

(Nicky casually lies in her living room watching a movie on her television. Lee walks into the room and sits down by her sock-covered feet and gently places her ankles over his thighs. Nicky charms Lee with a cute smile and admiring her sweet face and strong personality, Lee smiles back, but then quickly turns away from her to look at her feet while he gently massages them. Lee seems to have a lot on his mind and is very distanced.)

Nicky: Uh-oh; you're being sweet to me. That's never a good sign.

Lee: (Chuckles) Yeah, you know me all too well, don't you?

Nicky: You know you don't have to be sweet to me when you want something; you can just ask me.

Lee: No I don't want anything actually.

Nicky: Awe. So what's troubling you, dear?

Lee: I just... (Looks her straight in the eyes for a few seconds) I just love you is all.

Nicky: (Smiles) Don't start getting soft on me now, Mr. Free spirit; master of my own destiny. What's really got you so upset; I know it's not me.

Lee: I just don't think I can do this baby thing.

Nicky: Why not?

Lee: I don't know, I just don't. (Takes a deep breath) Look, I know I'm cleared of having any STD's but I don't wanna have any kids out there I'm not raising.

Nicky: You don't have to raise the baby. I told you I'm taking full responsibility. We made that deal.

Lee: I know but I just can't do it anymore; I'm sorry.

(Nicky sighs and places her palm against her forehead.)

Lee: I'm sorry.

Nicky: Yeah, right.

Lee: I should get out of here.

Nicky: (Removes her hand and glares at Lee) You're planning to go out and party again, aren't you?

Lee: (Obviously lying) I'm not.

Nicky: (Upset) Fine, Lee. Just go. Do whatever you want. I'm not even gonna argue with you today. Just... be back early tonight.

Lee: I'll be back around 7, okay. (Gets up and right away leaves the apartment)

(Nicky is left alone in her apartment. All she can do is cover her face and shake her head in disbelief of the situation.)

(Dan's home)

(Jessica stands in the doorway of the old bedroom she grew up in. She looks down at her small bed covered in dirty sheets and blankets and remembers the old times she's had here in this room growing up. She remembers the time she was a little girl sitting alone in her room under her covers. A loud bang of lightning hits and an 8 year old Jessica screams at the top of her lungs. A beautiful 21 year old British long-haired blonde woman rushes into the bedroom in a panic and gets underneath the covers with Jessica.)

Jessica: Mommy.

Jacqui: Hey, hey, sweetie; it's alright. (Hugs Jessica) It's just lightning. I'm here now.

Jessica: (Clenches her mother tightly) Mommy, can I sleep with you and daddy tonight?

Jacqui: Sure, honey. Come on. you wanna bring MR. Stuffie? Let's get Mr. Stuffie.

(A loud and threatening strike of thunder and lightning hits outside and Jessica screams once again and clenches her mother even tighter under her covers. A young man around 22 with short black hair walks into the room and hops underneath the covers with his family.)

Vincent: You lady's sound like you need a big strong man to take care of you. Da, da, na, na! (Smiles heroically)

Jessica: (Enthused) DADDY!

Vincent: Hey, pumpkin. You okay, huh?

(Jessica releases her mother and Jacqui and clenches onto her father with a huge smile on her face. Jacqui can't help but to sit there and smile at him.)

Jacqui: (Says gently) What about me, daddy; I need a big strong man too.

Vincent: Ooh, well there's enough love for all of us.

(The three of them have a family hug together. three shadow figures come charging in the room and quickly rip the covers off of the family. Before Jessica can remember who these three shadow-figures were, she snaps out of her day dream. Her adoptive father stands behind her with a bottle of bear in his hand.)

Dan: You remembering the old days?

Jessica: Yeah- with mom. M-my real mom I mean. I remember her. (Turns around to face her father. My biological parents lived in this house before you adopted me. That means you have some connection to them.

Dan: Yeah. (Takes a sip of bear) Well... (Tries to walk away)

Jessica: No! Don't walk away from me this time; I need to talk to you about this!

Dan: (Turns around to face Jessica) Your parents had you at a very young age and couldn't take care of you at the time so they put you up for adoption and needed to sell this old rundown house. In the process, your surrogate mother and I needed a place to stay and with our criminal record it wasn't easy at the time finding a house. This house was within our price range do to the damage and... I'm sure you're not as stupid as I always said you were; you can figure out the rest on your own.

Jessica: So who were my parents and where do they live now?

Dan: I don't know; you figure it out. (Leaves the room)

(A sudden storm of heavy rain hits the city and driving through it in a red car, Jack Gustavo is seen driving Hanru through it. Hanru just blindly stares out the window enjoying the rain and Jack stares forward with a look of frustration in his face. His hands are sweaty and shaky and he seems to be having a hard time keeping himself together emotionally.)

Hanru: How many more times will I be able to admire this view?

(Jack just glances over at Hanru.)

Hanru: How long will I have to even look at it? I could be riding to my death right now and not even know it.

Jack: Then I guess you should admire this view while you have the chance.

Hanru: It's not always easy to do when you're not in the right moment.

Jack: ... Then, I don't know.

Hanru: You never know when you're gonna die. You hear all the time on the news people just living their day like usual but then all of a sudden... (Stares at the heavy rain and thunder in the sky) The storm of death comes and like a flash of lightning, you're just gone and the heavy tears of sorrow from those left behind storm their world. Ya know, everything you do or have ever done or had the opportunity of doing is just gone. Years of living and becoming who you are can just all end within one moment.

Jack: You know the saying: "The number one cause of death... is living".

Hanru: I guess... the only way to really keep yourself alive is to reproduce and pass yourself down to a new generation or maybe... make a legacy for yourself. I mean people all the time say that god doesn't exist cause there's no proof of him existing. When you really think about it, what proof is there that we exist other than the things we leave behind after we die?

Jack: You're really depressing sometime, you know that?

Hanru: You know you hear all the time about people throughout history who were only documented or mentioned because they fit in with a crowd of people who all died in a tragedy or a natural disaster, or who have been the face of something great and historic. But never do you hear about the people who haven't done anything in history.

Jack: (Shrugs) Maybe they just weren't important. Or maybe so many people die daily that only the major deaths get any broadcast.

Hanru: What proof do we have that they even existed? What proof do we have that humans have been on the earth before the times of technology and personal filing? There isn't any. For all we know, we could have been put here on this planet with technology.

Jack: You're stretching it a bit far, aren't you?

Hanru: There's no way to prove me wrong other than your faith of disbelief in what you hear. I've never had a job before, I have no credit. I am not in the system, so there is no proof that I exist other than the influence I've made on the world and the people around me and who I've interacted with. In this instants, what's the difference between me and god? You cannot disprove god anymore than you can disprove me or even yourself.

Jack: You're made up of physical things. You're flesh and blood and you're an organic being that can be described in deep details.

Hanru: For all you know, I could be an android covered in human flesh.

Jack: (Laughs) Oh, like The Terminator? Once again- you're stretching it.

Hanru: And once again, you're choosing to have faith in disbelief without any proof of your claim. There is no way you can prove I am not an android yet you personally choose not to believe. You cannot judge me or my personality by your personal perception of knowledge this world or society has thrown in your face. When you heard about me, what were your thoughts? Did you expect me to be as young as I am? Did you expect me to be smarter than I really am? Did you expect me to be more experienced and confident?

Jack: I did, yes.

Hanru: And when you finally pursued me on your own accord and you met me for yourself, you realized that all the things you've heard about me and all your personal assumptions were all wrong. The only reason why you know who I really am now is because you sought me out. If I didn't want to be found, I would've covered my tracks and stopped you from finding me, but I could have left behind a legacy to influence your reality which was making you run around in circles trying to find the man who interfered in your business. You would be chasing a ghost, literally.

Jack: So what? Are you trying to make me believe in god or something?

Hanru: There you go assuming you know me and my intentions. Maybe I'm trying to prove to myself that god exists.

Jack: (Looks away at Hanru and stares straight ahead at the road) We're kindred spirits, you and I.

Hanru: Kindreds spirits of revelation or kindred spirits of spiritual warfare?

(Jack grins and laughs at Hanru and Hanru casually stares back at him.)

(Bus stop)

(Lee is seen exiting at a bus stop in the rain wearing short sleeves with no coat. He stands at a bus stop and stares up into the sky and indulges in the feeling of rain splashing against his face. Time seems to slow down for about 10 seconds as he closes his eyes and basks in this feeling of extacy. He opens his eyes and instantly walks away from the bus stop. Lee walks into a cheap motel and approaches the fat sweaty Italian man behind the counter.)

Lee: (Unsure about the situation) I hear you guys rent more than rooms here; you got any available?

Receptionist: (Thoroughly exams Lee) Think you got the wrong place pal; this is a hotel for the folk trying to hide out from the big-shot's whose broads they banged and for those staying off the grid.

Lee: Syd sent me. S-Sydney-Syd, yeah... Look man, can I just get my fix? Man-to-man here- you know how it is when you haven't gotten some in awhile and you're dick feels dryer than the Sahara Desert. Just show me your line-up.

Receptionist: (Shakes his head in disappointment at Lee) You fish junkies really kill me. Go on 'head to the back door behind the stairs.

Lee: Yeah, thanks; you da man.

Receptionist: Yeah, but if anyone ever asks- I'm no one; you understand.

Lee: Gotcha. (Rushes to the back room)

(A few minutes later, Lee is sitting on the stained dirty sheets of one of the motel room examining the poorly-cleaned space. A woman with short black hair walks in through the bathroom door wearing a black bath robe. She presses her body against the doorway and gives Lee an alluring body gesture.)

Hooker: All fresh for you, sweetie.

Lee: Like my Subway sandwiches, I like to eat my meat fresh.

Hooker: (Fake giggles) Aren't you just a cutie. (Slowly walks over to Lee to give him some time to enjoy her lustful physique) I think it's flattering; you like it fresh, but this night's all about you and what you want, baby.
(The hooker brushes up against Lee and begins gently kissing his neck.)

Hooker: (Kisses his neck) So relax... (Kisses again) And let me help you indulge... (Kisses once again) in your deepest... darkest... fantasies... (Kisses his face)

Lee: (Closes his eyes) Ah, you give me such a warm feeling. (Wraps his arms around her waist and feels all over her) You make me feel as if no one else in the world matters; just me. I feel so special here with you right now.

Hooker: Well you are, baby... No one else on this planet matters accept you right now.

Lee: You're just so... (Stares her straight in the eyes) You're just so beautiful.

Hooker: (Awkwardly chuckles) I know, baby. Come on, what do you like? I'll do anything accept a kiss on the lips.

(Without saying a word, Lee just reaches into her robe and slowly begins massaging her crotch area while continuing to stare her deep into her eyes. She start to giggle and moan after a few seconds of stimulation. She closes her eyes for further indulgence in pleasure. Her moans become a bit more intense and Lee lets out a sudden gasp. His heart drops into his stomach and instantly sucks back into his chest all within an instant. Lee stops touching her.)

Hooker: (Smiles and giggles) Mmm you're a big tease, aren't you? You're finger technique felt amazing.

Lee: (Takes a few seconds to himself) I'm sorry... I can't do this.

Hooker: Awe, what's the matter, baby? This must be your first time.

Lee: Baby- yes; that is exactly what's bothering me. You don't really care about me, do you?

Hooker: As long as you're on the clock, you're my king.

Lee: How much do I owe you?

(Holly's bedroom)

(Holly is sitting at her computer desk making a very well-drawn piece of pencil art on a lined sheet of paper of her mother smiling. At the corner of her desk are drawn artworks of her, her father, and her sister. Holly suddenly stops drawing, puts down her pencil and picks up her phone. She searches through her phone for about 8 seconds and then sees something in her phone she finds rather strange. Holly then pushes the call button and puts her phone up to her ear.)

Guy: Hello?

Holly: (Shocked) Oh uh... Hi? I found this number in my phone; who is this?

Jake: This is Jake. Is this Holly?

Holly: Oh, Jake! Yeah, it's Holly. Sorry I didn't recognize your number and I forgot I put it in my call history.

Jake: (Laughs) Wow, so I must have not been all that interesting to you after all.

Holly: (Lightly chuckles in guilt) No... You did I just-

Jake: (Playfully laughs again) I bet you didn't even plan to text me at all, did you?

Holly: Well... No... I'm sorry; it's just that I didn't know you and- Ah, I feel like such a jerk; I'm sorry.

Jake: Hey, don't worry about it; it's all good. Obviously fate has other plans for us if I'm privileged with a second chance to get into your pants. Oops, I mean romance you...

Holly: (Laughs) Shut up!

Jake: (Laughs) What are you up to anyway? At least give me the privilege of that answer before hanging up and never talking to me again (chuckles).

Holly: Oh, come on; I'm not my sister now; I'm not that big of a meanie. (Chuckles) No actually I was about to call my sister. She just stepped out and I needed to talk to her about some things.

Jake: (Play teasing) Aww, are you afraid of the scary thunder outside?

Holly: Ac- (Laughs) Don't tease me. Actually, I just needed some sisterly advice from her about school. She's going to college and I'm thinking of going back myself.

Jake: Well you're in luck. I'm gonna be starting school soon myself and I'm planning to go down to the University maybe tomorrow if it isn't still raining. Maybe you can come down with me?

Holly: Uhm... Maybe... I'll need to ask my sister if she'll come with us.

Jake: You're really cautious, aren't you? I can respect that. Even if you have no interest in me, you seem like a pretty cool chick and I wouldn't mind us just being friends... at first (Laughs).

Holly: Thank you for being understanding and you seem like a pretty cool guy too. Sure I'd love to be your friend.

Jake: Alright. Can't wait to meet your sister tomorrow.

(After about an hour, Lee is seen walking into Nicky's bedroom. Nicky just lies in bed alone and depressed; listening to the raindrops bounce against her bedroom window. Lee gets into bed and hugs her from behind.)

Lee: I'm sorry... I never wanna leave you again.

Nicky: But we both know you will.

Lee: ... Yeah...

Nicky: I cooked you your favorite dish; it's in the oven. Enjoy. (Slightly move further away from Lee.

(Lee rolls out of bed and straight into the kitchen. He returns about 5 minutes later and sits on the left side of the bed beside Nicky. He taps her on the shoulder and she turns around to see him smiling at her with a plate of creamy Alfredo in his hand offering it to her. She sits up and gently grabs the plate. Lee reaches over to the dresser and grabs his plate. The two of them crack a smile at one another.)

Lee: I resisted the girls today, and I realized that I've been taking you for granted. All I want is to be here with you during these stormy times whether they be outside or in you. (They both chuckle) I know it's cheesy to say that, but for once I really do mean it. And if we're gonna have this baby- (Holds Nicky's hand) I want us to both raise it together. I can't promise I won't go out and have sex with other women, but I'm really gonna try and control my addiction for you, Nicky.

Nicky: (Sighs) And I'll try and have as much patience with you as I can. I know you're not perfect, but you do have your good qualities and I'm going to enjoy those qualities as long as I can until things get sour again, but if it starts to get out of hand, I'll have to pull the plug on you.

Lee: (Smiles at Nicky) Roger that.

(Mall)

(Clair De Lune in playing over the speakers in the luxurious clothing store in the mall. Erika is looking through the dresses on the rack near the dressing room. After about 10 seconds the door behind her opens up and it's Janet wearing a red sleeveless V-neck tank top with a pair of tight dark-blue jeans and white knee-high fur boots. She opens her arms and circles around to model her body off for Erika as the two of them talk.)

Janet: So... Do I look like something out of America's Next Top Model? (Turns around to show off her big booty)

Erika: I'd be lying if I said you didn't look younger than your original age.

Janet: (Stops modeling and scoffs) I'll have you know I'm only 33.

Erika: Really?! You're only 32?!

Janet: Yeah, is that a problem?

Erika: No, sorry, It's just that you look so much older.

Janet: Well you look like you're 50 so what?

Erika: I can't tell if you're being serious or if you're joking with me.

Janet: Do I look cute in this or not?

Erika: ... You look... cute; yeah...

Janet: (Drops her arms) What was that?

Erika: What?

Janet: That hesitation? You don't like it?

Erika: No, it looks fine on you, really-

Janet: Eh well I don't like it. (Turns around)

Erika:(Stops her) Wait. I'm sorry. It looks great on you, it's just... I don't know I'm just a little confused is all.

Janet: (Faces Erika) Confused about what?

Erika: I guess just us. I mean are we even friends? I know I told my therapist I was going to put myself out there and make some friends and all, but by our histories, I'm not sure if we're even compatible as friends.

Janet: Compatible?

Erika: Yeah. By the way, what is your Zodiac sign?

Janet: Really? You wanna go there? I guess. Um... I'm a Taurus; not that it really matters.

Erika: That would make sense why it's so hard for you to change and adapt to your household situation.

Janet: What? Look, my household situation is none of your concern, okay? And it has nothing to do with my sign thing or whatever! And I'd appreciate it if you didn't pretend to know me.

Erika: Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. My apologies.

Janet: What is your sign?

Erika: I'm an Aries- March 28th. Ugh; I can be impulsive and sometimes too self involved in myself. Sometimes it gets in the way and it's a bit hard for me to share myself with people without certain complications.

Janet: Ah, I see. So are our two signs supposed to be compatible?

Erika: I'm not too sure on that. I've always been a fan of science but at the same time I don't look too deep into things. I like to leave room for debate, ya know?

Janet: No, I don't know, but okay.

Erika: Right. Well I'm not used to giving other women compliments but you look sort of okay, I guess.

Janet: Well that's not good enough. I need to make sure I look like someone men would leave there wives for just to get a taste.

Erika: I'm not sure that made sense, but you go for it!

(Dogs are heard barking in the background of a rundown old house in the middle of a low-class neighborhood. Jack leads Hanru to the porch of the house and a low rider with 3 individuals listening to a rap song passes by. The three individuals see Jack's face. After about 2 seconds, he looks away and faces Hanru.)

Jack: I want you to see the face of true evil. You think everyone really deserves to live? Let's see if this is true. (Reaches for the doorknob)

Hanru: (Grabs his shoulder to stop him) Why am I here?

Jack: We'll get to that. (Reaches for keys in his pocket and unlocks the door)

(A young Chinese man in his early 30's is seen lying on the back of a bound and blindfolded crying young teenage girl aggressively stroking her hair and choking her by her neck.

Offender: Yeah you're a dirty little slut, aren't you?! You like this don't you? Yeah...

(Jack aggressively kicks open the bedroom door and the Chinese offender quickly falls over the bed and hits the floor.)

Jack: Hey, Chad! Having a good time I see.

Offender: (Struggling to put his pants on) Who are you?! How did you get into my house?!

Jack: Let's just stay cool and collected, huh? We wouldn't want any additional bloodshed now would we?

(Hanru looks around at the dark light-smoke-filled room and sees the girl on the bed lying on her stomach with her wrists and ankles tied together behind her back and a blindfold around her eyes moaning. He notices blood stains on the bed as well and he sees another young woman passed out in the corner of the room.)

Offender: Get out of my house right now or I will blow your head off! (Quickly reaches under his bed and pulls out a shotgun)

(Jack pulls out a .44 Magnum and shoots him right in the crotch.)

Jack: Looks like I got you first.

(He's holding his crotch desperately trying to put his leaking blood back into his body as he goes into shock.)

Hanru: You shot his penis off...

Jack: Yeah, he deserves it!

Hanru: He's going to bleed out and die! No one deserves to go out like that; not even him.

Jack: Are you defending this piece of garbage?!

Hanru: I'm not defending him, I'm just saying he deserves a chance to change.

Jack: A CHANCE AT WHAT?! This man rapes teenage girls for a living and keeps them locked away in his basement! He deserves to die!

Hanru: No one deserves to die!

(The offender grabs his shotgun. The woman in the corner wakes up with a worn-out look on her face. Her moans cause she and Hanru make eye-contact. Before she can say a word, her face is blown off by a failed attempt to shoot Jack with his shotgun. The offender then hits the floor and dies. Hanru can't help but to stare blindly at the woman's twitching body for what feels to be endless, but in reality is only 2 seconds. Jack quickly pushes Hanru out into the hall and keeps his distance while at the same time attempting to calm a traumatized Hanru.)

Hanru: She- she's dead... She was just right there an-

Jack: (Sighs) Alright calm down, kid. This situation is messy enough; I don't need you freaking out on me here.

(Hanru just silently stares at Jack.)

Jack: She is gone and there is nothing we can do about that now, so we keep moving forward and do what we can to make sure the situation doesn't escalate. Can you comprehend what I'm saying?

Hanru: (Aggressively nods) Yeah, yeah; I got it.

Jack: Good. (Gently pats Hanru on the shoulder twice and looks Hanru in the eyes) Now let's continue the tour. (Walks away)

Hanru: (Turns around to look at Jack) What?!

Jack: Our little fieldtrip isn't over. Trust me; I know what you're going through; I've been there many times. But we need to keep moving. (Continues to walk down the hall)

(Jack breaks the chain lock off the basement door.)

Jack: Here. (Hands Hanru a ski mask)

(Hanru and Jack walk down the stairs and see about 23 teenage girls of different ethnicities- Nigerian, Caucasion, Brazilian, Black, and Chinese. They all turn around to look at Jack and Hanru wearing their ski-masks. The girls all look frightened and filthy. Like if they haven't been properly take care of.)

Hanru: (Thinking) These people...

Jack: These young girls have gone missing without a trace.

(Jack slowly walks through the large sweatshop basement and Hanru follows while thoroughly examining the girls and listening to Jack talk. All the girls can do is stare at the two of them like deer in headlights.)

Jack: You see men like me can look at this as an opportunity to expand business.

(Hanru looks at pieces of jewelry and metal on the dirty wooden tables.)

Jack: Men like me have only one thought on our mind stronger than lust and that is... greed. With greed comes illusion of power and therefore a false sense of divinity.

Hanru: Safety in numbers, right?

Jack: That's right. You're not as stupid as I thought. (Grabs a pendant off a table and examines it) Men like me are nothing but cowards who hide behind other people and tell them to protect us and do all the work we feel we've done ourselves to justify our god-complex. (Gently places pendant on the table and continues to walk with Hanru) We are instinctive creatures who do all we can to survive and feel secure. But from experience, I know that you can't run from death in the end. I've accepted that and I refuse to live my life defined by fear. You don't see me hiding out anywhere or see men in suits babysitting me 24/7. I've made the choice to accept the reality of my life and I live it the way I choose. (Stops at the end of the basement and looks at all of the young girls) These girls are all prisoners already. No one is looking for them and this world will not suffer any more if I choose to use them for my own personal benefit. If anything I can offer these girls a better lifestyle. (Takes a deep breath) Originally I came here in hopes of... I don't know... Maybe having some new outlook on things. But no; my own selfish greedy thoughts remain present and in control.

(Hanru looks into Jack's eyes and sees the darkness growing within him.)

Hanru: We all live in society and play by the rules without fully realizing it until we are forced to face who we really are through our darkest hours.

Jack: That's a more accurate description of what I'm feeling.

Hanru: We see on the news all the time and watch movies about bandits, riots and people killing each other for fun if it were to become legal, but do we ever stop to think about what we would do if we were in those situations?

Jack: As evil as the law is, Hanru, it helps us maintain peace within ourselves.

Hanru: Maybe you're only half right.

Jack: (Looks at Hanru) Oh am I?

Hanru: The law prevents many of us of us from tasting the full nature of our darkness.

Jack: Why would darkness be a good thing?

Hanru: Human nature is evil. That's something we cannot deny but many of us are good people because the law mentally negates our ability to access our darkness and tries to give us boundaries for what is good and bad. But you cannot force someone to be good or pure through structure or order. Being pure is something we must want to do for ourselves. Being pure is to turn away from our destructive nature.

(Jack just looks around and sighs.)

Hanru: You and me have tasted many forms of our own darkness but through our darkness we've become who we are today. You need to realize that the more you're drawn to something, the more you need to detach yourself from it- Our instinct to survive, our desire to pursue what we feel will make us happy, our false assumption of thinking we know what we're capable of and how strong we are as individuals, our false ideas of what love truly is and our expectations of our lovers, our sense of truth and freely expressing ourselves, and our perception of what we feel and THINK is real in this world and what IS real in this world.

Jack: ... Tch... You know you're the second one to tell me that after my wife. And of course I never understand her and her complicated explanations.

Hanru: You think you know everything about yourself, Jack, and maybe you do, I don't know, but you are in a position right now where you have a choice to do what is natural to you, or what you never realized you had the choice of doing. In the back of our minds we always tell ourselves that we have the choice to do whatever we want, but do we really put ourselves in the full mindset of understanding the gravity of what it means to make a choice of freewill and if we do, do we ever consider the consequences that come with our choices whether they be good or bad and can we accept those consequences?

Jack: What are you asking me these questions?

Hanru: What are you gonna do, Jack? Are you going to use these girls as profit for your own selfish gain or are you going to let them go free and be with their families' again?

Jack: (Looks at the girls) I don't know... No one will miss them. Depending on the choice I make in this room today will not change the world and I will be out millions of dollars.

Hanru: You're right. So what are you gonna do?

Jack: I think I'll call some guys over and tell them I have new merchandise. (Takes out cell phone)

(Hanru removes his ski mask and stares at Jack. Jack can read Hanru's emotions just by the intense look in his eyes. Hanru has "exposed" himself to Jack. He just spreads his "arms wide open" to expose his chest and continues to stare at Jack with a serious stare.)

Jack: (Waits about 5 more seconds and then removes ski-mask) Alright... (Puts phone away and looks at all the girls)

Hanru: (Thinking) Sometimes we don't know who we truly are until we're fully exposed in the darkness. (Lowers arms)

Jack: I could say that I have the choice to do what I want, but if that were true, than I could choose to do what I normally wouldn't. (Begins dialing on cell phone) I guess accepting yourself for who you are is one thing, but physically manifesting your acceptance is another. I'm proving to myself right now that I have the choice to make my own decisions. (Gets on phone) Yes, police?

(Hanru walks into the bedroom and cuts the teenage girl's ropes with a large knife. He takes off her blind fold and the two of them stare straight into each other's eyes.)

Hanru: (Thinking) This little girl's innocence has been stripped away.

(Hanru grabs her hand and gently clenches it.)

Hanru: (Nervous and shaking) You will be fine now, okay. Don't be afraid to live... I promise you, you will be okay... Just cherish every moment of your freedom from this day on...

(Hanru and Jack enter Jack's vehicle. Hanru seems very emotionally numb.)

Jack: What did the girl say when you freed her?

Hanru: She's going to assure that we were never here... and that she will take credit for killing... the man who raped her... and... tortured all those other girls.

Jack: (Starts up car) And what else did she say?

Hanru: She has nowhere to go home to.

Jack: So what, you wanna take her in? (Laughs) We'll let the system take her in.

(The rain starts back up again and Jack puts on the wipers.)

Hanru: So what will you do about the girls who were locked in the basement?

Jack: (Unsure of himself) I told you I needed to prove I'm in control of who I choose to be. Don't worry; they will all be taken home safely. You have my word on that...

Hanru: These girls have lives of their own, Jack. You cannot steal away their freedom. I see it in your eyes, you didn't call the cops to pick them up because even though you feel you want to let them go, in the back of your mind you're debating on whether or not you really wanna let them go or traffic them. Am I right?

Jack: (Remains silent for a few seconds) Yeah...

Hanru: Jack you need to do the right thing here and let them go. The world may not become a better place altogether but it will become a second chance for those 20 girls we found in that house and for you if you choose to have a positive outlook. You need to cherish THEIR lives!

(Dan's house)

(Jessica walks into her kitchen and sees her father sitting on the floor continuing to drink with a silver magnum in his hand. Jessica doesn't seem concerned. She doesn't panic; she sits beside her surrogate father in an attempt to comfort him and make him feel less alone.)

Jessica: Boy do we have memories in this kitchen. I remember back when me and Parka were home alone doing dishes and I didn't realize that the dishes in the dishwasher were dirty too. We never used that old thing anyway so I don't even know if it works. But before you and mom came home, we tried to surprise you by doing all of the dishes, but about 20 minutes after we finished, Parka told me about the dishes in the dishwasher and we tried to hurry up and do 'em really fast, but we didn't finish on time and mom just happened to be in a bad mood that night and seeing those last 7 dishes in the sink made her flip. (Chuckles) I've never seen her so mad. And I remember you would just sit there on the recliner sipping on your energy drinks and staying out of the storm Parka and I were caught up in. (Smiles) Then after she left, you came in there and help us understand why mommy was being so mean to us that night and you gave each of us a whole bottle of the fat Gatorade and you took off the tags and told us that were big girls for understanding adult drama and you told us that the bottles of Gatorade were big-girl juices.

(Dan stares at the floor and lightly smiles. After about 7 seconds he clicks the hammer of his pistol. Jessica looks down at the gun but then looks at the side of Dan's face.)

Jessica: Since that night I promised to always be understanding, and to always lookout for you guys, the way you always looked out for me, dad. We were a close family back then. But then Parka had her bike accident. Since her death, you and mom never treated me the same. Nothing was ever the same. I had no one to play with anymore or share chores with; it was all my responsibility. We stopped doing the sticker chart on the fridge. Mom was devastated and suffered from permanent PTSD and your energy drinks later became beer. I dedicated my entire childhood to making you and mom proud, but you never gave me that praise or attention. I remember when mom would yell at me because I would never show sadness around the two of you after Parka died. I was convinced by myself that if I remained strong in front of you guys and cried in private, that you could see how strong I hoped my optimism would bring to help you move on faster and make our family whole again...

(Dan casually puts the gun to the side of his head.)

Jessica: Our little family made life worth living. But you never know how much one death can affect your entire household and just completely... destroy the love you have for the people you grew up with. (A tear falls from her eye) I have so many memories of so many family members... and most of them are all dead... Despite how bad you treated me, dad; I still love you and I'm not gonna lose you too.

(Dan pulls the trigger but nothing happens. He does it again another 5 times but nothing happens. Jessica reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small bullet.)

Jessica: As long as I'm alive, I'm gonna keep looking out for you.

(Dan drops the gun and stands up. He finishes his beer and places the bottle on the counter. He walks over to the living room and falls on to the couch. Jessica walks up to her father's body and watches him sleep. She rubs his face for him and lies down on the floor next to him to make sure he is safe. A bright flash of lightning and an extremely loud bang of thunder hits outside and the sound is enough to make Jessica curl into a ball on the carpet, cover her ears, close her eyes, and slowly rock herself back and forth while tears of grief and fear river down her face.)

(Later that night, the rain calms and paramedics are seen carrying the young girls outside of the house they were at earlier. Jack and Hanru stay in the car parked across the street.)

Jack: There goes my profit... (Takes a moment to think for a second) There goes a second chance. (Cracks a smile) I brought you here to see the truth of evil men. I originally had three places to show you, but I think this is enough for right now.

Hanru: Why does my opinion matter to you?

Jack: Because there's a lot you don't know about me... (Drives off)

Hanru: Then why not teach me?

TO BE CONTINUED...