Brianna experiences the advantages and disadvantages of dating someone younger. Hope obsesses over Tre’s recent engagement and has a one-night stand. Chanise isn’t interested in reliving the past with Lionel and has to make the hard choice on whether to rekindle their relationship or let him go.
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Episode Two: “SAY MY NAME”
SCENE 9
INT. CHANISE HOUSE - EVENING
FX: CHANISE PUTS THE PLATE DOWN AND LIONEL DEVOURS A PLATE OF FOOD.
CHANISE: It’s not much. Just a little cornbread, smother pork chop, greens, and yams leftover.
FX: LIONEL EATS.
LIONEL: Ummm hmmm.
CHANISE: You should have called me to come get you.
LIONEL: I figured I would spare you another collect call. I know how you hate them shits. (PAUSE) The post-office got you like this?
CHANISE: Didn’t know you could do all this with an honest job, huh?
LIONEL: Nothing like our old spot in Compton.
CHANISE: Anything beats that.
LIONEL: It feels good to be home. So much has changed. (BEAT) My man in college now.
CHANISE: He’s going to flip when he finds out you’re out.
LIONEL: I need to go visit him.
CHANISE: He’ll be here for Mother’s Day.
LIONEL: Have you seen any of the crew lately?
CHANISE: No, I ain’t seen nobody.
LIONEL: Well, Victor’s hit me and he’s throwing me a homecoming party.
CHANISE: There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.
LIONEL: You going?
CHANISE: I guess.
CHANISE: (V.O.) I went from empty nester to “It’s Complicated” in less than 24 hours.
FADE
SCENE 10.
EXT. BRIANNA APARTMENT - NIGHT
FX: BRIANNA HURRIES DOWN THE WALKWAY TOWARD JAMIE’S CAR.
JAMIE: These flowers are for you.
FX: BRIANNA SMELLS THE FLOWERS.
BRIANNA: Just what the doctor ordered.
JAMIE: You’re sick?
BRIANNA: Umm no. It’s just a figure...forget about it. They’re beautiful. Are you going to tell me where we’re going? The suspense is killing me.
FX: DOOR OPENS. BRIANNA CLIMBS INSIDE.
JAMIE: I told you. It’s a surprise.
FX: JAMIE LEANS OVER AND KISSES BRIANNA AND THEN STARTS THE CAR AND DRIVES OFF.
BRIANNA: (V.O.) To be honest, I’ve been avoiding going anywhere with Jamie because I was afraid, I would bump into someone I knew. But I’m over caring about what other people will think. This is my life. When I’m with him, he makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the room. Always focusing on the little things that don’t even seem to matter now. So, I’ve decided instead of focusing on what he doesn’t have, I’m going to focus on how this man makes me feel. And right now, I feel good.
FADE
SCENE 11.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
FX: BRIANNA AND JAMIE ENTER A WAREHOUSE. THERE IS A BUNCH OF CHATTER.
JAMIE: Can you guess now?
BRIANNA: Well, people are dancing. I don’t hear any music. Wait. (BEAT) It’s a silent disco!
JAMIE: Survey says! You’re right!
BRIANNA: My Godson comes to these all the time.
HOST: Hey folks! Glad you’re joining us. Here’s some headphones for you and you. Last song is at 1. If I were you, I would turn them in a few minutes before to avoid the rush.
JAMIE: (to Host) Good looking out.
(BEAT)
(to Brianna) Here. Put these on.
JAMIE: Now, push these buttons on the side to change stations.
BRIANNA: This is so cool.
FX: HIP HOP MUSIC BLAST THROUGH BRIANNA’S HEADPHONES. SHE FLIPS THROUGH UNTIL SHE LOCATES A SONG SHE LIKES.
BRIANNA: (V.O.) Now, this is my speed.
FADE
SCENE 12.
INT. WAREHOUSE – MUCH LATER
FX: CHATTER ALL AROUND THE VENUE. AS BRIANNA AND JAMIE SIP ON A DRINK AND TALK.
JAMIE: Babe are you having a good time, or what?
BRIANNA: A fantastic time.
JAMIE: So, this means you’ll let me plan more dates.
BRIANNA: Of course.
(BEAT)
I don’t know what it is about you, but I haven’t felt this comfortable with anyone in a while.
JAMIE: If that is true then why haven’t I met any of your friends?
BRIANNA: Can you blame me for wanting to keep you all to myself?
JAMIE: You don’t will like me.
BRIANNA: No. That’s not it at all.
JAMIE: It’s our age difference. Right?
BRIANNA: Actually, my friends are open-minded. It’s more they might not approve of my actions. See, I’m the one in my tribe whose picker is always picked at.
JAMIE: Ohhhhhh, now we’re getting somewhere.
SUE: Hey Jamie.
JAMIE: (Uncomfortable) Hi. Sue.
SUE: You’re looking great. And your mom is too. So, great to see you again.
JAMIE: Ummm, this is… (Nervously) Yeah, she’s not my mom
SUE: Oops. My bag. I’m so sorry ma’am.
FX: SUE WALKS OFF LAUGHING.
BRIANNA: (V.O.) She called me ma’am. There it is. The main reason I didn’t want to be seen with him in public. Yes, I do look good for my age, but he looks his age for damn sure.
JAMIE: I’m sorry about that. (BEAT) Come on.
BRIANNA: Where are we going?
JAMIE: To your place.
SCENE 13.
INT. GRIFFITH PARK – DAYS LATER
FX. BIRDS CHIRPING AND IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY. THE GIRLS ARE IN GRIFFITH PARK HIKING. BREATHING HEAVY.
HOPE: Six years! I gave him so many passes and now he’s about to marry some girl named Amy?
CHANISE: Sounds like a doormat to me if I ever heard one.
HOPE: I nursed him back to health after his motorcycle accident. I let him stay with me when his psycho roommate threatened to kill him. I should have let him do it. I helped him get the job he has now! She’s going to benefit from his glow up.
BRIANNA: Hope remember you broke up with him.
HOPE: I know that. But, he’s supposed to get it together and come back to marry me. Not her!
BRIANNA: It’s not your fault that he’s missing a sensitivity chip. Remember, that story you did on Jennifer Aniston? She said the same thing about Brad Pitt. Look at him now.
FX: THEY START TO HIKE AGAIN.
CHANISE: Did you look her up?
HOPE: I tried, but all her social media is private. When I did a background check it says she’s a make-up artist for Shaded Bliss that sunglass boutique.
CHANISE: I want to get a look at the ring. Let’s go up there.
HOPE: First, I need to get engaged. I need you to propose to me.
CHANISE: What?
HOPE: I can’t have him out do me. I look pathetic. I need him to think I’m getting married too. (BEAT) You don’t have to do anything. I’ll buy the ring and you can place it on my hand. Then I’ll just post it on my story.
CHANISE: Fuck that. Let’s take it old school and bust out some windows and slash his tires.
BRIANNA: No, no, no, no. Ya’ll sound childish and desperate.
HOPE: I’m going to die ALONE.
BRIANNA: Hope come on. You have tried for years to mold this man into the one. He’s never been it and deep down you know it.
CHANISE: At least you not feeling stuck like I am with my Lionel. Now, you have closure and can move on.
BRIANNA: I thought you were excited about having Lionel back home?
CHANISE: I was a few days ago. But now that the lust fog has lifted. I’m not sure. We have a lot of memories but is that a reason to be together. Familiarity can be stale sometimes.
BRIANNA: It’s been a long time. You two have to learn each other all over again. What do you want?
CHANISE: I don’t know.
HOPE: You should have the talk.
BRIANNA: But, whatever you decide, you better be certain that’s what you want. Because men don’t let any grass grow under their feet. And there’s some woman out there waiting to turn your trash into their treasure.
HOPE: Are you guys down to propose or what?
B & C: No!
FADE
SCENE 14.
INT. COFFEE SHOP – LATER
FX: PATRONS IN A COFFEE SHOP.
HOPE: (V.O.) Brianna’s right, it’s childish. I just never saw him getting married without me. I thought I could fix it, make him better. Yes, I have certain expectations, but I thought we were almost there. Apparently, I was wrong. It’s a new day and I can’t sit at home in my feelings. Clearly, Tre is about to have a whole new wife. So, I need to stay active and not get too comfortable with my singleness. So, I’m waiting to meet my next coffee date.
FX: SOUNDS OF MAKING A LATTE.
HOPE: (V.O.) But, why every time I look up this cutie is all in my face. Now, he’s winking at me. Oh, no he didn’t just spray that whip cream on the drink like that.
FX: THE APP DINGS AND HOPE RECIEVES A TEXT.
HOPE: (V.O.) My date is here. Please God let him be taller than 6 foot and look like his picture. Amen. No sooner as I said this prayer, I look up and there he is walking my way in ill fitted slacks that attempt to hide a protruding belly and man boobs that look bigger than mine. Shit, I don’t think he could fit it. Maybe I should just pretend I’m invisible?
BOOB MAN: Are you Hope?
HOPE: Nope. Sorry.
BARISTA: (OFF) Hope. Chai Tea Latte for Hope.
BOOB MAN: I knew that was you. Lucky for you, I like a woman with a sense of humour. And I like what I see.
FX: BOOB MAN TAKES A SEAT.
HOPE: Nice to meet you. One, I’m going to get my drink.
FX: HOPE GETS UP FROM HER SEAT AND WALKS OVER TO RETRIEVE HER COFFEE AND STARTS WALKING BACK TO THE TABLE AND MIDWAY...
HOPE: Father God, please forgive me.
FX: HOPE TURNS AND MAKES A RUN FOR IT
BOOB MAN: (OFF) Hope. Hope! You going to do me like that?
FADE
SCENE 14A
INT. HOPE’S CAR – CONTINUOUS
FX: HOPE’S CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES
HOPE: (V.O.) (Catching her breath) Whoooo….As I drove out of the parking lot thinking maybe I should put “It’s Complicated,” on pause. I looked down and I noticed a number had been written on the outside of my cup with the words CALL ME SEXY. I think it was the cutie pie. Not my ideal match, but anything is better than man boob man and at least I know I still got it. Damn, turning 40 has been hard.
FADE
SCENE 15.
INT. BEL AIR HOTEL – EARLY EVENING
FX: HOTEL LOBBY ELEVATOR MUSIC. PEOPLE MOVING AROUND
HOPE: (Clears her throat) Excuse me. Ummm, I know this is out of the blue. But someone told me that Adele the singer was here earlier. I love her.
LOBBY: I wouldn’t know. Are you checking in miss?
HOPE: (V.O.) Working for Alter Ego magazine wasn’t exactly where I dreamed of being, but it’s where I landed. I thought ultimately, this would lead me to my dream of writing for television and film, but, just like anything else people tend to put you in a box and leave you there.
OLIVIA: (OFF) Hope? Hope, is that you?
HOPE: It’s Olivia. Damn, she saw me.
HOPE: (V.O.) Olivia and I go way back, but we haven’t spoken in a while. The best way to describe her is perfect. We both moved to Hollywood to pursue writing around the same time, but she made all the right choices and the stars aligned for her. She landed a writer’s assistant job and then to top that off she met the love of her life. Derrick, who loves her dirty ass drawers. The kind of man we all dream of.
HOPE: Olivia, hey girl. How are you?
FX: OLIVIA AND HOPE HUG.
OLIVIA: I’m good. What are you doing here?
HOPE: (LOW) I’m working.
OLIVIA: (LOW) You’re still stalking celebrities?
FX: HOPE LAUGHS.
HOPE: Making that money. What you been up to?
OLIVIA: I’m with CAA now. I’m meeting my manager. Just to talk about writer room stuff. How’s your writing coming along?
HOPE: I’m finishing up a few things. I just need to find time to shop them around.
OLIVIA: Of course. (PAUSE) I better get going. It was good seeing you.
HOPE: You too. (BEAT) Hey if you see Adele text me.
OLIVIA: Sure.
FADE
SCENE 16.
INT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
FX: LIONEL AND CHANISE DRIVING ALONG CITY STREETS. THEY PULL INTO A GAS STATION. CHANISE DIGS INTO HER PURSE AND PULLS OUT MONEY.
CHANISE: Here’s my card. Get me some gum and fill the tank up.
LIONEL: Please.
CHANISE: Please.
FX: LIONEL GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND CHANISE’S PHONE RINGS
CHANISE: (DISTORT) What’s up hot mama? What you doing?
HOPE: (DISTORT) I met a young tender at the coffee shop the other day. I figured there’s nothing that will heal a broken heart like new dick. So, I’m at a hotel right now waiting for him to arrive.
CHANISE: (DISTORT) I’m worn out. So, enjoy.
HOPE: (DISTORT) But I bet your ass is smiling from ear to ear.
CHANISE: (DISTORT) You right. Lionel’s dragging me to this raggedy homecoming party in Compton that Victor’s throwing him. I really don’t feel like it.
HOPE: (DISTORT) Well, have you told him how you feel yet?
CHANISE: (DISTORT) Not yet. Here he comes. I’ll hit you later
FX: LIONEL GETS BACK IN AND DRIVES OFF.
FADE
SCENE 17.
INT. HOUSE PARTY
FX: A PARTY SCENE. PEOPLE HANGING OUT.
CHANISE: (V.O.) Same old shit, different day. Nothing changed over here. Pookie still in the corner playing dominos and drinking until he can’t see straight. Darnell is still trying to beat the world record of the largest blunt ever rolled. I mean, damn, how much weed can you smoke? Little Johnny not so little anymore, but he still running through the spot. I can’t forget DaDa and his boys, because they go from playing dominos to shooting up the place. I don’t plan on staying that long. And here comes Diamond. That’s Victor’s girlfriend. We used to hang back in the day, but all she ever wanted to do was get her nails done and sleep until noon.
DIAMOND: Hey Chanise, you’re looking good.
CHANISE: Thanks, you are looking good too.
DIAMOND: I know right. Victor had my teeth done.
CHANISE: They pretty.
DIAMOND: We haven’t seen you for a minute. I heard you got you a big ‘ole house. Living good and stuff.
CHANISE: There you go.
DIAMOND: Your man is back now I don’t know how you made it thirteen years. Victor was gone for 5 and that nearly killed me.
CHANISE: It was hard at first, but I had Legend. I didn’t have a choice but to grind. I chose not to do the time with him. So, I was good.
DIAMOND: Look at them over there. Just like old times. Always playing cards.
CHANISE: Yeah, it’s going to be a long night.
VICTOR: (OFF) Yo Diamond. Come show Lionel your teeth, baby.
DIAMOND: Come on Chanise. Eyyyy!
FADE
SCENE 18.
INT. HOTEL ROOM
FX: SEXY MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND. HOPE HAS FINALLY DONE IT. SHES IN THE THROES OF PASSION.
HOPE: I’m almost there. Yes! Yes! Keep going! Grab my ass baby.
JAMIE: Say my name! Say my name!
HOPE: Awwww. Awwwww.
JAMIE: What’ s my name?
FX: HOPE COMES TO FULL ORGASM
HOPE: Awwwww. Awww. Jammmmmiiieee.
FADE