The Dominion (3) EXT. subway station - night RAMIRA and ANGELO are walking down the steps to the subway. They spot SHARICE standing there. They are moving fairly quickly. The station isn't that filled with many people rushing to get on the trains. GANG MEMBERS spots RIVAL GANG MEMBERS. GANG MEMBERS are wearing hoodies looking like thugs. RIVAL GANG MEMBERS are in all black looking like hoodrats. GANG MEMBERS walk up to RIVAL GANG MEMBERS and flash their guns on waste, shoulder bumping RIVAL GANG MEMBERS. RIVAL gang member The fuck you bumpin' into nigga? GANG MEMBER The fuck you talkin' 'bout, ain't nobody lookin' atchu! RIVAL GANG MEMBER Say somethin' else or I'ma end yo shit right now! RIVAL GANG MEMBER points gun to GANG MEMBERS head. They are both in each others faces, about to fight. Some OLDER MAN runs over and breaks it up. Older Man (yelling) Fellas! Fellas! Come on now let it go! The OLDER MAN looks at the gangs with a hard, stern look. GANG MEMBERS look at each other hard. The two kids don't say anything to each other and just give each other cold glares. OLDER MAN Look! Relax! Put the pistol down now! (beat) The gangs leave in opposite directions. GANG MEMBER Fuck them muhfuckas man! CUT-IN of RAMIRA. RAMIRA (police voice)(joking) Sharice Thomas, you are under arrest! SHARICE turns around surprised. SHARICE Shut up girl, you play too much! Where ya'll goin'? RAMIRA Just gonna pick up somethin' to eat and head back home. SHARICE Yea yea, me too, wanna head to that little diner in Brooklyn? ANGELO The Chinese joint? SHARICE Yea, that one, with that bomb ass food? RAMIRA Yea, that's cool. CUT-IN of LADY EL and the CANO CREW sitting in the train about to get off, talking amongst themselves. They run into RAMIRA, ANGELO and SHARICE as they get off. Everyone halts and is surprised. (beat) LADY EL Hmm, well, well, well, if it isn't Kid 'N Play, along with the token white boy, bunch a maggots. LADY EL and her crew laugh. SHARICE C'mon El, ain't nobody got time for ya dumb lookin' ass. LADY EL Huh? SHARICE You heard me. Just shut up and let us on! LADY EL and her crew block the door. CHANELLE FOXX (to Lady El) You gon' let these bitches talk to you like that? (beat) SHARICE Move! RAMIRA (whispers) Come on Reese just ignore 'em. LADY EL What? I should break ya face for talkin to me like that bitch. (beat) ANGELO What the hells ya problem, we ain't do nothin' to you! (beat) LADY EL Was I talkin' to you ya immigrant, greaseball, diego? ANGELO's fist and body clench up and he gets in LADY EL's face. His lips curl up and his face tightens. SHARICE and RAMIRA grab ahold of each of his arm. RAMIRA Come on Angelo! No! LADY EL (laughter) Ya pops must feel ashamed of raisin' a boy that would put hands on a woman. Got these two little girls grabbin' ahold of you...can't even man the fuck up. LADY EL and her crew just bump through SHARICE, ANGELO and RAMIRA hurting their shoulders. ANGELO's face is red and looks pissed. He looks back at them. INT. subway train - night They all sit down in the back of the subway. There aren't that many people on the subway. There's graffiti scrawls on it, and the seats are torn, covered and filled. Newspapers on the train. Song being played and it's (Sir Mix-a-lot - posse on broadway). Sharice Man, I'm sick of her. Her and her crew with them busted weaves lookin' like broke ass bimbos n' shit! RAMIRA I know right. ANGELO is caught staring ahead. (beat) RAMIRA Yo Ang, you ok? SHARICE (passionately) Yo, don't let 'em get to you aight? RAMIRA rubs ANGELO's arm trying to console him. ANGELO Nah, I'm good, just take pride in my culture, that's all. SHARICE I can't stand her ass man, I wanna see her ass get clapped. RAMIRA Me too. POV shot of subway lights flickering on and off. SHARICE 'Sup wit these lights man? ANGELO I dunno. They all look up. The train stops and they get off. It's cold and dark in the station with very little lighting. Not many people seen and it's real quiet. They walk up the stairs walking towards us. EXT. subway entrance brooklyn - night VERY WIDE shot of SHARICE, ANGELO and RAMIRA walking up the subway stairs. They spot a CHINESE RESTAURANT sign. It's a little damp outside. SHARICE Look, there's that Chinese place ova there. They all walk in sync with other. The next two scenes go back and forth. EXT. brooklyn sidewalk - night CUT-IN of a guy mugging someone, punching and beating him up. CUT TO: CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT The gang jay walking. CUT BACK TO: BROOKLYN SIDEWALK - NIGHT Mugger Gimme the money, and them sneakers too! The MUGGER keeps punching and kicking the VICTIM feriously. Victim (crying) Oh...damn... SHARICE They got some bomb ass food yo! EXT. chinese restaurant - night CHINESE WORKER is taking orders. There's other Chinese workers in the back. OVER THE SHOULDER shot from behind the CHINESE WORKER looking at customers. He has an accent, mid 20s, GREASY face, looks tired. Background music fades out. SHARICE Yea, I'd like a orange chicken with a white rice, um-- CUT-IN of MUGGER continuing to beat up VICTIM. CHinese worker Eggroll? SHARICE Yea, um, that duck sauce shit or whateva it's called on the side too. CUT-IN of MUGGER pointing gun at VICTIM's head. It's pitch black, can hardly see the VICTIM or MUGGER. MUGGER has black mask over his face. He threatens the VICTIM with a pistol. Mugger Shut the fuck up! You say anything and I'ma beat the breaks off you! (beat) The VICTIM doesn't say anything and the MUGGER pushes the VICTIM's head down. CUT-IN of RAMIRA ordering food. RAMIRA Yea, I'll have the same but change mine with brown rice, with egg roll. RAMIRA (speaking to Angelo) Want anything? ANGELO Nah, I'm good. RAMIRA You sure? Gotta feed them guns of yours for tommorow's battle. RAMIRA squeezes ANGELO's muscles. ANGELO laughs. RAMIRA and SHARICE pay for the food. They grab the bags of food and walk away. CLOSE UP of MUGGER running, hitting the bags that RAMIRA and SHARICE are holding. SHARICE Whoa, whoa, what the--yo, watch where the hell you goin'! (beat) Damn, almost ran us over! MUGGER stands there and turns around, gets in ANGELO's face instead. MUGGER The hell you lookin' at foo? MUGGER shoulder bumps ANGELO. ANGELO pushes the MUGGER. MUGGER turns around and puts a pistol in his face. (beat) RAMIRA Aye, aye, Ang relax, relax! ANGELO stares and MUGGER runs away. CUT-IN of the VICTIM laying on the sidewalk weeping and crying. SHARICE That's not sauce, that's blood! ANGELO Dumbass! RAMIRA Let's go! SHARICE We should get goin'. Got school in the a.m. RAMIRA Aight, cool, we're gonna head back home. ANGELO Yea, I'ma help clean her off. (beat) SHARICE stands there looking at them. RAMIRA catches SHARICE staring at them. RAMIRA What? SHARICE (joking) Oh, nothin', don't forget Enrique. CLOSE UP of ANGELO's face looking disappointed and worried. RAMIRA (joking) Pssh! Get outta here! RAMIRA pushes SHARICE in a playful manner. cut to: EXT. side back alley - night RAMIRA and ANGELO are walking through a back alley, close to the street. They stand under a light post. Sounds of cars rushing by. Their chatting, cold, wet outside. RAMIRA So I guess I'll seeya tommorow. RAMIRA walks away. (beat) ANGELO Um, yea, Ramira. RAMIRA turns around to look at ANGELO. RAMIRA Yea. ANGELO Um, food smells really good. RAMIRA You wanna come in and have some? ANGELO No! No, um. RAMIRA What? RAMIRA stares at ANGELO. ANGELO is standing they're tense. (beat) ANGELO Um, can I tell you somethin'? RAMIRA Yea, sure. Hurry 'cause foods gettin' cold. Hate to reheat it. ANGELO Well, you know the record store right? Earlier today? RAMIRA Yea. What about it? ANGELO Well uh, I was in there and saw Enrique kissing on some other girl. (beat) ANGELO They were flirting and what not. (beat) RAMIRA stops and stares at ANGELO. Her eyes widen. She has a stunned look on her face but plays it off. RAMIRA Nah, can't be, musta been someone else, he practices everyday after school for basketball, he tells me he's serious about his game. Saw him this morning too. ANGELO (sigh) I'm bein' serious. It was him, they were in the back of the store and they were both gigglin' and huggin', they both then walked-- RAMIRA (in denial) You know, that's ain't true, Enrique loves me as much I love him, he may not show it but he listens to me-- ANGELO Yea, and he doesn't even show that he cares or hangs out with you as much but then you show up to all his games, he's selfish but you can't see it. (beat) RAMIRA (aggravated) You know, I'm tired, it's been a long day, I'll see you tommorow Ang. (beat) ANGELO Ok, aight, I see how it is, just don't wanna see my bestfriend gettin' hurt. I'll see ya. ANGELO's upset, and starts to walk fast down the sidewalk shaking his head. RAMIRA just stares at him. She walks away. RAMIRA doesn't even follow ANGELO or say anything. fade to: EXT. big kane's basement - late evening (next day) RAMIRA's walking down the sidewalk slowly, looking for the entrance to the party. POV shots of the different storefront signs. There is music being played in the background (Nas - understand). POV shot of RAMIRA looking at the directions on the paper that ANGELO gave her. There's prostitutes on the sidewalk. Thugs. POV shot of RAMIRA looking at BIG KANE from toe to head looking up slowly. Camera pans BIG KANE from toe to head. A big man dressed in a black hoodie, unlaced boots, skull hat and baggy jeans. He has a deep voice. Big Kane You lost? RAMIRA Nah, um, I'm tryna find Big Kane? BIG KANE You standin' in front of him. RAMIRA Oh, uh, is this where the DJ competition is at? BIG KANE (opens door) Yea. RAMIRA Oh, thanks. INT. Big kane's basement - night This scene has a greenish haze to it. Greenish smoke filling the place. Music vibrating the walls hearing only bass. OVER THE SHOULDER shot of RAMIRA walking in the door, there's a set of stairs that go up and a set of stairs that go down on each side. The inside is very run down, graffiti covering the walls, trash everywhere, needles on the ground, some hookers and punks in the hallways smoking cigarettes, looking at RAMIRA up and down. They look like they are in their early 20s. RAMIRA looks dazed and confused. hooker #1 (talking to the other hooker) What she doin' here? (laughs) Some kids in the hallway shooting dice, talking amongst themselves. RAMIRA walks down the stairs and the long hallway filled with graffiti scrawls, old paint cans on the ground. The music is blasting and blarring. She looks around and the door to the party is the last one at the end of the hallway. cut to: INT. big kane's basement - DJ BATTLE - night RAMIRA opens the door slowly. Camera pans the crowd, everybody is dancing, music bumping, DJ scratching, the crowd is hype. It's a medium sized party but appears large. RAMIRA looks around and spots SHARICE dancing. RAMIRA walks over there, dodging all the crazy people, trying not to get hit. The party just seems like a typical basement party. Very club scenish and big for a basement. SHARICE Didn't know when you'd be here! RAMIRA Yea, had a hard time findin' it. SHARICE Oh word, you live in Harlem, you know that right? RAMIRA gives SHARICE a dumb look. RAMIRA I know that but neva heard a Big Kane or ever see him. RAMIRA looks around and notices the crowd forming into a circle. She notices ANGELO with his DJ set on one side and the other DJ on the other side. The RIVAL DJ goes up first, he does some crazy scratches and cuts. The crowd goes wild and ANGELO goes up next and does some scratches. Crowd goes crazier. Host #2 Looks like a battle goin' on! Camera panning the entire crowd. ANGELO goes into battle mode and the crowd is hyping him up. CUT-IN of his hands going back and forth. CUT-IN of a bunch of thugs standing in the corner, dressed in all black, hard faces, beanie caps. RAMIRA pans the crowd and notices those guys in the corner. (beat) RAMIRA (whisper to Sharice) Aye, look, look! SHARICE What! RAMIRA Those guys in the corner, look how they lookin'. The thugs are scoping ANGELO, looking mean. HOST #2 (o.S.) Aight, aight ya'll, second round goin' down. The thugs have gold teeth and guns on their waists. RAMIRA Oh shit, they got heat! One of the guys pulls out the gun and shoots at the ceiling. The crowd scurries away causing a ruckus. ANGELO jumps down and runs into the thugs. They grab him. ANGELO Aye! What the hell? slim Sup' muhfucka! (beat) SLIM You heard me. Sup bitch, can't speak? ANGELO is surrounded by the thugs. RAMIRA Yo, we gotta get Ang! ANGELO (to himself) That voice. (beat) (to the guy standing behind Slim) You the fool that ran into us yestaday almost knockin' us over! They are in each other's faces almost kissing about to fight. Gang tells SLIM to cool it. SLIM pushes ANGELO. ANGELO What, you wanna fight?! SLIM Ha, you pretty boy ain't built for this homeboy, got my squad to back me up. Ain't even worth it. ANGELO throws a punch at one of the members. SLIM fires a shot in the air again. RAMIRA and SHARICE run quickly. BOUNCER (shouting) Ok, everybody out now! EXT. big kane's building - night SHARICE and RAMIRA are by an alley. They spot ANGELO holding his arm. RAMIRA Hey Ang! You okay? (beat) He looks at SHARICE and RAMIRA, they both run up and hug him. He hugs her tight. RAMIRA You okay? ANGELO Yea, yea, I'm good! Just a little sore nose is all. SHARICE Damn, I thought ya'll was finna get down! Everybody's exiting the building and talking amongst themselves scurrying out. RAMIRA You gon' be alright? ANGELO Yea, yea, I'm good. Thanks. RAMIRA Okay. (long beat) RAMIRA looks down. RAMIRA Um, sorry 'bout last night-- ANGELO Nah. It's cool, don't worry 'bout it. SHARICE looks confused. SHARICE Did I miss somethin'? RAMIRA No. SHARICE Oh, okay. RAMIRA hugs both ANGELO and SHARICE. Cut to: INT. Ramira's Apartment - night RAMIRA walks in her front door. CLOSE UP of CARMEN, she has a black eye. She's washing dishes. CARMEN looks nervous as RAMIRA's home. RAMIRA Hey I'm home. CARMEN (nervous) Mija, how's everything? RAMIRA (sigh) Fine, just tired. RAMIRA takes off her jacket. She looks at CARMEN and notices a black eye on her. (beat) RAMIRA Mom! CARMEN What? CARMEN turns her face trying to hide it. RAMIRA What do you mean what?! Your face, look at your face! CARMEN Oh, it's nothin' I ran into the door. (beat) RAMIRA (sarcasm) Right, so you ran into the door and it just happened to hit you directly in the eye? Right, so you gon' let this asshole come up in here and beat on you?! I'm not stupid, I know what's goin' on! CARMEN (calm) Baby, please don't fuck this up for me. He's helpin' with the bills and I ca- RAMIRA So he's prolly out gettin' some from another broad right now! (beat) RAMIRA looks upset and walks in her room. She doesn't look pleased. CUT TO: RAMIRA's bedroom. CLOSE UP of RAMIRA's head against the door. RAMIRA Fuck. cut to: INT. corner store - early morning Corner store has some spanish music playing in the background. Typical ghetto cornerstore. RAMIRA is only in it. POV shot of RAMIRA seeing ENRIQUE from a distance walking with another girl. He doesn't see her, she hides behind an aisle. ENRIQUE (o.s) (to girl) Wait here, I'll be back. Gonna grab some pop. RAMIRA (whispers) Oh, my God! She waits until he walks down and then turns her back. He taps her on the shoulder. They hug, he goes in for a kiss but she wipes away. ENRIQUE (nervous) Oh, hey babe! ENRIQUE (cont) What's wrong witchu? RAMIRA Oh, nothin', just gettin' some snacks. (beat) Who was that girl? ENRIQUE What girl? RAMIRA Don't play with me Enrique, that girl you were huggin' up on right there. ENRIQUE Just a friend. RAMIRA Oh really? Just a friend huh, so you kiss all your female friends? These lips only need to be lockin' with yours. ENRIQUE Well, speak for yourself, you hang with that Antonio kid. RAMIRA It's Angelo. ENRIQUE Whatever his name is. RAMIRA Well, I don't go around kissin' him, he's just a friend, just like you got friends, and besides you haven't been callin' me or anything lately. ENRIQUE Neither do you. (beat) RAMIRA (aggravated)(sigh) Look, I've been stressed out lately, you neva care, I tell you about my problems, I tell you about everything and you brush it off like it ain't nothin'! What happened to the old us? We used to be so close! CUT-IN of the girl waiting and looking. Cashier looks down the aisle. ENRIQUE (aggravated) Yea, you messed it up till you started hangin' more with that loser and you rather rap than kick it with me, I saw you two in the bleachers at my game the other day, huggin' all close 'n shit. RAMIRA (aggravated) Huggin' all close? Well, you must be blind because Sharice was sittin' right there. And, maybe because he cares Enrique. I care about you and love you. Why can't you do the same for me? A boyfriend 'spose to care and be there for his girl when she's there for him! Don't you love me? (beat) ENRIQUE walks away, RAMIRA stands there, eyes watery, face red. RAMIRA ENRIQUE! ENRIQUE walks back to the girl putting arm around her and ENRIQUE looks back walking out. RAMIRA has pissed written all over her face. cut to: INT. ENGLISH CLASS - late morning The bell rings. RAMIRA walks in the classroom slow holding her books close to her chest. miss smith Ya late Miss Menendez! RAMIRA Sorry. The class squaks, throws things and oohs at her. She sits in her chair looking around, notices ANGELO not there. RAMIRA (whispers) Aye, you seen Angelo anywhere? STUDENT #1 Nah. RAMIRA (whispers) Have you? Student #2 Nah, haven't seen him. RAMIRA sits back in her chair. Kids pass notes in class, being antics. MISS SMITH is writing on the chalkboard. MISS SMITH Ok class take out last nights homework. Javier, what's the question to number 1. javier Shit, I dunno. miss smith Excuse me? STUDENT #3 snickering. student #3 You's a dummy. javier Huh? I know you ain't talkin' to me! Kids continue to throw things, JAVIER pushes his desk over wanting to fight. Kids in classroom start taunting. MISS SMITH (yelling) Hey, gentlemen! Knock. Knock. VARIOUS shots faces in the classroom as they hear a knock at the door. The whole classroom quiets down. Principal Shaeffer Uh, Miss Smith, we need to see uh, Ramira...Menendez to my office please. The classroom stares at RAMIRA. RAMIRA gets up, she walks out to go into the office. cut to: INT. Principal shaeffer's office - day RAMIRA and PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER sit across from each other at a circular table. She looks out the window daydreaming not caring. PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER is a tall man wearing a dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, dark hair and big glasses. His office is a little messy. PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER Um, Miss Menendez, I want to take a look at your grades here, they've been drastically dropping in the previous semester. Now, uh, is there anything going on at home or... (beat) RAMIRA just stares at him. PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER If you need a tutor, I can partner you up with one of our tutors or they can help you after school. RAMIRA continues looking out the window, not listening to PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER. PRINCIPAL SHAEFFER Uh, Miss Menendez, are you listening? RAMIRA Oh, yea, sorry I'll do better.
Copyright © 2013 Melissa M Cook |