The Dominion (4) INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - AFTERNOON RAMIRA walks out to the hallway, the hallways are empty. She then bumps into another student named RENEE. She's a quite. Dark brown hair, glasses. Average built. renee Oh, sorry! RAMIRA No problem. RAMIRA enters the bathroom. Next two scenes go back and forth. RENEE gets a drink and overhears LADY EL and her crew behind a corner. She peaks behind the corner. CUT AWAY of RAMIRA looking in the mirror, fixing her hair and rapping to herself. LADY EL You got that tape?. Can't wait to kill these niggas this Saturday. LADY EL (O.S.) (whispers) Need to make a tape though, get some studio time. CUT AWAY of RAMIRA feeling queasy, as she's looking into the mirror, she runs to the toilet and throws up. The scene goes in and out, blurry and the camera goes clear and unclear. LADY EL Like, we can think a somethin' though. jazzy o Yea, yea. RAMIRA flushes toilet and walks out. RENEE walks the opposite direction from LADY EL. RAMIRA walks out the bathroom accidentally running into LADY EL and the CANO CREW. LADY EL Oh shit, look who's here. (beat) RAMIRA lays on the floor and her books fall down. CHANELLE FOXX kicks her books as they walk away. The CANO CREW laughs. cut to: INT. city bus - evening AERIAL VIEW of the subways. RAMIRA is on the back of the city bus listening to her music on her cassette player. She's writing in her notebook at the same time. Song is being played through her headphones. We can hear it. Different shots of poor Harlem. She gets off the bus. EXT. sidewalk - evening She runs down the sidewalk, tripping over a can. She walks up the steps to her apartment building. INT. Ramira's bedroom - evening She runs into her bedroom and calls SHARICE. Telephone Conversation SHARICE (tired) Hello? RAMIRA (O.S.) Sharice, it's me. SHARICE Hey whussup, I been tryna get ahold a-- RAMIRA (whispering) I know, I know, look, have you seen Angelo, he hasn't been in class all-- SHARICE I know, heard he got beat up! RAMIRA Beat up? SHARICE Yea, think he got jumped by some dudes in Central Park, thinkin' it was those guys from that DJ party. GOONEY tol' me. RAMIRA drops the phone and runs out the door. CLOSE UP of the phone as it's laying on the floor. SHARICE (O.S.) Hello? Hello...you still there? EXT. harlem Sidewalk - night RAMIRA runs down the street a few blocks. RAMIRA and SHARICE running through the park looking. ANGELO lays on the ground weeping and bruised up. It's almost dark outside. He's bleeding heavily, through the mouth and nose, laying under a tree. RAMIRA Oh my God, Angelo! You okay? SHARICE You aight? ANGELO (muffled) No...I'm really hurt and sore. Where the hell are those guys, I'ma kill 'em! ANGELO tries to get up wanting to kill someone, flexing his muscles. RAMIRA Wait! Wait! Just relax. fade to: INT. NYC Hospital room - Night ANGELO is laying in the hospital bed, he's wearing a gown and has bandages where his cuts are. RAMIRA is by his left side holding his hand and really concerned. Her eyes are red from crying. SHARICE is standing, pacing back and forth, talking to herself. RAMIRA kisses ANGELO's hand. He smiles. LUCIANO comes rushing in the room. LUCIANO (sympathetic) What the hell happened to you? LUCIANO is tapping him on the face and he's a little bit angry. ANGELO kind of grumbles. SHARICE Um, Mista Rizzo, sir, Angelo got jumped by some gang from a show he had the other night. RAMIRA Yea, there was a big fight afterward between these two and-- LUCIANO You kids need to stay out of trouble, hear me! (beat) Everyone stares at LUCIANO. A close up of each face. SHARICE and Ramira Yes, sir. CUT-IN of RAMIRA's hands still rubbing ANGELO's left hand. RAMIRA Um,...you guys...I'd like to talk to Angelo alone please, if you don't mind. (beat) SHARICE and LUCIANO look at her. They both are hesitant to say anything. LUCIANO Okay, that's fine, I'ma head home, Sharice, you need a ride? SHARICE Um, no sir I-- LUCIANO (clears throat) Sharice, you need a ride? SHARICE Oh yea, yea! I'll see ya'll later, get well Angelo, seeya. ANGELO Thanks. SHARICE gives ANGELO some dap. LUCIANO and SHARICE walk out the door. It's quiet in the room. RAMIRA continues to stare at them till they walk out. RAMIRA (passionately) You okay buddy? ANGELO (smiles) Yea, I'm good, now that you're here. RAMIRA cracks a smile. RAMIRA (soft) You know, I'm sorry about the other night. ANGELO (soft) It's cool, I wasn't mad at all, just lookin' out for you, that's all. RAMIRA (smiling)(blushing) Thanks. RAMIRA kind of looks down and is hesitant. ANGELO (soft) Anything you wanna talk about? You can tell me. (beat) RAMIRA (sigh) Nah, I mean, just Enrique broke up with me and-- ANGELO Really? RAMIRA (depressed) Yea, I was in the corner store the other day, saw him kissing another girl. he walks back to where I am. I confronted him, we get into an arguement, he walks off and leaves. He's jealous because I hang with you all the time, and Sharice. He mad cause he feels I don't care about him and I think it's dumb, he's so self centered. ANGELO Doesn't surprise me, was waiting for you to see. So he acts like an ass and jealous 'cause you don't spend 100% of your focus on him and yet he fucks around with other girls? RAMIRA Pretty much. I was too blinded and dumb to realize it and not believe you. RAMIRA holds her head down. ANGELO Yea, you were. I would never hurt or lie to you, you know that right? RAMIRA I know. I'm sorry. It was just bothersome, and we been together for awhile too and was starting to really fall for him. (beat) ANGELO looks at RAMIRA being concerned. ANGELO (depressed) Yea, I know. Time passes and RAMIRA falls asleep in the hospital room in the chair. She wakes up, the clock reads 2am. RAMIRA wakes up and realizes the time. (beat) RAMIRA Oh man, I better get goin'. I'll see you tommorow. You gon' be okay? RAMIRA puts on her coat. ANGELO Yea, I will. Thanks. RAMIRA walks toward the door. She waves to ANGELO as she's leaving, closing it slowly, still watching ANGELO. He waves slowly and smiling. Her eyes start watering as she closes the door. Cut to: INT. RAMIRA'S bathroom - EVENING (next day) RAMIRA is brushing and combing her hair, she's rapping to herself. Room is messy. CLOSE UP of RAMIRA looking into the mirror, she's very tense looking. She brushes her teeth. fade to: INT. RAMIRA'S APARTMENT - morning (Next Day) RAMIRA is laying on her bed sleeping as time passes by. She misses time as it goes by, missing her first class in school. Her clock beeps and it's past 10 oclock. INT. ENGLISH CLASS - MORNING CUT-IN of SHARICE sitting in class, looking around, wondering where RAMIRA is. CUT BACK TO: RAMIRA Oh shit! RAMIRA's eyes open, sun beating on her face. She wakes up quickly and hops out of bed. Puts her clothes on, grabs her stuff and runs out the door. Cut to: EXT. HARLEM SIDEWALK - day RAMIRA's running fast down the street and holding her books with her bag on her back. Running through the back entrance of the school. Shot of a school official walking by. RAMIRA ducks down low and hides behind a wall breathing heavy. She creeps by and walks into class as the bell rings. The teacher doesn't notice. INT. ENGLISH CLASS - DAY This scene, both characters are whispering. SHARICE looks and notices RAMIRA coming in sneaky. (beat) SHARICE (whispering) Yo, where the hell you been? RAMIRA (sigh)(whispering) I overslept at the hospital last night and then overslept at home, didn't hear my alarm go off. (beat) SHARICE (whispering) Damn, that's crazy, was hopin' you were ok? RAMIRA (whispers) Yea, I'm good. Did the teacher say anything? SHARICE (whispers) Nah, you good. So tell me somethin'. RAMIRA (whispers) Uh-huh. SHARICE (whispers) I saw Enrique this mornin' talking about, I'm single blah, blah, blah. What's all that about? (beat) RAMIRA (whispers) Yea, I know. I'll tell you later. SHARICE has a confused look on her face. Sharice (whispers) Ah, I see. Did you finish that assignment from--. RAMIRA (whispers)(interrupts) AH, NO! I forgot to get it. RAMIRA puts her head down. SHARICE (whispers) Damn. RAMIRA (whispers) Oh well, I'm already failing this class so I don't care. Miss Smith (clears throat) Ladies in the back! SHARICE AND RAMIRA Sorry! (beat) RAMIRA (sigh)(whispers) I hate my life. SHARICE is shaking her head. RAMIRA puts her hands over her face. SHARICE (passionate)(whispering) You'll be alright girl, just keep ya head up aight! It could be worse. SHARICE rubs RAMIRA's back and comforts her. RAMIRA Thanks. SHARICE How about we go get something to eat after school aight? On me. RAMIRA Yea. Sounds good. cut to: EXT. harlem sidewalk - late afternoon RAMIRA and SHARICE walking down the street jay walking, they are talking amongst themselves. Cars honking, people cussing loudly. A taxi screeches it's tires almost hitting them. SHARICE Aye! Watch it stupid ass! Taxi driver (mumbling) (speaking in a foreign language) The TAXI DRIVER gives SHARICE the middle finger and drives off. SHARICE (to herself) Stupid! RAMIRA You wanna go to that little bistro right here? SHARICE Yea. EXT. bistro - late afternoon They sit down from across each other. The waitress brings them menus. (beat) RAMIRA Let's see, I'ma have some empanadas and some patata bravas, whatchu gettin'? SHARICE I don't know yet. Long as it looks good, I'ma eat it! RAMIRA (laughs) You're crazy! Bistro is small, not the best looking. Not that many people outside. SHARICE So, what's up with you and Enrique? (beat) She shrugs her shoulders. RAMIRA I dunno, we broke up. SHARICE Really? What happened? RAMIRA Was in the corner store the other day and saw him holdin' hands with some girl. SHARICE What? RAMIRA Yea, was hidin' behind an aisle in the back, I had my back turned and played it off. He came in the back to get something. I turned around and he was super shocked to see me. SHARICE Damn. RAMIRA I already knew. He hugged me and I pushed him off. I said who's that girl? He was all like, just a friend and I'm like wow, so you go and kiss on your friends and he brought up Angelo and we just got into it. So he left. (beat) SHARICE That's messed up. RAMIRA I know. RAMIRA and SHARICE walk out the bistro. They both get up and walk down the street. They bump into RENEE on the way. RAMIRA Hey Renee, what's -- RENEE accidentally bumps into SHARICE and RAMIRA out of nervousness. RENEE (nervous) Oh hey ya'll what's up? SHARICE Hey where-- RENEE Gotta go, see ya'll later! RENEE runs down the sidewalk and trips over a rock. SHARICE and RAMIRA look back. SHARICE (quietly) Damn, what's her problem? RAMIRA (shrugs shoulders) I dunno. Beats me. Ran into her in the hallway the other day, was acting the same way. They continue walking on their way down the street, talking amongst themselves. Cut to: EXT. ramira's job - evening RAMIRA is seen stocking the fruit baskets and rapping to herself. It's quite busy at her job. RAMIRA is moving in a slow manner. She spots ENRIQUE and that girl from afar. She stands there and stares at them. RAMIRA has a sad look on her face. (beat) JImmy (agitated) Miss Menendez, hurry up, got customers waiting! RAMIRA Sorry Jimmy, I'll get it. RAMIRA runs over to the cash register and rings everyone up. RAMIRA Will that that be all sir? Customer #1 Yea, yea! RAMIRA Have a nice day ma'am. The second customer leaves and doesn't say anything. Q Hey, I got this, you finish stockin'. RAMIRA Thanks. RAMIRA continues stocking the baskets and spots ANGELO walking. They make eye contact. They both smile. He walks over to her with sunglasses on. ANGELO How's it going? RAMIRA (sigh) Not much, you feelin' ok? ANGELO Yea, I got a slight bruise on my rib cage and eye. He takes his shades off and it's a slight black eye. RAMIRA Ouch! Put the shades back on. ANGELO (laughs) JIMMY (interrupting)(yelling) Ramira! RAMIRA turns around and looks at her manager. JIMMY (yelling) We have customers waiting, get to work, this ain't time for pity pat! (beat) Different shots of the customer stopping and staring. ANGELO (rushing) Well, I'll seeya. RAMIRA (nervous)(rushing) Seeya. RAMIRA has her head low, and embarrassed. RAMIRA Man, why does Jimmy always give me such a hard time man? q (laughs) Maybe because you give him a reason too! RAMIRA (sigh) I dunno. q Maybe if you quit bullshittin', he wouldn't be on ya. RAMIRA (agitated) Damn Q, why you always in my shit?! Q just shakes his head. Cut to: EXT. Harlem ally - midnight RAMIRA and ANGELO running around outside laughing and giggling. Camera running behind them shaking, they are in allies and both have spray cans, spraying their names on walls vandalising buildings. RAMIRA has a snapback hat on backward with her hair down. It's hard to make out RAMIRA and ANGELO since the camera is going haywire. The scene is greenish and dark, as the moonlight flashes on them. Background music is (Cypress Hill - I ain't goin' out like that). They smash against the wall and hug each other. ANGELO (laughing) Oh man, look at that shit! RAMIRA Sick! Not bad for a couple a toys, huh? ANGELO Yea, not b-- Sounds of a can rustling. (long beat) Fear runs across RAMIRA, ANGELO and SHARICE's faces. Loud footsteps of someone. ANGELO (whispering) What was that? Main music fades out. RAMIRA (scared)(whispering) I dunno. Sounds of someone walking. RAMIRA walks out to see who it is. She bumps into JAZZY O. JAZZY O What the-- (beat) JAZZY O The hell ya'll maggots doin'? RAMIRA Move Jazz! She blocks RAMIRA from passing through. RAMIRA Move bitch! JAZZY O raises the back of her hand and slaps RAMIRA down and she is bleeding pretty badly on the ground. SHARICE What the f--! RAMIRA gets up and chucks a can at JAZZY O's head. jazzy o AH! Bitch, what the f-- RAMIRA gets up and takes a swing at JAZZY O, punching and hitting her badly. The two brawl, while police cars sirens are on, they all dart out of the way running. SHARICE gets up and starts running with RAMIRA and ANGELO, they both climb a fence. CUT-IN of JAZZY O running the opposite way, and gets chased by the police cruiser. JAZZY O Oh, shit! JAZZY O misses the officer and is in a side alley. CUT-IN of RAMIRA, ANGELO and SHARICE running down an alley, they see flashing police lights and dodge down a trespassing entrance and jump it, SHARICE slips and falls, camera running behind them. CUT-IN of JAZZY O bleeding from her nose, lip cut. CUT-IN of SHARICE, ANGELO and RAMIRA running into an abandoned building, door busted open and tripping on gravel, cutting her hand. Sharice Ramira! RAMIRA (agony) AHH! ANGELO Here, lemme help you. ANGELO takes out his bandana ties it around RAMIRA to keep the blood in. SHARICE Damn Jazz! Sounds of police cars going by slowly. Everyone is dead quiet. Not making a peep. The cars park on the side. Sounds of officers getting out of their cars. Lights flashing. Everyone is sweating and nervous, looking around. Officer #1 Saw them go in there. Flashlights flashing in warehouse. Poverty stricken, run down, no one in sight. OFFICER #2 I don't see anyone. INT. Lady El's ROOM - midnight LADY EL sitting on a couch with her other home girls, CHANELLE FOXX, SHEISTY, LUCIOUS and ACE. Run down apartment, poverty, weed smoke, music being played on the boombox. CLOSE ON FREESTYLE LADY EL raps about 1. Weed 2. Her crew 3. Beating up Ramira Everyone laughs and gives her dap. LADY EL Man, where the hell Jazzy at? LADY EL and her crew sitting on the run down couch, smoking weed and laughing, passing the joint around. Front door busts open. JAZZY O comes in with a bloody nose. LADY EL What the-- SHEISTY What happened to you? jazzy o (struggling)(breathing) Ran into Ramira...and her two side bitches. CHANELLE FOXX Huh? JAZZY O (out of breath) Yea, ran into her on the block...got in a fight. She chucked a can at me. (beat) Camera panning everyone in the room, from left to right. Everyone is shocked and perked up. LADY EL Yo, where they at? JAZZY O I dunno, must a ran...saw some cops and darted. CUT-IN of RAMIRA, ANGELO and SHARICE. SHARICE Whoo, that was so close, thought they had us. (beat) SHARICE (sympathetic) You okay girl...? RAMIRA Yea, yea, I'm good. Seems to stop bleeding. ANGELO Yea, it did stop. RAMIRA gets up feeling light headed. RAMIRA Yo, we should get outta here, before we get caught again. CUT-IN of LADY EL's Room. SHEISTY Shit is crazy yo! SHEISTY takes a hit of the joint. CUT-IN of wheels rolling really fast. SKATER dodging traffic and people, riding by RAMIRA, hitting her accidentally. She falls to the ground, and gets dirty. It's damp outside and dark, as well as chilly. SKATER helps RAMIRA up. skater Aye, sorry 'bout that. RAMIRA Ah, it's cool. SKATER helps RAMIRA up and brushes the debri off. RAMIRA Ouch. skater You ok? RAMIRA Yea, I'm good. Thanks. cut-to: INT. lady el's bedroom - late night The next two scenes go back and forth. LADY EL I need to record this demo real soon. Ace I know this dude where we can get some studio time. CUT BACK TO: RAMIRA has her walkman on, on the subway to the Dominion. She's bobbing her head to a rustic beat. Someone is staring at her. She stares back and they look away. Emotional beat playing in the background. cut-to: EXT. Dominion - night RAMIRA is outside of the Dominion, and she's staring at the sign from her POV, blinking red letters. The sign is chipping, run down, only but a few letters light up. No one in sight. A very run down spot in the South Bronx. POV of the sign. RAMIRA walks in and opens the door. She has dirt on her hand from the door. Wipes it on her clothes. Rats and mice in the hallway. It's semi-dark, graffiti scrawls everywhere. RAMIRA walks down the hallway and into the corridor, it's very quiet in there. She walks into the place where there's the stage. Walking slowly not knowing where to exactly go.
Copyright © 2013 Melissa M Cook |