The Dominion (6)
Just listen. RAMIRA plays the tape. GOONEY Whoa, that's sick! So uh, I guess you took my advice and recordin' right? RAMIRA Yea, yea, it's a diss track to Lady El, just somethin' fun. Went to a free rec-- GOONEY Yo I heard you busted her ear open last night. (beat) RAMIRA Who told you? GOONEY Sharice. RAMIRA Oh. RAMIRA looks down. GOONEY What's wrong? RAMIRA Oh, nothin'. GOONEY looks confused. RAMIRA I'ma go head and go though. Just wanted to show you right quick. INT. girl's bathroom - day SHARICE walks in the bathroom, puts on lip gloss and fixes her hair. RAMIRA walks in and pauses. SHARICE doesn't pay any attention. Ignores. RAMIRA Hey. SHARICE Hey. RAMIRA How're you? SHARICE Good. You? RAMIRA Good. Made a demo tape. SHARICE That's nice. (long beat) RAMIRA (sigh) Reese, I'm sorry 'bout the otha day. Didn't mean it like that-- SHARICE doesn't make eye contact. RAMIRA (cont) Was just mad. SHARICE hugs her tight. Catches her off guard. SHARICE It's cool, don't worry 'bout it girl. I apologize too. We cool? RAMIRA Yea, thanks. Aye look made a tape, at that studio. Just feel this is my only way. SHARICE Whatchu mean? (beat) RAMIRA Fired from my job the other day. SHARICE Really? RAMIRA Yea, like I'm serious now! Like I'ma go out and do it! SHARICE That's what I'm talkin' bout! RAMIRA I feel this is my only way out, my only choice out this shit hole. From work, to family to school. This is all I have. RAMIRA pulls out her mini boombox and plays it outloud. CUT TO: Bathroom stall. SHEISTY, she overhears the tape outloud. She sits on the toilet smirking, listening. CUT BACK TO: SHARICE Oh damn, that's sick! RAMIRA Thanks, same thing Ramone and Gooney said. SHEISTY comes out the stall, washing hands. sheisty Aye, who is that? RAMIRA Oh, uh, that's me. SHEISTY Really, that's dope. (beat) RAMIRA and SHARICE look at each other. RAMIRA Thanks. SHEISTY I know this dude who works at the radio, he does this thing called, "Underground Airplay", and airs indie or unsigned artists songs. RAMIRA Oh really? SHEISTY Yea. Sometimes he has artists get on the radio and does a freestyle. Good promotion if you tryna get your name out there. RAMIRA looks at SHARICE. RAMIRA Cool. I'm in. SHEISTY Aight, I'ma let 'em know. SHEISTY grabs the tape and smirks as she's leaving. EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE - NIGHT GOONEY, RAMIRA, SHARICE and ANGELO are all outside this abandoned house. This building is run down. Beat, scary, windows broken. SHARICE Man, I can't believe this house still standin'. GOONEY I heard someone died in there. SHARICE Nigga, ain't nobody died in there. GOONEY Wanna bet? Also heard some dude got raped in there by another dude. (beat) SHARICE just looks at GOONEY. RAMIRA just laughs. ANGELO looks at RAMIRA up and down. Everyone bursts out laughing, pushing GOONEY around. int. abandoned house - night Everyone goes in and destroys the house. They take spray cans and spray paint graffiti all inside, busting windows, throwing things. Laughs and giggles all through out. We hear the music building intensity. Scene is going haywire, fast motion. Couches and furniture being thrown around, kids cussing for a moment. There's flashing lights and sirens. Everyone stops and stares. Everyone rushes out. GOONEY's foot gets stuck. GOONEY Shit ya'll, I'm stuck. ANGELO It's 5-0, everybody out! RAMIRA Wait! Gotta get Goons! RAMIRA helps him out. police Hey, who the hell's in here? Everyone darts out the way and exits out the back door. POLICE Hey, they were just here. SHARICE RUN! EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - NIGHT The gang runs and ends up being in the park near the basketball court. They goof around. Main music fades out. RAMIRA and ANGELO sit on a park bench while GOONEY and SHARICE run around chasing each other. ANGELO Hey. RAMIRA Hey. RAMIRA and ANGELO are nervous. He rubs his head. ANGELO How's everything? RAMIRA Good. How's everything with you? ANGELO Good. (beat) ANGELO Um, about that kiss the other night. RAMIRA I know, I wasn't expecting it. ANGELO I know, um, I'm sorry if I uh, came onto you too fast, couldn't help it. RAMIRA No, no, uh, don't be I really liked it a lot actually. ANGELO Really? RAMIRA Yea, um, you know I hope it doesn't make anything between us awkward? ANGELO No, you crazy. You'll always be my best friend. RAMIRA smiles. GOONEY and SHARICE goof around and act a fool. RAMIRA Same here. RAMIRA Oh yea, I got free studio time. ANGELO Really? How? RAMIRA Was here with Sharice and this studio owner approached me to record some stuff after he heard me spit. This girl at school said she can get my shit played on the radio too, called 'Underground Airplay'. ANGELO Oh word, that's dope. Happy for you. Never heard of 'Underground Airplay'. RAMIRA Me either, must be somethin' new. They hug. CUT TO: BOOG's basement. The gang goes downstairs and set up. Weed smoke fills the room. They talk shit. SHEISTY walks downstairs. SHEISTY Aye look. LADY EL Aye, sup? LUCIOUS 'Sup. SHEISTY (laughing) I gotta surprise for ya'll. CANO CREW Surprise? LADY EL What is it? SHEISTY Just listen. SHEISTY plays RAMIRA's record and the diss track to the CANO CREW. The look on LADY EL's face looks like she wants to fight. Teeth clenched. Everyone looks stunned. SHEISTY Ramira "aka" Uniq. I was in the bathroom stall and overheard her and Sharice talkin' and they played the record. LADY EL And-- SHEISTY And, I lied and said I'd take this tape to the radio and let them play it. CHANELLE FOXX laughs. LADY EL Damn! CUT TO: INT. ramira's living room - night RAMIRA enters the door and CARLOS is sitting on the couch eating an apple in his boxers and wife beater. RAMIRA doesn't say anything. She's washing dishes. He continues to watch her. rico So, what's up baby? Why you always so quiet when I'm around? RAMIRA doesn't turn around. (beat) rico What's wrong, say somethin'? RAMIRA Where's my mom? rico She's out, she'll be back. Just you and me right now baby. CARLOS gets up and walks over to RAMIRA. He walks behind her and touches her hair. rico Mmm, smells good. RAMIRA Look get off a me you pervert! She knock's the apple out of RICO's hand. rico What's wrong? RAMIRA I said get the fuck off a me, you fuckin' pervert! CARLOS grabs her and RAMIRA smacks him as soon as CARMEN walks in. (long beat) carmen What the hell? CARMEN comes back with groceries. She's stunned at what she's seeing. carmen (yelling) What the hell is goin' on? RAMIRA Mom, it's not what it looks like. He kept touchin' and grabbin' me! rico No I didn't. I asked her a question ans she slaps me for no reason! CARMEN looks at both of them. RAMIRA (tears) You really gonna believe him mom? carmen Get out. RAMIRA Mom. CARMEN I said get the fuck out! (beat) RAMIRA walks out not saying a word. INT. sharice's room - night RAMIRA knocks on the door. SHARICE Hey girl, sup?. RAMIRA Um, nothin'. Can I stay the night? SHARICE Yea, I don't think my parents'll mind. What happened? RAMIRA Mom kicked me out. SHARICE What? RAMIRA Yea, her boyfriend kept touchin' me, I slapped him when mom came in. She didn't believe me and she kicked me out. SHARICE Oh geez! RAMIRA has a scared look on her face. Her and SHARICE go to bed and RAMIRA sleeps on her couch. fade out: EXT. sidewalk - evening It's raining heavy. RAMIRA runs and spots SHEISTY walking down the street. She's walking fast and turns a corner. She notices RAMIRA after her. She walks faster. RAMIRA Hey, Sheist. She grabs her shoulder. RAMIRA Hey, did you give my tape to that guy? sheisty Nah, not yet. RAMIRA Well? SHEISTY keeps walking, trying to get away from RAMIRA. SHEISTY Well what? RAMIRA So when you gon' do it? You promised me remember? SHEISTY Promised? I ain't promise you nothin', I said I'd do it-- (beat) SHEISTY (cont) Look, I been busy lately, aight? RAMIRA If you can't do it, could I have my tape back! SHEISTY Look, meet me at the court tonight and I give you ya tape back. RAMIRA Oh, ok, yea. I be there! SHEISTY starts walking faster and jogging. RAMIRA just stares. RAMIRA runs the opposite direction. INT. RAMIRA'S BEDROOM - MORNING RAMIRA awakens from the sun. She's getting up to go to the kitchen. She see's RICO laying on the couch. He awakens. RAMIRA doesn't notice. RICO awakens slowly and puts a knife to RAMIRA's neck. RICO Mmm, you smell so good. Been wanting to do this for awhile. He unbuckles his belt and pants. RAMIRA knocks the knife out of his hands quickly. RAMIRA What the fuck yo? The knife falls to the floor. They start pushing and shoving. They brawl. RAMIRA pushes RICO. CARLOS grabs RAMIRA. RAMIRA AH! Get off of me you sick bastard! RAMIRA starts crying and screaming. CARMEN is awaken by this and come's rushing out of the room. CARMEN (yelling) Hey, hey, what the fucks goin' on in here?! RAMIRA (yelling) Mom, help! He's trying to rape me. He put a knife to me! CARMEN grabs CARLOS and he smacks CARMEN. She falls to the ground leaving her a cut lip. She touches her lip, it's bleeding. RAMIRA Look! Don't fuckin' touch my mother like that bitch! RAMIRA picks up a knife and threatens RICO. carlos (to Carmen) You're such a fuckin' joke, Such a good for nothin' bitch! You're worthless! RAMIRA beats RICO, kicks him in the nuts. CARMEN gets up. She's crying. Stressed. Bleeding. Black eye. She's very stern. CARMEN (yelling) I loved you, I was everything and you wanna come in here and touch my daughter? You sick bastard, sick, sick bastard! CARMEN takes a pot of boiling beans and throws it on RICO. He stings and burns. RICO (screams) AHHH! He dashes out of the door and doesn't come back. (long beat) RAMIRA looks at CARMEN and they run over and hug each other tight on the floor. They're both crying. CARMEN I'm sorry baby. I really am. (beat) RAMIRA (breathing hard) It's ok mom. CARMEN I love you. CARMEN kisses RAMIRA on the forehead. RAMIRA I love you too. fade to: EXT. basketball court - night RAMIRA sits on a park bench waiting for SHEISTY. CUT TO: INT. CAR: SHEISTY (to Lady El) Aye, there she go right there. CUT BACK TO: The CANO CREW pull's up in a car slowly, bumping music. RAMIRA lifts up her head and doesn't realize it's them. They all get out of the car. RAMIRA's stunned. LADY EL 'sup bitch, ready to get ya wig split? CANO CREW justs laughs. RAMIRA stands there stiff. LADY EL Guess what I have? Sheisty told us you'd be here. LADY EL flashes RAMIRA's tape in her face. RAMIRA tries to grab it. RAMIRA (yelling) You set me up Sheist! SHEISTY just stands there looking scared. CHANELLE FOXX We heard the shit you spit about us ho. LADY EL Yea, and we aint' like it. LADY EL smacks RAMIRA to the ground. She falls hard. Her nose is bleeding. They laugh. JAZZY O kicks her, so do the other members. They grab her and drag her. SHEISTY sits back smirking, crossing her arms. They put her on top of a car and beat her. LADY EL keeps beating her. SHEISTY steps in. SHEISTY Ok, ok, guys stop it, let her live, let her live! They look at her and slowly pull away. LADY EL spits on her as they leave. They get in the car and drive away while leaving her on the ground. RAMIRA coughs and in serious agony. cut to: INT. gooney's basement - night Smoking, drinking. Music. Laughter. Everyone sits around. RAMIRA walks in. GOONEY Sup Ram-- ooh damn, the fuck happened to you? SHARICE Oh shit, lemme see. RAMIRA I got jumped and set up! SHARICE Set up? RAMIRA Sheisty ass. She's not to be trusted. GOONEY For real? The one who said she'd get your tape on air? RAMIRA Yea, she lied and said she was gon' give it to the radio, but instead she fucks with the Cano Crew on the low and she gave it to them to let Lady El hear. (beat) SHARICE Damn, that's some shit though. RAMIRA Yea. Neva trust a person who calls them self Sheisty. cut to: INT. RAMIRA'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT She grabs her stuff and gets ready for the battle. She's tense. Not saying much. She has a band aid on her cheek. RAMIRA Mom, I'ma be out tonight. CARMEN Where you goin'? RAMIRA Sharice's. Mom smokes a cigarette. CARMEN What happened to you? RAMIRA Nothin'. CARMEN Baby, what happened? RAMIRA Mom! Nothin', don't worry 'bout it ok? CARMEN takes a big hit of cigarette. RAMIRA leaves. RAMIRA (attitude) I'll be back. cut to: INT. city bus - night Dark. No one really on the bus. RAMIRA is tense, doesn't say anything or blink. Fists balled up tight. Feet shaking. She stares and focused. EXT. DOMINION - NIGHT Battle night. The bus arrives in the South Bronx. RAMIRA gets off. She stares at the sign. Red letters blinking. DOMINION. Some people shoulder bump her and people are rushing in. She enters. She goes to the bathroom before the show. Green. Hazy. She looks sick, sweating. SHARICE enters. RAMIRA walks out. SHARICE You ready? RAMIRA I think. SHARICE You think? RAMIRA I'm ready. (beat) RAMIRA and SHARICE are face to face tense. SHARICE grabs RAMIRA's shoulders. SHARICE Now I want you to fuckin' murder them tonight, shut this shit down aight? Rap like you ain't rap before. RAMIRA Yea. SHARICE Ok, let's do it. They give each other dap. INT. dominion stage - night Blarring lights. Grungy. Ghetto. Music blarring loud. Screams of the crowd. DJ scratching some beats. HOST Aight aight ya'll! It's goin' down tonight. We got Uniq and Crazy Ace up to battle first. RAMIRA gets up on stage. Scared, shook. Shots of the crowd booing. Crowd member Who the fuck is this bitch? She spots the CANO CREW on the other side. JORGE, SHEISTY in the crowd, smirking. SHARICE, ANGELO and GOONEY all in the audience watching. DJ cuts the track and the beat drops. CRAZY ACE goes first. Lame, wack, crowd boo's. RAMIRA aka UNIQ goes up next. Crowd goes nuts, she's sick. CROWD cheers. She's shocked. She advances to the next round. HOST Aight, looks like Uniq advances on to Mook in round 2. 2nd Battle, a guy. He's wack, lame horrible. RAMIRA battles and she's killing it. 3rd Battle, LADY EL, CROWD quiets down. Bandage on her ear. RAMIRA has a bandage on her cheek They stare, LADY EL rips it, kills it. RAMIRA battles, sicker. LADY EL pushes RAMIRA. CROWD is speechless. She walks and RAMIRA is stunned. CROWD cheers. Her crew runs on stage, lifts her up. Chants champion. EXT. DOMINION - NIGHT Everyone exits. RAMIRA walks out. SHARICE Aye, you fuckin' killed that shit girl. Proud a you! RAMIRA Thanks. GOONEY Yo, you smashed on 'em! GOONEY hugs RAMIRA. They hug. RAMIRA walks and caught by ANGELO. ANGELO Hey, can we talk? RAMIRA Yea. ANGELO You fuckin' smashed it tonight! RAMIRA Thanks. (beat) They walk in a private area. ANGELO Um, I was wondering, like we been friends since we were little and I love you more than a friend. RAMIRA So do I. I have feelings, ever since we were little, was just too afraid to say anything. ANGELO Me too. ANGELO kisses RAMIRA. They make out in the middle of the street. SHARICE stares and is stunned. SHARICE What?! Didn't know ya'll liked each other like that! SHARICE stands there looking and smiling. GOONEY comes up and kisses SHARICE without noticing. SHARICE Hey, what the hell Goon? ANGELO and RAMIRA laugh. They hold hands, walk off and talk. ANGELO I love you. RAMIRA I love you too. fade to: EXT. park - day Following line appears over a black screen. 10 years later. RAMIRA and ANGELO are walking in the park, sitting on a bench, reminiscing on when they were teens. RAMIRA Remember back when we were teens and would always go in that abandoned house and be reckless? ANGELO Yea, good times and the first time we kissed and it was to Bonita Applebum? RAMIRA Yea, I miss that song. (beat) They're daughter playing in the park on the playground. They smile and reminisce. RAMIRA Come on Reyna. REYNA comes running. ANGELO picks her up. He kisses her. ANGELO and RAMIRA both kiss. fade out Following line appears one line at a time. RAMIRA and ANGELO are now married with a daughter living in the upper East Side of Manhattan. RAMIRA is a full time radio DJ. RAMIRA works for a radio station. ANGELO is a full time DJ and also works as an editor for a Hip-Hop magazine. SHARICE graduated from Columbia University, pursuing her career as an actress, engaged. GOONEY is pursuing his career as a music producer. CARMEN quit drugs and went to rehab. She now works as a factory worker. Her and RAMIRA are on good terms. LADY EL and the CANO CREW split up. LADY EL got 3 years jail time. CHANELLE FOXX and JAZZY O quit the gang lifestyle, and pursuing careers as secretaries. fade out
Copyright © 2013 Melissa M Cook |