Final Draft 8 Demo

AS THICK AS INK Written by Diana Valerie Dellacava

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

MEDST-287 Professor McCleave Writing Short Films

EXT-SPRING DAY- BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD. Urban music plays and the walls are covered with graffiti, pit bulls have turned a children's playground into a doggie park. Theres a grocery store down the block. VANESSA walks in wearing a white summer dress with short sleeves and pink flip-flops, her hair is long and wavy; she is tall and slender with a full face. INT-GROCERY STORE.

The music is replaced by low-key Arabic tunes. JAMAD is tall, slim, middle eastern. He has kind eyes. He sees Vanessa and a wide smile stretches beneath his thin black mustache which is neatly kept. VANESSA ( waving) Hi Jay! JAMAD Hi sweetie how are you, you want coffee, two equal?

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

JAMAD (returning to his duties) That's good honey , enjoy AT THE END OF A PRODUCT ROW- CONTINUOUS. TAYLOR stands near the sweets. He wears headphones and a wifebeater. His face is covered at intervals as he moves boxes onto a shelf. A tatoo on his muscled arm is obscured in its entirety if not for the one V that is discernible. Vanessa holds a diet soda and chips. She moves toward the sweets, upon spotting him she turns toward the counter and places the items quickly down. She skips the sweets near the man upon spotting him, instead, she rushes to the counter placing the items on it immediately after. Ok, ready? JAMAD

VANESSA (inspecting the chips' rack) No, I have the day off Im heading upstairs to watch a movie

Final Draft 8 Demo

2. VANESSA (handing him a bill)

Yup!

(grabbing the food) Don't need a bag, thanks JAMAD (handing her change) Ok sweetie take care EXT-STREET

Vanessa walks briskly toward her apartment. When she arrives at her building door pauses to take a deep breath and insert the key into the doorknob. INT-HALLWAY FIRST FLOOR. THERE ARE STAIRS. Vanessa makes her way up and opens her apartment door. A small kitchen can be seen upon entering. Theres a closed door to the left from where music streams. To the right, a short hallway splits. Straight an ajar door reveals part of a neatly arranged bed spread, where a book an glasses lay. Theres room to walk left.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

VANESSA (entering) Jordieee... (entering the kitchen) Hellooo?

Vanessa arranges the snacks and dances. We hear a loud flush. Vanessa sticks her head into the hall way. Jordie? VANESSA (CONTD)

INT-HALLWAY-CONTINUOUS

She walks toward the open room, still holding the popcorn bowl. Theres another door to the left, she notices a sweatshirt on the ground and a cap beaded with rhinestones in the shape of a skull. She rolls her eyes. The door opens, CHARLIE emerges slams the door and when he sees Vanessa jumps in surprise. CHARLIE Holy shit, sup shortie!

Final Draft 8 Demo

Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) VANESSA What are you doing here?

3.

Charlie dries his hand on the side of his pants, grabs a handful of popcorn, stuffs it into his mouth, then motions to hug her, she pulls away with a disgusted expression. VANESSA (CONTD) What are you doing here, get out *

Final Draft 8 Demo

VANESSA (agitated) Well Im off today, so get out and pick up your junk off the floor CHARLIE Yo chill sis, I was leaving anyway VANESSA Yeah, shouldnt you be greasing up some tires or something?

CHARLIE (jokingly) Wassap wassap! No love for your future bro...I always come on Friday's

Charlie picks up his sweatshirt and hat and motions to take another handful of poped corn. Vanessa pulls the bowl away and walks to the door, opens it and motions to him with her head to get out He walks over CHARLIE I'm an enter-pernurs, I come in when I want son! VANESSA (mockingly) You mean and entrepreneur

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

He leaves. Vanessa slams the door after him. Pulls out a DVD from her purse, the funny cover calms her down. She winces her face with her hands and shoves the DVD halfway into her dress. Clumsily, she carries the snacks and goes into the bedroom.

CHARLIE Thats what I just said woman, you need to take a nap or somethin (screaming) Catch you later J

Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) INT-BEDROOM

4.

JORDIE Is in her late teens. She is short and athletic with long straight hair and dimples; wears funny boxers, a sports bra and thick rubber flip-flops. She sits on the floor inspecting a swollen arm. (VANESSA (CONTD) O my gosh! What happened? *

Final Draft 8 Demo

Vanessa puts the snacks on the table quickly, the DVD falls out and some popped corn jumps off the bowl as she goes shuffles to Jordie, kneeling beside in front of her. VANESSA Let me see! JORDIE Dont be mad Jordie reveals her arm. We se the name Charlie tattooed in her arm, ink still wet. Vanessa grabs her by the arms

JORDIE (covering her arm) Nothing, I'm fine

Final Draft 8 Demo

VANESSA You got a tattoo? What the hell Jordie JORDIE (wincing) let go of me! VANESSA How dare you do this to me, you should know better. Yesterday she couldn't decide what movie to watch and now you shows up at their house with freaking tattoo. (letting go) Are you kidding me right now? JORDIE Calm down V (wiping her face) I'm not you

Final Draft 8 Demo

VANESSA Exactly you are not me so you should not repeat my mistakes.

Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) JORDIE (angrily) No Vanessa, I mean: Im not YOU!Just because you and Taylor didnt work out doesnt mean me and Charlie are not forever. I wanted to get a tatoo, so what? (louder) Plus, Im 18 years old, I can do what I want!

5. * * *

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

Vanessa stands up, her height dominates Jordie more than usual. She looks up at her, wiping off tears, a perplexed look appears on Jordies brow... VANESSA (CONTD) (lowering her voice) Do- not-come to me for help Vanessa waits, eyes unblinking, her face is stern and slightly menacing. Jordie looks up at her incredulously; She puts her hands around her waist and her former tears seem as dry as her the feelings. Jodie looks down at Vanessas perfectly pedicured feet searching for words but finds none in the creamy enamel. Vanessa makes for the door.

VANESSA Oh reeeally... Is that what you think? Well, allow me to lay it ut for you. (suddenly screaming) Charlie is gonna dump you before that ink is dry and then you are gonna come running to me crying like every time you guys fight except this time the damage is permanent... (tears of anger dripping down her cheeks) ...and then, what are you gonna do when you finally breaks up You better start saving now if you wanna get it removed by the time you are fifty! And guess what , you think you are so brave and old? Then you are gonna be dealing with it by your damn self.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Wait V JORDIE

Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) VANESSA (pausing) You could have at least told meYou tell me everything

6.

Vanessa slams the door behind her. Jordie gets up from the floor and goes to the mirror. INT-BATHROOM/INT-BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS Vanessa and Jordie cry for a while. INT-BATHROOM Vanessa stares at the mirror, pulls her dress sleeve up INT-BEDROOM Its covered with old pictures of Jordie and Vanessa and new ones of Jordie and Charlie Jordie stares at the mirror, and examines some picture frames. Her phone is on the bed vibrating; the screen shows Charlie Calling. She notices but doesnt answer. INT-BATHROOM

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

Vanessa examines the name Taylor tattooed on her arm, the ink slightly discolored. INT-BEDROOM Jordie looks at her tattoo and smiles sweetly. She takes the cell phone, texts something, slowly puts petroleum jelly on her arm. INT-BUILDING HALLWAY TO STAIRS Vanessa descends the stairs, keys in hand, and exits the building to INT-BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS Jordie lays out an outfit on the bed. The greased black ink shines brightly on her fair complexion.

Final Draft 8 Demo

7. EXT-LATE AFTERNOON STREET. Vanessa walks angrily away and eventually past the playground we saw in the first scene. EXT-PLAYGROUND. A group of men in wife-beaters and T-shirts play basketball. Vanessa spots the man she saw in the grocery store earlier. She pauses for a millisecond, willing her body to keep walking but their eyes already met. The man misses his shot, then walks toward her. Upon reaching her, his tattoo is fully exposed; it spells Vanessa.

Final Draft 8 Demo

TAYLOR (looking at her up and down) Sup V? I see you are still looking fiiine VANESSA (blushing) Hey... (turning stern) When did you get back?, I thought you moved for good

Final Draft 8 Demo

TAYLOR I came down to be with the old lady you know. VANESSA (frowning pensively) Umm, I see. So you are just visiting TAYLOR Nah, Florida is cool an all, but its too hot!, An those damn lizards are out to get you.

Taylor laughs and Vanessa gives a stifled laugh. Her body finally relaxes but the players are getting inpatient. They seem bored and are now signalling him to hurry. TAYLOR (CONTD) (looking back at the players) Relax, give me a minute yo! VANESSA Its ok, go

Final Draft 8 Demo

8. TAYLOR Wanna hang out later?, Ill pick you up VANESSA (rolling her eyes) Dont you think we are too old to share a bike? TAYLOR I bought a car in Florida...I drove that shit down here. So you down? I just gotta pick it up at Charlies shop VANESSA You mean Mannys shop TAYLOR Nah, Charlie bought it off of him. I think today its the re-opening or some shit. My mans gonna have his name on the sign and whatever. VANESSA Where did he get money from?

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

TAYLOR Hes been saving from all the time hes been working at the shop, I think Manny is gonna get a cut still for some years though. Waitup...isnt he dating J, why dont you know? VANESSA Never mind that. I gotta go She walks back in the direction she came. Taylor watches her go for a moment with a look of regret. He returns to his friends who welcome him with sighs of exasperation, cheers, boos, and laughter, whistles and laughter.

Final Draft 8 Demo

TAYLOR (smiling) C'mon losers, you know you cant beat my lay up shot.

EXT-BUILDING FRONT-EARLY EVENING Theres a taxi waiting. Vanessa arrives, sees Jordie and smiles. She is all dressed up. She watches Jordie walk toward the taxi.

9. VANESSA (intercepting) Hey, wait a sec... (to the driver) Its ok, we have to wait for someone, you can go thanks! Taxi leaves, we can hear the drive cursing. They stand, staring at each other for a moment that seems to last forever.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Movie? JORDIE Cant, Im going to Charlies grand opening VANESSA Yeah, I heard... how come you didnt tell me? JORDIES Well, because you are always criticizing him. He can do no right by you, even when he went back to school you had something bad to say. VANESSA (looking at her mockingly) It was mechanic school. You got a scholarship to Forham. Jordie smacks the side of her bare leg loudly, and scoffs. She pulls out her cellphone and begins to dial. JORDIE Im calling another cab, good bye! VANESSA (grabbing the phone) Ok, ok...Im sorry. Fine, he has changed, fine. Im sorry. And you are right, you are old enough to make your own choice. Just promise me you are gonna start telling me things again. you know Im just looking out for you. JORDIES Promise you wont get crazy?

VANESSA (CONTD)

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) VANESSA

10.

Ill try

Jordie opens her eyes wide and puts a hand on her right hip, her left foot taps the ground repeatedly. VANESSA (CONTD) Fiiiiine. I promise! Vanessa puts her arm around her, laughing, and pulls her toward the building. Jordie gives her an adamant look but her mouth seems to be suppressing a laugh. *

Final Draft 8 Demo

VANESSA (CONTD) Come on, lets have a couple of shots in honor of this master piece of a tatoo. So original JORDIE (shaking her head) What ever, at least mine is nice and bright, (laughing) Yours is all faded and wrinkly

Final Draft 8 Demo

They both laugh. * *

VANESSA No is not! Fine, dont ask me to help you cover it when auntie Leila comes over to visit. Yeah, you. Youll be needing my expert advice.

Final Draft 8 Demo