Danielle+Townsend+and+Daniel+Yi

INT. KITCHEN-DAY A distraught mother sits at her kitchen table twiddling a Transformers action figure between her fingers. She then lifts her gaze and begins to stare intently outside her window at her young boy playing alone with his Barbie dolls by the fence in the backyard.  JEANETTE Sonia! Jeanette is leaning over towards her with a cup of coffee. SONIA Oh! Uh, thanks. Sonia takes the cup of coffee from her, takes a sip and continues to look out the window. Jeanette takes a seat at the table in front of Sonia and, she too, begins to look outside at her nephew. JEANETTE Look, maybe this is just a phase. Who knows? SONIA I know but what if it’s not? What if this is who he really is? JEANETTE Ok so he was playing with some Barbie dolls! Who cares? Nobody questions Sophie for playing sport known to man. What’s the big deal? SONIA Ugh! It’s gonna be different. Kids are gonna tease him and I'm not gonna know what to do to make him feel ok. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">You know what to do, you’re his mother. Just support him and talk to him. Ask him why he likes to play with Barbies and dress up. And besides I read in the New York Times that they interviewed this guy named Girard Jones; he specializes in kids and media. Anyway he was sayin that through play and fantasy kids are giving themselves the chance to face risks and confront adult values. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;"> Facing adult issues at 8 years old?! He can’t even go to see a Rated-R movie by himself! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">But- <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE (O.S.) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MOM?! Aunt Jeanette?! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Hey honey! How are you? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sophie appears in the kitchen and gives them hugs. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I’m good. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">She walks over to the cabinet, opens it and pulls out the pack of Oreos and sits them on the counter. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">How was practice boop? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">It was good. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">She sits at the table with Sonia and Jeanette with cookies and milk. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">When is Ronnie gonna be able to come back to school? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Well the school says he should be able to come back in a week. But don’t you worry. Those boys won’t be beatin up on your brother ok? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Ok. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Yeah and that was very brave of you to stick up for Ronnie and beat them up. We’re family and we have to stick together. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Thanks Aunt Jeanette. I’m gonna go outside with Ronnie after I eat my cookies. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ok princess. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">In walks Sonia’s oldest son Paul with his gym bag, swinging his baseball bat. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">PAUL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Hey Aunt Jeanette. Hey mom. Where’s the fag? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Don’t talk bad about your brother. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Paul scoffs under his breath, steals a cookie from Sophie and heads outside. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">You jerk! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sophie turns to Sonia. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Mom is he gay? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I don’t know honey. As far as we know he just likes to play with Barbies. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Ok mommy. I love you. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Love you too sweety. Now go outside and play so I can talk to your Aunt Jeanette. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sophie nods her head and heads outside with the rest of her cookies. Sonia turns back around to continue her conversation with Jeanette. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I don’t know where I went wrong. I mean we have him in sports and he seems to enjoy them. And its not like I let him watch anything sexual. His favorite shows aren’t girly; he likes violent, gory movies. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Have you ever stopped to think that maybe this doesn’t have anything to do with your performance as a mother? Kids like gory and violent stuff for some reason. That doesn’t mean that they’re gonna be gay or straight. And like you said as far as we know he just likes to play with Barbie dolls. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">You’re right. But the poor kid he-it’s already hard enough bein a kid ya know? If he is gay, things are just gonna be so hard for him, especially when he goes to back to school. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia puts her forehead in her palm and a tear rolls down her face. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I just don’t know where I went wrong. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">It’s not your fault. And yes, it’s gonna be a little tough for you guys. But you’re his mother and you have to be strong for him. Keep him in the sports but also talk to him about the things he likes. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE (O.S.) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Paul! Leave him alone! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">What the hell is goin on? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">PAUL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">HIT ME YOU FAG! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">A loud and sudden crack noise occurrs. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SOPHIE (O.S.) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">AAAHHHHH! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jeanette and Sonia look at each other and run to the bakyard door to go outside. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">EXT. BACKYARD-DAY <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Paul lays on the ground lifelessly with blood oozing out of his head. Jeanette collects a hysterical Sophie. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I’M CALLING 911! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jeanette exists. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">RONNIE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I didn’t mean to hit him that hard. I just wanted him to leave me alone. Is this what I should do to the kids at school? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">It’s ok honey just give me the bat. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;"> Ronnie shakily, handed Sonia a blood covered bat. Sonia puts the bat in a backyard trash can and rushes to pick Paul’s head off the ground. Jeanette comes back outside with towels. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Here are some towels. To try to stop the bleeding. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jeanette hands the towels to Sonia but Sonia continues to look back and forth between Ronnie and Paul. Jeanette begins to get frustrated. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia! Get yourself together! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia jumps. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I can’t do this. Ronnie come in the house. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia shoves the towels in Jeanettes hands. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">C’mon Ronnie. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jeanette’s gaze follows Sonia and Ronnie into the house and exists. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">INT. HOPSPITAL-NIGHT <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Jeanette, Sonia, and the father, Michael, still closely waiting for news. A doctor appears in a long drop eat and approaches them. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Hows Paul doctor? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">DOCTOR <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Well Mr. Marinelli, we patched him up and he should be ok. He does have a nasty wound but as long as you follow doctors orders then he should be back to normal in no time. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Ok thank you doctor. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">The doctor exists the scene. Michael turns to Sonia. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">What a week. First my son gets beat up getting caught playing with Barbies at school and now he cracks my son over the head with a baseball bat. What is goin on here? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">SONIA <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I told you already. Ronnie cracked Paul in the head with a baseball bat for callin him a fag. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Well maybe he should stop acting like one! <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">SONIA <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">SEE?! AND THAT’S WHY HE DOESN’T EVEN TALK TO YOU! YOU’RE TOO HARD ON HIM! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">OH SO NOW ALL THIS IS SOMEHOW MY FAULT?!

<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Enough! <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia continues to stand for a moment an begins to tear up. She sits down and begins to cry. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">JEANETTE (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">This is neither one of you guys’ faults. But if you guys don’t get it together then both of you are gonna lose him. Everyone’s responsible. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia stops crying and puts her head up and look at Michael. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Ok, you’re right. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Michael reaches for Sonia’s hand. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">MICHAEL (CONT’D) <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">We can do this. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Sonia reaches to hold Michaels hand. <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">END SCENE.