TAKE A LEAVE

TAKING A LEAVE:

A Screenplay by

Tuaka Castro

FADE IN.

1. (EXT. CHICAGO MIDWAY INT'L. AIRPORT-MORNING HOURS)

(Delta airlines plane takes off from the airport).

INT. ON BOARD

(The air hostesses are attending to passengers on board.

The camera slowly moves in to the sitting position of

Mr. Ben James and Mrs. Ben Clara they are both eating.

An air hostess comes attending to them).

PULL UP, REVEALING BEN JAMES (34) and his wife CLARA

JAMES (28)Two beautiful couples.

(James takes the food from the air hostess).

AIR HOSTESS:

Here you go sir.(James hurriedly takes it)

JAMES:

Oh, yes, yes, yes!! Thank you my dear

(Clara pulls out a magazine and glances through some

shopping galleria in Los Angeles)

JAMES:

Honey, aren’t you eating?

The air hostess brought an extra dessert... here you

go.

(Handling over the dessert to her).

CLARA:

Oh! No am pretty okay. The doctor recommended no

sugar anymore.

JAMES:

That’s pathethic!

(He keeps trying to put the food into her mouth. She

looks at him, staring at his face oddly. He notices

and stops; looks back at her)

JAMES:

Honey what is the problem? You look lost.

CLARA:

I am just worried about my job; I think I need to

check out some more opportunities when we arrive LA.

JAMES:

We aren’t relocating fully, hope you conscious about

that?

(Their two daughters seating at the back takes notice

and one of them snaps in and interrupts their

parent's conversation. Jane one of their daughters,

walks toward them- James and Clara)

JANE:

Mom! Dad! I don’t feel comfortable in that position

anymore.

CLARA:

(Holds her daughter's hands sympathetically)

What’s gone wrong baby?

JANE:

(Pointing to an old man behind; snoring and sleeping,

heads up)

He really sucks and sleeps like a wild boar panting

to hurt me.

(Both parent laugh)

CLARA:

Well, don’t be terrified just stay calm, we would get

to LA in the next couple of minutes. Now walk quietly

back to your seat.

(Clara said smiling all over her face. Jane walks

sluggishly back to her seat. Sits down moody thinking

of what to do, she pulls her seat back loosening it’s

colt. The seat falls back on the heavy sleeping man

as he wakes up; he shouts aloud-it hurts him. She

smiles and winks her eyes at him from the back).

MAN:

(Turning to Jane) Oh what the hell is wrong with you

kid. You should be reading on board!

(Everybody turns at him in disgust. An air hostess

attends to him. Clara walks towards Jane and pulls her away)

CLARA:

Sit here Jane. What the hell did you just do? That was

awful you know.

JANE:

Well, he even deserved more. He is a jerk; he's making

the flight uncomfortable.

JAMES:

Now look baby, we've seen a lot of situations like this,

even more tougher on planes. This should be your last

experience okay.

CLARA:

oh I hope you understand?(Clara holding her, she

quickly nods).

now get back to your seat and promise mommy you gonna

make no trouble anymore.

JANE:

I will just go do as you said. I'm making no promises.

(She walks quietly to her seat).

2. EXT. LA INTL. AIRPORT DELTA AIRPLANE LANDS

(The airport terminal is very crowded. James and

Clara are spotted pulling their luggages saying

"excuse me". Janet with a heavy luggage bumps into a

tall working officer, she picks the bag staring at

the officer. Her mom comes back to take her away).

CLARA:

Always watch where you are going honey.

(She takes her bag and offers to help her with a lift.

They both ran swiftly to catch dad and Jane).

3. EXT. LOS ANGELES PARK– DAY

(Kids seen playing, people having fun taking

pictures in the park. Clara and James take a tour

with family. There is a great dramatic play between

both parents and kids).

4. INT. DINNING TABLE-NIGHT

(James is talking to his family after dinner. They are

still at the table joining hands together with smiles all over their faces)

JAMES:

I am so glad to have you both as my daughters. One

of the greatest lessons I remember was that my dad

constantly used the letters R&I- resourcefulness

and initiative. He always told us we were not rich

and shouldn’t be reacting to our circumstances .

But rather be masters of our own destiny. It takes

someone special to be a father. In a nutshell, in

this home I will strive hard to provide for you

guys.I'll be a good dad, a hero in this home.

(Everybody was surprised with this inspiring speech.

They paid close attention listening. Mom turns to the

kids holding their hands admiringly).

CLARA:

We are people you should look up to.No matter how long

it takes, you'll soon be grown ups. And honey...

(turning to James)

Your guiding hands on our shoulders is all we need.

Remain with us forever.

JAMES:

I would rather be the daddy of romping, roguish crew

with a bright eyed chubby lady and a little girl or two,

than the monarch of a kingdom in his high and lofty

seat, taking empty adoration from his subjects at his

feet.

Two are better than one because they have good reward

for their labour.

Together we'll stay in harmony.

(Everybody looks enlightened from dad's soothing words.

They applaud him for his kindness).

5. INT. BEDROOM-BEDTIME(Night hours)

(James tucks his two daughters under a blanket on

their bed. He kisses them each on their forehead,

turns off the light and exits the door).

6. INT-MASTER BEDROOM-SAME NIGHT

(James joins Clara in Bed. Tucks himself in the

blanket, Clara pretends to be Sleeping, he kisses her

saying “Goodnight” turns off the light. Both sleeps

off).

7. INT. REAL ESTATE CONSUlTANCY AGENCY-MORNING HOURS

(James is walking down the hallway towards his office,he is saying “morning” to various people. He walks

into a colleague's office. There we see his collegue

ALICE - a dark curvy lady about 4 ft tall(30) on the

telephone. (Obviously) she’s seen making a call and

hangs up as James sits down).

ALICE:

Morning!

JAMES:

Good morning. What popped up on the headlines today?

(Picking up a magazine)

ALICE:

Eager enough for any serious news feed? Like seriously?

JAMES:

An employee not updated will be out dated. It’s best

keeping up with information to avoid being backward.

ALICE:

That sounds really amazing. When last did you ask me

about my night James? You’re too dependent on yourself

nowadays James.

(She walks up from her seat. James quickly stands -so

hypersensitive towards her unprecented move. She places

her hands on his cheek with a smile...James breaks

loose being irritated).

JAMES:

She’s still alright for me.I mean Clara. Just so you

know.

(Alice moves back. James picks up his file into his

arms)

This conversation is screwed, I have to leave.

ALICE:

Well, not so soon. Your meeting is in forty-five

minutes with the CEO.

JAMES:

Thanks for the news feed.

(He walks though the door and exits

immediately).

8. INT. CEO’S OFFICE-MORNING HOURS

CEO:

James we're trying to get some person's opinion about a

project.

Could you take few minutes to answer a short survey?

JAMES:

Well I'm up for it I guess.

CEO:

How satisfied are you in this company?

JAMES:

Very much satisfied.

CEO:

If you could choose one part of the company to improve,

what could it be?

JAMES:

Obviously, on our digital advertisement.

For easy publicity and visibility of our products and

services.

CEO:

Smart of you. Do you thereby have any idea for

improvement towards

your suggestion?

JAMES:

Give me some time. Before the next board meeting, I'll

leverage on entering a contract.

CEO:

That’s a deal then. Here you go, sign it on paper.

(James hesistantly pens down the agreement and dashed

out the office).

9. EXT. GROCERY STORES PACKING LOT-DAY(AFTERNOON HOURS)

(Clara Packs her SUV. Takes her kids into the store.

Camera moves on her into the store. She is shopping,

looking through the shopping list on her phone. She

accidentally bumps into a man who suddenly walked in

her direction unknowingly. The groceries picked falls

to the ground. Both bend over to pick).

CLARA:

What the hell is wrong with you? (Staring angrily into

his face)

DONALD:

Opps! Really sorry, should have given some space.

There was really too tight for me.

(He tries helping her pack the remaining items, she

slaps his hand off).

ouch!!! that really hurts you know.

CLARA:

That serves you right. Get your hands off my goodies

and piss away you jerk.

(They both get up as Clara walks away).

DONALD:

You really amaze me with your sudden reaction.

(Clara suddenly stops and turns back at him)

CLARA:

I am moving to clear my bills on the front desk.

DONALD:

Can I help you with that?

CLARA:

Look who’s trying to be Mr. nice guy.

Well, no thanks I'm okay.

DONALD:

That’s rude you know.

CLARA:

Whatever Dude!

(She walks away along with her daughters, gets to the

front desk to pay her bills).

CLARA:

Here you go, it's seventy bucks.

JANET:

Mom! Can I pick up this book on the desk?

CLARA:

What is it all about sweetie..

Let me see...(reads) 'I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN

DAUGHTER’.

We'll have to drop that, it requires extra cash. It’s

$9 and I have no extra cash.

JANET:

I've got some money here from my savings.Exhausting

them on a book

for knowledge, don’t think it will be a waste.

CLARA:

Clever Chicago daughter you are.

CASHIER:

You have an incredible daughter!

That was awesome coming from a kid her age.

CLARA:

I take pride in that. So proud to be a good mother.

CASHIER:

You two have a nice day.

(They both exit the door).

10. EXT. JAMES APARTMENT- SAME DAY

(Clara drives into the garage and parks. Lost in

thoughts stepping out of the car,her next door

neighbor caught her attention she had feeling guilty

over her reaction towards the guy she encountered at

the store).

MRS PATRICK:

Hello, Mrs Ben?

CLARA:

Hey, Mrs Patrick! glad to see you today.

MRS PATRICK:

What a beautiful day.

CLARA:

Sure! really beautiful.

MRS PARTRICK:

Had a good day Huh?

CLARA:

Yeah just had some shopping experience with the kids.

Such a wonderful moment in the grocery store today.It's

really nice living in LA.

MRS PATRICK:

It all really seems good. Enjoy your best moment.

11. INT. LIVING ROOM- DAY

(Jane and Janet are exchanging words which results

into a fight in the living room. Janet is seen on the

floor Jane on top of her, raises her hands up for a

punch.Both parents rush into the scene).

JAMES:

Stop! Jesus! What the hell is going on?

(runs and separates the fight)

Why the clash between you two?

Can somebody say something..

(yelling)

JANE:

She first started it .

JANET:

No! she started first.

JAMES:

Look here, it does not really matter

Who started it. What matters most is

Who ended it.

JANE:

Oh! I did. That’s why I was down.

JANET:

Who said I was up on you.

I came over to bring it to an end.

CLARA:

Enough of it you both. It’s

Shameful you having issues

Over nothing really serious.

Now tell me, what resulted to this?

You gave no good reason to daddy

Which is disrespectful but; now

Reverse is the case I wanna know why

JANE:

(Being silly)

Why about what? And why

Do you care to know?

CLARA:

Honey this ain't an interview.

You’re not Oprah winfrey either.

The living room ain't a mistaken

Show room kind of.

JANET:

Then cut the camera

Off now lets put an end of this subject matter.

JAMES:

When the purpose of a thing aint

Known then abuse is inevitable.

(he squats)

Give me your hands you both.

Join them together. No more questions,

No more argument, no more conflicts,

We are one. United we'll always

Stand; that’s what our fathers

Passed as a message to this nation- America.

The joining of a communal state makes America.

The coming together of famous bond of love, unity,

morals

and values makes a great America.

Come now let's reason together. Take this counsel from

me; if two

lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can

one keep warm alone? Though one may be overwhelmed,

two can defend themselves. A cord of two

strands is not quickly broken. Remember there

is no liberal America, there is the United States

of America and in unity we stand together

as one family. Love you babes

(They hug their father, tears rush down their eyes as

they replied together. ‘We love you too’ Clara joins

and hugs them emotionally too).

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