Pariah Page #15

73 INT. ALIKE’S BEDROOM - LATER 73

Alike jerks awake in her bed, a pillow pulled down around her

ears. The sound of a muffled argument leaks from her

parents’s bedroom. The shouting gets louder, and Alike sits

upright in her bed as her father’s footsteps boom past her

doorway and into the living room. Audrey’s voice trails him

down the hallway, and Alike scrambles into a t-shirt and

shorts.

74 INT. ALIKE’S LIVING ROOM - EVENING 74

Arthur’s hand is on the doorknob, a small tote flung over his

shoulder. Audrey blocks the door, her hands on her hips. They

both look up as Alike edges into the living room.

88.

AUDREY:

You see, that’s exactly what I’m

talking about?! Get over here!

ARTHUR:

Go back to bed!

AUDREY:

No, you come tell your father what

you told me!

ARTHUR:

Don’t drag her into this, Audrey!

(to Alike)

Go to your room, Alike. Your mom

and I are having a discussion.

AUDREY:

We are not discussing!! I wanna

know right now-

ARTHUR:

Go to your room!

AUDREY:

Your father’s leaving us!!

ARTHUR:

I am not leaving you!!

AUDREY:

Sharonda, wake up!! Come see your

father leaving us!!

ARTHUR:

I’m not f***ing leaving!! Will you

stop saying that?!

AUDREY:

Come say goodbyeeee!!

Audrey shoves Arthur toward the door. Reflexively, Arthur

raises his hand at Audrey. Audrey puffs up.

AUDREY (CONT'D)

Oh, what?! I wish you would!! Go

ahead!! Look girls, your daddy’s

going to beat me!!

Sharonda bursts into tears behind Alike. Alike hurries

Sharonda back down the hallway.

89.

ALIKE:

Shhh. It’s okay. Go in my room and

lock the door. Don’t come out,

‘kay?

Sharonda bawls harder. Alike gently closes the door on her.

ALIKE (CONT'D)

It’s gonna be okay.

75 INT. ALIKE’S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 75

Arthur and Audrey argue viciously.

ARTHUR (O.S.)

No! Dammit, that’s not true! Look,

will you stop sayin’ that?!

AUDREY (O.S.)

It’s the truth!!

Alike edges back into the living room, Audrey wheels on her.

Arthur is beaten and cornered.

AUDREY (CONT'D)

Your daddy’s got a new girlfriend!

Or did you already know that?! You

know, I bet you did!!

ARTHUR:

Audrey, stop it!! Alike go back to

bed!

AUDREY:

Meanwhile, your daughter’s turning

into a damn man right before your

very eyes, and you can’t even see

it!!

Arthur drops his tote and advances toward Audrey, leveling a

stiff finger at her face.

ARTHUR:

No you take that back.! You shut

the f*** up about that, Audrey!

Arthur gets in Audrey’s face. Audrey leers back at him. Alike

jumps between them.

ALIKE:

Dad?! Stop!

90.

ARTHUR:

Go back to bed, Alike!!

AUDREY:

Tell him, Lee!

ARTHUR:

Don’t call her Lee!

ALIKE:

Mom, stoppit please!?

AUDREY:

Tell your Dad where you hang out!

Tell him about your butch-ass

girlfriend-

ALIKE:

Laura’s NOT my girlfriend!!

ARTHUR:

What the hell are you talking

about?! You don’t know what the

hell are you talking about. Alike,

please just go to your room, baby!

Alike drops her gaze and backs away.

AUDREY:

Tell him!

Arthur’s expression cracks and he tears his focus from Audrey

to Alike.

ARTHUR:

Tell me what?!

ALIKE:

I’m not tellin’ you nothin’.

AUDREY:

Tell him you’re a dyke! You tell

him you’re a nasty ass dyke!!

ARTHUR:

No she’s not gay. Alike we didn’t

raise you that way, baby.

Eyes still downcast, Alike just shakes her head and backs

away.

AUDREY:

There!! You see!!

91.

ARTHUR:

You shut the hell up Audrey!!

Arthur extends his arms toward Alike, his voice trembling.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

I know that’s not true. You tell

your mother right now, Alike. You

tell her it isn’t true!!

Alike meets her father’s eyes.

ALIKE:

Dad-

ARTHUR:

Don’t you lie now, you tell the

truth!!

ALIKE:

You already know.

ARTHUR:

No, I don’t know. You tell your

mother it’s just a phase.

ALIKE:

It’s not a phase!

Arthur is stopped cold, his shoulders slump.

AUDREY:

See, if you would’ve DONE

SOMETHING!!

ARTHUR:

(to Alike)

What’s wrong with you?

ALIKE:

There’s nothing wrong with me!

AUDREY:

This is your fault!! If you had-

Arthur tears into Audrey, spittle flying.

ARTHUR:

AUDREY WILL YOU SHUT THE F*** UP!!!

92.

AUDREY ARTHUR:

DON’T YOU SCREAM AT ME!! You This is NOT my fault!! Just

should’ve been at home more shut up and lemme talk! I’m

often!! Why don’t you DO trying to f***in’ talk-SOMETHING!!!

ALIKE:

YEAH I’M GAY!!

Arthur spasms as though he’s been stabbed. Out of nowhere,

Audrey’s backhand pistons Alike to the ground. She raises her

hand high and slaps it down hard on Alike’s shoulders and

arms. Alike yells. Arthur turns to stone.

AUDREY:

Say it again! Say it again!

Alike fends off Audrey’s blows with her hands. She kicks

angrily as Audrey towers over her.

ALIKE:

I’m a lesbian! Yeah, I’m a dyke.

AUDREY:

No you’re not!!!!!

Audrey’s blows become more manic and vicious. Arthur wakes

from his trance and tries to wrestle Audrey off of Alike.

ARTHUR:

That’s enough! Stop it!

AUDREY:

Don’t you say that! Let go! Don’t

you say that!

ALIKE:

Get offa me!!

AUDREY:

What? You a man now? YOU GON’ FIGHT

ME LIKE A MAN??!!

Audrey swings and hits Alike with a nasty hook to the jaw,

Alike’s head snaps back and hits the floor.

ARTHUR:

AUDREY STOP!!!!

Arthur yanks Audrey off of Alike. Audrey directs her rage at

him, pummeling his face and chest.

93.

AUDREY:

AND YOU TOO! YOU TOO! YOU TOO! OH

GOD!!

Tears stream down Arthur’s face as Audrey shakes free and

aims one last blow at his face.

AUDREY (CONT’D)

YOU SAY IT’S NOT TRUE!!!

76 INT. LAURA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT 76

Click-clack. Click-clack. The rattle of circuit breakers echo

through the bare darkness of Laura’s small apartment.

LAURA:

Anything?

ALIKE:

No.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

LAURA:

How about now?

ALIKE:

No. Nothing.

LAURA:

Sh*t. F***ing building.

Laura bangs into something in the darkness.

LAURA (CONT'D)

Owww. Sh*t!

A small light flicks to life and grows larger. In its dim

glow, Laura spots Alike leaning against a worn couch. The

lights become two as Laura hands Alike a candle.

LAURA:

Here. Good thing I keep some these

around.

Alike snorts thickly. Her words are slurred and nasal.

ALIKE:

Yeah, for your many women.

LAURA:

Hey, you thanking ‘em now.

94.

Laura holds her candle up to Alike’s grim face.

LAURA:

You okay?

Alike wipes at already dried tear streaks on her puffy face

and looks down. Laura slides an arm around her waist and

guides her into the small bedroom.

LAURA:

You bring clothes?

ALIKE:

Huh-uh. I stopped by the house--I

stopped by--

LAURA:

That’s alright, man. You can wear

some of mine. It’s okay, c’mon.

Lets get some sleep. My sister’ll

be home in a little bit, too.

77 INT. LAURA’S BEDROOM - LATER 77

Overturned Ramen noodle cups litter the floor. Laura sips a

beer and strokes Alike’s head who sleeps fitfully in her lap.

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