Tapping Page #5

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her and sets it on the counter.

Mary puts the ice-pack to her neck and looks at Po.

MARY:

I know. Things have to change. But

he's the one making money, Po.

PO:

You could get a job. So could I.

She sighs.

MARY:

I'm worried about what'll happen if

he has to go away.

PO:

I'm worried about what'll happen if

he doesn't.

David comes out of the bathroom, trying not to cry. He runs

to Mary, who holds him [David] in her arms.

(MORE)

*

***

YELLOW 05/24/2017 28.

CONTINUED:

MARY:

(whispering in David's

ear)

It's gonna be OK.

A beat. David stops crying.

PO:

David, do you wanna watch a movie?

David nods.

INT. PO'S LIVING ROOM - DAY - CONINUOUS

Po carries David into the living room and sets him on the

couch. Po turns on the crappy TV, and sees that something

David's age appropriateness is on.

PO:

This good?

DAVID:

Yeah.

INT. PO'S KITCHEN - DAY - CONINUOUS

Po walks into the kitchen. He finds the large laptop in one

of their drawers. Mary has stood up, and is dusting the

kitchen. Po opens the laptop. Waits for it to boot.

MARY:

What're you doing?

PO:

Looking at the law.

Mary sighs.

PO (CONT’D)

If he ever touches you again I'm

calling the police. And I want to

know what's gonna happen after

that.

MARY:

Po, this isn't right. I think you

know that.

(MORE)

*

PINK 05/18/2017 29.

CONTINUED:

PO:

Mom. I want to go to college. Then

I can come back with a degree. Then

I can make money. We could be

happy. I could find a wife. Have

kids and live right next to you

guys. David can go to college, and

have his own wife and kids with us

here. He could go to a big city,

make real money. And we'll grow

old, me and my wife, David and his

wife, just living here taking care

of you and each other. We can have

a happy, American life. I can make

money. I can pay for all of this.

He gestures around at their dump of a house.

PO (CONT’D)

We don't need Dad if I go to

college. But I can't go if he's

still around.

Mary hesitates.

PO (CONT’D)

And maybe it's selfish-

MARY:

(quietly)

You're anything but selfish, Po.

PO:

(ignoring her)

I just want to live a real life.

And I want it for you, and for

David. A life without fear.

Mary nods. Then she smiles.

MARY:

So, you've finally warmed up to the

"wife" idea.

Po smiles.

MARY (CONT’D)

Who'd you dance with last night?

Po rolls his eyes.

(MORE)

*

*

YELLOW 05/24/2017 30.

CONTINUED:
(2)

PO:

(joking)

Chuckie.

Mary laughs, which makes Po smile.

Po looks back down at the laptop.

PO (CONT’D)

Not turning on today, I guess.

He closes the lid, and puts it back in the drawer.

MARY:

Do you have plans?

PO:

No. I'll probably go to lunch

somewhere soon.

Po seems to remember something. He walks back to his room.

INT. PO'S BEDROOM - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Po grabs his pants from the night before. He feels around in

the pockets until he finds Avery's phone number. He smiles.

He carries it to his parents room.

INT. MARY'S BEDROOM - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Po sits down on the bed and punches the number on the

tablecloth onto the home-phone. It starts to ring. Po goes

and closes the door. Avery picks up.

AVERY (O.S)

I've been waiting for you to call

me all day.

PO:

(into phone)

It's like, eight in the morning.

AVERY (O.S)

Yeah, but I didn't sleep last

night... Did you?

(MORE)

*

*

*

YELLOW 05/24/2017 31.

CONTINUED:

PO:

(into phone)

Yep. I slept fine. Unlike you, who

had four cups of coffee.

AVERY (O.S)

Yeah I'm gonna crash soon.

PO:

(into phone)

Well, do you wanna get some food

later?

AVERY (O.S)

Yes! I haven't eaten breakfast.

PO:

(into phone)

I was inviting you to lunch.

AVERY (O.S)

Oh! I'll do that too!

Po sighs, smiling.

PO:

(into phone)

How about waffles? That's something

I can afford.

AVERY (O.S)

Oh, yes!

PO:

(into phone)

Have you had more coffee since I

last saw you?

AVERY (O.S)

Yes. See you in twenty minutes.

Po puts down the phone.

INT. WAFFLE PLACE - DAY - MOMENTS LATER

Po sits down in a booth at Waffle House. He sits, waiting for

Avery. Po is wearing a T-shirt with a light sweater on top,

and his sweatpants.

(MORE)

*

*

YELLOW 05/24/2017 32.

CONTINUED:

Avery walks into the store, wearing a sweatshirt, and

sweatpants. She sits down across from Po.

AVERY:

Good morning.

PO:

Good morning.

They both pick up their menus.

AVERY:

What will you get?

PO:

Well...

He looks at the menu.

PO (CONT’D)

Waffles, I guess.

They laugh.

A waitress comes up to them.

WAFFLE HOUSE WAITRESS

What can I get for y'all?

Avery smiles up at her.

AVERY:

I'll get a plate of waffles and a

Cola.

Po shakes his head.

PO:

I'll get a plate of waffles as

well. And water.

Avery smirks. The waitress nods, and walks away.

PO (CONT’D)

You have a caffeine problem?

AVERY:

No, I'm addicted to Soda. I just

happened to drink too much coffee

last night.

(MORE)

33.

CONTINUED:
(2)

Po nods slowly.

PO:

That's gonna ruin your kidneys, you

know.

Avery smiles.

AVERY:

Wouldn't that be a cliche! Ha!

Po laughs.

PO:

That's like saying I eat a

chocolate bar for Breakfast, Lunch,

and Dinner everyday, but I'm not

really worried because me getting

sick would be a cliche.

AVERY:

Actually, my Mom lost her kidneys,

and my Dad had to give her one. So

I'd have to get a fake one.

Po is laughing really hard now.

PO:

What the heck is a fake kidney? And

where do you get one?

Avery leans forward, and gets close to his ear. He has also

leaned forward. She is completely serious now. She puts her

mouth to his ear:

AVERY:

(quietly)

The black kidney market.

Po bursts out laughing. Avery smiles.

Their waffles arrive and they start to eat.

AVERY (CONT’D)

This is really, really good.

PO:

Yep.

They finish. The waitress comes over with the bill.

(MORE)

**

**

BLUE 05/3/2017 34.

CONTINUED:
(3)

Po realizes he doesn't have enough money.

PO (CONT’D)

(quietly, to Avery)

Listen I'm sorry, IAVERY

Po, I got it.

PO:

I have some money. I can get mine.

I'm sorry, I should've brought

enough money for both of us.

AVERY:

It's OK, Po.

They both hand money to the waitress. She smiles.

WAFFLE HOUSE WAITRESS

Y'all are so sweet.

She walks away.

AVERY:

Listen, I can't eat lunch with you.

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