Close to Collision
LHC
INT. APARTMENT EXERCISE ROOM- LATE NIGHT
FADE IN:
Tyquisha, 29, enters an apartment exercise room wearing workout gear. Her hair is tied in a ponytail and she has on a smartwatch. A news clip shows a picture of a particle collider. Tyquisha sees LaRhonda, 26, doing crunches in the corner. They are the only people who occupy the space.
TYQUISHA
You know, that Large Hadron Collider could spell trouble for particles.
LaRHONDA
What do you want, ‘Quisha?
(She sets down a weight in favor of one that would suit her muscles)
TYQUISHA
Well, girl, I wasn’t actually going to talk to you about the LHC. I really wanted to see if you would invest in a science project of mi-
(LaRhonda shoots a hand into the air)
LaRHONDA
Wait. Let me stop you right there. How am I supposed to “invest” in this project when you didn’t even pay me back the last time that you had a project?
Promotion
TYQUISHA
(She glances down at her running shoes)
I just figured that since you got that promotion that you would have some cash on hand.
LaRHONDA
Not for you. Please miss me with the whole sob story about what you expected from me.
TYQUISHA
You know, I could tell Marquise about the scientific research that you faked.
(She looks at Tyquisha with disdain)
LARHONDA
I had nothing to do with that forgery. My figures were correct. You can try to blackmail me all you want. I’m not giving you a red cent.
TYQUISHA
(Hurt, and on the verge of tears)
Why do you have to be so selfish?
LaRHONDA
Who is threatening to blackmail me? Who feels that it is her right to live as a parasite feeding off of the goods that she never could produce?
TYQUISHA
(Stunned and vulnerable)
Well, I thought that we were friends…
Exercise the Mind
Misunderstanding
LaRHONDA
‘Quish, we stopped being friends when you vowed to have my money and when you finally had a chance to pay me back, you spent it on buying supplies for your physics professor.
TYQUISHA
Yes! That was a good cause.
LaRHONDA
No, that was my money!
Tyquisha paces the room. She looks down at the exercise equipment. She eyes a twenty five pound weight. Too heavy. She looks at a fifteen pound weight. She lifts it and slides it behind her back. LaRhonda continues talking the entire time.
LaRHONDA
You owe me money and then you turn around and ask me for more!
(She looks incredulously at Tyquisha) How dare you attempt to insult me and take dollars from my pocketbook? You are not my friend. You are a moocher and should reconsider how you treat people. You are no trader...but a traitor.
Tyquisha shrieks and raises the weight over her head. With speed, LaRhonda shifts her body to the side, blocks the attack by pushing Tyquisha’s body against the wall and transitions into a martial arts pose. By employing a jump
CONTINUED:
rope lying near the leg press, LaRhonda ties up Tyquisha and used her smartphone to call the police.
TYQUISHA
I’m sorry.
(she gulps,tears streaming her face)
TYQUISHA (CONT'D)
This is all just a big misunderstanding. I wasn’t going to hurt you, La’! I swear! I just wanted to get your attention.
Think Fit
Momentarily
LaRHONDA
Well, Tyquisha you’re going to have the full attention of the authorities soon.
(Sulking and crying hysterically, Taquisha turns her head away from LaRhonda)
LaRHONDA (CONT'D)
Your tears will never remove the stains of your transgressions. After the cops come, I will be able to rid myself of your attempt to assault me. You knew that you couldn’t get money so you try to attack me? You are the most selfless, self-destructive little miscreant I’ll never want to see again.
Tyquisha’s sobs become whimpers as she curls into the fetal position. She kicks against the wall, her sneakers smearing black marks on it.
LaRHONDA
I suggest that you quit. You’ll be dealt with momentarily.
END
What it Should Have been Like
Which One?
