TEASER
ACT 1, SCENE 1, EXT – J-COOL’S MARKET – MORNING
Muffled bachata music is heard as a CAR with tinted windows pulls up to the store and park. Focus on under the car at feet level. The music gets louder as BLACK POLISHED SHOES exit the driver’s side door. Music is muffled again as the door closes and BLACK POLISHED SHOES goes around to the passenger side and opens the door for RED HEELS to exit. Just as the door is closed…
HARD CUT TO ACT 1, SCENE 2, INT – STORE CONT’D
BACHATA music continues.
A BELL RINGS as a door swings open. FOCUS ON at feet level as BLACK POLISHED SHOES enter first and holds the door open for RED HEELS to walk in.
JOSE “COOL” COLUMNA looks up from his newspaper and immediately stands up straight.
JOSE:
(In Spanish)
<Well it’s about time. Bienvienedos a Astro City!>
HOLD ON – MATEO, short, older Hispanic male about late 20s-early 30s, well-kempt and groomed and MARIA – a stunning older Hispanic female about late 30s-early 40s.
JOSE kisses the side of MARIA’s cheeks and goes to shake MATEO’S hand.
MATEO:
<I don’t know where your hand has been.>
MARIA:
<Mateo, calliete por favor.>
With a gloved hand, MATEO wipes a hand across the counter.
MATEO:
<That’s why I’m not shaking his hand. Do you see this place?>
JOSE:
<I’m clean. This store’s clean. There’s nothing on your hand.>
MARIA:
<Lo siento, J-Cool, Mateo has OCD. I would’ve been here sooner, but you see what I have to put up with.>
MATEO:
It’s called a speed limit for a reason.
MARIA:
<J-Cool, what the hell is going on out here? You were supposed to have a handle of the situation.>
JOSE:
<I’m doing the best I can.>
MATEO:
<It’s not safe for us to come out here like this.>
JOSE:
<I wouldn’t call you if it wasn’t serious.>
MARIA:
<Don’t worry about me. Can I have a chiclet, please?>
JOSE gets MARIA the gum quickly.
MATEO:
<How much is it?>
JOSE:
<It’s on the house.>
MATEO:
<That’s not how this works. I won’t get caught stealing.>
JOSE:
<It’s not stealing. I’m giving it to you for free.>
MARIA:
<Mateo…>
MATEO:
(mumbles under breath)
<It’s technically stealing.>
MARIA:
<All you had to do was keep her out of trouble, Jose.>
JOSE:
<I was. I gave her work and kept eyes on her, but things are getting out of control. People are acting crazy. I called you as soon as I saw a car gunning for her. They were trying to kill her.>
MARIA:
<Where is she?>
MATEO:
Maria, think about what you’re going to do.
MARIA:
Where is she?
MATEO:
You don’t need to get arrested out here.
MARIA:
(more forcefully)
Where is she!
HARD CUT TO DOOR BELL RINGING above the door.
JOSE breathes a sigh of relief as he watches MARIA and MATEO leave.
ACT 1, SCENE 3, EXT: AC STREETS – CONT’D
MARIA crosses the street, but MATEO doesn’t instantly follow.
MATEO:
You’re jaywalking.
MARIA:
Has anyone ever been arrested for jaywalking?
MATEO:
Plenty. I thought you wanted to keep a low profile.
MARIA:
We’re not in Uptown anymore. I can be as ratchet as I wanna be.
ACT 1, SCENE 4, EXT: NETTA’S HOME – FRONT STEPS – CONT’D
MARIA and MATEO are at the front steps.
MARIA:
Did you ring the bell?
MATEO:
Of course I did.
MARIA:
Ring it again just to be sure.
Just before he can ring the bell, the door opens.
SISTER NETTA:
Good morning.
MATEO:
Buenos Dias, I’m…
MARIA:
…I’m here for my daughter, bitch.
MARIA pushes her way into the home.
MARIA:
Pobrecita!
CUT TO BLACK
END OF TEASER
END OF ACT 1