Screenplays Before Hollywood

By Kemuel Pierre-Louis

Kemuel Pierre-Louis has written a plethora of material prior to completing his first degree. As the demand started to come, Kemuel has decided to publish this book, Screenplays Before Hollywood, so that all may read his work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543451627

Kemuel Pierre-Louis

About the Author: Kemuel Pierre-Louis was born March 16, 1989. He is the second of three children. Kemuel took an interest in cameras at an early age. Using it quickly became a hobby of choice. After some thought, Kemuel decided to further pursue filmmaking. He enrolled into William H. Turner Technical Arts High School where he would be in the Television and Film Production academy. It was there Kemuel received recognition for various short films and other productions he worked on. Kemuel has interned for Cine Video Tech Equipment Rentals with Egon Stephan Jr.. Kemuel has graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Cinematography and currently attends Full Sail University.

Book preview

SCREENPLAYS

BEFORE

HOLLYWOOD

Kemuel Pierre-Louis

and C.Z. Reeder

Copyright © 2017 by Kemuel Pierre-Louis and C.Z. Reeder.

ISBN:              Softcover             978-1-5434-5163-4

                  eBook                 978-1-5434-5162-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/18/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

767915

Contents

Conscious Conscience (Fiction)

Euphoria

Blunder

Our Scientific Equation

The Penetrators (Fiction)

Wga East Registration #

God Our Creator

Conscious Conscience (Fiction)

EXT-DAY-SCENARIOS

It’s Friday morning in the city of Miami. Cars bustle through the early morning traffic, children play outside with their toys, and for a select few, things seem to be taking a turn for the worst.

CARLA, 35, a single mother of two, walks home from working overnight at the 24-hour restaurant. She arrives and realizes the electricity has been disconnected at her home. She walks in and watches her two children sweat from the summer rays pouring in through the window while they’re asleep.

Meanwhile, the local barber SHAWN, 37, prepares for another day at the unisex salon he owns. He unlocks the door and organizes his clippers. He turns on his surround sound system, lights incense, and sits in a styling chair awaiting his first customer.

TRACI, 17, now the town hero, recovers from a night after the state championship with the Miami Central Senior High School basketball team. The phone rings just as he wakes up. He groggily reaches for it.

SOLANNAH, 17, TRACI’s friend, lays on her bed still in boy shorts and a pink tank top. Her phone conversation is interrupted when her brother TROY, 24, walks in. TROY approaches SOLANNAH and kicks the foot of the bed.

TROY

Yo… I’m about to go.

SOLANNAH continues speaking on the phone completely ignoring TROY. A car horn is heard from outside. TROY picks up a bear and throws it at her to get her attention. SOLANNAH rolls her eyes as and smirks at him.

SOLANNAH

Bernice… I got to go… Talk later…

TROY scoffs and steps out of her room.

SOLANNAH

((on phone))

I love you Boo-Boo!

TRACI

((On the other line))

Ditto.

TROY walks out of the house where PORTER and LURK wait for him. Lurk speeds off jokingly before PORTER eventually breaks his silence. TROY sits in the back as music plays through the radio.

PORTER

Troy, what the business is?

LURK

Gimme the loot, gimme the loot.

TROY

Ha, what’s good.

Lurk gets off of residential and speaks about a robbery he planned from the night prior.

LURK

This bread we about to get into hood.

PORTER

We got the stuff now so we straight!

EXT-DAY- FLASHBACK WAREHOUSE

LURK waits in the car outside. He surveys the exterior parking lot. PORTER inside is seen collecting some items from off of the shelves. TROY comes outside with a pallet jack filled with the items and puts them in the truck. PORTER is startled when he overhears the air conditioning switch on. He scrambles back to LURK’s car with the items in his hands.

INT - DAY - CAR

PORTER still hyped, looks back at TROY snickering. TROY smiles and shakes his head after the recollection.

TROY

So what kind’ve money are we talking about?

LURK glances at PORTER.

LURK

Plenty money.

PORTER

Extra chips.

LURK gets on the highway and shifts gears. TROY looks out of the window in his seat as LURK turns up the radio. They listen to the RADIO MORNING SHOW. Various Miami scenes are shown in a montage collection.

INT - RADIO MORNING SHOW

The Morning show theme song plays. DJ SPINZ enters the room late for his shift. He greets DJ LOAF just before she starts the morning show news.

DJ SPINZ

Wake up! It’s Friday and it’s already too hot! We may face record-breaking heat conditions of over 100 degrees! And speaking of heat, congratulations to the North Miami High School Basketball Team for winning the state title!

DJ LOAF

Yeah they had a streak since the playoffs started and I have to say that I am very proud that they were able to pull it. And that all-star point guard… he is super cute! OMG, If only he was 18.

DJ SPINZ

"Yeah, and now we all know why you’re not allowed by playgrounds… Parents keep your kids home, there’s no school and CEE-KEY out on the prowl!

DJ LOAF scoffs at DJ SPINZ’s joke.

DJ SPINZ

But for all of the legal party goers we still have some great news for you! That’s right; tonight you don’t want to miss it! Upcoming local artist Lurk is going to be performing live Saturday night at The Persian Diamond!

TROY keeps his composure, nodding his head showing approval of the announcement. His friends begin to listen attentively.

DJ LOAF

Yes that’s right! Doors open at 8pm and Ladies are in free until midnight! I know I am going to be there early, and trust all eyes on this pretty sexy thang!

DJ SPINZ

"Yeah well go ahead with yo bad self then. What are you gonna wear?

DJ SPINZ takes smells her scent.

DJ SPINZ

Matter of fact what is that you have on now?"

DJ LOAF

A new fragrance, Jasmine.

DJ SPINZ plays an explosion sound clip and canned laughter on the radio.

DJ SPINZ

Smells fantastic, Now let’s take it to Marv for the traffic update!

TRACI makes it out of his bed, walks outside of the house and sits on the porch with his basketball. He chuckles as he listens to the radio show. His long-time friend MARCUS shows up walking towards him. TRACI stands up.

MARCUS

Yo, TRACI! What’s good, man?

TRACI

Yo… Just chillin’. Did you hear ’em talk about us on the radio?

MARCUS

Nah…For Real?

MARCUS takes a seat next to TRACI.

TRACI

Yeah they shouted us out on the radio. I don’t know how I played looking like this last night. I need to get a cut asap!

MARCUS

"No wonder you kept getting fouled!

Too ugly! Ew!"

Both friends laugh as they sit on the porch.

MARCUS

"But that’s not the point dawg…

You see? You were playing ball getting stink while I was putting down with the girls in the gym!"

MARCUS points at the sky and his surroundings.

MARCUS

((Enthusiastic))

You see; it’s all about the moment… You gotta live, man? Look at you.

MARCUS remains enthused as he searches TRACI’s eyes. TRACI laughs.

TRACI

"How you already know how to live.

We are both still in school."

TRACI laughs at MARCUS’ philosophy.

MARCUS

Oh, that’s funny? That’s why I got into that breezy that was at the game last night! She saw the watch…she noticed the wave game…And it was over!

TRACI

All right, all right. You got me… She was probably your cousin though…

Just then the two are interrupted by CALI, 16. He calmly walks towards them from the sidewalk with his yellow handkerchief in his back pocket as he greets his friends.

CALI

((California accent))

Yo yo yo! Raise up and show some respect… Let me get some lemon drink or something!

There is a pause while TRACI and MARCUS stare at each other with their eyes wide open. Both burst out laughing hysterically. The two friends stand up and give CALI a warm welcome.

TRACI AND MARCUS

This ain’t California!!

TRACI and MARCUS begin to laugh together while nudging Cali and shoving him back and forth.

MARCUS

([Californian accent, singing’])

California Love!

TRACI

([still laughing])

Yeah, you real… Francis!

CALI

Yo, don’t call me that man! It’s Cali!

TRACI pretends to think.

TRACI

((Pleading Cali’s case to MARCUS))

But he was there since he was a toddler.

MARCUS pretends to think.

MARCUS

((Pleading to Traci))

He’s only been living here for 10 years!

CALI jumps at them both. They both jump back at CALI.

MARCUS

Man, I don’t even know why we still chill with you… Mark!

TRACI

Come on.

TRACI leads them into the house. Once inside, TRACI pours a glass from the pitcher of sports drink and walks outside the house. MARCUS and Cali look at each other and runs towards the pitcher on the table. MARCUS gets to it first and pours himself a drink; CALI takes the cup and the pitcher with him.

MARCUS looks at CALI drinking with a big smile on his face. MARCUS laughs at him as they head outside. Once outside a car passes by and honks the horn at them. TRACI waves.

TRACI

((laughs))

Hey ladies!

MARCUS

Hola mamacitas!

CARLA angrily steps out of her home and rips off the disconnection notice from the door. She dials the number and argues with the CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Thank you for calling, how can I help you today?

CARLA

How the hell y’all gonna cut my damn lights off? I work too hard…I still got my kids in this house!

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

I am sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you ma’am… I can only imagine what you might be going through at this time.

CARLA mumbles under her breath while looking at the phone pacing back and forth.

CARLA

This chick got the right one today…

((Speaking into the phone))

"Chick, listen here! I paid my goddamn bill in full! If y’all don’t turn on my lights right now—

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Ma’am, I see your payment posted 15 minutes ago…but unfortunately the final notice expired as of midnight. An order for your reconnection has been issued!

CARLA stops pacing. She lets out a sigh of relief.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

We will have the power restored to your home within 24 hours!

CARLA breaks into a tantrum. She pleads with the representative.

CARLA

((Lying))

What did you just say? I just got home with groceries, how am I supposed to feed my kids with no power? And I got to be at work in 8 hours!

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

((Firm))

"I’m sorry ma’am but that’s the policy. It is your responsibility to adhere to the final notice date.

(COMFORTING)

Maybe a technician will arrive before you leave for work. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

CARLA jumps up and down. She starts pacing again.

CARLA

((Angrily))

Oh yeah, you got the right one today! What’s your name? I want to talk to your supervisor!

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

((Bubbly))

It’s Jessie!

CARLA

((Rolling Her Eyes))

Yeah whatever! Hurry up get me your supervisor!

CARLA waits patiently while listening to the music on hold for a supervisor. She begins to think to herself how did she get into this situation in the first place.

MS. TURNER remembers how as a teenager she had a chance with her high school sweet heart SHAWN, but decided to dump him for the local drug dealer.

EXT-DAY-FLASHBACK BUS STOP

SHAWN waits for CARLA at the bus stop. He is excited to tell her that he is going to attend Cosmetology school, with dreams of owning a business.

CARLA walks up to SHAWN. They both sit on the bus stop.

SHAWN

((Excited))

Hey baby I got some good news!

CARLA

((Irritated))

What Shawn… You getting a car so we won’t have to do this anymore?

SHAWN

I got accepted into Cosmetology school!

CARLA

Ha! What? So now you want to do hair and nails!

SHAWN

((Firm))

I was thinking about going to be a barber.

SHAWN moves closer.

SHAWN

(Comforting)

Actually, I was thinking it would be better if I get a Cosmetology license so I can qualify to being more than just a barber.

CARLA does not comment on SHAWN’s future aspirations. She looks the other way.

SHAWN

((Concerned))

Hey…you ok?

CARLA

((Annoyed))

No SHAWN… I’m not ok! Being a barber is not gonna make us!

SHAWN

((Reassuring))

Won’t make us? Well then how about a business? We can support ourselves while starting. When things picks up, we could branch out and open other locations across the state, maybe Nationwide!

CARLA

((Slick))

Yeah yeah… you got it all figured out. That’s why we’re right here… 6 months out of high school!

Suddenly the local drug dealer PORTER rolls by in his new car with his music playing. SHAWN begins to speak but CARLA is not paying attention. She is focused on the car.

SHAWN

((Somewhat Pleading))

"I am trying the best that I can…

Things take time."

SHAWN’s voice is drowned out by the speakers in the car. PORTER stops directly in front of the couple on the bus stop. He rolls down the dark tinted windows and a big cloud of smoke comes out.

PORTER

((Ignoring Shawn))

Dang C! You got grown on me!

He looks at CARLA seductively. She shyly smiles back. SHAWN looks at PORTER and then looks at CARLA in disbelief.

PORTER

C’mon now, you already know. Get in; let’s go to the mall or something. You could watch me buy things…

PORTER laughs. SHAWN stares at CARLA but she continues to focus on PORTER’s assets. CARLA’s Lips begin to tremble. She notices every detail of the car.

PORTER takes another puff and rolls his window up. The next sound heard is of the door unlocking. CARLA looks at SHAWN.

The emptiness of her face speaks volumes. She gets up and heads towards the car.

SHAWN

((Firm))

Oh okay, that’s what you want huh-

She reaches for the door handle just before SHAWN can finish his statement.

SHAWN

Fine then-

CARLA gets in the car and closes the door. PORTER puts his sound system up. They speed off.

EXT - CONTINUED -

The supervisor picks up the line on the other end and CARLA quickly regains her composure. She begins to profusely yell at the supervisor. Next door, TRACI and MARCUS eavesdrop on the conversation holding their laughter. CALI stands on one of the chairs on the porch with the pitcher in his hand.

MARCUS

((Whispering))

Yo! What do you see?

CALI

((Squinting))

She is loud… I’d still hit it though.

TRACI

Man I don’t know now… That’s a wild Milf. Nobody pays her any attention. This happens all of the time anyway. We out to the barbershop though; I need to get a cut.

CALI drinks the last of the sports drink from the pitcher. He takes the handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his face. They head over to TOP SHELF where TRACI is going to get a haircut.

EXT - DAY - TROY ROBBING THE WAREHOUSE

TROY and his friends sit in the car contemplating how they can break into the supplies warehouse. He shakes the thoughts out of his head when PORTER breaks the silence in the car.

PORTER

Alright yo listen. Ain’t no ducking today. We in here after this.

LURK

"Man y’all want to do this now?

Y’all know we getting paid for this show. We just heard me on the radio!"

TROY gets cut off by PORTER.

PORTER

This is guaranteed money! We not major yet…

LURK

"Man… you just got out on a bid.

I need the cash just a much but not no warehouse brah…"

Both friends look at TROY in the back seat. TROY seems nervous. His sister’s voice in his head drowns out PORTER and TROY conversation.

LURK

((Whispering loud))

YO! You heard me?

TROY snaps out of his day-dream.

LURK

That show money ain’t here. But this warehouse…we bout to get paid!

PORTER nods his head in approval. TROY shifts in his seat and pulls his hoodie over his head. He regains his composure hoping not to be seen as a coward.

TROY

(Calm)

We out…

PORTER smiles at LURK.

LURK

((Hyped))

I told you! He next!

PORTER puts on LURK’s new single. LURK nods in approval as they all sit back, passing drugs around while listening to music. They stakeout the warehouse until closing time.

INT - MID AFTERNOON - SOLANNAH’S HOME

SOLANNAH steps out of the shower and dries off. She has R&B songs playing in the background as she prepares to surprise her boyfriend tonight. She does her hair, picks up a composition notebook and closes the door behind her.

MID AFTERNOON - SHAWN'S BARBERSHOP.

TRACI, MARCUS, and CALI steps into the poorly lit barbershop unnoticed. SHAWN lies back in the barber chair. CALI finds the strange ambience unnerving. Intoxicated by the aroma, he takes a deep breath. TRACI walks towards SHAWN and greets his barber.

TRACI

Hey, What’s up?

SHAWN takes in a deep breath of the burning incense. He sits up in the barber chair, and looks TRACI in the eye.

SHAWN

Cinnamon…

SHAWN lips form into a smile. He begins to laugh at his own joke but nobody gets it. CALI looks at SHAWN perplexed, backing away to a seat. MARCUS mumbles under his breath. SHAWN immediately stops laughing and stands up.

SHAWN

"Oh, so nobody gets my joke huh?

The incense guys; The aroma of cinnamon? It’s…in…the…air!

What’s…up?"

The three friends stare at SHAWN with blank expressions on their face.

TRACI

Yeah Ok man… I just wanted to get a haircut. Stop freaking out my friends.

SHAWN

Now I know these two clowns don’t understand. But you…? You understood.

SHAWN stares TRACI in the eye. He puts his hand on his shoulders and guides him into the barber chair.

SHAWN

You got a good head on your shoulders. I knew that ever since you were six, when I first gave you that flat-top. Yo mama thought her son was so cute.

Both MARCUS and CALI begin to laugh. SHAWN fixes the smock on TRACI as he teases him. He looks at TRACI through the mirror.

SHAWN

Oh, Oh, Oh! So Y’all would laugh at that one? And where my money fat boy? That cut wasn’t on lay-away!

MARCUS

"Maaaaan… you said you wasn’t gonna bring that up until payday.

I, I…"

SHAWN puts his hand up, abruptly interrupting MARCUS.

SHAWN

((Complaining)))

It’s never payday with you! You kids already trying to put me out of business…

Both friends take a seat on the side. SHAWN puts on his smock. SHAWN looks at TRACI.

SHAWN

((Frustrated))

So what… you want a fade em up cut too? It comes with no edge up.

TRACI

Naw, not today. I think I deserve something nice… Eh, the usual.

SHAWN shakes his head.

SHAWN

The usual it is…

EXT - CARLA’S HOME

CARLA prepares for her second job; she walks her two kids to their Grandmother’s house. On her way back she spots RON, one of the electric company technicians. She rushes over to him.

CARLA

((Relieved))

I’m glad I caught you, are you going to be reconnecting-?

RON

((FOCUSED ON WORK))

What’s the address?

CARLA pauses for a second while RON begins to fiddle through tickets.

CARLA

((Eager)))

Yes, it’s 3448 Polygon Drive.

RON

((Bothered))

Ma’am that’s the last ticket I have for this area. I’m going to have to come back tomorrow to finish the rest of the tickets.

CARLA

((Surprised))

What? But there’s only three tickets left…

RON reaches in his truck and takes the company’s card out. He puts his cellphone on mute.

RON

Ma’am I am very busy now. I will try my best to get to your house but to be honest, I’m positive its tomorrow. If you have any questions call our hotline.

RON hands her the card and continues his conversation on his cell phone. CARLA overhears it’s a woman on the other line. She begins to lose her temper and yells at him trying to get his attention again. Just then a police car shows up. Meanwhile, SHAWN begins to cut TRACI’s hair.

They talk about the state championship game and how TRACI had to make important decisions to win the game. SHAWN then begins to explain the difference of the words conscious and conscience.

TRACI

(Excited)

There was a minute left. They were fouling me whenever I touched the ball. I made my decision to drive it in. They were coming in fast for me, so I pass it to D who drained the three! We were finally up. From there it was defense and a couple of fast breaks that won the game.

SHAWN

Hey, everyone did what they had to do. You boys finally got the championship trophy. You know, all this talk kind of reminds me of something I was thinking about earlier…

TRACI

What?

SHAWN

Ok… What’s the difference between conscious and conscience?

TRACI looks confused. SHAWN continues with the haircut. He cuts TRACI’s hair with the grain.

SHAWN

I realized both words have meanings that differ when dealing with life’s decisions.

EXT - BARBER SHOP/DARK BLDG - NIGHT

TRACI listens to SHAWN as he explains. A voice-over of SHAWN explains the difference between the two words while TROY and his two friends creep by the side of the building.

TROY’s makes the decision to call off the robbery after he hears distant sounds of a group having a conversation coming towards their way.

EXT - RESIDENTIAL BLOCK - DAY

We then see CARLA’s anger get the best of her after watching the technician talk dirty on the phone for a moment. She assaults RON multiple times. Distant sounds of police sirens close in fast. She turns around to find two OFFICERS ordering her to put her hands up.

EXT - BARBER SHOP - DAY

SHAWN continues the haircut, explaining his new understandings for the two words. He cuts with passion as he speaks with fire in his eyes.

TRACI gets lost in SHAWN’s deep explanation of his conundrum. TRACI moves a bit when SHAWN gets too excited.

SHAWN

(Passionately)

During that play you were using your conscience by being aware of your surroundings… You were focused on what was needed to be done, and to top it off, you weren’t even tunnel vision! You decided to take control of the play of the game…

TRACI listens to SHAWN’s explanation.

SHAWN

What surprised me the most about that specific play was how you used your conscious as well.

SHAWN slowly finishes his statement.

SHAWN

As you drove in the hole you passed the ball, giving it to the open man… and he made the game winning shot.

SHAWN finishes the cut. He gets the alcohol, wipes TRACI and takes off the smock.

SHAWN

"Your conscience shows us your instincts and how you