FIVE FEET AND RISING
by
Peter Sollett
FADE IN:
EXT. 8TH STREET BETWEEN AVENUES C AND D - DAY
A group of dark-skinned girls wearing cheerleading outfits
align themselves in formation on the sidewalk. They begin to
dance. No music can be heard. The sound of the girls' bodies
is our soundtrack. We hear their strained breathing, palms
and sneaker bottoms pounding while they hum and count softly
to themselves in an effort to keep the rhythm.
SLO-MO: We explore the bodies of the dancers; their bright
eyes and sweaty brows, their stomping feet and colliding
hands (dark side and light side). The younger girls perform
provocative dance movements, the older girls repeat them.
Their bodies silhouette in the bright sunlight.
CUT TO: TITLES
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - DAY
AMANDA, a tall 14-year-old exits the front door of her
apartment budding with her headphones in one hand and a
magazine in the other. She sits down on her stoop, puts her
headphones on and presses "play". We can hear the sound of
Salsa leaking out of the sides of her headphones. JENETTE,
ten years old with big black hair in rubber-band restraints, sits on
the sidewalk below Amanda drawing with a piece of chalk. Jenette
looks over her shoulder and sees Amanda reading her magazine Jenette
climbs the stairs and sits down beside her.
The camera pans to reveal AARON, an 18-year-old boy on the
other side of the street, unloading some fireworks from the
trunk of a car. He's filling a paper bag with them,
carefully making sure not to reveal what he's doing to
onlookers.
At the ear end of the block, DONNA, 14, and MICHELLE, 12,
sit and watch Aaron at work.
MICHELLE
How does he look up close?
DONNA
(Amorously)
Umm, he got dark brownish
eyes, he got a nice nose I
love his nose. I love his
skin. I love his lips, he
got a great smile and he
got-
MICHELLE
A bad attitude.
DONNA
Yeah, he got a bad
attitude.
MICHELLE
You said before, that he
got boxes?
SLO-MO: The camera is very close to Aaron. Details of his
body in a shallow depth of field.
DONNA
Yeah, he got boxes in his
stomach. He's taller than
me.
MICHELLE
How old is he?
DONNA
I think he's 18 or 17.
MICHELLE
You gonna talk to him?
DONNA
Um, yeah I think so.
Back on Amanda's stoop.
JENETTE
You still like him.
AMANDA
(With a sigh of negative attitude)
No.
HECTOR, a mature-looking 13-year old is crossing the
street. He enters frame with Amanda and Jenette.
HECTOR
Yo, wuzzup.
Amanda ignores him.
JENETTE
Hi Hector
HECTOR
(To Amanda)
Oh, you're not gonna say
hello.
AMANDA'S POV: Donna approaches Aaron as he locks up the
trunk of the car. She hesitantly calls over to him. He
acknowledges her with a lift of the chin. Making sure he
keeps his distance from her, he looks around to see if
anyone is watching him. He tosses his head for her to
follow. He begins to walk away down the block. She follows.
Hector is looking at Amanda. He appears to have run out of
things to say. Amanda removes her headphones. Her music
becomes clearer, more audible.
HECTOR
Yo, you gonna keep me
hangin' like dat?
AMANDA
Hector, Yo try to rap to me every day, why don't you
take your three-quarters retarded ass outta here?
HECTOR
Yo, you betta give me my
respects or I'll tell your
little girl ova here what
I heard about you and my
boy.
Amanda puts her headphones back on.
HECTOR looks like he got a new girl anyway.
EXT. 8TH STREET BETWEEN AVENUES C AND D - AFTERNOON
VICTOR, a skinny 12-year-old with sloppy hair, is asleep in
the sun on his fire escape. There is sweat beaded up on his
body. His shirt is rolled up behind his head like a pillow.
His breath is heavy, his chest rises and falls. The camera
tilts to reveal CARLOS, ten, rounding the corner on the
street below. The camera tracks backwards as Carlos
approaches. He is talking to himself.
CARLOS
(To himself)
Whatcha gonna do when ya
bitch is untrue?
Carlos lifts his head up to look at the fire escapes.
CARLOS
Yo Victor!
The camera pans and tilts up to the fire escapes. The
buildings float by. He arrives in front of Victor's
building and cups his hand around his mouth.
CARLOS
Yo Victor!
On the fire escape, Victor's eyes pop open and the sun
shines into them.
VICTOR
(Dazed)
What, wuzzup?
Victor sits up and looks over the side of the fire escape.
CARL0S
Come down!
VICTOR
I can't!
CARLOS
Why?
VICTOR
I got punished, man.
CARLOS
Fa what?
VICTOR
I won't let my motha cut
my hair.
CARLOS
Wha'?
VICTOR
She fucks it all up!
CARLOS
Forget it! C'mon Let's go
to the pool.
VICTOR
I can't man, I'm punished!
CARL0S
Who gives!
VICTOR
I can't, I'm gonna get
punished more!
CARLOS
Trust me, I always get
into trouble, c'mon!
Victor sits down on the fire escape. Carlos pauses for a
minute and turns his back on Victor.
CARL0S
C'mon! The girls are
waiting for you!
Victor hops back up.
VICTOR
(interested)
They are?
CARLOS
Yeah! Tell me which one you would like. To be doin'
nothin on a fire escape or beat the pool with a bunch of
girls? Be straight up!
VICTOR
I'll be right down.
Victor climbs down the fire escape and hops down to the
street. he immediately grabs Carlos and starts pushing him
down the block to avoid being seen from above.
EXT. THE CORNER OF 8TH STREET AND AVENUE D - CONTINUOUS
The boys safely round the corner onto Avenue D. Victor
perks up and starts nudging Carlos.
VICTOR
So what girls are over
there?
CARLOS
Natasha, Maria, Tina-
VICTOR
These are the pretty girls
you told me to come down
for?
Victor sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.
CARLOS
What's the difference, you
never do anything anyway
Victor makes a disagreeing gesture. Carlos drags Victor
Downtown.
VICTOR
What are you going that
way for?
CARLOS
I'm not goin' to 10th
Street, people piss and
shit in that pool,
VICTOR
Where you goin'?
CARLOS
Pitt.
VICTOR
Oh man, what we gotta
leave ar' own neighborhood
for?
CARLOS
C'mon.
VICTOR
Man, if I go down you're
goin' down with me.
EXT. AVENUE D - CONTINUOUS
MONTAGE: Victor and Carlos hang on each other as they walk down
Avenue D towards the Pitt Street Pool. They pass by Victor brother,
giving him an impromptu smack and then bang on a store window to wave
hello to a friend.
From Victor's POV we work our way through a crowd of people
an cross 3rd Street. Victor looks back at the crowd with a
watchful eye. The camera tracks along in the street as the
boys walk along the sidewalk. Victor looks up at a street
sign. It reads, "Houston St." As the boys make their way
across the wide intersection, the heat is slightly visible
as car exhaust fills the gridlocked lanes. Victor and
Carlos walk calmly, with space between them, making their
way towards the camera in a shallow depth of field as we
follow focus on them.
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - CONTINUOUS
Victor and Carlos stand on line outside the pool gates. Police
examine the boys as they slowly inch their way into the park.
From Victor's POV we see the expanse of the pool as he
enters the park. We watch as he surveys the area.
From a high angle we see Carlos nudge Victor to make his
way onto the pool deck. They enter the crowd, proceeding
carefully, making sure not to bump anyone.
As they continue to walk, Victor's POV reveals the bodies
of older boys and girls, rough water and mischievous kids.
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - CONTINUOUS
Amanda is sitting poolside with Jenette.
AMANDA
And that girl, over there?
Hoochie.
Jenette looks out across the pool trying to see who Amanda
is talking about.
AMANDA
And him. Stay away from
him, he's only interested
in that.
Amanda points between Jenette's legs.
AMANDA
That right there.
Carlos steps in front of them, Amanda smacks his leg.
CARLOS
Yo Amanda, wassup?
They kiss on the cheek.
CARLOS
(To Victor)
Amanda is Eddie's cousin.
VICTOR
Eddie from Compost?
CARLOS
No, Baruch.
A girl swimming in the pool calls over to Carlos.
GIRL 1
Carlos! Carlos, get your
skinny ass over here!
CARLOS
(To Victor)
Stay right here, I'll be
right back.
Carlos walks off leaving Victor standing next to Amanda and
Jenette. Victor looks uncomfortable.
AMANDA
Who are you?
VICTOR
I'm wit' Carlos.
Amanda points out across the pool.
AMANDA
(To Jenette)
Him right there, That's
who I'm talkin' about.
(to Victor)
Excuse me, can you move, I
can't see.
Amanda spots Aaron and Donna in the distance.
AMANDA
Do you have a name?
VICTOR
Victor.
AMANDA
What?
VICTOR
Victor.
Amanda turns to Jenette and continues talking to her.
VICTOR
Umm, I'm gonna go find
Carlos.
As Victor turns to walk, the camera pans to follow him,
revealing Hector who is approaching Amanda. The camera then
pans back to Amanda. She sighs and turns her ahead away
from him.
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - CONTINUOUS
In the playground area at the Pitt Street Pool, Aaron is doing a'
impression of Al Pacino. Darrell and Boy 1 look on.
AARON
(to Boy 1)
You wanna meet my little
friend?
Boy 1 is laughing at Aaron. Donna and Michelle stand nearby
watching.
AARON
Don't fuck wit' me! Don't
fuck wit' me.
(pointing his finger)
My lawyer's so good he'll
have you workin in Alaska,
so dress warn.
DONNA
Aaron, how you doin'?
AARON
Fine.
DONNA
Look at me.
AARON
What?
DONNA
Why you have an attitude
for?
AARON
Not now, I'm busy
DONNA
God, I just wanna speak to
you. I just wanna speak
to you the way I feel
about you.
AARON
Hurry up, you're wastin'
my time, what the fuck.
Aaron turns back to his friends.
DONNA
Please don't scream at me.
I like you, but I don't
like the way your attitude
is.
AARON
So get the fuck outta
here.
Darrell and Boy 1 approve. They wait for Donna's reply.
DONNA
I wanna go out with you, I
want to be part of your
life. I want you to treat
me the way a girlfriend
should be treated.
AARON
Then don't go out with me.
DONNA
For once in your life have
some respect for me,
don't even curse at me or
nothin'.
AARON
(to Darrell)
Now she's tellin' me what
the fuck to do.
DONNA
God, you drive me crazy. I
just want you to know how
I feel and you don't
understand.
AARON
Just get the fuck outta
here.
Donna stares at Aaron as he turns back to his friends.
Michelle walks up to Donna and gently leads her away.
AARON
That girl be trippin'.
(Back into his Pacino impression)
One time I let her kiss my
rings and forever
she tries to repay me!
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - LATER
Victor and Carlos are playing, trying to force each others' heads
underwater.
Carlos squirts water through his lips.
VICTOR
I gotta go take a piss.
CARLOS
If we were at 10th Street
Pool you woulda done it
right in the water, right?
The camera pans as Victor climbs out of the pool and onto a
long line. As he stands and waits, Amanda can be seen in
the background arguing with Hector.
In the water, Carlos makes a face at Victor. Victor makes
one back.
VICTOR
(Under his breath to Carlos)
I'm gonna beat you.
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - CONTINUOUS
Hector and Amanda have been arguing. Jenette is sitting on the ground
beneath
them.
HECTOR
I know you likes me.
AMANDA
I eave me alone!
HECTOR
Why don't you share the
wealth a little bit?
Hector grabs her wrist.
AMANDA
Excuse me! I gotta go to
the ladies' room!
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - MOMENTS LATER
Amanda gets on line behind Victor as he continues to antagonize
Carlos in the
distance. Amanda recognizes Victor from behind, peeking
over his shoulder at the side of his face.
AMANDA
Shorty!
Victor turns around to Amanda.
AMANDA
Wussup?
VICTOR
Wussup.
He turns back around.
AMANDA
Yo shorty!
Victor turns back around.
VICTOR
What?
Amanda hears something over her shoulder and spins her head
around.
AMANDA
(to Hector)
Leave me alone!
(To Victor)
Yo, I know another
bathroom over there, c'mon
this line's too long.
Amanda takes Victor by the hand and walks towards Hector.
She bumps into him with Victor.
AMANDA
Excuse us.
Amanda gives Hector a snotty grin.
She drags Victor away.
EXT. PITT STREET POOL - CONTINUOUS
In a small corner, out of sight to the rest of the kids at the pool.
Amanda
complains to Victor. Victor looks confused.
AMANDA
This fucking guy be
followin' me around, and
touchin' me. Asshole!
She sighs and pulls on the bathroom door. It's locked. She
gives it another try. It won't budge.
AMANDA
Look, just do me a favor.
Stand right here, okay?
Amanda takes Victor's hand for balance and squats down,
pulling her bathing suit bottoms to the side. She urinates.
Victor watches her, trying to play it cool. The camera
tilts up from Amanda's face peeking up at Victor, to their
hands straining for balance, to Victor's wandering eyes.
EXT. 8TH STREET BETWEEN AVENUES C AND D - DAY
Close-up of ERICA looking into the camera.
ERICA
We're "Fantasy" and This
is Shai, Diamond-
FRANCESCA
And I'm Melody.
We see the three girls standing in line on the sidewalk.
ERICA
And we're gonna sing a
song called 'Tell me
What.' It was written by
myself, Diamond and Shai
and the vocals were
arranged by us two.
Francesca rolls her eyes.
ERICA
Also, it was written May
24th 1998 at 10:20 p.m.
Check it out.
The girls begin to sing.
Carlos stands in front of the singers mocking them. The
camera pans to see Victor approaching Carlos.
VICTOR
Wussup?
CARL0S
Wussup, Victor.
VICTOR
Yo, can I talk to you for
a minute?
Carlos nods his head. Victor leans into Carlos, resting his
arm on Carlos' shoulder.
VICTOR
Yo, remember from the
pool, that girl?
CARLOS
Which one?
VICTOR
You know, Eddie's cousin.
CARL0S
Eddie from Compost?
VICTOR
Eddie from Baruch, the one
who was sittin' wit' dat
little girl;
CARLOS
The one with the phat ass?
VICTOR
No, c'mon, stop playin'.
The girl that you kissed
when we got there. Where s
he live at?
CARL0S
Why don't you ask Eddie?
VICTOR
Yo, Carlos-I'm gonna punch
you.
CARLOS
(Mockingly)
I'm gonna punch you. What
you want with her anyway?
You in love with her?
VICTOR
She lives near Eddie?
CARLOS
I think she lives down by
Pitt.
VICTOR
Near Natasha's? Or over by
Boy's Club?
CARLOS
I think by Twenty-two.
VICTOR
For real?
CARLOS
What you want with her
anyway'
Victor starts walking off down the block.
CARLOS
Yo! What you goin' for
VICTOR
'Cause you know what,
you're not supposed to
know but yesterday she
lent me her pills for her
Moms and if I don't give
'em to her she's gonna
die. You want her to die?
Carlos shrugs Victor off as he walks away down the block.
A moment passes.
CARLOS
(to himself)
What do you do when your
bitch is untrue?
You cut the hooker off and
find someone new. I need
another bitch another
bitch in my life.
EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE - CONTINUOUS
MONTAGE: Victor's trip through the streets in search of Amanda's
block.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - LATER
Donna and Michelle are standing in front of their building.
MICHELLE
Okay, merengue, you do
like this-
Michelle places one hand on her side, the other in the air
and begins to step.
DONNA
Like this?
MICHELLE
Yeah, that's right, you
got it girl.
Michelle grabs Donna, they embrace and dance.
MICHELLE
Now salsa, you know how to
dance salsa?
DONNA
Yeah.
MICHELLE
Okay, then dance. Show.
Donna dances. Michelle looks over her shoulder. Aaron is
drinking a bottle of soda across the street.
MICHELLE
I don't think he's
watching.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
Aaron sits on a stoop across the street from Michelle and Donna He's
shaking up
a bottle of soda, then opening the cap to let the bubbles
out. He's got a large brown paper bag with him. Victor the rounds the
corner,
his eyes are scanning across the buildings on the block.
AARON
Yo Shorty, you wanna buy
some M-80s?
VICTOR
Nah.
AARON
Twenty-four for two
dollars, son, and ain't
talkin' no little pussy
boxes, I'm talkin' big
ones.
VICTOR
Nah.
AARON
Alright, I'll be here, if
anything.
Victor continues down the block.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
Victor finds Jenette sitting on Amanda's stoop. She appears to have
just come
outside as she unties a jump rope that is knotted around her
waist Victor stands next to her for a moment waiting awkwardly to
speak.
Jenette is ignoring him.
Aaron watches from down the block.
Victor steps towards Jenette. As he turns to face her, she
is roll her sock down to her ankle and preparing to jump
her rope.
VICTOR
Hey, little girl, you know
a girl named Amanda who
lives around here?
JENETTE
No.
Jenette stands sloppily in front of him on the street. She
says nothing and begins to jump. Smic-smac, smic-smac,
smic-smack.
VICTOR
You sure? She's got kind
of like brown hair.
JENETTE
Positive.
VICTOR
You sure?
JENETTE
Positive.
VICTOR
My friend told me she
lived around here.
JENETTE
Your friend must be
misinformed.
VICTOR
Didn't I see you at Pitt
yesterday?
A pause.
JENETTE
So what do you want with
her anyway?
VICTOR
I'm a good friend of hers.
JENETTE
How do I know you're not
lying.
VICTOR
Yo, I know what you're
thinking, that I'm one of
those guys that keep
coming up to her.
JENETTE
Probably.
(Under her breath)
One of the many.
VICTOR
What?
JENETTE
Nothing.
Hector approaches Victor from down the block.
HECTOR
Excuse me, can I help you?
Victor doesn't answer.
HECTOR
You looking for somebody?
VICTOR
Wha'?
HECTOR
You here to see somebody?
VICTOR
Yeah.
HECTOR
Who?
VICTOR
A girl named Amanda.
HECTOR
What she look like?
VICTOR
She's like this high, dark
hair, skinny
HECTOR
Yo, that's my girl.
VICTOR
She didn't say she had no
man.
HECTOR
I suggest you turn around
and go back to where you
came from.
Victor looks over to Jenette. No response.
HECTOR
What are you waiting for?
A pause.
HECTOR
You betta bounce, yo.
Hector shoves Victor away from the stoop. Victor steps up to
Hector. Jenette watches them. interested.
HECTOR
You betta leave the block,
yo, or me and my boys,
we're gonna fuck you up.
Victor looks at Hector then walks away down the block.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
Victor rounds the corner and sits down on the sidewalk.
VICTOR
(to himself)
Fuck man. I'm gonna get a
fuckin' M-80 and shove it
up his retarded ass.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - MOMENTS LATER
CHRISTOPHER, an energetic ten-year-old, exits the front door of his
building
holding a bat, sits down on the curb and looks out at the block. As
the camera
pans, we see Aaron on the corner talking to Mari. Michelle and Donna
are walking
down the block. Hector is making his way back over to Amanda's
building and
Jenette is jumping rope.
Chris rubs his eyes, turns around and looks up at one of
the windows in his building.
CHRIS
(Up to the window)
Ma!
No answer.
CHRIS
Ma!
Mom's head sticks out the window.
CHRIS
Cross me!
Mom waves her hand, signaling to him that it's safe to
cross the street. Chris, picking up a half-deflated
football, runs into the street.
Chris makes his way down the block, stomping along in big
High-tops. He spots Aaron a few feet away.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
Aaron is sitting on the sidewalk crushing a soda bottle under his
foot.
Chris approaches and tosses the ball to him.
Aaron stands up and tosses the ball back to Chris, then
lights a cigarette. Chris waits until Aaron is ready and
throws again.
AARON
It's too hot, get outta
here.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK- CONTINUOUS
Michelle and Donna are sitting on their stoop.
DONNA
I want him to change. I
want to get to know the
real him and I want him to
get to know the real me.
Michelle looks at Donna. A pause.
DONNA
It's so frustrating. I ask
him if he's mad and he
says no.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - MOMENTS LATER
Victor is still sitting on the sidewalk around the corner.
Chris walks by him.
VICTOR
Yo! You live here?
Chris nods.
VICTOR
You know Amanda?
Chris nods again, smiles and throws the ball at Victor.
Victor catches it and throws it back. Chris catches it and
then starts to run away.
VICTOR
Hey, where you goin'?
Victor starts to follow him.
VICTOR
Hold up, yo!
EXT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS
Chris slips through a fence to enter the alleyway and Victor enters
behind him.
A "No Trespassing" sign hangs on the gate. Victor looks around a
little as they continue their game of catch.
As the boys play, the gate creaks and swings open. The boys
quickly scurry into an out-of-the-way corner.
Aaron and Donna enter the alleyway. The boys watch them.
AARON
Alright, tell me, what'd
you hear?
DONNA
There's a rumor that you
were tryin' to get
somebody to beat me up.
AARON
What chu listening to
rumors for? I'm not like
dat.
DONNA
Is it true?
Aaron puts his bag of fireworks down on the floor.
AARON
I told you, no. I'm not
that type.
DONNA
Then I want you to go to
whoever's sayin' that and
tell them to stop.
AARON
Alright.
Aaron clears a piece of hair away from Donna's face and
puts it behind her ear. A pause He gently pushes her up against the
wall.
He kisses her forehead. The camera follows as Aaron's lips
make their way to Donna's. They kiss. Slowly at first, then
deeply.
Victor and Chris watch silently from the corner.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK- MOMENTS LATER
Jenette is siding on the ground, drawing with chalk on the
side walk. Victor approaches her and sits down on the
stoop.
JENETTE
Amanda's not back yet
Victor runs his fingers through his hair. Jenette details
her artwork. She focuses intently on her drawing
JENETTE
(With her eyes lowered)
How's Hector?
Victor doesn't respond.
JENETTE
(to Victor)
So, do you like her?
Jenette stares at the sidewalk.
VICTOR
No.
JENETTE
So, then whadda ya want?
Victor stands up to leave.
JENETTE
You wanna do somethin'
with me?
VICTOR
Not really.
JENETTE
Hey!
VICTOR
Wha'?
Jenette makes eye contact. Victor makes his way back over to Jenette.
He sits
down beside her. Jenette's eyes focus back on her drawing.
JENETTE
Where you know Amanda
from?
VICTOR
Jus' from around the way.
JENETTE
You live around here?
VICTOR
Yeah.
JENETTE
You gotta girLfrLend?
Victor sees Chris kicking his football across the street.
JENETTE
You wanna be my boyfriend?
Victor doesn't respond. A moment passes.
JENETTE
Hector's an asshole, huh?
Jenette looks at Victor. She catches him looking across the
street.
JENETTE
(to Victor)
I know how ta get him back
if you want.
VICTOR
(turning back)
Nah.
Jenette's eyes drop down to the ground.
She quietly begins to sob. She holds her face in her hands.
Fake tears.
VICTOR
What's the matter? You
alright?
Aaron rounds the corner of the block with Donna. 3enette
catches a glimpse of him and starts sobbing loudly. Aaron
sees Jenette crying on the ground. He leaves Donna behind
and starts walking towards Jenette.
VICTOR
Wha'? I'll do whatever you
want.
Aaron reaches them. Victor looks up at him.
AARON
(to Victor)
What happened!
Jenette cries. Aaron grabs Victor's arm tightly.
AARON
(Angrily)
'Wha' happened?
Jenette raises her head.
JENETTE
Hector-
AARON
What? He hit you?
She sobs and nods "yes."
Aaron scoops her up onto his shoulder and grabs Victor by
the arm.
AARON
C'mon.
Jenette's chalk is left behind on the sidewalk.
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
Aaron marches them all up the block. Hector's silhouette
is visible in the distance as he cranks the pedal of an upside-down
bicycle.
Jenette bounces and sobs over Aaron's shoulder as they trot
up the block. Victor struggles to keep up as his sneakers
begin to skid on the cement.
Hector sees the three of them approaching.
He raises his arm and points a finger at Victor.
HECTOR
(to Victor)
I thought I told you to go
home!
Aaron speeds up as he approaches Hector.
AARON
You hit my sista?
Jenette sobs in Aaron's arms as he puts her down.
Aaron releases Victor's sleeve.
Smack! Aaron hits Hector in the face. Hector falls. Aaron
turns and finds Victor turning away.
AARON
(to Victor)
Yo! Get over here!
Victor turns back towards the action. Holding Hector
against a wall, he pulls Victor near.
AARON
(to Hector)
Who told you to touch my
sister?
HECTOR
I didn't touch shit!
Smack! Hector is pinned against the wall. He tries to free
himself of Aaron but he is no match. Chris watches from the
curb, amused.
HECTOR
I didn't do anything!
Hector struggles. Aaron looks to Victor.
AARON
Did you see him?
Jenette turns her head to Victor. She wipes the tears from
her eyes.
Victor looks at Hector. A moment passes. Chris plays with
his bat as he watches.
VICTOR
Yeah.
Aaron punches Hector in the stomach. Hector doubles over.
Chris throws punches into the air.
DISSOLVE TO
EXT. AMANDA'S BLOCK - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun has dropped low in the sky. Long shadows rest on
The pavement after a steamy afternoon.
Amanda's block is quiet and empty.
Chris strolls by Amanda's stoop.
He notices Jenette's drawing, bends down on his knees and
reads her sloppy writing.
"For entrance to secret passage press here."
Chris presses his finger into the circle she's drawn. A
moment passes. Nothing happens.
A sound is heard atop Amanda's stoop. Chris quickly walks
away. Amanda appears through her front door.
She sits down on her stoop.
Victor is sitting on the curb across the street tapping an
empty bottle against the pavement. He sees Amanda.
Victor approaches Amanda's stoop.
VICTOR
Yo.
AMANDA
Hi.
VICTOR
Remember me, from the
pool?
AMANDA
Um. Yeah! Shorty!
A pause.
AMANDA
So watcha doin'?
VICTOR
Nothin'.
AMANDA
What are you doin' here?
VICTOR
I, umm, came to see you.
AMANDA
You know somebody around
here?
VICTOR
No.
(He sighs)
What you do today?
AMANDA
Oh you know, cleaned the
house, cooked. Took care
of my little sisters. Sit
down. So where's Carlos?
VICTOR
I guess he's outside
someplace I don't like
takin' him down to certain
places.
Victor sits down.
AMANDA
Whadja wanna see me about?
VICTOR
I just wanted to see you.
A pause.
AMANDA
So you got a girl?
VICTOR
Of course.
AMANDA
So what's her name?
VICTOR
You know. I got a lot,
more than one.
AMANDA
A play-ya.
VICTOR
You got a boyfriend?
AMANDA
Me? No. Don't want none
either. Such bastards, man.
A pause.
AMANDA
(Quickly)
They play a girl, then you
complain, then they play
dumb, blah, blah, blah.
All that bullshit,
whatever I don't want
none. I'm gonna stay
single awhile, you know?
A pause.
AMANDA
So wadda you do with your
girls?
VICTOR
Just chill.
AMANDA
That's it?
VICTOR
Nah, we make out and
stuff.
Amanda doesn't believe him.
AMANDA
So what you think of me?
VICTOR
You look good.
AMANDA
I look good, that's it. So
what else do you do for
these girls?
VICTOR
I buy them flowers.
AMANDA
How you treat them?
VICTOR
Good. I'm faithful to
them.
Amanda gets up and walks away. Victor quickly follows.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Amanda walks through the half-open fence and leans flat
against the wall. Victor stands close by, nervously.
He keeps his distance from her.
AMANDA
See, I got you, you are so
scared. I don't believe
that you kissed no girls.
That you got three girls
and that you faithful and
this and that.
VICTOR
I did.
AMANDA
Well, you know I'm
standin' here and you say
I look good?
VICTOR
I kissed those girls.
AMANDA
No you didn't, you ain't
provin'it.
VICTOR
I aint gotta prove nothin'
to no girl, 'cause I got
it like dat.
AMANDA
Oh, 'cause you got it like
dat?
Victor approaches Amanda. He touches her arm. Amanda
smiles.
She takes Victor's hand and places it on her breast. Victor
moves forward. Amanda moves his hand over her breasts. She
wraps her arms around his waist. Victor bends his arms
around her back.
Amanda hisses him on the lips, slowly. A long, deep kiss.
As she kisses him she runs her hand through his hair. She
pulls back. Victor looks around. Chris is at the entrance
of the alleyway, watching them. He is holding his deflated football.
Chris looks at him for a second and walks away.
Chris walks down the block, his bat against the pavement.
FADE OUT