Pawn

INT. SCHOOL - JOE'S OFFICE - DAY

(Mr. Joe sits behind his desk, looking stern. Selina stands before him, visibly upset.)

JOE: The same girl every day? Aren't you tired of causing trouble? Don't mess with that poor kid Michael; his father is a trillionaire.

SELINA: I've been brought here several times for nothing. They are the ones bullying me.

(Lizzy interrupts her.)

LIZZY: Shut up, Selina!

JOE: Sophia's dad is a millionaire also.

SELINA: It doesn't matter, sir. I'm a student of this school, and I know my rights.

JOE: Hmm, tell me about it.

SELINA: They have always ...

(Mr. Joe slams his hand on the table, cutting Selina off.)

JOE: You are on probation, Selina. Any wrong move, and you'll be expelled.

SELINA: What? But I didn't... Are they paying you, sir?

(Joe's anger intensifies.)

JOE: How dare you? Get out of my office. GET OUT!

(Selina leaves the office, tears streaming down her face.)

LIZZY: I'll handle her, sir.

(Lizzy follows Selina out, leaving Joe alone in his office.)

---

EXT. SCHOOL - COMPOUND - DAY

(Selina stands alone, crying near the school gate.)

SELINA: What should I do to stop this?

(Lizzy approaches, clearly annoyed.)

LIZZY: What was that all about? How dare you raise your voice at Mr. Joe?

SELINA: I said I was sorry.

LIZZY: Sorry for yourself.

SELINA: You saw everything, Miss Lizzy, so why are you lying? What did I do wrong?

LIZZY: I don't like you, and nobody else does either. People like you never make it in life; some rot in jail while others die miserably. You are such a miserable nobody and you'll be expelled for sure.

(Lizzy storms off, leaving Selina alone to contemplate her situation.)

SELINA: Teachers are supposed to encourage students, but mine is torturing me. Why was I born?

(Anne appears, concerned.)

ANNE: Hey! What happened?

SELINA: I'm always at fault. They blame me for everything, Anne. I don't know what to do.

ANNE: What are you saying?

(Selina breaks down, sobbing uncontrollably.)

SELINA: Everyone is hurting me - my dad, Miss Lizzy, Mr. Joe, Sophia and Michael. I just want to die.

(Anne is shocked and tries to console Selina.)

ANNE: Shhh, don't say such things.

SELINA: No one is there for me. Mom is always busy, and you can't leave your house. I'm always alone with Dad and his mistress.

ANNE: What?

SELINA: Please don't tell anyone, Anne. He threatened to kill me if I tell Mom.

ANNE: Oh my God.

SELINA: Please, Anne.

ANNE: Cross my heart.

(Anne comforts Selina, trying to uplift her.)

ANNE: Come on, let's walk home.

SELINA: What about your driver?

ANNE: When he comes to get me and can't find me, he will go back.

SELINA: That will make your parents mad.

ANNE: I know, but I am tired of doing everything for their sake.

SELINA: Don't forget they are your parents, and they love you.

ANNE: Okay, let's go. Let's walk and forget about this mess.

(Both girls exit the scene, with Anne trying to lighten the mood.)

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - NOON

(Diego is on the phone, pacing.)

DIEGO: What do you mean you didn't see Anne? She isn't home yet. Look for her. (Diego hangs up angrily.)

TAYLOR: Anne has become a stubborn brat, just like that Selina.

DIEGO: We will teach her a lesson when she gets back.

(Anne enters, looking calm.)

ANNE: Good afternoon, Mom, Dad.

DIEGO: I prefer bad afternoon.

ANNE: What's wrong this time? The driver didn't see me, right? I walked home.

TAYLOR: With Selina.

ANNE: Mom, it's my choice.

TAYLOR: We are locking you up and going to teach Selina a lesson.

DIEGO: Don't even try to escape.

(They slam the door on Anne's face and exit angrily.)

ANNE: Mom, Dad, this isn't fair. Selina is not to blame. She talked me out of it.

---

INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NOON

(Selina looks disappointed.)

SELINA: Dad, you didn't come to school.

RICHARD: Yes, that's because I have more important things to do than come aid you.

SELINA: Dad, with the way you treat me, people will think you're my stepfather.

RICHARD: Do I look like I care? Just don't ruin my mood today.

SELINA: Dad, what did I do? Please tell me.

RICHARD: I don't like you, that's all.

(He exits, irritated.)

SELINA: I miss Mom. She is the only person that likes me... and Anne.

(Diego and Taylor barge in.)

SELINA: Good afternoon...

TAYLOR: Don't even try it, brat. Stay away from Anne.

DIEGO: This is the last warning.

SELINA: What happened?

TAYLOR: My daughter doesn't need a low-level miserable freak like you as a friend.

SELINA: (crying) But...

DIEGO: Save your crocodile tears and shed them in front of your wench mother.

SELINA: Excuse me?

TAYLOR: You wanna fight? (chuckles) Brat.

(They exit. Selina screams loudly as tears well up in her eyes.)

SELINA: How do I change my life? What should I do?

---

5 YEARS LATER

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - DAY

ANNE: What? This is my life and besides, I am twenty now.

DIEGO: Anne, as long as you are living under my roof, you'll live by my rules.

ANNE: Then I'll look for a house.

TAYLOR: Don't be silly, honey.

ANNE: I am not being silly right now, Mom. I am being serious. I have never done anything for my benefit since I was born.

TAYLOR: That's because we are here to help you make the right choices and cancel out the wrong ones.

ANNE: (chuckles) Bullshit. (exits angrily)

TAYLOR: (sighs) She won't listen, will she?

---

INT. FRANCES' HOUSE - DAY

FRANCES: Love...

SELINA: Mom, you promised to quit.

FRANCES: I was counting on your father. Your father still has no job.

SELINA: Don't you think you are spoiling him? He isn't even trying hard enough.

FRANCES: How do you know?

SELINA: Mom, if he were really trying, he'd have found a job by now. I know times are tough, but persistence pays off.

FRANCES: Love, trust me, your dad is doing his best.

SELINA: So this is it? No mom, no love, no happiness?

FRANCES: Your father is here.

SELINA: Yes, he's here, indeed.

FRANCES: Don't be like that, love!

SELINA: Thank you for everything, Mom. (hugs her) I know you're doing this for my sake.

FRANCES: I knew you were a smart girl. I am so proud of you.

SELINA: How lucky I am to have a mom like you.

FRANCES: Aww.

SELINA: Alright, I'm going to school... or should I say university?

(Frances chuckles and hugs Selina.)

FRANCES: Take care, love.

SELINA: Love you.

(Selina smiles and exits while Frances frowns.)

FRANCES: I'm sorry I have to go, love. (exits)

---

INT. EVERGREEN UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY

(The classroom is bustling with students chatting.)

MICHAEL: No teachers, great.

SOPHIA: Fun time.

(Selina enters, holding her book tightly.)

SELINA: Hi, Anne.

(Sophia extends her leg in Selina's path, smirking.)

SOPHIA: One, two...

(Selina trips and falls hard, scattering her books.)

SELINA: Ouch!

(Anne rushes to her side, helping her up.)

ANNE: Are you okay?

(Jake, a new student, comes over to assist.)

JAKE: Are you alright?

SELINA: Yes, I'm fine.

SOPHIA: Be more careful next time. Watch where you're going.

JAKE: You should watch where you place your foot.

SOPHIA: Come on, Jake, who's talking to you? Don't get on my bad side.

JAKE: It would be a shame to be on your side at all.

SELINA: It's fine, Jake… thanks.

(Anne and Selina sit together, trying to calm down.)

ANNE: How are you?

SELINA: I'm good. What about you? What are you doing after school?

ANNE: I don't know yet.

SELINA: I guess I'll go home then.

ANNE: To your dad?

SELINA: I have no choice.

(Anne looks at her friend, deeply concerned.)

ANNE: Selina, I am sorry for everything that has gone wrong in your life.

SELINA: That means you are sorry for my life itself. I can count the happy moments because they go by seconds, but the sad moments go by minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. (Crying) I am happy when I'm around you and my mom.

(Anne holds Selina's hands to comfort her.)

ANNE: Selina, look at me. Never give up! Happy moments are coming. They will outnumber your sad moments. I promise.

SELINA: Thank you, Anne.

ANNE: I am always here in bad and good moments. I've got your back, pal. Anne for Selina.

SELINA: Selina for Anne.

Both: For life.

CUT TO:

A few hours later

EXT. SCHOOL - COMPOUND - DAY

(Anne and Selina stand near the gate, chatting.)

Anne: Should we walk home?

Selina: You remember what happened the last time we did, right?

(Both laugh.)

Anne: I remember, but they crossed the line when they insulted you.

Selina: It's fine.

Anne: So, are we walking home?

(Jake enters, interrupting the conversation, his expression friendly.)

Jake: Can I join the ladies?

Selina: Sure, feel free.

Jake: Sorry about the incident earlier.

Selina: It's fine. I'm used to it by now.

Anne: Gosh, my driver came. See you later, Selina. Bye...

(Anne stares at Jake, waiting for him to introduce himself.)

Jake: Jake.

Anne: Bye, Jake. (exits)

Selina: I'm Selina.

Jake: Nice to meet you, Selina. Are you walking home?

Selina: I don't think so. My dad is coming. What about you?

Jake: My mom is coming to pick me up.

Selina: Mama's boy, eh?

Jake: (chuckles) No, Dad is busy. I only get to see him when he's off from work.

Selina: That's the opposite of my parents. My mom is the busy one.

Jake: Yeah, what parents do for their children.

Selina: Spoken just like my mom.

(Richard drives up in his car. He looks impatient.)

Richard: Get in.

Selina: Oh, my dad is here. See you tomorrow, Jake.

Jake: Bye.

(Selina enters the car, and Richard drives off. Jake watches them leave, then heads toward the parking lot where his mom is waiting.)

---

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - DAY

(Anne stands, arms crossed, looking frustrated while Diego and Taylor sit on the couch, looking serious.)

Anne: Why do I still have a driver? Dad, Mom, I'm twenty for crying out loud!

Taylor: Not this argument again. Go get dressed; we have an urgent meeting.

Anne: Since when do I attend meetings with you guys?

Diego: Today. Anne, our business was failing, but a kind and generous man saved it from collapsing.

Taylor: And now we want to return the favor.

Diego: So that he won't think we are ungrateful.

Anne: And? What do I have to do with this?

Diego: I think you understand the point, Anne.

Anne: (scoffs) Look, I am not some pawn in your bid to gain business deal.

Taylor: Who says you are a pawn, honey? Like I said earlier, we are here to make the right choice for you. Our savior's son is looking for a bride.

Anne: Then get married to him, Mom.

(Diego intervenes, his tone stern.)

Diego: Watch your tone, young lady.

Anne: Business, business, business. You only care about your business. I haven't eaten, and I'm not planning on eating pizza today.

Taylor: My point exactly, honey. We are going to a dinner meeting.

Anne: Lunch, you mean

TAYLOR: I know what I said. Now be a good girl and go get dressed.

Anne: You didn't even deem it fit to let me know beforehand so that I could escape or run away.

Diego: Ha, ha, ha, very funny.

Anne: Don't blame me because I put my self-esteem in high regard. I wouldn't be surprised if you exchanged me for your business. (Exits angrily)

Taylor: Stop with the pouting already.

(Taylor sighs and stares at Diego for the next step.)

FADE OUT