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CANCEL, CANCELLED

Written by:

Jayson Johnson

LOGLINE: A Black couple reevaluates their romantic future after discussing culture's changing
landscape in the Black community.

Strike Five Films j.johnson155@gmail.com

Pink Draft 2.3 707.286.9385
3/14/2022
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OVER BLACK

FIRST, over black, we hear the faint sounds of Seagulls chirping and congregating
about; followed by the sway of the ocean. Wooosh! If you concentrate, you can
almost picture what it's like to be there. A certain stillness... Then, the abruptness of
MAN'S VOICE interrupts the calm.

MAN'S VOICE
I can't believe this...

A WOMAN's VOICE follows.

WOMAN’S VOICE
What?

MAN'S VOICE
You're telling me you don't care
about Breonna Taylor!?

FADE IN:

EXT. VALLEJO WATERFRONT - DAY

We're at Vallejo Waterfront. A maritime backdrop of old ships and naval buildings sit
prominently across the bay. As we pan over, we see LAURENCE HAMILTON, 30's, tall,
handsome, and SHEILA JENKINS 30's, cute and vibrant, wearing a BLEXIT sweatshirt,
pushing a baby stroller.

SHEILA
(looking around)
Can you calm down?
(beat)
And I never said that.

LAURENCE
Well, what are you saying?

SHEILA
First of all, if we're going to have this conversation,
it needs to be between us.
(beat)
And on top of that, I just put the baby down. So chill.
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LAURENCE
Fine... So whatcha sayin’?

SHEILA
I’m saying you don’t have to get overly emotional
when we disagree.
(and)
That’s how Black people get held back.

LAURENCE
Black People?

SHEILA
Yes, Laurence. Black people.

LAURENCE
What do you mean by Black people?!

SHEILA
Oh, please... don’t try that shit with me. I’m every bit
of Black as you.

LAURENCE
Well, you ain’t acting like it. You sound...

SHIELA
What... White? Are you crazy? How am I White if
I see holes in Black Lives Matter’s philosophies?
That has nothing to do with being White or my Blackness.

LAURENCE
Think about what you sayin’. How could you come to this
conclusion?
(beat)
And why the hell are you wearing that uncle Tom
ass sweatshirt?!

SHEILA
I could care less about what you wear,
so give me that same energy.
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LAURENCE
Fine. Then what about Breonna?

SHIELA
It’s sad what happened to Breonna Taylor. It is.
But am I supposed to ignore all of the Black-on-Black
shootings just to focus all my anger on one person?

LAURENCE
What shootings?

SHIELA
The ones that are happening in all of the
major cities across the country. Just last week
seven people got shot in Eastmont.

LAURENCE
(dismisive)
You don’t know that.

SHIELA
Yes, Laurence... I do. Unlike you, I actually
read what’s going on in our community.

LAURENCE
Well, I can’t be bothered what’s on White news
stations. You and I both know it’s hella biased against
Black folk.

SHIELA
I don’t know how that even makes sense.
You trust those same stations whenever they’re
reporting about Breonna Taylor or any other riot.

LAURENCE
That’s different though.

SHEILA
How?
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LAURENCE
Cause Black Life Matters exposes the racism
in this country and how we’re being hunted. Meanwhile,
you talking about imaginary niggas dying around here.
It never happened.

SHEILA
We could literally go to those neighborhoods and
you’d see all of those tired-ass candlelight murals
and half drank Hennessy bottles.

LAURENCE
Oh, so now we can’t mourn the dead?

SHEILA
No, I’m not saying that but you can’t have it both ways.
lose your mind over every BLM protest but ignore when
people get shot in your own community. It’s bullshit.

Laurence thinks on this, refocuses.

LAURENCE
Aiiight, aiiight. Well the bullshit I’m talking about is
see you around here listening to racist politics and all
that other shit. Not a good look Sheila; not a good
look at all.

SHEILA
I'm not doing it for a 'good look'. I have a child to and
my job is to give him the best future possible.

LAURENCE
Your ‘job’ isn’t whitewashing him so he doesn’t know
his own culture.

SHEILA
That’s so stupid of you to say. You know me and know I’d
do whatever it takes to protect our child.
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LAURENCE
It'd be different if you were talking about Marcus Garvey, or
even Tupac but Candice Owens and Republicans.
Nah, you doin’ too much.

SHEILA
I'd rather him believe something that'll make him happy, safe &
successful than to have him die like all of these rappers!

Laurence stops. This is hard for him. Sheila continues a few steps before noticing he's
not beside her.

SHEILA
Are you coming?

LAURENCE
I can’t.

SHEILA
Can’t what?

LAURENCE
I can't exist with a sellout.

SHEILA
I'm not a sellout Laurence. I'm growing, learning,
getting better. You should try it too.

LAURENCE
I don't wanna hear all that shit, Sheila. I
already told you, I don’t like what you on.

SHEILA
What do you want to hear?

LAURENCE
You out here acting like all Black people are dumb
and misguided. Have you looked in the mirror?! At
least I stay true to who I am... I'm the same nigga
you met at the swap meet five years ago...
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SHEILA
(interrupting)
Black people aren’t dumb but we’ve been sold a false narrative.
We don’t have to live like we always have. If there’s a better way
we can take it. We’re meant to evolve.

LAURENCE
Miss me with all that sell-out shit.

SHEILA
So this is you, huh? You’re just gonna be the same person forever?
Never changing? Don't you want better for yourself? Your child?

LAURENCE
Who the fuck are you to question me bitch?! You still the
same bitch you always were, but you just now acting
brand new.

SHEILA
Wow... Okay Laurence you can talk shit but that doesn't change the
fact I want better for myself and my child.

LAURENCE
It’s my child too, but I ain’t about to be with someone who's gonna
embarrass me. Soon you gonna be walking with you ass all tight listen’ to
country music. Fuck outta here. I'm fucking done!

Laurence exits. The BABY in the stroller starts to cry. Sheila picks him up,
comforts him.

SHEILA
Laurence...
(beat)
Laurence!!

He continues on, not looking back.

SHIELA

Well, fuck you!

Sheila looks to her baby realizing nothing will be the same.

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SHEILA
(to child)
My god when will we ever wake up?

FADE TO BLACK.