'THAT SPRITE'

written by
OLIVER CORLETT
 BLACK...
Bottle opening. FIZZ. POURING.
COOK
Order up!

INT. DINER - NIGHT

Regular diner. Pretty empty. A BASKET OF WINGS and a LARGE
SPRITE sit on the counter waiting to be served. A WAITRESS
walks over and takes it.
She brings it to a MAN sitting alone in a booth. The man is
in his mid-fiftes, dressed causually with a FEDORA on. He is
OG.
WAITRESS
Here's your food sir.
OG
Thank you.
WAITRESS
Is there anything else I can get

please don't steal my work, thanks.

for you?
OG
No, thank you.
WAITRESS
Enjoy your meal.
The waitress walks off.
OG eats the wings...
They take a sip of that sprite...
OG
Damn!

They begin to tear up a little.

OG (CONT'D)
That sprite!
The waitress comes back over.
WAITRESS
Are you okay, sir?
OG looks up, his face like he's seen an angel.
 2.

OG
It's real!
WAITRESS
What is?
OG
That sprite!
They take another sip.
OG (CONT'D)
And it hit like a motherfucker.

OVER BLACK

TITLES: 'THAT SPRITE!'

Instrumental to 'Make It Last Forever' by Keith Sweat plays.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

DARIUS walks out of an apartment building holding a DUFFEL

please don't steal my work, thanks.

BAG.
He walks to his car, a WHITE BMW E30. Waiting for him is his
dog, FRANK.
Darius gets in the car and turns the radio on, 'Nights' by
Frank Ocean plays.
They drive off.
MONTAGE
Darius drives around the city making deliveries with Frank.

EXT. CITY - NIGHT

Shift over. Darius and Frank cruise the city for a while
looking for something to do.
They stop and pull over.

EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT

There is a massive SPRITE BILLBOARD and underneath is a LARGE
CROWD.
 3.

They get out of the car to see what's going on.

There's a lot of commotion, people shouting to be heard over
eachother, people recording.
They're all crowded around a PERSON on the ground, having a
seizure like episode.
Darius turns to a member of the crowd.
DARIUS
What's going on?
CROWDMEMBER
That sprite got him!
DARIUS
Is he ok? He looks like he needs
help.

CROWDMEMBER
Nah he's straight, you just gotta
give him time to breathe.
The person in the middle finally sits up, their eyes red and
watering. They cough and catch their breathe. They drop the

please don't steal my work, thanks.

bottle of sprite and it rolls along the floor.
Everyone falls silent.
CROWDMEMBER (CONT'D)
See.
The person looks up...
PERSON
I seen God in that sprite!
Everyone gets hyped and cheers.

Darius looks up at the billboard, 'THE HOLY SPRITE'.

Darius and Frank walk back to the car. A GROUP OF FOUR
TEENAGERS are stood around it, taking pictures.
TEENAGER #1
This your car?
DARIUS
Yeah.
TEENAGER #1
It's nice man, that finish is
clean!
 4.

TEENAGER #2
Yeah it's hard.
A couple of them pet Frank, he rolls over playfully.
DARIUS
Thanks.
Darius pauses and looks back at the slowly dispersing crowd.
DARIUS (CONT'D)
Ay do you know what was goin' on
back there?
TEENAGER #1
Yeah, apparently this dude got some
crazy bottle of sprite or some
shit. I'on really know man, I
thought that dude was like homeless
or sum.
DARIUS
Where'd he get that shit?
TEENAGER #2
This one place, the sprite people

please don't steal my work, thanks.

got these crazy bottles goin'
'round, some new brew they got,
driving people crazy to get a
taste, saying they see God after
drinking that shit, like true
enlightenment.
One of the others looks up from petting Frank.
TEENAGER #3
I seen this one dude on twitter say
that shit gave him superpowers.
Darius looks back at the billboard.

GUNSHOTS!
Everybody screams!
Darius and the group duck down.
TEENAGER #1
Oh shit!
A MASKED PERSON shoots another PERSON repeatedly, steals
their bottle of sprite and runs off.
 5.

TEENAGER #2
We gotta go!
The group of teens all get up and run off.
TEENAGER #4
Ay, nice meeting your dog man!
Darius and Frank quickly get in the car and drive off.
The persons body is left there. Alone. Bloodied. Robbed of
their sprite.
NEWS REPORT ON TV
REPORTER
A local man was shot and killed
today... for a bottle of sprite.

EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT

FIELD REPORTER facing camera giving news report with taped
off area behind them.
FIELD REPORTER

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That's right ladies and gentlemen,
I am here at the scene where a man
was shot multiple times for a
drink, when paramedics arrived on
the scene, he was pronounced dead.
We have some eyewitness reports of
the brutal slaying.
CUT TO:
WOMAN, caucasian, giving account. She is clearly distressed.
WOMAN
There was just this large group,
all crowded around... I was
watching from my apartment window
up there.
She points to her apartment.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
Anyway, there was just this massive
group outside, cheering over God
knows what and eventually it calms
down for a bit and I'm like 'I can
finally get some sleep' you know?
(MORE)
 6.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
When all of a sudden there's just
this volley, this onslaught of
gunshots being let off and I look
back out the window and there's
just this body on the ground with a
pool of blood, it was awful.
FIELD REPORTER
And do you have any idea about what
could have caused this horrific
event.
WOMAN
Rap... Hip-Hop music.
FIELD REPORTER
Music?
WOMAN
Yes, it is destroying our society
and these people are making nice
neighbourhoods warzones for good
citizens like myself.
A GUY walks past.

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The reporter calls out to them.
They turn and walk up to the reporter.
FIELD REPORTER
Did you witness the events of
tonight?
GUY
Yeah.
FIELD REPORTER
And what would you say happened
exactly?
GUY
(bluntly, nonchalant)
They got him for his sprite.
He points to the crime scene, camera pans over then back.
GUY (CONT'D)
Dude in a mask just ran up on him
and got his ass. Got him for his
life and his sprite, 'lil headline
for you.
He chuckles.
 7.

Awkward silence.
FIELD REPORTER
Thank you for you time.
GUY
No problem.
They look at the camera.
GUY (CONT'D)
Stay safe out there gang, they
killing niggas for that sprite. So
remember, keep it tucked...
They pull out a gun. The woman and reporter react.
GUY (CONT'D)
and keep pourin' up.

They begin to walk off then come back.

GUY (CONT'D)
And shoutout KD and Lil Reese, real
niggas on gang.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

They throw up multiple gang signs then leave.
The woman looks in disgust.
FIELD REPORTER
Back to you in the studio.
End of news cast.
EXT.
Darius and Frank, driving.
They pull up on a corner.

EXT. NEIGHBOURHOOD
Darius gets out his phone to check the directions. They're in
the right place.
They get out the car and walk up to a house...
There is an ANGRY WOMAN banging on the door, this woman is
TINA.
 8.

TINA
(banging on the door)
JULIUS! JULIUS!
Darius and Frank wait awkwardly at the gate.
TINA (CONT'D)
Julius, you open this goddamn door
right fucking now or I swear to God
you gonna regret it!
There is no response.
TINA (CONT'D)
(banging on door)
JULIUS!
Darius walks up slowly and taps her on the shoulder.

DARIUS
Excuse me?
Tina turns around startled and nearly swings at Darius.
TINA
Damn boy, what you doing sneakin'

please don't steal my work, thanks.

up on women in the night? You lucky
I ain't smack your ass.
She turns back around.
TINA (CONT'D)
(under breath)
Damn perverts always sneaking up on
you.
She goes to knock again...
TINA (CONT'D)
Juli-

But is interuppted.
DARIUS
Excuse me?
She turns back around to Darius.
TINA
Damn boy! What the hell do you
want? Can't you see that I'm busy?
DARIUS
I'm trying to find this address.
 9.

He shows her his phone.

TINA
Oh?! You looking for Julius?
DARIUS
Yes, does he live here?
TINA
Yeah, he lives here. You go on and
knock and I'll just follow behind.
Darius awkwardly walks up to the door and knocks.
...
A deep voice comes from inside.
JULIUS (O.S.)
Who is it?
Darius clears his throat.
DARIUS
Umm... Darius. I heard something
about a sprite.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

JULIUS (O.S.)
You heard something about a sprite?
DARIUS
Yeah.
JULIUS (O.S.)
(sarcastically)
Well then you must be looking for a
corner store because we don't sell
sprite here my nigga.
...

JULIUS (O.S.) (CONT'D)

Just 'round the corner from here,
can't miss it. Take that bitch Tina
witcha, she'll show you the way.
Tina pushes infront of Darius and bangs on the door again.
TINA
JULIUS I SWEAR TO GOD YOU CALL ME A
BITCH AGAIN AND I'LL WASH YOUR
MOUTH WITH SOAP! YOU OPEN THIS DAMN
DOOR NOW!
 10.

Darius taps Tina on the shoulder and gestures her to calm

down and step back.
DARIUS
Hey Julius man, I don't know what
you got going on with this woman
here, I don't really wanna know. I
was just told that I had to get
this sprite from here.
CUT TO:

INT. JULIUS HOUSE

The place is like a messy clean. It isn't exactly dirty but
there's alot of stuff lying around.
Sat on the sofa is JULIUS. Stood by the door is JULIUS'S
FRIEND.
Julius nods his head. His friend checks through the peephole
and nods back.
Julius sighs.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

JULIUS
Let him in.
CUT BACK TO:
OUTSIDE
The door opens.
Darius enters and Frank quickly runs behind.
Tina smiles but the door slams before she can get in - She
kisses her teeth and walks off.

TINA
(loudly, to herself)
I don't need his ass anyway.

INT. JULIUS HOUSE

Darius and Frank stand awkwardly. Julius stays sat on the
sofa looking at them.
...
 11.

JULIUS
(sarcastically)
So do I wait for the dog to talk,
cause one of y'all niggas gonna
have to say something.
DARIUS
Umm... yeah. I'm Darius, this is
Frank. I-
JULIUS
Yo' dogs name is Frank?
DARIUS
Yeah.
JULIUS
Your dogs name is Frank and you
telling me he don't talk.

DARIUS
(awkwardly, confused)
Yeah?
Julius bursts out laughing.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

JULIUS
Aight man. What y'all want.
DARIUS
I'm looking for sprite.
JULIUS
And nigga I told you we don't sell
sprite.
...
JULIUS (CONT'D)
(laughing, gesturing
around the room)
Nigga I sell drugs. Not sprite.
Darius sighs.
DARIUS
But this dude told me that I should
come here to get that special
sprite going around.
Julius stops laughing and looks at Darius.
 12.

JULIUS
Ohhhh... You looking for that
sprite?
Julius chuckles.
JULIUS (CONT'D)
Aight. Sit yo' ass down and lemme
tell y'all a story.
Darius sits down in a chair opposite Julius.
Frank jumps up on the sofa next to Julius.
Julius looks at Frank.
JULIUS (CONT'D)
Nigga did I say you could sit up
here.

Frank looks at him and Julius looks at Darius who shrugs his
shoulders.
JULIUS (CONT'D)
Aight man whatever. This here is
the story of the sprite.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

STORY/FLASHBACK SEQUENCE:

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

JULIUS (V.O.)
About a year ago, I was living at
an apartment complex on 35th. I
worked nights during the week at
McDonalds so during the day I was
just hustling for some extra
cash...

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

Standard flat. Rap music playing in background.
Julius gives a box of trainers to someone.
JULIUS (V.O.)
Flipping sneakers and shit like
that...
The person opens the box and inside is a pair of Jordans with
a bag of drugs.
 13.

JULIUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)

I did some other stuff too but it
was mainly the sneakers back then.
CUT TO:

EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY

Julius stands with an ASIAN MAN making a deal.
JULIUS (V.O.)
Every now and then I could get some
bootleg shit from the Asian dude on
the corner. Anyway...

INT. MCDONALDS - NIGHT

Late night shift, the place is pretty empty. Julius works the
counter.
JULIUS (V.O.)
One night I'm working and the place

please don't steal my work, thanks.

is pretty empty, then these two
dudes dressed like 'Men in Black'
come walking in, glasses and
everything.
The TWO SUITED MEN walk up to the counter.
JULIUS
Welcome to McDonalds, how can I
help you?
The two men stare blankly...
JULIUS (CONT'D)
Y'all never been to a McDonalds
before?
...
JULIUS (CONT'D)
(turning and pointing
behind him, speaking kind
of nervously)
We got screens of the food and shit
if you wanted to look that way.
Julius turns back to face the men.
 14.

...
SUITED MAN #1
We'd like to see the manager.
Julius clears his throat.
JULIUS
Umm... I'm the shift manager
tonight.
SUITED MAN #1
Right then.
SUITED MAN #2
We'd like to see a Mr. Julius
Vernon.
Julius looks slightly confused. Freezeframe.

JULIUS (V.O.)
At this point I thought my ass was
cooked. Two dudes in suits, in the
middle of the night and neither of
them look like Will Smith! Nigga I
thought I was finished.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

Scene resumes.
JULIUS
I'm Julius.
SUITED MAN #2
Excellent.
SUITED MAN #1
Julius, we would like to have a
conversation with you briefly.
JULIUS
No problem, we can take a seat
there.
Julius points to empty seats. The two men sit down next to
eachother. Julius comes out from behind the counter and sits
opposite them.
There is an awkward silence...
SUITED MAN #1
Can I get a quarter pounder?
SUITED MAN #2
Big Mac for me, with fries.
 15.

SUITED MAN #1
With fries, please.
Julius gets up and walks back to the kitchen but turns back.
JULIUS
Y'all want a drink?
SUITED MAN #1 AND #2
(in unison)
Yes.
JULIUS
What drink?
SUITED MAN #1 AND #2
(in unison)
Sprite.

...
CUT TO:
Everyone sat down again. The two suited men have their food
and drink. Julius is waiting for them to say something.

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So?
JULIUS

The two men look up. #1 puts their burger down. #2 keeps
eating.
#1 wipes their mouth with a napkin.
SUITED MAN #1
Julius, we have a proposition for
you.
JULIUS
Which is?

SUITED MAN #1
A proposal, presentation if you
will.
Julius stares blankly.
#2 finishes eating and wipes their mouth.
SUITED MAN #2
We represent Sprite.
#1 takes a loud and long sip.
 16.

JULIUS
Sprite?
#1 (still sipping) nods.
JULIUS (CONT'D)
As in the drink?
#2 nods.
SUITED MAN #1
Julius, we would like you to help
us with our latest endeavour.
JULIUS
Which is?
SUITED MAN #2
A Sprite so good...

SUITED MAN #1
So crisp...
SUITED MAN #2
That it'll make McDonald's Sprite
look like light work.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

SUITED MAN #1
What do you say?
...
JULIUS
How exactly am I of help to you?
The suited men lean in.
SUITED MAN #2
(whispering)
We know you don't just work at
McDonalds.
SUITED MAN #1
(whispering)
And we think your product would be
of great help to us in our quest.
They lean back out.
JULIUS
Quest?
SUITED MAN #1 AND #2
Yes. Do you wish to embark?
 17.

JULIUS
No.
...
SUITED MAN #2
Well. That's a shame.
The two men get up.
SUITED MAN #1
Thank you for your time.
The two men walk off... then #2 runs back to Julius and leans
in close to him. #1 is in the background smiling and waving.
SUITED MAN #2
(whispering)
If you tell anyone about the plans
we told you here today, on behalf
of the Sprite company we will make
sure you are killed for your
actions.
CAMERA PANS to reveal a MAN who was sitting nearby the whole
time.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

The MAN is shot in the head, the gunshot is silenced.
JULIUS (O.S.)
OH SHIT!
CUT BACK TO:
Julius, shocked and #2, smiling.
#2 runs back and the two men exit.
Julius looks over at the dead man then looks around him,
speechless and confused at what to do.

END OF FLASHBACK SEQUENCE.

INT. JULIUS HOUSE

Same as before, only now Frank is cuddled up closer to
Julius.
JULIUS
And that was it. I don't see or
hear from them dudes again. They
clearly cooked up that Sprite they
was talking about though.
 18.

DARIUS
Damn.
Darius gets up, so does Frank.
DARIUS (CONT'D)
Thanks anyway man.
JULIUS
Ain't no trouble.
Darius and Frank head to the door, about to exit -
JULIUS (CONT'D)
Hold up.
They turn back.
JULIUS (CONT'D)
You ain't with them Sprite people
are you?
DARIUS
No.
...

please don't steal my work, thanks.

JULIUS
(not entirely convinced)
Aight. You cool, you can go.
Darius and Frank exit.
OUTSIDE
The door closes.

EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT

Back to where they left the car. Except the car isn't there.
DARIUS
Motherf-
CUT TO:

INT. BUS - NIGHT

Late bus. Few people on it.
Darius and Frank sit on the bus, tired and fed up. Darius is
leaning against the window. An OLD WOMAN stares at them.
 19.

OLD WOMAN
He shouldn't be on the seat you kn-
DARIUS
(nonchalantly)
Shut the fuck up.
The woman looks in disgust.
OLD WOMAN
How rude! What if someone needs to
sit there?
DARIUS
(non aggressive, just
frustrated)
Please, just shut the fuck up.
The bus stops. The woman gets off, tutting at Darius as she
does.
The bus starts moving again...

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

please don't steal my work, thanks.

Darius giving a statement on his missing car to the police.
(inaudible).

INT. BUS - NIGHT

Back on the bus.
Darius drifts to sleep...
He wakes up to a strange man, the BUS MAN in a PURPLE SUIT
sitting opposite him. He speaks in a patter, like DeRay Davis
on old Kanye skits.

BUS MAN
Young brother, young brother.
Darius sits up slowly, still tired.
DARIUS
(yawning)
Nigga what?
BUS MAN
I said... young brother, young
brother. Do you seek the sprite, do
ya seek it?
 20.

DARIUS
Man, I fuckin' hate the bus.
BUS MAN
(loudly, like a preacher)
Nigga please! I know you seek the
sprite, the sprite you seek.
DARIUS
I don't want the sprite no m-
They completely disregard Darius' words.
BUS MAN
To find the sprite, you must seek
the wizard who brewed it, the
wizard who made it true.
Darius takes a deep breath.

DARIUS
Nigga did you just say a wizard
make that fuckin' sprite?
BUS MAN
Yes I did.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

DARIUS
(quietly to Frank)
Yeah they definitely put drugs in
that shit.
The Bus Man gets up...
BUS MAN
You coming?
DARIUS
(surprised he'd even ask
that)
No! Why would you ask that. Nigga
I'm going home it's too late for
this Magic Schoolbus bullshit.
BUS MAN
(talking normally)
Aight man, your cars there though.
They point out the window to Darius's car.
Darius leaps up but the bus keeps moving. Darius smashes a
window and leaps out.
The bus screeches. Frank and Bus Man get off.
 21.

OUTSIDE
Darius is on the floor, slightly injured.
BUS DRIVER
(shouting out to Darius)
You coulda just asked to stop.
The bus drives off.
CUT TO:

INT. THE CAR - NIGHT

The car seems different - enhanced.
Darius and Frank are sat in front, the Bus Man is in back.

BUS MAN
(à la Han Solo)
Punch it!
The engine starts and they blaze off into the night...

please don't steal my work, thanks.

EXT. WZRDS PALACE - NIGHT
The 'palace' is really just a Burger King from the outside.
DARIUS
Yo... are you sure we in the right
place?
Darius looks back, the Bus Man is gone.
He looks at Frank, shrugs his shoulders and they get out of
the car.
They walk into the wizard's 'palace'.

INT. WZRD'S PALACE

Inside does NOT look like a Burger King. It looks like a
typical place for a wizard to be.
It is a large open area and at the back is the wizard (WZRD),
standing over a large cauldron.
WZRD looks like 'Slick Rick'.
Darius and Frank walk up to him.
 22.

DARIUS
Hi, excuse me? We're looking for a
wizard.
WZRD looks up.
WZRD
You have found him.
DARIUS
(sarcastically)
Yeah, I guessed it was you.
DARIUS (CONT'D)
Anyway, we're looking for some
Sprite. The Sprite.
WZRD
Come again?

...
DARIUS
My nigga are you serious? I did not
just witness a murder, meet a drug
dealer, get my car stolen, get

please don't steal my work, thanks.

cussed out by an old lady on a bus,
talk to a crackhead who may not
even exist on a bus, let him into
my car to go see a wizard just for
you to not know what the fuck I'm
talking about.
WZRD looks blankly at Darius.
DARIUS (CONT'D)
The sprite that's got everyone
going crazy?
WZRD
Ohhh... you mean that Sprite.
DARIUS
Yeah.
WZRD
Yeah I don't got that.
WZRD goes back to what they were doing.
DARIUS
(in disbelief)
I'm sorry, what?
 23.

WZRD looks back up.

WZRD
I mean yeah I made it but I don't
have any left, it's exclusive for a
reason.
Darius stands there, still in disbelief.
WZRD (CONT'D)
You can probably pick up a bottle
on eBay or something.
DARIUS
I'm not going on eBay.
WZRD
Yeah, you probably can't legally
sell it on there anyway.

DARIUS
So... there's no more Sprite?
WZRD thinks.
WZRD

please don't steal my work, thanks.

There is a final batch that hasn't
yet been consumed.
DARIUS
Where?!
WZRD
This one place.
...
DARIUS
Nigga where?!

WZRD
Ah man you wouldn't know it, you
probably wouldn't like it there
anyway.
Darius stares at WZRD blankly.
DARIUS
I swear to God if you gatekeep this
place I'll-
 24.

WZRD
Do what? What will you do? I'm a
WZRD. You're just a guy. The fuck
you gon' do to me?
...
DARIUS
Man just tell me where this place
is?
...
WZRD
Ok. It's a diner, on the side of a
road. But that car ain't gonna cut
it.
DARIUS
Ok well you're the wizard so... can
I get something that will cut it.
WZRD
Fine. But don't be telling people
I'm giving out free 'Pimp My Ride's
to niggas and they dogs.

please don't steal my work, thanks.

DARIUS
Ok man whatever, it's been a long
night, I just want this sprite.

INT. THE CAR - NIGHT

'Nights' by Frank Ocean plays.
The engine roars. Darius and Frank drive off.
CUT TO BLACK:

EXT. 'RAINBOW ROAD'

'Rainbow Road' as in the course from 'Mario Kart'. The diner
is located to the side of the road.
Darius's car pulls up at the side of the road, music still
playing. Darius gets out of the car, he is much older now, he
is OG.
He pulls out a poorly crayon drawn map given to him by the
WZRD.
 25.

Darius/OG walks into the diner.

INT. DINER - NIGHT

Darius/OG sits down in a booth.
The waitress comes up to him.
WAITRESS
Hello sir, can I take your order?
DARIUS/OG
Yes thank you, can I get a basket
of wings and a large sprite.
WAITRESS
Coming right up.

DARIUS/OG
Thank you dear.
The waitress walks off.
DARIUS/OG (CONT'D)
(quietly to self)

please don't steal my work, thanks.

This ones for you Frank.
Camera zooms out as a rendition of 'That's Life' by Frank
Sinatra plays where the word 'life' is replaced with
'Sprite'.
THE END.