1. Darius.1
Tyrin Darius
Can I Sell You A Dream?
Book Sample Part 2
10/18/16
Ch. 1 “Nice to Meet You”
Amare & Shai are getting dressed prepared to meet up with their friends later for a fun
night out at local club. Shai is in the bathroom at her apartment putting the last touches on her
makeup & hair. Outside the door a couple of her friends & roommate Nina (Nay) are asking if
she is ready to come out so they can leave.
Nay: “Shai you look fine”
Friend #1: “She hasn’t came out yet?”
Friend #2: “Right, the club will be closed by the time we get there”
Amare is putting his shoes on as he hears a (Beep, Beep) sound of a car horn coming from the
parking lot of his apartment then his phone rings a moment afterwards Amare answers.
Amare: “Sup, Rick”
Rick: “Yo you ready?”
Amare: “Yall chill (he can hear chatter in the background of his other friends) putting my shoes
on now”
Amare adjust his shoes then rises off the couch to leave.
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Shai finally comes out of the bathroom.
Nay: “O, my gosh women you look gorgeous”
Friend #1: “Yes you do”
Friend #2: “Ok ladies let’s go”
Then they finally leave the apartment energized with excitement to enjoy their time out.
Amare is sitting in the back seat of the car riding with his friends. They are hype making jokes
talking about what they predict is going to happen in the club.
Rick: “A yall remember last time?”
Friend #1: “Why you bring that up?”
Amare: “Always somebody that can’t act right”
They pause for a brief moment then say together,
Crew: “Please Believe!”
Instantly after together they laugh.
Shai & her friends are in the car Shai is sitting in one of the passenger seats they are talking
about how to avoid lame dudes from approaching them they have no interest in.
Nay: “Let’s go over it one more time for Shai”
Friend #1: “So if a dude tryin’ to talk to you after you show him no interest you know what to do
next right?”
Shai: “Say I have a boyfriend”
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Friend #2: “Social media killed that”
Nay: “Dudes are private detectives now”
Friend #1: “Right, now a days you gotta be direct & quick”
Friend #2: “Yup”
Shai: “So what I do?”
Friend #1: “Tell him you’ll be back wait here make sure you smile of course”
Friend #2: “Trust me he’ll be there all night”
Shai: “That’s mean”
Friend #1: “If that don’t work stare at his shoes for a couple seconds then look away pretending
to smile at another guy”
Nay: “Bye to his spirit”
Friend #2: “You know how these feminine dudes feel about those shoes”
All together they shake their heads.
Amare & his friends each are talking to females around the club eventually they meet up together
to share their experiences. Collectively they agree that the women each of them meet didn’t
uphold to their personal expectations Rick says,
Rick: “We see these same females like all the time”
Friend #1: “Somehow we gotta switch it up”
Amare: “I know how”
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Friend #2: “Oh you been holding out what you know”
Amare glances over to the VIP that leads upstairs.
Amare: “Have we ever been up there”
Friend #1: “VIP”
Amare looks at him with a facial expression suggesting he already knew that.
Friend #2: “That stand for very important people right”
Rick: “Can’t be that many in this neighborhood”
Amare: “See yall later”
He walks away from the rest of his friends they try to persuade him to come back but Amare
does not listen. He goes over to the Bodyguard standing by the locked off ropes protecting the
VIP upstairs. The Bodyguard stops him & says,
Bodyguard: “Hold up you got a pass”
Amare: “No I don’t have a pass”
The Bodyguard opens the rope to allow a couple of ladies to pass to VIP upstairs Amare steps
forward then he closes the ropes.
Amare: “Bro I know you seen me in this club before I don’t cause no trouble”
The Bodyguard nods his head as Amare speaks.
Amare: “Look I never been up to VIP it might be a on a once in a lifetime experience for me”
The Bodyguard rubs his fingers together suggesting money then says,
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Bodyguard: “It’s sample man”
Amare puts his hand into his pocket takes out a $50 bill then hands it to the bodyguard.
Bodyguard: “Nice doing business”
He opens the ropes blocking to the stairs leading upstairs to VIP allowing Amare to proceed.
Amare’s friends see him heading up to VIP their facial expressions are completely shocked that
he made it.
Shai with her friends are sitting amongst some guys conversing Shai is not interested as much as
they are she answers with short responses whenever a guy speaks to her. Thinking to herself why
her friends can enjoy themselves while she cannot be the same Nay approaches Shai still sitting
within the lounge causally strolling on her phone Nay asks,
Nay: “Shai you OK”
Shai: “Oh I’m fine”
Nay: “Come over here with us”
Shai: “I just need a little time for a moment”
Nay: “You want us to come back?”
Shai: “No don’t do that”
Nay: “Well, I’ll be back smile girl”
Shai nods her head then goes back to strolling on her phone.
Amare is now upstairs at the VIP area he is kind of self-hyped right now he says to himself,
“man I made it”, he looks around at the interesting scenery. Again he speaks to himself within
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his conscious, “I never experienced this downstairs its less people I feel comfortable”. He walks
over to the bar sits down the bartender asks him,
Bartender: “Hello sir what would you like as a beverage?”
Amare: “I don’t know what you got that’s reasonable”
Bartender (laughs): “Just too much for your taste I presume”
The Bartender walks away Amare pretends to ignore his comment as he turns around lends his
back & arms against the counter. Now, just viewing around his attention is captured by a women
sitting by herself seeming bored. Amare is attracted to her beautiful ebony tone causing him to
become mesmerized with desire to meet her. The Bartender comes back over to Amare he says,
Bartender: “Enjoying the view sir”
Amare turns back to face the Bartender he pauses to think for a moment next he motions with his
hand two fingers representing the number two then he says,
Amare: Hey, let me get two drinks”
Then he hands the Bartender his debt card.
Bartender: “Finally”
Amare’s attention is still drawn to the lady as he cannot escape the daze his senses have succumb
to, the Bartender has finished the drinks he places them in front of Amare. Turning his body just
enough to grab the drinks he cannot break the spell over his actions he takes a deep breath
inhales exhales Amare says,
Amare: “I’ll be back”
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Amare is now moving towards the lady sitting alone his heart beats faster of anticipation each
step he takes closer. He finally arrives at her location he says,
Amare: “Excuse me anybody sitting here”
Shai does not pay him any attention as she continues to stroll through her phone Amare sits
down on a separate chair next to hers. He takes a sip out one glass in his hand looks over at Shai
then holds up the other with his opposite hand Amare asks the lady,
Amare: “Would you like a drink?”
Shai looks at Amare with an annoyed expression at first then reaches her hand out to accept the
drink from him Shai takes a sip out the glass Amare does as well with her.
Amare: “I’m Amare and…”
Shai: “Shai”
Amare: “My fault I didn’t mean to bother”
Shai: “No that’s my name”
Amare: “Oh cool haha I like it…nice to meet you”
Shai smiles.
Shai: “Thanks for the drink”
Amare: “No problem you looked a little bored”
Shai: “You noticed that?”
Amare: “Yea where’s your friends I’m sure you didn’t come alone”
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Shai: “They around somewhere close”
Amare: “I better watch out then”
Shai laughs.
Shai: “No your fine…for now”
Amare puts hand over his heart relieved. Nay is walking towards Shai’s location to check on her
when she discovers that Shai is in a conversation with a guy proud of Shai she decides not
interrupt their conversation she finds one of their friends.
Nay: “Hey, I just seen Shai she talking to some guy”
Friend #1: “Oh is he cute (as she looks over at them) look at that about to make me jealous haha”
Nay: “See she didn’t need our advice”
Friend #1: “No she needed it trust me those tips work”
Nay (laughs): “Anyway where’s your sister”
Friend #1: “She right their…wait where she go I was watching her she looked a little tipsy”
Nay: “Come on let’s find her”
Amare: “You from Cleveland”
Shai: “Born & raised”
Amare: “Ok me too”
Amare notices Shai wearing a bracelet with graduation class year attached to it he recognizes the
High School colors.
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Amare: “Did you graduate from Cleveland Heights?”
Shai: “Mhmm yes how you know that?”
Amare: “The colors match”
Shai: “Oh I forgot having that on but did you go there?”
Amare: “Not for long I moved”
Their conversation continues as they build on getting to know one another through their common
interest shared while in the middle of talking when Shai hears in the background her friends she
looks over her shoulder to see what’s going on.
Nay & Friend#1 they found Friend#1’s Sister Friend#2 she is drunk around a guy attempting to
convince her to leave the club with him. Nay & Friend#1 interrupts them from leaving the
lounge Friend#1 tells the guy,
Friend#1: “Move dude get off my sister what you doing you see that she drunk”
The Guy: “She can make her own decisions”
Nay: “When she’s conscious to do so”
Friend#1 grabs her sister she pulls her from the guy but he does not let go of her arm Friend#1
takes her sisters drink from her hand then throws it on the Guy’s face. At this point security is on
their way over to address the situation Nay, Friend#1 & 2 leave as the guy wipes off his face.
Nay, Friend #1 & 2 are rushing to exit the lounge Nay stops to yell at Shai,
Nay: “We got to go girl they trippin’”
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Then she continues to follow behind the sisters Shai stands up to leave with them but Amare
stops her he says,
Amare: “Hey, wait you gotta leave”
Shai turns her body around to face Amare.
Amare: “Well, what’s your number?”
Shai: “Let me see your phone”
Amare hands her his phone she types the number on his phone Nay yells from lounge exit to
Shai,
Nay: “Shai come on!”
Shai: “Bye I gotta go”
Amare watches her leave then he glimpses at his phone noticing that she forgot a number he
yells,
Amare: “A wait you forgot a number”
But it’s too late she has already left Amare sits back in the chair he thinks to himself “dang will I
see her again”.
Ch. 2 Tell Me about It
11. Darius.11
Amare is at a Little League Basketball game working the score-table with another friend that was
at the club Trey a Rec Center supervisor just like Amare but he is substituting as a referee for the
Little League game. It is currently halftime the buzzer just sounded Trey walks over to Amare
with Friend #1 at the table.
Trey: “What sup guy’s good game huh?”
Amare: “If you say so”
Trey: “I know you don’t got jokes”
Trey teases Amare about the club the other night.
Trey: “Still searching for that mystery women?”
Friend #1: “Blue’s clues”
Trey & Friend #1 begin laughing together as they shack hands.
Amare: “I wasn’t lying”
Trey & Friend #1’s laughter settles down next the coaches end their huddles with their teams to
begin the halftime shoot around. A kid comes from his team shot around practice over to the
score-table he says to Amare,
Kid: “Where’s my money?”
Amare: “What?”
Kid: “I beat you in 2k (basketball video game) give me my $5 dollars”
Amare: “Oh whatever you cheated nobody makes that many 3’s”
Kid: “Not my problem”
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Amare: “Here”
As he digs into his pocket then hands the kid a $5 dollar bill the kid takes the money runs back to
the court with a smile on his face.
Trey: “You losing to kids in 2k now (he laughs)”
Amare: “It don’t matter he still can’t shoot”
Kid: “I heard that I can shoot”
Amare motions for him to take a jump shot with his hand the kid dribbles the ball at the 3 point
line he shoots the ball it’s an air ball completely missing the rim then hits a kid walking pass on
the sideline. Amare with his friends start laughing the kid says,
Kid: “Whatever”
As he waves them off to walk away going back to his team huddle.
Amare: “He needs to spend that $5 dollars on a jump-shot”
His friends laugh at his comment as the buzzer sounds alerting the end of half-time Trey says,
Trey: “I’ma finish this game I’ll hit yall up later”
Trey goes back to the court to referee & Amare, Friend#1 continue operating the score-table.
Shai is going to her classes then meets up with her roommate Nay & Friend#1 plus Friend#2 at
the cafeteria in the student center they talk about what happened at the club over the weekend
with the dude Friend#1 had to throw a drink onto free her sister from him. Friend#2 says,
Friend#2: “Thanks sisters for helping me out”
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Nay: “No problem you know we got your back”
Friend#1: “These dudes of our generation are off the hook where is the respect?”
Nay: “Some dude from my class seen me their now he stalking my media look (she shows
Friend#2 her phone display).
Friend#2: “Wow that many messages mhmm please block him”
Friend#1: “But O’ yea Shai tell us about that guy you meet yall were talking for a minute”
Shai: “We did not talk that long but he seemed OK from what I could tell”
Friend#2: “They all do”
She laughs Friend#1 & Nay laugh with her Shai checks her phone then says,
Shai: “Well, I gotta leave to the transit”
Nay: “You sure I can give you a ride home since your car in the shop”
Shai: “No that’s alright this will help me think of somethings I want to do this summer”
Friend#1: “Sounds like that single life right”
Shai: “Whatever haha but bye see yall after break”
Back to Amare he is working at the transit station with Rick they are talking about shoes at the
time Rick says,
Rick: “I’m done with the shoe hustle”
Amare: “You finally realized you out of High School”
Rick: “Bro you wearing the same shoes as me”
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Amare looks down at his shoes then back to Rick before answering.
Amare: “So what you trying to say”
Rick: “Forget it bro…but by the way you still looking for this mystery female”
Amare: “You too I wasn’t lying”
They pause from talking as a guy walks up to the booth to ask for directions. Amare addresses
the men to give him the correct directions he needs then the men thanks him. Amare sits back in
his sit leans back to watch the people outside Rick is talking to Amare but he is not interested to
listen to what he is saying. Rick asks Amare if he is listening Amare wipes his face then says,
Amare: “Yea I heard you”
Next, he directs his attention back to outside he sees a familiar person in the crowd he sits up in
his chair to get a better view then realizes the person walking amongst the crowd is Shai. Amare
gets up from his seat in a rush to walk out the booth suddenly he stops remembering he still is
wearing his work shirt. Taking the button up shirt off he has a white T-Shirt on under it Amare
decides to ask Rick,
Amare: “A let me borrow your jacket for a minute”
Rick: “Yea go ahead”
Amare puts the jacket on as he leaves to follow after Shai Rick yells,
Rick: “Hey where you going?”
Amare catches up to Shai’s location she is standing by herself reading the transit map he zips up
his jacket before walking up to Shai he says to her,
Amare: “Excuse me you looking for directions”
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Shai: “Yes”
Then she looks up to Amare remembering him from the club she smiles.
Amare: “So you lost?”
Shai: “No I think I figured it out”
Amare: “Cool…what’s your name again?”
Shai: “Shai”
Amare: “Amare”
He puts out his hand to shack hers they shack hands.
Amare: “Nice to meet you…again”
Shai laughs a little.
Shai: “Yes same here”
She pauses to think for a moment.
Shai: “You know what I do have a question”
As she points at the transit map.
Shai: “Do I follow this route to get to the east side?”
Amare looks at the map then nods his head yes.
Amare: “Just make sure you get off before this stop”
While he points out the location on the map Shai agrees to do so.
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Shai: “Alright thanks are you heading in the same direction”
Amare: “No I’m heading the opposite way”
Shai’s train stops in front of them Amare realizes their conversation will be cut short he rushes to
ask,
Amare: “Hey, can I get your full number this time”
Shai: “My fault I was wondering why I never heard from you”
Amare digs into his pocket to pull out his phone the men that asked Amare for directions earlier
walks by them he stops recognizing Amare. He taps Amare on the shoulder to get his attention
Amare turns around the men says,
The Men: “Hey, I know you’re off work but can you help me again I missed my stop”
Amare looks over at the men with an annoyed expression.
Shai: “You work here?”
Amare looks at the men then back to Shai.
Amare: “Yea”
Shai shacks her head before turning away to broad the train Amare is ashamed now he walks
away from the men as he tries to apologize.
Ch. 3 Long Night
17. Darius.17
Shai is riding in her Mom’s car now after being picked up from the transit station she arrived at
the Mom looks over at Shai staring out the window resting her hand underneath her chin.
Mom: “What’s wrong honey not excited for the summer”
Shai: “I am just a little tried that’s it”
Mom: “Well, make sure you rest up while you’re here”
Instead of responding back to her Mom Shai continues to stare out the window as if she is lost
within her thoughts.
Shai & her Mom enter the house welcomed by her Dad & younger sister with hugs as they are
excited she is home.
Dad: “Welcome back! How you enjoy your school year? O’ yea don’t don’t worry about your
car it will be fix before the end of the break”
Shai: “Thanks Dad it was fun but I’m tired some rest is what I need”
She heads upstairs to her room to lay down her family watches her leave their expressions are
confused.
Later on its night now Shai is relaxed on her bed strolling on her phone & chewing a gum while
her sister sits on the end of the bed.
Sister: “How’s the guys like in college”
Shai: “Over-rated”
The sister makes a disappointed face reacting to her statement.
Sister: “No you’re just too picky that’s it”
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Shai laughs.
Shai: “Advice from little sis I’m really in trouble now”
Sister: “You’re going to be old & lonely”
Shai: “You can leave at anytime”
Her little sister stays quiet for a short period as she continues to stroll & text on her phone.
Sister: “Who you texting?”
Shai: “Mike”
Sister: “The football player”
Shai sighs.
Shai: “Yes”
Sister: “What yall talking about?”
Shai: “He keeps asking me to go out to eat with him or something I’m surprised he knows more
than football”
Sister: “You should go”
Shai: “Leave”
The sister stands up & slowly walks to the door as she approaches she turns her body.
Sister: “Well, I guess I’ma have to tell Mom how I really sprung my ankle when we was little”
Shai’s mouth drops open.
Shai: “You wouldn’t dare”
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Little sister shacks her head up & down.
Sister: “Bye”
She rushes to exit the bedroom Shai escapes the bed in a hurry to chase after her sister.
Shai is with Mike in his car on their way out to eat together Mike is annoying Shai with constant
football talk.
Shai: “Can we please talk about anything other than football?”
Mike: “Mhmmm how’s school going?”
Shai: “It’s going fine”
Mike nods his head.
Mike: “Coach says getting good grades is good for the team”
Shai has now reached her limit.
Shai: “Can you do me a favor & pull over for a moment?”
Mike stops the car next to the sidewalk Shai unbuckles her sit belt then opens the door gets out
of the car to start walking down the street. Mike rolls the passenger window down he yells,
Mike: “Coach says you shouldn’t walk in the dark alone”
Shai is at the transit station on the bench by herself upset Amare happens to be working the night
shift another employee comes to take over Amare’s position so he can leave. Amare is walking
past the bench Shai is sitting at he looks over at her before thinking to himself “forget her…wait
I can’t leave her out there by herself”. He walks over to the bench where she is sitting at Shai
notices his presence.
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Shai: “I’m not trying to be bothered by anymore guys today”
Amare: “Great just thought you should know the next train is going to be late”
Shai: “I’ll wait”
Amare: “Cool”
He turns around now walking away from the bench Shai waits a couple moments before
eventually lower her defensive shield to say,
Shai: “Wait”
Amare turns back around to face her again.
Shai: “You still working?”
Amare: “No I’m about to leave”
Shai: “I don’t want to be out here by myself”
Amare: “The cops respond pretty fast around these times”
Shai makes a worried face Amare turns to walk away again.
Shai: “I’m serious”
Amare walks back to the bench sits down, after awkward silence Amare speaks,
Amare: “So long night?”
Shai: “Something like that”
Amare nods his head.
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Shai: “I’m really getting tired of dudes”
Amare: “You getting tired”
Shai: “I might be gay”
Amare burts out laughing but tries to control it.
Amare: “That’s funny”
Shai: “My time is constantly wasted why can nobody meet the standard”
Amare: “Maybe your standards are a little too high”
Shai responds fast.
Shai: “No that’s not it”
Amare: “I’m guessing your in school right?”
Shai: “So what?”
Amare laughs.
Amare: “Nothing”
Shai: “The difference between me & you is you will have a job & I will have a career”
Amare: “Ohhh that hurt felt it in my chest… (he looks up to the sky) please God why do I have a
job?”
Shai rolls her eyes just before Amare stands up.
Amare: “Well I hope the serial neck strangler on the loose doesn’t stop by here tonight but you
seem to be having good luck”.
Shai looks over her shoulders now concerned for her safety.
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Shai: “What! Ok can you give me a ride home?”
Amare: “You asking or telling?”
Shai blushes.
Shai: “May I have a ride home?”
Amare: “Sure I’ll give you a ride…home”.
Shai fake laughs ha ha ha then grabs her bag & follows after Amare.
Now, currently conversing to each other inside the car Amare asks Shai,
Amare: “How’s school going?”
Shai: “It’s alright I’m almost done now just one year left”
Amare: “You didn’t sound so excited about that”
Shai: “I made it that’s what counts”
Amare: “True”
It’s a moment of silence before Shai looks down at Amare’s phone in the cup holder grabbing
the phone she laughs.
Shai: “Oh look at your phone it’s so old & cute”
Amare: “What? Give me that”
He reaches over to her side attempting to grab the phone Shai pushes away his hand while she
continues to observe the phone rings.
Shai: “Who’s this your Babymom”
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She still holds the phone out of his reach.
Amare: “Can I answer my phone”
Shai: “When you stop reaching”
Amare leans back in his seat showing he has given up Shai hands him back the phone Amare
reads the screen to himself.
Amare: “Wow that was my Grandma”
Shai: “My fault”
He puts the phone into his pocket there is another silence again for a moment Shai looks around
out the window her facial expression is guilty.
Shai: “Mhmm the street was a couple lights back”
Amare looks up to the top of the car while he slightly smiles.
Amare stops the car in front of her house Shai unbuckles her seat belt then reaches to open up the
car door.
Amare: “You forgetting something?”
Shai: “No I got everything”
Amare: “What about a thank you for driving me home”
Shai smiles.
Shai: “Thank you”
Amare: “You welcome”
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Shai: “Let me see your phone”
Amare pauses to stare at her for a second then hands his phone to her Shai types her phone
number into his phone.
Shai: “Contact me sometime”
As she gets out the car Amare nods his head Shai weaves bye as she walks up her drive-way
Amare watches her for a moment then drives away.
Ch. 4 Today was Fun
Last night Shai stayed up all night on the phone with Amare she is sleeping when her sister
comes into her room trying to wake her up.
Sister: “Wake up sis”
Shai rolls over onto her side.
Shai: “What?”
Sister: “Just waking you up it’s almost 2 O’clock”
Shai rolls back over in her bed to go back sleep her sister leaves room a couple moments later
her phone rings she reaches under her pillow to grab the phone she answers.
Shai: “Hello”
Nay: “Sup how you been?”
Shai: “Good”
Nay: “You just waking up?”
Shai: “Yea I had a long night”
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Nay: “Tell me about it but get dressed I’m on the way”
Shai grunts suggesting she does not want to but before she could say no Nay cuts her off.
Nay: “Huh, huh nope you’re not telling me no get dressed”
Shai rolls her eyes.
Shai: “Alright, alright I’m getting up”
Nay: “Hurry up”
Shai: “Bye!”
She wipes her hands down her face before getting out of the bed.
Shai & Nay are sitting down in diner area of a fast food restaurant Nay asks,
Nay: “So what about that dude from the club you ever get in contact with him again?”
Shai: “I did randomly I seen him at the transit station”
Nay: “For real”
Shai: “That’s not it plus he work their”
Nay: “Shut up”
Shai: “It was weird but he cool so far”
Nay: “Good but how much he make a year?”
Shai: “I don’t know”
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Nay: “Hold up wait I’ll google it”
She starts searching on her phone Shai feels nervous to Nay’s reaction about his occupation then
Nay finds his average annual income on her phone.
Nay: “I don’t even want to tell you”
Shai ignores the statement as she pretends to stroll down her phone display screen.
Nay: “Do yall talk?”
Shai: “Not like that”
Nay: “Mhmm ok if you say so”
Shai’s phone sounds off alerting her she has a new message she reads it to herself.
Shai: “That’s silly”
Nay: “Is that him?”
Shai nods her head still looking at her phone then she reads the message.
Shai: “He asked if I’m tryin’ to get wet.”
Nay: “Ewww he nasty”
They laugh together.
Shai: “No we were talking about how it’s hot outside then he asked me if I wanted to cool off in
some water gun fight with the Rec center kids”
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Nay: “Oh but you should still watch that”
Shai: “His stupid dinosaur phone sent half the message”
Her phone alert sounds off.
Shai: “See here I just got the rest”
Shai pauses for a moment to read the message.
Shai: “He said it’s about to start in a hour”
Nay: “Go ahead & go that will be fun I’ll drop you off”
Shai thinks to herself about it.
Shai gets dropped off by Nay at the Rec Center Shai walks to the park behind the building
where the water gun fight is located Amare welcomes Shai to the event before introducing her to
the kids participating. Next, after each side is acquainted with the rules & regulations the fight
begins they are now battling with water guns, balloons etc. Amare & Shai are getting soaked by
the kids they are laughing having fun. The boy’s team ends up losing as they get circled by the
girl’s team splashing them with water forcing their forfeit. Now, the game is over inside of the
Rec Center everyone dries off with towels Amare & Shai hands off from the front desk they are
seated at. The kid from the basketball game exits the gym with his friends approaching Amare at
the desk.
Kid: “I see you lost…again”
Kid laughs a long with his friends around him.
Amare: “How many games have yall won?”
Amare holds up a zero with his hand.
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Kid: “Whatever I still can beat you in 2k”
Shai is laughing to Amare & the little kid’s exchange of words towards each other.
Amare: “You for sure editing some players”
Kid: “No I’m not”
Shai: “You have beefs with little kids”
Amare: “Just a few”
Shai holds her hand over her mouth as she laughs to Amare’s response. Trey just entered the Rec
Center rushes over to ask Amare,
Trey: “Yo bro can you close up tonight for me something came up”
Amare agrees then Trey thanks him before he rushes to leave.
Shai: “Why didn’t you tell me you worked at a Rec Center?”
Amare: “I didn’t well I do this too”
Shai shacks her head Amare smiles.
Amare just closed up the Rec Center it’s night outside now Amare & Shai are sitting on the steps
next to each other.
Amare: “You got a ride?”
Shai: “My friend is on her way to get me she lives close to here”
Amare: “Why don’t you drive”
Shai: “My car getting fixed”
Amare: “Dang you was swerving lanes”
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Shai: “That’s not funny I want my baby back”
There is a silence for a moment before Amare breaks it saying,
Amare: “Today was fun”
Shai: “It was I’m glad I came, thanks”
Amare: “No problem”
Nay arrives in front of them to pick Shai up.
Shai: “Well that’s my ride”
As she gets up to walk over to the car before Nay drives away Shai weaves bye to Amare the car
pulls off then he sits down on the steps.
Ch. 5 Were Just Friends
Amare & Rick are talking to each other at work in the transit clerk booth.
Rick: “A so what’s sup with you & that lady yall getting serious?”
Amare: “No I’m not trying to rush”
Rick: “Seem like you never be around when we chillen now can you come out tonight?”
Amare: “Not tonight going to the movies”
Rick: “Dang man she got you”
Shai is at home eating dinner with her family her mom asks,
Mom: “Shai you been out a lot lately what you been doing?”
Sister: “Shai has a boyfriend”
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Her little sister teases Shai looks at her with a blank stare confused to why she did that.
Shai: “Were just friends”
Dad: “Don’t allow some guy to distract you from school you worked hard for this”
Shai: “I hear you of course not”
Amare & Shai just left the concession food area now they are walking towards the
entrance to their theater sitting. As they continue down the walkway there is a stuffed animal toy
crane machine positioned to the side of the path Shai glances over at the machine she says,
Shai: “Oh I want a bear, you got some change?”
Amare gives Shai some change she goes over to the machine to insert the change to activate the
arcade game. Using the controller to pick up the bear she wants but the time runs out before she
is able to drop the bear into drop-box. Shai is disappointed with her performance Amare
sympathies to her reaction then offers to attempt a try at it. Maneuvering the controller he grabs
the bear in enough time to actually get over to the drop-box to release the bear Shai cheers for a
moment from excitement. Amare pulls the bear out award shoot he says,
Amare: “Wow I won a bear”
Shai: “What?”
Amare: “Na just playing”
Shai: “I see you funny”
Amare hands over the bear Shai smiles while hugging the bear as they continue towards their
movie theater sitting entrance.
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After the movie Amare & Shai are now walking down the movie theater parking lot towards the
car Amare yawns he says,
Amare: “That was a boring movie”
Shai: “You fell asleep a couple times”
Amare: “Glad it’s over”
Shai: “Whatever you didn’t like the love mixed with action”
Amare: “No way that’s doing the most”
Shai: “I like how she was running”
She imitates the motions with her hands.
Amare: “So you like to run?”
Shai: “Of course I used to run track”
Amare: “Oh you pretty fast”
Shai: “What boy yea”
Amare: “Ok let’s see want to race me?”
Shai: “Right now?”
Amare nods his head Shai pauses for a moment as she looks around the scenery.
Amare: “Nobody out here”
Shai: “I was looking for you less people to see you lose”
They get into their race positions Amare counts down to start.
Amare: “Alright I’ll count it off on 3”
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Shai: “Don’t cheat”
Amare: “One, two, three…go!”
Shai starts to run Amare fakes her out he pretends to run but he never does. As she notices that
he didn’t run with her Shai stops prematurely to turn around to look back at Amare realizing she
was tricked. Amare is currently laughing a little bit he says,
Amare: “I didn’t think you were actually going to run”
Shai is embarrassed still she manages to smile helping to cover her emotions she walks back over
to Amare. He gives her a hug then apologizes for tricking her Shai slightly pushes him away in a
friendly gesture.
The TV screen lights the dark living room on the couch Amare is on top as they lay body to body
feeling on the other intimately. Shai breaks away from Amare to say,
Shai: “Wait are we moving too fast?”
Amare: “I still got my shirt on”
Shai smacks her lips to his comment before smiling then they continue kissing a couple moments
later as Amare begins to pull down one of Shai’s bra straps down her arm she pushes Amare off
her. Shai sits up on the couch Amare does too briefly each fix their clothing Amare asks,
Amare: “You alright?”
Shai: “Yea”
Now, they sit next to each other in an awkward silence.
The Dad watches Shai from the front house window he sees her bent over towards the car as her
arms rest on the window frame while she talks to Amare. Biting his bottom lip holding in his
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frustration as Shai turns to walk up the drive way he closes the blends before she notices he was
watching.
Ch. 6 He’s Coming
Amare is at his apartment reading a book relaxing suddenly he gets a text from Shai she asks him
if he would like to go with her to a casual party. He texts her back yes he’ll go. While searching
through a clothing rack for an outfit Nay asks,
Nay: “So did you ask him to come?”
Shai: “I did”
Nay: “Ok what he say?”
Shai: “He’s coming”
Nay smiles at Shai then bumps her hip into Shai’s they both giggle afterwards.
At the Rec Center Amare is playing the video game 2k basketball versus his rival little kid friend
in the game room Amare is losing the kid taunts as he continues winning still they are having a
good time together laughing at each other. Eventually, Amare loses he leaves the room while the
kid gloats to his achievement. After exiting the room Trey currently walks pass Amare he stops
mid strive just realizing who he just passed he turns back towards Amare to ask,
Trey: “A can you stay over tonight to help with a speaker coming in?”
Amare: “No man not tonight I got somewhere to go?”
Trey smiles.
Trey: “Alright bro be safe”
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Amongst a conversation circle is Shai, Amare, Nay & Roger her friend she invited along with
other random people around. The central conversation topic is about work, school, and their
careers etc. As each member expresses their experiences with school & work Amare is locked
out from being able to relate to their stories Roger asks Amare what he does for a living,
Roger: “What about Amare? Come on share”
Amare hesitates to speak for a moment then says,
Amare: “I don’t have that much happening really I just run a Community Center with a friend”
A random guy within the circle says,
Random guy: “That’s cool you must have a lot of stories to tell working in the community come
on let’s hear one”
Amare is encouraged by the people around to tell a story eventually Amare agrees he will. He
tells the story the people are laughing to his delivery then afterwards people thank Amare while
breaking off in their separate directions of the people Shai, Nay leave to refill their drinks. Now,
Amare is by himself for a min. before Roger walks up to him to say,
Roger: “That was funny bro I like your life you interested in writing scripts?”
Amare: “For what?”
Roger: “I’m a film producer”
Amare: “Really?”
Roger: “No lie”
Amare: “No man that seems like a lot of extra work”
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Roger: “That’s too bad me & my partners just purchased a studio in Atlanta so we are desperate
for good writers to help us get started”
Amare: “Wow that’s something”
Roger: “Here let me give you my card just in case you change your mind put something together
contact me we’ll see what we can do”
Amare takes his card.
Amare: “I’ll think about it”
He shacks Roger’s hand.
After the party Shai walks over to Amare just finished with her goodbyes to her friends. Shai
sees Amare holding a card in his hand she says,
Shai: “You found a friend?”
Amare: “Funny…anyway you ready?”
Shai looks back to wave to her friends one last time then says,
Shai: “Ok let’s go”
Amare & Shai are walking down the street Shai says,
Shai: “I wish you didn’t park a whole street away my feet hurt”
Amare: “You said hurry up & park somewhere”
Shai: “I didn’t mean (she pauses) never mind”
It’s an awkward silence as they continue walking together. Shai breaks the silence,
36. Darius.36
Shai: “That’s enough I need to rest my feet for a couple minutes”
Amare looks around then says,
Amare: “Alright there’s a bench over their”
Shai: “Good let’s hurry up”
Now, sitting at the bench together observing the scenery around them suddenly Amare speaks,
Amare: “I remember when I was little my Mom would take me to the park after she got off work
she would sit at the bench & just watch me run around”
Shai: “I bet you was something else probably getting on her nerves”
She laughs Amare shacks his head then says,
Amare: “I can’t do that anymore”
Shai: “Wait…so your Mom?”
Amare nods his head Shai says,
Shai: “I didn’t mean…”
Amare interrupts.
Amare: “No don’t worry about it”
There is an awkward silence then Shai says,
Shai: “Mhmm I guess my feet are good now”
They both stand up Amare takes a step to start walking Shai grabs his arm she says,
Shai: “Hey, if you want to talk about it that’s fine with me”
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Amare: “Sure…back at my spot”
Lipstogethermake the perfectmatch nowtheir soulsattach upagainst thewall hearts attack…
Shai: “Weren’t we suppose to talk about something”
Amare: “When tomorrow?”
Shai smiles then pushes Amare onto the bed he watches as she ties her hair back.
Passion in theair as theylay bodytobodygentlyrubtheirfingers against theothers body.Deep
intothe cover& deepintoeach otheremotions conquer toleave theminds towondera slow
grindthena smooththunder.Toss& turnnewposition limbs movebutthelove stays in
positionpractice tomakelife acouple bondtogetherinthelate night.
Ch. 7 What’s the Problem
Shai’s Mom is in the kitchen wrapping dinner up into containers to put into the refrigerator for
later. The Dad enters the kitchen just arriving back from the law office the Mom speaks to him,
Mom: “Hey, honey I didn’t hear you come in”
Dad: “You just finishing up”
Mom: “Yes, I cooked early I was called into help work the ER tonight you alright you look
tired”
Dad: “I’ll be fine…you know Shai came in at 8 this morning”
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Mom: “What’s the problem with that?”
Dad: “Shai isn’t a little girl anymore she can handle herself”
Dad: “Have you talked to her about this guy she has been seeing”
Mom: “We have talked buy why is this bothering you so much we raised her right”
Dad: “I don’t want her to get caught up with some bum dude that can’t support her this could
affect everything we worked hard to make sure she doesn’t go through the struggle like we did”
Mom: “You don’t want…what’s life without a struggle”
Dad: “You know what I’m saying”
Mom: “Look I don’t have time right now for your protective rant”
Dad: “Can I be a Dad? She is my daughter”
The Mom grabs her car keys & bag from on top of the table then walks by the Dad towards the
door. Before she approaches the Door still outside of the kitchen she turns around to say,
Mom: “If you really are that concern how about you talk with her”
The Mom leaves while the Dad is in the kitchen by himself puzzled in his thoughts.
Ch. 8 Come On Share
Amare is at the bowling alley with Rick & some other friends their talking while having fun
bowling one of the guys speaks about Amare not being around with them as much since his new
found love. The other guys laugh at Amare but he doesn’t care what they think he says to them,
Amare: “Yall hating because yall be at home (he gestures masturbation with his hand)”
39. Darius.39
Shai is at a baby shower with Nay & her friends they are watching as their pregnant friend opens
her gifts each gift is labeled so she can tell who the present came from while this happens they
are also socializing about relationships, work, life, etc. Taking turns sharing going around in a
circle eventually it gets to Shai’s gift/turn a female in the circle asks Shai to share about the guy
she has been seeing lately. Shai deflects from revealing how much she is involved with Amare
trying to keep so much private. After much pressure from the other ladies she admits that her
Mom asked her to invite him over for dinner. The ladies encourage her to do so Shai pauses to
think about it as they continue to converse around her.
Ch. 9 Are You Watching This?
At the Rec Center Amare is watching the news on the TV the headline story is another Black
male is killed unarmed by police. Trey walks into the longue area Amare is at he says,
Trey: “Again this is crazy how many is that this week?”
Amare: “I stopped counting”
Trey: “Something got no change”
Amare: “Right”
Shai is with her little sister in the living room watching the news channel on the TV they see the
same headline Black male unarmed killed by law enforcement both of them are shocked as they
watch the footage of the murder. The little sister covers her eyes unable to watch the public
execution anymore Shai’s phone rings she answers,
Shai: “Hey, Nay”
40. Darius.40
Nay: “Are you watching this?”
Shai: “Yes this is ridiculous…wait I think it just said breaking news”
Nay: “Alright girl call me back”
Shai: “I will bye”
News Anchor: “Good evening breaking news this just in the police officer Jerry Spiller who shot
& killed 14 year old Tyler Jones 2 months ago will not be charged. Again he will not be charged
currently we stand by as the family lawyer prepares to release a statement.
Shai places her hand to her head overwhelmed with frustration.
Amare is driving Shai is in the passenger seat next to him she mentions to Amare,
Shai: “How long can this stuff go on?”
Amare: “As long as people let it happen”
Shai: “I just can’t get it off my mind”
Amare: “You hungry?”
Shai: “I don’t feel like eating”
Amare nods his head then says,
Amare: “I know a place that will help”
Shai: “Where?”
Amare: “Chill you’ll see”
41. Darius.41
Amare drives them to a local Black Arts Center where a community conference is taking place.
Shai stares out the window looking at the parking lot packed with cars Shai says,
Shai: “Must be some event”
Amare parks the car.
Amare: “Come on let’s go”
They go into center on the inside the people are making their way towards the atrium hall they sit
within the audience. Shortly after the event organizer comes to the podium to address the crowd
& introduce the audience to the event. Several speakers lecture to the people educating them to
what’s really happening what needs to be done within the community & solutions for the future
to prevent these same incidents. Shai enjoys the knowledge from each speaker her demeanor has
completely changed from before afterwards Shai admits to Amare she was impressed by the
presentation,
Shai: “Thanks for being me I needed that”
Amare: “No problem but I’m hungry you hungry?”
Shai: “You know what I want some ice cream”
Amare: “Ice cream? At this time”
Shai: “Yes!”
Amare: “A if that’s what you want”
Shai: “Is there an issue with that”
Amare: “(Laughs) Not at all”
42. Darius.42
Shai smiles.
As they sit across each other at a table within the Ice Cream diner.
Amare: “For a second I thought you were going to pick vanilla”
Shai: “Over chocolate no way I love chocolate”
Amare: “I hope so”
Shai pushes Amare’s cup of Ice Cream trying to tip it over.
Amare: “Oh now you want to spill mines I see how it is”
Shai: “Can you eat it’s getting late”
Amare shacks his head before continuing to finish his ice cream.
Ch. 10 Welcome to Dinner
Sitting on the edge of the bed Shai is braiding her little sister’s hair as she sits on the floor
between her legs at the same time she is talking on the phone with Nay.
Shai: “Last night was fun I almost forgot about everything going on”
Nay: “Come on tell me details”
Shai: “I did”
Nay: “I know you like to hold stuff back”
Shai: “O’ really you want to go there I can bring up stories but hold up a second…”
Shai grabs the phone from being held between her shoulder & ear to look down at her sister.
Shai: “Keep your head still you’re making it longer”
43. Darius.43
Little Sister: “I’m trying”
Shai puts the phone back between her shoulder & ear then goes back to braiding her hair.
Shai: “Hello, sorry she was moving around”
Nay: “Oh don’t tell me she a…”
Shai: “Yup”
They both say together.
Shai & Nay: “Tender-head!”
Laughing afterwards there excitement is prematurely interrupted by the little sister’s response.
Little Sister: “No I’m not”
Nay: “Tell baby sis I love her”
Shai: “Ok…sis Nay said she love you”
Little Sister: “So”
Shai: “She trying not to smile”
Nay: “When I get some more free time I gotta come over to see her it’s been so long”
Shai: “Alright that’s fine”
Nay: “But anyway what you doing later?”
Shai: “Going to the grocery store with my Mom, you”
Nay: “Well I’m stuck babysitting these kids”
Shai: “Hey, Nay I’ll call you back later let me finish sis hair”
44. Darius.44
Nay: “Sure bye bae”
Shai: “(Giggles) Bye”
Shai with her Mom are at a market grocery shopping currently Shai is pushing the cart as her
Mom searches through a freezer the Mom asks Shai,
Mom: “What about salad for dinner”
Shai: “I don’t mind glad we stopped eating pork”
Mom: “Yes what a filthy animal…actually some berries will go great with that salad mix”
Shai: “Mom we need some more ranch too”
Mom: “Good thinking I did check before we left”
There is a moment of silence then Shai asks her Mom,
Shai: “What you think about me inviting Amare over for dinner on the holiday”
Mom: “You know I don’t have a problem…did you talk to your Dad”
Shai: “No you know how he can get emotional”
Mom: “He will do that but baby don’t worry about your Father I know just how to talk to him”
Shai: “Mhmmm Ok Mom” (laughs)
Mom smiles back at her.
Amare & Shai are at Amare’s apartment their both on the couch Shai is laying her head back
onto Amare’s chest as he lays against the arm rest. They watch TV just relaxing Shai thinks to
herself how she is going to ask him to come over for dinner with her family Shai says,
45. Darius.45
Shai: “You know the holiday is this weekend”
Amare: “So you tryin’ to ask me something”
Shai: “Well we are going to have a big dinner & I want you to come over to meet my family”
Amare: “I don’t know might have to check my schedule”
Shai: “Quit playin’ you coming or what?”
Amare laughs for a moment then says,
Amare: “I’ma be there”
Shai smiles then leans her head forward to kiss Amare.
Amare arrives to Shai’s house it’s night time he walks up to the door then rings the door bell the
Dad opens the door he gives Amare a mug stare then invites him into the house. Amare walks in
he observes the house layout it impresses him by the decorations surrounding the living space
Shai comes over to welcome him with a hug then the Mom comes out the kitchen to do the same
the Mom says,
Mom: “I’m finishing things up yall go on & sit down in the living room everything will be
finished soon”
Shai leads Amare over to the living room they sit down on the couch next to each other the Dad
is in their sitting down as well the Mom calls Shai,
Mom: “Shai come here help we finish”
Shai rolls her eyes before getting up to head towards the kitchen.
Shai: “I’ll be back”
46. Darius.46
Amare nods his head towards her now in the living room is just him & the Father. Amare offers
to break the tension he feels coming from the Dad by asking him,
Amare: “Hey, how you doing?”
The Dad ignores his statement & takes a sip out of his beer bottle while he looks at the TV
screen Amare tries again after his awkward wait for a response.
Amare: “This is a nice house”
Dad: “Excuse me”
Amare: “I was just saying I like your house”
Again the Dad pretends to not hear his response as he stares at the TV screen suddenly he
chooses to respond after another awkward delayed wait.
Dad: “So since you want to talk you in school?”
Amare: “No not a traditional school right not but soon I do want to learn a trade”
Dad: “A blue collar worker huh I guess that’s better than nothing”
Amare cautions himself not to be bothered by the slight insult he just received.
Dad: “You work?”
Amare inhales then exhales his breathe before his response.
Amare: “Yes I work at the transit station & part-time at the Community Center in my
neighborhood”
Dad: “That’s interesting”
47. Darius.47
He says with a sarcastic tone suggesting he’s not impressed.
Amare: “You gotta start somewhere”
The Dad takes his attention away from the TV to look Amare directly in his eyes Amare’s reply
he took to a degree offensive Amare & him lock eyes for a moment as if they were looking at the
other’s soul.
Dad: “So what are your plans in mind for you & my daughter?”
Amare pauses for a second to help gather his thoughts then before his response the Mom
interrupts from the kitchen,
Mom: “Alright time to eat!”
Amare looks up to the ceiling relieved to be freed from the Dad’s social attack. Walking into the
living room the Mom says,
Mom: “Would you stop interrogating that boy & yall come on to eat…Lord knows I have to get
off my feet”
The family & Amare are sitting down at the kitchen table the Dad asks everyone to join hands as
he prepares to say the prayer the Dad looks at Amare then says,
Dad: “You go to church?”
Amare: “No I don’t but I do overstand some of the teachings”
The Dad’s facial expression of shock resembles the reaction a person would expect by a victim
being robbed from a stickup-man at gun point. He manages to withhold his frustration as he
picks up his utensils to begin eating.
48. Darius.48
After dinner everybody is finished eating the Mom offers to take Amare’s plate Amare gives her
his plate the Mom smiles at him. The Dad watches as that happens he sits quietly as his
frustration steadily rises. The Mom tells the little sister,
Mom: “Baby go upstairs to get my camera & tell Shai to come on back downstairs fixing her hair
I told her its fine”
The little sister leaves to head upstairs afterwards the Mom says,
Mom: “This is so exciting you’re the first young men Shai has invited over to the house since
prom”
Amare smiles to the Mom’s statement.
Upstairs now the little sister has the camera currently walking by the bathroom door
she stops to peak through the cracked door open at Shai as she fixes her hair looking in the
mirror. Shai notices her sister is watching by seeing her reflection inside the mirror Shai says,
Shai: “I can see you there”
Little sister walks into the bathroom she stands behind Shai watching her brush her hair little
sister says,
Little Sister: “You must really like him”
Shai: “How do I look?”
Little Sister: “Your doing too much”
Shai hands her sister the comb then pauses to stare in the mirror she inhales her breathe then
exhales.
49. Darius.49
Meanwhile downstairs the Dad has finally reached his limit of frustration he waits a couple of
moments as he rocks back & forth in his chair. The Dad says to Amare,
Dad: “I just got to ask you…my daughter is in school soon she’s going to continue on with her
career. And I’ll give you credit you seem to be a fine young men but I don’t want my daughter to
have to down grade her lifestyle because some guy thinks he has some charm & wants to be
different”
Amare is taken off guard by the Dad’s outburst he says,
Amare: “Wow that’s how you feel”
Dad: “Nigga that’s how I feel”
The Mom yells at the Dad calling him by his first name.
Mom: “Jerome”
The Dad counters saying,
Dad: “Shut up this doesn’t involve you”
Amare nods his head up & down then says,
Amare: “Ok I’m not going to argue with you over what decisions your daughter will make rather
you like it or not she’s going to still make them on her own”
Shai & her sister come down stairs at that moment Shai says,
Shai: “What’s going on?”
Dad: “Watch it boy”
50. Darius.50
Amare stands up from his seat to continue to say,
Amare: “Through this whole time while you focused on attacking my character not once have
you offered advice”
Dad: “Get the hell out of my house now!”
Amare turns walking to exit the kitchen Shai steps in front of Amare to cut him off she says,
Shai: “Wait, wait, wait”
Amare ignores her plead to continue towards leaving the house Shai says to her Dad,
Shai: “Why can’t you just let me live my life I’m not a little girl anymore”
Then she turns to rush upstairs to her room the Mom says to the Dad,
Mom: “I’m so disappointed in you that is your daughter we support her no matter what”
The Dad takes a sip out of his beer bottle then says,
Dad: “She’ll thank me later”
Mom: “You know what he told you was right & now you don’t want to accept that…mhmm
truth hurts sit by yourself & think about that”
The Mom leaves the kitchen.
The little sister is at Shai’s door she knocks then says,
Little Sister: “Shai open the door”
The Mom comes upstairs she walks to the little sister in front of Shai’s door the little sister says
to the Mom,
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Little Sister: “Her door is locked”
The Mom knocks on the door she says,
Mom: “Shai baby unlock the door it’s alright”
The Mom looks down at her daughter while putting her arm around her shoulders. Unexpectedly
Shai unlocks the door then opens it she is still crying her eyes are red Shai says,
Shai: “Why me?”
The Mom pulls Shai towards her body she gives Shai a hug the Mom says,
Mom: “I know baby shhh, shhh, calm down, calm down it’s going to be alright”
Amare is at a stop light waiting for the light to change his head is leaned back into the head-rest.
Shai is sitting on the bed laying her head into the Mom’s chest still calming down. The Mom is
brushing up & down Shai’s hair with her hand the little sister is laying against Shai’s side with
her arms around her waist.
Amare is back at his apartment lying on the bed with his head resting on top of his
hands while he stares at the ceiling contemplating what happen.
Ch. 11 The Break Up
Shai tries to reach out to Amare by calling & texing him but Amare is not responding. One
day Amare is at work with Rick his phone rings Amare pulls the phone out of his pocket to
52. Darius.52
check after he notices the number is Shai’s he cancels the call then puts the phone back into his
pocket Rick asks,
Rick: “You not going to answer that?”
Amare: “I’m at work”
Amare stares off into space thinking to himself wondering why she can’t get the point.
Sitting on the couch in the living room Shai is frustrated because Amare will not contact her
back or respond to her attempts annoyed she tosses her phone to the over side of the couch then
she gets up to leave. As she takes a couple of steps away her phone rings then she quickly rushes
back to the couch to answer her phone.
Shai: “Hello!”
Nay: “Sup girl”
Shai: “Oh hey”
Nay: “Dang nice to hear your voice too what’s wrong you alright?”
Shai: “My fault thought it was somebody else”
Nay: “Shai it’s been a couple weeks now you need to move on”
Suddenly the Dad walks into the house Shai gets up from the couch turns her back to him as
she leaves towards upstairs. Now, on the stairs she replies to Nay,
Shai: “I hear you I’m focused on school starting back up”
The Dad watches Shai walk up the steps ashamed that his daughter still will not talk to him.
53. Darius.53
Shai is out at a restaurant eating with her friends their sitting together inside a booth. Her
friends are asking about Amare & their relationship Shai says,
Shai: “It’s over”
Friend#1: “Yall seem like the perfect couple”
Friend#2: “That’s sad I feel for you girl”
Nay: “Hey, you tried your best”
Shai thinks her friends are not making her feel any better wishing she could forget about
everything.
Sitting on a stool Amare watches as his friends play pool Rick says to him,
Rick: “I guess nothing can last forever”
Bending down on top of the table Rick uses his pool stick to hit the ball into a corner pocket.
Amare flips up his middle finger to Rick instead of responding to his insult.
Rick: “I must of hit a nerve”
Amare rushes up from the stool he was sitting at to approach Rick but one of his friend’s
cuts him off.
Friend: “Hold up he was just playin’”
Amare: “Man whatever I’m out”
He turns then walks away from them his friend’s attempts to call him back but Amare’s
mind is already made up.
Rick: “A bro wait come back”
54. Darius.54
Ch. 12 Buy or Sell (You Choose)
Back in school now Shai has just finished her last class for the day she meets her friends at
the student cafeteria as they talk around her Shai’s attention drifts off into space not interested to
participant in their conversation. Shai has her car back now finally fixed out the shop so she
decides to drive back home to visit her family. Arriving home her Mom & sister welcome her
back Shai still upset with Dad about what he did she does not acknowledge his presents. The Dad
notices that Shai still holds a grudge against him now ashamed of what he did reflecting to
himself he never wanted to hurt Shai’s feelings. He realizes that he stepped into her personal life
to far his body language shows that he has remorse for what he did.
Amare is working alone within the token booth/info desk helping citizens as they are
needed. Unforeseen Shai’s Dad walks up to the booth Amare looks at him surprised the Dad asks
Amare if they can talk. Standing to the side of the transit station hallway they talk.
Dad: “I want to apologize for my actions it was uncalled for”
Amare: “No problem”
Dad: “I’m just protective over my daughter you know it’s a crazy world &… (He pauses) when
you have a daughter you’ll see things different”
Amare: “I feel you but my fault I didn’t mean to disrespect your home”
Dad: “A no worries believe me that was the most excitement I had in that house in a while (he
laughs)”
Amare joins him.
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Dad: “Look I don’t like seeing my daughter upset especially with me & if she is comfortable
with you will do my best to support”
Amare: “Thanks I appreciate you stoppin’ by”
Dad: “We straight”
They shack hands then part separate ways.
At Amare’s apartment I his room sitting in a computer-chair at his desk tossing a ball up &
down to himself then he throws the ball at this desk the ball knocks off the some papers but also
the business card he got from Roger. Amare gets up from the chair he sees the card picks it up
then he thinks about what the dude told him. Amare sits back down into the chair with the card
for a moment thinking then grabs some paper he starts writing. Amare spends a couple nights
staying up to write out a story before he fell asleep he sends the story script to Roger through
email.
It’s the middle of the day Amare’s phone rings the sound awakes him out his sleep. Amare
sits up in his chair wipes his eyes then reaches over to the desk to answer his phone the person
calling is Roger he says,
Roger: “Hey, Amare I have been reading your script draft all day I’m half way done & I
already over it”
Amare: “Thanks it took me a couple nights”
Roger: “Wow that is absolutely amazing but look I’m in Atlanta right now after I finish
reading it I will give it to my team then next we want to start putting a crew together. How soon
can you leave?”
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Amare: “I have the weekend off next week”
Roger: “Perfect look I’m going to email you our address info you contact me as soon as you
get here”
Amare: “No problem alright bye”
Amare gets excited he claps his hands together then gets up from the chair.
At her school library Shai is sitting at a table studying when she gets a text from Amare he
asks her can we talk. Shai is in disbelief for a moment as she is frozen staring at her phone
unsure what to do, flash-forward to the park where they sat to talk after the party this where
Amare asked Shai to meet him at. Shai gets to the park she sees Amare sitting at the bench by
himself she walks over to him Amare speaks as she approaches,
Amare: “Sup”
Shai: “Hey”
Shai sits down next to Amare they avoid starting a conversation right away instead both observe
the parks scenery. Amare decides to break the silence he says,
Amare: “How you been?”
Shai: “Good, you?”
Amare: “Same”
Then Amare looks at Shai’s hands holding her keys he says,
Amare: “I see you got your car back”
Shai: “Yea my baby back”
Again there is another short silence then Shai says,
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Shai: “My Dad told me he apologized to you for what happen”
Amare: “Yea we talked”
Shai: “What you don’t have the same feelings anymore”
Amare: “I do…but that doesn’t change what I have to offer you”
Shai: “You think this is about money I don’t care about that I want you”
Amare: “I see you changed a little since when we first met”
Shai & Amare lock eyes as they face each other.
Amare: “Look I wanted to tell you in person that I’m leaving to Atlanta I wrote a script for
Roger his team liked it now he wants me involved with the filming process”
Shai: “So that’s it you just going to leave that…what about me you just don’t care anymore”
Amare: “I care but maybe we were moving too fast you still got school to finish & now I got
this”
Shai is becoming emotional her voice tone has changed she says,
Shai: “You’re going to end us like this”
Amare stands up off the bench Shai begins to cry Amare holds out his hand for Shai to grab,
she does. They hug then break away to stare at each other in the eyes Amare lets go of her hand
then says,
Amare: “I’ll see you around”
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He turns to walk away Shai watches for a moment then sits back down on the bench she
wipes her eyes while gathering her composer.
Ch. 13 Move On/Hold Up
Amare is at his apartment packing his stuff to leave off to Atlanta while he is packing his
phone rings he answers it on the line is Roger says,
Roger: “Yo how you been? Just checking in on you before you make the trip”
Amare: “I’m alright but yea I just finished packing I will be leaving soon”
Roger: “Great I’m looking forward to seeing you”
Shai is at her house sitting on the couch with her Mom sharing popcorn while relaxing
watching TV. The Mom notices that something is bothering Shai so she asks,
Mom: “Well if it bothers you this much you should try to work it out you don’t want to
regret later what you could have had”
Shai thinks to herself about the advice from her Mom.
In the kitchen now Shai is eating a small cup of ice cream as she leans against the kitchen
counter her phone on top of the counter rings she answers. On the phone is Nay her tone is
assertive as she speaks,
Nay: “Shai! Sis if it still mattered to you Amare is leaving for Atlanta tonight I seen Roger
post about it on his media”
Shai: “Nay I moved on…”
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Nay interrupts before she could finish talking.
Nay: “Shai don’t lie to yourself I don’t know what yall went through but don’t give up over
something minor that’s not worth it”
Shai: “What if”
Nay: “I’m sure you know him enough to know now hurry I heard he’s taking the greyhound
sis go”
Shai pauses for a moment she smiles then says,
Shai: “Thanks I gotta go”
She ends the call then rushes to grab her car keys.
Driving in her car enroute to the Greyhound Station Amare sits on the bench in front of the
bus he stares at a picture of him & Shai on his phone then the bus horn beeps he looks up from
his phone. Back to Shai she finally arrives to the parking lot she rushes her way to the boarding
dock, finished running up the steps she looks everywhere around the dock. She notices that the
buses are packed walking down the dock looking into the buses as they depart from the dock.
Her emotions start to take control of her conscious causing a panic attack as she realizes she was
too late. On the opposite side of the dock Amare is standing by himself the bus on Shai’s end
pulls away he see her standing alone. Shai walks slowly towards the steps she came from Amare
yells to stop her,
Amare: “Hold up!”
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Shai recognizes the voice she turns around towards Amare’s direction as she wipes the tears
from her eyes. Facing each other now they smile together then they meet on the outside of the
station Amare drops his bag before their emotional hug.
Ch. 14 Surprise (We Meet Again)
Amare is on a talk show promoting his movie Shai sits amongst the audience she watches as
the host asks Amare questions about his background, the movie etc.
Host: “Where do you come from?”
Amare: “The hood”
The crowd laughs.
Amare: “Na I’m playin’…not really though”
Host: “Came along way but you’re here people stay toned just a short break then back to
Amare & his independent movie “Can I Sell You a Dream””
The Dad wants Shai to be more enthusiastic as he takes pictures of Shai is annoyed by her
Father’s enjoyment. Mother steps into save Shai from her Father’s aggressive excitement Mother
asks Dad to go help his parents from the situation the Mother pinches Shai’s face then walks
away. Bored now Shai unlocks her phone on her background display is a picture of Amare &
her. A voice from behind her says,
Voice: “Nice picture”
Shai smiles as she recognizes the voice then she turns around. Amare stands holding flowers
Shai is excited to see him instantly changing her body language. After they briefly hug Shai says,
61. Darius.61
Shai: “I’m glad you’re here”
Amare: “Of course but congratulations you made it”
He hands Shai the flowers she smells them the Mom comes over to them she says to Amare,
Mom: “Welcome thanks for coming”
The Mom gives Amare a hug he is surprised by how acceptable she is toward him as if he is
already a part of their family.
Mom: “I can’t wait to see the movie I know you been working so hard”
Amare: “Thanks”
Mom: “Yall come on so we can finish these pictures”
Amare & Shai smile as they follow after the Mom to the rest of the family. Amare is
introduced to a couple family members the Dad walks over to Amare. They stare at each other
for a moment then the Dad reaches out his hand suggesting Amare shack it, he does the Dad
smiles & pulls him into his body for a hug. Shai in the background watches that happen next
Amare & the Dad walk over to join the rest of the family.
Amare & Shai at the movie theater again they are walking down the hallway stopping to
look at the movie picture frame for “Can I Sell a Dream” written by Amare Shabazz. Shai says,
Shai: “It looks cute”
Amare: “Yea it does”
Then they continue walking towards the theater.
