A Screenplay Short (Tagline: Following a call from her drunken and emotionally confused ex-lover, Zena is forced to confront her unresolved feelings head-on after a past tragedy made her reluctant to even utter the word "love". )

1. Friendship, It’s Not (Short)
By
Alex Obasuyi
1169 E. 54th Street
#3
Chicago, IL 60615
aobasuyi@uchicago.edu
615-977-8043

2. INT. CRUZ SPIRE/THEO’S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
ZENA MCKALL, 26, African American, stands in front of a
door. She raises her hand to knock.
SECURITY SYSTEM
(in Irish accent)
Now, I wouldn’t be doin’ that, Ms.
McKall. The lad hasn’t been
speakin’ too fondly of ya these
days.
ZENA (V.O.)
And...that’ll be Theo’s security
system, "A.S.I.A". Granted, we live
in New York and all, but seriously?
(sighs)
And why he gave the stupid thing an
Irish accent, I’ll never know.
ZENA
Look, I’m not here to kill Theo or
anything. I just need to talk to
him.
A.S.I.A.
Ya’d be makin’ a blatherin’ mess of
things! And Mr. Cruz’s knickers
would be in a--
The door swings open, revealing THEO CRUZ, 37, Brunette, in
all of his drunken glory.
THEO
(hiccups)
ZENA! What bri-brings you here?
ZENA
(crosses arms)
You called me. Well, actually, you
called me, I screened your call,
and then you called Anna, who then
told me that you were drunk, and
now I’m here.
THEO
(ignores Zena)
Don’t...just...st-stand there!
Co-come on in!
Theo reaches for Zena’s arm. Zena makes a face and snatches
it away. Theo stumbles and crashes into Zena as they both
fall into the ground. She squirms under Theo.

3. 2.
THEO
Oops! Looks like I’m f-falling for
you all over again!
Theo laughs obscenely, to the point of cackling. Zena pushes
him off and stands up. She glances at the watch on her
wrist. It’s 3 am. She shoots a still cackling Theo a glare.
ZENA (V.O.)
This is so not how I thought I’d be
spending my Friday night.
ZENA
Theo, how much have you had to
drink?
THEO
Uhhhhhhhhhhh...one glass.
ZENA (V.O.)
As if I’ll believe that.
ZENA
(rolls eyes)
Come on, Theo. It’s detox for you.
Zena helps Theo up from the ground and ushers him back into
his penthouse. She closes the door as Theo looks around. He
suddenly stumbles away.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
THEO
Asia?
A.S.I.A.
Yes, lad?
THEO
Uh, play some...play-play some nice
music. I wanna dance.
Loud music pours out from the speakers around the penthouse.
Theo shakes his body like he’s having a seizure.
THEO
(waves Zena over)
Co-come da-dance with me!
ZENA
(groans into her hand)
No, Theo. I don’t wanna dance.
Theo shrugs and goes back to his strange dance moves.

4. 3.
ZENA (V.O.)
I’ve only seen Theo drunk once
before and even then, the most
offensive thing he did was tell a
couple of inappropriate jokes. This
is...different.
Zena reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone. She
dials and presses the phone against her ear.
ZENA
(into phone)
Hey, meet me at Cruz Spire. I need
your help.
Zena puts her phone away, ending the call. She glances at
Theo, who continues to dance. She rolls her eyes.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Zena splashes water in her face as she leans over the sink.
She looks up at the mirror and stares at her reflection.
ZENA (V.O.)
(sighs)
Why the hell am I even here?
BEGIN FLASHBACK
INT. CRUZ PRODUCTIONS/ELEVATOR - DAY
Zena crosses her arms and taps her right foot on the ground
as she waits for the elevator to reach its destination.
Suddenly, it comes to a stop. The elevator door opens to
reveal an unamused Theo.
THEO
(cold)
McKall.
ZENA
(equally cold)
Cruz.
THEO
I didn’t think you had it in you to
show your face around here.
ZENA
Well, I do work here you know.
(pauses)
(MORE)

5. 4.
ZENA (cont’d)
Even if we’re having problems.
Theo looks Zena up and down as he proceeds to enter the
elevator. The door closes behind him and the elevator
continues its journey upwards.
THEO
Uh, no. You have problems. I’ve
dealt with all of mine.
ZENA
If dealing with problems mean
refusing to ever talk about them,
then yeah, you’re doing great.
THEO
The hell is that supposed to mean?
ZENA
I just don’t understand how you can
be so callous.
THEO
(turns sharply)
Seriously? You’re going there?
ZENA
(hands on hips)
I’ve been there.
THEO
Well, if that’s the case, I should
point out that the only reason I’m
being quote and unquote "callous"
is because you are so damned touchy
sometimes. I mean seriously, would
it kill you to live a little?
ZENA
Well, I wouldn’t have to be so
"touchy" if you weren’t
narcissistic as fuck. I’m still
shocked that we even dated. You’re
the type of blockhead who would
just gladly date himself.
THEO
Oh wow. Well, wouldn’t that be a
refreshing change from dating you
and your suspicious ass?
(off Zena’s gasp)
(MORE)

6. 5.
THEO (cont’d)
Yup. If I’m an excessively
narcissistic blockhead, you’re a
tremendously over-suspicious twit.
Zena turns to Theo and reaches up to slap him. He grabs her
arm. They stare each other down. Zena snatches her arm away.
She faces the elevator door, putting her back to Theo.
ZENA
(sighs)
I should’ve known that talking to
you wouldn’t do anything at this
point. You’re so damned stubborn.
THEO
Oh, and you’re not? We wouldn’t
even be in the situation if--
The elevator stops abruptly, causing Theo and Zena to
stumble into each other. Theo steadies Zena. Annoyed, she
snatches her body away and presses a couple of elevator
buttons. Nothing happens.
ZENA
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
She jabs the open button. The elevator remains motionless.
ZENA
...And we’re stuck.
THEO
I think we’ve established that at
this point, smart one. The question
is how the hell do we get out?
ZENA
(hand to chin)
Well, let’s see. You like to invent
your way out of things, right?
(pauses; yells)
So...why don’t you invent your way
out of this bullshit?!?!
Theo rolls his eyes as he leans against the elevator wall.
THEO
Oh my God. The only thing worse
than being stuck in here is being
stuck in here with you.

7. 6.
ZENA
Like you’re any better.
(sighs)
This can’t possibly get any worse.
The lights shut off.
THEO
(yells)
Oh for fuck’s sake!
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY (AN HOUR LATER)
Zena and Theo sit in absolute, utter darkness in silence.
ZENA
This...is bullshit.
Zena slams her fists into the floor.
THEO
So, I know you’re pissed and all,
but can you, um, I don’t know,
quietly shut the fuck up? It’s hot,
I’m hungry, and I’m stuck in here
with you. I think I’ve suffered
enough today.
ZENA
You know what? I’m not even going
to reply to that.
(pauses)
It’s obvious that you hate me and
that there’s little I can do to
change your mind.
Silence fills the elevator once more.
THEO
...Who said I hated you?
ZENA
You didn’t have to say it. It was
implied.
THEO
I implied nothing of the sort.
Yeah, I’m semi-angry with you,
but--
ZENA
Semi? Really?

8. 7.
THEO
Fine. I’m angry with you, okay?
But...I could never hate you.
ZENA
So...where does that leave us?
THEO
I don’t know. And that’s not me
being ’narcissistic and callous’
Theo. That’s me being--
ZENA
You. Just you.
(pauses)
Can we at least be friends? I mean,
it’s gonna be weird hanging out
with Will and the rest of the group
since we’re not together any more
and--
THEO
--And though I get exactly what
you’re saying, a part of me wants
to say "no".
ZENA
Why is that? Why say "no"?
THEO
I don’t have this much love
reserved for any of my friends. I
don’t pine after any of my friends.
I don’t want to make love to anyone
of my friends. So naturally, I
don’t want to be your friend, Zena.
Reducing us to that would be a
complete insult to all that we went
through, but at the same time--
ZENA
--We’re not completely ready to
lose each other.
More silence.
THEO
(sighs)
Friendship it is, then.
There’s movement on Theo’s side of the elevator. In a few
seconds, he is right beside Zena.

9. 8.
ZENA
Theo, what are you--?
THEO
I need to ask you something.
ZENA
Okay...?
THEO
...Do you love me?
ZENA
You do realize that that question
is what got us here in the first
place, right?
Suddenly, the door opens. Theo and Zena look at each other
in the dim light.
END FLASHBACK
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
ZENA (V.O.)
Oh. That’s why.
There’s a loud crash. Zena bolts from the bathroom and
sprints down the hall to the kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
She places her palm to her head when she sees Theo stumbling
around in the kitchen. He slams several cabinets open.
ZENA
Theo, you’re going to hurt
yourself.
THEO
Don’t worry...I-I got evurething
coverrred.
Zena groans. She trudges deeper into the kitchen, towards
Theo. Before she reaches him, she spots the remnants of a
broken bottle. She jumps back before she can step on it.
Theo slams open another cabinet, causing Zena to look up. He
turns, revealing yet another bottle in his hand.
ZENA
(puts hand out)
Give it here. You’ve had enough.
Theo hesitates.

10. 9.
ZENA
Theo...
Theo turns to walk away. Zena tries to yank the bottle out
of his hand. He suddenly lets go. She tumbles to the floor
and the bottle smashes into the ground next to her. She puts
her hand to her head, her vision blurring.
Someone knocks. Zena looks over in the direction of the
balcony, which is down the hall from the kitchen. On the
balcony, behind an elaborate glass door, is WILL TRENTON,
31, Blonde. He holds a paper bag in his left hand, with his
backpack slung across his right shoulder. He knocks again.
Zena looks back at Theo and points at him.
ZENA
You stay right there!
Zena struggles to pick herself up. After succeeding, she
hobbles over to the balcony and slides the glass door open.
Will waltzes inside. Zena slides the door closed behind him.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
ZENA
Thank God. Now that you’re here:
HELP.
Theo peeks his head out of the kitchen.
THEO
(excited)
HEY! ROBIN HOOD IS HERE! NOW IT’S A
PARTAAAAAAAAY.
WILL
Damn. How much did he have to
drink?
ZENA
Judging by how plastered he is and
how long I’ve known him, I’m
guessing at least a bottle. Double
magnum.
WILL
What the fuck?
ZENA
I kid you not.
Zena points at the paper bag in Will’s hand.

11. 10.
ZENA
What’s in the bag?
WILL
See for yourself.
Will tosses the bag over to Zena, who snatches it out of the
air. She opens the bag and frowns at its contents.
ZENA
Really, Will? Really?
(louder)
What good is General Tso’s Chicken
to me at a time like this?!
WILL
It’s not for you, idiot. It’s for
that.
Will points at Theo. Theo begins singing.
WILL
That motherfucker is going to wake
up with a hangover from hell
tomorrow if he doesn’t get enough
sugar and water to offset the
effects.
(points at paper bag)
That chicken has enough sugar to
kill a diabetic.
THEO
(loud singing)
"It’s a quarter after one, I’m a
little drunk and I need you now..."
Zena stares at Theo. Will cocks his head to the side.
WILL
That’s strangely...appropriate.
Zena shoots Will a look as she crosses her arms.
WILL
What?! I was just saying.
ZENA
Can we just focus on getting Theo’s
drunk ass away from the kitchen?
You know, lest he break something
else?

12. 11.
Will puts his hands up in mock surrender. Zena rolls her
eyes and makes her way to the kitchen with Will following
close behind. As they enter the kitchen, Zena and Will step
over shards of glass and grab a hold of Theo’s body. They
haul him out of the kitchen and carry him into the living
room. They toss Theo onto a nearby couch and sit down on the
table across from him.
Zena winces and places her hand to her head momentarily. She
makes a face and touches it again. She brings her hand back
down. It’s covered in blood.
WILL
Holy shit!
Will reaches for her hand. He looks up at her.
ZENA
What? I don’t really remember how
this happened...
WILL
What do you mean you "don’t really"
remember how this happened?! You’re
bleeding, Zena!
ZENA
I can see that.
WILL
Can you be serious for like five
fucking seconds?!
ZENA
Look, I have been through a lot
tonight. So excuse me if I can’t
remember how...
Zena’s voice trails off as she places her bloody hand back
at the side of her head.
WILL
...How? How what?
ZENA
...I kinda remember trying to take
another bottle away from Theo.
Somehow during all of that, I ended
up on the floor...I think.
WILL
Shit. You must’ve hit your head
then.

13. 12.
Will pushes her black hair aside, moving her bloody hand. He
whistles.
WILL
Yeah. That is one nasty gash, but I
bet I can patch you up. Then you
can stuff Theo’s face with chicken
and shove some water down his
throat before he passes out.
Zena looks at him with wide eyes.
ZENA
Oh no. Hell no, Will. I’ve been
through enough already. You feed
him.
WILL
Nope. Fuck that. He’s your...I
don’t know, but you’re feeding him.
Zena, not to be defeated, looks at Will with big, puppy dog
eyes and pouted lips. Will glances at her and looks away.
After a few seconds, he glances at her once again and places
his face into his palm. He sighs.
WILL
Goddammit. Fine. But let me patch
you up first.
Will reaches for his backpack and pulls out a first aid kit.
ZENA
Seriously?
WILL
What? I was an Eagle Scout,
remember?
ZENA
(laughs)
I know that. But seriously?
Will rolls his eyes at her as he pulls out several alcohol
pads and a large bandage.
WILL
Where can I find a towel around
here?
ZENA
Uh...in the kitchen. Third drawer
down on your right.

14. 13.
WILL
Okay. Sit tight.
Will wanders into the kitchen. After several minutes, he
returns to Zena with a brown towel in his hand, dragging a
trash can behind him with his foot. He sits down and begins
tending to her wound. Zena speaks after a long silence.
ZENA
Thanks.
WILL
No problem.
Zena flinches at the stinging of an alcohol pad.
WILL
Zena?
ZENA
Yeah?
WILL
If you don’t mind me asking, what
are you doing here, exactly?
ZENA
What do you mean?
WILL
You know what I mean.
ZENA
No, I don’t know what you mean,
which is why I’m asking.
Will stares at Zena for the longest time before she finally
sighs.
ZENA
(rolls eyes)
Fine. Theo called me and I came
over to help? Are you happy?
WILL
(chuckles)
Is that what you’re going with?
ZENA
(crosses arms)
Yeah, that’s that I’m going with.

15. 14.
Will shoots her a skeptical look. When she doesn’t say
anything, he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a
People magazine. He shows her the cover, which happens to
have her and Theo on it.
ZENA
(reads)
"Spoiled Playboy and Creative
Genius Call It Splitsville."
(glares at Will)
Really Will? Really? You’re into
this bullshit?
WILL
What? It’s entertaining.
Will puts the magazine away and throws a bloodied alcohol
pad into the trash can. He reaches for the bandage.
ZENA
(sighs)
Theo and I are friends now, okay?
Just in case you were wondering.
WILL
(smirks)
Interesting. Is that what you kids
call it these days?
Zena glares at him.
WILL
My bad. But seriously, you must
really love the guy. I don’t have
many friends who would come over
this late and help me out when I’m
all shit-faced and--
Will stops when he sees a knowing look on Zena’s face.
WILL
--wait. Do you?
ZENA
Do I what?
WILL
Love him?
ZENA
I don’t wanna talk about it.

16. 15.
WILL
Well, does he know?
ZENA
No.
WILL
Are you going to tell him?!
ZENA
(snaps)
Are you going to tell Michelle that
you have the hots for her and that
you want to have her babies!?
WILL
(widens eyes)
That doesn’t even--
ZENA
--I know what I said.
WILL
You didn’t have to get defensive. I
was just asking.
ZENA
Whatever.
WILL
(crosses arms)
So what, are you going to make
yourself not love him? Because it
might be too late for that.
She stands up and walks over to the couch to check on Theo.
ZENA
I’ll get over it. I always do.
She leans over Theo.
WILL
Fine. Do what you want. But when
you pine away and die alone because
you refused to love anybody, don’t
come crying to--
ZENA
(worried)
--Will, he’s not breathing.

17. 16.
WILL
What?
ZENA
(frantic)
Theo! He’s not breathing!
WILL
...Well shit.