How Did We Get Here? by Robert S. McGaha

HOW DID WE GET HERE? By ROBERT S. MCGAHA

SAMMCGAHA@HOTMAIL.COM

FADE IN: BLACK EXT.

CITY SKYLINE - NIGHT NARRATOR

The stars in the sky seem to be especially bright and the winds at peace this evening, even though there would be darkness from a storm no one could see looming ahead.

FADE IN:

EXT. CRIME SCENE LOCAL MALL 123RD ST - PARKING LOT The sounds of sirens could be heard from a mile away.

Witnesses are in shock of what they have just scene. Crowd noises heard ranging from sobbing to insignificant chatter engulfs the area. The emergency medical team is on the scene with police trying to control the crowd that has surrounded a young man (MARCUS) holding a young woman (TANYA)in his arms.

The young man MARCUS is covered in blood and the EMT’s are trying to check on the condition of the young lady, but Marcus will not let anyone near her. The young man had a look on his face that only comes after terror has just visited. A cold stare in disbelief. Even though there are many people in the surrounding area it’s as if they don’t even exist. As if nothing else matters, the young man appears to have a breakdown when tears begin to roll down his face.

EMT RESPONDER Sir, we need you to let go of this woman so we can perform our job.

MARCUS What does it matter to you? Your job is done. You are too late. I was too late. (sniffles)

2.

EXT. - MALL PARKING LOT Nearby there are police officers taping the area off in the infamous yellow tape. A group of detectives stand by the vehicle riddled with bullets as CSI members mark shell casings from afar.

Marcus finally relinquishes his hold of Tanya. As one uniformed group of EMT’s leaves they are replaced by the officers from the county coroners office.

EXT. - CAR DRIVING SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN INT. - INSIDE OF JAME’S CAR James is a pretty big guy ranging around 6’4" 250 lb with an athletic build. His face rugged with a scar above his right eye from an accident when he was a kid. To all inquiring minds, James also known as JJ on the street, was known to be very cold-blooded killer when it came to his money and the things that he wanted. He would not let anything become those two things. The only person JJ really had a soft spot for was his best friend Marcus. The type of business dealings JJ had didn’t leave much time for friends and it was usually better that way. In fact he preferred it. For some strange reason though, Marcus is the only person who could ever talk JJ down or tell him about himself and get away with it. Partly due to the fact they were pretty much raised together since birth.

As the hustler makes his rounds through town like the post office, there is a phone call to the cell on his hip. The number is an associate of James and he answers: JJ What up fool?

ASSOCIATE Homie, I saw your boy Marcus on the news... at least I think.

EXT. - SIDE ALLEY STREET - DOWNTOWN JJ slams on the breaks, and puts car in park as he looks at his phone in shock.

JJ What the hell you mean you saw him on the news?

ASSOCIATE Bruh, I saw some craziness went down over at the mall. It look like your Lac was shot the hell up!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.

JJ Dude you can’t be serious right now!? Not Marcus!

ASSOCIATE Nah, for real my dude its on the news now.

JJ Man if I found out this is a joke I’mma kill you on GP. ASSOCIATE I wouldn’t play like that about this here son! What was he doing with your car anyway?

JJ He wanted to impress this little breezy he been talking to. So after the last favor he did for me I told him I got him. I can’t believe this shit right now. I’m heading over there to check this out. Where you say that went down?

ASSOCIATE Over at the mall on a hundred and twenty-third.

JJ Bet! EXT. - JJ’S CAR Driving like something out of a NASCAR race, JJ flies toward the mall.

EXT. - MALL PARKING LOT 123RD ST By the time JJ reaches the mall the crowd has dissipated, while the yellow crime scene tape remains. Officers are questioning Marcus as to his account of the evening. He is still being distant but seems to at least be talking to them.

A car pulls up like a bat out of hell, screeching tires more than a banshee on Halloween. JJ has pulled up demanding to be told where Marcus is. Breaking his way through the tape JJ sees Marcus as detectives are heading away.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

DETECTIVE Son, here is my card. If there is anything else you can think of please give us a call.

Holding what was an ordinary business card now looks like a hot mess as it’s now covered in bloody fingerprints and wiped off tears.

In the distance Marcus begins to hear JJ’s voice shout for him.

JJ Marcus! Marcus! Where you at dog?

EXT. - MALL PARKING LOT - UNDER LAMP POST NIGHT Marcus is finishing up the last of his cigarette as the detectives start to walk away.

Just as JJ arrives Marcus reaches for the hip of the passing detective to grab his gun.

Gun drawn and aimed in the direction of JJ, Marcus lets of two shots, in what was a matter of seconds seemed like an eternity as JJ clutched his chest covering one of the holes freshly planted in his sternum.

The officers immediately try to restrain Marcus but it is too late. He has shot his best friend and killed instantly.

In what seemed already like a tragic evening the officers now place Marcus in handcuffs and begin to walk him past JJ’s body. As cops prepare to whisk Marcus off to jail he looks at what was his former friend’s body and says: EXT. - MALL PARKING LOT - VIEW OF THE STARS IN SKY (JJ POV) The cops prepare to whisk Marcus off to the nearest squad car in passing of his former friend’s body. He begins to slow down to a stop and say: MARCUS You know I always wondered why you would tell me thy enemy is thy friend, but in business there are none. Well... how the hell did we get here!?

5.

END SCENE