Tick Tock By Omolara Alao-Aboko
omolara.alaoaboko@loop.colum.edu laraafriciate.blogspot.com
FADE IN: EXT. STREET - DAY A car pulls up to a street parking spot. Two women are in the car. INT. CAR - DAY SADE, (26), a gorgeous, long weaved, brown-skinned young woman is the driver. Her face glows in radiance courtesy of a smooth make up. A popping noise as she chews gum. Her right hand twists the ignition key. The car’s engine noise stops. Sade looks to her right. YVONNE, (27), a curly haired, pretty woman, searches her purse. A mirror emerges in her hands. She stares at her reflection and touches her face with her free hand. A discontent look. Yvonne glances at Sade, who shakes her head and smiles at her. Yvonne puts the mirror on her thighs, she pulls down the sun visor mirror. Her hands move over her pinned up Afro. A red lipstick runs over her lips, she presses them against each other. She pauses, and eyes herself blushingly. Lipstick, and mirror return to the purse. Sade chuckles. SADE I see you girl. You ready? Yvonne gives her a confident, reassured look. Her head twists and moves dramatically. YVONNE I was born ready. Sun visor mirror is back in place. Yvonne opens the door, she points her high heeled shoes delicately on the ground. EXT. STREET - DAY A tall, model-figured Yvonne comes out of the car, her back against it. She looks up at a restaurant’s sign board. Sexy pouted lips, confident smile, sleek eye movements. Yvonne blushes. A loud voice interrupts her moment.
2. SADE Let’s go win hun. Move it! Yvonne smiles. She turns around and waves at Sade. Sade waves back. The car zooms off. INT. RESTAURANT - DAY Yvonne’s heels click as she walks gracefully from the door. Curious admirers stare at her. Some steal quick glances because they have attentive women in front of them. Yvonne stops. Her eyes scan the restaurant. They rest on a handsome, neatly dressed dark man, KEN, (30). She smiles. Ken sees her. She stops smiling. He raises his hands in the air for a brief second. Yvonne walks in his direction. EXT. APARTMENT PARKING LOT - DAY Sade takes out her keys from the ignition, grabs her big handbag, and digs in. A make-up purse. Hair brush straightens her long weave. No mirror. Touch-up powder. Lip gloss. Sade hums to a song as she applies the lip gloss. She grabs her phone from the dashboard, fumbles with it. Hands stretch out with the phone. Sexy faces, pouted lips and kisses. Camera shutters. Her hands come down. She grabs her bag and gets out of the car. The back door opens. Milk, cereal, and a egg crate stick out of the grocery bags. She takes them from the back seat. Her feet drag slowly in the flats she has on. She walks toward an apartment building. INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - DAY Sade opens the door. She drops everything on the floor, stretches her hands and bends her back. While still bent, her face falls on the living room. She straightens up, and looks around. Clothes on the couch, disorganized newspapers on the table. An immediate turn to the kitchen.
3. Piles of plates stack up in the sink. A sad expression overwhelms her. She twists her mouth, and ties her hair in a pony tail. She stares at a door with soft eyes. SADE Jermaine. Her shoes come off. She walks to the door. INT. RESTAURANT - DAY Yvonne sits opposite Ken. She laughs. Ken has a subtle smile on his face. YVONNE Yeah and this other show I watch helps people find out their ancestry. It’s mostly for young adults though. Pretty interesting. Ken in a calm, sexy demeanor raises his eyebrows. Yvonne moves her hands in enthusiasm. YVONNE I’m telling you. I can go forever on this. Ken sips beverage, his attention is on the glass of beverage. Silence. Yvonne stares at him. YVONNE Are you even listening? Ken raises his head, his eyes widen. INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM - DAY Sade grabs a couple hangers from the closet. She turns around and goes to the bed. JERMAINE, (28), lies on the bed. She takes a shirt from the bed and puts it on a hanger. She folds another jean. Jermaine shifts. He turns toward her. She’s busy hanging the clothes.
4.
Quietly under his breath Jermaine mumbles. JERMAINE Hey, babe. When did you get here? Sade lifts up her head. Her eyes look at him softly, she blushes. SADE Its been a minute, bay. Didn’t want to wake you up. Jermaine sits up. Sade drops the cloth on the bed. SADE Oh baby don’t stress yourself. Careful. Sade helps Jermaine sit up. She sits next to him. One of her hands covers his, the other rubs his biceps smoothly. Her eyes close ever so often as if in a world of fantasy. Her head is bent. Jermaine looks at her passionately with a smile on his face. SADE Are you feeling any better bay? JERMAINE I gat you here baby. I’m strong! He shows off his guns. Sade looks at him. She chuckles. He pulls her close to him and hugs her. A loud ringtone. It’s from Sade’s bag. She whispers softly. SADE Let me get that babe. Jermaine lets her go. Sade gets the phone from her bag. SADE Hello? With her back turned against Jermaine, Sade smiles.
5. INT. RESTAURANT - DAY Yvonne and Ken eat. Ken chatters. He smiles and engages Yvonne. She’s quiet. Ken makes eye contact with her. Yvonne quickly looks away. She checks her watch. Her eyes go back to Ken. His gaze pierces. Yvonne tilts her head slightly towards the door. Ken moves his hands over the plates of food on the table enthusiastically. She smiles, shakes her head and holds her stomach. A disappointed look is on Ken’s face. He raises his hand, his eyes still fixed on her. Yvonne looks enviously at a couple holding hands on top of a table. She smiles. INT. APARTMENT BED ROOM - DAY Sade lies on the bed, her head on Jermaine’s laps. She has a phone next to the ear closer to Jermaine. Jermaine strokes her hair. SADE Huh? He’s fine. Yes, mummy. Sade sits up and moves closer to him. The volume of her phone goes up. SADE What did you say? Jermaine smiles, he shakes his head subtly. MOM (V.O) Are you sure he has plans for you? Look my dear, you’re not getting any younger. SADE Oh mummy I know. She gives Jermaine a "what do you have to say" look. Jermaine smiles at her.
6. She feigns a frown, squints her eyes. MOM (V.O) Do you hear me? SADE Mom let me call you back. Beep. She drops the phone on the bed. SADE Why are you laughing? What’s funny? Jermaine continues to laugh in a teasing manner. He covers his face and laughs. Sade starts to get off the bed. Jermaine grabs her hand. JERMAINE Baby wait. Come on. Sade turns around. She locks eyes with him. He struggles to keep a straight face. JERMAINE You think I don’t know? He pulls her back to the bed gently, and draws her closer to him. She gives in. SADE Know what? JERMAINE You! I know all those sneaky, little tricks of yours. With your mom calling whenever you’re with me. The same conversation every time. You didn’t think I’ll figure out someday? Jermaine has a huge smile on his face. Sade pouts. She fails at faking a confused look. SADE I don’t know what you’re talking about, mister. She looks away and steals a smile. He turns her face back to him. She recovers from her smile. Jermaine looks at her with passion and love.
7.
JERMAINE Baby, I love you. I’m gonna marry you. Trust me babe you’re not going anywhere. I won’t let you. I cant. Sade breaths slowly, in a daze, she blushes. JERMAINE I just need to get things right for us first. You know. Gotta get my money up. I wanna treat you like the Queen you are. A gorgeous, wide smile broadens Sade’s face. JERMAINE And as for your mom, tell her I’m gonna steal you away from her completely. Sade laughs out loud. SADE You would do no such thing! Sade continuously hits him with a pillow playfully. He protects his face with his hands. JERMAINE Trust me. She would wish she never bothered you about marriage one bit. A pillow lands on his thighs. He smiles and pulls her closer to him. INT. CAR - DAY Ken and Yvonne sit in the car. Yvonne grabs her bag from the car seat. She looks straight ahead. Ken looks at her in confusion. Silence for a brief moment. Yvonne jerks her head towards him. She looks at her watch and tilts her hand slightly towards the door.
8.
KEN Oh. I’m sorry. Ken gets out of the car. He opens her door but he’s slightly in her way. Yvonne walks past him. His shoulder brushes hers gently. She walks on. They face opposite directions. Ken turns around, he watches her walk away. A smile broadens his face. He sighs. KEN Yvonne! Yvonne stops in her tracks. A smile is on her face as she rolls her eyes and moves her mouth in a victorious gesture. Ken walks up to her from behind. As his footsteps get closer, Yvonne turns around. Her face is as straight as it could be. KEN Not even a hug? She tilts her head slightly. YVONNE Oh, my bad. Sure. Ken moves closer. He hugs her. The two smile as they hold each other tight. Yvonne submits in his embrace. A confident, victorious smile lightens Ken’s face. They withdraw from each other. Yvonne tries to recover from her trance by doing away with the once obvious blush. Ken holds her hands. He stares deep into her. Yvonne avoids his gaze. KEN Look at me. Yvonne looks at him. KEN I’m sorry you felt ignored back there. That was never my intention.
9.
YVONNE I guess I was saying all the wrong things, huh? KEN No. I was paying attention. I really was. You might not believe me but I love history channels. Yvonne gives him a look that questions his sincerity. KEN I’m dead serious. You’ll find out the next time we go out. If you’d go out with me again. Will you? Yvonne blushes. She rolls her eyes playfully as if thinking. YVONNE Well, now I’m curious to know your taste in history. She pauses. Ken waits in anticipation. YVONNE Yes. Lets do this again. It was our first date anyways. KEN Yeah. It wasn’t supposed to go smoothly. Yvonne laughs. Ken holds her hands tight. KEN Thank you. He pulls her hands, draws her closer, obviously wanting a kiss. YVONNE Wait, wait, wait. What are you trying to do. Kevin stops. He giggles with a slight hint of embarrassment. KEVIN Was gonna try my luck?
10.
YVONNE No, that’s extra. They both laugh. YVONNE Bye Ken. Talk soon. Yvonne walks away. A triumphant smile on her face. Ken watches her from behind. INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING Yvonne walks to the window and releases the curtain. She grabs a bowl of chips on the table, sits on the couch, and munches on the chips. She watches a history channel. Sade enters the living room. Yvonne smiles at her. She lifts the bowl of chips towards Sade, her eyes on the T.V. Sade sits beside her. She digs in the bowl of chips. SADE You know my show is coming up soon right? Yvonne nods. YVONNE Nothing like a day off work, I tell you. Saturdays are mine. Sade chuckles. SADE I know right? Eating, sleeping, going out. Oh yeah, how did your date go? Yvonne does not respond. Her attention is on the T.V. SADE Yvonne! YVONNE Wait what? SADE How was your date, Miss.
11.
Yvonne turns to Sade for a brief second and continues watching T.V. A woman on the screen goes to knock on a door. She looks at the camera filming her. Yvonne smiles as she talks. YVONNE I mean it was good. At first, he kinda ticked me off because he gave me an attitude about my shows but-SADE Yvonne you talked about your shows?! Oh no. What have you done?! YVONNE You’re too funny. SADE Gurl, dates and history don’t mix. How many times have we had this conversation? You know that’s one of the reasons you’re single, right? Yvonne smiles at her. YVONNE Well, I think that’s about to change! An invitation for more-- Sade’s hands beckon, they wave in the air. SADE Give me more. More, more, more. Details! Yvonne blushes. She fakes an uninterested expression. YVONNE Chill. He seemed to like me at the end of the date soooo-She takes her time and drags out her words-YVONNE --he asked for another date! SADE Gurl! That’s good news! Sade lets out an enthusiastic laugh. She smiles at Yvonne.
12.
Yvonne downplays her enthusiasm in an humble attempt. She directs her attention to the T.V. YVONNE This show is almost over. Yours should be on soon. What time is it? Sade looks at her watch. She rolls her eyes as if thinking. Sade draws out her words. SADE Hmmm. You know what? The time is actually ticking, Yvonne. Yvonne looks at her, puzzled. YVONNE What?! SADE Time is moving. It’s going. It says we need to get a ring on it! She moves closer to Yvonne and grabs her left hand, she shakes it in excitement. Yvonne laughs. Sade takes the remote control from her hand. They continue to laugh as Sade changes the channel to a reality T.V. station.