NOT FAR BEHIND / EPISODE 3

from SWIFT 03 - APRIL 2020

by Kréhon

LIVING LA VIDA LOCKDOWN / 10 RULES

S1 | E3 Not Far Behind

BY MARK ZION

[SCENE 1: Anderson Apartment]

An aroma of chocolate flapjacks fill the apartment. Unlike the weird dream they had, the Andersons now have exciting news to celebrate - in real life. Well, the celebrations can commence as soon as Gwen tells her husband the crazy-good news. Sean had just arrived home. He seems a bit edgy. He takes off his leather jacket and collapse himself onto the couch.

GWEN: (inquisitive) Hey, how did it go? SEAN: (passive) I didn’t go through with the sale. GWEN: Was he not happy with the offer? SEAN: Well, he wasn’t genuinely interested in the business, that’s for sure. GWEN: What was the intent of your meeting, then? Where is he from? SEAN: (pensive, with a sigh) His name is Derrick Phillips. He claims to know my dad. GWEN: (scoffs) So? Your father probably recommended the sale to him? SEAN: Derrick says he’s my uncle. My dad’s long lost brother… GWEN: (caught off guard) Say what? How? SEAN: Yeah, he used the offer for the Barbershop as a mask to meet his “nephew.”

[SCENE 2: Jessica’s Commune]

Jessica is still avoiding her boyfriend Bentley. He left her several messages but she resists the urge to respond. Her best friend Gwen often reminds her that disagreements doesn’t necessarily require separation. However, what Gwen doesn’t know is that Jessica is trying to persuade Bentley to propose in subtle ways. But her efforts tend to go up in smoke. The same smoke that seem to hinder Bentley to make the move.

BENTLEY: (pops up on an incoming video call) JESSICA: (mutes the tv series she’s watching, finally decides to answer) BENTLEY: (relieved to see his girlfriend’s face) Jess, are you okay? JESSICA: (stares at the mute tv, prolonging her attempt to speak) BENTLEY: Look at me. Let’s talk. Please. JESSICA: What do you want, Bentley? BENTLEY: I want us to start over. JESSICA: (annoyed) You don’t say… 7 years in the making. BENTLEY: (reaches for an object on his bedside table) Before you say anything, let me show you something… JESSICA: (her eyes instantly catches the little glossy black gift box in Bentley’s hands - gasps) BENTLEY: (excited in anticipation for Jessica’s reaction) Are you ready? JESSICA: No! Wait… We can’t do this through a video call! BENTLEY: (chuckles) You know lockdown only ends on the 21st, right? JESSICA: (jittery) It’s okay, I can wait. Put that away. Let’s talk later, I need to shower quickly. Then I’ll text you later, okay? BENTLEY: (baffled) Okay, sure. Love you later, then. JESSICA: (blows him a kiss and ends the call) Oh - my - goodness. I can’t breathe! I need to call Gwen!

[SCENE 3: Anderson Apartment]

Gwen comforts Sean with a fresh cup of coffee and some flapjacks.

GWEN: Well, I can’t read your mind right now. Did he show you any proof? SEAN: (with his head in his right hand) Yeah, an old picture of him and my dad in their twenties. With my dad wearing the same vintage jersey he passed onto me. GWEN: So you actually recognised your dad on the picture? SEAN: (nodding a ‘yes’ to Gwen’s question) GWEN: You said his surname is Phillips? SEAN: Yep. I don’t know the whole story though. Didn’t give him much room to explain. I need to talk to my dad first.

Gwen’s phone starts ringing. Sean takes a sip of his coffee.

GWEN: (answers the phone) Hey sis, is everything alright? JESSICA: (fluttered) I’m a disaster! I wanted to become a wife so bad, but now I don’t know if I’m ready. GWEN: (confused) What do you mean? Where are you now? JESSICA: I’m home. Like 90% of the country right now and I’m freaking out. GWEN: Jessica, slow down. What is the matter. Did you an Bentley have another arguJESSICA: (interrupting Gwen) We’re getting married! Well, he was about to propose and then I decided to - GWEN: (staring at Sean, shrugging her shoulders) - Jess, can I call you back in about 10 minutes? I quickly need to run to the loo. JESSICA: (sighs) Yeah, sure… what did the doctor say? GWEN: (surprised) How did you know I was at the doc… tor? SEAN: (staring at Gwen with a subtle frown) JESSICA: Ava mentioned you were there. She obviously didn’t say what for. GWEN: Oh, brilliant. Let’s talk later? (call ends here) GWEN: (leaning into Sean for a hug) I’m sure he’ll be able to give you clarity on this… Do you think your mother is aware of Derrick? What if they purposefully chose to hide his existence from you? What’s he like? SEAN: (shakes his head) Rather tell me about your day? You visited the doctor? GWEN: (rolling her eyes sarcastically) Well, I hope you like changing diapers as much as you like changing subjects… SEAN: Hm? What do you mean? I didn’t say yes to babysitting, did you? GWEN: (giggles) Pinch me. SEAN: (chuckles) How about I tickle your veins! GWEN: (laughing playfully) Stop! You’re so wee-wee. SEAN: “Wee-wee?” What language are you speaking, woman? GWEN: (composing herself) I love you, Sean Anderson. And I am happy to announce that your prayers have been answered, “Daddy!” SEAN: (pinching himself, excitedly jumps up from the couch) No way! Finally! Thank you, Lord!

[SCENE 4: Jessica’s Commune]

OLGA: (on speaker phone) Did you stock up on enough veggies, my angel? JESSICA: Lol, you know I don’t eat that much, Aunty O. Some of my housemates are actually vegan. OLGA: There’s no such thing as eating too much greens, girl. Your body will thank you. And so will your future husband! (giggles) JESSICA: Speaking of, how did you react when uncle Ferdi proposed to you? OLGA: Ai, girl. It was very, very special. Far better than my first and second time. JESSICA: Oh, yes. I actually forgot about uncle Paul and uncle Dirk. OLGA: Ja, no. I thank God for showing me the way. Which reminds me; how are things between you and Bentley? JESSICA: (noticing an incoming video call) Wow, he’s actually calling me right now. OLGA: But how is that possible? You and I are still talking? JESSICA: (giggles) It’s very possible, Aunty Olga, lol. I’ll call you back in bit, okay?

Jessica answers the video call. BENTLEY: You said you’d call me back. How was the shower? You feeling better? JESSICA: Sorry about that. I’m good, thank you. But before you say anything… I just want you to know that I value your willingness to work on our relationship. I don’t want us to rush things. BENTLEY: Well, I also wanted to chat to you about the speed of things. JESSICA: I’m so glad we’re on the same page. BENTLEY: So how about we have a double celebration? Now on the phone and when lockdown is over. What do you say? I just know that what I have in my hand right now will fit you perfectly. JESSICA: Okay, well we haven’t really talked about this yet… BENTLEY: (ignoring Jessica’s comment and reveals what’s inside the box) Ta-da!

Bentley’s enthusiasm drops a notch when Jessica slowly starts crying. A set of keys was the last thing on her mind. Keys to Bentley’s apartment would’ve been ideal, supposed they get married. But the Mercedes car keys Bentley swung with his left hand is a cry for help.

[Episode ends here]

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