Where’s Dad?

by

Rose Bryant and Jordan Resnick

What Now

EXT. CORONA PARK - Market - DAY

Wide overhead shot, dolly down into ELIJAH (24, soft spoken,)  being handed food by the cashier. He shakes, pulsating his hand and tries to slow his breath. Elijah checks his phone, the lock screen has a picture of his father, he opens to a conversion with his sister Laney. He panics, adjusting the black pin on his shirt. He doesn’t notice the bag of food dangling in his face.

[CASHIER

Hello?]

Elijah takes his food. His father’s face takes up his home screen.

LANEY (OS)

HIIIIIIIII!

LANEY (27, backpacker perky) pounces on her brother. She latches onto his arms, taking him in. Medium shot of her, ecstatic. Medium shot of him, uneasy.  

Wide shot of Elijah pushing her off, creating distance across the street. 

LANEY

You look so different! Look what you’ve done with your hair!

Laney closes in, messing up his hair.

ELIJAH

About a year ago. 

Laney turns to the nearest market stall and orders food in Spanish. Cashier looks confused and answers in perfect English.

LANEY

Everything looks so green!

ELIJAH

It’ll be dying soon. 

LANEY (Mindless)

Everything dies…You still working at that factory?

She drops her interest in him, walking ahead to look around.

ELIJAH

Yea it’s a stable job, how was uuuummm… Spain ooorr aaa…. Italy…. Massachusetts?

LANEY

Mi amor Spain was magnífica, I lived in a pueblo. Mucho comida deliciosa, like Arroz con Pollo and carne asada! Is that, paella? We had the best paella in Galicia.

ELIJAH

We have the best paella at home, too.

LANEY (Oblivious)

There’s something so different about going away and coming home.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - CONTINUOUS 

Laney runs into frame. 

LANEY

We used to come here all the time! 

LANEY (OS)

But what about you, Elijah? I want to see you live your own life. Going out on the road, seeing the world, it’s an experience to make your lifetime. Staying at home and caring for Dad isn’t good for your psyche….

Wide, Elijah stops short at (Dad). 

Elijah and Laney are on opposite ends of the screen. Children laugh in the background. Close up on Elijah’s hand opening and closing. 

Sounds of people playing tennis. Laney’s eyes dart to the court.

LANEY (OS)

Did you get tickets to the US OPEN?

Laney runs off screen. 

ELIJAH

Huh?

EXT -  Tennis Court - Continuous

Wide shot of both Elijah and Laney on the bleachers far apart.

LANEY

I wanted to get ground tickets, but I just missed it.

ELIJAH

You missed a lot of things.

LANEY

What, did you finally move out?

ELIJAH

I was talking about Dad.

LANEY

Did Mom kick him out? I’ve been saying they’re terrible together for years. 

ELIJAH

This isn’t a joke, Laney.

LANEY

Ok, okay. Where’s Dad? 

ELIJAH 

You know where he is! And I can’t believe you're gonna make me spell it out.

Medium shot of Elijah in foreground, Laney in the background. 

ELIJAH

Where were you for the funeral? Why weren’t you there? We needed you. I needed you, and you go off and fuck around in Spain or whatever country you’re in this year. You knew he was sick, and you go anyway?!

Push into Closeup on Laney. 

LANEY (Single tear)

I didn’t know it was that bad.

ELIJAH (Tears) 

Bullshit. 

LANEY

Elijah, I’m so sorry. I thought I had more time…

She crumples, crying into her hands. Wide shot behind Elijah hugs Laney. 

LANEY

Can we bring him flowers?

ElIJAH 

I’d like that.