When Everything Changed Prelude by Leoki Lyrics
**NOTE TO READER**: This takes place before “Lyrical Exercise"
EXT. THE HILL - EVENING
It’s a Sunday in the summer, no school or any irrelevant nonsense to go through for LEO tomorrow. He’s a little 15-year-old boy. Well wouldn’t say little the dude is 6’2. He’s a head above everyone he meets. He’s with his closest friend NOAH and Noah’s dog BEAR, they are on top of a hill by a cement 4 story high water tower which overshadows the whole block in front of that hill. Noah is home schooled, his mother teaches him and his father would usually be the one on deployment or out doing his job.
NOAH (looking at his phone): Leilani just hit me up.
Chuckles under his breath. He scrolls through the old messages then exits out of that chat to check to see if he got any other messages (from girls). Nah, nobody. Turns off his phone.
NOAH (Cont’d): You know Izzy?
LEO: yeah what about her?
NOAH: She finds you cute, but you never come out.
LEO: Oh for real? I got a girl tho.
NOAH: Bro, she is not your girl, she WAS your girl, see the difference? She already probably moved on.
LEO: Nigga, it was only 2 weeks ago.
NOAH: Bitches be changing minds every 5 minutes’ man, unpredictable.
LEO: She’s not a bitch.
Bear comes back from his little walk around the water tower he sits on Noah’s lap, and licks his face. You can hear Noah talk to Bear like any other owner would to their dog. “Aw look at you, you little cute, hey come here boy!” Typical. What time is it?
Leo checks the clock on his phone its 5:31 pm.
LEO: We gotta go to the skate park now.
NOAH: aight.
They both head down the hill, down to the skate park, on their way down they walk by a Benz with a used condom on the hood, with kids dribbling basketballs around it not even knowing what the hell that is on the car. Some probably do know what it is, they just don’t care, but if it were niggas like Leo or Noah they’d freak the fuck out, because they’ve at least know where it’s been and what it’s for.
EXT. SKATE-PARK – EVENING
JOHN: All good to go?
He looks behind himself, there are these two other skaters just sitting on the ramp just chilling up top. He looks back at Leo and Noah, Leo is wearing a grey sweater with black stripes on the sleeve, black faded jeans with some superstar Adidas, and Noah is wearing an orange tank top with some grey jeans and a pair of puma original’s.
JOHN: How much you want?
NOAH: An eighth and Leo-
LEO (cutting off Noah): nah nothing man.
Silence.
Leo backs up a little. He’s not used to this stuff; he was just introduced to things like this a week back.
John stuffs his hands in his backpack, and pulls out some weed. Noah does the same instead he’s got ten bucks all ones.
They exchange.
Shows a close up of Leo’s face. He’s just trying to act cool like when dudes try and impress girls.
EXT.PARK – EVENING
It’s now 6:10 pm now,the sun's still up lighting up the darkened sky. Noah brought some girls along the way after all of what just happened, Leo is with Bear sitting down on a bench.
GIRL#1(to Noah): Oh! Can I play this song?
She continues scrolling through his phone and clicks on a song.
Its “Say That” by Toro Y Moi.
Noah and Leo tend to listen to a lot of underrated musicians because it makes them feel like its theirs. A lot of people know that song, not a lot of people do, that’s kind of how underrated music works around the world. But Leo is over across the field bumping to some Earl. A GIRL runs to Leo, as Leo looks up seeing her run towards him he’s kind of hypnotized, her hair is wavy, the Hawaiian lighting is just on point making her look even more gorgeous, she has some skinny jeans on looking fine as hell, and as the wind blows he can smell her sweet fragrance from the distance. She’s coming, Leo’s anxious.
GIRL: You seen Sharleen?
LEO: Nah, but she’s going to the fair tonight, why?
GIRL: I just got some stuff to take care of with her cuz that bishh… (goes on bitching about the Sharleen)
Leo just looks back at his phone thinking “She mighty fine but dull as hell”. He gets a notification from Instagram, someone slid in his DM’s. He checks it and it’s a message from an account named @Duck_Draape. Leo quickly replies to it, this is nothing really relevant to this story, so he gets back to what he was doing. Ignoring that girl by looking at his phone, but Noah comes to save this low key awkward moment.
NOAH: Imma put Bear back home, and bring my long board then we gonna head to the fair. Stay here with JALEES.
Leo looks at the girl that was bitching on about Sharleen, and cracks a smile as if he heard some dirty joke
LEO: so you’re Jalees? (laughs) Oh shit, I’ve heard a lot about you (bursts out to even more laughter)
JALEES: Like what?
LEO: You let DAZSHAWN put it in the wrong hole (laughs again) nigga said he got soft too, guess you were in that soft taco feel.
JALEES: First off! (Angry) Dazshawn and I weren’t even friends or anything it was all part of a dumbass bet I took with my friends at the time.
LEO: That still has nothing to do with what I said, I said why’d you still let him in soft and in the wrong hole
(laughs but not as much as the last time)
They both just stare at each other, Jalees knows this dude is too smart for her on the down low, so she just kind of shuts up. Her phone vibrates about ten times, damn. Lightskins…
Leo sees Noah finally coming back, it’s not that far of a walk from the Park to his house, about a 3-minute walk, no more than that. Leo gets a text message from his ex, RITA.
(over iMessages)
RITA - Hey, you coming right? I’m bringing over my cousin and SHELBY.
LEO – Yeah I’m omw right now. I got a good 20 bucks.
RITA – OMG (laughing emoji) that shit ain’t gonna be enough
Hawaii is super expensive; bottles of water would be like $8.99.
LEO (Cont’d reply): damn, well we all gon’ have to chip in then, and save that money for that one UFO ride, its lit.
CUT TO:
EXT. SALT LAKE BLVD – EVENING
The sun is still quite up in the sky but the moon’s slowing coming out, and seemingly these are the times when things get wild. Leo skates and Noah long-boards their way to the State Fair.
As they head down there they blast “Fruit Snacks” by Kyle pretty much annoying the peace, and see the locals driving by. One dude screams out the back seat window “Ho, screw your ride bitch” Leo just laughs because he knows that, that dude was just a pathetic fuck who just long-boards.
LEO: We finna get some funnel cake
NOAH: Nah fuck that, either Twinkies or some donuts from Kmart.
CUT TO:
EXT. FAIR FRONT ENTRANCE – NIGHT
They both pay for the ticket to enter into the fair, and Noah sees Rita with her cousin and girlfriend, plus another dude was with them. Leo was a little anxious to know if this dude was someone new in Rita’s life because he wouldn’t want that.
RITA: Hey Leo, (gives a half hug)
Leo smiles and says hey back.
CUT TO:
INT. FAIR TENT - NIGHT
An hour or two passes, and they head under a big tent after they got done riding at that “one UFO ride” and the fireball. Faint music plays in the background, Noah, Leo and the rest of them hang out by the Ferris wheel under a big tent where people eat, talk about dumb things and stay on their phones. Leo gets a text from AMARA.
(over iMessages)
AMARA: Hey
LEO: Hey
AMARA: Are you at the fair rn?
LEO: Yeah, I wanted you to come but ig U can’t come
AMARA: I would’ve but I had paddle board practice
LEO: Thought you said you got out
AMARA: no, not yet. I am tho.
LEO: good.
They don’t reply to each other for a while because of Leo’s dry response. When it comes to text messaging and you reply something with an “ok” or a “cool” or even a “good” it’s awkward because you thought they’d reply back with a longer response.
Noah is all up on Leo’s ex, but he could honestly care less.
RITA: Oh shit (Twerks on Noah)
NOAH: come on dude she’s your girl how you gonna let her do this to me. (laughs)
Leo doesn’t really care, he just wants someone to ride the Ferris Wheel and eat some funnel cake with. He sees all these people holding hands, and kissing each other and all he thinks about in his mind is “Her”.
VOICE: Aye Leo!
Leo turns around and sees that it’s his friend from the block ANDREW. He just got some grey sweater that just says ‘Seattle Seahawks’ with grey joggers and some flip flops, the brotha is a real chill nigga.
LEO: Andrew what’s up my nigga!
Gives a dap to each other.
ANDREW: How’s life?
LEO: The usual man, my music stuff is slowly happening
(LMAO)
ANDREW: dude for real man, I’m ready for that mixtape, you gotta let me hop on one of them beats
LEO: (laughs but low key awkwardly) I would but I’m leaving in 2 weeks and the movers come in on Tuesday, just my stuff, my parents will be staying here.
ANDREW: Damn man, where you headed to? And you gotta come back and visit one day though, man.
LEO: Ion know bro, Imma be over in LA and you know flying back to Hawaii is just expensive. But I’ll try my dude (laughs)
They give each other a dap again and off he goes back to his homies, and Leo just turns around headed back to Noah and the rest.
Checks the clock
It’s 8:27 pm. The people at the fair are getting lit, and little kids are with their parents or with their shitty ass baby sitters.
He sees his old friend Nikki from 7th grade with some dude. She rejected Leo back then, he doesn’t even know if it was a rejection or nah, because he didn’t even attempt to ask her out.
Leo always has feels for the people he once liked, but not as strong as the girl he loves now, she’s all he thinks of.
He gets a text back from Amara, he saw it on his notifications but Leo is headed back to Noah’s house, he’s gonna spend the night at his place, but before that he wants to meet up with Amara.
ON SOME STREET – NIGHT
NOAH (on text message): dude where tf ya at?
LEO (replying): Headed to your house to meet up with DEREK, I might be seeing Amara later tonight also.
NOAH: U left me with ur hoes.
LEO: Not mine, they’re yours now fam (dead face emoji)
Leo continues skating back to Noah’s to meet up with Derek. Leo Kik’s Derek, Leo’s kik name is “Bummy Pimp” and Derek’s just says a Date with a heart emoji.
Bummy pimp: Dude ya ready fam?
08/21/15: Yeah, im sneaking out the way back rn.
Bummy pimp: ok. And dude change that name, no one gives a shit about your relationship that’s gonna end in 2 weeks.
(left on R)
EXT. DEREK’S DRIVE WAY – NIGHT
Derek shows up, he’s got the blue hyperdunks on, with a white T and some basketball shorts.
DEREK: Where we off to? (while looking at his phone)
LEO: Well, it’s still 11pm, ion even know my dude. Imma meet up with Amara later tonight though.
DEREK: Oh okay.
They kick it for a while and time passes by.
Later on...
@leonelwaves Dm’s @yaphetkotto_ (Leo’s Instagram) on Instagram.
@leonelwaves – How’s this photo? ^ (message comes with an edited photo of Leo)
@yaphetkotto_ - It’s lit, imma post it soon. Thx bro.
@leonelwaves – (deuces emoji) np bro.
Leonel Waves is a dude Leo ran into on the internet, and over time they slowly became closer as they got to know each other even more. Deep down, Leo loves his ‘internet’ friends way more than the people in front of him.
EXT. DOWN THE HILL – NIGHT
Leo calls Amara on the phone, its 11:31 pm
AMARA: Hello?
LEO: Hey, are you gonna come down the hill?
AMARA: ehh I don’t know I’m pretty scared to go alone.
LEO: Nothing to be scared about, how about I stay on the phone with you.
AMARA: I guess, I just don’t wanna get caught.
LEO: I’ll come up.
Leo drops his skateboard off in Derek’s backyard, and Leo runs up the hill.
EXT. UP THE HILL - NIGHT
He’s so anxious to see her again. Fuck, the cops drive by and its passed curfew, Leo jumps in the bushes, the head lights glare on his face through some of the bushes he was hiding behind. The cops are gone and he jumps right back out and gets back to running up the hill, but he thinks he’s got to slow down because he doesn’t want Amara to see him all sweaty and shit.
CUT TO:
EXT. AMARA’S DRIVE WAY – NIGHT
Leo texts her, “I’m here”. She slowly comes out the front door, and quietly closes it. She looks at Leo dead in the eyes from a distance and runs to him and he gives her the tightest hug ever possible. Still hugging,
AMARA: I don’t want you to go to LA.
LEO: I don’t either, but I gotta do this for the future, I’ll always come back and let you know who has your back.
AMARA: I’ll keep you updated.
LEO: So will I.
Leo lets go of her, and looks at her in the eyes and smiles.
CUTS TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
They both walk to a park a few blocks down her house, and they chill under the playground so that when the cops drive by they won’t spot them. She’s on the phone and so is Leo, but they still talk. She’s ranting a little bit and Leo listens. As she’s ranting @duck_draape is DMing Leo. They are discussing about how they can both change the game working with each other. Then Amara interrupts (not really interrupt but kind of breaks his train of thought)
AMARA: Why don’t you talk as much as you used to?
LEO: I feel like I bore you.
AMARA: Don’t feel that way.
LEO: (while texting @duck_draape): I guess, I’ll try.
AMARA: You know you scare me sometimes.
LEO: I bet, I’m surprised you still put up with my ways, I’m surprised you even gave me a chance to even talk to you after what I’ve done in the 7th grade.
AMARA: We both changed.
LEO: You’re kinda the same I just look at you in a better way than I had before, I would’ve never thought of you being my…
AMARA: ‘my’ what?
LEO: I don’t know; you just mean a lot to me okay?
AMARA: Leo
Pauses
AMARA (Cont’d): What are we?
Leo sits there for a second thinking what to say next.
LEO: Two lost kids trying to figure out life.
AMARA: That’s a good answer.
LEO (still looking down at his phone): I know.
They start talking about their future plans and discuss about how they can meet again after Leo moves to LA to live with his cousin and uncle.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
He wraps his arms around and holds her. The summer night is pretty cool so why not hold her to keep her warm, even if it makes Leo cold, long as she’s warm he feels okay. Suddenly they hear a cop car turn on its sirens.
The sirens are beautiful…
Amara gets a little startled thinking “Fuck, I’m gonna get caught” Leo holds her and tells her it’s okay.
They look at each other in the eyes again, she sees his vision and he sees her vision, together they can make something great.
This can go far.
They both get closer to each other.
‘we can go far with this’
CUTS TO:
INT. NOAH’S ROOM – MORNING
Leo suddenly wakes up on Noah’s bunk bed. A week and a half has passed, the fan in the room is on but the room is still stuffy and hot as hell. Leo gets up and there’s a big wet spot left on the bed because of his sweat. Leo got nothing on but a white T and some brown jeans, and his fro is flat on one side. What a 'bummy pimp'. Leo has a few texts from his Mom, bummer, he wanted some from Amara or one of his internet friends.
INT. NOAH’S LIVING ROOM – MORNING
It’s nothing special or lit, its just a normal 2 story house, Leo likes the foyer though, because of the Buddha statue there with the flowers next to it, there's also a piano just sitting there right next to the statue.
LEO: Where are your parents at?
NOAH: They went to Ewa. And after that they’re headed to Costco.
Noah is at the kitchen making some sandwiches and his other little brothers are just messing around with toy swords and stuff. Every time Leo sees kids playing around he just thinks to himself “Wow they have no idea what’s coming”.
NOAH: Hey you down for the fair or maybe the festival tonight?
LEO: Nah man, I wanna save this money bro, we’ve been spending it on some dumb shit that won’t even help us to where we wanna go. Plus, I’m leaving in less than 3 days. And also we already went last week. It was awkward enough as it was.
NOAH: True, and you’re right, but when the moment comes it’s always hard to keep them presidents locked in your wallet.
LEO: well we needa stop taking money out of the house and just keep it inside of our rooms. Under the bed.. or some shit.
Pauses. Leo kind of scratches his noses and sniffs.
LEO (Cont’d): By the way, I gotta head home later, the movers are here packing my shit up.
NOAH: damn. 3 years already.
Lately they’ve both been realizing that life is going to end within an instant.
*I can see my own fate from the distance*
LEO: Dude… this is just the start; I promise you man Imma make something out of the shit we got right now man. Leonel will be my future photographer, you’re gonna be with me as my homie, I got this nigga VINCENT, he’s gonna make it out on his own, and my crew is down for all this man. I’m telling you.
NOAH: I’m down for it too bro.
EXT. IN FRONT OF LEO’S HOUSE – DAY
Leo’s Dad is helping the Hawaiian movers pack Leo’s stuff up, it’s pretty quick and easy if they stay consistent. Leo walks into the house through the front door, since the garage is blocked by the moving truck.
INT. LEO’S HOUSE – DAY
LEO: Mom where did you put my suitcase at?
MOM: Its right upstairs in the Guest room.
INT. GUEST ROOM – DAY
Leo walks through the hallway, passes by his empty room and walks into the guest room. His suitcase is there just like his Mom had said. He walks to it to get something out.
CUT TO:
INT. UNCLE’S MANSION/COUSIN’S ROOM - L.A. – EVENING
Leo’s cousin Jesmond Jr., is at his room texting Leo telling him what’s up over text. He’s just chilling on his big ass couch, it’s fabric, never leather his father (Leo’s Uncle) hates leather and loves nothing but wool and fabric furniture. In front of the couch is a big 67-inch TV on top of a big surround sound entertainment set. Next to it there is Jesmond’s desk there’s nothing on it because he doesn’t really do anything but gaming or go outside with the homies doing dumb shit.
INT. LEO’S DRIVEWAY – DAY
Leo gets the text from his cousin, and he lets him know what’s up. His cousin seems to be really excited to see Leo because he can finally have a “brother” to live with, but in Hawaii Leo is leaving his brother, Noah. That’s his homeboy. But he knows it’s also good that he’s leaving because he can get rid of all the trouble he’s making out here. He’s afraid of the future, what is going to happen in LA? Leo continues to stand by the driveway and watch these strangers pack his stuff away. He’s going to miss Amara so much. Leo checks his phone
(over iMessages)
JESMOND: My dude, we got a whole room set up for you dude! And my dad parties all the time every weekend it’s so litttttttt…
LEO: Lol right.
CUT TO:
INT. LEO’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
The day has passed, and the movers are gone. It’s about 12:30 am, he’s been texting Amara for hours now. He wants to meet up with her so they agree to go down to the park right across the street from both of their house’s at 1. So Leo just continues sitting there thinking about the future. This music stuff is clogging up his brain, then he has to deal with the bullshit of reality.
LA in 1 more day.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
LEO: Hey Amara.
AMARA: Hey Leo, I guess tonight’s kinda our last time seeing each other.
LEO: Not forever.
Leo fiddles his hands in his pocket because he’s just really nervous about what she has to say.
AMARA: Don’t be nervous, everything’s alright.
LEO: I don’t know what’s in LA for me if you’re not gonna be there.
AMARA: A brighter future I guess, and I want you to succeed in this music business, it’s not gonna be easy.
LEO: Yeah it won’t be because you won’t be there to motivate me.
AMARA: Cut it with that bullshit Leo, you’ll probably catch your eyes on someone else one day.
LEO: no I won’t.
AMARA: You never know.
LEO: That’s why I’m scared.
Leo is too dedicated for his music thing, but he is also devoted to this girl more than himself.
LEO: You’re gonna be so far away.
AMARA: Not me, you are the one that’s leaving, you’re gonna be the one that’s far away.
Leo cracks a smile and gives her a hug, wait.
The cops are coming around the corner, he grabs her hand and they both run up this little slope.
EXT. BEHIND LEO’S HOUSE – NIGHT
They run behind Leo’s house and get right back into the conversation they were having.
LEO: You live your life here and don’t ever put it on pause just cause I’m gone.
AMARA: I won’t. And the same goes for you.
LEO: It was funny, back in 7th grade I would’ve never thought that this would happen. I’m so glad to have met you.
Friendships and great bonds tend to happen unexpectedly. When Leo first met Noah it was nothing but hate, now all they got for each other is brotherly love. Never take anyone for granted. They go back on some good and bad memories they’ve had with each other. Couple hours go by and Amara realizes she has to go back soon.
AMARA: I love you.
Leo looks at her with a little smile on his face.
They give each other one final hug and as he holds her he can feel her heartbeat and its going as the same pace as his own.
LEO: See you later…
This was pretty appropriate to say in this situation because he knows it isn’t a goodbye, he’ll definitely see her later on in life. She smiles and slowly backs up from him, turns around and walks back home.
CUT TO:
EXT. NOAH’S FRONT DOOR – DAY
Leo is with Derek waiting for Noah to answer the door because Leo has his weights to return. Leo so poor he can’t even afford his own… Derek is pretty much doing the same, on his phone, talking to Leo with a white T, basketball shorts and some hyperdunks on.
LEO: yeah man I’m telling you, you gotta be careful of her.
DEREK: yeah dude, I can’t belie-
Noah answers the door.
NOAH: Aye man thanks bro.
Hands over the weights.
LEO: Come on out bro, today’s my last day.
NOAH: I can’t dude my dad needs me to help fix the pool table.
LEO/DEREK- Ahh…
LEO: Damn, so this is it?
NOAH: Yeah man, I’m afraid so.
They shake each other’s hands and Noah gives Leo a dap. Then Leo does the same with Derek since this will be the last time the all 3 of them will be together for the next few years.
CUT TO:
INT. HNL AIRPORT TERMINAL – MORNING
It’s the next day and Leo said his goodbyes to the people he thought was important to him. As Leo walks through PSA he looks behind himself and sees his parents’ hands over the crowd in front of them waving goodbye, Leo smiles and waves back for a countless amount of seconds because he knew he was going to miss them. But at the end it’ll all be alright.
INT. HNL AIRPORT GATE – MORNING
Leo has earphones in and he’s texting Leonel, one his best ‘internet’ friends while listening to “Objects in The Mirror” by Mac Miller.
(over iMessages)
LEONEL: fam
(spamming)
LEONEL (Cont’d): I listened to your track, and I liked your flow but it could definitely be much better but aye man you got my support
LEO: Thx dude, I’m just learning as I grow (embarrassed emoji face)
LEONEL: Every rapper’s first mixtape or project is trash
LEO: Not for Nas, Illmatic was the shit
LEONEL: Oh shit (shocked emoji)
CUT TO:
EXT. RUNWAY – DAY
[VISUAL]
Show’s the plane Leo’s on taking off, and then landing at the next airport.
EXT. LAX ARRIVAL – DAY
Leo walks out the arrival gate and onto the sidewalk and sees a Chauffeur holding up Leo’s family name.
Leo waves his hand letting the CHAUFFEUR know that he was the passenger. CHAUFFEUR #2 opens a door to a white Cadillac escalade. Leo gets in and sees UNCLE JESMOND sitting in the back with a cigar in his hand. He’s a slim tall black man just like Leo’s father, it’s just that Uncle Jesmond seems taller because of his flat top.
UNCLE JESMOND: What’s Up my Man!!
LEO: Hey uncle Jesmond. (not making eye contact)
UNCLE JESMOND: what's wrong, nephew?
LEO: Nothing, don't worry about it.
(Sniffs/laughs)
Leo's smile seems forced, he hates looking at people in the eyes when he hasn't seem them in so long.
(Then)
UNCLE JESMOND: How you been my man? You and your dad still getting along?
LEO: Yeah we all good.
Leo is low key startled, he feels as if the Uncle he knew before wasn’t the same no more. His Uncle wasn’t this filthy rich back then, this just happened real recently. Won a lottery, then made his own business with it. Lucky bastard.
CUT TO:
EXT. UNCLE’S MANSION DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Damn. As they drive up this long driveway up to the garage, there is a nice Zen garden around the front door, and Leo can see a chandelier through the window of where the foyer would be. It looks too lit. They both get out of the Cadillac and the Chauffeur drives off to park it at his parking lot.
LEO: What is the Wi-Fi password?
UNCLE JESMOND: 'kissmyasss1998'
LEO: Why 1998?
UNCLE: Because that’s when Jr. was born.
LEO: Oh.
UNCLE JESMOND: (scoffs) if it ain't that then it's 'michaelsstillalive!!1998'
Silence.
Uncle Jesmond stares at Leo and cracks a smile.
UNCLE JESMOND: Aye man make sure shoes off before you walk in through the garage door aight? Ion want no Hawaiian and Samoan germs all up on my fucking carpet (ends carpet with a hard T sound)
Sole…
INT. MANSION- FOYER – NIGHT
Leo’s cousin, Jesmond gives Leo a quick a bro hug.
JESMOND: Sup bro, aye drop your shit right off here, someone will take care of it.
Leo drops his ‘shit’ off.
INT. JESMOND’S ROOM – NIGHT
They both head upstairs, it’s been a long day for Leo, he’s pretty exhausted but guess it payed off because this LA life will open more doors for him and allow him to spend more quality time with his cousin which both Leo’s and Jesmond’s parents agreed upon. He misses Noah. He really misses Amara already, but he knows they’ll be there for him in the end.
Hopefully…
Jesmond’s room is crazy and filled with a lot of cool shit. There’s an io-hawk just sitting by the wall next to his kicks. Dozens of 10 dollar bills are just sitting across the floor in the room, and a few on top of his drawer. Surprisingly, the carpet is clean because the cleaners come in every once in a while to keep everything intact.
JESMOND: My man, how you been brotha?
LEO: I’ve been doing alright how about you man?
Leo sits down on the fabric couch.
JESMOND: My dude, I already got us a few legit engineers to help mix and master our tracks ‘n shit.
LEO: I got this dude,
Pauses
LEO (cont’d): I met him over the internet his name is Draape and lives in Norway. He helps me produce, mix and master our tracks together on facetime nearly every weekend.
JESMOND: Did he mix y’all guys’ track y’all released the other month?
LEO: Yeah.
JESMOND: Yeah okay, that joint was tight. So we got him, but we also gotta shoot for those dudes I got, to do it with us.
LEO: Mm. Aight sounds good.
JESMOND: We gon’ hustle for this money bro.
They dap.
(Then)
JESMOND: So you got your mixtape coming up or something right?
LEO: Yeah my first EP, in the works.
JESMOND: What’s it called?
LEO: ‘Lyrical Exercise’
[VISUAL]
***BLACK SCREEN***
***GUNSHOTS ARE HEARD***
To Be Continued…
Undervalued Benefit
EXT. THE HILL - EVENING
It’s a Sunday in the summer, no school or any irrelevant nonsense to go through for LEO tomorrow. He’s a little 15-year-old boy. Well wouldn’t say little the dude is 6’2. He’s a head above everyone he meets. He’s with his closest friend NOAH and Noah’s dog BEAR, they are on top of a hill by a cement 4 story high water tower which overshadows the whole block in front of that hill. Noah is home schooled, his mother teaches him and his father would usually be the one on deployment or out doing his job.
NOAH (looking at his phone): Leilani just hit me up.
Chuckles under his breath. He scrolls through the old messages then exits out of that chat to check to see if he got any other messages (from girls). Nah, nobody. Turns off his phone.
NOAH (Cont’d): You know Izzy?
LEO: yeah what about her?
NOAH: She finds you cute, but you never come out.
LEO: Oh for real? I got a girl tho.
NOAH: Bro, she is not your girl, she WAS your girl, see the difference? She already probably moved on.
LEO: Nigga, it was only 2 weeks ago.
NOAH: Bitches be changing minds every 5 minutes’ man, unpredictable.
LEO: She’s not a bitch.
Bear comes back from his little walk around the water tower he sits on Noah’s lap, and licks his face. You can hear Noah talk to Bear like any other owner would to their dog. “Aw look at you, you little cute, hey come here boy!” Typical. What time is it?
Leo checks the clock on his phone its 5:31 pm.
LEO: We gotta go to the skate park now.
NOAH: aight.
They both head down the hill, down to the skate park, on their way down they walk by a Benz with a used condom on the hood, with kids dribbling basketballs around it not even knowing what the hell that is on the car. Some probably do know what it is, they just don’t care, but if it were niggas like Leo or Noah they’d freak the fuck out, because they’ve at least know where it’s been and what it’s for.
EXT. SKATE-PARK – EVENING
JOHN: All good to go?
He looks behind himself, there are these two other skaters just sitting on the ramp just chilling up top. He looks back at Leo and Noah, Leo is wearing a grey sweater with black stripes on the sleeve, black faded jeans with some superstar Adidas, and Noah is wearing an orange tank top with some grey jeans and a pair of puma original’s.
JOHN: How much you want?
NOAH: An eighth and Leo-
LEO (cutting off Noah): nah nothing man.
Silence.
Leo backs up a little. He’s not used to this stuff; he was just introduced to things like this a week back.
John stuffs his hands in his backpack, and pulls out some weed. Noah does the same instead he’s got ten bucks all ones.
They exchange.
Shows a close up of Leo’s face. He’s just trying to act cool like when dudes try and impress girls.
EXT.PARK – EVENING
It’s now 6:10 pm now,the sun's still up lighting up the darkened sky. Noah brought some girls along the way after all of what just happened, Leo is with Bear sitting down on a bench.
GIRL#1(to Noah): Oh! Can I play this song?
She continues scrolling through his phone and clicks on a song.
Its “Say That” by Toro Y Moi.
Noah and Leo tend to listen to a lot of underrated musicians because it makes them feel like its theirs. A lot of people know that song, not a lot of people do, that’s kind of how underrated music works around the world. But Leo is over across the field bumping to some Earl. A GIRL runs to Leo, as Leo looks up seeing her run towards him he’s kind of hypnotized, her hair is wavy, the Hawaiian lighting is just on point making her look even more gorgeous, she has some skinny jeans on looking fine as hell, and as the wind blows he can smell her sweet fragrance from the distance. She’s coming, Leo’s anxious.
GIRL: You seen Sharleen?
LEO: Nah, but she’s going to the fair tonight, why?
GIRL: I just got some stuff to take care of with her cuz that bishh… (goes on bitching about the Sharleen)
Leo just looks back at his phone thinking “She mighty fine but dull as hell”. He gets a notification from Instagram, someone slid in his DM’s. He checks it and it’s a message from an account named @Duck_Draape. Leo quickly replies to it, this is nothing really relevant to this story, so he gets back to what he was doing. Ignoring that girl by looking at his phone, but Noah comes to save this low key awkward moment.
NOAH: Imma put Bear back home, and bring my long board then we gonna head to the fair. Stay here with JALEES.
Leo looks at the girl that was bitching on about Sharleen, and cracks a smile as if he heard some dirty joke
LEO: so you’re Jalees? (laughs) Oh shit, I’ve heard a lot about you (bursts out to even more laughter)
JALEES: Like what?
LEO: You let DAZSHAWN put it in the wrong hole (laughs again) nigga said he got soft too, guess you were in that soft taco feel.
JALEES: First off! (Angry) Dazshawn and I weren’t even friends or anything it was all part of a dumbass bet I took with my friends at the time.
LEO: That still has nothing to do with what I said, I said why’d you still let him in soft and in the wrong hole
(laughs but not as much as the last time)
They both just stare at each other, Jalees knows this dude is too smart for her on the down low, so she just kind of shuts up. Her phone vibrates about ten times, damn. Lightskins…
Leo sees Noah finally coming back, it’s not that far of a walk from the Park to his house, about a 3-minute walk, no more than that. Leo gets a text message from his ex, RITA.
(over iMessages)
RITA - Hey, you coming right? I’m bringing over my cousin and SHELBY.
LEO – Yeah I’m omw right now. I got a good 20 bucks.
RITA – OMG (laughing emoji) that shit ain’t gonna be enough
Hawaii is super expensive; bottles of water would be like $8.99.
LEO (Cont’d reply): damn, well we all gon’ have to chip in then, and save that money for that one UFO ride, its lit.
CUT TO:
EXT. SALT LAKE BLVD – EVENING
The sun is still quite up in the sky but the moon’s slowing coming out, and seemingly these are the times when things get wild. Leo skates and Noah long-boards their way to the State Fair.
As they head down there they blast “Fruit Snacks” by Kyle pretty much annoying the peace, and see the locals driving by. One dude screams out the back seat window “Ho, screw your ride bitch” Leo just laughs because he knows that, that dude was just a pathetic fuck who just long-boards.
LEO: We finna get some funnel cake
NOAH: Nah fuck that, either Twinkies or some donuts from Kmart.
CUT TO:
EXT. FAIR FRONT ENTRANCE – NIGHT
They both pay for the ticket to enter into the fair, and Noah sees Rita with her cousin and girlfriend, plus another dude was with them. Leo was a little anxious to know if this dude was someone new in Rita’s life because he wouldn’t want that.
RITA: Hey Leo, (gives a half hug)
Leo smiles and says hey back.
CUT TO:
INT. FAIR TENT - NIGHT
An hour or two passes, and they head under a big tent after they got done riding at that “one UFO ride” and the fireball. Faint music plays in the background, Noah, Leo and the rest of them hang out by the Ferris wheel under a big tent where people eat, talk about dumb things and stay on their phones. Leo gets a text from AMARA.
(over iMessages)
AMARA: Hey
LEO: Hey
AMARA: Are you at the fair rn?
LEO: Yeah, I wanted you to come but ig U can’t come
AMARA: I would’ve but I had paddle board practice
LEO: Thought you said you got out
AMARA: no, not yet. I am tho.
LEO: good.
They don’t reply to each other for a while because of Leo’s dry response. When it comes to text messaging and you reply something with an “ok” or a “cool” or even a “good” it’s awkward because you thought they’d reply back with a longer response.
Noah is all up on Leo’s ex, but he could honestly care less.
RITA: Oh shit (Twerks on Noah)
NOAH: come on dude she’s your girl how you gonna let her do this to me. (laughs)
Leo doesn’t really care, he just wants someone to ride the Ferris Wheel and eat some funnel cake with. He sees all these people holding hands, and kissing each other and all he thinks about in his mind is “Her”.
VOICE: Aye Leo!
Leo turns around and sees that it’s his friend from the block ANDREW. He just got some grey sweater that just says ‘Seattle Seahawks’ with grey joggers and some flip flops, the brotha is a real chill nigga.
LEO: Andrew what’s up my nigga!
Gives a dap to each other.
ANDREW: How’s life?
LEO: The usual man, my music stuff is slowly happening
(LMAO)
ANDREW: dude for real man, I’m ready for that mixtape, you gotta let me hop on one of them beats
LEO: (laughs but low key awkwardly) I would but I’m leaving in 2 weeks and the movers come in on Tuesday, just my stuff, my parents will be staying here.
ANDREW: Damn man, where you headed to? And you gotta come back and visit one day though, man.
LEO: Ion know bro, Imma be over in LA and you know flying back to Hawaii is just expensive. But I’ll try my dude (laughs)
They give each other a dap again and off he goes back to his homies, and Leo just turns around headed back to Noah and the rest.
Checks the clock
It’s 8:27 pm. The people at the fair are getting lit, and little kids are with their parents or with their shitty ass baby sitters.
He sees his old friend Nikki from 7th grade with some dude. She rejected Leo back then, he doesn’t even know if it was a rejection or nah, because he didn’t even attempt to ask her out.
Leo always has feels for the people he once liked, but not as strong as the girl he loves now, she’s all he thinks of.
He gets a text back from Amara, he saw it on his notifications but Leo is headed back to Noah’s house, he’s gonna spend the night at his place, but before that he wants to meet up with Amara.
ON SOME STREET – NIGHT
NOAH (on text message): dude where tf ya at?
LEO (replying): Headed to your house to meet up with DEREK, I might be seeing Amara later tonight also.
NOAH: U left me with ur hoes.
LEO: Not mine, they’re yours now fam (dead face emoji)
Leo continues skating back to Noah’s to meet up with Derek. Leo Kik’s Derek, Leo’s kik name is “Bummy Pimp” and Derek’s just says a Date with a heart emoji.
Bummy pimp: Dude ya ready fam?
08/21/15: Yeah, im sneaking out the way back rn.
Bummy pimp: ok. And dude change that name, no one gives a shit about your relationship that’s gonna end in 2 weeks.
(left on R)
EXT. DEREK’S DRIVE WAY – NIGHT
Derek shows up, he’s got the blue hyperdunks on, with a white T and some basketball shorts.
DEREK: Where we off to? (while looking at his phone)
LEO: Well, it’s still 11pm, ion even know my dude. Imma meet up with Amara later tonight though.
DEREK: Oh okay.
They kick it for a while and time passes by.
Later on...
@leonelwaves Dm’s @yaphetkotto_ (Leo’s Instagram) on Instagram.
@leonelwaves – How’s this photo? ^ (message comes with an edited photo of Leo)
@yaphetkotto_ - It’s lit, imma post it soon. Thx bro.
@leonelwaves – (deuces emoji) np bro.
Leonel Waves is a dude Leo ran into on the internet, and over time they slowly became closer as they got to know each other even more. Deep down, Leo loves his ‘internet’ friends way more than the people in front of him.
EXT. DOWN THE HILL – NIGHT
Leo calls Amara on the phone, its 11:31 pm
AMARA: Hello?
LEO: Hey, are you gonna come down the hill?
AMARA: ehh I don’t know I’m pretty scared to go alone.
LEO: Nothing to be scared about, how about I stay on the phone with you.
AMARA: I guess, I just don’t wanna get caught.
LEO: I’ll come up.
Leo drops his skateboard off in Derek’s backyard, and Leo runs up the hill.
EXT. UP THE HILL - NIGHT
He’s so anxious to see her again. Fuck, the cops drive by and its passed curfew, Leo jumps in the bushes, the head lights glare on his face through some of the bushes he was hiding behind. The cops are gone and he jumps right back out and gets back to running up the hill, but he thinks he’s got to slow down because he doesn’t want Amara to see him all sweaty and shit.
CUT TO:
EXT. AMARA’S DRIVE WAY – NIGHT
Leo texts her, “I’m here”. She slowly comes out the front door, and quietly closes it. She looks at Leo dead in the eyes from a distance and runs to him and he gives her the tightest hug ever possible. Still hugging,
AMARA: I don’t want you to go to LA.
LEO: I don’t either, but I gotta do this for the future, I’ll always come back and let you know who has your back.
AMARA: I’ll keep you updated.
LEO: So will I.
Leo lets go of her, and looks at her in the eyes and smiles.
CUTS TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
They both walk to a park a few blocks down her house, and they chill under the playground so that when the cops drive by they won’t spot them. She’s on the phone and so is Leo, but they still talk. She’s ranting a little bit and Leo listens. As she’s ranting @duck_draape is DMing Leo. They are discussing about how they can both change the game working with each other. Then Amara interrupts (not really interrupt but kind of breaks his train of thought)
AMARA: Why don’t you talk as much as you used to?
LEO: I feel like I bore you.
AMARA: Don’t feel that way.
LEO: (while texting @duck_draape): I guess, I’ll try.
AMARA: You know you scare me sometimes.
LEO: I bet, I’m surprised you still put up with my ways, I’m surprised you even gave me a chance to even talk to you after what I’ve done in the 7th grade.
AMARA: We both changed.
LEO: You’re kinda the same I just look at you in a better way than I had before, I would’ve never thought of you being my…
AMARA: ‘my’ what?
LEO: I don’t know; you just mean a lot to me okay?
AMARA: Leo
Pauses
AMARA (Cont’d): What are we?
Leo sits there for a second thinking what to say next.
LEO: Two lost kids trying to figure out life.
AMARA: That’s a good answer.
LEO (still looking down at his phone): I know.
They start talking about their future plans and discuss about how they can meet again after Leo moves to LA to live with his cousin and uncle.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
He wraps his arms around and holds her. The summer night is pretty cool so why not hold her to keep her warm, even if it makes Leo cold, long as she’s warm he feels okay. Suddenly they hear a cop car turn on its sirens.
The sirens are beautiful…
Amara gets a little startled thinking “Fuck, I’m gonna get caught” Leo holds her and tells her it’s okay.
They look at each other in the eyes again, she sees his vision and he sees her vision, together they can make something great.
This can go far.
They both get closer to each other.
‘we can go far with this’
CUTS TO:
INT. NOAH’S ROOM – MORNING
Leo suddenly wakes up on Noah’s bunk bed. A week and a half has passed, the fan in the room is on but the room is still stuffy and hot as hell. Leo gets up and there’s a big wet spot left on the bed because of his sweat. Leo got nothing on but a white T and some brown jeans, and his fro is flat on one side. What a 'bummy pimp'. Leo has a few texts from his Mom, bummer, he wanted some from Amara or one of his internet friends.
INT. NOAH’S LIVING ROOM – MORNING
It’s nothing special or lit, its just a normal 2 story house, Leo likes the foyer though, because of the Buddha statue there with the flowers next to it, there's also a piano just sitting there right next to the statue.
LEO: Where are your parents at?
NOAH: They went to Ewa. And after that they’re headed to Costco.
Noah is at the kitchen making some sandwiches and his other little brothers are just messing around with toy swords and stuff. Every time Leo sees kids playing around he just thinks to himself “Wow they have no idea what’s coming”.
NOAH: Hey you down for the fair or maybe the festival tonight?
LEO: Nah man, I wanna save this money bro, we’ve been spending it on some dumb shit that won’t even help us to where we wanna go. Plus, I’m leaving in less than 3 days. And also we already went last week. It was awkward enough as it was.
NOAH: True, and you’re right, but when the moment comes it’s always hard to keep them presidents locked in your wallet.
LEO: well we needa stop taking money out of the house and just keep it inside of our rooms. Under the bed.. or some shit.
Pauses. Leo kind of scratches his noses and sniffs.
LEO (Cont’d): By the way, I gotta head home later, the movers are here packing my shit up.
NOAH: damn. 3 years already.
Lately they’ve both been realizing that life is going to end within an instant.
*I can see my own fate from the distance*
LEO: Dude… this is just the start; I promise you man Imma make something out of the shit we got right now man. Leonel will be my future photographer, you’re gonna be with me as my homie, I got this nigga VINCENT, he’s gonna make it out on his own, and my crew is down for all this man. I’m telling you.
NOAH: I’m down for it too bro.
EXT. IN FRONT OF LEO’S HOUSE – DAY
Leo’s Dad is helping the Hawaiian movers pack Leo’s stuff up, it’s pretty quick and easy if they stay consistent. Leo walks into the house through the front door, since the garage is blocked by the moving truck.
INT. LEO’S HOUSE – DAY
LEO: Mom where did you put my suitcase at?
MOM: Its right upstairs in the Guest room.
INT. GUEST ROOM – DAY
Leo walks through the hallway, passes by his empty room and walks into the guest room. His suitcase is there just like his Mom had said. He walks to it to get something out.
CUT TO:
INT. UNCLE’S MANSION/COUSIN’S ROOM - L.A. – EVENING
Leo’s cousin Jesmond Jr., is at his room texting Leo telling him what’s up over text. He’s just chilling on his big ass couch, it’s fabric, never leather his father (Leo’s Uncle) hates leather and loves nothing but wool and fabric furniture. In front of the couch is a big 67-inch TV on top of a big surround sound entertainment set. Next to it there is Jesmond’s desk there’s nothing on it because he doesn’t really do anything but gaming or go outside with the homies doing dumb shit.
INT. LEO’S DRIVEWAY – DAY
Leo gets the text from his cousin, and he lets him know what’s up. His cousin seems to be really excited to see Leo because he can finally have a “brother” to live with, but in Hawaii Leo is leaving his brother, Noah. That’s his homeboy. But he knows it’s also good that he’s leaving because he can get rid of all the trouble he’s making out here. He’s afraid of the future, what is going to happen in LA? Leo continues to stand by the driveway and watch these strangers pack his stuff away. He’s going to miss Amara so much. Leo checks his phone
(over iMessages)
JESMOND: My dude, we got a whole room set up for you dude! And my dad parties all the time every weekend it’s so litttttttt…
LEO: Lol right.
CUT TO:
INT. LEO’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
The day has passed, and the movers are gone. It’s about 12:30 am, he’s been texting Amara for hours now. He wants to meet up with her so they agree to go down to the park right across the street from both of their house’s at 1. So Leo just continues sitting there thinking about the future. This music stuff is clogging up his brain, then he has to deal with the bullshit of reality.
LA in 1 more day.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK UP THE HILL – NIGHT
LEO: Hey Amara.
AMARA: Hey Leo, I guess tonight’s kinda our last time seeing each other.
LEO: Not forever.
Leo fiddles his hands in his pocket because he’s just really nervous about what she has to say.
AMARA: Don’t be nervous, everything’s alright.
LEO: I don’t know what’s in LA for me if you’re not gonna be there.
AMARA: A brighter future I guess, and I want you to succeed in this music business, it’s not gonna be easy.
LEO: Yeah it won’t be because you won’t be there to motivate me.
AMARA: Cut it with that bullshit Leo, you’ll probably catch your eyes on someone else one day.
LEO: no I won’t.
AMARA: You never know.
LEO: That’s why I’m scared.
Leo is too dedicated for his music thing, but he is also devoted to this girl more than himself.
LEO: You’re gonna be so far away.
AMARA: Not me, you are the one that’s leaving, you’re gonna be the one that’s far away.
Leo cracks a smile and gives her a hug, wait.
The cops are coming around the corner, he grabs her hand and they both run up this little slope.
EXT. BEHIND LEO’S HOUSE – NIGHT
They run behind Leo’s house and get right back into the conversation they were having.
LEO: You live your life here and don’t ever put it on pause just cause I’m gone.
AMARA: I won’t. And the same goes for you.
LEO: It was funny, back in 7th grade I would’ve never thought that this would happen. I’m so glad to have met you.
Friendships and great bonds tend to happen unexpectedly. When Leo first met Noah it was nothing but hate, now all they got for each other is brotherly love. Never take anyone for granted. They go back on some good and bad memories they’ve had with each other. Couple hours go by and Amara realizes she has to go back soon.
AMARA: I love you.
Leo looks at her with a little smile on his face.
They give each other one final hug and as he holds her he can feel her heartbeat and its going as the same pace as his own.
LEO: See you later…
This was pretty appropriate to say in this situation because he knows it isn’t a goodbye, he’ll definitely see her later on in life. She smiles and slowly backs up from him, turns around and walks back home.
CUT TO:
EXT. NOAH’S FRONT DOOR – DAY
Leo is with Derek waiting for Noah to answer the door because Leo has his weights to return. Leo so poor he can’t even afford his own… Derek is pretty much doing the same, on his phone, talking to Leo with a white T, basketball shorts and some hyperdunks on.
LEO: yeah man I’m telling you, you gotta be careful of her.
DEREK: yeah dude, I can’t belie-
Noah answers the door.
NOAH: Aye man thanks bro.
Hands over the weights.
LEO: Come on out bro, today’s my last day.
NOAH: I can’t dude my dad needs me to help fix the pool table.
LEO/DEREK- Ahh…
LEO: Damn, so this is it?
NOAH: Yeah man, I’m afraid so.
They shake each other’s hands and Noah gives Leo a dap. Then Leo does the same with Derek since this will be the last time the all 3 of them will be together for the next few years.
CUT TO:
INT. HNL AIRPORT TERMINAL – MORNING
It’s the next day and Leo said his goodbyes to the people he thought was important to him. As Leo walks through PSA he looks behind himself and sees his parents’ hands over the crowd in front of them waving goodbye, Leo smiles and waves back for a countless amount of seconds because he knew he was going to miss them. But at the end it’ll all be alright.
INT. HNL AIRPORT GATE – MORNING
Leo has earphones in and he’s texting Leonel, one his best ‘internet’ friends while listening to “Objects in The Mirror” by Mac Miller.
(over iMessages)
LEONEL: fam
(spamming)
LEONEL (Cont’d): I listened to your track, and I liked your flow but it could definitely be much better but aye man you got my support
LEO: Thx dude, I’m just learning as I grow (embarrassed emoji face)
LEONEL: Every rapper’s first mixtape or project is trash
LEO: Not for Nas, Illmatic was the shit
LEONEL: Oh shit (shocked emoji)
CUT TO:
EXT. RUNWAY – DAY
[VISUAL]
Show’s the plane Leo’s on taking off, and then landing at the next airport.
EXT. LAX ARRIVAL – DAY
Leo walks out the arrival gate and onto the sidewalk and sees a Chauffeur holding up Leo’s family name.
Leo waves his hand letting the CHAUFFEUR know that he was the passenger. CHAUFFEUR #2 opens a door to a white Cadillac escalade. Leo gets in and sees UNCLE JESMOND sitting in the back with a cigar in his hand. He’s a slim tall black man just like Leo’s father, it’s just that Uncle Jesmond seems taller because of his flat top.
UNCLE JESMOND: What’s Up my Man!!
LEO: Hey uncle Jesmond. (not making eye contact)
UNCLE JESMOND: what's wrong, nephew?
LEO: Nothing, don't worry about it.
(Sniffs/laughs)
Leo's smile seems forced, he hates looking at people in the eyes when he hasn't seem them in so long.
(Then)
UNCLE JESMOND: How you been my man? You and your dad still getting along?
LEO: Yeah we all good.
Leo is low key startled, he feels as if the Uncle he knew before wasn’t the same no more. His Uncle wasn’t this filthy rich back then, this just happened real recently. Won a lottery, then made his own business with it. Lucky bastard.
CUT TO:
EXT. UNCLE’S MANSION DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Damn. As they drive up this long driveway up to the garage, there is a nice Zen garden around the front door, and Leo can see a chandelier through the window of where the foyer would be. It looks too lit. They both get out of the Cadillac and the Chauffeur drives off to park it at his parking lot.
LEO: What is the Wi-Fi password?
UNCLE JESMOND: 'kissmyasss1998'
LEO: Why 1998?
UNCLE: Because that’s when Jr. was born.
LEO: Oh.
UNCLE JESMOND: (scoffs) if it ain't that then it's 'michaelsstillalive!!1998'
Silence.
Uncle Jesmond stares at Leo and cracks a smile.
UNCLE JESMOND: Aye man make sure shoes off before you walk in through the garage door aight? Ion want no Hawaiian and Samoan germs all up on my fucking carpet (ends carpet with a hard T sound)
Sole…
INT. MANSION- FOYER – NIGHT
Leo’s cousin, Jesmond gives Leo a quick a bro hug.
JESMOND: Sup bro, aye drop your shit right off here, someone will take care of it.
Leo drops his ‘shit’ off.
INT. JESMOND’S ROOM – NIGHT
They both head upstairs, it’s been a long day for Leo, he’s pretty exhausted but guess it payed off because this LA life will open more doors for him and allow him to spend more quality time with his cousin which both Leo’s and Jesmond’s parents agreed upon. He misses Noah. He really misses Amara already, but he knows they’ll be there for him in the end.
Hopefully…
Jesmond’s room is crazy and filled with a lot of cool shit. There’s an io-hawk just sitting by the wall next to his kicks. Dozens of 10 dollar bills are just sitting across the floor in the room, and a few on top of his drawer. Surprisingly, the carpet is clean because the cleaners come in every once in a while to keep everything intact.
JESMOND: My man, how you been brotha?
LEO: I’ve been doing alright how about you man?
Leo sits down on the fabric couch.
JESMOND: My dude, I already got us a few legit engineers to help mix and master our tracks ‘n shit.
LEO: I got this dude,
Pauses
LEO (cont’d): I met him over the internet his name is Draape and lives in Norway. He helps me produce, mix and master our tracks together on facetime nearly every weekend.
JESMOND: Did he mix y’all guys’ track y’all released the other month?
LEO: Yeah.
JESMOND: Yeah okay, that joint was tight. So we got him, but we also gotta shoot for those dudes I got, to do it with us.
LEO: Mm. Aight sounds good.
JESMOND: We gon’ hustle for this money bro.
They dap.
(Then)
JESMOND: So you got your mixtape coming up or something right?
LEO: Yeah my first EP, in the works.
JESMOND: What’s it called?
LEO: ‘Lyrical Exercise’
[VISUAL]
***BLACK SCREEN***
***GUNSHOTS ARE HEARD***
To Be Continued…
Undervalued Benefit