3 BLIND MICE

Written by

Imani Nia Robinson

ImaniNiaRobinson1@gmail.com
424-215-4684
INT. SMALL GROCERY STORE/MASSACHUSETTS/MAY - EVENING

NAEEMAH MAI GELBLUM, 21, black, coy and apprehensive, is

holding a basket filled with: two green apples, a pouch of
pistachios and peanut butter. NAEEMAH is holding Kimchi in
one hand and almond milk in the other. As she debates on
which item she should put back, she sees CHELSEA CONNOR, 21,
white, brunette, and roguish, enter. Avoiding her, NAEEMAH
puts the almond milk back on a random shelf, keeps the
Kimchi, and goes to another aisle. Once the coast is clear,
NAEEMAH cautiously approaches the CASHIER, and puts her items
on the counter. CHELSEA approaches behind NAEEMAH, holding
two bottles of vodka.

CHELSEA
Still mad at me?

NAEEMAH
No.

CHELSEA
Liar.

CHELSEA puts her two bottles of vodka on the counter.

CHELSEA (CONT’D)
(to CASHIER)
Add these too.
(to NAEEMAH)
I’ll pay for it.

CASHIER begins scanning and bagging up the groceries.

CHELSEA (CONT’D)
Look. I’m sorry. Really. I admit, I
can be inconsiderate sometimes.

NAEEMAH
Sometimes?

Long beat.

CASHIER
That’ll be sixty five dollars and
sixty eight cents.

CHELSEA hands CASHIER her debit card.

NAEEMAH
(to CHELSEA)
Thanks, I’ll pay you back.
 2.

CHELSEA
You can pay me back by coming out
with me tonight.

NAEEMAH gives her a look re: Nah.

CHELSEA (CONT’D)
Look, I owe Owen these drinks from
last time. I just want to drop them
off, then we can go somewhere else.
I promise.

CHELSEA playfully pouts and jingles her car keys. On NAEEMAH,

giving in,

CUT TO:

EXT./INT. BMW/MOUNT HOLYOKE RESIDENTIAL AREA/MA - NIGHT

BMW pulls up and double parks in front of White Frat Party

House in White Neighborhood. CHELSEA in driver’s seat and
NAEEMAH in passenger’s seat. OWEN, 21, white, charming and
playful is leaning into the driver’s seat window, holding the
two newly purchased bottles of vodka in each hand.

OWEN
Come on, it’s the end of the year.
Not even for a minute?

NAEEMAH
It’s girls night tonight.

CHELSEA
Sorry, Owen.

OWEN
Can’t compete with that I guess.

OWEN walks toward the party house, leaving CHELSEA with

hungry eyes.

NAEEMAH
I forgive you.

CHELSEA
Yea?

NAEEMAH
Yup. So where are we going?
 3.

CHELSEA
Anywhere you want.
(lying)
But first I have to pee.

NAEEMAH
(faint aggravation)
Chelsea...

CHELSEA
Naeemah. Promise, I’ll be in and
out. Can you just pull up at the
corner?

NAEEMAH
There’s not a space to park at the
corner.

CHELSEA
Then just go up a few blocks. I’ll
be right back.

CHELSEA gets out and NAEEMAH climbs over to the driver’s

seat. On NAEEMAH, doing as told,

CUT TO:

EXT. BMW/SECLUDED MOUNT HOLYOKE RESIDENTIAL STREET/MA - NIGHT

NAEEMAH is in parked car. Clearly she’s been waiting for a

while. We HEAR Chelsea’s voice mail.

CHELSEA V.O.
Hey it’s Chelsea. Leave a message
if you want. Or don’t.

CUT TO:

INT. BMW/SECLUDED MOUNT HOLYOKE RESIDENTIAL STREET/MA - NIGHT

With faint rote frustration, NAEEMAH hangs up. Ear phones in

ears, she continues LISTENING to music on her phone as she
finishes her almost empty jar of Kimchi. CAMPUS POLICE
OFFICER, 45, white, experienced, and plays no games, knocks
on her window. NAEEMAH, startled, rolls window down.

CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER

You know you’re not allowed to park
here?

NAEEMAH
No. I did not. Sorry.
 4.

CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER

Is this your car?

NAEEMAH
No, it’s my friends car. I’m
waiting for her.

CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER uses his flashlight to look inside the

car. We see what looks like a plastic bag of Oxycontin on the
back floor mat. CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER looks back at NAEEMAH.

NAEEMAH (CONT’D)
Is something wrong?

On NAEEMAH,

FADE TO:

OPENING TITLES

FADE IN:

INT. DORM ROOM/MOUNT HOLYOKE/MASSACHUSETTS - DAY

CLOSE UP on back of a POLAROID PICTURE which reads: “Joseph

Warrick & Janet-- Morgan State University ’97”. The last name
of Janet is smudged. A hand flips the POLAROID PICTURE over,
and we see a young black man hugging a young black woman from
behind. The woman is pregnant. PULL BACK to see NAEEMAH
holding the POLAROID PICTURE. Her dorm room is half packed,
with boxes everywhere.

SETH GELBLUM, 47, white, black haired and good-hearted,

heedfully walks in. NAEEMAH hides the POLAROID PICTURE under
her thigh.

NAEEMAH
She okay?

SETH
You know how your mother is. She
just needs some time.

SETH takes a seat on the edge of the desk.

SETH (CONT’D)
She’s disappointed. We both are.
You’re lucky you got off with just
a warning because---
 5.

NAEEMAH
Dad. I don’t do drugs. I never
have.

SETH
Doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t be
around them.

NAEEMAH
I told you, I didn’t know they were
in there.

SETH
How did your conversation with the
dean go?

NAEEMAH
Not good.

SETH
What did she say?

NAEEMAH
I no longer have my scholarship
because I’m not invited to come
back in the Fall semester.

SETH
And Chelsea?

NAEEMAH
She denied everything.

KATHI DO-GELBLUM, 45, Korean, concerned, and questioning,

enters the room. SETH stands, bracing himself.

KATHI
So what is your plan? You always
need to have a plan Naeemah. And
you must finish school on time. No
gap years.

SETH
Let’s just allow her to process
everything and think it through on
her own.

KATHI
Think it through on her own? That’s
how she got in this mess.

NAEEMAH
I can think on my own. And I
already thought of a plan.
 6.

SETH
Great. What is your plan?

NAEEMAH
I want to go to Morgan. My
original, original plan.

KATHI
I don’t remember that plan.

NAEEMAH
Because I didn’t think it was an
option.

SETH
Morgan? Where is that?

KATHI
Baltimore.

NAEEMAH
It’s a good school.

SETH
Baltimore?

NAEEMAH
I’m technically from there.

KATHI
You were a baby.

NAEEMAH
Even more reason to go. It’ll
basically be new to me.

KATHI
Why not Spelman? I still think an
all girls school is best. I don’t
need you to be distracted by boys.
I know some women in my committee
who can---

SETH gives KATHI a look.

SETH
Kathi...

KATHI obliges and exhales.

KATHI
I’ll make some calls.
 7.

KATHI walks out. On SETH and NAEEMAH, who have that unspoken
bond,

FADE TO:

EXT. 3 MONTHS LATER/STREET/BALTIMORE/AUGUST - DAY

MUFFIN PATTERSON, 24, black, short, shapely and flustered, is

seen fast walking the street with coffees and donuts. She’s
in work attire. On MUFFIN, in a rush,

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY/BALTIMORE - DAY

WIDE SHOT. The energy is tranquil, until suddenly MUFFIN

enters and runs down the hallway with the coffees and donuts,

CUT TO:

INT. MARKETING OFFICE/BALTIMORE - DAY

MUFFIN rushes into her boss’s office with the coffees and
donuts. It is evident that a meeting has just ended. BOSS,
38, white, nonchalant yet intimidating, is going over
documents.

BOSS
(re: coffees and donuts)
All that food, and no one to eat
it.

MUFFIN
I apologize. But what happened was--

BOSS
You’re late.

MUFFIN
I understand that. But I’m trying
to explain to you what happened---

BOSS
(interrupts)
I get you’re entry level, but it’s
taking you a while to get into the
swing of things.
 8.

MUFFIN
I will do better. I thought I have
been.

BOSS
Don’t worry, you’ll still get paid
for this week.

BOSS pushes button on office phone.

BOSS (CONT’D)
Uh, Samantha? Michelle is heading
down to HR now.

On MUFFIN, fired,

FADE TO:

INT. COMMUNITY THEATRE WAITING ROOM/BALTIMORE - DAY

BRITTANIE ROBINSON, 23, black, afrocentric, is seated,

waiting to go into her Macbeth theatre audition. BRITTANIE is
going over her callback SIDES. Her phone VIBRATES. Gets text
from Damond, which reads -- “Just not feelin’ you like that”.
BRITTANIE places the callback SIDES on the floor next to her,
and begins texting intently. AUDITION MONITOR #1 enters.

AUDITION MONITOR #1
Brittanie?

BRITTANIE
Hi, yes that’s me.

On BRITTANIE, regrouping, and forgetting her SIDES,

CUT TO:

INT. COMMUNITY THEATRE AUDITION ROOM/BALT. - MOMENTS LATER

There are three AUDITION MONITORS seated at a long pull out

table. Actors headshots are arrayed in front of them. THEY
clearly take their mission seriously. BRITTANIE is standing
in front of AUDITION MONITORS.

BRITTANIE
My name is Brittanie Robinson, and
I’ll be reading for the role of
Lady Macbeth.

AUDITION MONITOR #2
Yes, we were really looking forward
to your callback.
 9.

BRITTANIE
I’ve honestly been excited all
morning.

AUDITION MONITOR #3
Great. Did you happen to memorize
your lines?

BRITTANIE
Not fully memorized.

AUDITION MONITOR #2
You may use your sides if needed.

BRITTANIE quickly realizes that she forgot them.

BRITTANIE
I seem to have left them in the
lobby.

AUDITION MONITOR #3
So you aren’t prepared?

On BRITTANIE, ashamed,

CUT TO:

INT. MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY/BALTIMORE - DAY

NAEEMAH is outside of the Student Center, and clearly stands

out with her look of bewilderment. She is wearing her North
Face backpack, with two suitcases beside her. Gets text from
Mom, which reads -- “We just got on highway. Are you settled
in dorm now?”. NAEEMAH replies, “Yes. Love you guys!”.
NAEEMAH is in front of a bulletin board draped with flyers.
She picks one up which headlines: “ROOMMATE WANTED”.

On NAEEMAH,

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM/BALTIMORE - DAY

BRITTANIE, sullen, but trying to cheer up, is drinking herbal

tea, and smudging the place. MUFFIN walks in from the front
door.

BRITTANIE
Hey.

MUFFIN
Hey.
 10.

BRITTANIE
How was work?

MUFFIN
Great. How was the audition?

BRITTANIE
Great.
(beat)
You’re home early.

MUFFIN
Yup.
(re: the sage)
Can you put that out? The smell.

BRITTANIE
But yet you smoke. It smells just
the same.

MUFFIN
Trust me, it don’t. Why didn’t you
answer my call?

BRITTANIE
I just needed to be away from my
phone. Re-center myself. I haven’t
checked it in a while.

MUFFIN
Jason called, said we need to hand
in the rent by the end of today.
He’s not giving us anymore
extensions.

BRITTANIE
For real?

MUFFIN
Yea. So Imma’ need you to pay half.
I can’t pay the bulk of it this
month like usual.

BRITTANIE
My account is overdrawn.

MUFFIN
I’m a need you to get it together.

BRITTANIE
(dismissive)
I’ll call my mom Muffin. She can
Western Union it to me.
 11.

BRITTANIE continues to zen out. MUFFIN heads to door.

MUFFIN
Brittanie!

BRITTANIE
Huh?

MUFFIN
Come on! Call her in the car, I’m
not playin’. We got to go.

BRITTANIE
I’m comin’. Dang.

On MUFFIN, stressed,

CUT TO:

EXT. MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY/BALTIMORE - DAY

DAMOND HOLLAND, 22, black, smooth, and sly, is seated with

XAVIER ANDERSON, 21, black, preppy and polite. They are
having an intense talk on a bench.

XAVIER
She ‘aint even text me back. I know
she read it too. Everybody and they
mama got they phone in their hands
twenty-four-seven.

DAMOND
She got an Iphone?

XAVIER
Yea. And I checked, it said,
“Delivered”.

DAMOND
You seen that movie? The one where
the nigga lookin’ through caves and
shit?

XAVIER
Who?

DAMOND
Some’ bout the temple of doom?

XAVIER
Oh, Indiana Jones?
 12.

DAMOND
Right. That’s who you like.

XAVIER
What you mean?

DAMOND
Because, what happens when you
enter the temple of doom? Your
heart gets ripped out. Her pussy is
your temple of doom. She evil bro.
She just ripping your heart out.
And as long as you keep messing
with her, she gon’ keep ripping
your heart out, and I don’t got
enough energy to keep hearing about
your shit. You ‘spose to smash and
dash my nigga. Not fuck and fall in
love.

XAVIER
You dumb bro. And don’t call me a
nigga.

NAEEMAH walks by lugging her suitcases. She has just

registered for classes.

DAMOND
(spots NAEEMAH)
Ay yo!

NAEEMAH, startled, turns around.

DAMOND (CONT’D)
Don’t act all surprised. Come over
here.

NAEEMAH awkwardly walks over.

NAEEMAH
Hello.

XAVIER
What’s your name?

NAEEMAH
My name is Naeemah. What’s yours?

DAMOND
(mimics in her voice)
“My name is Naeemah. What’s
yours?”.
(laughs)
Where you from?
 13.

NAEEMAH
Baltimore.

DAMOND
You lyin’.

XAVIER
I’m Xavier. And this my boy Damond.
(flirtatiously)
We’re a part of the Omega Nu
Welcoming Committee.

DAMOND howls.

XAVIER (CONT’D)
Are you a freshmen?

NAEEMAH
I’m a senior. I transferred. I came
from Mount Holyoke.

DAMOND
(to XAVIER)
Told you she wasn’t from around
here. She was up in the mountains
and shit.

On NAEEMAH, new,

FADE TO:

EXT. STREET/BALTIMORE - EVENING

MUFFIN and BRITTANIE are exiting the car and walking back to
their apartment.

MUFFIN
What do you mean you weren’t
prepared? What’s his name?

BRITTANIE
His name doesn’t matter. Just know
that a guy text me... and it
distracted me. Got me all messed
up.

MUFFIN
You gon’ let some dude distract you
from pursuing your dreams?

BRITTANIE
Maybe he’s not interested because I
didn’t have sex with him yet.
 14.

MUFFIN
A man will leave you whether you
have sex with him or not. You not
dust. Don’t settle.

MUFFIN’s phone PINGS.

MUFFIN (CONT’D)
(re: phone)
Jason says he received the check.

Across the street, they see NAEEMAH sitting on their steps

with her suitcases, while reading a book.

BRITTANIE
Who’s that?

MUFFIN and BRITTANIE cross the street and approach NAEEMAH.

MUFFIN
Um, hello?

NAEEMAH
Hey.

BRITTANIE
We live here.

NAEEMAH begins moving her bags.

NAEEMAH
Oh, sorry, I’ll get out of your
way.

BRITTANIE
Don’t you know it ain’t safe to be
just sitting out here with all your
stuff?
(re: NAEEMAH’s book)
You need to be aware of your
surroundings.

MUFFIN
Yea, just because you see more
white people ‘round here lately,
don’t mean it’s not Baltimore.

NAEEMAH
Right. You’re right.

Awkward beat.

BRITTANIE
You okay?
 15.

NAEEMAH
Do you know a girl named Muffin?

On MUFFIN and BRITTANIE, eyeing each other,

FADE TO:

INT. APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM/BALTIMORE - EVENING

NAEEMAH and BRITTANIE are sitting awkwardly on the couch for

a beat. MUFFIN enters with a bag of chips, and plops down in
between them. MUFFIN offers the bag of chips to NAEEMAH.

NAEEMAH
No, thank you.

MUFFIN and BRITTANIE eat chips.

MUFFIN
So, you don’t want to live on
campus?

NAEEMAH
Not really.

MUFFIN
Why? Campus life is fun. Where you
meet friends and stuff.

NAEEMAH
Yea, I’m not really looking for
friends.

BRITTANIE
Muffin and I graduated from there a
few years ago. And we’re still
cool.

NAEEMAH
I just need a break from campus
life.

MUFFIN
What school you transfer from?

NAEEMAH
Mount Holyoke.

BRITTANIE
Why you leave?

NAEEMAH
Needed a new environment.
 16.

BRITTANIE
Oh, okay.

NAEEMAH
And my parents went to Morgan. And
I thought it’d be cool to, ya know.
I don’t know. Go there, I guess.

MUFFIN
Well, you’re welcome to stay here
and take the small back room. Rent
would be four fifty. You cool with
that?

NAEEMAH
Yea, that’s fine. Thank you.

MUFFIN
No, thank you. Trust me, you’re
helping us out a lot.

BRITTANIE
(gets up)
Well, I need to get ready to go.

MUFFIN
Where you goin’?

BRITTANIE
It’s open mic night.

MUFFIN
You performing?

BRITTANIE
No, I just need some artistic
inspiration.
(to NAEEMAH)
Do you want to go?

NAEEMAH
Sure.

MUFFIN
I’ll go too.

BRITTANIE
(to MUFFIN)
Don’t you have work tomorrow? You
never like to stay out late during
the week.
 17.

MUFFIN
(deflects)
I took off. I’m straight. I’m good.

On MUFFIN, who’s lying and needs a distraction,

CUT TO:

INT. LOUNGE/BALTIMORE - NIGHT

The room is dark except for the spotlight engulfed around the
MC on stage, who is introducing the next PERFORMER. AUDIENCE
is engaged. We see a MONTAGE of black ARTISTS perform --- a
beautiful sight. One poet, KEVIN, 21, black and charming,
comes up to the stage.

KEVIN
What’s up ya’ll. My name is Kevin.
I wrote this poem with love in
mind. I never been in love, but
this poem is dedicated to the woman
who I’ll be able to share that
experience with.

KEVIN makes eye contact with BRITTANIE, then begins reciting

the poem. On BRITTANIE, who’s entranced,

TIME CUT:

INT. LOUNGE/BALTIMORE - NIGHT

The open mic has turned into an after party. It’s packed.
MUFFIN, BRITTANIE and NAEEMAH are standing in the middle of
the party.

MUFFIN
Am I too old to be at a college
party?

BRITTANIE
You’re only twenty four, shut up.

BRITTANIE and KEVIN lock eyes. He smiles.

BRITTANIE walks over to KEVIN.

MUFFIN
She so irky.
 18.

NAEEMAH
What do you mean?

MUFFIN
She always goes after these young
ass boys. I’m gonna make sure she
don’t do anything stupid. You
straight?

NAEEMAH
Yea.

MUFFIN
You sure?

NAEEMAH
Yea. I’ll just... mingle.

MUFFIN
Okay. Stay close. And text me if
you need me.

NAEEMAH
Okay.

NAEEMAH is out of her element,

GO TO:

DAMOND and XAVIER enter and head towards a group of their

FRAT BROTHERS. FRAT BROTHER #1 hands DAMOND a cup.

DAMOND
(re: drink)
Nah my guy. You know I quit all
that.

XAVIER
(re: drink)
I’ll take it.

DAMOND
What you need to “take” is one of
these girls asses home.

FRAT BROTHERS laugh, but XAVIER doesn’t find it funny.

FRAT BROTHER #1
What ya’ll want to get into after
this?

NAEEMAH and XAVIER lock eyes.

 19.

DAMOND
There’s a party over at Jeremiah’s
house I’m tryna go to. We can pull
up.

XAVIER
I’ll catch ya’ll later.

BACK TO:

NAEEMAH sees XAVIER eyeing her, and watches him approach her,

GO TO:

SHAY, 22, black, beautiful, tipsy, approaches DAMOND, and

kisses him.

SHAY
Hey babe.

DAMOND
What’s up?

SHAY
What took ya’ll so long? I’m tired.
I’m ready to go.

DAMOND sees XAVIER talking to NAEEMAH,

BACK TO:

NAEEMAH and XAVIER are chatting. Their chemistry is cute and

innocent.

XAVIER
Did you enjoy the performances?

NAEEMAH
Yea, I did. Did you?

XAVIER
I missed it. Maybe I’ll have the
courage to go up there one day.

NAEEMAH
You write?

XAVIER
All the time.

NAEEMAH
What’s stopping you from going up?
 20.

XAVIER
Not sure if I am ready to be that
vulnerable yet. Ya know?

NAEEMAH
I get that.

Bashful beat.

XAVIER
Want something to drink?

NAEEMAH
No, I’m good.

DAMOND approaches them.

DAMOND
(to XAVIER)
Yo. Shay wants to go.

XAVIER
What are you telling me for?

DAMOND
I drove with you and she needs a
ride.
(off XAVIER’s look)
You know how she can get. You
should take her now.

XAVIER
(to NAEEMAH)
I’m sorry. I’ll be right back. You
good?

NAEEMAH
Yea.

XAVIER walks away, which gives DAMOND his chance.

DAMOND
You remember me?

NAEEMAH
Yea.

DAMOND
What’s my name?

NAEEMAH
I forgot.
 21.

DAMOND
Damond.

NAEEMAH
Right. Yes. And I’m Naeemah.

DAMOND
I know. I remember. Having a fun
time?

NAEEMAH
It’s cool. Are you?

DAMOND
I’m not really into parties.

NAEEMAH
Really? I’m not either.

DAMOND
Guess we can keep each other
company then.

GO TO:

XAVIER and SHAY reach the exit. XAVIER turns to see DAMOND
and NAEEMAH chatting. On XAVIER leaving, realizing he was
bamboozled,

CUT TO:

EXT. LOUNGE/BALTIMORE - NIGHT

NAEEMAH and DAMOND are enjoying each others company outside.

NAEEMAH
What? Really? You’re missing out.

DAMOND
I don’t mess with that raw shit.

NAEEMAH
Sushi is my favorite food.

DAMOND
Oh yea?

NAEEMAH
Yea.

DAMOND
(flirtatiously)
So you like it raw, huh?
 22.

NAEEMAH
(oblivious)
Yea, obviously.

DAMOND
(mimics her voice)
“Yea, obviously”.
(laughs)
You cute.

NAEEMAH smiles.

DAMOND (CONT’D)
You hungry?

NAEEMAH
Hungry?

DAMOND
Yea...

NAEEMAH
I can always eat.

DAMOND
I have some food in my room. Not
as fancy as sushi.

NAEEMAH laughs.

DAMOND (CONT’D)
But it’s still good. And we could
watch a movie if you want. Or play
UNO.

NAEEMAH
I’m killer at UNO.

DAMOND
Oh word?

NAEEMAH
Yup.

DAMOND
Let’s get out of here and find out.

MUFFIN, BRITTANIE enter. BRITTANIE, DAMOND make eye contact.

MUFFIN
(to NAEEMAH)
There you are.
 23.

DAMOND
(to BRITTANIE)
What’s up.

BRITTANIE ignores him and starts waving her hand in the air.

BRITTANIE
Do you guys here that? A fly or
something?

MUFFIN
(to NAEEMAH)
You aren’t supposed to leave
without telling somebody. Come on,
we gotta go. My meter is about to
run out.

MUFFIN and BRITTANIE guide NAEEMAH to leave. BRITTANIE steals

a glace at DAMOND. On DAMOND, mission failed,

FADE TO:

EXT. APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM/BALTIMORE - NIGHT

MUFFIN, BRITTANIE and NAEEMAH are seated on the floor.

BRITTANIE
(trying to get the facts)
He wanted to leave the party?

NAEEMAH
Yea.

BRITTANIE
To eat and watch a movie?

NAEEMAH
Or play UNO.

BRITTANIE
Just ya’ll two?

MUFFIN
(blunt)
Sounds like he thought ya’ll was
finna fuck.

BRITTANIE
(irritation building)
Muffin. Shut up.

MUFFIN
I’m just sayin’.
 24.

NAEEMAH
I didn’t get that vibe. He said he
didn’t like parties either.

BRITTANIE laughs.

BRITTANIE
You can’t be serious.

MUFFIN sees BRITTANIE’s mood shifting.

NAEEMAH
What do you mean?

MUFFIN
(to NAEEMAH)
She’s just messing with you.

BRITTANIE
(to MUFFIN)
No. I am really asking.
(to NAEEMAH)
Do you know when a guy is trying to
have sex with you?

NAEEMAH
Oh. I haven’t... Ya know... Well
not yet, anyway.

MUFFIN and BRITTANIE share a look.

MUFFIN
I respect it.

BRITTANIE gets up and stalks out.

MUFFIN (CONT’D)
(calls after BRITTANIE)
Hey! What’s wrong wit’ you?

NAEEMAH
Is she okay?

MUFFIN
Don’t pay her no mind. She’s always
dramatic.

Beat.

NAEEMAH
I should get ready for bed.

NAEEMAH gets up.

 25.

NAEEMAH (CONT’D)
Thank you. For everything.

MUFFIN
Of course. Glad to have you.

NAEEMAH exits. As MUFFIN is about to get up, she sees

Naeemah’s book on the coffee table with the POLAROID PICTURE
peeking out from it. She pulls it out, and sees Naeemah’s
parents at Morgan State University. MUFFIN turns it to the
back which reads: “Joseph Warrick & Janet-- Morgan State
University ’97”. MUFFIN looks as if she has just seen a
ghost.

MUFFIN (CONT’D)
(to herself)
Oh shit.

MUFFIN quickly gets out her phone, and dials a number.

MUFFIN (CONT’D)
(hushed tone)
Hey Grandma... Yea I know it’s
late. But listen, when’s the last
time you spoke to Uncle Joseph?

CLOSE UP on the POLAROID PICTURE,

BLACK OUT:

WHITE LETTERS ON BLACK CARD:

“TO BE CONTINUED”

FADE TO:
END TITLES