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SCENE 1 - EVERYTHING IS HORRIBLE
INT. VIOLET'S ROOM - EVENING
VIOLET, a 25 year old woman with long, messy black hair, is laying in bed, mindlessly scrolling on her phone. Her room is in dire need of cleanup, a small pile of clean, but not put away laundry sits on her computer chair, and empty water bottles and paper coffee cups litter her computer desk and nightstand.
She continues to scroll her phone, the faint hum of the space heater broken up by the occasional chuckle from whatever meme she happens upon.
VIOLET
(To herself)
Just another day, huh?
Her right arm, still holding her phone, flops down onto the bed with a light thud.
She let's out a sigh as she stares blankly at the ceiling.
Before long, there's a knock at her door, and in comes her friend/roommate/band mate JAZZ, another 25 year old woman with black hair done up in a ponytail.
JAZZ
Hey there girlie! I'm gonna be meeting Alex at the bar for some grub, you wanna come with?
Violet stops to think for a second.
VIOLET
No...I think I'm okay this time, thank you though.
JAZZ
Well, alrighty then! Want me to bring ya back something?
Violet's eyes light up at the prospect of "free" food.
VIOLET
Oh yes please! A burg and some fries, if you can! You know how I like it!
JAZZ
Oh yeah, you got it! Well, I'd say I won't be long but uh, we both know that ain't happening!
They both laugh.
JAZZ
Well, if you need anything just text one of us okay?
Violet nods, and Jazz waves goodbye as she leaves.
Violet finally decides to drag herself out of bed and heads to their kitchen/living room.
INT. VIOLET AND JAZZ'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Violet starts brewing another cup of coffee.
In the background, a clock on the wall reads 6PM.
Violet feels a big chill.
VIOLET
(Annoyed, mumbling to herself)
Ugh, it's so friggin' cold...and it's only January too, I just want it to be Summer already...
She goes and grabs the space heater from her room and drags it into the living room, turns it on and sits until the coffee's ready.
Her coffee finishes brewing, she shuffles over to grab it, and pulls out some cream and sugar. She pours the sugar in and dumps the creamer in after it, and stirs. She takes her finished creation and places it on the table in front of her, then plops down onto the sofa.
Her bass guitar sits near it, she grabs it and lazily plucks away at the strings, not playing anything in particular.
She continues for a bit, now warmed up and playing her band's own songs for practice. A notification then pops up on her phone.
It's from her girlfriend, KIM.
KIM
"hey babe, I'm guessing ur free rn? I wanted to talk to you about something."
Violet's expression sinks, and she texts her back.
VIOLET
"Yeah? What's up?"
She anxiously waits for a reply.
Her anxiety grows as the wait gets longer and longer. The typing notification starts and stops multiple times, and her heart begins to pound.
Finally, she gets her message, a decently sized wall of text fills her screen.
KIM
"ok so...i'm not sure how i wanna say this so let me just come out and say it.
i think we should break up."
Violet's heart is racing even more, she's not sure how to replay, and thinks a moment, before typing a response.
VIOLET
"Break up!? Why!? I thought things have been going great?"
She sets her phone down for a second and puts her hands to her face.
A moment passes, a reply.
KIM
"vi...its somehting ive been thinking about for a while its just...idk, i dont think i feel it anymore"
Violet is almost brought to tears
VIOLET
(In text)
"What do you mean you 'don't think you feel it anymore?' Do you...not love me anymore?"
KIM
"i...i think so, im not sure how to explain it its just, i think i just fell out of love with you, its not anything you did, its on me, its just, i cant lie to you, i don't want to string you along when im not feeling it anymore, you deserve better than that, and i cant lie to myself either, im really sorry vi"
Violet is in complete shock, her eyes well up with tears, she's hardly able to hold them back.
VIOLET
"No Kim please! I'll do whatever just don't break up with me please!"
KIM
"look vi, im really sorry, i dont wanna break up either but...its whats best for the both of us, im sorry..."
Violet sets her phone face down on the table, devastated, and begins to sob.
After a bit, she finally grabs her phone and sends a text to Jazz.
VIOLET
(In text)
"Jazz...I'm sorry, could you guys please come back? I need you guys..."
FADE OUT
SCENE 2 - THE CALM
INT. THE BAR
JAZZ walks into the bar, the music is loud, and the air reeks of alcohol.
She walks up to the bar area and sees ALEX, a 26 year old heavier set person with along black hair done up in a messy bun, sitting there, sipping away at a cocktail.
They look over and see her.
ALEX
Heeeyyyyy girl wassup!
They hold their hand out to her for a high-five, she obliges.
JAZZ
Hey Alex! Just got off of work?
ALEX
Yeah! Figured I'd grab a drink before heading back to the apartment.
He looks behind Jazz.
ALEX
Vi didn't come?
JAZZ
Nah, she wanted to hang at home. We gotta bring her back a burg though!
Alex chuckles.
ALEX
Heh, she can't turn down some free food eh?
JAZZ
(Giggling)
Hehehe yeah!
Jazz orders herself a drink.
After a moment the bartender hands it to her, and she takes a drink.
JAZZ
I gotta say though, I'm a bit worried about her.
ALEX
(Concerned)
Why's that?
JAZZ
I'm not sure...she's seemed down and...reclusive? I guess?
ALEX
She's usually like that though.
JAZZ
Yeah I know but, it's seems moreso than usual.
ALEX
I guess, it is Winter though, you know her, if she can avoid going out in the cold she will.
Jazz gives a small chuckle.
JAZZ
Yeah...I guess. I'unno, something just feels off to me, you know, those kinds of feelings you just can't shake even if you have no reason to feel that way?
ALEX
Yeah I guess...
A realization seems to hit them.
ALEX
You know...I haven't seen Kim around much lately.
Jazz thinks for a second.
JAZZ
Yeah you're right...she's hardly been around lately, that's...weird.
Alex
Yeah...
They sip their drinks a bit more, then suddenly, Jazz's phone lights up, there's a text from Violet.
Without even reading it, a pit forms in her stomach.
JAZZ
(Quietly)
Uh oh.
Alex looks over at her, concern written all over their face
ALEX
What's wrong?
Jazz shows Alex the text.
VIOLET
(In Text)
"Jazz...I'm sorry, could you guys please come back? I need you guys..."
Jazz and Alex look at each other and give a knowing nod.
JAZZ
Okay, let's go.
Alex leaves the money on the counter, and the two bolt back to the apartment.
END SCENE
SCENE 4 - THE SOUND OF STARTING OVER
FADE IN:
INT. LOCAL QUEER NIGHT CLUB - MIDNIGHT
VIOLET and JAZZ enter the club, immediately met with the flashing lights and the pounding bass of the music. The air is full of sweat, alcohol, and the wanton disregard of one's inhibitions.
Jazz immediately gets into the rhythm of the music, yanking VIOLET along like a ragdoll.
This isn't Violet's kind of crowd, she prefers Punk and Metal concerts over clubs, but Jazz insisted to help her get her mind off the break-up.
JAZZ
(Dancing and Hollering)
C'mon Vi, get into the groove! Let loose!
VIOLET
U-uhm, okay!
She tries to follow Jazz's lead, she's not nearly as good a dancer as her, but she makes do anyways, flailing around the glow sticks they got at the entrance with reckless abandon.
JAZZ
There you girl, let it go!
Her body is still kind of stiff, but she moves enough to fake-it-till-you-make-it, the glow sticks doing the heavy lifting, she eventually loosens up as she gets into the music.
In the break between songs, Jazz pulls out a joint and a lighter, she lights up and takes it in, then motions towards Violet.
JAZZ
You wanna hit?
Violet cocks her head and thinks a second.
VIOLET
(Grabbing The Stuff)
Fuck it.
She lights up as well, taking a bigger hit than Jazz did, which results in a small coughing fit.
JAZZ
Damn girl that was a big one! Not really like you do that!
VIOLET
(Coughing settling down)
Yeah well, I sure need it right now.
JAZZ
Well hey, letting loose is why we're here! Let's just dance and have fun, and hey, maybe we'll find some gals to leave with!
VIOLET
You'll have an easier time with that than me, I'm sure. It's been ages since I've done this.
JAZZ
I'm sure you'll have NO problem, you're cute as hell and a big sweetheart, the girls here'll eat you up!
VIOLET
(Giving a slight smile)
If you say so.
The two hang out for a while. By the stage, Violet notices a somewhat familiar looking figure.
Violet grabs Jazz's attention and points her toward the stage.
VIOLET
Hey, Jazz, that...guy? Over there, they look familiar, who is that?
Jazz scans the area by the stage for a second.
JAZZ
Oh, shit, it's Teefs!
VIOLET
Teefs?
JAZZ
Yeah, remember? They crashed at our place for a bit then suddenly left, and left that $100 bill behind for us?
VIOLET
(Realization hitting)
Ohh, right! I wonder what they're doing here...
JAZZ
Apparently they appear at like, every single party that goes on around here, no one knows how they do it, dude's like an urban legend!
Suddenly, two guys slide up to them and start hitting on them.
GUY 1
Hey ladies, let us buy you some drinks.
JAZZ
Sorry, we're not drinking tonight, but thanks!
GUY 2
C'mon, we insist, let loose a little and have some fun with us!
JAZZ
(Annoyed)
I said no thanks, we're not interested!
GUY 2 tries to grab Violet's wrist, but Violet pulls away before he can grab her.
VIOLET
(Nervous)
Please stop, we said no.
GUY 1
(Getting serious)
What, you think you're too good for us?
JAZZ
(Really annoyed)
Now let me make this crystal clear, we're not even into guys, so leave us alone.
GUY 2
You two just haven't had good dick yet.
GUY 2 tries to grab Violet again, and manages to this time.
VIOLET
(Trying to pull away)
Hey! Stop!
JAZZ
(Yelling)
Hey! Get your filthy hands off of her!
Jazz is about to go after the guy, but Violet sees movement out of the corner of her eye, then suddenly,
SMACK
GUY 2 gets punched in the face really hard, and falls to the floor.
Violet looks up and sees Teefs standing there with their fist still brandished.
VIOLET
(Shocked)
T-Teefs!?
TEEFS
Hey ladies, been a while! These guys botherin' youse?
Violet frantically nods.
Teefs directs their attention to GUY 1.
TEEFS
'Aight boss, you want some of Teefs too?
GUY 1 picks GUY 2 off the floor and walks off, grumbling.
JAZZ
(Yelling at them)
And don't you forget it!
TEEFS
Y'all okay?
VIOLET
(Still shaken up)
Y-yeah...thank you.
JAZZ
(Still annoyed)
Yeah...thanks Teefs. Ugh now our night's ruined cuz of those assholes, fucking hell.
TEEFS
This club's normally better than that, sorry y'all had to deal with that.
JAZZ
It's okay, nothing I haven't dealt with before, but...I was hoping we'd have a worry free night.
Teefs looks at Violet.
TEEFS
Yeah, I bet, you've been really going through it lately, right Vi?
VIOLET
(Surprised)
Oh, uh...yeah, it's been a pretty crappy couple days.
Teefs nods.
TEEFS
Well hey, those guys shouldn't bother youse anymore, so just hang out and have fun, I'll be hangin' over there if y'all wanna shoot the shit or light up some more.
They pull out their weed and take a hit.
TEEFS
Ahh...I gots the good stuff tonight.
They turn towards Vi and Jazz
TEEFS
Oh yeah, before I go, youse got any gigs lined up? If not, my band's doin' a show with the guys from Stuart and the Ave. next weekend if youse wanna hop in too.
JAZZ
What!? With them!? Then yeah, get us in there, we gotta prove we're better after all!
VIOLET
(Nodding in agreement)
A show sounds nice, it'll be a good way to clear my head I think.
TEEFS
(Laughing)
Hahaaaa, man that rivalry youse got is somethin' else, kinda wish I had somethin' like that, but too much effort for me man, I just wanna vibe.
Teefs pulls a notebook seemingly out of nowhere and writes in it.
TEEFS
'Aight well, I got youse penciled in, I'll text ya the deets later.
JAZZ
Oh we'll be there.
Teefs waves goodbye then saunters off with an almost inhuman amount of swagger.
JAZZ
I know they said to stick around but I'm kinda done after all that, wanna head out?
VIOLET
(Yawning)
Yeah that's enough for me tonight.
The two make their way out of the club.
SCENE 5 - DISTASTE
FADE IN:
INT. NATHAN'S PARENTS HOUSE - BASEMENT - EARLY AFTERNOON
VIOLET, JAZZ, and ALEX enter the basement and walk down the stairs, Violet towing her BASS GUITAR in a SOLID BLACK CASE, and Alex towing their ELECTRIC GUITAR in a SOFT BLACK CASE, Jazz holding only an iced coffee.
NATHAN, a twenty-something year old black man, is sitting on the couch already shredding a couple licks on his ELECTRIC GUITAR, not noticing the trio walking in at first.
The basement is effectively Nathan's room, it's completely furnished and has a nice carpet and a futon, there are anime and video game-centric posters plastered across the walls, a large flat-screen tv sits across the large couch where Nathan is sitting, as well as a bathroom in the far back. There's a separate space where the drum set is set up and some amplifiers and a keyboard.
JAZZ
(Cheerful)
Hey, Nate!
Nathan doesn't notice her over his playing.
JAZZ
(Now yelling)
HEY, NATE, HELLLOOOO!
Nathan finally notices them. He puts his guitar down and gets up to greet them.
NATHAN
Oh! Shit, sorry guys, wassup?
He gives Alex and Jazz a quick high-five, he stops for a second before giving Violet a big hug.
NATHAN (Cont.)
Hey girl, I'm sorry about what happened, how're you holding up?
VIOLET
(Sighing)
It's...it's okay, I'm doing as well as I can be I guess.
Nathan lets go.
NATHAN
Well hey, it'll all work out. Take practice today as a way to escape for a bit, just vibe with the music.
Violet nods
VIOLET
That's the plan, Stan!
NATHAN
(Joking)
But...I'm Nate.
The two chuckle.
ALEX
(Unpacking their guitar)
Hey, Nate, is Brett here yet?
NATHAN
Nah, not yet.
JAZZ
(Annoyed)
Ugh that guys always late, would it kill him to show up on time for once?
VIOLET
(Unpacking her bass guitar)
I wonder what his lame excuse will be this time.
Jazz makes her way to the drum set and sits down on the seat, picking up the pair of drumsticks.
JAZZ
Probably the same kind of BS as always.
JAZZ(Cont.)
(In a tone mocking Brett's voice)
"Uh well, y'see, I tripped over my own ego and couldn't get back up due to my overwhelming awesomeness!"
The rest of them laugh.
ALEX
Aw guys don't be like that, I'm sure there's a good reason.
JAZZ
Alex you're too nice.
They finish setting up.
NATHAN
(Addressing all of them)
Well, while we wait for him to get his ass over here, wanna jam for a bit?
VIOLET
Yes please, I'm itching to go!
NATHAN
(Playful)
Alright, alright! Jazz, if you would?
Jazz begins twirling her drumsticks.
JAZZ
(Clicking her drumsticks)
Gotcha! Alright, one, two, three, four!
Jazz goes right into it with a fast, punk drum beat. Violet follows along with her on her bass, with an equally fast picking rhythm. Nathan follows suit, entering in with a guitar slide and plays a lead over Alex's rhythm guitar.
The four jam for a bit, getting lost in the music. Violet in particular is really in it, playing music is very cathartic for her already, but even moreso now.
Eventually, BRETT arrives.
He saunters down the basement stairs, a smug air about him, jamming to what the four are playing.
The four notice him and stop.
BRETT
Hey party people!
JAZZ
About time you got here!
BRETT
Hey sorry, y'know how it is, traffic and all.
JAZZ
(Not buying it)
Dude, you literally WALK here.
BRETT
There's foot-traffic too!
He sets his stuff down, and takes his position behind the microphone, clearing his throat.
BRETT
Anyways, now that I'M here, let's REALLY get started! What do we wanna start with?
ALEX
I was thinking of starting with a cover to warm us all up.
BRETT
A cover? You sure? We're not gonna stomp those Stuart and the Ave. losers with just a cover.
NATHAN
(Slightly annoyed)
Man, we're playing a SHOW together, it's not a competition.
Brett scoffs.
BRETT
Of COURSE it's a competition, we're not gonna get signed or anything if we let them outshine us!
NATHAN
I don't care, I'm here for the fun of it, if they do good enough to get signed so what? Good for them!
BRETT
Look man, we're not getting famous with an attitude like that, we gotta blow people out of the water with how good we are!
Nathan throws his hands up, giving up on the conversation.
VIOLET
Look, can we just play please?
BRETT
Alright, alright, so, again, what're we doing?
VIOLET
I'm feeling something heavy personally.
Jazz and Nathan nod in agreeance.
BRETT
(Annoyed)
Ugh, heavy? Really? I'm not in the mood for doing screams.
JAZZ
(Annoyed)
Oh, my god, dude, we do both heavy stuff and fast stuff, usually both, so just shut up and do it!
Brett glares at her.
ALEX
Guys, please. Look let's just do it, alright?
BRETT
Alright, alright, fine, let's go.
Jazz counts them in and they go into one of their heavier songs, something reminiscent of early 2010's Metalcore, heavy, plenty of breakdowns and screams, a catchy/Pop-y chorus, and even a guitar solo thrown in there for fun by Nathan.