Poetic Justice

EXT. ROCK CLIFF – DAY – FROM OVERHEAD

We see the truck pull to the side of the road. Iesha hops out, closely followed by Chicago. We MOVE slowly with them to reveal they have parked next to a cliff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and some other rocky cliffs. In the distance we see Chicago and Iesha arguing.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As we see Iesha and Chicago squabble. We cannot hear them shouting at each other over the loud ocean waves crashing among the rocks below the cliff. The wind is blowing with a strong force.

THE TRUCK

Where Lucky and Justice sit. Justice is watching. Lucky minds his own business. He glances at his nails.

THE ROCKS

Where we see the waves crashing against the side of the cliff, eroding its sides bit by bit. We juxtapose images of the waves to the ballet of Iesha and Chicago arguing. He pulls at her. She pulls away, etc. Their dialogue is drowned out by the sounds of the raging ocean. Iesha gets fed up and walks toward the truck.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As we come down and follow Iesha. We can fully hear them arguing now.

IESHA

You weak! You a weak-ass punk! Just 'cause work out don't mean shit! Think you buff! I wish I ever met your sorry ass! Sorry muthafucka!

Chicago takes his brush out of his back pocket and begins brushing his head. He is trying to maintain his cool because they are now in front of Lucky and Justice.

IESHA

Yeah, that's right. Brush that hair. Weak-ass fade! Nigga dick can't stay hard five seconds. Watcha do, take steroids?!

We see Iesha's mouth in CLOSEUP. She continues to lay on the insults as we SLOW DOWN TIME. Chicago continues to brush his head. He concentrates on looking at Iesha's mouth running a mile a minute.

REAL TIME

IESHA
That's why I'm fucking somebody else!

This catches Chicago's attention. He stops brushing his head, and calmly walks toward Iesha, as we PULL BACK with him to an over-the-shoulder with Iesha.

JUSTICE

Is wondering what will happen next.

CLOSE ON CHICAGO'S FACE

He is angry.

CLOSE ON IESHA'S FACE

Who gives him a look that reads, "You ain't gonna do shit!" She continues to taunt him.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Lucky, as he turns away.

LUCKY

Awww, shit!

SLOW MOTION

As Chicago slaps the shit outta Iesha. Her back is to CAMERA so that we can see the fury in Chicago's face.

ANGLE – SLOW MOTION
 

Chicago's hand hitting Iesha.

BACK TO NORMAL SPEED

Iesha reels back, then recovers. She touches her mouth. There is blood on her hand. She looks up toward Chicago. We see fire and fury in her eyes, and then... IESHA GOES MUTHAFUCKING CRAZY!!!

IESHA

(shouting and echoing)

Muthafucka!!!!

Iesha charges toward Chicago with fury. Hell hath no fury like a Black woman s scorn. Iesha and Chicago fight. Each is cursing at the other. To our surprise this is no one-sided battle: Iesha is holding her own. She hits Chicago square on the chin with a wild punch. Chicago reels back in shock and continues fighting.

Justice is going crazy. She doesn't know what to do.

JUSTICE

(to Lucky)

You just gonna let 'em fight?!

LUCKY

That ain't my business.

Wild with frustration, Justice gets out of the truck and walks toward the fighting couple. Lucky gets outta the truck.

CHICAGO AND IESHA

The tide has turned on the fight – Chicago is kicking Iesha's ass now. She swings a wild punch, and he connects with a direct hit. Chicago drops back to get his bearings. We see Justice come up in the background. Boom! A foot slams between Chicago's legs. Chicago grabs his crotch in pain. He slowly turns, then charges Justice. They tumble on the ground, and he reels back to hit her.

LUCKY (O.S.)

Hey!

ANGLE

On Lucky, who walks toward us with anger.

LUCKY

What tha fuck is wrong with you, nigga?! Get the fuck offa her!

CHICAGO

(getting up)

What's wrong you?

LUCKY

What you beating up on females for, dude?! That shit is weak!

CHICAGO

(pushes Lucky)

Aw, punk. You just saying that shit 'cause you strung out over this bitch! Moralistic muthafucka!

Luclcy walks closer to Chicago and socks him in the stomach. He folds like a set of new French doors.

LUCKY

If you was a real man, your shit woulda been straight from tha git and you wouldn't haveto hit your girl. Punkass.

(helps Justice up)

Get up. You all right?

Justice murmurs a "yes" and walks over to attend to Iesha. Lucky is left standing alone. He thinks.

JUSTICE AND IESHA

Where Justice helps her friend up Iesha is scratched. She continues to curse with a bloodied mouth. Iesha pulls away, attempting to continue fighting, only to be restrained by Justice.

IESHA

(crying)

Fuck that muthafucka! He getting jacked! I'ma, I'ma call Dooby, I'ma call Monster Loci They gonna shoot that nigga. He ain't nobody's daddy!

Lucky looks over at Iesha. He doesn't notice Chicago getting up and charging him. Lucky and Chicago get into a brawl. They tumble and wrestle, punches are thrown, kicking, all the elements of a good scrap. Lucky prevails. He gets up.

LUCKY

Fuck you, phunk. I'm leaving your stupid ass!

CHICAGO

(coughing)

You can't leave me! We got a job to do!

LUCKY

Fuck this muthafuckin job! My momma didn't have me so I could work at no muthafuckin post office all my life! Shit! Catch a bus to 'Frisco.' We only forty miles away.

He walks away. Justice and Iesha are getting into the truck. Chicago suddenly becomes apologetic.

CHICAGO

Naw, man. I'm sorry, dude! Yo, we friends, man. Fuck them hoes! Why don't leave them, dude?! Why you tripping?!

WIDE

As the truck drives on, leaving Chicago on the road. A duffel bag is thrown out the window. Chicago continues to shout out at Lucky: "Watch you doing, man?" and "Stop bullshitting!"

ANOTHER ANGLE – BACK OF TRUCK POV

As we PULL AWAY from Chicago shouting at the truck. We hear Justice's voice over the following images.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

"Is it true the ribs can tell the kick of a beast from a Lover's fist?"

INT. THE TRUCK – DAY – THE BACK

Where Justice holds Iesha in her arms. Iesha cries.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

"The bruised bones recorded well. The sudden shock, the hard impact. Then swollen lids..."

THE FRONT

Where Lucky drives alone. He is very upset.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

"Sorry eyes, spoke not of lost romance, but hurt."

BACK TO ROAD

Chicago staggers a couple of feet, looks around, picks up his brush. He sits by the side of the road and begins to brush the back of his head.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

"Hate is often confused. Its limits are in zones beyond itself. And sadists will not learn that..."

BACK TO LUCKY

Who pulls over the truck in frustration.

THE BACK SEAT

Leave time for voice over, then Justice speaks.

JUSTlCE (V.O.)

"Love by nature, exacts a pain unequalled on the rack."

Justice looks up from holding her crying friend. She has noticed the truck has stopped moving.

JUSTICE

You all right?

IESHA

Yeah. Why we stopped?

JUSTICE

I don't know.

EXT. THE TRUCK – DAY – OVERHEAD ON CRANE

We see Justice get out of the truck as we DESCEND to let her pass, then go back UP to reveal they are on another peak overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We see Lucky sitting on the grass i, the far distance. Justice walks out to talk to him. A blanket drapes her shoulders.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As we see Justice come forward and drop down to sit next to Lucky. There is a pause. Neither one of them says anything. All we can hear is the sounds of the ocean and the sea gulls. Justice attempts to break the ice.

JUSTICE

(laughs)

They was gonna break up anyway.

(reminiscing)

I remember when I was little and my uncle Leon used to come around and give me and my cousins change. He would go to the liquor store, buy a forty-ounce of beer, then throw us the change. And I'd always ask for the "big nickel." I couldn't pronounce quarter, so that's what I'd call it.

(to Lucky)

Yuk, look at them nails. Give me your hand.

Lucky gives her his hand. Justice looks in her pocket and produces a nail file. She begins to file Lucky's nails. Lucky shows his discomfort.

JUSTICE

Anyway, so because of that my grandmother used to say I was always looking for the big nickel. Anything I did- ride a bike, go to school, do somebody's hair – she'd say "Justice! You still looking for that big nickel?" That was before she died.

Lucky looks at the concern on her face.

LUCKY

When she die?

JUSTICE

About two years ago. She left me her house. My mother died when I was twelve. Suicide. She named me Justice cause she was in law school when she got pregnant with me... I'm all alone. I got a cat, though.

LUCKY

Damn.

Justice looks at Lucky's nails. Their eyes meet. They kiss. Justice looks at Lucky's nails. Tilt to nails, clean, filed. Tilt up, they kiss.

INT. THE TRUCK – DAY

Where we see Iesha inside. She has cried herself to sleep.

EXT. THE ROAD – DAY – THE GRASS

Where Lucky and Justice continue to kiss. Justice stands up for a moment, looks off into the distance. We hear her thoughts over the following images.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

Give me your hand. Make room for me to lead and follow you beyond this rage of poetry.

Then she opens the blanket up like a cape and surrounds Lucky. The make love.

JUSTICE (V.O.)

Let others have the privacy of touching words and love of loss of love. For me, give me your hand.

WIDE

As we see them against the backdrop of the grass and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The blanket erupts with the ripple of their bodies.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE ROAD – DAY

Where we see the truck shooting up the pacific Coast Highway
 

INT. THE TRUCK – DAY

Where Lucky and Justice ride on. Suddenly something catches Justice's eye.

JUSTICE'S POV

Off the road she sees a dilapidated empty drive-in theater. She and Lucky exchange a glance.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WINDMILL VALLEY – DUSK

We see a windmill. Then another, then another Then we see a whole hill covered with windmills. We see the truck coming through the hills. The hills are revered with windmills.

DISSOLVE TO: