Pariah Page #7

AUDREY:

No she’s the oldest one.

MRS. SINGLETARY

Oh, the other one. Okay.

AUDREY:

What, you think it’s too young?

MRS. SINGLETARY

No, no. For whatever reason the

youngest one popped in my mind

first. But I think it should be

fine. It’s really cute.

AUDREY:

Thank you.

MRS. SINGLETARY

It’ll compliment her figure.

AUDREY:

Now see that’s what I thought...

But Lee doesn’t like anything I

pick out for her anymore.

Mrs. Singletary takes a bite of her lunch and takes the

sweater from Audrey.

MRS. SINGLETARY

Girl, please. My oldest, 17 going

on 27 mind you, banned me from

buying her any more clothes. We

have two completely different

tastes. I just give her gift cards

now and trust me, we’re both

happier for it. Is it her birthday?

17.

Mrs. Singletary hands the sweater back to Audrey who smooths

it carefully back into the tissue paper.

AUDREY:

No, no. I just wanted to get her

something nice. You know.

Three ROWDY CO-WORKERS burst into the room chattering and

finger popping.

ROWDY CO-WORKER #1

Hey, Brenda!

ROWDY CO-WORKER #2 ROWDY CO-WORKER #3

Oooooh Audrey, you got me a What’chall in here talking

present? about?

AUDREY:

Well, no we-

MRS. SINGLETARY

None of yo’ damn business!!

The co-workers hoot in unison and descend upon the various

parts of the breakroom. Audrey shoves the sweater back in the

bag and nestles it between her feet. Somebody cranks on a

small radio and a frisky R&B beat invades the air. Mrs.

Singletary pats Audrey on the arm.

MRS. SINGLETARY

Let me know how it goes.

AUDREY:

Oh I will. I’ll call you when-

ROWDY CO-WORKER #3

Hey Bren’ this is what I was

telling you about!!

Co-worker #3 shoves a tabloid in Mrs. Singletary’s face,

tapping an angry orange fingernail in the middle of the page.

MRS. SINGLETARY

Is that her?!

ROWDY CO-WORKER #3 ROWDY CO-WORKER #2

Told you! Look how big she done got!

The center of the room shifts and Audrey is once again alone

at the fringes. She collects her shopping bag and looks

around to say goodbye, but no one notices her leave.

18.

21 INT. ALIKE’S KITCHEN - EVENING 21

Audrey, Sharonda, Alike, and their father, ARTHUR, 40something

with a used-to-be athletic build, are all gathered

around the dinner table for a rare family dinner. Everyone

takes half-hearted nibbles at their food avoiding eye contact

with each other. Sharonda picks at her food.

SHARONDA:

I don’t see why we can’t just watch

TV like usual.

Alike elbows Sharonda.

SHARONDA:

Quit it!

ALIKE:

Shut up.

SHARONDA:

You don’t tell me what to do!

AUDREY:

Girls.

The phone rings and Arthur beats a path to bedroom to get it.

Audrey wilts.

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