Suburban Baby Page #2

Season #1

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CUT TO -

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A tall, brooding MAN slapping a young Rome.

THE STEPMOTHER taking money from a teenage Rome.

Rome and his siblings crying as the MAN swings a belt at them

MAN raising an extension chord with an exposed wire, about to whip Young Rome.

Rome (V.O.)

It... Didn't.

Young Rome screams and the camera cuts away as THE MAN swings down.

TRANSITION TO -

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

ROME (V.O.)

My entire life I had been used to being everyone's punching bag. Their wounded dog to kick when they pleased. The one to point the finger at whenever things didn't go their way. And my stupid ass would keep smiling. Hoping things would change. But one night, something in me clicked.

A teary-eyed Young Rome, legs bloody, carefully lays himself on his stomach at the side of the couch, away from the rest of his family. He sits propped on his elbows, the soft glow of the television illuminating his face. A clip from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" plays.

ON SCREEN, VERUCA SALT sings gleefully.

VERUCA (ON TV) I want the world. I want the whole world!

ROME (V.O.) I had been too soft. Too quiet. Too nice. And it didn't work. Why should I be a saint when the worst people in the world get what they want?

Veruca continues her song on the TV.

VERUCA (ON TV) I want to lock it, all up in my pocket. It's my bar of chocolate, give it to me now!

ROME (V.O.) I had made the fool's mistake of asking and not demanding. Giving and not taking. Sharing and not hoarding.

Veruca belts out more of her song.

VERUCA (ON TV) I want today, I want tomorrow.

ROME (V.O.) I deserved the world. I earned it. And everyone else had been depriving me of it. Living in it. Frolicking in it. A bunch of ignorant, selfish, useless squatters living in my home rent free. And I had ENOUGH.

Veruca continues her demand-filled song.

VERUCA (ON TV)

I want to wear 'em like braids in my hair and I don't want to share 'em!

ROME(V.O.)

I wanted to put a hefty price tag on the world, and people would have to pay. Every dirty look, every ha-ha and ke-ke, every lie, every punch that came in my direction was about rack up a bill so high it would cost an arm, a leg, and a newborn to pay it off.

VERUCA (ON TV)

And if I don't get the things I am after...

ROME(V.O.)

And if you can't pay...

VERUCA (ON TV)

I'm going to scream!

A sinister smile forms on Rome's once teary face as his eyes glide over to the couch where we know his family is seated.

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