Chapter 28
THE GUN
FADE IN:
INT. ST. CLAIR HOME, TOP OF STAIRWELL - EVENING:
Late November, two weeks after the election.
The trees have lost their life, their color.
Gnarled branches break off, twisting away from each other.
We find ourselves in a modest two-story home in Shepherd Park, a neighborhood wedged between DC and Maryland.
Outside: The street is quiet in a way that’s comforting. Inside…
CAT perches at the top of the stairwell like a bird about to take flight. She listens to shouting downstairs where…
INT. ST. CLAIR HOME, KITCHEN - EVENING:
DORINDA is pissed. But beneath her rage, afraid. But beneath her fear, exhausted. But beneath her exhaustion, a million other things she doesn’t have the energy to tend to.
She’s sitting at the kitchen table while JOEL stands in the doorway. If you drew a line between them, it’d be long and crooked.
There’s a gun on the table. No one’s reaching for it. It feels more like a bomb than a gun.
DORINDA
Have you lost your mind?
JOEL
Don’t start.
DORINDA
(Dorinda makes her mouth like she’s about to scream but doesn’t)
I want this thing out of my house.
JOEL
We gonna need that thing. I don’t trust that clown as far as I can throw ’em. You—
DORINDA
I’m not doing this with you, Joel. Just get rid of it.
JOEL
Doing what?
DORINDA
(Dorinda waves her arms, frantic)
This. THIS! I’m not doing it!
JOEL
(Joel folds his arms. Picture a child who won’t eat his vegetables.)
I dunno what “this” means but you can keep swinging your arms like a crazy person.
DORINDA
Crazy? You’re the one bringing a gun in my house. Have you lost your mind? Have you? I don’t ask you for much but this… this…
CAT shoulders past JOEL to get to the fridge.
DORINDA
Go upstairs please.
CAT
Why?
JOEL
(Still arguing with Dorinda in his mind)
It’s my house too!
CAT
(Shaken)
Why’s there a gun on the table?
DORINDA
Please go upstairs. I don’t want to have to ask you again.
CAT slams the fridge and sweeps past JOEL.
JOEL
Don’t be slamming stuff!
DORINDA
(Waits until Cat’s gone)
Have you been drinking?
JOEL
(Joel’s face falls. Picture a balloon with all the air gone.)
DORINDA
(Looking at the space where Cat’s body had been a second ago)
What if someone gets hurt with that thing?
JOEL
The safety’s on.
DORINDA
I’d never forgive you.
JOEL
You’ve never forgiven me anyway.
FADE OUT.