NINA

by
CYPRIAN FRANCIS

Cyprian Francis
2741 W. Congress PKWY, APT 1E
Chicago, IL
708-990-3940
INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM
President Obama makes a statement to the press.
OBAMA
Ive had to make statements like
this too many times. Communities
like this have had to endure
tragedies like this too many
times. We dont have all the
facts, but we do know that once
again innocent people were killed,
in part because someone who wanted
to inflict harm, had no trouble
getting their hands on a gun.
FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. CHICAGO BLOCK - EVENING

A car pulls up to an apartment complex. THUG #1 (21)
steps out of the passenger seat and walks up a flight of
stairs. (We never see his full frame, just a close up on
his hands.) He walks up to a door and knocks. The door
opens and he steps in.

INT. CHICAGO APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Thug #1 takes a seat on the couch, (still not seeing his

face.) We follow a large man, THE DEALER (30), as he
walks to a back room.

INT. CHICAGO APARTMENT BACK - CONTINUOUS

The Dealer opens his dresser drawer and pulls out two 9MM
hand guns, along with a bandana. He walks back wiping
down the guns.

INT. CHICAGO APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

He takes a seat and breaks the guns apart, placing each
piece on the table for inspection.
THE DEALER
There you go. Two fresh nines.
No serials, full clips. (beat)
You got my money?

(CONTINUED)
 2.
CONTINUED:
Thug #1 hands The Dealer a wad of cash. (Still focused
on hands.) The Dealer unwinds it and counts, while Thug
#1 puts the guns back together.
The front door unlocks, and Thug #1 walks back to the
car. Focused on locks, locking, and hands.
Music cuts in - Freddie Gibbs - Rob Me A Nigga

EXT. CAR - EVENING

Zoom in on the left front wheel of the car, as it drives
through the streets of Chicago. Shots of the streets,
grimy, thugs, dangerous. We see three faces from over
the front hood of the car. Two faces in the front, one
in the back.

INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

Zoom in on the DRIVERs hands (21), as he turns the
steering wheel, one hand over the other. Cut to the back
seat passenger, Thug #2 (21), whos nervous and twitching
his fingers. Cut to the front seat passenger, Thug #1,
as he reaches into a brown paper bag and pulls out his
gun. He caresses it, gracefully prepping for use.

Zoom in on their eyes. The Driver, Thug #1, Thug #2.

They are emotionally preparing themselves.

EXT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS

The car pulls up to the front of a convenient store.
THUG #1
Pull up there. A little further
up. So no one sees us.
They glare inside as they pass by.

INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

Thug #1 reaches into his bag, and hands another gun and a
bandana to his partner in the back.
THUG #1
Aight, we gonna make this short
and sweet. Devonte, you gonna
drop us off out front, and wait
for us right there.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 3.
CONTINUED:
THUG #1 (CONT'D)
Ima take the front, and get the
money. Make sure these sand
niggas dont try nothing stupid.
Jamal you cover me, check the
back and keep a look out. (beat)
Devonte you stay yo ass right here
till we out. (beat) In and out in
3 minutes or less, got it?
They nod.
CUT TO:

INT. CONVENIENT STORE - EVENING

Convenient Store Clerk #1 (51) rings up a purchase for a
customer. The customer pays and walks out the front
door.

EXT. CONVENIENT STORE ALLEY - CONTINOUS

Convenient Store Clerk #2 (53) grabs a full bag of trash
and walks it out to the alley behind the store.

EXT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

The car pulls around and our two thugs jump out, bandanas
covering their faces, guns in hand.
>Slow Motion<

INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

The driver parks the car, and looks out the back window,
waiting his que.

INT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS

The two thugs burst into the store. A gun barrel
immediately pointing at the store clerks face.
THUG #1
Empty the mother fucking cash
register. Nice and slow.
Store Clerk #1 raises his hands.

(CONTINUED)
 4.
CONTINUED:
STORE CLERK #1
Yea man. Dont shoot! Dont
shoot! I empty right now.
THUG #1
(to Thug #2) Check the back.
Thug #2 runs to the back of the store, and looks around.
He sees no one.
Store Clerk #1 empties the cash register. Thug #2
returns.
THUG #2
Its clear.

THUG #1
Watch the door. (pointing at the
door with his gun.)

EXT. CONVENIENT STORE ALLEY - CONTINUOUS

Store Clerk #2 opens the back door and walks inside.

INT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS

He hears arguing from the front.
THUG #1
Apu! You better hurry the fuck up
nigga. I aint got all fucking
day!
He pokes his head out to discover a robbery in progress.
He contemplates his next move. After a moment, he pulls
out his own gun and sternly approaches, aiming to shoot.

STORE CLERK #2
Put the money down!
Thug #1 turns his head to see a gun barrel pointed at
him, immediately triggering the rest of his body to turn,
including the gun in his hand, and just as he does, Store
Clerk #2 unloads a succession of gun shots into his
chest. Launching him back, blood splattering everywhere.
>Slow Motion<
 5.

EXT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

The driver hears gun shots from outside, he grimaces. It

doesnt sound good. He starts the car, and it in drive.
Twitching. Hes nervous.

INT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS

Thug #2 stands over Thug #1, in shock of what just
happened. His partner lying on the floor, bleeding out.
Store Clerk #2 then points the gun at him, and slowly
pulls the trigger. Click!. Hes out of bullets. Thug
#2 immediately turns and runs out the store.

EXT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

The driver sees the second thug run out dishevelled. His
foot hits the gas pedal and he drives off. Leaving his
remaining partner in the dust.

EXT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS

Thug #2 runs after the car, but cannot catch up. So he
detours his get away.

INT. COP CAR - CONTINUOUS

Two officers sit in their squad car watching a funny
video on their phone. Laughing.
An inbound call comes in on the police scanner.
POLICE SCANNER
2-31, 2-31, Attention all units,
we have a 1-11 in progress, at the
California Convenient Store, on
the corner of California &
Harrison. 132 W. Harrison. Shots
fired. Two African American
suspects wearing jeans and dark
hoodies.
The two officers look at each other.
OFFICER #1
Thats right around the corner.
The driver sets the phone down, starts the car, turns the
sirens on, and emphatically drives off.
 6.

EXT. CHICAGO STREETS - CONTINUOUS

The cop car turns a corner, just as thug #2 comes into
frame, running full speed evading the pursuit. A chase
transpires. The cop car pulls over, and the driver jumps
out, running after the suspect. They jump over fences,
and swerve through alleys. The officer gets within arms
reach of the suspect, but then looses his balance and
falls. The thug gets away.

EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS

Thug #2 continues down an alley. He looks back, its
clear. Relieved, he stops to catch his breathe. He
reaches into his back and pulls out the gun. He looks at
it for a moment, then rubs it down with his bandana, and
throws it into the bushes. Zoom in on gun, then cut to
the thug running off into the sunset.
FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - AFTERNOON

A school bell rings as students leave for the day. MJ
(10) a young African American boy, walks home from
school. He indulges in his surroundings, picking at
trees, talking to himself, and day dreaming. Kid stuff.

EXT. MJS HOME - CONTINUOUS

MJ walks into his house.

INT. MJS HOME - CONTINUOUS

He sets his backpack down, heads to his room, and changes
into his basketball gear.

INT. MJS HOME KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

He opens the fridge to grab a snack, then heads out his
back door.

EXT. BACK OF MJS HOME - CONTINUOUS

He walks into his backyard, opening the garage door, and
setting up his basketball hoop.

(CONTINUED)
 7.
CONTINUED:
Theres a little work involved. Once done, he starts
balling. He mimics a real game.
MJ
With 3 seconds left, MJ Hill
dribbles, crosses..., and the
shot..... Its good!
Emulating a game winning shot, he throed his hands up in
the air.
He takes and misses another shot. This time we follow
the ball as it rolls into a familiar bush. MJ runs over
to grab it, and just as he does, something catches his
eye. THE GUN!
He investigates further by reaching into the bush and
grabbing the gun. He examines it closely, feeling the
texture, and gripping it firmly. Then holding it out
with both hands, as if to shoot someone.
MJ
Freeze! Bang, Bang!
Hes excited about his new toy. All of the sudden he
forgets about basketball and imagines himself as James
Bond, running down the alley, hiding behind garage doors,
trash cans, ducking, dodging, as if hes the real deal.
Music cuts int - James Bond Theme
He continues to play in the back until it turns dark. He
puts the gun down for a moment and brings his rim back
inside. As he walks back, he tucks the gun away under
his back shirt.

INT. HOME MJS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MJ walks into his room, closing and locking the door
behind him. He reaches into his back and takes out the
gun. He holds it for a moment, not sure of where to put
it. He looks under his bed, inside a drawer, the closet.
Nothing. But then he spots his large teddy bear. He
lifts it, and sets the gun under it. He smiles. No one
will look there.
FADE OUT:
 8.

INT. BUICK CAR - EVENING

A black male, CORNELL (28), drives through the streets of
Chicago. Rap music playing in the background. The phone
rings. He looks at it, and keeps driving. He hears a
text message come in, he looks.
CALL ME NIGGA!
After a beat, the phone rings again. Cornell looks,
grimaces, then answers.
CORNELL
Chef. Whats up playa. Man I
have no service in my building. I
just got out of work. Whats
good?
THE DEALER
You got my money nigga?
Beat.
CORNELL
Yea man! Is that why you callin?
Cornells optimistic.
THE DEALER
Yea nigga. I want my money.
CORNELL
Cause I was gonna see if you
wanted to double up on tonights
game?
THE DEALER
You takin the Celtics?
CORNELL
Bulls aint shit this year man.
You know this. Double or nothing.
(beat) Whatchu think?
Beat.
THE DEALER
You crazy man. When they loose
you owe me 5 large, and Ima need
that asap.

(CONTINUED)
 9.
CONTINUED:
CORNELL
They aint winnin shit tonight
fam. I got your money right now.
If they loose, you can come grab
that shit tonight. But it aint
gonna happen.
THE DEALER
Ight then.
The line goes dead. He sets the phone down, his face
goes pale. What has he just gotten himself into? He
drives off into the night.

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING

MJ prepares dinner, microwaving his food, and sitting
down at the kitchen table, eating and watching TV, alone.
He finishes and cleans up.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MJ walks into the living room and starts playing Call of
Duty on his PS4.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Cornell pulls up, parks his car, and walks inside.

INT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Cornell walks into the living room to see MJ playing
video games.
MJ
Hey dad. Whats up?
Cornell glares at the screen, then MJ.
CORNELL
Have you finished your homework?
MJ
Not yet, but I will.
Cornell walks over to the game, and turns it off.

(CONTINUED)
 10.
CONTINUED:
MJ
Dad? What are you doing?

CORNELL
What did I tell you about getting
your homework done before playing
games? (beat) And I what did I
tell you about playing Call of
Duty?

MJ
But daaaaaaaad. All my friends
get to play it.

CORNELL
Boy, I swear. If you dont go
finish your homework this minute,
there will be hell to pay.

MJ grunts in dismay.

MJ
Fine!

MJ runs to his room. Cornell stands in front of the TV.

He checks his watch, grabs the remote, then flips to the
Bulls game. He sits down to watch.
MONTAGE

-MJ sitting at his desk doing homework

-Cornell intensely watching the Bulls game

-MJ brushing teeth

-Cornell throwing something in anger

-MJ sitting in bed reading a book

INT. HOME LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Cornell stands in front of the TV, watching Jimmy Butler

of the Chicago Bulls, sink a game winning shot. Hes
devastated. His hands grasp his face.
He turns the TV off, and peers through the window,
glaring about the street. He locks the front door, turns
off the lights, and heads into another room.
 11.

INT. HOME MJS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MJ sits in his bed reading a book. Cornell walks in and
sits down next to him.

CORNELL
You get all your homework done?
MJ
Yes sir. And now Im reading.
Just like you asked.

CORNELL
Thats what I like to hear. (beat)
Everything went good at school
today?
MJ
Yes, everything went well.

CORNELL
Thats good. (beat) You know I
was thinking maybe this weekend we
could go visit your cousins in
Milwaukee. What do you think?
MJ
Sure! To see JoJo and Mike?
Cornell stands up and starts poking at MJs things.

CORNELL
Thats right. We can go to that
park you guys love so much. Play
some ball.
Cornell gets near the Teddy Bear. MJs eyes light up.
Hes nervous now. Cornell grabs the bear.
CORNELL
Arent you little old to still
have this thing?

He lifts the bear slowly, revealing the gun under it. He

reaches for it.
CORNELL
MJ what is this?
MJ
What is what?
Cornell grabs the fun firmly.

(CONTINUED)
 12.
CONTINUED:
CORNELL
This? What the fuck is this?
MJ
Thats a bee-bee gun I found.

Cornell in anger.
CORNELL
This is not a bee-bee gun! This
is a real gun. Where did you get
this from?
MJ
Our alley. In the bushes.

CORNELL
You found this in our alley?
MJ
Yes sir.
CORNELL
And you werent going to tell me?
Youre hiding it. What were you
doing with this? What were you
thinking? This is not a toy. You
could have been hurt. Or even
worse, you could have hurt
someone. Do you understand what
Im saying to you.
MJ
Yes sir.
MJs lowers his head. He knows hes in trouble.
CORNELL
What did you do with this?
MJ
Nothing! Just played a little
with it in the alley.

CORNELL
What do you mean play?
CORNELL
I was James Bond.

(CONTINUED)
 13.
CONTINUED: (2)
CORNELL
James Bond? You are not James
Bond! I cant believe you would
do something this stupid!
MJ tears up.

CORNELL
No more video games. No more TV.
No more basketball. You are
officially grounded until further
notice.(beat) You go to school,
and come right home. I cant
believe you didnt tell me about
this.
MJ
But dad!
CORNELL
No buts. I cant believe you. Do
you understand what you just did?
(beat). What were you thinking?
MJ
Dad?
CORNL
Dont dad me. Youre lucky I
dont call the cops and have them
come arrest you. Or maybe I
should?
Cornell pulls his phone out.
MJ
Dad, please dont. Dont call the
cops.
Cornell puts the phone down.
CORNELL
Im extremely disappointed. We
will talk about this in the
morning. Time for you to go to
bed.
Cornell turns the light off, and slams the door.
 14.

EXT. MJS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Cornell stands at the door for a moment, shaking his
head, gun in hand. He tucks it under his back shirt,
just as MJ did earlier. Coincidence? He walks
downstairs.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Cornell cleans the place up. On the table his phone. It
rings. CHEF. He glares. It rings again, which prompts
him to turn it off. He glares out the back window.
Pacing. Thinking. He turns off all the lights and walks
into the living room.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Cornell walks to the window once again, glaring out. He
takes a seat on the couch. He pulls the gun out from
behind his back and sets it down next to him, firmly
gripped on the couch. He sits there for a moment. Then
slowly falls asleep.
FADE TO BLACK:
Still black.
We hear footsteps. Noise. Tussle.
Then 2 gun shots.
BANG! BANG!
THE END