test2.txt

THE SHAME OF SAN JOAQUIN

WGAw #1834463

FADE IN:
EXT. SUBDIVISION - MORNING
A peculiar wind blows snowflakes past a wall guarding the
entrance to a neighborhood that reads “SAN JOAQUIN ESTATES”.
In a black Mustang idling at the curb sits BOBBY GONZALEZ, a
directionless young man with a hard look and disheveled hair.
A police scanner crackles on the dashboard, but Bobby’s eyes
are locked in a standoff with a FAMILY OF LIGHT-UP REINDEER
amidst a lawn full of Christmas decor.
Suddenly, the FATHER REINDEER is mounted behind the MOTHER
doggie-style; the teenage culprit, COLTON, jogs to the car.
COLTON
They go ballistic when I do that
... I do it every night!
Bobby hands him a baggy of weed without a look.
COLTON (CONT’D)
You’re a life-saver, Bobby.
Holidays are unbearable at my
house. My family sucks.
Bobby shoots him a glance and Colton reaches in his pocket.
While Bobby’s eyes return to the reindeer, Colton tosses a
wad of cash in Bobby’s lap and hops out of the car.
COLTON (CONT’D)
Text you in a few weeks.
When Bobby finally counts the bills in his lap, he comes up
short; he jumps out of the car to give chase, but Colton is
already sprinting away.
Bobby curses Colton and finds himself beside the scandalized
yard reindeer family. He repositions them as the HOMEOWNER
opens his door with a disapproving scowl.
HOMEOWNER
It’s Christmas Eve, son. Get
yourself home, be with your folks.
The door slams and a feeling hits Bobby in the gut. He
engages the BABY REINDEER now who seems to call to him.
Bobby surveys his surroundings inconspicuously and steals the
baby reindeer.

2.
INT. AIRPLANE CABIN - MEANWHILE
A Flight Attendant gestures for seat belts to be fastened as
a VOICE comes over the intercom:
ATTENDANT (O.C)
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re
beginning our descent into Dallas.
ERICA BEDFORD, an unapproachable young woman in sweats and
glasses, retrieves a sleeve of Nicotine Gum from her purse.
She pops one in her mouth and chews anxiously.
As she pops another piece, she notices a nearby PASSENGER
watching with concern.
ERICA
I hate flying.
PASSENGER
You’ll be home soon enough.
Erica absorbs this response and tosses yet another piece in
her mouth. She looks out the window.
Yep.

ERICA

EXT. GONZALEZ HOUSE - MEANWHILE
The Mustang roars up the driveway of a modest home and
screeches to a halt.
Bobby steps out with a look of disbelief as his indomitable
mother, EMILIA, lines boxes up along the garage door.
When she notices Bobby, she glares at him and lets a box of
his stuff drop on the hard concrete with a crunch.
EMILIA
How many times?
BOBBY
What are you doing?
EMILIA
You’re moving out.
BOBBY
(beat)
What did you do with it?

3.
EMILIA
Flushed it. You’re welcome.
He pursues her to the back door as she heads inside.
BOBBY
That was all I had! My savings, my
income--everything!
(off her look)
What am I supposed to do? Where am
I supposed to go?
She shrugs and puts a hand on the doorknob.
BOBBY (CONT’D)
You look down on me now, but I
don’t see you complaining when I
buy the groceries or pay the rent-When she turns, the look in her eyes stops him in his tracks.
EMILIA
It’s not fair for a boy to bury his
father before he can be made a man,
but this niño caprichoso in front
of me is an even greater disgrace.
(beat)
I love you, but I will not enable
you. Time to go.