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SIGNIFICANT BROTHER EXCERPT
WGAW Registration #: 1549020
LOGLINE: Haunted by the abandonment of a would-be father, a retired Naval Officer searches for significance while pursuing his one true passion.
CUT TO:
INT. WALMART SUPER CENTER - DAY
Malcolm stands behind a SHOPPING CART, watching Brice climb into it. As Malcolm wheels the cart through the store entryway, he nods at the smiling greeter, an OLDER BLACK MAN (mid 60s) dressed in a blue vest, white shirt and tie. Other patrons stand in the check-out lanes, walk up and down the aisles.
BRICE
I hate school.
Malcolm pushes the cart forward.
MALCOLM
Why?
BRICE
‘Cause it’s boring. I want to stay home with you. Have fun.
MALCOLM
No deal, buddy. You have to go to school so you can be as smart as your mommy and me.
(beat)
Yusef bothering you again, isn’t he?
Brice twists and turns in the cart before making eye contact with his father. He nervously looks away.
BRICE
(somberly)
Yeah.
MALCOLM
You tell Ms. Price?
BRICE
No.
MALCOLM
What’d he do this time?
BRICE
He slapped my head during morning assembly.
MALCOLM
Did it hurt?
BRICE
Not really. I just wish he would stop hitting me.
The two enter the Produce section. Malcolm snatches a PLASTIC BAG from the DISPENSER, and then hands it to Brice. He nods at the ORANGES as he holds up six fingers. Brice reaches for the oranges and starts placing them in the bag. Malcolm holds the cart steady.
MALCOLM
He’s not going to stop until you start standing up for yourself.
(beat)
Hate to say this, but you may need to pop that boy in his mouth.
BRICE
But Ma doesn’t want me to do that. She said fighting is wrong.
MALCOLM
And it is. But if your teachers aren’t protecting you, you have to start protecting yourself. Understand?
BRICE
Yes, sir.
A slight pause.
MALCOLM
I was looking over your school work last night. You been listening to your multiplication CD?
BRICE
Unh-huh.
MALCOLM
You missed five problems on your timed test. We need to pull you out of basketball or something?
Brice ties the bag (filled with six oranges) and places it behind him in the cart.
BRICE
No, Dad. Basketball is fun. I want to keep playin’.
MALCOLM
(smiling)
What’s two times two then?
BRICE
That’s easy.
(beat)
Four.
MALCOLM
What’s six times six?
Brice looks down, pondering the question. Malcolm rolls the cart toward the Dairy section.
BRICE
I don’t know. That’s a hard one.
The two enter the Dairy section. Malcolm grabs a jug of skim milk and places it in the shopping cart, behind Brice.
MALCOLM
See. That’s my point. You need to listen to that CD more.
(beat)
I know Yusef is giving you a hard time, but you have got to stay focused. You go to school to learn, not let other kids get you off your game. What’d I tell you after what happened at camp?
BRICE
That he’ll be calling me boss one day.
MALCOLM
And what do you have to do to make sure that happens?
BRICE
Keep my grades up.
MALCOLM
You committed to doing that?
Brice stands and salutes, a smile on his face.
BRICE
(forcibly with a smile)
Yes, sir!
Malcolm reaches over and pulls a chuckling Brice to him. Brice nuzzles his head into his father’s shoulder.
BRICE (CONT’D)
I love you, Dad.
Malcolm pecks Brice on the top of his head.
MALCOLM
I love you too, buddy.
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