Juju (Short Film) written by: Michael M Jones

8/12/2019 Juju (Short Film) written by: Michael M Jones

1/26

JUJU

A Short Film

Written by

Michael M. Jones

[email protected]


2/26

INT. HIGH-CLASS HOTEL - DAY

FOYER

Were inside the foyer of a dining hall of a classic five-

star hotel. The dim lighting and dark colors set a luxuriousmood. WE HEAR nothing but jazz music as...

A YOUNG MAN schlepps inside. Hes 19, with short scragglyhair, dressed in a Star Wars T-shirt, slim fit jeans, anddirty sneakers.

The YOUNG MAN looks down as he comes toward us, speakingfaintly to himself with his fingers squirming. Hes notthreatening though; just eccentric.

As he passes by, WE SEE a turtle keychain hanging off hiskeys.

DINING HALL

Were in the middle of one of the many large, circulartables in this dining hall. The camera slowly rotates 360degrees, REVEALING:

LEONARD: 78, old money, straight laced, by the books,pretentious, dressed in an old fashioned three piece suit.

BEVERLEY: 68, reserved, has had work done, compulsivemakeup checker, gold digger, dressed in a bright purple gown,

wearing beet red lipstick.

HOWARD: 42, picture perfect hair, smug demeanor, fake tan,dressed in a trendy tweed suit with a bow tie.

GLORIA: 41, superb curly hair, desperate to look younger,dressed in an expensive red dress exposing her chest a bittoo much.

ALEXANDER: 8, impatient, bored, sloppy, dressed in a childssuit and tie that he clearly hates wearing.

As the jazz music slowly fades out, their voices slowly fadein.

HOWARDAll Im saying, Gloria; Is that heneeds to show some initiative.

(RE: himself)The kids father has plenty ofresources...

(quieter)(MORE)


3/26

Money.(then)

So, I just cant calculate in myhead as to why he would be so...so...

GLORIAReluctant.

HOWARDYes, reluctant. Reluctant of takingadvantage of his privileges. Hes alucky man. He should recognizethat.

GLORIAIm sure hes well aware of that,Howard. But his brain just doesntwork that way.

HOWARDThats exactly my point though,darling.

(slower, more articulate)The kid needs to take initiativetoward shaping his brain to work assuch.

ALEXANDERMom! Im hungry!

GLORIA

Alexander, honey. Lower your voicedown. We already ordered, remember?Supper will be here soon enough.

HOWARDAnd make an effort to be morepolite with that appetite. Wetaught you manners.

ALEXANDERBut Im hungry now!

GLORIA(ignoring Alexander)Howard, one cannot just shape theirbrain to operate differently. Itsnot that easy. Theres proceduresinvolved, medications, and godforbid therapy; that sad excuse foremployment.

(then)Weve been over this before.

2.

HOWARD (CONT'D)


4/26

HOWARD(disregarding Gloria)

Maybe if I physically show him whata large sum of money looks like...in cash.

Gloria just about pulls a spit take with her pinot noir.

GLORIAPardon me?

HOWARDHow much cash would you consider tobe convincing?

GLORIA(stone-faced)

Youve gone mad.

HOWARDIm simply trying to figure outsomething that speaks to him.

ALEXANDERIm hungry, dad!

LEONARD(to Gloria)

What in the name of all holy areyou two blabbering about?

BEVERLEY

Leonard, please no commotions. Nottonight.

LEONARDThis is nothing, Beverley. This isjust a question. Theyve beenyakking at each other since we wereseated.

BEVERLEY(checking her lipstick)

Fair enough.

HOWARDFather, its just the usual matterwith Asher. Nothing new.

LEONARDOhhh, Asher...

(then)That kid needs a good slapping.That outta shape him up.

3.


5/26

BEVERLEYTimes have changed, dear.

LEONARDI suppose so.

Finally, a silent beat...

LEONARD (CONTD)How old is that delinquent anyway?

HOWARDHes nineteen, father--

Just then, ASHER approaches (hes our guy with the turtlekeychain). He speaks quickly, anxiously.

ASHERWhos nineteen?

HOWARD(surprised)

Oh, Asher!

ASHERIm nineteen. Who else is nineteen?Because, Im nineteen.

GLORIAHoney, yes. Youre nineteen. Nowsit down. You dont want to make ascene.

ASHERIm not making a scene, mom. Imjust curious of who you weretalking about. Thats all.

Asher looks around the table into everyones eyes.

LEONARDYou, Asher. We were talking aboutyou. Get used to it. People willtalk about you for your whole

entire life and you wont even knowabout it!

BEVERLEYLeonard...

ASHERWhat is that supposed to mean?

4.


6/26

GLORIAHes not talking specifically aboutyou, Ash. Its just a...

HOWARDIts a fact of life. Now sit down.

Asher reluctantly sits. We move down to his turtle keychain;his hand grips it tightly.

We move further down to his shoes, then...

We swiftly move along the carpet, weaving through foottraffic and underneath tables until we get back to the...

FOYER

Were tight on a GIRLS hot pink, high top Converse. We pan

out to REVEAL the GIRL. Shes 19, with long dark hair,sullen, arms crossed, dressed in a long red dress that shesclearly uncomfortable in with a black bag over her shoulder.Shes here with her MOTHER and FATHER, the last place shewants to be.

Her Mother is 43, with long blonde hair. Shes extra tall inher black, diamond encrusted heels. She holds a very smallChanel purse that goes perfectly with her tight black dressand her diamond Chanel earrings.

Her Father is 45, short and bulky, with thick brown hair. Heseems to be perpetually sweating and is more concerned with

how his hair looks than anything else. The watch on his wristis more expensive than a suburban home.

A RECEPTIONIST approaches.

RECEPTIONISTAre you the Mckinneys?

Her Mother and Father nod.

RECEPTIONIST (CONTD)Right this way.

As the Girl and her parents follow the Receptionist:

GIRLS MOTHER(to Girl)

Stand up straight, Annie.

ANNIE ignores her mother.

5.


7/26

GIRLS FATHER (O.S.)This dining hall is strikinglysimilar to that of the StockholmPalace in Sweden. Would youconcede, my dear?

DINING HALL

Asher bleakly stares down at his food. Its an expensivesteak dish.

ASHERWhy did you order for me?

HOWARDBecause we knew you wouldnt orderanything for yourself.

ASHERSo? Theres absolutely no goodreason why food should be thisexpensive.

HOWARDIts better than other, cheaperrestaurants, Asher.

ASHERHow is it better? Define better.

HOWARD

(stalling)Well... For starters--

GLORIAWe can have the more expensivedinner, because were privileged.

ASHEREntitled.

GLORIAIm sorry?

ASHERYou said privileged. You meantentitled.

Awkward beat. Gloria keeps her cool.

BEVERLEYSo, Ash. Hows that band of yourscoming along?

6.


8/26

ALEXANDERYour band is my favorite band inthe whole world, Asher.

ASHERThanks, Alex. And thank you for

asking, Grandma. Umm, Its comingalong great. Its a slow process.Were hoping to play our first showsometime next month.

HOWARDYouve been in that band for over ayear now and you still haventplayed one show?

ASHERI just said its a slow process.

A beat. Everyone but Asher focuses in on eating their meals.

LEONARDWhats that music group calledagain?

Gloria quickly covers Alexanders ears.

ASHERPig Shit.

LEONARDOh. Right, right.

HOWARDDo you ever think that maybe it wasa mistake calling your band that?It may be the reason why youhavent played any shows yet.

Asher glares at his father.

ASHERBob Ross said There are nomistakes - just happy accidents.

HOWARD(puzzled)

That hippy painter guy?

ASHERCould you be any more shallow?

GLORIABoys...

7.


9/26

Silence encompasses. Asher slumps back in his chair, looksaround.

He notices Annie, seated with her family a few tables away.He stares, then quickly looks away when she notices him.

CUT TO:

ANNIE

Annie stares at Asher, then quickly looks away when he looksagain.

CUT TO:

ASHER

Asher nervously picks at his food, then looks again - butthis time Annie looks again as well.

They lock eyes and stare at each other, smiling. All sounddissolves. In silence, we see the two stare at each otherfrom afar.

As the jazz music and dinner commotion slowly fade back in,we focus in on...

ANNIE

ANNIES FATHERAnd he had the nerve to call meostentatious! The man barely bringsin 70K annually, but his mouth islarger than a yacht!

Annies Mother and Father laugh hysterically. Annie isntpaying attention as shes still looking at Asher.

ANNIES MOTHERWhat are you staring at, dear?Something interest you?

Annie comes back to her senses.

ANNIENo, Carolyn. Its nothing.

8.


10/26

CAROLYNAnnie. What did I tell you? Justbecause youve moved out of thehouse now doesnt mean you cantstill call me mom.

ANNIEI stopped calling you mom when Iwas like thirteen.

Carolyn pompously looks the other way.

CAROLYNI just dont understand, Earle.Shes our daughter, yet she refusesto call us her mother and father.

(then)I birthed her!

EARLEIts just a common attribute of ateenager, Carolyn. Dont let itworry you.

ANNIE(bluntly)

Okay, first of all: Im not ateenager. I am an adult. Second:Stop talking about me in the thirdperson. Im right here listening toyou. Third: I agree, dont let itworry you, because that would be

out of character for you to worryabout me in the slightest.

CAROLYNI am appalled by your choice ofwords.

EARLECan we please not act this way whenour company arrives?

Annie and Carolyn both fall silent and glare at each other.

EARLE (CONTD)And drink your champagne. Its veryexpensive.

ANNIEI dont like champagne. I likebeer.

9.


11/26

EARLEBeer is a common mans drink.

ANNIEWell, Im neither common, nor aman. So theres that.

EARLE(irked)

Fine! Order a beer. Embarrassyourself.

(then)Actually, I doubt theres even anybeer on the menu. This hotel isabove that.

Earle lightly pats his forehead with a cloth napkin.

CAROLYN

Youll have to go into that filthyIrish pub across the street if youwant a beer.

ANNIEI dont need a beer. Water is justfine.

An awkward beat passes as they all just stare into thedistance, then Carolyn begins fiddling with her dress.

CAROLYNDo I look okay? Is this dress too

much? Be honest.

EARLE(looking at his phone)

You look marvelous as always,Carolyn.

ANNIEYoure just wearing a black dress.

CAROLYNAnd?

ANNIEAnd its just a boring black dress.

CAROLYNHoney, this is Dior.

ANNIEYa know, your self esteem doesntreally agree with your personality.

10.


12/26

Carolyn sits speechless.

After a beat, their company arrives. KENT, A coworker ofEarles. Before he can even be seated...

ANNIE (CONTD)

(nervously)Excuse me.

Annie quickly stands and walks toward a hallway around acorner.

ASHER

HOWARD...Im just not sure if youunderstand, Asher; the potential Ican offer you if you just stick

with--

ASHER(noticing Annie)

Ill be back.

As Asher walks away:

HOWARD (V.O.)See? Hes scared. He wont admitit.

We follow behind Asher as he moves across the dining hall,

then around a corner into a hallway. He grips his turtlekeychain the entire way.

HALLWAY

WE SEE Annie sitting down against the wall, head in her arms.Asher stops, Annie looks up at him.

A moment of passionate tranquility.

ASHER

I noticed you earlier.

ANNIEI noticed you too.

ASHERCan I sit with you?

ANNIEPlease.

11.


13/26

Asher slides down the wall next to Annie.

ASHERAre you alright?

ANNIE

Is anyone alright?

ASHERI like your dress.

ANNIENo you dont.

They both smile for a moment.

ASHERI guess being alright, or content,satisfied, or whatever is just all

in our heads. Its in our control.

ANNIESure, but what happens when thethings outside of us, the thingsthat our heads helplessly absorb,become out of control?

Asher contemplates.

ASHERWell, then its just a matter ofperspective.

Annie exhales, letting her lips rumble.

ANNIEFair enough.

A beat as they stare at the wall in front of them.

ANNIE (CONTD)Howd they let you in here wearingthat?

ASHERWhy? Are you jealous?

ANNIEVery much, actually. Ill trade yououtfits.

ASHERReally? Cause I think Id lookpretty in that dress.

12.


14/26

Annie laughs.

ASHER (CONTD)Actually my father is friends withthe owner, so they just accept thefact that Im a degenerate, as they

say.

ANNIEOooh harsh.

ASHERYeah, but as far as that owner guyis concerned, when Im in the roomI scare away at least three wealthypatrons. So, Its probably good forbusiness that Im sitting in thishallway with you, hidden away.

ANNIEWhatevers best for business,right?

ASHERRight. Nothing like a good olfancy hotel for suits.

Annie giggles, nervously shuffles her feet.

ASHER (CONTD)What about your choice of footwear?Howd they let that slide?

Annie parades her hot pink, high top Converse.

ANNIEI dont know. I think maybe anyshoes below two hundred dollarsjust dont register to them.

ASHER(laughing)

They just go into shock like theysaw a ghost or something.

ANNIEExactly, and then the denialbegins.

They laugh together.

13.


15/26

DINING HALL

ON Ashers family.

GLORIAAshers been gone an awfully long

time. Do you think--

HOWARD(irritated)

Do I think he just got up and left?Yes. In fact I do think that.

GLORIAHoward, honey. Dont let it botheryou. Weve been through this.

HOWARDYes, weve been through this. But!

We havent been through this sincethe kid just decided all on his ownto throw his entire life away anddrop out of college!

LEONARDThat kid needs a good slapping.That outta shape him up.

BEVERLEYLeonard...

LEONARD

What? Its true.

BEVERLEYI suppose so.

GLORIAWell, he is an adult now. So, hecan make those decisions on hisown.

HOWARDI know! But, doesnt he know that

those decisions reflect upon me andmake me look lousy!?

An awkward beat.

14.


16/26

HALLWAY

ASHERSo, whats out of control in yourlife?

Annie looks at Asher, surprised.

ANNIEYoure very up-front.

ASHER(jokingly)

My middle name is frank.

Annie sighs with pun exhaustion, but has a good laugh.

A beat passes as Annie looks off into the distance.

ANNIEWell... Im gonna speak in vaguecliches here, so bear with me.

ASHERTheyre unavoidable these days.

ANNIEOkay...

(then)My parents wont listen to me. AndI kind of feel like they just dontcare about me. Like they only give

a shit about whats best for them,ya know?

Asher nods sympathetically. Then, a waiter approaches.

WAITER(rudely)

You two cant sit here. Move now.

Asher and Annie stand up.

ASHER

But this is the only spot in herewhere I can think.

ANNIEYeah Its like a deluge of bullshitout there. Fogs up a healthy mind.

WAITEROkay, heres the deal...

15.


17/26

The Waiter gestures with his hand to Asher, implying askingfor his name.

ASHERAsher.

Annie looks at Asher, smiles.

ANNIEAsher.

WAITERAsher, and...

The Waiter does the same gesture toward Annie.

ANNIEAnnie.

Asher looks at Annie, smiles.

ASHERAnnie.

WAITEROkay, Asher and Annie. This is awalkway. Its not for lounging. Ifyoud like to lounge, Im sure youcould just take the elevator up toyour room and lounge there.

ASHER

Id rather take the stairs, causethen the lounging is morerewarding.

ANNIEThats brilliant.

WAITER(flustered)

Do whatever the hell you want,Ashen--

ANNIEAsher.

WAITERAsher. Do whatever the hell youwant. Just dont do it in thishallway.

Asher and Annie walk off together.

16.


18/26

DINING HALL

ON Carolyn, Earle, and Kent.

KENTSo, youre paying for them, but she

refuses to take them? Even when herdoctor prescribed them to her?

EARLE(nodding)

Even when her doctor prescribedthem to her.

CAROLYNCan you believe it?

KENTI cannot. Thats just absurd. I

mean, this man has a PhD for godssake. If he prescribes you Prozac,theres an adequate reason as towhy he did so.

EARLEExactly my point. The man is highlyeducated. Theres absolutely nogood reason to question him.

CAROLYNIve told Annie to take themcountless times, but she wont

listen.

KENTShe really needs to understand theconcern of why she was prescribedthe Prozac in the first place. Weall know how she can be.

Carolyn and Earle both nod, sipping their wine.

ELEVATOR

Asher and Annie enter the elevator.

ANNIELets go all the way up.

Asher presses the ROOF button. The doors close.

17.


19/26

ROOF

Asher and Annie walk toward the railing.

ANNIEI guess I just have a bit of a dark

past. I once bit my Aunts fingerbecause she tried to fix my hair.

ASHERBit her finger off?

ANNIENo, but It drew blood.

ASHERWhat was wrong with your hair?

ANNIE

Nothing at all.

They peek over the railing. Annie reaches into her bag, pullsout a bottle of pills.

ASHERAre those part of your dark past?

Annie opens the bottle, dumps the pills over the edge.

ANNIEThey are now.

Asher reaches his hands out.

ASHERCan I see it?

She hands Asher the empty bottle.

INSERT:

The transparent orange medicine bottle is turned over toreveal the label reading PROZAC.

ASHER(introspective)

Prozac.

A moment passes. Then,

ANNIEDo you wanna do the honors?

18.


20/26

Asher thinks a second, then tosses the bottle off thebuilding. A moment passes, then WE SEE Asher gripping histurtle keychain, then Annie noticing.

ANNIE (CONTD)(pointing at the keychain)

Is that your juju?

ASHERMy juju?

ANNIEYeah, your juju. Its like atalisman, but more fun to say.

ASHER(smiling)

Juju.(then)

My friend gave it to me when wewere kids.

ANNIEYour friend didnt want it anymore?

ASHER(nervous)

No. He actually uhhh...

Asher looks down. Annie catches on.

ANNIE

Oh...

ASHERYeah...

ANNIEIm sorry.

ASHERIts okay. You didnt know.

Suddenly, Annie hugs Asher. Asher is thrown off guard at

first, but quickly embraces it.

ANNIEI had a gerbil once. It died when Iwas nine. I thought that washeartbreak.

(then)Then again, Im depressed orwhatever, so my judgement is alloutta wack.

19.


21/26

She looks Asher in the eyes.

ANNIE (CONTD)I cant even imagine.

A moment passes.

DINING HALL

Ashers family stands to leave. Howard and Gloria speaksoftly with each other.

HOWARDTheres just no use. He doesntcare. He wont be getting any moneyfrom me.

GLORIA

Asher has never asked you formoney.

HOWARDBut he will. And when he does, Iwill say no! Not until he complies.

GLORIAIts out of our control now,Howard. Just let Asher ruin his ownlife. He obviously doesnt care.

ALEXANDER

Mom, wheres Asher!?

GLORIAI dont know, but Im sure hell beback at the room sometime tonight.Lets go.

As the family walks off:

LEONARDIm going to slap that kid when hecomes back. He didnt take one bite

of his food. Ungrateful bastard.

BEVERLEYYou cant do that, Leonard. Itsphysical abuse.

LEONARDOh, I suppose so.

20.


22/26

STAIRWELL

Asher and Annie walk down the stairs, unhurried.

ASHERMy parents didnt even let me go to

the memorial service, because Iwould have had to miss school.

ANNIE(shocked)

What!?

ASHERYeah...

(then)I learned polynomials that day.

A beat.

ANNIEMy parents weren't really presentemotionally for me either.Sometimes it feels like I wasraised by sociopaths.

ASHERWhat happened?

They sit down on a step.

ANNIE

Well...(then)

I told you about my gerbil thatdied. His name was Fluff. AfterFluff died I was really sad. Like,every day all I could think aboutwas that Fluff wouldnt be in mylife anymore. So, I started cuttingmyself. Like, a lot. And keep inmind I was nine-years-old at thetime.

ASHERNine-years-old...

ANNIESo, that was pretty much how I wasgoing to deal with all my problemsfor the next eight or so years.

ASHERCutting yourself?

21.


23/26

ANNIECutting myself. I dont even knowwhere I got it from. I never saw itin any movies or TV until I waslike sixteen. It was just like aninnate thing I guess.

(then)Anyway, my parents started puttingme on Prozac when I was ten. AndIm sort of just now trying to getoff them.

Asher is speechless.

ANNIE (CONTD)Youre not saying anything.

ASHERSorry, I just want to help you, but

I dont know what I would do tohelp. Im just as fucked up andscatterbrained--

ANNIEIts okay, Asher. Youre here withme right now. And youre listening.Thats all I really need.

Asher smiles.

ASHERAll my parents really care about is

money. My dad relentlessly offersme money, because he thinks Imlike this fucked up, strugglingdruggy. But Im the completeopposite. When Im not at work, Imwriting songs, or Im practicingwith my band. They dont understandthat those arent just hobbies.

A beat, Annie sympathysis.

ANNIEI never asked you why youre evenhere.

ASHERLike here at this hotel?

ANNIEYeah.

22.


24/26

ASHERYou go first.

ANNIEOkay, well I was basically forcedto come here. My parents thought

itd be a great idea to show up atmy apartment unannounced andthreaten to stop helping me pay myrent unless I came here with them,so we could have an importanttalk.

ASHERWhat was the important talk?

ANNIEThey desperately want me to stay onthe Prozac. They think its the

only thing that keeps me sane.(then)

Your turn.

ASHERMy story is pretty similaractually. But I was lied to. Myparents told me we were just goingout to dinner with my grandparents.In reality we were on our way hereso they could try to convince me togo back to college.

ANNIEJeez.

ASHERYeah. I almost jumped out of thecar.

A beat.

ANNIEWhat is it with this hotel thatmakes our parents think well

reconsider these things?

ASHERWho knows.

ANNIEIts not like Im impressed, or inawe at how fancy this place is.

23.


25/26

ASHERAll the fancy shit is just a facadefor their own unspokeninsecurities.

A brief moment. Then, back to the...

DINING HALL

Carolyn, Earle, and Kent get ready to leave.

CAROLYNWell, I assume this night is afailure.

EARLEIt would seem so.

(then, to Kent)

We apologize if this were aninconvenience. Who knew she wouldjust get up and leave?

KENTNo apology necessary, Earle. Itseems she just cannot articulatethe benefits, so when youd like totry again, Ill be there to helpyou convey them to her... in simpleterms.

EARLE

Thank you, Kent.

CAROLYNWe just want what is best for her,you know.

KENTPrecisely.

They walk off.

STAIRWELL

Asher and Annie sit together comfortably in silence. Then,Asher quickly stands.

ASHERDo you wanna go to the art museumdown the street with me?

A beat.

24.


26/26

ANNIE(smiling)

Id love to.

Asher offers a hand to help Annie stand. Annie takes his handand stands, but before they go...

ANNIE (CONTD)I think youre my juju, Asher.

Asher smiles.

ASHERLets go.

They run together down the stairs.

STREET

Asher and Annie walk away from the hotel, holding hands. Inhis other hand, Asher holds his juju tight.

25.

Juju (Short Film) written by: Michael M Jones

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Transcript of Juju (Short Film) written by: Michael M Jones