Salvage
(Excerpt from a film script)
by Chanel Dupree
INT: INSIDE OF A BEDROOM - MORNING
It is an early Monday morning, 6:30 a.m. The wind is caressing the trees, the sun is rising praising a sermon at
church. The clouds are parting perfectly. It is a perfect day. PARIS, 13, cocoa brown skin and natural hair does
not want to leave her bed.
PARIS
Ugh. I hope momma gives me a break today
Paris says to herself. All of a sudden Paris hears loud footsteps. She quickly covers her entire body in her
blankets. Paris’ mother, JOAN, 36, long rope twists in her hair and darker brown skin bursts in.
JOAN
Paris Shanice Lawrence, if you don’t get yourself out of that bed, me and you are gonna have a problem and we
both know you don’t want that.
PARIS
Momma!
JOAN
Don’t momma me. You were suppose to be up 30 minutes ago.
PARIS
Momma, you know I hate that class!
JOAN
Well, you know what, I hate a few things too. I hate that I’m always in traffic, I hate when I spend all night curling
my hair and then my curls drop in the morning, I also hate that EVERY morning I have to come in here and force
you out of bed. But I still do it, and you need an education. So get up!
Paris continues to pout. Joan leans in and kisses Paris on the forehead. She rubs the back of Paris’ head.
JOAN: (CONT’D)
I know baby. But you got this. Don’t let them steal your joy before the day even starts.
Paris leans up from her head and cracks a smile.
JOAN: (CONT’D)
There’s my girl. Get showered up. Breakfast is on the stove.
Joan walks out of the room. Paris gets up from her bed. Looks in the mirror and straightens her back.
PARIS
I got this
Paris runs into the shower. She heads to her room to put on her school uniform. Paris takes out her twists and
fluffs them out with her afro pic, lays her baby hairs and heads downstairs. The kitchen smells of buttered cheese
grits, applewood smoked bacon and eggs. Paris’ dad, DAVID, 37, broad build and bright smile is blasting Bill
Withers’ “Lovely Day” from the AM/FM radio. David always knows how to make any room feel like a gospel.
David has just finished putting on his bus driver uniform.
DAVID
Hey baby girl!
PARIS
Hey daddy.
32
african Voices