Pages 68-72

EXT. LONG SHOT – DESERT – RAPHAEL

Raphael is walking through the desert.

He is following a creek bed.

He quickly comes upon a sweat lodge next to some trees and a small pond.

He starts a fire.

RAPHAEL
Well, Grandpa, you said I could come here when I needed to think. This is
definitely one of those times.

Raphael starts up small fire.

INT. MED SHOT – CARLOS' HOUSE – CARLOS

Carlos is closing the door.

BONITA, his cute younger sister, greets him.

BONITA
Ready for that homework assignment?

CARLOS
Do I look ready?

BONITA
Don't care. It needs to get done, and I need your help. Your choice: You want to
be ready now or when Mom gets done with you?

CARLOS
Let's get it done with.

BONITA
And that's why I love you.

She grabs her homework as Carlos sits down at the table.

BONITA
All I need help with is---What's wrong?

CARLOS
The band broke up.

BONITA
Cool. I won the pool.

CARLOS
You reduced a major event in my life down to a betting pool?

BONITA
I usually do. I've won three of the last seven dating pools, and I still remember
losing the bet when we were betting on when you would get your driver's
license. I should have realized Dad had the inside track on that.

CARLOS
Am I nothing but entertainment to you people?

BONITA
Nope. I also need you for homework. So you're not completely useless.

CARLOS
Thanks.

BONITA
No problem, bro! Besides you broke up with Raphael, right?

CARLOS
Right. We had a fight.

BONITA
Yeah. Like the Burger Wars and its sequels. Or over Amy. Or because he was
being a jerk after the eighth grade graduation. Yeah. It's just temporarily. You do
have sort of a record.

CARLOS
You keep track of that, but not my birthday?

BONITA
Easier. There is a betting pool on whether you'll marry him, Abigail, or someone
else. I'm betting for Raphael.

CARLOS
I'm not even gay!

BONITA
For now. Things change, Carlos, things change. (beat) So what was it all about,
anyway?

CARLOS
What kind of music the band was going to play.

BONITA
Figures. And you wanted alternative rock, whatever that is, and he wanted punk,
right?

CARLOS
Um. Yeah. How did you know?

BONITA
Have you seen the clothes he wears? And that stuff you listen to? Yeah. It takes a
rocket scientist to put that together. (beat) You're a moron, of course.

CARLOS
Look who needs my help.

BONITA
Please. I'm not the one who couldn't figure out that alternative rock is just a form
of punk rock, and then broke up with my friend over it.

CARLOS
Too little too late. What's done is done.

BONITA
Okay. (beat) So let's get going on the homework.

He picks up her book.

INT. CLOSE SHOT – HOTEL ROOM – BED - NIGHT

The blankets cover two forms.

Hector comes out from under the covers shirtless.

He looks at the clock.

HECTOR
Heh. My parents must be nervous wrecks by now.

He looks over at his pants.

He grabs them and his cell falls out.

It's blinking furiously.

HECTOR
Who did I tick off this time?

He picks it up and flips it open.

HECTOR
Well, my parents are represented. As are Raph and Carlos. They must have
gotten into another fight. They just need to have it out in a room sometime. They
more than my parents, but without the after party. Yeah, I needed THAT thought.
And....Antonio? Weird.

He presses the cell's buttons and holds it to his ear.

An eyebrow cocks up.

HECTOR
Morons.

Helen comes out from under the covers.

HELEN
Everything okay....?

HECTOR
Oh, it will be once I beat some people.

HELEN
You can get violent?

They embrace.

HECTOR
Only when it comes to those two.

Helen smiles.

HELEN
You should see Hel and Abby go at it.

Hector smiles.

HECTOR
That's why I love being the drummer. Unfortunately, I need to go. I might be
back later.

HELEN
You have two hours. Then I start getting dressed,

Hector starts getting dressed in hurry.

He leaves, almost forgetting to open the door.

Helen smiles.

HELEN
Oh yeah. He's going to be back.

She rolls over.