Domino Effect
By Jaymes Brown-McGhee
Characters
Drae- brother of Paige and Jordan
Paige- brother of Drae and Jordan, senior in high school
Jordan- brother of Paige and Jordan, senior in high school
Jordans Coach
Mom (Vanessa)
Cody- father of Paige's daughter
Doctor
Westside Boy 1- Drae's enemy
Westside Boy 2- Drae's enemy
God
ACT I
Scene 1
(Mom has breast cancer, she's in the hospital and is about to die)
Mom
I want you to go get a job and take care of your little brother and sister. You have a college degree and millions of job opportunities. Be the man of the house and take care of your little brother and sister Drae.
Drae
Okay mom I understand but street money is faster and easier, I want to be surrounded by my friends and family, not at a lousy job surrounded by white people.
MOM
Son, the streets come and go but Paige and Jordan will be here forever. I love you and I want you to make me proud
DRAE
Okay mom your right, I love you too.
(Drae gives mom a kiss on forehead)
(Drae leaves the hospital room and Paige comes in)
Paige
Mom what's going on? Your going to be okay right?
MOM
No Paige, today's my last day
PAIGE
Well, what are we going to do without you?
MOM
Drae is going to take over, I want you to focus on school and keep singing, you have a gift and I want you to use it. And oh yeah your through your 2nd trimester, I think it's time to tell Jordan and Drae about your pregnancy.
PAIGE
Yeah I think your right, it is about time for me to tell them about the baby. I love you mom
(Paige starts crying and gives mom a long tight hug.)
(Jordan enters room, Paige leaves.)
Mom
Hey baby
Jordan
Mom, what's going on?
MOM
I have breast cancer son, today's my last day.
JORDAN
Well why didn't you tell anybody?
MOM
You were so busy on basketball, I didn't want to distract you
JORDAN
Well is there anything we can do?
MOM
No, it's to late just focus on graduating high school with a basketball scholarship and going to the NBA, make me proud son
JORDAN
Okay mom I love you from the bottom of my heart
MOM
I love you too son, bring your brother and sister in here
(Paige and Drae enter the room)
Mom
I love all of you so much, make me extra proud and remember what I told y'all
(Kids start to wipe tears and hug each other)
(Mom stops breathing)
Scene 2
(Jordan, Paige, and Drae are sitting in living room after Jordan and Paige got home from school.)
Paige
Drae, your coming to my performance tomorrow right?
DRAE
Of course sis, I wouldn't miss it for the world.
PAIGE
Okay, Jordan your game is tonight right?
JORDAN
Yes, and it's our senior night. Both of you are coming right?
DRAE & Paige
Of course!
(Paige and Jordan get ready for Jordans game.)
Drae
Y'all to go ahead to the game, I'll meat y'all there.
JORDAN
Okay you better be there
DRAE
I will bro I will
(Jordan and Paige leave to go to game)
Scene 3
(Paige is in the stands, Jordan is playing the game.)
(Paige is on the phone with Drae.)
Paige
Drae where are you? The game started 20 minutes ago!
DRAE
I have bad news, I won't be able to make it
PAIGE
Why not? You know Jordan wanted you to be here.
DRAE
I know, I know Paige. But something happened and I had to go get this money from the East Side
PAIGE
The East side?! Your never going to make it back on time, and you know Mom does not like you on that side of town.
DRAE
Paige calm down, I had to get this money in order to take care of you and Jordan. You want those new Jay's on Saturday right?
PAIGE
Yes but...
DRAE
No, there ain't no buts, if you want me to be able to take care of y'all then this is what I have to do.
PAIGE
You know mom would be rolling over in her grave if she knew what you were doing. Being in the streets is not going to get you know where Drae.
DRAE
Okay Paige relax.
PAIGE
Okay well what am I supposed to tell Jordan? He's not even playing right because your not here.
DRAE
Tell him I love him and I'll make up for it
PAIGE
Okay Drae
(Paige and Drae hang up the phone.)
JORDANS coach
Come on Jordan, what are you doing? Get your head in the game
JORDAN
Okay coach
(Jordan looks in the stands, doesn't see his brother and gets real sad.
JORDANS COACH
What's bothering you?
JORDAN
My brother Drae is not here, he sad he will be.
JORDANS COACH
Everything will be fine, do this for him and your mom. Now get back in the game. Put some points on the board
Scene 4
(Jordan is sitting on the couch at home in the dark. He has his head in his hands and he's tapping his foot on the floor. Drae enters.)
DRAE
Hey wassup bro
JORDAN
You were supposed to be at my game Drae
DRAE
I know sorry Jay, something came up and I had no choice but to go handle business bro.
JORDAN
I understand Drae, but I couldn't even play how I usually play because you were not there. WE LOST DRAE! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU
DRAE
Bro, I am very sorry. It was an accident.
JORDAN
Okay well at least make sure your there for Paige's concert tomorrow night. You don't want her to mess up right?
DRAE
Yeah I will definitely be there for her.
Scene 5
(Today is the day of Paige's concert, Paige is making sure that Drae will be able to come.)
PAIGE
Drae, today is the day of the concert, pleaseeee do not forget about it.
DRAE
I wontlil sis, I wont.
PAIGE
Okay well the concert starts in 2 hours, so I'm going to leave now so I can be prepared. When you come make sure you bring Jordan and be on time please!
DRAE
Okay Paige
(Paige leaves to go to her concert, Drae and Jordan are getting ready for the concert)
Scene 6
(Paige is getting on stage, concert is about to start. She sees Drae and Jordan in the front row and is very happy.)
(Drae gets a call from his friend.)
DRAE
Yowassup bro?
Draes friend
You wanna make some fast money?
DRAE
Of course bro wassup?
DRAES FRIEND
Well I need you to come to the wayside in 20 minutes.
DRAE
Right now bro? I'm at my little sisters concert right now. Can I come later?
DRAES FRIEND
I mean if you don't come now the money is gone, you know you need it bro.
DRAE
Ugh okay bro I'm on my way .
(Drae hangs up the phone.)
JORDAN
Where are you going Drae?
DRAE
I have to go to the east side to make this money real fast.
JORDAN
Well what about Paige's concert?
DRAE
Just tell her I'm sorry and I'll be home once it is over
JORDAN
Okay but you know she will be mad
DRAE
I know, I know. But I gotta make this money to pay the bills and take care of both of y'all.
Jordan
Okay bro your right.
(Drae leaves the concert, Paige looks towards the crowd and see Drae leaving.)
PAIGE
DRAE?!!!!
(By the team she screams her brothers name he is already gone and she runs off stage.)
Scene 7
(Paige and Jordan are at home after the concert. Their both upset, Drae walks in the door.)
Paige
So what's your excuse now Drae?
DRAE
You already know, I had to make this money real quick. I'm sorry sis but if you want me to keep buying you the latest Jay's & paying the bills in this house then you gotta let me do what I gotta do.
PAIGE
I mean yeah your right but you have a Ph.D in Education, and millions of job opportunities , go get a job bro.
DRAE
No, see you don't understand, I can't get a job, I don't wanna work for the white people I wanna work for myself.
JORDAN
But you know mom would have a heart attack if she saw you doing this right now.
Drae
I know bro, I know I'm just trying to get us out of the hood first little bro.
JORDAN
Okay Drae
PAIGE
I kinda have something I want to tell y'all.
DRAE
What is it sis? You know you can tell me anything.
JORDAN
Yeah Paige what is it?
PAIGE
Both of you have to promise me you won't get mad
jordan
I won't sis just tell me
DRAE
Yeah just tell us Paige
PAIGE
Okay well I'm 7 months pregnant.
DRAE
What the hell do you mean?
JORDAN
Wait the question is did mom know?
PAIGE
Yes she did, she wanted me to tell y'all.
DRAE
Okay well who is it by Paige?
paige
My friend Cody
DRAE
Cody from the Westside?
PAIGE
Yeah Drae
DRAE
Paige, you know I do not get along with Westside dudes, why would you do this?
PAIGE
I know sorry Drae I wasn't thinking.
JORDAN
Ugh this is bad, this is real bad.
DRAE
Right bro, I can't stand them dudes from the Westside
PAIGE
He's actually not even a bad guy, he's one of the good ones.
Drae
I don't care Paige you know how I get down. But I am kind of excited for you.
JORDAN
Yeah me to sis
PAIGE
Okay thanks
(Drae spreads the word around about Cody.)
(Cody spreads the word about Drae.)
Scene 8
(Paige wants to go to see Cody.)
PAIGE
Drae can I use your car?
DRAE
For what, where you trying to go?
PAIGE
I want to go see my friend Sasha
DRAE
Okay go ahead, don't be along
PAIGE
Okay I won't
(Paige leaves and takes the car to go see Cody, not Sasha.)
Scene 9
(Paige is in Drae's car on her way to the Westside.)
Westside boy 1
Aye there go that nigga Drae
Westside boy 2
Yeah that his him, let's go bust his ass
(Westside boy 1 and 2 both run to the house to grab their gun, Paige is still in Drae's car.)
(Westside boy 1 and 2 come back outside and starts shooting at the car.)
Paige
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!
(Paige dies at the scene.)
Scene 10
(Drae gets a call saying that his care got shot up.)
Drae
OH MY GOD JORDAN, PAIGE GOT SHOT!!!!
JORDAN
Wait, what do you mean?
DRAE
Come on, we have to go to the hospital! You drive moms old car
(Drae and Jordan leave their house and are on their way to the hospital.)
Scene 11
(Drae and Jordan get to the hospital to find out she is dead.)
Drae
Paige! Wake up please wake up!
(Doctor 1 comes in to try and calm Paige down.)
DOCTOR
Sir, please calm down. But we have some good and bad news.
JORDAN
Okay well what's the good news, that's what we need to hear right now.
DOCTOR
Your sister Paige died, but her 7 month old baby made it.
(Jordan starts crying.)
Drae
Well the baby is in good health right?
DOCTOR
Yes she is, we just need to keep her hear for a little while.
JORDAN
How long?
DOCTOR
About 5-7 days just to make sure everything is fine.
DRAE
Can we at least see the baby?
DOCTOR
Yes you can follow me.
(Drae and Jordan follow the Doctor into the nursery room.)
Scene 12
(Drae and Jordan are in the nursery room.)
Jordan
Oh my god she looks just like Mom.
(Drae and Jordan start to cry.)
Drae
Jay, I'm really lost, first mom died and now it's my sister, I knew I shouldn't of let her take that car man I knew it.
JORDAN
We will be okay Drae, God only gives his strongest people the toughest battle.)
DRAE
Yeah your right Jordan, but what she would name her?
JORDAN
Let's name her after mom, I mean she looks just like her.
DRAE
Yeah your right, Hi Baby Vanessa.
(Jordan and Drae give each other a hug, the Doctor comes in and tells the boys visiting hours are over.)
Drae
We can come back tomorrow right?
DOCTOR 1
Yes you can, anytime between 7-5 pm
JORDAN
Okay, thank you very much Doc.
DOCTOR 1
Anytime, and I wish both of you the best.
(Jordan and Drae leave the hospital and go home.)
Scene 13
Drae
I gotta retaliate bro, they killed my little sister.
JORDAN
No bro, we have to make our life better for Paige, mom, and the baby.
DRAE
Yeah your right bro, because mom would want the best for us.
JORDAN
Yes, let's just get our stuff and get out of the hood.
DRAE
Yeah I think that is the best idea for us as soon as we go get Baby Vanessa out of the hospital were leaving.
JORDAN
Yeah bro that's the best thing we can do. She comes home tomorrow right?
DRAE
Yeah we will go get her first thing in the morning
(Drae and Jordan go to bed, Drae can't sleep all he is thinking about is how to get revenge even though he knows it's wrong.)
Scene 14
(Drae and Jordan are at the hospital picking up Baby Vanessa.)
DOCTOR
Hey, good morning gentlemen
JORDAN
Good Morning
DRAE
Good Morning Doc, hows my baby niece?
DOCTOR
Shes doing great, you can come right over here to see her.
(Drae and Jordan follow the doctor into the room where the baby is.)
DRAE
Shes gorgeous, reminds me of Mom and Paige!
JORDAN
Swear bro, its like three triplets
DRAE
Aye Doc, we can take her home today right?
DOCTOR
Yes you can,you filled out all of the legal forms signing the baby over to you right?
DRAE
Yes I did.
DOCTOR
Okay now all you need to do is sign this discharge form and you are ready to go.
(Drae signs the form and is about to leave the hospital.)
DRAE
Okay later Doc.
JORDAN
Have a nice day, thank you for everything.
DOCTOR
No problem, take it easy!
(Drae and Jordan leave the hospital and take the baby back home so that they can pack.)
Scene 15
(Drae, Jordan, and Baby Vanessa are back at the house getting ready to leave.)
JORDAN
So bro you seem to have all this figured out. Where exactly are we moving too?
DRAE
To Franklin Park Jay,about an hour away from the Eastside.
JORDAN
Yeah we moving on up like the Jefferson's baby!
*Jordan & Drae starts to laugh*
DRAE
Jordan is all your stuff packed?
JORDAN
Yeah of course, I've been packed since last night. I just wanna move out of this bad neighborhood
DRAE
Okay come on, were out. I will grab Vanessa and strap her into the car seat and in the car. You just get the rest of the bags.
JORDAN
Okay we out!
Scene 16
(Jordan, Drae, and Baby V. are at their new house in Franklin Park and they are unpacking their stuff.)
JORDAN
Imma go upstairs and unpack my stuff into my bedroom.
DRAE
Okay Jay, I'll be down here with the baby. I think she's hungry
JORDAN
Ight bro
(Jordan goes upstairs to unpack his stuff. Drae is downstairs playing with the baby.)
DRAE
Ayye Jordan, I'll be right back. I'm about to go to the store to get some more diapers for the baby.
JORDAN
Okay, I'll be here.
Scene 17
(Drae and Jordan's old neighbors dropped the news about where their new house was to the Westside Boys.)
WESTSIDE BOY 1
Aye bro, I just found out where that nigga Drae lives.
WESTSIDE BOY 2
Where bro? Lets go get that nigga dawg. We getting him or its brother fuck it.
WESTSIDE BOY 1
Franklin Park and ight bro lets go get these niggas dawg.
(Westside Boy 1 and 2 are on their way to Franklin Park.)
Scene 18
(Westside Boy 1 and 2 are at Drae's house.)
WESTSIDE BOY 1
*whispers* I see that nigga's little brother in the window.
WESTSIDE BOY 2
Well start bucking at him dawg,what you waiting for.
(Westside Boy 1 starts shooting at Jordan and kills him.)
WESTSIDE BOY 1
Come on bro, letsget outta here.
(Westside Boy 1 and 2 run to the car and pulls off. Drae pulls up and goes in the house.)
DRAE
Jordan come here
*no answer*
DRAE
Ayye Jay, where you at?
(Drae is carrying the baby and goes upstairs to look for Jordan and finds him dead.)
DRAE
*starts crying* oh my god! Jay wake up man, wake up, I cannot do this without you. Please wake up! What am I going to do man. I can't live with this baby alone.