THE UNCRUCIFIED
By
Alm Hlgh
SMASHWORDS EDITION
* * * *
PUBLISHED BY:
Alm Hlgh on Smashwords
The Uncrucified
Copyright ©2006, 2010 by Alm Hlgh
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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Other Books by Alm Hlgh:
The Princess & The Thug: Hood Love
Saving Faith: Beginning of The Acquisition
Most Feared: How I Met My Wife
Taming The Golden Boys Of Central High
ACT ONE SCENE 1
FADE IN:
Setting: Fruit Market/Stand-Store
MARLEY: (Excited with glad tidings) Dunk-Master is coming! Dunk-Master is coming! Auntee Sylvania did you hear? The Dunk-Master is coming to town!
Marley hangs up his coat on one of several wall hooks. Marley a lanky teen of 16 has been living with his Aunt and Uncle since his mother died six years ago. Sylvania and Pops, a middle-aged slightly graying childless couple, are sitting in a small shady area of their store/vegetable fruit stand near a window. Pops a tall lean and slowly balding man, is perched upon a windowsill observing the locals. Sylvania a medium build short stature woman, is sitting nearby at a table picking through turnip and mustard greens.
SYLVANIA: (Un-enthusiastic) Calm down, Marley. We heard the news. It’s all over the television…
POPS: And the radio. Can’t get any decent broadcast since they announced the Piranhas are in town.
MARLEY: How can you stand it? I’m just about to burst.
POPS: Wait a minute, it’ll pass… I tell you, you people are like mindless sheep.
SYLVANIA: (Laughing) Keisha called…
MARLEY: Oh I’ll catch up with her later. You two have forgotten what it’s like to be young.
POPS: Grab that broom; I hope you remember how to use it… Speak of the angel, here comes Keisha…
Marley reluctantly takes the broom from its resting place in a nearby corner next to the upright six-foot freezer. Marley begins sweeping, only it’s more like a dance; as if he’s lost in a daydream.
Keisha, unusually tall for her 16 years, long, dark an rich mahogany hair mid-length to her back enters the store. She is petite; with large brown eyes that enhances her rich dark skin tone.
KEISHA: Hey Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. (blushing) Hey Marley…
SYLVANIA: (a knowing smile) Hi honey… How’s your grandmamma?
KEISHA: Her leg bothers her a bit… From when she had Polio as a child; other than that, she’s fine…
MARLEY: (not acknowledging Keisha) can we go into Main town and maybe steal a glance?
POPS: (Annoyed with Marley’s behavior) Boy, can’t you see you’ve got company?
MARLEY: (With Disregard) Hey Keisha… Can we go? Can we go…
SYLVANIA: I’ll settle for that ther’ dirt to git outta here. Sweep child, sweep.
As Marley is sweeping in walks a stranger. His walk is slow and causal as if he is calculating each step. Marley glimpses his shoes. Brand new, leather, Black with the “Kinx’s” logo. He sees the studded diamonds on the side. Slowly he raises his eyes as he feels his heart skipping beats. His eyes rise up, all the way up to the 6 foot 7 inches medium well-built frame. Almost as if in slow motion, Marley catches the man’s scent; signature cologne. Marley head rises meeting his idol’s gaze. Marley is almost speechless.
MARLEY: (In awe) It’s you; -(stammering and excited stuttering)- Dunk-dunk… The Dunk-Master. It’s you… Do you know who you are?
PHIL: (Humble but flattered) Do you know who you are? I’m Dunk…
MARLEY: You don’t have to introduce yourself. I know all about you… Four-times NBA MVP, five championships. Average 33 points per game, seven-rebounds, nine assists… Wow, this has got to be about the best day of my life.
POPS: (Walking up to Phil and Marley) Marley, don’t stand there drooling all over the man’s shoes.
KEISHA: See you later Marley… Bye Mr. and Mrs. Peterson…
SYLVANIA: Sweetie you don’t have to rush… It’ll just be a minute…
KEISHA: (disappointedly) Naw ma’am, I didn’t want anything particularly… I have to git back to grandma… See you Marley…
Marley star-struck, ignores Keisha. Phil gives Keisha a few appreciative glances as she exits.
PHIL: (Flattered) Oh it’s good to have fans.
POPS: What can I do you for?
PHIL: I’m looking for kumquats…
POPS: (Taken aback from his request) we don’t get much request for them…
PHIL: Packed with vitamin C -- energy rush.
POPS: Don’t have any on hand; but I can get you some tomorrow if you’re still interested.
Phil looks as if he is mulling it over.
PHIL: Tell you what, since I’ve got a fan here, I would love to come back.
POPS: (Apologetic) Oh, no-no. I’ll bring them myself if you don’t mind.
Marley openly almost burst with Pop’s suggestion.
MARLEY: I can do it! I can do it!
POPS: Not you num scull…
PHIL: (A real easy smile breaks through his face revealing beautifully polished teeth) that’s an even better idea.
Phil reaches in his inner jacket pocket removing a wallet. He opens the wallet and passes Pops a card.
PHIL: My info where I’m staying is on the card.
POPS: ‘Round two p.m.?
PHIL: Maybe seven-thirty; practice… That’s not too late is it?
MARLEY: (Rushing in with bated breath) No…
POPS: Well I guess not. (Extends a hand to Phil)
They shake. As Phil is turning to walk away, he affectionately rubs the top of Marley’s head. Marley is openly flattered by the gesture. Phil exits.
FADE OUT
ACT ONE SCENE 2
FADE IN:
Setting: Phil Dunkin’s hotel living room
Across town in an urban area a luxury hotel suite. The next day, Marley has taken a bus from his country town to go downtown to the Ritzmoor Hotel. He’s dressed more like an urban teen than the country boy of yesterday. He’s standing on the outside of Phil’s door. He knocks on the door.
PHIL: Come in, door open.
Marley struts in, carrying a medium-size heavy brown paper bag. Entering the room, Marley is overwhelmed with the grandeur of the room.
MARLEY: Whoa, no doubt this is off the sheezy-fa-heezy…
PHIL: (Surprised) What happened to that hick-country bumpkin’ accent from yesterday?
MARLEY: That’s for them. This is dope man; you living phat!
PHIL: Sit down, make yourself comfortable.
Marley is so awe-struck that he continues to stand absorbing the ambiance. The walks are covered with off-white silk wallpaper. The carpet is beige and so plush that with every step that Marley takes, it’s almost as if his feet are absorbed within the carpet. Fine Italian leather sofas adorn the oversized room. There is an attached full kitchen with an island and marble counter tops. Marley is captivated at these unbelievable signs of wealth.
Phil picks up a remote control. A false wall opens and a 50-inch plasma color television is revealed. Marley stumbles on the sofa in admiration of the television.
MALEY: Ah, dawg… Don’t be cruel…
PHIL: (Flattered by the boys responds) You like that huh?
MARLEY: Wickkety-wickkety whack! Fo’ Sho!
Suddenly Marley remembers the Kumquats. He passes Phil the bag.
MARLEY: Kumquats…
PHIL: Oh yeah, let me get your money. Sit down; You’ve got time? … Some of the guys are coming over.
MARLEY: (In shock and flattered) You mean it, you really, really mean it?
PHIL: Fo’ sho’… Got to keep my fans happy. (Taking a Kumquat out of the bag, popping it whole in his mouth (peel also)) Besides, you came all the way over here to bring me my energy-rush. (frowning at the sour flavor)
MARLEY: I’ll have to call my aunt and uncle first.
PHIL: (Surprised) Oh those aren’t your parents?
MARLEY: Na, my mother died of a drug overdose… Never knew my daddy.
PHIL: Deep man. (He pops another whole Kumquat in his mouth) Go ahead, the phone is right there. (Frowning) I’ll be back…
Phil sets the bag of Kumquats on the island in the adjourning dining area of his suite. He then goes to exit but abruptly stops and turns around as if he has forgotten something.
PHIL: Tell you what, why don’t you ask them if you can spend the night. I’ll have my chauffeur drop you off after practice tomorrow.
MARLEY: (Too excited to get words our straight) You--- What… Ah… Man…
PHIL: (Suddenly serious) No? Oh, okay…
MARLEY: No! I mean yes! I mean—I mean, straight.
Phil exits. Marley picks up the phone and dials.
MARLEY: (Excited but speaking like his old self) Hello, Pops?… Yea it’s me. Dunk—I mean Mr. Dunkin just invited me to stay tonight… He said I could go with him to practice tomorrow. Watch the whole team….But Pops… No I didn’t, he asked… By himself… Ah come on Pops… Besides it’s going to be really-really late taking the bus now… Well can’t you ask Aunt Sylvania? Okay, I’ll hold…
Pause. Pause.
MARLEY: Yea Pops? (excitedly) Ah man… You’re the greatest! Thanks Pops. Tell Aunt Sylvania I said thanks too… Okay, I will… Okay, okay… Yea, I love you too. I gotta go… Bye…
Phil returns. He hands Marley a $100.00 bill.
MARLEY: Whoa, I can’t change that.
PHIL: That’s for you. Here, this is for the Kumquats.
He gives Marley a $20.00 bill.
MARLEY: (Weakly protesting) I can’t take your money…
PHIL: (Smiles knowingly) Think of it as a delivery charge. After all you had to ride on a bus for how many hours?
MARLEY: Three-and-a-half hours.
PHIL: (A little shocked) Three and a half hours?!(whistling) Damn I think I could have grown some quicker.
They laugh. Phil palms the bill in Marley’s hand. Marley without looking at the bill puts it in his back pocket.
PHIL: I’m going to take a shower. The boys should be here later. Watch some TV. There’s a Playstation, X-BOX and wii with games in the cabinet under the television. You hunger? Order room service.
As Phil turns to leave he playfully shrugs Marley on the shoulder. Alone in the room, Marley eyes the exquisite leather sofa. He takes a running start and jumps on the sofa. He picks up the remote control.
MARLEY: Ooh Tivo, sweet… Now this is living…
Marley is interrupted by knocking on the door. He hears the guys talking on the other side of the door.
Marley walks towards the back of the room, where Phil went to take his shower. He slightly opens the door.
MARLEY: Want me to answer the door?
As they talk, more impatient knocking can be heard.
PHIL: Yea.
VOICES: Come on Dunk, open up the door.
VOICES: Yea, let’s get this party started.
The guys knock some more.
VOICES: Dunk, Dunk, Dunk…
Marley walks towards the front door. He opens the door. The team literally pours into the room. The team is the average size of any professional basketball team. They go off in various directions. Some head for the mini-bar, some goes straight to the sofa to look at television. Others go directly to the telephone and begin to order room service.
REGGIE: (Doing an imitation of Little Red Ridin’ Hood) Why Dunk, what strange height you have?
MARLEY: No, I’m just a friend of Dunk’s.
REGGIE: Whoa, I didn’t know Dunk rolled like that. He into the big boys.
JACKSON: Hey couz, what’s up? Where are the hoochies?
Phil enters from taking his shower. He reaches into the bag on the counter eating more Kumquats. His hair is still wet.
PHIL: What’s up?
He squeezes on the sofa with Marley and Reggie.
PHIL: See you met my road dawg.
REGGIE: Not quite. We were in the middle of introductions. I’m …
MARLEY: (Excited and in shock he finishes his sentence.) …One-Shot Reggie McFarland. (Pointing as he calls each of their names). And you… you’re Juiceman, Jackson Hayes. The Clean-up Man Pierce Dawson, and you’re Swoop-Ally-Oop Larry Lewis.
LEWIS: Damn, I see you on your game.
MARLEY: (Marveling) Can’t believe I’m standing in the same room with the Fabulous Five.
PIERCE: Now that all the introductions have been made, when’s the food and the chicks getting here?
Abruptly the telephone rings.
PHIL: Hello? Hey baby, how you doing? (Placing a finger over his lips, indicating for them to be quiet.) Naw babe, I’m just going to stay in tonight, order room service and relax… How’s baby girl? Getting big huh? Yea, I hate these long pre-season practices too. Hey, but I’ve got to keep my babies in style… (laughing). I know baby… It’s hard on me too. But it’s only for a few more weeks. Then the regular season starts… You and baby girl can come to some of the road trips with me…
Knocking on the door gives him the exodus he was searching for.
PHIL: Look hon, room service is here, I’ve got to go… Yea, love you too… Bye. Come in…
In walk seven attractive ladies dressed provocative.
PIERCE: Hello good times… Got Magnas?
Jackson produces a roll of condoms connected together still in their packets.
JACKSON: Let the games begin…
FADE OUT
ACT TWO SCENE 1
FADE IN:
Setting: Hotel Phil’s room
The party is in full swing. Music (R & B; RAP) is blaring and the television is on but muted. Empty beer cans, bottles and paper garbage are scattered across the room. Some of the men are seen with women sitting in their laps suggestively in the middle of heated kisses. Marley is sitting at the island/counter area on a stool. He’s unsure as to whether or not he’s watching the happenings in the room or television.
Phil is sitting in one of the chairs with two young ladies sprawled over him. One is in his lap kissing him ferociously and the other one is behind him, kissing and rubbing on him. He happens to look up in the direction of Marley. Their eyes meet. Abruptly he stops kissing the women. He motions for the ladies to stop. They mildly protest. He stands and walks over to Marley.
PHIL: Wild, huh? You alright?
MARLEY: I’m straight… Just chillin’…
PHIL: You see anything here you like?
MARLEY: (Blushing shyly) Of-of, I’m cool man….
PHIL: Cool huh? … You, you not gay? Cuz if you are that’s cool too?
MARLEY: (Abruptly standing in shocked)What!… No, no, nothing like that… It’s it’s just, you know…
PHIL: (Probing) What? You got something going with that nice little Philly I saw in the shop? (Reaching on the counter and getting a beer)
MARLEY: Keisha? Naw-naw… It’s nothing like that…
PHIL: What? That’s a fly little honey… Tight body with a little junk in her trunk…
MARLEY: Keisha cool… We’re not like that… She’s like my sister…
PHIL: Sister huh… Wouldn’t mind dating yo’ sistah, my damn self… Then what? … Ah, man you never done the deed? (He signifies to the ladies).
MARLEY: (Blushing more intense) Hey man…
PHIL: It’s cool. Let me hook you up… You want some of that? (Pointing to one of the ladies that was kissing him)
MARLEY: Dunk, no!
PHIL: It’s cool…. I’ve got you… Tina, she’s got mad skills. Drive a brother right out of his skull. Works magic with her lips… Just relax, I’ve got you little man… Hey Tina…
TINA: (The lady who was sitting on his lap responds with a big smile) Yea Dunk?