The A Train: Episode 1 (Scenes 1-10)

Scene #1 

(9 years 334 days) 30 days left 

7:00 a.m. 

(Ramone is doing push-ups in his cell listening to HOT 97 Morning show) 

(Shareese’s alarm clock goes off at 7:00 a.m. and HOT 97 Morning Show automatically comes on. She hits the snooze button) 

(Joseph is in a yellow cab listening to HOT 97 Morning Show on his way home from the Club, 7:00 a.m. His phone rings…..Laurie is calling) 

(Screen is split into three while all of this is happening. When Joseph answers the phone, the screen merges into one.) 

(Laurie is walking to the “A” train station) 

Laurie: Where are you?? 

Joseph: Good Morning to you too! 

Laurie: I’m serious, do you see what time it is? 

Joseph: I’m in a cab on my way home. After the club, I went to the studio. You didn’t get my text? 

Laurie: Hold on!.......Oh, I was so mad when I woke up, I didn’t even check for messages or missed calls. You know I don’t like waking up and you’re not next to me…… 

Joseph: I had a last minute session and they were paying extra for the short notice. This is how I’m going to get my name up. I’m sorry though…. How can I make it up to you? 

Laurie: I’ll let you know when I get home, I’m walking into the train station… I love you… 

Joseph: Love you more… 

Scene #2 

(Screen splits into three) 

7:15am 

(Shareese’s alarm goes off again. This time she hits the alarm button and gets up. As she wakes up, her daughter bursts into her room and jumps on the bed)

(Screens merges into one) 

Naomi: Wake up Mommy 

Shareese: Calm down NayNay…. What’s the rush? 

Naomi: I want some cereal and I can't find the remote! 

(Shareese goes straight to the bathroom with Naomi on her heels. She sits on the toilet and starts to relieve herself. Naomi stands right there with an impatient expression on her face) 

Shareese: Can I get some privacy? 

Naomi: You watch me tinkle. 

Shareese: I’m grown, little girl! What kind of cereal you want? 

Naomi: Crunch Berries 

Shareese: Go to the kitchen table 

(Naomi runs off. Shareese goes to the living room and sees the remote between the cushion of the couch. Shakes her head) 

Shareese: Did you even look for the remote NayNay? 

Scene #3 

(Screen splits into two screens) 

(Ramon is taking a bird bath in his cell after his workout) 

(Screens merges into one screen) 

(Ramon is wiping his face with a wet rag, when someone startles him) 

C.O. Harris: Hey Santiago! 

(Ramon looks at her blankly, clearly annoyed) 

Ramon: Yo! 

C.O. Harris: Eew, What’s your problem? 

Ramon: You getting real loose. I got no shirt on and you just staring at me in my cell. What if one of these haters see you, or one of your cock blocking coworkers catch you.

C.O. Harris: First of All, I’m the sergeant on this tour and I run this shit. Second, I’m doing my rounds. I can’t help I like what I see. 

Ramon: Listen Tiesha, I got 30 days left. I don’t need no drama. You know these dudes be all up your ass. You gotta chill out. 

C.O. Harris: Chill out? When I bring contraband to you or sucking yah dick, it’s all good then right… 

Ramon: Shhh!!! What the fuck is wrong with you? You buggin Tiesha. You know it aint like that. I just wanna make it out of here. I told you we gonna link up as soon as I hit the town. 

C.O. Harris: I know baby, I just can’t wait to feel you in me. You so sexy when you get mad. Anyways, I have to go. I’ll have someone bring you some food later. 

(C.O. Harris says I love you silently with her lips and walks away. Ramon looks in the mirror and shakes his head) 

Scene #4 

(Screen splits into three screens) 

(Laurie walks upstairs from the “A” train station) 

(Screen merges into one screen) 

(She walks up two blocks to the school she works at, taking in the scenery. Laurie sees a group of boys rolling dice on the side of the school. One of them she knows for a fact is a student of hers) 

Rico: Any side bets!!?? 2 dollas I 4 and betts! 

Teenager 1: “No bet” 

Teenager 2: Bet!! 

Teenager 3: Oh shit! Ms. McMilan! 

Rico: “Fuck” 

(The two boys walk away. Rico is caught rolling the dice as his teacher walks up…. the other boy stand stuck)

Laurie: Watch your language 

Rico: Sorry Laurie 

Laurie: MS. Mc.Millan…!! That is what you address me as. 

Rico: Calm down, I call my moms by her first name. 

Laurie: I’m not your mother… 

(Rico looks at the floor) 

Rico: Lucky you…… 

Laurie: I didn’t mean it like that 

(Other boy walks away) 

Rico: It’s cool… I know what you meant 

Laurie: Why are you out here rolling dice instead of being in class? 

Rico: I got homeroom right now, So technically I don’t have a class. 

Laurie: So why are you here so early? 

Rico: To hustle up some lunch money… 

Laurie: You mean to tell me you come to school early just to gamble? 

Rico: Yup!! 

Laurie: Boy… get to class….. Make sure I see you in my class fifth period. 

Rico: Gotta check my schedule… I’m a busy man! 

Scene #5 

(Joseph is looking through his phone checking his social media to see the footage of the club he D.J.”ed” at last night. While he is smoking a joint.. Sportscenter is on TV.) 

(Joseph is looking at footage of a stripper grinding on him in the club last night. SelfMade Magazine was in the building, and now they had access to take pictures and videos. Now they were posting everything on their page. “Phone rings” screen splits into two screens)

Joseph: What’s up Toni? 

Antonio: Did you see the video on the Self-Made page? I see they @tagged you…. 

Joseph: I’m looking at it right now…. 

Antonio: You don’t sound too happy about it. 

Joseph: This is the type of shit Laurie be on my back about. I can’t let her see it. 

Antonio: Are you serious? Laurie don’t be on social media… She got you scared like that? She knows what you do for a living. 

Joseph: She got friends and family that be on my page…. She already pissed I didnt’t make it home last night. 

Antonio: I got the perfect get out of jail free card. I got four tickets to the Knicks vs Nets games. I’m taking my new prospect with me. I need you to play wingman and you can get back on Laurie’s good side. 

Joseph: I don’t know…. it’s a school night…. so she might not want to go... 

Antonio: A school night! (Toni laughs) You sound crazy right now… Who wears the pants… 

Joseph: (Joseph laughs too) I’ll see what I can do… I’ll call you back in a few hours… Antonio: Come on Joey, I need you…. Make sure you call me back… 

(Screen splits into three screens) 

(Shareese is dropping Naomi off at daycare. She walks a few blocks to the “A” train) (Screen merges into one screen) 

Scene #6 

(Shareese is on the train listening to her music on her phone. Train stops, she exits the train and walks up the stairs. She heads towards the hospital she works at. She feels a light tap on her shoulder. She turns around agitated, until she sees who it is) 

Shareese: Oh, hey Mike…. 

Mike: If looks could kill…

(He puts both hands up, as if to surrender) 

Shareese: You just can’t be touching people, this is New York she said playfully.. 

Mike: I was calling your name until I realized you had your earbuds on. You looking beautiful today… 

Shareese: (Rolling her eyes) Boy bye… I’m wearing scrubs and my hair is in a ponytail.. Mike: And you still look good... You filling that uniform up... 

Shareese: (Blushing) Flattery will get you everywhere 

Mike: What about everything?? 

Shareese: Don’t start today Mike... You got a slick mouth… 

Mike: All jokes aside, Shareese. Let me take you out…. I’m not a creep. 

Shareese: You talk like one… Besides, we work together... We cool, Let’s not mess that up. 

Mike: Listen… let me show you me outside of work… I know I flirt a little with the staff. Shareese: A little!!?? 

Mike: OK OK! A lot…. But that’s just to make the day go by… I never took any of them out. You move different. You got personality and a presence about you. 

Shareese: Different huh? What do you have in mind Mike…. Imma let you shoot yah shot... 

Mike: Funny you say that... My cousin works at the Barclays… I can get two tickets to the Nets game tonight. I can shoot my shot while Harden shoots his. 

Shareese: You know what…. my daughter’s father is picking her up from school today, and I’m off tomorrow. So, I’ll take you up on your offer. But…You know what Eminem said in 8 mile… You only get one shot. 

Mike: (Mike smiles) That’s why I like you… You pretty and witty.. 

Shareese: Like I said…. Flattery will get you everywhere… 

Mike: Like I said…. what about everything??? 

Shareese: (Blushing) Bye Mike…. see you after work…

(They punch the shift clock and walk separate ways) 

(Screen splits into three screens) 

Scene #7 

(Ramon walks into the Mess Hall, looks at the C.O. sitting in the highchair…. They make eye contact and nod heads… Ramon looks around until he sees who he’s looking for and heads his way. As he walks towards him they lock eyes… The man was talking to another inmate... the inmate looks back to see what caught his attention, sees Ramon coming and gets up) 

(Rico walks into the student cafeteria…. looks at the security guard… they make eye contact and nod heads… Rico looks around until he sees who he’s looking for and heads in that direction. Three girls are sitting at a table while two boys stand and talk to them. One girl breaks her neck to lock eyes Rico…. The other four students turn around and see Rico heading their way… The two boys walk away) 

Rico: Whatup Ladies!? 

(Screen merges into one) 

Keisha: Hey Rico 

Tammy: Hey Rico Suave 

Elyse: (“Rolls her eyes and pops her gum”) Aint you supposed to be in (ELA) class right now? Rico: Damn….. you got my program card or something…. Hall monitor… 

Elyse: Actually I do…. You never came to homeroom this morning… You gotta stop cutting class, especially Ms. McCullin’s class… You know she don’t play that shit… 

Rico: Chill out E…. I got Laurie under control…. Anyways, I had somebody hand in my assignment… 

Tammy: Laurie!!!? You talking like she ya girl or something 

Keisha: Uh oh….Somebody sound jelly… 

Tammy: Shut up… 

Keisha: Anyway!!! Why all these boys act like they scared of you… I was getting my mack on till you showed up…

Rico: I don’t know…. Ask them 

Elyse: You got cards!! 

Rico: You know I do…. Fresh deck too… What we doing? 

Elyse: 1 dollar a head…. Me and Keisha against you and your number one fan… 

Tammy: (Blushes) Whateva!!! 

(Two more girls walk up…. We got next!!) 

(Screen splits into two screen) 

Scene # 8 

Ace: What up Smooth 

Ramon: Aint shit….. come collect and connect 

(Screen merges into one) 

Ace: I got some names for you to check on your Cash App and Rah said he wanna holla at you… He over there doing his gang shit…. 

Ramon: Cool….. How many fifties you got left? I’m waiting on you…. 

Ace: I got ten left….. I got some cartons for you too…. 

Ramon: Bro…. I got 30 days left….. You keep them shits or better yet cashapp them shits… I need every dolla I can get…. Did you handle the mail out check situation? 

Ace: Did that three days ago…. I got the receipt from homie too…. 

Ramon: That’s why I fucks with you….. You don’t play when it comes to money…. I’m telling you…. you can take the whole compound when I leave… 

Ace: That’s the plan Big Bro…. What’s yours? 

Ramon: My what? 

Ace: You plan….. You know…. when you get out..

Ramon: Honestly, I don’t have a plan… I got somewhere to lay my head…. but I been down for a while. I have to readjust to the world, I been away for a decade… A lot of shit has changed….. I just wanna sit back and watch for a minute…. I got a couple of stacks to play with, but once I go shopping its basically a wrap…. 

Ace: Shit….. At least you keep it real…. All these niggas say they gonna get straight to the bag and fuck all these instagram baddies…… You aint got no family or friends? 

Ramon: All my friends either in prison like me, dead, or on the run….. Most of my family is in the Dominican Republic…. I got a son I wasn’t able to build a bond with….. He was four when I left…. Now he’s 14 moving like 40…. 

Ace: I didn’t know you had a kid….. Yo yah man Rah bout to pull up... Imma see you in the yard tonight…….Easy!!! 

Rah: Whats poppin Smooth!! 

Ramon: Me and You….. Never them…. 

Rah: I got 4 zips back at the Unit…. What you want me to do? 

Ramon: Meet me and Ace in the yard tonight…. 

(CO Harris walks into the messhall with two other CO’s…. She looks right at Ramon….) 

Ramon: Listen…. I got some shit to do…. I’ll see you tonight….. We really gotta chop it up too….. 

Rah: Say less!! 

(Screen Splits into three) 

(School is letting out….. Kids all over…..) 

(Laurie is walking towards the “A” Train when she spots Rico mingling with a group of girls) (Screen merges into 1) 

Scene #9 

Elyse: Where yah wanna go eat at? 

Keisha: I don’t care…. I’m starving…. 

Rico: Let’s go to the pizza spot…. They got dollar slices for students….. I got a few dollars to spare… I got yah….

Elyse: You real funny…. You treating us to a meal with our own money…. 

Rico: Nah..!! (Laughs) I made this money rolling dice this morning….. 

Tammy: You stay with money….. 

Keisha: You stay on his dick….. 

Tammy: Shut up Keisha!..... 

Elyse: “(Pops her gum”) Here come yah girl Rico…. 

Tammy: Where?! (She breaks her neck to see the OP) 

Keisha: Damn… thirsty…. 

Rico: Who?...Damn she got GPS on me…. Fuck…. 

Laurie: I read lips…. Watch your language… Why weren’t you in class today. 

Elyse: Meet us at the pizza spot… you owe! 

(Keisha and Elyse walks away, Tammy stands there) 

(Tammy looks Laurie up and down) 

Keisha: Tammy, let’s go!! 

(Tammy rolls her eyes at Laurie and joins her friends..) 

Rico: Why you on my body?! 

Laurie: Excuse me?! I didn’t touch you… 

Rico: (Shakes his head and laughs) It means sweating me.. crowding me….Get it?.... Nevermind!! I had my assignment handed in…. What’s the problem? 

Laurie: I see potential in you…. You’re one of my smartest students but you don’t apply yourself... Class participation and attendance are a part of your grade also… 

Rico: (Smirks) You think I’m smart?..... 

(Phone rings…. Laurie reads the name and smiles immediately…)

Laurie: I know you’re smart….. I have to take this call…. I’ll see you in class, tomm right??? Rico: We’ll see Laurie… (“smiles and walks away”) 

(Screen splits into three) 

Joseph: Hey beautiful….. How was your day? 

(Screen split (merges) into two) 

Laurie: It was okay….. Can I ask you a question? 

Joseph: Anything Babe 

Laurie: Am I on your body? 

Joseph: (Laughs hard) What!!.... (still laughing) Where did you hear that? 

Laurie: What’s so funny…? Answer the question…. 

Joseph: You do know it can be a good or bad thing….. I want you on my body… 

Laurie: Mm hm….. Whatever Joey!... Are you home? 

Joseph: Yeah…Waiting on you…... Listen, Toni has four tickets to the Nets & Knicks game…. I want to take you out tonight… 

Laurie: It’s a school night babe…. I have to get up in the morning… 

Joseph: I know…. We haven’t been out in a while... Besides.. I want to make it up to you for last night…. 

Laurie: Ok Joey…… But after the game, you got some more making up to do at home…. 

Joseph: No problem…… 

Laurie: I’ll be home soon…. I’m about to get on the “A” Train…. Love you 

Joseph: Love you more…. 

(Joseph texts Antonio “It’s a go”) 

(Screen splits into three screens)

Scene #10 

(Shareese just punched out…. She is on her way out the door… she hears someone call her name…. She stops in her tracks…) 

(Screens merges into one screen) 

Mike: You trying to slide out the back door?..... I don’t have your number….. We haven’t made any plans… 

Shareese: You know what time I get off…. I expected to run into you…. Especially if you serious about taking me out… 

Mike: Oh so you testing me…. You want to see if I was full of shit…. Like I told you….. I really like you…. So give me your number so I can call you…. I need to know where to pick you up from… 

Shareese: I didn’t know you had a car…. I would rather us meet on the train…. You haven’t earned my address yet. You still on probation….. 

Mike: That’s fair…… I actually respect that…. I don’t mind earning your trust… Let me walk you to the train…. 

Shareese: A gentleman….. You scoring points and we didn’t make it to the game yet… 

Mike: I got a lot about me you need to experience… I told you Mike outside of work is different…. 

Shareese: Well… You got all night to show me the real you… 

Mike: All night?? 

Shareese: Oh boy…. Here you go…! 

Mike: Just playing… Can get a hug at least… 

(They hug…. Shareese walks downstairs into the “A” train station… Mike watches her until she disappears) 

(Screen splits into two screens) 

(Elyse and her friends sit at a booth in the pizzeria….. Rico walks in….) 

(Screen merges into one screen)