Sounds of traffic & light rainfall. Lena’s phone rings through the car. She sighs heavily before answering.
(Lena): You should not be calling me.
(???): Off screen. Sorry…can we meet? It’s important.
(Lena): Mouthing. Shit.
(???): Off screen. Lena?
(Lena): …Do you know the big car park on Whitfield st?
***
(Lena): I can’t do it Jade.
(Jade): Shaky. Lena, they shot my brother and his girl. Then they left them to bleed out in the street like animals.
(Lena): Look, I’m sorry for your loss…but I don’t know who did it, and even if I did, going after them would only make things worse.
(Jade): I don’t care! I can’t take the not knowing…i-if it’s a money thing then I–
(Lena): –It is not a fucking money thing! Sighing. Jarell was grown…he made his choices.
(Jade): Choices?! He made the best of the hand he was fucking dealt. If it wasn’t for your brother, Jarell wouldn’t have got into half the shit he did. Why does Luis get to slink off into the sunset when they won’t even release Jarell’s body from the fucking morgue.
(Lena): Well it’s a criminal case–
(Jade): –Oh fuck you. Do you even know why he went to work in Willow Creek? ‘Cause Luis does.
Tense silence falls between them. Realisation washes over Lena. Once again, she must pay a debt that her family owes.
(Lena): Quiet. It won’t bring him back Jade.
(Jade): I know…but he would’ve done the same for me.
(Benito): I know you’re going through the unimaginable right now, but if you think of anything, anything at all that you think could aid us in our investigation, then please let me or one of my colleagues know. You have my card, if you need anything in the coming weeks please feel free to reach out.
(Toni-Ann): Weary. Thank you officer.
(Jade): Sudden. Have you spoken to his friends yet? Michael, Kenan, Jake? Any of them lot?
(Benito): We’re still in the early stages of investigation. We are conducting interviews but I hope you can understand that I can’t discuss with who.
(Jade): So why are you here then?
(Toni-Ann): Jade.
(Benito): It’s fine - of course you want answers. I wish I had them but right now, the best thing I can do is conduct this investigation as thoroughly as possible.
(Jade): And how long will that take? What about the funeral? Why the fuck is my brother rotting in the morgue when he should be laid to rest? You’re not gonna find anything! The people that did this probably pay your salary!
(Toni-Ann): Tearful. That’s enough, Jade! Apologise to detective Marquez! Now!
(Jade): Standing up. Nah mum! You know what Jarell was doing! The feds aren’t gonna do shit and you know it! [To Benito] So unless you can bring my brother and his girlfriend back from the dead then you’re fucking useless to us!
start / previous / next / what did max do to jade's car? (they did it to aj's by mistake and jade's on purpose ☝🏾)
More than most, Max knew that self-awareness did not prevent stupidity. Reeling from the disastrous nature of last night's dinner, they'd come to the salon on one of Jade’s working days as a last ditch attempt. The end of the month was fast approaching and their goal of facing the Fengs seemed near unreachable. In hindsight, it was foolish to provide such a locked timeframe. When they were together, Jade had once drunkenly revealed that her fountain of gossip occasionally dipped below the surface and Max being Max had never forgotten.
Last night had caused Max to wonder if the universe was fucking with them. San Myshuno was small but now it felt oppressive. A friendship with Lena seemed childish and ill-conceived, but with Max’s recent luck it was inevitable. They had acknowledged this in the early hours of this morning, alone in bed and unable to sleep. Thankfully, Rose had gone back to her place last night, having a family thing later today. She’d been remarkably understanding about everything, which secretly pissed Max off. If the tables were turned, Max would have started an argument in the uber home and would have continued it all the way to their front door. Not because they had particularly deep feelings for Rose, but on the principle that they simply hate to feel embarrassed.
(transcript below)
[Sounds of black hair hair salon - but in London]
(CLIENT): No way!
(JADE): Yep, half the parish babes and the deacon!
(CLIENT): So that’s why he left so suddenly! My nan swears down they’re setting him up chile but I was never sure.
(JADE): I just feel sorry for his wife and kids, man. They don’t deserve that mess at all. So I’m just gonna put you under the dryer, but let me know if it’s getting too hot okay?
(MAX): …Hi. Can I talk to you for a sec? I come in peace.
(JADE): [Kisses her teeth] I’m literally working.
(MAX): I know but I just need a few minutes. It won’t take long, I swear.
(JADE): Unless you’re here to finally pay me back the £450 it cost to fix my car, I ain’t got shit to say to you.
(MAX): Hm. Well let’s call that a cheating tax shall we?
(JADE): I told you, she was just a friend!
(MAX): You fuck all of your friends! - You know what, it doesn’t matter. I need to ask you something important.
(JADE): [Sarcastic] Oh really? ...Get the fuck out of my face Maxine.
