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 wont lil 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

Yo wassup 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, lets get 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.

(Drae starts to talk to his self a lot.)

Drae

I guess the only thing I can do is be strong for Mom, Paige, and Jordan and raise Baby Vanessa. I mean that's what they would want right.

God

Yes Drae, please make your family proud. I'm willing to forgive you for your mistakes. You have to stop selling drugs, accept the principal that was offered to you in Atlanta and raise the baby.

DRAE

God? Is that you? I hear you man. I just wanna do right.

God

You'll be able to once you take my advice.

DRAE

Okay okay. I hear you.

Scene 19

(Drae hangs up the phone he is smiling very hard and jumping up and down.)

DRAE

OMG Vanessa guess what?

*baby just stares at him*

DRAE

I got offered to be Principal at North Atlanta High School! I am so happy, god has blessed me with a lot. Am I going to take it? Of course imma take it I have to live right for and by you. I am so happy right not  words can't even explain. Vanessa, aren't you happy?

*baby is still just staring at him*

DRAE

I cant believe this is happening. All my dreams are unfolding right in front of me. We are moving to Atlanta and I am going to take care of you the right away, and do what Mom always wanted me to do. I am going to teach these high school kids got gang banging and selling drugs is not the right thing to do, since I know from experience I will be able to relate to them and their struggles. God got us Vanessa were going to be okay. I love you so much!!!!!

(Drae picks up the baby, kisses her and spins her around in the air.)