“Love in Manifest”
By
Kyha J. Floyd
2416 Sloan Dr.
Charlotte, NC28208
704-392-1794
FAde In:ActI. /Scene 1
Portia’s brutal childhood…
POET NARRATOR
Everyday scars reminding her of the past…they reveal her struggles and how long they last…
At the dirty rodent ridden three story Hoyden Projects Portia’s mother Jocqa is beating on her like a runaway slave at age 9. The neighbors come out of their homes to see where the noise was coming from. Portia runs out of the apartment butt naked with bruises flying all around her showing her future in 3D before her eyes. (Fade back to black during the narrative poem).
poet narrator
Case the scene
Leave this place
Run fast as you can
Girlfriend
Don’t look back
Not at his face
Run quick
Be nimble
All the way to the end
Scope the exits
And get ready to go
Jump your head through the door
On the down low
Don’t be loud
Don’t even whisper
Don’t even think about it
Move quicker
Outside in darkness
The winds will whisper your cover
Cold as it may be
But it’ll make sure he’s missed her
The currents
Ill guide her way
To safety from the mister
She can’t go back to him
Not after the ways he disused her
Break the speed limit
Only if you have to
Don’t try to risk it
He will catch up to you disappear like he winds do
He’ll never remember who
Remember the escape plan
Leave his fire, leave the man…
Cut to:/Scene – 2 -Fast forward to seven years ahead where Portia witness a gang of young men in her mom’s old bedroom gang banging her 22 year old sister, Romaline. One of them being the man she is to fall in love with later on and her sister has a baby by. (Sexual moaning in the background)
ROMALINE
Portia go back outside and play with your friends
Portia turns around slowly and one of the gang bangers grabs her shoulders
Drake
We’re all friends here
Romaline gasps in ecstasy
Romaline
She’s just a child, Drake
Drake smirks at the thought that she is showing concern for someone
Drake
Girl has got to learn somehow right?
He pulls her shirt over her head as the door slams shut
Romaline
Drake no! She’s not even 16 yet!
Cut to:/Scene – 3 –Present time where Portia and Drake are engaging in a gun fighting lover’s quarrel. Other gangs down the street anti-up to join in the fight thinking it’s one of their boys in trouble with a rival gang. One of Drake’s men (Truck) standing guard on top of his limo throws a grenade at them to hold off their tyranny.
PORTIA
You self-serving bastard wanna shoot at me? How about I knock off all of your men and hang your ass?
Drake can hear exactly where she is and rounds the corner to come up behind her.
Drake
No matter how you put it, baby, it all comes out the same. You cheated me out of millions and now you must be dealt with.
As Portia turns a shot rings out killing her cold. All shooting ceases to exist and only a dead silence permeates the scene.
Drake
Shit, shit, shit!
Soon as Portia falls to the ground,Drake leaves in his waiting limo down the street too afraid to check her pulse.
POET NARRATOR
Many things by the looks of your demeanor
Has done you in so good you’ve become a deceiver
Taking the world by storm
Rising just to fall deep
Into your own abyss of shame, now a retreat
Not listening to the ones who have loved you was costly
You turned wrong from righteousness…what should not be from what ought to be
A traitor to your own person
Two faced once vowing to never but has now gone always hurting
You’ve cheated worse circumstances than this
And I don’t know how you managed to pull away from life’s bullets
You were a lost cause and on your way to being forgotten
A matter so pure to love has turned into something so rotten
And as you recover from your fall from grace
Look around you and see who has gone past you in the race
Your way to make up for loss time is staring you in the face
Ready to lead you into a more prosperous place…
Fade out intro:
Fade IN:Scene – 4 -
Portia majestically appears at her funeral where only a handful of people are in attendance. She glides in from the ground in a cloud of gray smoke and silver shadows to stand by her casket as if she’s guarding it from someone (Enter Minister Olajuan dressed in dreary robes carrying a horrible stench!).
Minister Olajuan
Let us all bow our heads in prayer!
The minister gives a short eulogy as her former friends go up to the casket. One of them, Lydia, a very timid yet vocal woman of decent moral virtueasks…
Lydia
Where is the graveyard from here?
Her friend Bailey, who is anything but virtuitous, goes to stand by the casket to look at Portia one last time.
Bailey
Just follow me to it. It won’t be a long service the minister is just gonna do the ‘ashes to dust’ thing and the coffin goes underground.
Lydiagives Bailey a world weary look as she is clearly uncomfortable with the whole ordeal. Portia enters the scene and look on as she props herself upon the opening of the casket. Clearly she is suspicious of Bailey’s intentions of making sure Portia stays dead.
Lydia
I’m gonna miss her so much, Bail. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without you.
Bailey pulls her close for a hug and comforts her in her usual Haitian ascent.
Bailey
She would want us to move on with our lives, honey. It won’t do the spirits any good to dwell on the past. Portia would want both of us to honor her life and get over what’s happened to her as quickly as possible.
The casket suddenly closes with a loud clack making them both jump and scream. They watch as a peace of paper float in the air then fall to the floor and down through an air vent.
Lydia (whispering)
What the hell was that?
Bailey goes to the vent to see if she can find the paper. A mist of red coloring appears before her seemingly stopping her dead in her tracks right in front of the casket. (Enter the minister with the stench of his presence preceding him)
Minister Olajuan
Is everything alright in here ladies? I heard a noise.
Bailey was still frozen where she stood oblivious to the minister’s presence or what he is saying. Lydia frowns at Bailey’s behavior before answering.
lydia
We’re fine here. The casket top just fell shut that’s all.
The minister looks as if he wasn’t sure about her explanation.
Minister olajuan
That aura around Ms. Cynchero’s casket tells me different. Well, anyhow, the hearse is ready to transport the body to the grave site. So if you and your friend here don’t mind letting these gentlemen escort the body we can move along.
Two horrifically fierce looking groomsmen, who seemingly appears out of nowhere to Lydia, picks up the casket with ease. Lydia gasps because she could swear that their hands never touch the casket. It seems to float in thin air.
Bailey
Come on, Lydia, let’s get out of here.
Bailey grabs Lydia’s arm and rushes her out of the sanctuary to the limo. Portia smiles as she shimmers to the graveyard ahead of them and lean on a pole under the tent waiting on their arrival.
lydia
Bail, that was creepy when the casket door shut, huh. I don’t think I like what the minister was insinuating about it either.
Bailey dials a number on her cell phone before answering her.
Bailey
We shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions before anything happens. Look at this piece of paper. It fell when the casket close.
Lydia takesit from Bailey’s hand and gasps at what she sees.
lydia
This is Portia’s handwriting. How can this be? I know she didn’t rise from the dead…did she?
Lydia gives Bailey an innocent blank look.
Bailey
After the funeral I think you and I should lay low for a while.
That scaresLydia more than the casket.
lydia
Why should we have to lay low, Bail? Besides,after the way that casket close I’m too scared to be by myself.
Bailey rolls her eyes heavenward.
Bailey
So what you think that Portia would come back to haunt us?
Lydia gives her a hysterical laugh.
Lydia
Well don’t you think it was a little odd in how she died? If someone killed me for no reason I’d come back and…
Bailey raises a finger at her in a signal to hold her thoughts as speaks into the cell.
Bailey
This is Bailey. It’s starting right now. Lydia and I are on our way to the grave site. Meet us out there in 5 minutes.
She closes the cell and places it back inside her purse.
Lydia
I don’t like the way this looks, Bail. I’m not laying low for anybody. Just because Portia was involved with those gangsters doesn’t mean I’m in danger. She made that choice not me.
Bailey knew that Lydia was someone who can’t easily be convincible to protect herself.
bailey
Then we’re both in trouble and there’s no escaping it.
Bailey is feeling ill at ease about her future. She tries to hide the fact of who is sleeping with Drake. She looks back at the note and reads the message that reads…
Message
I know now!
A sense of dread creeps up on her instantly as faint shadows of her evil ways pommel the nonchalant look on her face.
Cut to/Scene – 5 – Portia is walking in the entertainment district of the city. She shimmers to the dance floor observing every female on it. After about 20 seconds she spots two beautiful women snorting crack. Clapping her hands once, a brilliant fiery reddish brown light shines throughout the club blinding everyone within its vicinity. Portia emerges as the look alike to the Goddess Athena with long flowing fiery red hair with gold streaks stepping out from it almost naked. She looks perfect in a mix of both crack head women with long luxurious incredibly desirable shapely legs with a perfect figure eight body!
Clubber 1
Wow, man this is some powerful shit!
Portia looks at him and smirks as she heads toward Malachi, which is one of Drake’s men. His eyes are literally drooling with desire for her sexual prowess.
Malichi
That is not drugs compadre. Everyone here isn’t users. Nah, man that was something else from someplace else.
The clubber goes on to dance crazy again as Portia sits on the other side of Malachi
Portia
Barhop! Spill me some quill and lace it sexy!
Malachi giggles.
Bartender – 1 -
Yes ma’am, I gotcha!
Malachi looks at her wondrously.
Malachi
There’s no guessing at the fire in your blood.
Portia turns to face one of her many enemies from Drake’s clan. She smiles deceivingly at him.
Portia
I suppose you think every woman falls for your charming come on’s.
Malachi smiles back thinking she was taking his bait. The bartender comes back with her drink. Portia pulls money from Malachi’s pocket without him knowing and she pays the bartender.
Portia
Now I have that fire you were speaking of.
Portia downs her liquor in one big gulp
Malachi
How about another?
Portia shakes her head at him.
POrtia (seductively)
Oh, not on your first try lover! Don’t you want me to see how small it really is?
Malachi moves in closer to her as if to sexually intimidate her.
malachi
Maybe we should take this to a more private venue, hmn?
Portia laughs drearily.
portia
I say, I want you to die right here and now.
Malachi laughs thinking she’s playing. He never realizes she is serious until it’s too late. She grabs his head and look him in the eyes as hers grew brilliant white and time stands still when she conjures a force to pull his heart from its valve and hands it to him.
Portia
Eat your heart out lover!
Soon as Portia turns the corner time resumes with a loud scream from inside the club. No one notices the huge guardian angel, Levi, looking on from a vacant television stand before disappearing.
Cut to/Scene – 6 - Portia continues to head east to her condo in DruidTowers. She opens the door and finds Bailey and Lydia in it packing her stuff. Portia gets mad at them and haunts them until they leave.
Bailey
Did you feel that?
Lydia looks over at her questioningly.
Lydia
Feel what?
Bailey looks around the ceiling suspiciously.
Bailey
That! That wind.
Lydia frowns at her wondering if her paranoia is a way for her to grieve.
Lydia
You know what I think? I think you’ve lost your mind since Portia died.
Bailey looks at her incredulously.
Bailey
That is nonsense! Portia and I weren’t even that close. I mean she was your best friend.
Lydia looks at her suspiciously and was walking towards her when Portia telepathically moves a table and knocks her down.
BAILEY (Screaming)
What the hell is going on?
Portia appears out of nowhere to her and Bailey screams even louder.
POrtia
Aw…shut that shit up, bitch, before I give you something to holler about!
Bailey’s screaming slows down to a whimper.
Bailey
You killed her; you killed your best friend for no reason.
Portia snorts at her.
Portia
She’s not dead I just knocked her hell out. Sit your trifling ass down ‘cause we got some words to exchange.
Bailey is shaking like Portia did when her mother beat her as she sits down.
Bailey
Whatever it is I swear I never meant for anything bad to happen. Here, here I’ve got…I got…
Portia shakes her head at her.
Portia
Look you stupid heifer, I don’t need your dirty money. I’m dead just like you wanted me to be, remember.
A flashback of Bailey and Drake making plans to kill her while having sex, plays in her mind. She sits down still upset that secret is out even if Bailey won’t admit to it
POrtia (lighting a Cuban)
I will get my revenge against those who wanted me dead, make no mistake about it. However, that’s not even the best part. The best part is I get to use you as my whore like pimps would. I know you’re used to it.
Bailey holds her head down and nods. Portia moves to prop herself on the arm of the sofa beside Bailey. She drops ash on her head making her cry.
POrtia (evil laugh)
You were always an easy mark. I never knew why Drake chose you over me. The pussy must be out of this world. I’ll find out soon enough by the perverts I set you up with.
Bailey gasps and almost chokes on her own breath.
Bailey
Please, Portia I prom…
Portia laughs hysterically.
POrtia
Who the hell is Portia? I’m not Portia. Now do me a favor and pick this table up off of Lydia. Move bitch!
Bailey jumps at the tone of voice Portia uses on her.
Bailey
Okay, alright just don’t kill me.
Bailey moves the heavy coffee table off of Lydia.
Portia
Welcome back, Lydia. I hope you slept well.
Lydia looks around not sure of where she is or who she’s with.
Lydia
Portia!
Lydia slowly rises and rubs her eyes to make sure she’snot still dreaming. Her eyes grow wider as she takes in the vision of brilliant red and white auras framing her unfamiliar body frame. She seems to have gotten taller and slimmer. She hasa perfect shape of the figure eight with long flowing silky honey colored hair and beautiful wide deer brown eyes!
Portia
Who the hell is this “Portia” chick?
Bailey and Lydia exchange looks before attempting to answer her.
Lydia
Well of course you look nothing like her but your mannerisms are so similar and so is your voice.
Bailey tries to sneak out while Lydia has Portia’s attention but being dead gives one a certain advantage that being alive simply can’t. Portia catches her by moving a chair to clip her in the knees.
Portia
I hope you didn’t think you’d get away with what you did to me.
Bailey is still screaming.
Bailey
No, I was just…ah…I was going to…ah…apologize. Yeah…in a more sincere way.
Lydia soundly pops her lips.
Lydia
What is she talking about, Bailey, and why are you trying to run away from us?
Bailey rushes towards Lydia.
Bailey
She’s a demon, Lydia, run!
Portia acts quickly as she raises Bailey’s body in mid air. Lydia gasps and again faints falling this time on a nearby sofa. Portia squeezes her hold on Bailey and twirls her around then shakes her senseless until she foams at the mouth. She then drops her on the floor and floats over her body.