EXT. APRTMENT - PATIO - DAY

Sheila, 18, beautiful young independent college student, looks down from patio at the busy traffic on the road. 

The door to the room opens.

SHEILA

Finally decided to come inside, Mon.

Sheila turns her head to look back in the room.

SHEILA

You should come out here and see the view it’s breathtakingly beautiful.

INT. APARTMENT - ROOM DOOR - DAY 

Monel, 18, handsome party-boy college student.

MONEL

What is there to see besides traffic jams and people trying to get to their destination?

SHEILA

Oh come on, Monel, cheer up. LA is the city that's going to make us successful in life. Wait and see—you're going to thank me for dragging you out here once you get to know the city and her people.

 

MONEL

Why couldn't you be like any normal New York girl and just want to party every day and enjoy wasting our parents' money every night in the clubs back home?

Sheila smiles at Monel and looks up to the sky. She sways back and forth, trying to get a whiff of a breeze as if she was a fairy.

SHEILA

If I did that, I wouldn't be your sister now, would I?

Monel looks at the two twin beds side by side with black and white bedsheets; and then at the old TV on wall across from beds. He looks on to the purple wall color that goes against the bedsheets.

MONEL

I must have angered the universe in my past life to be living in a situation like this when I could have just stayed in a mansion with Mom and Dad.

Monel takes a deep breath and wiggles his nose at the smell of bleach from the bathroom. 

SHEILA

You're here because Mom and Dad want to you to be a little independent 

Sheila shakes her head.

SHEILA

And because you got in some trouble with your friends I would have been fine on own.

Monel looks down at floor and shoves one hand in his pocket the other in his hair.

MONEL

(grunts)

No, I am here because you wanted to be independent on your own, and I was forced to come along with, or my Mom and Dad would have cut me out the will.

SHEILA

Either way, you have to live with me and make your life more meaningful by earning your own money from now. 

Looking angrily at her brother.

SHEILA

Cause you're not going to see any allowance coming your way while your here from Mom and Dad.

 

Monel walks his way to the patio and stands next to sheila. He taps his finger on the balcony and looks at the people on the sidewalk.

MONEL

This all your fault, you know.

SHEILA

Uh. No, you got into this mess on your own, because mom and dad both know that I am very responsible.

(Rolls eyes)

 

Now, don't forget that we are going to the same college, and we need to find jobs to earn money to make a living. I am not paying your half of the rent, and from now on, we will be living a frugal life until we earn decent money and get good-paying jobs.

Monel squints his eyes.

MONEL

Again, I ask this. Why, oh, why could you not have turned out to be a normal rich party girl?

(exhales)

There is nothing wrong with that. Our parents make enough money. They won't run out of it if you spend most of your time shopping.

SHEILA

(chuckles)

Because, unlike you, I want to do something in life and not just depend on our parents' money.

Sheila’s phone starts ringing. She looks at it laying on the small table on the patio. Monel walks over and picks it up.

MONEL

Its Mom and Dad.

SHEILA

They’er probably calling to check on us.

Monel picks it up and turns on the voice speaker.

MONEL

This is Sheila’s phone. The son you disowned is speaking. How may I help you?

Sheila sighs and Monel sits on the chair.

MOM

Why have you not called us back to let us know if you arrived safely?

DAD

Do you have any idea how worried we were about you.

SHEILA

(wearily)

Mom, Dad, relax we just got to our apartment right now.

DAD

In other words you got off the plane two hours ago and didn’t bother to call us and check in with us.

Sheila massages her forehead and sighs.

MOM

Monel, is the most irresponsible one between you two Sheila. But you sheila, I didn’t expect this from you.  

DAD

Should we be regretting that we let you move out the state at such a young age.

MONEL

Yes! You should let us move back right away.

Monel sits up straight in his chair. Sheila looks at Monel and shakes her head in disappointment.

SHEILA

(Sighs)

Mom, Dad, Relax. We were just about to call you right now. And don’t worry about Monel he will be fine here with me.

MOM

That’s good to hear. 

MONEL

What do you mean by that. Mom, did you forget I am the oldest here. 

(looks at sheila)

I should be the one in charge of taking care Sheila.

DAD

That would have happened. In fact if you were a little bit responsible. You wouldn’t be in LA. Sheila doesn’t need anyone taking care of her. 

(Monel makes a face)

It’s you that we are worried about.

Sheila laughs and smiles at Monel.

MOM

And just so you know we are not paying for your living arrangements while your in LA attending school. This something Sheila wanted. 

DAD

This will also teach you, Monel to grow up as an adult in life. Because we aren’t always going to be in your life.

MOM

You will have to find jobs for yourselves. That’s all we called you to remind you of.

DAD

Yes. And make sure you guys visited us during when you have breaks from school. Okay?

SHEILA

Will do.

(shakes her head)

Monel breaths loudly and grunts

SHEILA

Okay. Bye. And thanks for the reminder.

Monel hangs the phone and slams on the table.