01 EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Cloudy weather. There are several cars in the area. ERICA is inside her car, waiting for her turn to fill the petrol tank. There are two cars in front of hers.
ERICA
(Tired of waiting)
Oh, come on...
The car at the gas pump goes away and the car in front of Erica's takes its place. Erica waits. Turns the radio on.
BROADCASTER - V.O
That's right, George. It seems that the Summer is definitely over.
If I were you, I'd trade my parasol for my umbrella. You can always
leave it at home, but then you'll suffer the consequences, because
the weather will be rainy tomorrow. The temperatures...
Erica picks up the cellphone and starts writing a reminder. We can read "Buy umbrella". Puts the cellphone away. Waits, impatiently. The car in front of her goes away and she proceeds to the gas pump.
ERICA
Alleluia!
ERICA - V.O
Isn't it great when you finally have something you wanted? It's like
all the waiting was worth it and all that matters is that it's now yours
and nobody else's. At least for a short period of time, when it comes to
a spot in a gas station. But this concerns both for a gas pump and for life.
When you accomplish something, enjoy it. It's no one else's business...
Or is it?
Erica prepares to get off the car. Looks at the telephone area of the vehicle. Thoughtful.
JULIANNE - V.O
Call voice mail.
VOICE MAIL VOICE - V.O
Calling voice mail.
KAI - V.O
Hey gorgeous! Just confirming tonight. I'll see you at nine o'clock, and don't be late.
A car horns. Erica leaves her thoughtful state and gets off the Ford Focus. Picks up a petrol pump hose and pulls it to the petrol tank, but she can't get there because the car is too far away from the gas pump. Pulls it harder and harder.
On the other side, a car parks. A MAN and a WOMAN get off.
Erica, unintentionally pushes the petrol pump hose's button and it jets some petrol to the woman's arm. The woman screams. Erica is shocked and embarrassed.
ERICA
Oh my God!
MAN
(To Erica)
What have you done?
WOMAN
My jacket! My jacket, Carl! It's ruined!
(To Erica)
Do you have any idea how expensive this was?
ERICA
I, I, I...
MAN
You're insane! You could've set my wife on fire! You could've exploded this area!
The woman takes off the jacket.
WOMAN
We should sue you! We should sue you for... Uncontrolled stupidity.
ERICA
I don't know what to say. I'm sorry, I... I take responsibility for everything.
MAN
Of course you do. Or else, things would become very ugly for you.
WOMAN
Uglier and smelier than petrol on my jacket.
MAN
What's your name?
Erica is spechless, scared and embarrassed.
CUT TO:
02 INT. TOM'S DINING ROOM - DAY
TOM and SARAH are at the dinner table, having brunch.
TOM
So, are you... Planning on doing something today?
SARAH
I thought we could do something together. There's an oil painting exposition
at a local museum this evening. And it's free. Maybe...
TOM
(A little embarrassed)
Oh... That's... It's sounds good, but...
The bell rings.
TOM
Oh, sorry.
SARAH
No, it's fine. I'll go.
Sarah goes to the entrance hall.
03 ENTRANCE HALL - DAY
SARAH opens the door. AMANDA is on the other side.
SARAH
Yes?
AMANDA
Hi! You... You must be Sarah. Right?
SARAH
(Suspicious)
Who are you?
AMANDA
I'm... I'm a friend of your father.
SARAH
A friend of my dad? You mean...
TOM walks in.
TOM
My girlfriend, Sarah. This is Amanda. Amanda, this is my daughter Sarah.
AMANDA
(To Sarah)
Your dad told me so much about you. I'm so glad you're okay now.
SARAH
(Trying to hide the jealousy)
Hm, yeah. Me too.
TOM
Get in, Amanda. We're having brunch. Do you wanna join?
AMANDA
Of course! Have you got orange juice?
TOM
No, but I'll do some. Please, you two, go to the dinning room.
Tom goes to the kitchen and Amanda and Sarah go to the dinning room.
04 INT. DINNING ROOM - DAY
AMANDA and SARAH walk in. Sarah is embarrassed.
AMANDA
Nice banquet! You two did all this?
SARAH
Erm... My dad did the most part.
They sit.
AMANDA
It looks so yummy, doesn't it?
SARAH
(Bitter)
How long are you two dating?
AMANDA
Three or four months, I guess. Your father didn't told you about us?
SARAH
No. He didn't.
AMANDA
Oh, he probably forgot. You know,
he had to deal with so many emotions at the same time, lately...
SARAH
You mean me. Right? He had to deal with me.
AMANDA
(Uncomfortable)
Erm... Not exacly. I...
TOM gets in with some orange juice.
TOM
There was some in the fridge.
AMANDA
Great! Have you already showed your daughter your
hand-eye coordination skills with fruit?
TOM
Oh, actually no.
AMANDA
You have to do it.
Amanda and Tom laugh. Sarah looks serious.
SARAH
So, dad, do you wanna come?
TOM
Come?
SARAH
To the exposition...
TOM
Oh, yes! I thought that you were going to visit your mother. She hasn't seen you
since you came back. And Amanda and I have a dinner reservation at a restaurant for today...
SARAH
(scornful)
Oh... Fine.
AMANDA
Oh, don't worry about it. it's just a dinner. You two
must spend time together, now that you're back.
SARAH
No, really. It's fine. I need to see my mother.
Sarah gets up.
SARAH
Excuse me.
Sarah goes away. Amanda and Tom look uncomfortable.
CUT TO:
05 INT. HALLWAY OF ERICA'S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY
ERICA opens the front door and gets in.
ERICA
(Tired)
Hello!
BARBARA, GARY, SAM and LENIN show up.
BARBARA
(Hugs Erica)
Oh, Erica! You're so late! I thought you wouldn't make it!
ERICA
I'm so sorry! Is that... This day started so badly for me.
GARY
What happened, honey?
ERICA
Oh, It was at the gas station. I almost set a woman on fire...
And she and her husband almost set me on fire with their rudeness.
LENIN
What?
ERICA
It's... Unreal. Seriously.
SAM
Well, if Josh were here he'd probably tell you not to
worry about it because the rain would cool it down.
Erica laughs.
ERICA
True.
Erica takes off the jacket and hands down her purse. The bell rings.
BARBARA
Oh, it must be Daniel!
ERICA
Are you nervous?
BARBARA
No!... Okay, a little. Now, everyone, stay right
behind me and act normal and happy!
SAM
(Laughs)
We know how to behave ourselves, mom.
Barbara opens the door. DANIEL gets in.
BARBARA
Daniel! Welcome!
DANIEL
Hello Barbara. I'm sorry we're late. It's amazing seeing you again.
BARBARA
You too. And your family?
DANIEL
Oh, they're right here.
Daniel's family get in. LAUREN holds a stroller with baby JADA in it. Daniel's parents - CARL and AUDREY - come in after her. They are the couple who had an argument at the gas station with Erica. Erica and Daniel's parents see each other and get shocked.
ERICA - V.O
What if some simply day-to-day personal objective or normal routine turns into a nightmare?
Would it still be our own business or should we let it affect the others around us?
BEING ERICA 5X02 - UNDER MY UMBRELLA
06 INT. HALLWAY OF ERICA'S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY
CARL
(To Erica. Rude)
I'm sorry... Is this some kind of joke?
BARBARA
Pardon?
AUDREY
(To Erica. Sarcastic)
I hope you didn't electrocute anybody or threw someone's car out of a bridge,
after your attempt to murder me.
GARY
Excuse me? I'm afraid I'm not following you.
DANIEL
(Realizes something. To his parents)
Wait... Are you saying that this is the woman who spoiled petrol on your jacket?
SAM
What?
Awkward silence. Everyone gets uncomfortable.
GARY
(Trying to break the ice)
Small world, uh?
ERICA
(To Carl and Audrey)
Look... I'm sorry... Again. I already paid the damages I caused.
I don't know what else I can do.
AUDREY
(To Daniel. Whispers)
Seriously, Daniel, is this the family you wanted us to meet?
I'm so glad you're adopted.
DANIEL
Mom, please...
BARBARA
I... I'm so sorry about what happened. Erica was telling us
everything before you arrived. But, please, come in.
LAUREN
Is it safe?
DANIEL
(Whispers. Adverting tone)
Lauren!
ERICA
I'm sorry. Mister and misses Carter, I'd like to have a word with you in private.
If that's okay.
END OF CHAPTER 1
