07 INT. 50/50 PRESS - DAY

JULIANNE is sitting at a desk, talking on the phone, and BRENT is at the stereo system.

JULIANNE

(Excited)

OMG! I didn't know that! Who told you?... Oh, I didn't saw her there.

But that's fabu! Our fav instructor is back! Okay! See you there.

Bu-bye!

Julianne disconnects the call. To Brent.

JULIANNE

Oh, baby love, if you thought Zumba was "celestial",

then, FYI, it's about to get even better!

Brent hits play on the stereo system and starts dancing in Julianne's direction.

BRENT

Oh yeah?

JULIANNE

Yeah! The bestest instructor ever,

Julio Hernandez, is coming back tonight.

BRENT

(Playful)

Should I be concerned about you and him? Is he competition?

Because if he is, we must have a virile, crazy, sweaty, sexy man fight.

JULIANNE

You'll only find out tonight! And we can't be late. We have to run!

Brent stands in front of Julianne and holds her hand.

BRENT

Oh, a gentleman will walk, but never run, my lady.

Brent and Julianne kiss.

JULIANNE

And does the gentleman dance?

Julianne stands up and kisses Brent.

The door leading to Globin's opens. THOMAS FRIEDKIN gets in.
RACHEL is behind him.

RACHEL

You can't! Please! You can't get in like that!

Thomas Friedkin sees Julianne and Brent kissing. Shocked.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Wow!

Brent and Julianne notice him and stop kissing.

CUT TO:

08 EXT. ERICA'S PARENT HOUSE - DAY

ERICA, CARL and AUDREY get out of the house. Erica closes the door.

CARL

So, what do you wanna talk to us about that others can't hear?

ERICA

(Cordial)

Actually, that's exacly the point, mister Carter. I get that you are still upset.

The situation at the gas station was bothersome and unpleasant, but...

My family has nothing to do with this. My mother was so happy to welcome your family

in our house and you... I'm sorry, but you ruined her expectations. I mean...

You could have asked to talk to me in private.

AUDREY

Look, we are not cynical. I'm not pretending that nothing happened.

And... And the way you acted reveals a lot about your family.

After all, we are what our family is.

ERICA

That is not fair, misses Carter.

AUDREY

Oh, isn't it? It wasn't me who gave my son away!

ERICA

Look, I don't know you, but we all make mistakes. I'm sure you have a list of them too.

CARL

That's right. You don't know us.

ERICA

(Abandons the cordial tone)

And you don't know me either! Or my family! All you know is that

I struggled with a petrol pump hose and that my mother gave you a kid!

(Approaches to Carl and Audrey)

Look, you don't have to like us, but, at least, be civilized enough to

behave like grown up people. My family doesn't deserve this. Now,

shut your mouth, come in, have lunch and go away.

Erica walks in, abruptly.

09 ERICA'S PARENTS DINNING ROOM - DAY

GARY, SAM, LENIN, DANIEL and LAUREN are sitting around the table, eating. The stroller with the baby JADA is near Daniel and Lauren. Sam's baby is also in a stroller, near her and Lenin. BARBARA is standing. Puts some food on the table.

LAUREN

It's curious they only have a few months of age difference.

LENIN

Yeah! I bet they'll play a lot together.

ERICA walks in. Barbara approaches.

BARBARA

Honey! Have a sit. Where are Daniel's parents?

ERICA

Oh, it's all fine now. Don't worry.

(Looks at the table. Tries to switch the subject)

Wow! Look at this table! Everything looks so tasty! And look at that duck rice!

(Sits)

You guys have to try some of that.

My mom makes the best duck rice in the world!

SAM

I confirm that.

BARBARA

Well, I won't lie. It really is the best duck rice in the world.

DANIEL

Really? Well, the stakes are high.

BARBARA

I'm just gonna get the wine. Do you prefer red or white?

DANIEL

Red, please.

BARBARA

Ok.

Barbara goes to the kitchen.

10 INT. ERICA'S PARENTS KITCHEN - DAY

BARBARA looks for the wine in the fridge. Hears the front door opening. Goes to the hallway.

11 INT. HALLWAY OF ERICA'S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY

CARL and AUDREY walk in. BARBARA appears.

BARBARA

Hey! Is everything okay? We're all in the dinning room. Daniel is just about

to taste the best duck rice in the world. If you want to, I can give you the recipe.

AUDREY

(Rude)

Don't mention my son like we're all family.

And we don't want anything from you.

BARBARA

I'm sorry... Erica said everything was fine now.

AUDREY

Yeah, it seems your daughter likes lying to you and excusing herself

saying that she wants to protect you.

CARL

(Ironic)

Great education you gave to your kids.

AUDREY

You should never have had children.

BARBARA

I'm sorry, but you are in my house.

I want to be respected, and...

CARL

(Cuts her off)

Oh, don't worry. We're leaving right now. I'm just gonna get...

(Emphasizes)

... my son.

Barbara gets shocked. Carl and Audrey go to the dinning room.

CARL

Daniel, we're leaving. I'm sorry.

Everyone gets silenced and shocked. DANIEL stands up.

DANIEL

What? Why?

AUDREY

I think you know why. Now, come on,

we're not staying here. Let's go.

ERICA

I can't believe this.

Daniel approaches to his parents.

DANIEL

(Whispers)

What are you guys doing? I don't recognize you anymore!

AUDREY

Daniel, we feel unwelcome in the middle of this dysfunctional family.

DANIEL

Mom! For God's sake! You just had a contretemps with a member of this family

in a gas station and now you think all of them are danger for us?

CARL

Yes, they are. Don't argue. Let's go.

Carl and Audrey go away. Silence. Daniel is ashamed. Looks to Barbara, sad. Barbara looks at him, with tears in the eyes.

BARBARA

Go. It's okay. You need to be with your parents.

DANIEL

I'm sorry...

LAUREN stands up and starts walking with the stroller.

LAUREN

(To Erica's family)

Thank you for everything.

Daniel and Lauren go away. Erica is apathetic. Looks to nowhere. Her head suddenly hurts.

CUT TO:

12 INT. SARAH'S BEDROOM - DAY

ERICA'S mind. The image is a little blurry. SARAH walks in and shuts the door with violence. She's angry. Punches a table. Walks all over the bedroom, nervous.

CUT TO:

13 INT. ERICA'S PARENTS DINNING ROOM - DAY

BARBARA, GARY, SAM and LENIN are around ERICA.

GARY

Erica, I'm talking to you!

Erica is concerned. Comes back to normal.

ERICA

W-What?

BARBARA

What happened to Daniel's parents?

What did you tell them?

SAM

They couldn't have been more rude.

ERICA

Look, those people are messed up. I tried talking to them, clear the air, but...

They're blind! And angry. I told you, I paid all the damages I caused.

I don't know what else I can do. I don't know why they acted like that... Like psychos.

BARBARA

I don't know either... All I know is that...

(Starts crying)

Everything is ruined.

Barbara goes away. Everyone is speechless, embarrassed and feeling sorry for Barbara.

END OF CHAPTER 2