Chapter 5



David: What are you doing here?

Shelby: I'm here with my mum.

David: She's your mum? Fuck.

Robert: David!

David: Sorry.

Robert: David, we're getting married. (David stares at his father; Shelby is amazed that he hasn't said a smart comment about it.) David, show Shelby to her room.

David: Which room?

Robert: Use your head boy! (David hesitates) Go! (Turning to Alice) Kids hey. (She smiles back at him)

(David walks out, Shelby follows; he leads her up the stairs and stops outside a room.)

David: (finally speaking) I guess this is yours.

(He walks into the next room, closing the door behind himself. Shelby opens the door to her room; it's empty, except for a bed and wardrobe. She drops her bag and walks out to talk to David. She knocks on his door, music is playing loud. When she gets no answer she opens the door. David is sitting on his bed, rolling a joint; he looks up, startled when she turns off his stereo.)

Shelby: Look I ain't enjoying this either but you could at least talk to me.

David: What about.

Shelby: How long have our parents been going out?

David: (rolling the joint) Dunno, all I know is she was here when I arrived yesterday. Thought she was a cleaner at first.

Shelby: Funny.

David: (glaring at her) I was being serious.

Shelby: (sitting on the other end of his bed) This is weird.

David: Yep. (Lighting the joint)

Shelby: What will your dad do if he finds you smoking?

David: Probably kill me. (She grabs the joint off him and inhales.)

Shelby: So, why aren't you being your usual cocky asshole self?

David: That's for me to know and you to find out. (Giving her a cocky grin, but it soon disappears. Shelby looks at him and notices a large bruise on his cheek starting to develop.)

Shelby: When that happen? (Pointing to it with the joint)

David: (grabbing the joint back) So, how's Scott.

Shelby: How's Daisy.

David: I wouldn't know.

Shelby: You are so annoying! For some fucked up reason she likes you and you're just an asshole back!

David: She doesn't know me.

Shelby: That's probably a good thing. (David goes to say something, but his door opens suddenly, David hides the joint behind his back.)

Robert: Get ready for dinner David.

David: Where are we going?

Robert: Don't talk back boy. Shelby, do you have something to wear?

Shelby: Uh, yeh.

Robert: Good, we're leaving at 19 hundred hours. (He closes the door)

Shelby: (to David) 19 hundred hours?

David: Army talk, get used to it.

Shelby: What am I supposed to wear?

David: Dress, he's into femineity. I'd lend you one, but I doubt it'd fit you.

Shelby: The jackass is back. (She walks out.)

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Car - on the way to the restaurant

No one is talking, after 20 minutes Shelby breaks the silence.

Shelby: So mum, how long have you two been going out?

Robert: (to Alice) Inquisitive isn't she.

David: What, still wishing that children were lumps of clay to mould in your image.

Robert: (turning around to face David, while still driving.) One more smart comment like that boy and I'll.

David: (interrupting) You'll what? Come on dad, you'll what? Huh? Embarrassed you're such a bad father?

(Robert pulls the car over suddenly, his face clouded with anger, Shelby watches him, scared.)

Robert: (to David, yelling) Get out! (David hesitates.) Get out, how dare you disrespect me! GET OUT! (David opens his car door and gets out without looking at anyone) You can walk home and think about what you have done!

(David closes the door, Shelby expects him to slam it, but he doesn't. They drive away, leaving David on the side of the road.)

Robert: I've had enough with that boy; he isn't going to ruin our night. He does nothing but make everyone's lives miserable. (Alice nods, trusting his judgement.) He has already failed his life and is intent on making my life a living hell. I'd ship him off to his mothers if she weren't having a mental break down, they're weak the lot of them.

(They pull into the parking lot of the restaurant)

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