8 Int. River - Night 8
A group of people are congregated on a rocky beach next to the river. A large bonfire sits in the center of the various groups of people conversing. The reflection of the tattered city ripples in the quiet water. JOHNNY is sitting next to Tomas on a log in front of the fire. Tomas quietly strums the guitar while talking to Johnny.
JOHNNY
Who would've thought we would go from school friends to this.
TOMAS
Definitely not me.
JOHNNY
I'm happy that you finally decided to help out with this. It really means a lot.
TOMAS
Be honest with me Johnny. Is this going to work.
JOANNE
No, pretty abnormal. There was some vandalism in Dock 317.
Johnny takes a deep breath in as he contemplates his answer. Preparing himself for the inevitable question.
JOHNNY
Yeah. It will.
TOMAS
You're really selling that bud.
JOHNNY
We have been planning this for almost a year now. It's scary to put trust into a plan this big. But, it's a good plan Tomas.
Tomas nods while gently plucking at the guitar strings.
TOMAS
Do you think this is what Aaliyah would want?
JOHNNY
Who knows what my sister would want. But I do know she wouldn't want us to sit around while the city keeps getting bombed.
TOMAS
Probably not..
Johnny takes a large gulp of his drink.
TOMAS
Why didn't you tell Sierra?
JOHNNY
You know how she is. There was no reason to make her worry more.
TOMAS
I suppose. I would want to know if I was in her position.
JOHNNY
Good thing you're not my wife then.
Johnny pulls himself to his feet.
JOHNNY
So, are you going to sit here all night playing guitar by yourself?
TOMAS
I'm not, everyone is having their own conversation right now. I don't want to interrupt.
JOHNNY
It's a fucking party. It's not interrupting, it's called socializing.
TOMAS
You can socialize without me. I'll talk to someone when I feel like it.
JOHNNY
Sure. I have a friend coming I think you should meet. You two would get along really well.
TOMAS
I don't need more friends right now.
JOHNNY
We have a long trip ahead. You need someone else to talk to besides me. For MY health!
TOMAS
Funny. You are the one always talking!
JOHNNY
Oh shit, I'll be right back.
Johnny waves to a couple of people standing in a group waving him over. He grabs his drink and heads to mingle with the crowd. Tomas continues to quietly strum on his guitar while quietly muttering lyrics.
KERI walks up to Tomas with two cups in their hand.
KERI
Hey! That sounds like a really nice song.
Keri gestures towards his guitar with one of the cups. Tomas is caught off gaurd by the sudden attention.
TOMAS
Thank you, haha. It's just a little something I've been playing around with.
KERI
I'd love to hear it!
TOMAS
Umm, I guess so...
Noticing the hesitancy in his voice, Keri tries to backtrack their request.
KERI
Oh my god, I'm sorry. That's probably a super annoying question. Let's just forget I asked!
TOMAS
No no no! It's totally fine. Sorry, I was just kind of zoning out. Do you want a seat?
Tomas stands up from the completely empty log he was sitting on to gesture towards the seat for Keri to take it. Keri is entertained by the clumsy but thoughtful response. They sit down on the log and pat the log right next to them. Clearly wanting to sit close to Tomas. He sit's down next to Keri.
KERI
Would you like this?
They stretch out their arm to give Tomas one of the drinks.
TOMAS
Are you sure?
KERI
Yes, they aren't both for me.
Tomas takes the cup from Keri and takes a sip of the beverage. He sets it down on the ground to his left.
TOMAS
Okay, like I said, a work in progress.
KERI
Understood.
Keri gives Tomas a thumbs up. Tomas begins playing his guitar for Keri.
Tomas continues through the song while the two sit in their own world. Conversations, hellos and goodbyes unfold behind them while they sit with each other in the orange light of the fire.
xxxx
