princess going digital

[Phone dialling] (Automated Voice): Your call has been forwarded to voicemail. Please leave a message after the tone.

(Max): Hi, it’s me. Was gonna text you but thought a call was easier. No luck on the flats today…I saw like 4 in total and each one was more shite than the last. As I’ve not heard from you I assume family stuff is keeping you busy, so text or ring me when you can…ok byeee. [they hang up.]

[Max, unlocking their gate]

(???): Max?

(Max): [Startled] Fuck! Ty? You came out of nowhere!

(Ty): Sorry. Weren’t sure if it was you or not. Should’ve clocked by your hair though.

(Max): …Right. Well, what are you doing here?

(Ty): Oh well I guess I just wanted to see if you were…I mean you didn’t go to the memorial.

(Max): So?

(Ty): [Fidgeting, nervous] Look, can we go inside?I need to talk you…about Aish.

(Max): …I’m not doing this right now. You need to leave.

(Ty): Wait, please. I swear I won’t be much longer. I just need to ask you something.

(Max): Fine. One question.

(Ty): O-ok. [low, nervous] …Did you know anything about what Aish was doing before? …Like I knew about their dad, but I didn’t know they were…like I thought they were just selling a bit, but I think there was…other stuff. At the time, did anything seem off to you?

(Max): [low, weary] Jesus Christ.

(Ty): Sorry, I know it’s a lot, but I’ve had this theory for a while. Aish was mentally fucked but who isn’t? I just don’t think they killed themself.

(Max): Stop. Talking.

(Ty): [Desperate] Maxwe were the only ones that knew Aish properly. I know you two fell out but this is bigger than that! What if they got into something dangerous? There was this one guy that would pick them up sometimes for jobs and I thought that maybe--

(Max): Okay, enough!

(Ty): But--

(Max): [low, gritted teeth] –Tamir you need to stop smoking skunk. It is mashing up your brain. Sometimes people just kill themself and it’s more than disrespectful to Aish’s memory to make up some fucked-up fantasy about how they died instead of just trying to accept it and move on.

(Ty): Max I--

[DAY - MAGNOLIA STREET STATION/LENA’S CAR]

(Lena): [On the phone to AJ]…I’m not too sure… Last I heard he was working for the WC lot…Mmhm and now I’ve gotta drive back up to Copperdale tomorrow night. Maybe earlier if it’s what we suspect…Real talk I think shit’s about to hit the fan…These lot are out here applying serious pressure...Yeah I know, but I don’t have final say yet…[Noticing Max] Look, I’ve got to go but I’ll text you…give Ren my love.

[***]

[Day - Busy city street]

(Lucy): Wait babe did I tell you about Kyla?

(Jarell): No? What’s happened now?

(Lucy): Oh my days! You know how we thought she was messing with V’s work friend?

(Jarell): Yeah…

(Lucy): We were right! And she got caught by her mum!

(Jarell): Swear down?

(Lucy): Yes! When V told me I almost died, man.

[A CAR PULLS UP]

(Jarell): Rah. So the mum walked in on them?

(Lucy): Mmhm and she got straight on the phone snitch! Can you imag-

[TWO GUNSHOTS RING OUT, THE CAR SPEEDS OFF]

[SCREAMS AND SIRENS CAN BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE]