#*ep 11

(Simone): You off now?

(Max): Yep, staying with Jordan for a few days.

(Simone): [Calling out] Alright love. Have fun!

****

(Bus Announcement): Next Stop: Iverson Road.

(Girl #1 - Kiana): [Quiet] Don’t make it bait but isn’t that that Max babe we went school with?

(Girl #2 - Meena): [Loud]Really? Where?

(Girl #1): Shh man! [Subtly nodding] over there, sitting down.

(Girl #2): Sorry…I think it is you know. They look bare different.

(Girl #1): Outfit eats though. Wait! Didn’t they used to be close with Aish Desai?

(Girl #2): Oh yeah! Everyone thought they were going out at one point.

(Girl #1):  Yeah. Must’ve fell out though, cos they weren’t at Aish’s memorial or nothing.

(Girl #2): Really? I swear their mum died recently though? I’m mutuals with Danielle on insta, I remember her posting something about her stepmum…end of last year I think?

(Girl #1): Shit. Wasn’t the stepmum in prison too? That’s fucking long man imagine your mum dies in jail and then your friend passes too.

(Girl #2): God forbid. No wonder they look so miserable.

[The bus comes to a stop, Max, having overheard parts of the conversation, shoves past Meena to exit the bus]

(Girl #1): Woah! You can’t say excuse me?

[Max kisses their teeth in response]

[Muffled sounds of rap music, Max getting into Lena’s car, Jacqui watching/vaping]

(Max): Lena it’s 2am. I am NOT listening to drill right now.

(Lena): Hello to you too?

[***]

(Max): …Like the shift was fine overall but I always forget how much I fucking hate straight men? Anyways, how did it go with your mum?

(Lena): Uh…It went.

(Max): What does that mean?

(Lena): She wants us to work together.

(Max): Okay…and what does that mean?

(Lena): [sighing] Too early to say.

(Max): [Sarcastic] That’s helpful.

(Lena): Max, we’re almost home. We can waste time talking about this or, we can have a chill night and I can make good on my promises from this morning.

[phone vibrates - continuous]

(Lena): [Breathless, strained] Baby…

(Max): …Ignore it.

(Lena): It’s just gonna keep ringing if I don’t- fuck- don’t do that.

(Max): [Knowing] Do what?

(Lena): [Firm] Max.

(Max): Ugh. Fine.

(Lena): Don’t move, I won’t be long.

(Max): [Feigning disinterest] Yeah, yeah.

[.]

(Lena): [Returning the call] Mami?

(Amara): Así que estás vivo. [So you are alive.]

(Lena): Estoy ocupada. ¿Esto es urgente? [I’m busy. Is this urgent?]

(Amara): Estoy a quince minutos. Vístete para el almuerzo. [I’m fifteen minutes away. Get dressed for brunch.]

(Lena): [Hushed, panicked] ¡Mami, tengo planes, no puedes aparecerte así! [Mum, I have plans, you can’t just show up like this!]

(Amara): Bueno, quizá si no te pasaras la vida evitando mis llamadas, no estaríamos aquí, pero tenemos que hablar. Así que cancela lo que sea... o quien sea que estés haciendo y prioriza esto. [Well maybe if you didn't spend your life avoiding my calls, we wouldn't be here, but we need to talk. So cancel whatever...or whoever you're doing and prioritise this.]

(Lena): [Sighing] Vale. [Ok.] [She hangs up]

[.]

(Max): ...All good?

[Distant talking, heartbeat thumping]

[Thumping continues, as does the talking, Max clenches their jaw]

(???): [broad leeds accent] Max, are you following love? I'm not saying this for me 'ealth.

(Max): S-sorry. Carry on Jacqui

(Jacqui): Alright, as I was saying- not too much has changed since you left. We’ve had a bit of a refurb so things look nicer and there’s some new girls but other than that procedure’s pretty standard. Upsell the drinks, keep it friendly but firm with the clientele and everything should be aces. Any questions?

(Max): Not that I can think of…

[Door knocks]

(Jacqui): Good. Come in love! [A young woman enters] Autumn- Max, Max - Autumn.

(Autumn): Hey. 

(Max): Hi.

(Jacqui): Splendid, you two are free to go. If there’s any problems don’t bring ‘em to me unless they’re high risk alright? 

[TEN YEARS EARLIER]

(Winston): [Getting ready for bed] Don’t give me that look ‘Mara. What’s done is done.

(Amara): It was an accident, Winston. The outcome should be punishment enough.

(Winston): -It was careless. She’s always pushed her luck but now she’s gone too fucking far. If it wouldn't reflect so poorly on the family I’d leave her to her fate. 

[Amara sighs before standing up and heading towards the door]

(Winston): Darling, wait. Please listen to me. I need you and Lena to understand that Selvadorada is the last chance. For too long that girl has been wild and defiant… Like a poorly trained dog. I cannot allow her depravities to taint what I’ve worked so hard to build...what we have. If she doesn’t get her shit together we’re cutting her out. For good.

[***]

(AJ): So…What did you tell her?

(Max): …I’m sorry sir but your card’s been declined.

(customer): [irritated, low] shit. try this one please.

[The card machine beeps, the second card has also been declined]

(Max): That one didn’t go through either. 

(Customer): [Raised, embarrassed] Then it’s your machine then! You should give me a free drink for the bloody inconvenience!

(Max): [Unimpressed] Sir please don’t raise your voice at me. Do you have a third card I can try?

(Autumn): [leaning over, mocking] Joe, are you bothering my staff again?

(Joe): N-No it's just my card, it’s not working.

(Autumn): Mmhm, and that’s our fault because?

(joe): It was fine earlier I just-

(Autumn): You just need to reel ya neck in. You only just got off a 6 month ban. I’d hate for the next one to be permanent.

(Joe): [heeding the warning]…Sorry. I’ll call my bank. See what the issue is. [He walks away]

(Autumn): [Facing Max] You good? Don’t let Joe rattle you, he’s harmless. Just gets mouthy from time to time.

(Max): …Yeah I’m fine. I know his type from before.

(Autumn): Alright. Why don't you go and take your break while it’s quiet?

[***]

[Max uses the toilet, their mind begins to wonder while they wash their hands]

[flashback]

(Aish): [Snorting a line] Sure you don’t want some?

(Max): You know I don’t do that shit when I'm working.

(Aish): Relax man, you got like a week left here.

(Max): Yeah and I wanna keep it cute in the process.

(Aish): Booo. It’s not everyday worry about how things look, Max. Imagine if you actually let shit flow for once.

[Bathroom door opens, snapping Max out of it]

[Present day]

(Eliza): Sleep well Victor. I’ll see you in the morning.

(Victor): Okay…see you then. 

[***]

(Hannah): Don’t scream.

(Victor):  What is this?

(Hannah): If you cooperate? An opportunity.

(Victor): And if I don’t?