#*ep 13

[Day - Lena’s penthouse.]

(Lena): [muttering] This is so unserious.

(Max): Once again, that’s the point!

(Lena): I know baby and I’m sorry but [gesturing to the tv] they should literally all be dead. There is no fucking way they’re getting shot at like that and not get licked by a bullet-

(Max): Okay we have heard! You can pick the next film then!

(Lena): Oh I will but-

[max’s phone vibrates]

(Max): -Wait hold on.

[PHONE]

[SBC | SD Driveby shooting victims named. San My Mayoral hopful Sonia Quinn says ‘Unchecked violent gangs’ are to blame.]

(Jordan): [text] - Have you seen about Jarell?? 

(Max): [Looking at their phone] Oh fuck. 

(Lena): What? 

(Max): [shifting in their seat] You know that shooting in the spice district? It was Jade’s brother and his girlfriend that got shot. Did you know him? I only met him once or twice.

(Lena): …I knew of him.

(Max): …Right…Do you-

(Lena): -Do I what?

(Max): Do you think it’s related to…what happened? I feel like things have been lowkey fucked since-

(Lena): -Max you don’t need to worry about that. 

(Max): I-I know but what if someone like…talks? What if there’s something we missed and someone knows something and they’re just waiting to-

(Lena): [Sharp] -Max! [Off their look] Sorry. Has something brought this on?

(Max): [Swallowing] No. It’s fine…It’s just a lot to think about.

(Lena): I know but you can’t let it overwhelm you. What’s done is done, baby and it needed to happen, yeah?

(Max): Y-yeah. I’m sor-

[LENA’S PHONE VIBRATES - CONTINUOUS]

[Night. Max’s phone vibrates] [Max sleeps soundly, Lena texts silently]

[From: Jacqui: Sorry to msg so late love but d'ya mind coming in a bit early tomorrow? Need to have a quick chat x]

[To ‘DV’: We need to talk]

****

(???): Hannah I’ve been impressed with your work so far, but for this next phase, we needed to increase our numbers. Dimitry will help you do that.

(Luis): Don’t hang up.

[Disgusted, Lena does just that. The phone quickly rings ...and again. Eventually, she answers.]

(Luis): —You are a fucking child.

(Lena): Fuck you. Where’s Mum?

(Luis): Look, I used her phone because we both know you’re not taking my calls and–

(Lena): Get. To. The. Point.

(Luis): [Sighing] The shooting…my contacts are saying it’s Harbour Kings.

(Lena): …Contract or personal?

(Luis): I don’t know.

(Lena): [Hushed, Furious] Then what the fuck am I supposed to do with that?! And what contacts? You’re supposed to be off the fucking grid!

(Luis): I still am. That’s why I bothered talking to you instead of taking action.

[Lena kisses her teeth]

(Luis): Look, everyone’s either running scared [(???): I need you to hide this.] or prepping for war right now. If we cut a deal with one of the smaller firms for now, then it’ll get us back in the rooms with the important players. Right now we rely on whispers but we need to start showing our faces and–

(Lena): —Oh give it a fucking rest, man. I don’t work for you.

(Luis): Don’t let hubris be your downfall, Lena. You are new to this, it won’t kill you to take my advice.

[Offices of ‘The San Myshuno Post’. SFX | Overlapping sounds of typing and quiet conversation, soon drowned out by an increasingly loud conversation taking place in the editor’s office.]

(???): Absolutely not! (???): [Pleading] Gary, come on, if we pull this off, think of the good we could do!

(Gary): Fuck the good! It’s nothing in comparison to what will happen if we piss these people off! I happen to like my life Brooke, and I don’t intend to make a widow out of my wife anytime soon!

(Brooke): [Sighing] Gary I know it’s scary but we can’t live in fear. If we get this story right then the people it hurts will be powerless to stop it!  What is the point of calling ourselves hard-hitting journalists if we can’t bring the truth to the public in the face of danger?! 

(Gary): Brooke you are missing the point, love. If you want to have longevity in this business then you’ll have to learn that some stories are simply not worth it. I know you think you have something but–

(Brooke):  —Look at that spice district shooting. Look at the Feng shooting last month! This city is on its knees and the police are too greedy and corrupt to do anything about it! If there is an ounce of truth to anything that boy out there says then it deserves to have a spotlight on it!

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

[SFX - UNDERGROUND TRAIN ARRIVING]

[SFX - BUSY CITY STREET]

(Lena): [On the phone to AJ] …I’m not 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…Someone’s out here applying serious pressure. Did you speak to Ren? What did she say?...Yeah that makes sense. [Noticing Max] Look I’ve got to go but I’ll text you. Keep your phone on.

***

(Max):  [in between kisses] …Missed… you. 

[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 clocked she was messing with V’s work bestie?

(Jarell): Yeah…were we right then?

(Lucy): Of course! And she got caught by her mum!

(Jarell): Swear down?

(Lucy): Yes! When she told me I almost died, man. Apparently, a package got delivered to the mum’s yard by mistake so she’s gone to drop it round and she’s got a key so-

[A CAR PULLS UP]

(Jarell): –That’s mad! So she walked in on them?

(Lucy): Slyly. They weren’t doin’ nothing too bad but the mum’s not stupid cos why are you cozy on the sofa with your girlfriend’s friend and your girlfriend isn’t home?

(Jarell): Rah, I can’t beli-

[TWO GUNSHOTS RING OUT, THE CAR SPEEDS OFF]

[Chaos ensues, screams and sirens can be heard in the distance]