#*lena scott

Sounds of traffic & light rainfall. Lena’s phone rings through the car. She sighs heavily before answering.

(Lena): You should not be calling me.

(???):  Off screen. Sorry…can we meet? It’s important.

(Lena): Mouthing. Shit. 

(???): Off screen. Lena?

(Lena): …Do you know the big car park on Whitfield st?

***

(Lena): I can’t do it Jade.

(Jade): Shaky. Lena, they shot my brother and his girl. Then they left them to bleed out in the street like animals. 

(Lena): Look, I’m sorry for your loss…but I don’t know who did it, and even if I did, going after them would only make things worse.

(Jade): I don’t care! I can’t take the not knowing…i-if it’s a money thing then I–

(Lena): –It is not a fucking money thing! Sighing. Jarell was grown…he made his choices.

(Jade): Choices?! He made the best of the hand he was fucking dealt. If it wasn’t for your brother, Jarell wouldn’t have got into half the shit he did. Why does Luis get to slink off into the sunset when they won’t even release Jarell’s body from the fucking morgue.

(Lena): Well it’s a criminal case–

(Jade): –Oh fuck you. Do you even know why he went to work in Willow Creek? ‘Cause Luis does. 

Tense silence falls between them. Realisation washes over Lena. Once again, she must pay a debt that her family owes.

(Lena): Quiet. It won’t bring him back Jade.

(Lena): …About she’s fucking worried about you. She barely even knows you.

(Max): Weary. It’s not that deep, Le. It’s just an offer.

(Lena): Exhaling. Nothing’s just an offer with Jacqui. 

(Max): Shifting to face her. Meaning?

(Lena): Look, she’s family and she looked out for me with Luis…but she’s also how my dad ended up with that fuck-off scar on his face. You’re only important to her if you’ve got something she can use. 

(Max): …She has a point though.

(Lena): What?

(Max): About me. I…I’m fucking bored Lena! I only went back to work ‘cause the sale still hasn’t gone through for OSB and I’m paying rent at Simone’s.I’m still stuck at simone’s 'cause every flat I’ve viewed flat I’ve viewed has been dogshit…and I haven’t seen my friends in ages ‘cause it feels too fucking weird and I need something to–

(Lena): –I get that but you need to be smarter than this Max! You’ve been through a lot. It’s not even been a year since [Off Max’s glare] …just give yourself time. You don’t need to keep jumping into shit…think about what you really want.