Chris and Anthony nonsubtly watched Vincent trail after their dad, infinitely curious about what conversation was happening. That is, until their mom calls them out and tells them to get ready for bed. With one loaded glance at each other, they go up the steps. Chris goes to his room while Anthony pops into his room to swiftly grab his script of "Runaways" and goes back to Chris's room.
"Okay, how far have you gotten?" Chris asks while settling down in his bed, flicking through his script.
The audition script given had two scenes selected that they had to do, and during the actual audition, they had to do an ad-libbed scene with one of the adult actors who were already cast. It wasn't a typical audition, but "Runaways" wasn't a typical NewFliz show; it was bigger.
"I have both scenes down pact, but I'm trying to get better at conveying the emotion and not looking down as much. How about you, dude?" Anthony says while going through the script as he sits in Chris's desk chair near his bed.
Chris nods. "I have the first scene, but the second scene keeps messing me up. The father and son scene, I can't seem to get it." Chris says moodily, looking annoyed at the papers. Anthony playfully rolls his eyes, "Then let's practice, we'll do two runs and switch off the characters since we don't know which role they'll make us play."
"They'll make us do the son 100 percent, why would they ask 12-17 year olds to play a dad?" He says with a slight childish mocking.
"Whatever man, do you want to be the dad or son?" There were no names given on the script, just generic names to maintain the secrecy of the project. There was a chance these scenes weren't even in the show, and they just made them up for audition purposes.
Chris purses his lips while considering his options, and with a nod, he says, "Son."
They both stand up and start getting into character, holding their respective scripts.
Chris stares angrily at Anthony with clenched fists and a taut jaw. Anthony stared back with a hunched back and a crease in his eyebrows, looking over at Chris's form.
"What are you doing here…" Chris is trying to channel thinly veiled anger in his voice. It's a bit awkward but not too bad. "I made myself very fuckin clear I wanted nothing to do with you." He accidentally overemphasizes the curse as he glances down slightly but keeps decent eye contact.
Chris shakes in anger, half successful.
Anthony lets out a slight pained expression and ducks his head for one moment to the ground before staring into Chris's soul.
"Please, I know things ended badly--"
"BADLY?" Chris shouts a little quieter than he usually would to be mindful that it's late.
"Badly doesn't even cover what you did to me. You ruined me Dad. You ruined us. Don't you get it?" He says rapid-fire acting as though he's run out of breath by the end.
"You don't understand, I had to do this. I had no choice, and even if I had to go back in time, I would do it all over again for you." He paused after softly but hurt wrenchingly reciting these lines. "FOR YOU! It's always for you, Son..." He raises his voice at the for you, but not too much, given the time he would yell it if he could, and then he lets his voice catch trails off at the end."
Chris is shaking his head constantly and about to say his line, but the door creaks and he sees Vincent awkwardly at the door, seemingly feeling bad about interrupting them.
(THE FULL SCRIPT OF THE SCENE IS BELOW. READ THE NOTE AT THE END FOR MORE INFO)
FADE IN:
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - NIGHT
The SON breathes heavily, looking at his fists. While DAD watches him wearily, a few feet away. SON stares angrily, and DAD stares back, saddened.
SON
What are you doing here… I made myself very fuckin clear I wanted nothing to do with you.
SON shakes in barely concealed anger.
DAD
Please, I know things ended badly—
SON huffs angrily and cuts off DAD
SON
BADLY? Badly doesn't even cover what you did to me. You ruined me DAD. You ruined us. Don't you get it?
DAD swallows heavily
DAD
(Softly)
You don't understand, I had to do this. I had no choice, and even if I had to go back in time, I would do it all over again for you. FOR YOU. It's always for you, SON.
SON shakes his head over and over again, frantic as he takes steps back and glares.
SON
You're full of shit and even still… I just wanna understand DAD. Why did you do this to us… to me? I thought you cared about us, even loved us, or were we just objects you could throw away when it got tough?
DAD
(Wrecked)
I love you, I swear, if anything, my love for you is real.
SON stops moving and stares intently at DAD.
SON
Then why do I dream of your hands dyed red with MOM'S blood?
FADE OUT: