WHAT COMES AFTER
closure from st. feenix island
**CJ Smalls is heard crying via a baby monitor; the scene opens to Christian Smalls opening his eyes and looking at the clock beside the bed, it reads 2AM**
Christian *Grunts*: Right on time…*Sighs and gets up*
*He gives a mysterious figure on the other side of the bed a peck on the cheek and heads out of the bedroom and up the hallway towards CJ’s bedroom*
Chris *As he enters the bedroom*: Alright…daddy’s here…you’re not a big cryer…you must be SOAKED…
*CJ immediately stops crying as his father picks him up*
Chris: There we go…*Smiles*…Daddy’s here…*Sighs* Daddy's here.
*The room door behind Chris opens; Celeste enters the room and caresses Chris*
Chris: We didn't wake you did we?
Celeste: Baby monitor...
Chris: Ah fuck...I'll remember to turn it down one day. *Kisses her forehead*
Celeste *In thought*: Hey...can I ask you something?
Chris: Who? Me or Cameron? Because I don't think you're going to get too much out of him.
Celeste *Attempts a humorous giggle*: ...who's Justine?
Chris *Looks off as he tends to Cameron*: Where'd you hear that name?
Celeste: I…I wasn’t going through your phone…I was on the ipad and Nyne asked did you…*Shrugs*…he asked what you ever did to the letter you wrote to “Justine”.
Chris: Oh...yeah...*Sighs as he caresses CJ...she’s…she’s another you. *Kisses her forehead*
Celeste: Meaning?
Chris: It’s a good thing, babe.
*Celeste gives him a look of comfort and the two tend to CJ*
**Song: Age of Self by Jono McCleery**
**Title: What Comes After**
*Vision, exterior: Manhattan, raining*
*Christian is walking back to Hotel Times Square; he remains in a daze the entire walk; as he enters his room he falls on the bed and hugs the pillow Justine laid on. After a while he grabs the pen and notepad on the nightstand beside him.*
Christian Smalls
Silver Hill
Ripley West
with Nyne Benefield
Roman Dixon
Justine McCleod
and Celeste Gonzales
**Blank screen: Ripley is heard talking to Christian**
Ripley: Is this everything you ever wanted?
**Chris is shown sitting in front of a fire pit in Meridian, Mississippi, next to Ripley**
Chris: As in?
Ripley: Life. *Smiles* You did Vegas, Chris, that's a big deal.
Chris: Yeah...I mean I guess. You dream of it and then it happens...and then it's like...what's next?
Ripley: If Vegas was any night like last nights show then you did amazing.
Chris: Yeah...you know this wasn't the dream...they hear me, but they don't hear me. It's a lot of shit from my past that I'm...*sighs* I'm finding hard to let go.
Ripley: Forgiveness is only a word until there's an action. It's time to let alot of that shit go.
Chris: Did you?
Ripley *Stares at the fire for a bit*: I never got my closure.
Chris: And what closure is that?
Ripley: You know why I got this burn pit.
Chris: You got it ages ago and only got it out NOW because I asked about it.
Ripley: I got it out because you got shit to burn too...Don't forget why you're here.
Chris: Yeah. Yeah I know.
**Flashback to a week prior: Nyne, Roman, and Chris are riding through Manhattan in the Maserati**
Roman: Gentlemen, tonight we are doing what exactly? I have a flight to catch at 3 in the fucking morning so I'm not getting all too fucked up.
Nyne: You act like you're the PILOT, mother fucker.
Chris: I'm out. I got plans.
Roman *Looks in the rearview at Chris*: Since when?
Chris: Since we got here...shows are done so I'm off to other shit.
*Nyne keeps his mouth shut and eyes out the passengers side window*
Roman: So I'm guessing you're not coming back to Virginia in the next two days?
Chris: I'm coming BACK, Ro.
Roman: That's not what I asked.
*Chris keeps quiet and takes in the city views*
Roman: Justine? Silver?
Chris: I will be home some time this week, guys.
Nyne: The project is due when Hunter gets ba...
Chris *Quickly*: It'll be submitted, in time...I promise.
*Roman and Nyne glance at one another and continue through the city*
*Bounce: Chris makes his way through the throng of Manhattan civilian bustle and approaches the infamous red stair case in the heart of Times Square. He approaches a homeless woman*
Chris: You know...you make it more obvious because you're really bad at dressing like a homeless person.
*The homeless woman takes her shades off revealing she's actually Silver*
Silver: Guess I'll try to do better next time.
Chris: You look like the richest homeless bitch I've ever seen.
Silver: YOU...*Hugs him* ...look happy to see me.
Chris *Grins*: Maybe I am.
**Bounce: Chris and Silver are sitting in the TGI Fridays not too far from times square conversing**
Silver: They have no idea what they want to name the tour...I told them I didn't care and it's become a war of words within the label and...*Sighs*
Chris: I know how that goes. You know Hunter offered me a desk?
Silver: A desk? *Chris nods* A desk where?? *Chris simply glares at her* What'd you say?? Chris this is BIG.
Chris: I said I'd consider. What if this is just a way of him keeping a close eye on me?
Silver: What does he want you to do?
Chris: A&R.
Silver: Chris...this is big...I told you he wasn't so bad after all.
Chris: I never said he was...he just has hidden motives...you and I both know that.
Silver: True...but think about everything you've been through with the label, this could open doors for you since you're not doing music at the moment...more money coming in for you...I mean even Drahmuh will give you more label access and knowledge if you...
*As Silver rants; Chris stares at her and goes into a daydream*
**Flashback #2: Chris and Justine are sitting in the same TGI Fridays in a small booth on a crowded night**
Justine *Finishing up her rant*: ...I mean I've entered writing contests and stuff like that but nothing all too major, you know? *Glances over at two guys that are staring at them, mutters* Is it just me or are those niggas staring at us? *Chris sneaks a glance back at them*...they been staring at us since we got in here...
Chris *Playfully*: Can you blame them? Look at you. *Justine rolls her eyes*
Justine: I'm about to say something...
Chris *Chuckles*: Don't.
**Flashback to Silver and Chris' conversation in TGI Fridays**
Silver: Don't what?
Chris: Huh?
Silver: You just said "don't"...
Chris: Don't...yeah...don't let them tell YOU how to run your tour...not even your mother. I mean that.
Silver *Staring at him*: Still having those moments?
Chris *Sighs, looks around the restaraunt*: Is it PTSD?
Silver *Smirks*: No...dummy...you discovered you had more of a soul and heart than you thought...that's all. *Chris shakes his head*
Chris: She pretends I don't exist now.
Silver: She has to.
Chris: Nah...like...I reach out to her every now and then because I miss catching up. Minus all the other shit...she's a really dope person. *Silver nods in understanding* She never returns the same energy anymore...
Silver: Ever once thought that maybe she thinks you could be Ripley. I mean she did hack your shit quite alot back in the day...even got ME caught up in it.
Chris *Sighs*: Only I have access to my shit now. *Looks out the window at the city* This place seems so different now. *Silver shakes her head in wonder at him* What?
Silver: How do you plan on getting home?
Chris: Train. I’m headed to Mississippi.
Silver: Here we go again.
Chris: What??
Silver: You’re BEGGING to get robbed AGAIN in this crazy city…
Chris: I’ll be fine this time, I’m leaving immediately.
Silver: What’s in Mississippi?
Chris: An old friend.
*Looks out the window at the city in wonder and then reaches into his pocket and takes out the letter to Justine*
Chris: Getting rid of something…well…this and some other things…part of a little thing she has going on that we used to do…
Silver: Ripley?
Chris: Yeah.
Silver: You sure that’s a good idea?
Chris: We’ll be fine this time.
Silver: Forever evolving. I love it. *Studies him* It says Justine.
Chris: Yeah…
Silver *Smirks*: I’m not reading that. Bad luck.
Chris: It basically says tha…
Silver: Shhhhh.
Chris *Sighs with a grin and puts the letter back away*: Sorry love.
Silver: Don't be. You're more human than anyone I've ever met...because a lot of people would take a bullet to be sitting here with me and would die to do what we're going to do when we leave here...you lust me...but you love an average everyday citizen. That's mental strength. It tells me you don't want much from me on a certain level.
Chris *Sips his Cola*: ...and...what exactly are we doing when we leave here?
*Silver smirks*
**Bounce: About 2 hours later; Roman is pulling into the airfield, he turns in the Maserati.**
**Song: Parade on Cleveland (Young Thug, featuring Drake)**
*As he heads to the jet he freezes at a familiar voice behind him*
The voice: Want to save some money and ride back together? I'll do most of the driving.
*Roman turns to see Nyne with his bookbag on*
Roman: For real?
Nyne: Got a lot to chat about...
*Roman nods, the two head back to the Maserati, Nyne takes his phone out*
Roman: Calling your Mama? Where we landing?
Nyne: Actually...I was going to see if someone else wanted to come along...final shot at a free flight home...
Roman: Save it. He isn't going to answer.
Nyne: He might.
Roman: No...no he won't.
**Chris' phone rings on the nightstand of the W Hotel in Manhattan, the scene pans out to Chris and Silver. Chris has Silver pinned against the window of the hotel; Chris cradles Silver in mid air and continues as the two sex into the morning; scene fades**
**Bounce; 3 Years Later; Ripley is in Houston Texas at the infamous local mall doing personal shopping, she's on her cellphone**
Ripley: Girl...tonight is needed. I'm showing my ASS tonight, do you hear me?! *Giggles. looks at a dress on a rack in one of the shops*...bitch the prices on clubwear is ridiculous..i was NOT prepared for Texas...*Freezes for a moment*...I'll call you back, I have someone monitoring me.
*She hangs up quickly and turns directly behind her; Hunter Gifford is leaning on a hat rack behind her*
Ripley: What do you want?
Hunter: You've gotten good Ms. West.
Ripley: Dating a man with enough money to know your every move does that to you.
Hunter: Fair.
Ripley: What's he said?
Hunter: Nothing...
Ripley *Quickly*: What's he DONE?
Hunter: Ripley relax. This is all me this time.
Ripley: But I'm sure it's about him.
Hunter: Of course.
Ripley *Shakes her head and continues into the store*: Walk and talk...just like the good old days.
Hunter: Good old days? You miss them?
Ripley: What do you want Hunter??
Hunter: Who'd he cheat on you with?
Ripley *Taken aback*: I'm sorry?
Hunter: Ripley...enough...you've proven you can keep a secret for the man. You can. Kudos. Was it Silver? Hailey?
Ripley: Why do you think it was cheating and maybe not the fact that YOU and all his label friends kept him so busy that I got tired of not being able to see my boyfriend??
Hunter: Because we at the label study our people...and when an artist like Chris makes drastic decisions: they're usually at the hands of a woman...and you Ms. West are NOT that woman anymore...but you were the last one...so you know who the new one is or at least have a ballpark prediction. Silver. Right? Celeb daughter...more connects...he upgraded, right? We can make this off the record.
Ripley: Fuck you, Hunter.
Hunter: Struck a nerve? Listen…there are rumors that he’s coming to LIVE in Los Angeles…if that’s true we can finally get him in that label building.
Ripley: So you all could control him a little more. I know.
Hunter: It’s not control, Ripley, it’s everything he ever wanted once upon a time and I think he can DO it. Now that he doesn’t have…as much of a distraction anymore.
Ripley: I was a distraction?!
Hunter: WAS. Now it’s something or…someone else…
Ripley: Nobody was a distraction, Hunter, they were an enhancement, Chris made all that music under the influence and at the hands of EVERY one else. Give him time.
Hunter: Just cut the shit...do you know her name or are you really trying to protect the mother of his potential child?
*Ripley freezes in her steps*
Hunter: Oops. Have I said too much?
Ripley *Smirks at his nerve, turns to look at him*: You're too slow, Hunter. He WAS here...but he's back in Los Angeles where YOU should be. *Hunter stares at her in disbeleif and shock*...and I know about CJ. He's adorable. If you were looking for someone to convince him to take your offer I can't say I did all that...but you definitely have a new album coming. Is that good enough for you?
*Hunter smirks back at her and holds a hand out*
*Ripley shakes his hand and gives him a light hug*
**Flashback to a week prior; Chris continues staring at the fire**
Ripley: We can continue this...we can be friends...but we can never go any further...ever again...becau....
Chris *Quickly*: I have a child...Ripley...I have a child.
Ripley *Doing her best to hold back her disappointment*: Okay....
Chris: I'm sorry.
Ripley: For what? Living your life?? It's fine.
Chris: I'm sorry...I just wanted to reconnect and say I was sorry. Me and Jas are ok again. In a peaceful way...me and Mariah are good.
Ripley: ....Silver?
Chris: Silver is Silver. *Chuckles*
Ripley: Doesn't make me feel better.
Chris: We're ok. I haven't done anything with anyone...except Celeste…we’re not TOGETHER together…yet…I don’t know. Just scared I guess. Silver is very tempting.
Ripley: Silver is everything you used to despise, Chris…and don’t fuck with me, you two fucked the last time you saw her and she was on your tour so it wasn’t long ago.
Chris: Ah shit…
Ripley: I figured that out for absolutely FREE nigga. You’re who you said you’d never become…but it fits you.
Chris: I guess. Getting to see things from the inside can really change a niggas perspective.
Ripley: Is Justine's baby yours? *Chris looks at her abruptly* Just...please tell me the truth...
Chris: No. Not at all. I'd be willing to bet on that.
Ripley: Why bet when you know for sure..?
Chris: True. So no.
*Chris' phone vibrates; he looks at it, it reads 'Celeste'*
Chris: It's her...
Ripley: Choose her Chris.
*Chris gets up and walks away from the firepit to answer the phone*
Chris *On the phone*: Hey..
Celeste *Sitting in the bed watching television*: Hey...
Chris: How's everything?
Celeste: When are you coming back, Chris?
Chris: Celeste...I...
Celeste: Are you even coming back?? Please just tell me...*Attempting to keep it together*
Chris: Yeah...yeah I'm coming back, Celeste. just needed some time away...I'm always away...*Sighs*
Celeste: There's nothing to be scared of, Chris...if you need your space I'll give you your space...you need time to work I'll give you that time...but I miss you...and I want you to come home...HOME...this is home Chris. You say it isn't but your home isn't in Virginia Beach...that's our old home...that's the lounge...that's the studio...but it isn't home...here is home and I want you to come home. I love you...I love you...and I want you to come home.
Chris *Staring into the night sky*: ...you...love me?
Celeste: YES! Fuck! Is that what you wanted to hear?! I LOVE you Chris!
Chris *A tear falls down*: I...I love you too...I'll be back on my way tomorrow ok? I promise.
Celeste: You promise?
Chris: I promise.
Celeste: Ok. I love you.
Chris: I love you too.
*Hangs up and turns back around to the firepit; Ripley has a bookbag placed where Chris was sitting*
**Song: “Way Down We Go" by KALEO**
Ripley: Ready?
*Chris nods*
*Chris takes out the old teddy bear he gifted Jas and tosses it into the firepit. Ripley removes the bracelet Tracey gave her and tosses it into the fire. Chris tosses Jas' Harley Quinn jacket into the firepit; the flames burst higher as the two step back. Chris takes out his letter to Justine and tosses it into the fire. Ripley leans on his shoulder as the two watch the fire burns*
*The scene pans into the fire; as the letter burns it unravels and the last fragments on the letter are seen; they read: "I met you at the worst time in my life and I've gotten through everyday because of you since that time. I'm starting to realize that I'm falling in lo.."
The flames engulf the letter
*Screen cuts to black*
*For maximum feel to the conclusion; Song: “Way Down We Go” by KALEO runs through the credits*
Closure from St. Feenix Island.
NYNEMYLES FROM HOME
OCTOBER 2023