by Edna Luna
INT. VICTORIA’S HOUSE
Victoria enters her home with her school clothing. The lights are off until someone turns them on. Victoria turns around to see her father and mother waiting for her. Their faces are serious.
VICTORIA (17)
(cheerful)
Papi, Mami? I told you I had a late shift, you didn’t have to wait for me.
Victoria’s father stands from the couch he is sitting on and walks up to Victoria. His face shows anger.
VICTORIA’S FATHER (40)
Do I look stupid to you?
Victoria stands still, her expression begins to look scared.
VICTORIA
(voice quivering)
What?
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Do I?
VICTORIA
No, of course not. What’s wrong?
VICTORIA’S FATHER
What’s wrong?!
Victoria’s father smacks her across the face. Victoria falls to the floor and holds her cheek. Her eyes shut with tears. Her father stands above her. Victoria’s mother stands back from them while holding a rag and closing her eyes. Her mother holds a crucifix necklace.
VICTORIA MOTHER
(mumbled)
Ohhhh.
VICTORIA
Papi…
Victoria holds her hand up to touch her father, he smacks away and steps back.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Don’t Papi me! Look at this!
He throws pictures of Victoria in her prostitute clothing. Victoria’s eyes widen. A small cry escapes her lips with realization.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Look at that! Is that not you?! My daughter the PROSTITUTE?
Victoria stays silent and her breathing becomes quicker. Her father’s hands curl into fists.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Say something!
He kicks at Victoria, who rolls over. Victoria whimpers but says nothing. Victoria’s dad’s eyes soften.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
(voice almost crying)
How could you do something this revolting, this disgusting? Use your body for something so filthy?!
Victoria looks over at a photo of herself, then looks away. She looks disgusted as well.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
(pleading)
Answer me.
Again Victoria says nothing. once more. He grabs her and looks desperate. Her fathers eyes show anger, He picks her up, shaking her.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
(hysterical)
ANSWER ME DAMMIT!
She looks at him, fear in her eyes. Then she looks away from him, tears finally spill from her face. Victoria’s father looks disappointed.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
That’s it!
Victoria’s father throws her across the room. Victoria’s back hits the wall behind her and she loses her breath. Victoria’s mother begins to pray in Spanish. Victoria looks at her mother for help, but gets nothing.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Get out of this house! You are no longer my daughter.
Victoria struggles for air . She sees the walls, the room, and her parents all painted in red light.
VICTORIA MOTHER
(crying)
No, please no.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
Get out! Get out! Get out!
Victoria’s father grabs Victoria by the collar of her shirt and exits the house with her.
EXT. OUTSIDE OF HOUSE
Victoria’s mother cries louder. She cries for Victoria, calling her name.
VICTORIA’S FATHER
(snarling)
Don’t you ever come back.
Victoria wheezes for the Seattle air as her father shuts the door. The city engulfs her and her wheezing.
FADE BLACK
EXT. THE SEATTLE BRIDGE
Victoria walks up to the bridge slowly, wincing every once in a while. She smiles as she sees Luke sitting by the bridge. She slowly makes her way to him.
VICTORIA
Hey.
Shocked, Luke looks up to see her sight of her then his face falls at the bleeding and bruising. Luke is beat up too, with a split lip, a bruised eye, and more cuts and injuries.
LUKE (17)
(gasping)
What the hell happened to you?
He tries to touch Victoria, but she hisses in protest.
VICTORIA
(laughing)
You don’t look too hot yourself.
They look at each other for a second, then laugh.
VICTORIA
Help me will you?
Luke helps Victoria sit down by the bridge, then sits next to her. They both look down at the water, but it is not red anymore.
LUKE
I-I
VICTORIA
Hmm?
Victoria turns to see Luke in tears, she frowns.
VICTORIA
What happened? What’s wrong?
LUKE
(whispering)
I-I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.
Luke takes off his glasses and wipes away his tears cries harder as he continues talking.
LUKE
(sobbing)
I saw what my dad did to my mom, and I looked back at myself and oh my God. I was such an asshole to you. I wasn’t thinking. I wasn’t thinking at all. Jealousy just clouded my entire head. I just want to say I’m sorry. If you d-don’t want to be my friend that’s f-fine.
Luke cries softly. After some time, Luke stops crying. They sit in silence until Victoria speaks.
VICTORIA
My dad just beat the absolute shit out of me.
Luke looks over at her and sniffs. He waits for more, but Victoria just sits.
LUKE
(whispering)
What?
Victoria takes in a shaky breath, her hands squeeze her knees.
VICTORIA
He found out. Just like you. And your words hurt sure…
Victoria takes a moment to collect her thoughts and swallows.
But when he said I wasn’t his daughter anymore…
Victoria holds her arm over her eyes. Tears spill below her sleeve.
I’m so glad he threw me against the wall at that time, because I swear, I wanted to scream so badly.
Victoria voice cracks.
I wanted to say… “Dad, you motherfucking idiot”.
Victoria sobs louder. Luke closes his eyes in frustration.
“I did this for you! For all of you! For the kids to have extra snacks at school. For you to spend Christmas with us.”
Luke nods and looks down at the bridge.
VICTORIA
But now I won’t even spend Christmas with them. Because I’m no longer a part of the family.
Both sit silent until Victoria calms down. She nudges Luke. Luke sighs.
LUKE
My dad kicked my ass because he finally found out my mom has been sleeping with our neighbor.
VICTORIA
Ew. Your mom has been sleeping with that ugly bald man? Mr. Roberts?
LUKE
(laughing)
Yeah. All because she was lonely, or so she says.
VICTORIA
(laughing)
So both our dads kicked our asses tonight?
LUKE
(laughing)
Yep, and mine didn’t hold back. I don’t think I can have kids anymore.
VICTORIA
(laughing)
He kicked your balls?!
LUKE
Yeah, it hurt like shit.
VICTORIA
(laughing)
Oh my god, that sucks. I don’t mean to laugh, but I can’t help it.
They laugh for a while. Then they have solemn faces.
LUKE
What the hell went wrong?
VICTORIA
What did you mean? When I started prostituting myself in order to help my family survive their economic downfall? Or when your mom decided to sleep with a bald man with a lame excuse of loneliness when in actuality she regrets her entire life and is now trying to add change to it?
Luke looks over at Victoria for a second, taking in the view of her looking down at the river water.
LUKE
I love it when you do that.
Victoria looks up confused.
VICTORIA
Do what?
LUKE
Go on like crazy for a while.
VICTORIA
Is that a compliment?
LUKE
I don’t know. Others might find it annoying. I did for a while.
VICTORIA
Oh yeah, well you were a huge pain in the ass when I first met you.
LUKE
Was I now?
VICTORIA
Hell yeah. You should’ve cut your tutor some slack and done your homework every once in a while instead of coming to this stupid bridge every morning.
LUKE
Eh. I wanted to spend more time with my tutor, that’s why I did it.
Victoria laughs and punches Luke’s shoulder.
VICTORIA
(laughing)
Asshole.
Luke catches her playful punch and karate chops is softly. They sit again, listening to the water cascade under the bridge.
LUKE
So what now?
VICTORIA
Well…I can’t go home.
LUKE
Wanna see if my mom is around here? I’m positive she left the house.
VICTORIA
I don’t wanna be a nuisance.
LUKE
This is literally the woman who wanted to marry the both of us as soon as she saw us. I think she would take you in if she saw what kind of state you’re in.
VICTORIA
Ah that’s right. But I can always go back to my friend’s house.
LUKE
Friend? You mean the prostitute? No, Vicky. I don’t, I can’t-
Luke cuts off and stays silent.
VICTORIA
What?
LUKE
I know I don’t have any say in this. At all. But, I don’t want you to work there anymore. I’m not your boyfriend, I’m not your dad, but I’m your friend, and I don’t want you to sell yourself anymore. Let’s just get a job and live somewhere together. Hell, I’ll take the long shifts if you want, I just….
VICTORIA
(bluntly)
You gotta marry me first.
LUKE
(screeching)
What?!
Victoria sits up and turns fully towards Luke, who has his jaw ripped open.
VICTORIA
If you want to live together you have to marry me first.
LUKE
(stuttering)
W-wh-at m-marr-ied? Y-you wann-a g-et m-married?
VICTORIA
I don’t mind marrying you.
LUKE
(Screaming)
What?!
Luke almost loses his balance, but Victoria catches him by his sweater, pulling him close to her.
VICTORIA
- Don’t. Mind. Marrying. You.
With every word Victoria closed the pace between herself and Luke. His face goes deep red, and his hands can’t stop shaking by the sides of his face.
VICTORIA
(teasingly)
So, will you marry me?
FADE BLACK