Script Struggles and Secrets Written By Karesse Clemons Co-Written By Miles Archie Darius Beckford Jalen Johnson Based on the web-series "Struggles" Copyright 2018 K. Clemons Studios PO Box 91084, Nashville, TN 37209 404-414-3380 [email protected] 1 INT. CHURCH - DAY 1 DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH, Black, 40s looks toward the front of the church with a blank stare with her mother, LINDA BROWN, Black, 60 and her daughter DESTINY KIMBROUGH, Black, 16 and her son ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH, Black, 20s next to her. They have a look of sadness upon their faces. PASTOR BROOKS, Black, 30s is standing at the podium in the pulpit and begins to speak. There is a casket in front of the church as well. There is a thunderstorm outside. There are also FOUR ASSOCIATE MINISTERS in the pulpit. Everyone is dressed in all black. PASTOR BROOKS Today we come to celebrate the life of a father, husband, and servant. Although we wish we could have enjoyed his presence a little longer, the Lord saw fit to call him home. Members of the CONGREGATION are engaged with the service and nod their heads in agreement. PASTOR BROOKS On today, we come together in unity in order to strengthen the family during this time of bereavement. As the family processions out lets have a selection from the choir. Pastor Brooks steps from the podium and the CHOIR begins to stand and SISTER HALL, 40s walks to the podium and begins to sing "Miracles" by Duranice Pace. DISSOLVE 2 INT. CHURCH HALLWAY - DAY 2 Dr. Kimbrough is standing in the church hallway talking to A CHURCH MEMBER, after they finish their conversation Sister Hall begins to speak to Dr. Kimbrough. Sister Hall also has a plate wrapped in aluminum foil, car keys, and a soda in her had. SISTER HALL (rubbing her back) Hey sis, I’m going to definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. I know this is a tough time in your life. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 2. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH Thank you so much, Sister Hall. It really means a lot. Sister Hall and Dr. Kimbrough hug. SISTER HALL No problem baby, if you need anything let me know. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH Will do. Sister Hall begins to walk away. SISTER HALL (walking back) Also, one more thing. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH What’s that? SISTER HALL Who made that pound cake in the fellowship hall. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH (confused) Um, I think Sister White made it. SISTER HALL (in disbelief) Wow...For real? DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH Yes, from my understanding. SISTER HALL Well, girl let me tell you as bad as her attitude is she sure knows how to make a pound cake. But anyway I’m gone. Love you baby. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH Love you too. Sister Hall walks off singing "I’ll Always be Thankful" by Duranice Pace. TITLE CARD: STRUGGLES AND SECRETS 3. 3 INT. DR. KIMBROUGH’S BEDROOM - DAY 3 LOWER TITLES: TWO YEARS LATER OPENING TITLES Dr. Kimbrough gets out of bed and puts on her slippers. She then proceeds to the bathroom to brush her teeth with a toothbrush. She then washes her face with a washcloth. Dr. Kimbrough proceeds to the mirror to adjust her jacket, grabs her purse and exits her bedroom. CUT TO: 4 INT. DESTINY’S ROOM - DAY 4 ASHLEY, White, 20 and Alphonso are in Destiny’s room waiting on her to come from the bathroom so that they can leave for school. Ashley is on her phone sitting on Alphonso’s lap and Alphonso is in a chair. ASHLEY (yellling) Destiny hurry or we’re going to be late to seminar. DESTINY KIMBROUGH (in the distance) I’m coming, just one sec. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Man, it don’t take that long to get dressed. Destiny comes out of the bathroom and strikes a pose for Ashley and Alphonso. DESTINY KIMBROUGH Well, when you look as good as me it does. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Whatever. Let’s go. Alphonso, Ashley, and Destiny exit to the kitchen. 4. 5 INT. KITCHEN - DAY 5 JAMIE KIMBROUGH, Black, Mid-30s is sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. In front of him is a mug filled with coffee and a plate with half-eaten toast and eggs. ALPHONSO’S SON is also in the kitchen in a high chair. Linda Brown is also in the kitchen and she over by the sink washing dishes. She also has a towel over her shoulder and an apron on. Dr. Kimbrough is going through the cabinets to find her travel coffee mug. Destiny, Alphonso, and Ashley enter the kitchen. Destiny has books in her hands as well. DESTINY KIMBROUGH (hugging Jamie) See you later dad. JAMIE KIMBROUGH You’re not going to eat before you go? DESTINY KIMBROUGH No we’re going to eat on campus. JAMIE KIMBROUGH Alright. Have a good day. Destiny, Ashley and Alphonso head toward the door to exit the house. DESTINY KIMBROUGH Thanks! ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Ight Jamie. See you later ma. Jamie nods to Alphonso. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH I hope you’re taking your son with you. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Momma you know I can’t take him with me. Grandma said she was gone watch him. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH I don’t care what she says you need to take him with you. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Man you tripping. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 5. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH See there you go - JAMIE KIMBROUGH (to Genesis) Genesis leave the boy alone. (to Alphonso) I got him. Have a good day son. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Preciate that bro! I got you when I get back. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH (disgusted and yelling) Close the door on your way out and don’t slam it. Alphonso slams the door. Jamie begins to stand and walk toward Genesis. JAMIE KIMBROUGH (offended) Genesis, you don’t have to treat that boy like that. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH You know I don’t approve of his lifestyle. JAMIE KIMBROUGH What are you talking about? Dr. Kimbrough pours coffee into her coffee mug from the coffee mug. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH You know my views on how he lives life. LINDA BROWN Genesis, you gone get enough of judging people. Dr. Kimbrough puts creamer and sugar into her coffee. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH I’m not judging him, I’m just simply saying I don’t need him influencing his sister. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 6. JAMIE KIMBROUGH We have raised Destiny to think for herself and make her own decisions I don’t think that he’s going to influence her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. LINDA BROWN This man is right, she is responsible and mature enough to do what is right. Dr. Kimbrough beings to stir her coffee with a spoon and as she speaks she begins to stir faster. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH (getting louder) What I’m not going to do is stand here and let you all gang up on me and tell me how to raise my daughter. Dr. Kimbrough slams the spoon on the counter. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH (cont’d) You all need to get it together. JAMIE KIMBROUGH Have a good day. Love you! Dr. Kimbrough grabs her coffee mug and exits the house. DR. GENESIS KIMBROUGH Go to hell. JAMIE KIMBROUGH I don’t know what’s wrong with her, she used to not be so hateful. Linda walks toward the baby to pick him up and then walks back toward Jamie. LINDA BROWN Son, some things you just won’t ever understand. All you can do is pray for her and have the faith that things will get better. 7. 6 EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 6 Alphonso pulls up to the campus in his car. Destiny is in the back seat and Ashley is in the front seat. DESTINY KIMBROUGH Thanks for bringing us to campus. ASHLEY Yea babe thanks! Ashley and Alphonso kiss. Destiny and Ashley get out of the car. Ashley and Destiny then walk to the window of the car. DESTINY KIMBROUGH What time are you coming back to get us? ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH I don’t know for real, for real. DESTINY KIMBROUGH How you not know? ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH Cause, I gotta go by the bando real quick to holla’ at Greg about this bite. DESTINY KIMBROUGH I thought you wasn’t fooling with him no more. A car pulls up behind him and blows the horn. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH I wasn’t but you know I gotta take care of my son. DESTINY KIMBROUGH Alphonso you’re tripping. ASHLEY Right, you tripping. DESTINY KIMBROUGH You know hanging with him almost got you killed once before. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH That was a misunderstanding, they thought we was them boys out South. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 8. DESTINY KIMBROUGH I know but that all could have been avoided if you weren’t with him. A car pulls up behind him and blows the horn again. The DRIVER yells at Alphonso. DRIVER (in the distance) Man come on. ALPHONSO KIMBROUGH (to the driver) GO Around! I’m tryna talk to my sister. (to Destiny and Ashley) But yea, y’all ain’t got nothin’ to worry bout. Ima holla’ at ya. Alphonso turns up the radio and drives off. Next, Dr. Kimbrough exits her car wearing a pair of sunglasses. She presses the lock button on her key chain and beeps her horn. She then heads toward the entrance to her office building. 7 INT. MAIN OFFICE - DAY 7 STUDENTS are sitting in the lobby of the counseling center waiting on Dr. Kimbrough to arrive. MIRANDA CLARK, Black, 30s is sitting at her desk typing and there is a bouquet of flowers on the desk as well.