Ext: The parking lot outside the Intensifying Heart Club.

SALINA and PASTOR JING are having a smoke break by the back entrance.

PASTOR JING

So I hope everything is in good order now that you and ANGÉL have moved into your new luxury apartment kindly paid for by FRANK?

 

SALINA

Well you know, PASTOR, things are different now we been moved in together. You think I have to end my career as sport journalist?

 

PASTOR JING

Well, child, you know a girl always needs to grow up into a woman with all that entails. Part of being an adult is knowing what is important in life. You know as well as I that you have a SECRET on the way that will change your life forever.

 

SALINA

Gotta be quiet, PASTOR, what if MYSTERY MASK or someone is listening. But why FRANK pay for flat, huh? Why not DADDY? He’s my boss, not FRANK.

 

PASTOR JING

You need to remember, sweet child, FRANK is the light of this town. He has a masterplan in place for all of us. If he needs you to, say, do a few extra favors on the side to pay him for your luxury apartment, then isn’t that only fair? A wonderful future full of intrigue and life’s special things await those who do their part in the service of FRANK.

 

SALINA

FRANK start to sound like this other guy you know? Big guy in sky, put his son in the Hell and save humanitykind. Ring any bells, huh?

 

PASTOR JING

Are you being fresh with me now, child?

 

SALINA

No mister father. Sorry sorry.

 

PASTOR JING

And your appointment with DR. ADAMSON went well?

 

SALINA

Again I tell you be quiet! What if-

 

Suddenly MYSTERY MASK emerges from the back entrance.

MYSTERY MASK

Hi guys, what’s up?

 

SALINA

(In a panic) IT’S THE MASKERY MAN!!!

 

PASTOR JING

No need to fear. Listen-

 

MYSTERY MASK

Well, guys, I just wanted to know if you’ve seen MARCIA around today. You went to DR. ADAMSON earlier, right?

 

SALINA

Who tell you this!? Is kind of BIG SECRET, buddy!!!

 

MYSTERY MASK

We all have secrets, you know. Well, there are a few things I myself would have to say to DOCTOR ADAMSON. Some accidents might not be accidents after all. And there are even more things I might say to MARCIA. Things about life… Love… And those special things. Oh, the long-reaching and turbulent history of these past couple of weeks, with things lost, even more things found…. The rising regrets, the yearning to forget…

 

PASTOR JING

Bless you, young man. You’ve been through so many unknowable events on your secretive path. Sometimes it almost seems as if we all knew you in some other, happier time; that you have some mysterious connection to MARCIA, DR. ADAMSON, and that tragic accident a few weeks back.

 

MYSTERY MASK

Yeah. Anyway, you havent seen MARCIA at all? I so wish I could speak to her…. Tell her so many heartfelt things… Oh, the helpless disgust, the surrender, the hate…

Editor’s note: So you seriously expect people to be surprised when you reveal Mystery Mask to be Pjaltur? I mean, theres foreshadowing, and then theres foreFUCKING TELLING THE AUDIENCE EXACTLY WHAT YOURE ABOUT TO DO!!! Come on, Chad. You dont need to spoon-feed the audience like this.

 

SALINA

Haven’t seen her today, buddy. You go away of here now, before I give away my BIG SECRET.

 

MYSTERY MASK

All right then. You guys have fun.

 

MYSTERY MASK out.

PASTOR JING

The SECRET will be out soon anyway. You and ANGÉL are gonna have a baybee. You need to get ready for love, happiness, and all those special things.

 

SALINA

You’re maybe right, PASTOR. After all, I’m nine months pregnant. I is telling people I gained lotsa weight, but I don’t know. Sometimes it seems like the guys are not believing me.

Editor’s note: Neither are the viewers, Chad. You gotta learn when to end a “mystery”, before it becomes ridiculously obvious.

 

Suddenly MONICA enters from the back door.

MONICA

YOU’RE GONNA HAVE A BAY BEE????????

Editor’s note: Groan.

(CONT)