Try Again (A Scripted Series) Part Two

1

ACT ONE

INT. KNOCKOUT GYM – DAY

MONTAGE

Soundtrack: "Blurry" by Puddle of Mudd

VISUAL EFFECTS: Color desaturation except red.

Abram's hitting a punching bag with MMA gloves. Training for a fight. He's proficient. He's been doing this awhile. After a few combos, he rests his head on the bag, closes his eyes, regretting his decision. Takes a deep breath. Gets back to it.

INT. UNDERGROUND FIGHT CLUB – NIGHT

VISUAL EFFECTS: Color bleeds back in.

Abram's entering the ring. Cheering spectators crowd around barricades. Mateo and his boys are taking bets. He nods at Abram. Abram stares down his opponent who bounces in place. Both ready. The ref lays down the rules. He steps back. Signals for the bell to ring. Abram strikes his opponent. Relentless. They go back and forth until Abram leaves himself open and takes a punch to the face. He crashes to the ground.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. OCAMPO HOME/LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Abram walks in, shuts the door. Gwen comes out of the kitchen.

GWEN

Where have you been? I thought we were eating together--

Abram turns around revealing his black eye.

GWEN (CONT'D)

What happened to your face?

She reaches for his eye. Abram jerks back.

ABRAM

I'm fine.

GWEN

You're fine?

Abram takes out the roll of money he won.

ABRAM

I'm fine.

Gwen is furious, scared.

GWEN

Have you been fighting again?

ABRAM

Someone needs to pay the bills.

GWEN

I'm paying the bills!

ABRAM

You shouldn't have to do it alone. I want to help. This is nothing compared to how much I owe you. If it weren't for me, you'd be out there accomplishing everything you set your mind to, but I stole that from you. I screwed up and it ruined your life.

GWEN

You did not ruin my life. You gave me a new purpose. I'm glad everything didn't turn out as planned. I wasn't ready. I had no idea who I was back then, let alone who I wanted to be. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found what makes me happy.

ABRAM

Being a cashier?

GWEN

Being a graphic designer. Painting the world in my own language. It's what I love. You are who I love. And I would do anything for you. I have no regrets. Neither should you.

ABRAM

So we'll both be starving artists?

GWEN

Living the American dream. Promise me you'll stop fighting.

Abram looks away.

GWEN (CONT'D)

Promise me.

ABRAM

I promise.

Gwen pulls him into a hug.

GWEN

If anything happened to you...

Abram holds onto her.