Powerless: Graffiti Pete x Sonny

3

Vanessa sees a broken spray can and hears voices. She realizes where he might be and who he's with. She walks towards the voices and sees Pete and Sonny. A large broken wall coated in graffiti is set up as the backdrop. Multiple spray cans are lined along the wall. Pete sits against the wall, fiddling with one of the spray cans while Sonny stands in front of the wall, panting a jagged object with multiple colors. As the scene progresses, Vanessa can be seen silently watching the events unfold.

"That's one big monster." Pete comments, looking at Sonny's painting.

"Yeah..."He steps back to take in the whole thing. "May as well be home; it's just as chaotic and mean spirited." Sonny explains.

"Deep. And true." Sonny nods, his face tight, and he picks up another spray can. He begins covering it with yellow streaks like scribbling over a mistake.

"What are you doing?" Pete asks.

"It's not done. Needs to be unrecognizable." Sonny mutters bitterly.

"What do you mean?" Pete sits up a bit straighter.

He starts painting more streaks. "Cause that's what home's gonna be tomorrow. Unrecognizable."

The streaks get sharper and his voice rises with every statement. "Cause of that stupid lotto money...stupid dreams....fucking blackout...god damn looters...bodega's trashed...!" Sonny holds down the nozzle and sprays one spot up close. "And my god damn cousin! Fucking running off to that stupid island of his!" He begins to hit the wall with the can, either randomly or punctuating his statements.

"Yeah, just leave me behind! Just give me some money and fly away, real nice! Cause who wants me around, right? Leave the burden behind who can't even protect the goddamn store! Leave the useless kid while we either move down town, or sell the dispatch, or close the salon, or go back to college, or...fucking die!! Let's just all leave the useless kid behind to pick up the pieces and not give them the time of day because they don't fucking matter!"

Sonny continues hitting the wall, yelling in anger. Pete grabs Sonny and pulls him away from the wall into a kind of embrace. Sonny fights and struggles against him, a mixture of yells and swears ringing through the air, for a good while until he tires out and starts to cry. Pete simply holds him and stays silent until Sonny's movements cease. "You good?"

"I'm useless Pete...they don't care about me..."

"Sonny-" Pete's heart breaks for him.

"I don't matter to anyone, I'm just a stupid orphan. You saw them today, they only cared about Usnavi...I'm just a useless burden..."

"You shut up, right now!" Pete holds Sonny at arm's length, loking directly at him. "You are not useless, you are not a burden, and you do matter. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a complete moron. You stood up to a whole group of armed thugs last night with a fucking baseball bat and lived to tell it."

"It don't matter anymore... Usnavi's leaving, Abuela's dead, the salon and dispatch are closing...everyone's leaving, Pete. Everyone's gonna be gone... I'm gonna be alone, again..." Pete pulls him back into the hug.

"You won't be alone. I'll make sure of it." Pete assures him softly after pulling apart slightly. Sonny looks at him and glances at his lips. Pete does the same before leaning in and pushing their lips together. Sonny cups Pete's face smiling into the kiss. Pete wraps his arms around his waist, pulling him closer. Vanessa gasps slightly, then smiles. She walks away and reaches for her phone so she can call Nina.

Usnavi and Nina sit on the couch and Carla in the chair, while Daniela and Benny stand, either pacing or fidgeting anxiously. Usnavi is completely drained, nearly shattered with worry, while Nina uses the last of her energy to try and offer comfort before succumbing as well. The room is silent until Nina's cellphone rings. Everyone perks up. Nina grabs it and shoots to her feet before answering. "Vanessa?" Nina answers.