Not in My House
Scene 1
INT. Kitchen
A husband and wife are finishing up their dinner preparations. What they are making is unimportant. The wife (MOM) places something on the table (like a bowl of salad or a roast).
MOM: You should tell Michael that dinner’s ready.
The husband (DAD) nods and walks out of the kitchen.
INT. Hallway, viewed from inside a bedroom, the door not quite closed
DAD is about to knock on the door, but pauses and looks in. Without saying a word, DAD’s eyes go big and he backs away with a look of horror on his face, bumping softly into the bathroom door behind him, pushing it open. DAD walks back to the kitchen.
INT. Kitchen
MOM: What’s going on? Where’s Michael?
DAD: [to himself] I just can’t believe it. You try to raise your kids right, but it all just falls apart on you.
MOM: What are you talking about?
DAD: [to MOM] I caught Michael using Coke.
MOM: [loud, but not quite a shout] Are you serious?! [quickly looks back towards the bedroom and changes to speaking in a loud whisper] Did you take it away?!
DAD: Why bother? I’m sure he’ll just get more.
MOM: Do you know where he got it?
DAD: No, but I’d guess that friend of his, Johnny, is involved. I never liked that kid.
MOM: Is that what Michael said?
DAD: No, once I saw what he was doing, I left. [ashamed] I just can’t look at him right now.
MOM: Hang on. Let’s find out what’s going on. I just can’t believe he’s using coke! [walks out of kitchen]
INT. Hallway.
We see MOM walking down the hall. This time, MIKE’s bedroom door is completely open, but the bathroom door across the hall is closed. The sound of a toilet flushing is heard. The door opens and MIKE, a teenager, comes out, a strong look of worry and fear is on his face.
MOM: Michael! What is this I hear about you using coke!?
MIKE: I just wanted to try it, that’s all!
MOM: Just TRY it?! You don’t just try something like that.
MIKE: Mom, it’s really not that big a deal. Most of my friends have it all the time.
MOM: And that makes it okay? Your friends don’t know what’s best for you, your father and I do.
MIKE: Okay, I’m sorry.
MOM: Sorry doesn’t cut it. Where’s the rest of it.
MIKE: I got scared, so I flushed it down the toilet. It’s gone.
MOM: [sighs] Where did you even get it?
MIKE: On the way home from school, there’s a corner store.
MOM: And they sell drugs there?!
MIKE: What?! No, I bought a Coke!
MOM: You don’t think that counts as drugs?
[DAD walks into the hall.]
DAD: You should know better, son. In this house, we drink Pepsi! [very dramatically, he opens a can of Pepsi and takes a sip] Ahh!
MOM: [not believing the ridiculousness of the situation] You caught him with Coca-cola?
DAD: Yeah, I did. You know that ever since I took the Pepsi Challenge all those years ago that this has been a Pepsi house.
MOM: [rolls eyes] I can’t believe this [throws hands in the air and walks away].
MIKE: Dad, there are other colas out there.
DAD: Not as far as I’m concerned!
MIKE: Stop telling me how to live my life! [walks into bedroom and slams door behind him]
A black screen appears with white letters:
Everyone has the right to choose for themselves. Talk to your kids about which cola is right for them.
END
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