Playaz - Cheryl - Act 2

EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER

Robbie and Cheryl glare at one another. Priest, Hans, and
the other players look worried.

ROBBIE
You heard me, come here and play
some real ball.

Cheryl takes a step towards Robbie.

CHERYL
Big man picking on a girl...

Priest holds out his hand and stops Cheryl.

PRIEST
Enough of this. We all came to
ball, so let's ball.

Robbie and Cheryl turn away from each other and scowl.



MONTAGE - THE CAGE - DAY

Priest passes from the post to Cheryl. Cheryl shoots and
hits a jumper.

Cheryl fakes a shot, drawing the defense. Cheryl bounce
passes to Hans. Hans steps into the lane and lays in the
ball.



EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER

Robbie takes a shot that bounces off the rim. Priest pushes
players out of the way and grabs the rebound.

Cheryl breaks out on the wing.

PRIEST
Heads up.

Priest baseball-passes the ball to Cheryl.

Cheryl dribbles the ball at the rim.

Robbie grits his teeth and runs back on defense.

Cheryl jumps into the air.

As Cheryl releases the ball, Robbie crashes into Cheryl.
Cheryl is knocked to the ground.

PRIEST
Hey, that ain't cool.

Robbie shrugs as he walks down the court.

ROBBIE
That's basketball. Ain't my fault
she's weak.

Cheryl, on the ground, looks up and glares at Robbie.



EXT. ST. JOSEPH'S - DAY

Young Cheryl, lying on the playground, looks up and glares.

Young Priest, the Fat Kid, and other players stand around
Cheryl.

FAT KID
That's basketball.

AL (O.S.)
No, that's just being a punk.

Everyone turns to see Al, younger, in shape, and with a
confident demeanor.

KIDS
A-train!

Al walks past the kids to Cheryl.

AL
You can just call me Al.

Al helps Cheryl to her feet.

AL
So, you can push her to the ground.
You're a big man now. You didn't
seem so big when she was schooling
you.

Al moves towards the Fat Kid, glaring at him.

AL
She shoots, passes, and moves
better than you. She got game.
All you got is the heart of a punk.

The Fat Kids looks from side to side with fear.

The other kids laugh at the Fat Kid.

AL
Now get yo butt off the court,
punk. Go home to yo momma.

The kids laugh harder.

The Fat Kid turns and runs away.

AL
Yeah, keep running. That'll be
good for you.

Al turns back to Cheryl, who looks at him with admiration. A
basketball sits on the ground past Cheryl.

Al walks past Cheryl towards the basketball. Cheryl looks
down.

The ball bounces to Cheryl.

Cheryl, looks up, and sees Al looking at her.

AL
Shoot that.

Cheryl, with the ball in her hands, looks uncertain.
Cheryl's feet are at the three-point-line.

AL
Shoot that. You can make that
shot.

Cheryl nods.

Cheryl dribbles the ball.

Cheryl takes a three pointer. The ball swishes through the
hoop.

AL
There we go, just like I told you.

Al turns around and walks off the court.

Young Priest stands near the fence. Young Paul (18), dressed
like a slick thug, walk outside the fence.

YOUNG PAUL
Hey, little brother.

Priest turns with a disapproving glance and nods to Young
Paul.

Al joins Young Paul and they walk down the street.

Cheryl, holding a ball, watches through the fence at Al and
Young Paul as they walk down the street.



EXT. THE CAGE - NIGHT

Cheryl, glaring through the fence, watches Robbie walk away
down the street.

Priest and Hans walk up behind her.

PRIEST
Come on, let it go.

CHERYL
This isn't fair.

HANS
He is just a...

CHERYL
Yeah, but he's right.

Cheryl pushes off the fence.

PRIEST
What do you mean, you were national
champ.

Cheryl starts walking away from Priest.

CHERYL
And what does it mean? I'm still
getting knocked around by punks and
I need guys to defend me. It's
just not fair.

PRIEST
Hey, where you going?

Cheryl stops and turn around.

PRIEST
We gotta practice.

Jerry limps up to Priest.



EXT. THE CAGE - MOMENTS LATER

Jerry dribbles gingerly on the court. Priest, Hans, and
Cheryl watch him.

HANS
Are you ok?

JERRY
One way to find out.

Jerry bounces the ball to Hans.

Jerry motions, "Come on."

Hans shrugs and dribbles the ball.

Hans crosses over in front of Jerry, who stays in front of
Hans.

Hans drives to Jerry's left. Jerry darts in and knocks the
ball loose.

The ball bounces to Priest, who looks unemotional.

PRIEST
Do it again.

Priest bounces the ball to Hans. Priest and Hans nod to each
other.

Hans dribbles the ball against Jerry, who defends Hans.

Hans dribbles to Jerry's right.

Jerry moves to his right and grimaces. Hans goes around
Jerry and lays in the ball.

Priest shakes his head. Jerry bites his lip.

PRIEST
Take it easy, Jerry, you're still
hurt. Let's see what you got,
Cheryl.

Cheryl walks to the paint and passes Jerry. Cheryl and Jerry
slap unenthusiastic hi-fives.

Cheryl glares and hunches down into a defensive position.

Hans dribbles the ball in front of Cheryl.

Hans crosses over and moves to Cheryl's left. Cheryl moves
to her side, but Hans goes around her and scores.

PRIEST
Again.

Hans dribbles the ball in front of Cheryl.

Cheryl grits her teeth.

Hans hesitation dribbles to Cheryl's right. Cheryl moves,
but Hans easily goes around her and dunks the ball.

Priest hangs his head.

Priest turns to Jerry.

PRIEST
Do what you can to get better.
You're still our man.

Cheryl turns away and kicks the ball into the fence.

Hans pats Cheryl on the shoulder.

HANS
It is alright...

Cheryl pulls away from Hans.

CHERYL
No! This just ain't fair.

Hans, Priest, and Jerry send worried looks at Cheryl.