FADE IN:
INT. DESMOND MANOR Living room – morning
Early morning at Desmond Manor. RUMSFELD, 61, a polished British servant is doing some light dusting of African knick knacks on the mantel when DONALD DESMOND, 45, a well-dressed Black businessman hurries out of the den checking his watch.
DONALD
Rumsfeld, have you seen Nicole? It’s 7:00. She should be getting ready for school–
RUMSFELD
Sir, Miss Desmond just got off the plane a few days ago–
DONALD
She still has to go to school.
Donald is about to hurry upstairs when Rumsfeld asks him–
RUMSFELD
Well, did you register her sir?
It hits Donald in the head.
DONALD
Oh man, I forgot we had to do that! Thanks Rumsfeld.
Nikki’s Dad heads upstairs to–
NIKKI’S BEDROOM
A luxurious bedroom fit for a spoiled princess. Furnished with a white canopy bed, white furniture, stuffed animals, and all the amenities a spoiled teenage girl would enjoy. NIKKI DESMOND, 16, a spoiled rich sista is buried under the sheets asleep when–
Nikki’s Dad walks in. He sits on the side of the bed–
And nudges Nikki. She’s out like a light. He nudges again…
DONALD
Nikki, wake up.
Nikki
Five more minutes Agnes…
And Nikki rolls over dressed in a nightgown with bed hair and a sleep mask over her eyes. Her father nudges harder and–
DONALD
Nicole, wake up.
Upon hearing her father’s voice a startled Nikki rolls over and flips up her mask. Her Dad gives her a smile.
NIkki
Dad! Did I oversleep? What time is it twelve, one?
DONALD
(Checking watch)
It’s seven o’clock. Time to get ready for school.
Nikki
Yeah, about that. Now that I’m out here I think I’m gonna try home schooling. Wake me up about noonish–
Nikki pulls the covers back over her and turns over to go back to sleep. Her Dad pulls them back and says–
DONALD
I don’t think so. The laws of the State of California say you have to go to school–
NIKKI
C’mon Dad, I’ve been kicked out of almost every private school on the east coast. I start getting kicked out of the ones out here and I’ll never get into college–
DONALD
So let’s try public school.
Nikki gives her father a look.
NIKKI
With all the poor kids? Shoot me now–
DONALD
Most of the kids at Beverly Hills High are from families like ours. I think you’ll be all right there.
Nikki folds her arms and pouts–
NIKKI
You don’t want to waste any more money on private schools–
DONALD
Nikki, it’s not about money. Maybe private school wasn’t right for you–
NIKKI
C’mon Dad, home schooling will work for me. No White girls starting fights with me, no teachers hating on me–
DONALD
It can’t be that bad Nicole–
nikki
Dad, you don’t know what it’s like being the only Black girl in school. It’s like I don’t even exist there–
Nikki’s Dad sympathizes.
DONALD
I go through the same thing at work Nicole. But you can’t isolate yourself from the world because people hurt you. You have to go out and face it–
NIKKI
I just get tired of being by myself–
DONALD
Maybe there’ll be someone there just like you. You’ll probably be surprised who goes to Beverly Hills High–
NIKKI
People too poor to afford private school, misfits, losers,–
DONALD
People like you.
NIKKI
Ouch. Right in the chest. Next time go for a head shot–
DONALD
All I’m asking you to do is give this a chance.
Nikki reluctantly goes along with her father.
NIKKI
Three months. If it doesn’t work I want a private tutor.
DONALD
Get ready for school.
Thirty minutes later Nikki is headed downstairs to the–
DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM
Where her father and Rumsfeld in his driving uniform are waiting for her. He smiles at the sight of her coming down the stairs in a powder blue Chanel suit, white high heels, and a white Church hat as she slings her Louis Vuitton backpack over her shoulder–
DONALD
Aren’t you a little overdressed for school?
NIKKI
I’m making a fashion statement.
Donald
You didn’t have any other clothes outside of uniforms.
Nikki plays it off.
NIKKI
Dad, a lady never discusses her attire. She lets it be discussed.
donald
We’ll talk about building your wardrobe this weekend. Rumsfeld, bring the Rolls around.
Rumsfeld
Right away sir.
Nikki, Rumsfeld, and Donald head out the mansion to–
Ext. beverly hills high – morning
A high-end public high school campus. Sunny and warm, kids are hanging out on the lawns, playing ball and doing stuff. On the–
School steps
CANDICE COLLINS, 16, a cute funny sista dressed in bleached blue jeans, white sneakers, and a floral print blouse is talking to her White friends DESIREE and NONI, 16, blonde Cali girls in trendy clothes. They watch in awe as–
A white Rolls Royce pulls up in front of the school.
DESIREE
Wow! A Rolls Royce!
candice
They must have serious money to drive a car like that everywhere–
All eyes are on the Rolls as–
Rumsfeld gets out of the car opens the rear door. Candice’s White friends put their feet in their mouths as–
Nikki and her Dad step out of the back seat. She smiles at Candice–
DESIREE
Look, there’s a chauffeur!
noni
Oh my God, those are Black people!
And Candice frowns at her friends.
Desiree
Noni, how can you be so racist?
noni
I’m not being racist. You just don’t see too many people like–
An angry Candice finishes the sentence.
candice
Me coming out of cars like that.
Desiree and Noni try to cover for their social gaffe.
Noni
I didn’t mean anything by it Candice. We just don’t see girls like you with chauffeurs and cars like that–
candice
What do you mean you don’t see girls like me? I live two blocks from you Noni–
Desiree
Candice, she didn’t mean it like that–
Candice
Yeah right. I’m going to homeroom.
Candice storms away from an embarrassed Desiree and Noni into–
int. beverly hills high school room 316 – morning
A bustling social network between the desks and chairs. Kids talking, listening to music on Discmans, playing game boys, catching up on homework and hanging out. Candice broods at her desk as–
Noni and Desiree take seats between her with apologetic expressions pasted to their faces.
Noni
Candice, I’m sorry about earlier–
Candice doesn’t want to hear it.
Candice
Yeah right–
Desiree
It’s not that we’re racist. I mean, how many Black people live in the ten thousands anyway?
candice
You see me every day after sc
hool.
Noni tries to break the tension by changing the subject.
NONI
Do you think we’ll see that new girl on campus or in the neighborhood?
Desiree
If she has so much money that she can drive around in a Rolls, I doubt she even notices we exist–
Desiree is interrupted as–
Nikki walks into the room. She approaches the homeroom teacher and asks–
Nikki
Is this is room 316?
The homeroom teacher nods her head. Nikki is surprised as–
She sees Candice. Nikki smiles at Candice and Candice smiles back at her before Nikki takes a seat in the back of the room. Desiree and Noni notice–
DESIREE
Oh my God, she’s wearing a Chanel suit!
NONI
And a Louis Vuitton backpack!
desiree
No way she’s gonna talk to girls like us.
Candice isn’t as pessimistic as her friends.
candice
I think I’ve got a shot with her.
desiree
Because you’re Black–
Candice
No, because she smiled at me–
desiree
She was being nice because you looked at her–
Candice
How do you know how she was being? Are you in her head?
NONI
You don’t need telepathy to know a girl with money like that is stuck up and conceited. Smiles are just a formality for her–
candice
I’m gonna go talk to her–
DESIREE
Candice–
Candice
Just gonna go find out what’s up with the new girl.
Candice jumps out of her seat and heads over to–
Nikki’s desk
And has a seat next to Nikki who is reading her schedule. She peers up–
To be greeted by Candice’s smile. Nikki lights up as Candice introduces herself.
CANDICE
(Extending hand)
Hey, welcome to Beverly Hills High. I’m Candice Collins, token Black chick of the Junior class.
NIKKI
(Shaking hand)
I’m Nicole Desmond, token Black chick from New York, Boston, and Chicago. Nice to meet you Candice.
Candice
You travel a lot?
nikki
Nah, that’s where the boarding schools I was expelled from are.
candice
So what brings you to public school Nicole?
NIKKI
Trying something different. So where are you from Candice?
Candice
Born and raised in right here in Beverly Hills. The only Black family on the ten thousands–
Nikki lights up. They have something in common.
nikki
You live in the ten thousands? That’s where I live!
candicE
No way! What house do you live in?
nikki
10030 Beverly Lane.
Candice
Desmond Manor! Oh man, I just live down the street from you! I didn’t even know Black people even lived in that house!
Nikki
My Dad leaves for work real early so no one probably sees him–
candice
We so have to have lunch. Let me see your schedule–
Nikki hands Candice her program card.
Candice
Great. We’ve got the same lunch period. And a study period–
Candice is cut off by BRRRRING! The bell ringing. Nikki jumps out of her seat to tell Candice–
Nikki
I guess I’ll see you at lunch Candice.
Candice follows her–
Candice
Wait, let me walk with you to your next class–
Passing by a brooding Noni and Desiree–
DESIREE
Why didn’t she introduce us to her?
noni
Maybe she’s still mad at us.
Who feel slighted. Two hours–
later
In the–
int. Beverly hills high cafeteria – Afternoon
Kids chow down and hang out in the high school social hub. Desiree and Noni are sitting in front of nachos when they notice–
Candice looking around at the front entrance of the cafeteria. They feel slighted again.
Desiree
Hey there’s Candice. What’s she standing over there for?
noni
(Rolling eyes)
I can’t believe she’s still mad at us. How long is she gonna hold a grudge?
Desiree
I know, we apologized. She should be getting her nachos and having lunch with us–
As Noni and Desiree brood–
Nikki comes into the lunchroom from the–
Back cafeteria entrance
And heads for the lunch line. Desiree and Noni are pissed as–
DESIREE
Oh my God! I don’t believe this! She’s ditching us for her?
noni
And she says we’re racist.
Candice notices Nikki headed for the lunch line and–
Runs up to her and pulls her away. She lets her know about the unwritten social rules of Beverly Hills High.
nikki
Hey, I just wanted some lunch–
candice
Don’t do that to yourself. You’ll ruin your reputation before it gets started around here.
Nikki
Come on, me getting a cheeseburger isn’t gonna ruin my social standing–
Nikki has to eat her words when–
A nerdy kid with glasses and a pocket protector passes by with a tray of school lunch. Nikki grimaces at the glop on his plate–
NIkki
…But it will ruin my appetite.
Candice
Told you. No one who is anyone gets on the free lunch line. Us cool kids eat over here–
Nikki and Candice walk over to the–
concession stand
And get in line. Nikki gives Candice an appreciative smile.
Nikki
Thanks for saving me from the social gaffe. So what’s good on the menu?
Candice
Well, at Beverly Hills High we students live off nachos, fries, sodas, cookies, onion rings–
Nikki’s feeling generous. She wants to reward Candice for having her back.
NIKKI
Order anything you want. I’m buying.
CANDICE
Wow, no one has ever treated me to lunch before–
Nikki
I always look out for my friends.
Candice
Thanks Nicole.
Nikki
Hey, my friends call me Nikki.
Candice lights up as they connect. As Nikki looks over her choices on the menu Candice looks her up and down and inquires–
Candice
So what’s with the Chanel suit, the heels, and the Louis Vuitton backpack Nikki?
nikki
I always dress when I go out.
Candice
I mean, you’re really dressed up for school–
NIKki
What do you mean? You don’t dress for school?
CANDICE
Dress? So you don’t wear clothes like mine?
Nikki looks Candice up and down.
nikki
That cheap stuff? I only wear that when I’m in the house.
Candice takes a little offense.
candice
But these are the latest fashions from the Gap and Ralph Lauren. Every kid wears them around here–
nikki
(Feeling Candice’s blouse)
You know what I use stuff like this for Candice?
Candice
What?
nikki
I use clothes like these to wax the Rolls.
Candice’s feelings are hurt. Nikki is surprised.
Candice r />
You don’t have to be so cruel–
Nikki
Look, these are poor people clothes. Only Valley bimbos and O.C. wannabes wear stuff like this–
Candice
I’m from the same neighborhood you’re from and I like these clothes–
NIkki
Look Candice, if you dress like a nobody, you’ll be treated like nobody.
Candice
Don’t you think that’s a little elitist?
Nikki
Look, people will never see you dressed like this–
candice
I just want to be like everyone else–
Nikki
Look, we’re not like everyone else. We’re Black.
Candice has tears in her eyes.
candice
I have feelings like other kids–
Nikki
Look, Candice I didn’t mean anything–
candice
No, no one ever means anything.
Nikki
What’s wrong with you?
candice
I thought you were going to be different. But you’re just like everyone else around here!
A sobbing Candice hurries out of the cafeteria. Nikki realizes she put her foot in her mouth as–
Desiree and Noni survey the damage from afar.
Noni
Man, Candice ran out of here crying. We better go find out what happened–
Desiree folds her arms and tells Noni–
desiree
I’m staying right here.
noni
That’s cold Desiree. She’s our friend–
desiree
Hey, she snubbed us to be with her people. Let her people help her out.
Desiree and Noni go back to their lunch as–
Nikki ponders how to help Candice–
LATER
ext. beverly hills high school front steps – afternoon
The end of the school day, kids are headed home. A brooding Candice feels hurt as–
Noni and Desiree walk past her giving her the cold shoulder.
Candice
Hey–
Desiree
We’re not talking to you.
candice
What did I do?
noni
You talk about us being racist and you’re a racist yourself–
candice
How am I racist?
Desiree
You hang out with the new girl instead of us. What’s that about?
cANDICE
It’s not about anything–
NONI
Is it? You don’t even introduce us to your “sista”–
CANDICE
I didn’t introduce you because we just met. I wanted to get to know her–
desiree
No, you wanted to blow us off.
candice
Look, I just met Nicole–
Noni
And you could have brought her over to our table–
Desiree
It’s obvious you’re more comfortable with your people than us–
Candice
People?
Desiree
I’m gonna be “real” with you Candice. You’re going in a different direction in your life. One where we aren’t gonna fit in. So it’s best if we just ended things here.
Candice
Guys, this is crazy. We’ve been friends for years–
Noni ends things with Candice.
Noni
Look Candice, this is for the best. We’re not kids anymore.
Candice is super pissed. She wants to curse her former friends out but holds back–
Candice
You know what? Forget both of you!
A hurt Candice hurries off the campus as–
Nikki comes out of school. She sees Candice crying and wants to reach out to her as–
Rumsfeld pulls up in the Rolls. Instead, a reluctant Nikki gets in–
int. Rolls Royce – Afternoon
moving
The backseat. Rumsfeld notices the forlorn look on Nikki’s face in the rearview mirror, but keeps things formal.
rumsfeld
Good afternoon Miss Desmond. How was school today?
nikki
The same as it was in private school Rumsfeld. Awful.
rumsfeld
Did you get into trouble again Miss Desmond–
nikki
Kind of. I met this girl.
rumsfeld
I don’t see what the problem is Miss Desmond. You’re making friends–
nikki
Not really. I said something stupid and hurt her feelings.
rumsfeld
You put your foot in your mouth so to speak.
nikki
Toe jam sandwich with blue cheese mold. The thing is I really liked this girl. Man, I meet the only other black girl in Beverly Hills and I screw it up by insulting her clothes–
rumsfeld
A fashion faux pas?
nikki
Like a plaid Sears shirt. She was talking about the Gap like it was some store people shop in for school clothes around here–
rumsfeld
Well, not every student in public school can afford Chanel suits and Louis Vuitton backpacks Miss Desmond–
nikki
But she lives in our neighborhood–
rumsfeld
And not everyone who lives in our neighborhood is as blessed as we are. You have to be a bit more sensitive to the feelings of others–
nikki
I didn’t mean to make Candice cry–
rumsfeld
I’m sure you didn’t Miss Desmond.
nikki
I don’t know what to do. I want to make things better between us. I mean, Candice is a nice girl–
rumsfeld
Well, you could apologize.
Nikki
I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy.
rumsfeld
Miss Desmond, sometimes the simplest gestures of kindness lead to the greatest overtures of understanding.
nikki
I don’t know Rumsfeld, I really think I blew it–
rumsfeld
True friendship can overcome the greatest adversity. I think you should show this young woman the kindness you’re expressing to me.
The conversation ends abruptly as Rumsfeld drives into–
desmond manor
And lets Nikki out. She hurries up the stairs into–
int. Desmond manor living room – AFTERNOON
Where her Dad is eagerly waiting for a report on the first day of school. He jumps off the sofa–
DONALD
Hey Nikki, how was your first day of school?
Nikki
Lousy. Do you know where Candice Collins lives? She says she lives around here–
DONALD
Oh Dr. Collins’ daughter Candice? She lives two houses down from us. Did you meet her at school?
DONALD
Met her and offended her.
Donald gives his daughter a look.
donald
Okay, what did you say?
NIKKI
Nothing- Just that her clothes were for poor people and I’d wax the Rolls with them–
Nikki’s Dad sighs.
DONALD
Nikki, Nikki, Nikki, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Didn’t you think about Candice’s feelings?
nikki
I didn’t know Gap was what kids wore around here. In New York it’s a poor people brand–
DONALD
Still it’s very insensitive to insult people’s clothes.
NIKKI
I know. But I really like Candice Dad. I mean, she was nice enough to help me out and show me around and I–
Nikki has tears in her eyes. Her Dad hugs her.
DONALD
I’m sorry Nicole.
nikki
I just want to make things right
between us–
DONALD
You know what you have to do if you want to earn Candice’s friendship back.
A resigned Nikki charts a course of action.
nikki
I’m gonna head over there.
Nikki’s father smiles as she hurries out the door over to–
INT. CANDICE’s living room – Afternoon
Where Candice is sitting in the living room brooding with her walkman in her ears and her homework on the coffee table. DING DONG! The doorbell rings–
And Candice hurries over to the door to open it. She rolls her eyes when she sees Nikki–
Candice
Oh great, it’s you.
nikki
I want to say I’m sorry about what I said at lunch–
candice
Go back to your mansion Nicole–
nikki
Look, I really didn’t mean to hurt you Candice. Just give me a chance–
Candice
I did. You blew it by being a snob–
Nikki is cut to the core by Candice’s hostility. Resigned, she somberly walks away when–
Nikki
I did. I’ll just leave you alone then.
Candice grabs her arm.
Candice
Hey wait, come in.
Nikki walks in. Candice closes the door behind her and lets it all out.
Candice
Look, I’m kinda having a bad day. My White friends went and said some racist crap when they saw you–
Nikki
Were you defending me?
CANDICE
I was defending myself. They sat there and talked about you like you were the first Black girl they ever saw around here–
Nikki
They acted like you were invisible.
candice
It’s like I wasn’t even there. I’ve been their friend since the sixth grade and they just acted like I didn’t exist. It just got me so mad–
Nikki reaches out to Candice.
NIKKI
I know. I’ve been there myself. You feel so alone.
CANDICE
Yeah, then they try to justify stuff with that crap like “Well, you know I didn’t mean to be racist, but we don’t have that many Black people around here–”
NIKKI
And they see you every day.
CANDICE
Yeah, these heifers live right next door to me. I played with them, hung out with them, and then they dump me. Talking about how they’re going in a different direction than me–
Candice is about to cry again when Nikki takes her hand.
Nikki
Why don’t you hang around me?
candice
I’d be better off by myself–
Nikki remembers what her father told her and thinks about her own experiences.
Nikki
No you wouldn’t.
candice
It seems like a good direction to go in–
Nikki
Look, I know you had a rough day today, but you can’t cut yourself off from everyone because some people who you thought were your friends hurt you.
candice
I just don’t want to be hurt again–
Nikki
Cutting yourself off from everyone is just gonna hurt you worse. I mean, like there’s a lot of bad people out here, there’s a lot of good people out here too. Don’t you think they deserve a chance?
Candice
And you deserve a chance because–
NIKKI
Look, I may be a bit obnoxious sometimes and even a little vein–
Candice gives Nikki a look.
Candice
Sometimes?
Nikki smiles back at Candice and owns up to her faults.
Nikki
Okay, it’s something I have to work on. But if I was your friend I’d have your back. I wouldn’t bail on you like those girls did.
candice
You’re a real snob though–
Nikki
Look, I didn’t mean to make a crack on your clothes. I didn’t know people around here wore stuff like Gap and Ralph Lauren outside–
Candice
So you always dressed like this?
NIKKI
The boarding schools I went to were really strict. If you weren’t in uniform you had to wear suits as casual clothes. I only dressed in clothes like yours when I went to visit my Dad out here in the summer–
Candice
I never saw you–
nikki
Er…you were hanging out with your little White friends–
CANDICE
Touché.
Nikki
I really enjoyed lunch with you today.
Candice
I never did get my onion rings.
NIKKI
I could get you some tomorrow.
Candice
I want a pack of cookies too. And a soda.
nikki
Anything you want. I’m always generous with my friends. What are you doing Saturday?
Candice lights up.
CANDICE
You want to do something with me–
Nikki
This wardrobe of mine is great for the east coast but it’s a bit formal for the west coast. Tweed and the L.A. Sun don’t mix.
CANDICE
Ewww. Sweat city. I think I could help you buy some new school clothes–
NIkki
Cool. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow–
Nikki is about to leave when Candice grabs her arm–
Candice
Hey, where do you think you’re going?
nikki
I was gonna go home and do my homework.
Candice
There was some stuff I wanted to tell you about study hall.
NIKKI
You want me to hang out with you?
Candice
What are friends supposed to do?
Nikki smiles and drops her bag on the coffee table and flops on the sofa across from Candice. They talk as–
FAde Out:
The End
ALL ABOUT NIKKI
EPISODE 1.03
“ALL ABOUT RIVALS”