FADE IN
inT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – MORNING
DING DONG! The doorbell rings. RUMSFELD, 61, a polished British servant hurries to get the door as–
NIKKI DESMOND, 16, a spoiled rich sista dressed in designer suit, heels, and a Church hat rushes down the stairs.
Nikki
I’ll get it Rumsfeld–
RUMSFELD
I’ve got it Miss Desmond.
Rumsfeld opens the door to greet–
CANDICE COLLINS, 16, dressed well in a designer suit and heels like Nikki. A surprised Rumsfeld inquires–
RUMSFELD
Miss Collins. Aren’t you a bit overdressed for school?
CANDICE
I’ve decided to start dressing for school Rumsfeld.
Nikki smiles at the sight of her made over friend.
NIKKI
Wow. You look great Candice.
CANDICE
Couldn’t let my new best friend have all the fashion fun.
NIKKI
So you’re not wearing your old clothes to school anymore?
CANDICE
That poor people stuff? I’ll just wear it in the house.
NIKKI
What made you change your mind?
CANDICE
I figure if we’re different, then why should I want to dress like the other kids?
NIKKI
Now you’re getting it.
Nikki turns to Rumsfeld to ask him–
NIKKI
So which car are we taking to school today Rumsfeld? The Rolls, the Jaguar, or the Bentley?
Before Rumsfeld can answer–
Nikki’s father DONALD DESMOND, 45, a well-dressed businessman strolls out to meet the girls carrying a set of car keys with him.
DONALD
You’ll be taking your own car to school today Nicole. That’s if you have your license.
Nikki lights up on hearing the news. She reaches into her purse and shows him her New York State Driver’s license.
NIKKI
Got it right after I passed Driver’s ed last semester.
DONALD
(Handing her car keys)
Great.
NIKKI
So where’s my car?
DONALD
It’s outside in the driveway.
Nikki opens the door and hurries out to–
EXT. DESMOND MANOR DRIVEWAY – MORNING
Where ROSA, 36, the Desmond family maid drives a brand new red Mercedes 500SL convertible down to the gate. Nikki is ecstatic.
NIKKI
Oh man, a Mercedes!
CANDICE
Man, this car is brand new!
DONALD
I only buy the best for my daughter.
ROSA
I hope you appreciate what your father has done for you muchacha. Most kids your age only get beat-up hooptys as their first cars.
Nikki
Like the one you park in the back. Now get out of my car. You’re soaking up all the new car smell.
Rosa takes her time easing out of the car.
ROSA
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. At least I got to experience what a new car smelled like.
NIKKI
Maybe you’ll get to drive one in the next life. Thanks Dad.
Nikki hugs her Dad then gets in the driver’s seat. Candice takes shotgun.
DONALD
You’re welcome Nicole. I’ll see you afterschool.
Nikki waves bye to her family, starts the car, and drives onto–
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS STREETS – MORNING
As–
INT. NIKKI’S MERCEDES – Morning
Is–
MOVING
Into city traffic, Candice soaks up the new car smell.
CANDICE
You know your way to school?
Nikki
Yeah, Rumsfeld has driven me around enough times that I remember how to get there.
CANDICE
When we get there you can park in my space.
NikkI
You have a car?
CANdice
Yeah. It’s just an 89’ Miata. You don’t think I take the bus to school do you?
Nikki
Please. Are buses even allowed to stop in our neighborhood?
Candice is interrupted at the stop light when she sees a–
WHITE FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE
Pulling up beside Nikki’s car. Inside are Candice’s former friends NONI and DESIREE, 16. As the light turns–
green
SCREEECH! Desiree glares at Nikki, hits the gas and bolts down the street.
BACK TO NIKKI’S MERCEDES MOVING
Nikki inquires–
NIkki
Hey, what’s their problem? They never saw a Black person driving a Mercedes?
Candice
Nah. Those are the girls I told you about. My ex-friends.
Nikki
I hope I’m not in the middle of something between you and them–
CANDICE
You’re not. It’s something I have to take care of.
Nikki’s car drives into the–
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH PARKING LOT – MORNING
Where Candice directs Nikki to ease her car towards–
SPACE 3C
Where Desiree and Noni’s white Ford Mustang is parked. Candice is furious.
CANDICE
There it is space 3C– WHAT THE HELL?
Nikki
It’s okay. Space 5A is open. I’ll park over there.
Nikki turns the car around and parks in space–
SPACE 5A
Across the lot. Candice and Nikki jump out of the car and storm over to–
SPACE 3C
Where a pissed off Candice glares at the Mustang in her space.
CANDICE
I can’t believe those bitches parked in my spot!
Nikki
It’s just a space Candice. Let it go–
CANDICE
No, this is personal. They know this is my spot–
NIKKI
Candice–
CANDICE
I got this Nik.
Candice storms off into–
INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH HALLWAY – MORNING
Busy with students getting ready for class. Candice spots–
Desiree and Noni at their–
lockers
And the girls huff sighs and roll their eyes as she approaches them.
Candice
What’d you park in my spot for?
Desiree coldly tells Candice–
DESIREE
Your spot? It’s public property–
CANDICE
And you know I always park there so I can get to my first period class on time–
Desiree
Well, we came by your house to pick you up. But since you weren’t there and your car was still in the driveway we assumed you weren’t coming to school today.
Candice
Bitch, you saw me–
DESIREE
No, I didn’t see you. But I saw someone who looked like you sitting next to that new girl in her brand new Mercedes–
Desiree
Anyway it might not have been you. All you people tend to look alike.
Candice is burning from the insult.
Noni
So what are you all dressed up for?
CANDICE
I’m dressing for school.
desiree
No, you’re posing for your little rich friend.
CANDICE
Nikki had nothing to do with me changing up my wardrobe. I decided to dress for school–
DESIREE
Dress? Come on Candice, that doesn’t sound like you. You never wore a Church suit and heels at school before–
NONI
She always was a copycat.
CANDICE
I’m not copying anyone. This is who I want to be now–
&nb
sp; NONI
And you’ll be cutting your hair short like Halle Berry next week.
DESIREE
…Always jumping on the latest fad–
CANDICE
I’m not jumping on a fad–
DESIREE
You dropped us as soon as you saw you could be friends with that rich girl–
NONI
Riding shotgun in her Mercedes must be better than the backseat of our Mustang.
CANdICE
I didn’t turn on you guys. You turned on me–
NONI
Bullcrap. You meet Nikki yesterday and you’re talking like you’ve been friends for years–
DESIREE
Probably that “sista” thing. You know what happens when two Black chicks get together–
Candice is incensed.
CANDICE
What? What happens when two Black chicks get together?
DESIREE
You’re on a first name basis with your “sista” after a day, but you couldn’t introduce her to us at lunch even though you’ve known us for years–
CANDICE
I was going to introduce you to Nikki–
DESIREE
Yeah right. Just like you’re not racist.
CANDICE
I’m not racist–
NONI
No, you’re not. You have Black friends now.
Candice won’t dignify the racist comments with a response.
CANDICE
Just don’t park in my spot anymore.
DESIREE
Just don’t sit at our lunch table anymore.
CANDICE
I don’t intend to.
Things are intense until–
BRRRING! The bell rings. Candice storms off. Much–
LATER
INT. CAFETERIA CONCESSION STAND LINE –AFTERNOON
Students sit back and hang out at lunch tables and socialize. Nikki patiently waits on the long line. She smiles as–
A sullen Candice approaches her. Nikki finds out what’s wrong.
NIKKI
Hey, what’s going on with you?
CANDICE
Went to take care of that business. God, White people get on my nerves–
NIKKI
What happened?
CANDICE
I don’t want to talk about it.
Nikki sees the pain in Candice’s face. She decides not to push as–
The line thins out. Nikki is ready to order.
NIKKi
So what do you want for lunch? I’m buying remember.
CANDICE
I’ll have a pizza pocket, some nachos, and a Sprite.
NIKKI
Two pizza pockets, an order of onion rings, nachos, two chocolate chip cookies, a Coke and a Sprite.
Nikki pays for the order. She and Candice find a–
TABLE In the BAck
And sit down for lunch. Candice slips off her heels and relaxes–
CANDICE
I don’t know how you walk around in these things all the time Nikki. My feet are killing me–
NIKKI
Did you put gel pads in your shoes?
CANDICE
No. I just put em’ on–
Nikki
You have to get gel pads. It makes wearing heels like wearing sneakers. We can get some at the drugstore afterschool.
CANDICE
Thanks. You know, you’re like a guru with these fashion secrets and stuff–
NIKKI
Hey, I had to wear these things at formals since I was eleven years old. You learn a few things at boarding school to make things easier.
As Candice eats her pizza pocket–
Across the cafeteria–
AT A TABLE IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM
Desiree and Noni catch Candice’s eyes. They sneer at her and Nikki catches a look at them as–
Candice sighs, sucks her teeth and gives her former friends a cold glare that cuts even Nikki to the core.
NIKki
Is that them?
CANDICE
Yeah.
NIKKi
Wanna talk about it?
CANDICE
You don’t wanna hear it.
NIKKi
Friends don’t hold stuff back from friends Candice.
Candice opens up.
CANDICE
Okay, when I went to handle things this morning, Desiree and Noni accused me of being a racist–
NIkki
Racist? How can you be racist for wanting to be friends with another Black girl?
CANDICE
I know. I’m the racist for having a Black friend. Then they accuse me of tossing them aside so I could hang out with you because you’re rich.
NIKKI
That’s stupid. You wouldn’t be living down the street from me if you were a gold-digger–
CANDICE
I’m not. And I’m not copying you.
NIKKI
I know you aren’t.
CANDICE
I’m just so frustrated. I can’t have a Black friend because my White friends think I’m racist. God, why does everything with people have to come down to color?
Nikki puts her head down. She understands where Candice is coming from.
NIKKI
Unfortunately, that’s the way the world works.
CANDICE
Unfortunately.
Candice pouts over lunch. Nikki ponders a solution as–
BRRRING! The bell rings. A little bit–
LATER
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH PARKING LOT – AFTERNOON
Desiree and Noni are headed their car. They roll their eyes when they see–
Nikki leaning on their car.
Desiree
What do you want rich girl?
NikkI
To talk to you about Candice.
NONI
She’s your friend now. You find out from her. After all, don’t you “sistas” share everything?
Nikki lets the racist comment roll off her.
NIKKI
She was your friend before she met me yesterday. What’s going on between you three?
DESIREE
You.
NIKKI
What do you mean me?
NONI
Candice chose to be down with her “sista” instead of her best friends since elementary school.
Desiree
She sold us out.
Nikki
That doesn’t sound like Candice.
NONI
Sounds like who she wants to be now. Two faced–
Nikki
Hold on, how is Candice two-faced?
desiree
She wants to be one way with you and one way with us. She never used to dress up for school when she was with us.
NIKKi
Look, just because she changes her style doesn’t mean she’s changed inside.
DESIREE
No, she’s keeping it “real” by dropping us to suck up to you.
NIKKI
Candice isn’t sucking up to me. She’s confused and conflicted about who she should be friends with–
NONI
Well, it’s obvious she wants to keep her colors and whites separate. She didn’t even introduce us to you–
Nikki lets the racist comment roll off her.
NIKKi
Maybe she didn’t have time–
NONI
No, she saw us at our table then snubbed us to be “down” with you–
DESIREE
Yeah, I can’t believe her. She acts like she’s never seen another Black girl in her life–
NIKKI
But I’ve met a lot of White people. And sadly you’re all the same.
Nikki walks off leaving Desiree and Noni flabbergasted over to–
PARKING SPACE 5A
Where Candice is waiting for her. She saw everything.
CANDICE
What were you talking to th
em about?
NIKKI
Just wanted to get their side of the story. Get in and take a load off. Kick off those shoes–
A concerned Candice gets in the shotgun seat of Nikki’s car.
CANDICE
Aren’t my dogs gonna take away from the new car smell?
Nikki retracts the top.
NIKKI
Nah, that’s why I’m dropping the top. You wanna hang out at my house?
CANDICE
Weren’t we going to the drugstore?
NIKKI
I want to talk to you about some stuff.
Candice eases off her heels and leans back as Nikki drives to–
INT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
Where Nikki and Candice are met by Rosa at the door. Nikki greets her with a smile.
ROSA
Good Afternoon Miss Desmond.
NIKKI
Que Pasa Rosa? Where’s Rumsfeld and Dad?
ROSA
Your father had to go to a meeting and Rumsfeld had to go to the market to get some fish for dinner.
NIKKI
Great. I’m gonna show Candice my room.
As Nikki and Candice head up the stairs Rosa inquires–
ROSA
So the muchacha knows some Spanish?
NIKKI
Fluent in it. So don’t think you’re gonna go saying stuff in Spanish under your breath and I won’t know what you’re saying.
ROSA
You’re full of surprises.
NIKKI
Hey, I didn’t get kicked out of those fancy boarding schools for failing classes.
Rosa smiles as Nikki heads upstairs to–
HER 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. Candice looks around–
CANDICE
Wow. Your bedroom is awesome!
NIKKi
Not as awesome as our friendship.
CANDICE
You’ve only known me for two days–
NIKKI
And I’d like to get know you a lot better. Have a seat.
Candice pulls the chair from Nikki’s desk. Nikki drops her bag, kicks off her shoes, takes off her suit coat, and flops on the bed. She and Candice look at each other as she inquires–
CANDICE
Is this about my ex-friends?
NIKKI
Yeah. Were you gonna introduce me to them?
CANDICE
Yeah, I was gonna bring you over to the table after we got lunch. But we got into that fight–
NIKKI
So that’s why they think you’re snubbing them.
Candice gets upset about Nikki’s observation.
CANDICE
Look, I didn’t do anything wrong–
Nikki explains her position.
NIKKI
No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just chick stuff–
CANDICE
Chick stuff? They didn’t have to say all that racist crap–
NIKKI
No, they didn’t. But now that you see their true colors do you still want to be friends with them?
A somber Candice puts her head down–
CANDICE
I just don’t want to be alone.
Nikki smiles at Candice. She takes her hand.
NIKKI
You’re not alone–
Candice pulls away from Nikki–
CANDICE
It’s how I feel. I mean, I just get tired of being the only Black girl in class, the only Black girl at the mall, and at the movies. I just feel so invisible–
NIKKI
Like people see right past you when you’re standing right there? Like you don’t exist?
CANDICE
Yeah. How’d you know?
NIKKi
It’s how I used to feel in those boarding schools.
CANDICE
You sound like you have some stories–
NIKKI
I could write a couple of books on how White girls can make your life miserable. I mean, if they’re not freezing you out, they’re doing sneaky stuff like losing your class memos, not inviting you to events, parking in your space–
CANDICE
Or making sarcastic racist comments when things aren’t going their way.
NIKKI
All the while saying “They’re not racist. “You’re just seeing things.”
CANDICE
Yeah, the truth about them.
CANDICE
How do you get through it without feeling like you want to lose your mind?
NIKKI
Most times I tried to smile and put up with it, but I always wound up losing it and getting into a fight.
CANDiCE
And that’s why you were kicked out of all those boarding schools?
NIKKi
Except the last one. That one I got kicked out for getting in a fight with some hoochies at a class trip.
CANDICE
Seems like you’re always getting into it with chicks–
NIKKI
I just don’t let people guilt trip me and try to push me around. People might not like it when I call them on their crap, but I always stand up for myself.
CANDICE
I just feel so bad about things. I shouldn’t have to choose between my Black friends and my White ones.
nikki
But that’s what they want you to do.
CANDICE
I can be their token or–
NIKKI
You can give yourself a chance to find out who you really are.
Candice remembers what Desiree and Noni told her and cocks her eyebrows–
CANDICE
I’m not copying you–
NIKKI
Hey, you’re just trying to figure out where you fit in this crazy world.
Candice connects with Nikki.
CANDICE
Do I fit in here?
NIKKI
Of course. You’re always welcome in my house–
CANDICE
You must really care about me to share stuff like this with me–
NIKKI
Look, I just don’t want to see you go out of your mind dealing with this identity stuff. Besides, if I don’t hang out with you I’ll never find out where the good hairdressers are. It’s not like any of these White chicks know where a sista can go to get her kitchen cleaned up–
Candice smiles and tells her–
CANDICE
There’s a place on Rodeo Drive. This guy Jean can get your hair tight–
NIKKI
I’m gonna have to check that out. Sista’s do is looking kinda nappy on the edges–
Candice laughs as Nikki runs her fingers through her hair. Candice smiles at Nikki and asks her–
Candice
You have my back?
Candice takes Nikki’s hand.
NIKKI
I never left your side.
Nikki smiles as the–
NEXT DAY
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH PARKING LOT – MORNING
Busy with students trying to get to class. Nikki eases her car into–
SPACE 5a
And she and Candice get out dressed in designer suits and heels. They walk by–
SPACE 3c
Where Desiree and Noni’s Mustang is parked in 3B. Desiree and Noni in trendy jeans and sneakers lean on their car roll their eyes as Noni asks–
NONI
Hey Collins, where’s your car?
CANDICE
I came to school with Nikki.
DESIREE
I thought this was your space–
NIKKI
My space is 5A. I don’t park next to hooptys. Makes my car look bad.
DESIREE
Looking out for your sista?
NIKKi
In ways you never did.
r /> DESIREE
Hey, we were Candice’s friend since elementary school–
NIKKI
Until it was time to trust her.
Desiree and Noni are pissed upon hearing the truth.
NONI
Trust her? She wasn’t even honest enough to introduce us to you–
NIKKI
You never gave her a chance to.
CANDICE
I was gonna introduce you to Nikki yesterday. But we got into a fight before I could do that.
NIkki
But unlike you two I had her back.
DESIREE
Had her back? Please. You don’t know her–
NIKKI
But from what I know about you I know I can’t trust you.
DESIREE
You don’t know us–
NIKKI
I know what I’ve seen. You don’t give your best friend since elementary school the benefit of a doubt–
NONI
We went by what we saw–
CANDICE
But you never went to talk to me about it. You didn’t even try to work it out with me. Instead you froze me out and told me I was a racist and you’d outgrown me.
DESIREE
We were mad–
NIKKi
I was upset too. But at least I came to Candice’s house and tried to work it out with her–
NONI
We’re not the bad guys here–
NIKKI
Oh, I don’t know. Stabbing a friend in the back, racial slurs, no support in a time of crisis, you’re kinda looking like a pair of heels to me.
CANDICE
The kind I’ve outgrown.
DESIREE
I guess we all can’t just get along.
CANDICE
Unfortunately.
The tension dissipates as–
Candice and Nikki walk past the indifferent Desiree and Noni. Candice turns to Nikki and gives her an earnest look as they walk towards the main building.
CANDICE
Thanks for having my back.
NIKKi
Told you I’d never leave your side.
CANDICE
I hated to see things go that way.
NIKKI
But that’s the way things went. Used to be friends now were foes–
CANDICE
That’s how the old Rob Base rap song goes. Joy and Pain wasn’t it?
NIKKI
That’s the one.
CANDICE
Y’know I think I’m gonna like hanging out with you. There’s a lot more to you than meets the eye–
Nikki
Like what?
CANDICE
On the surface you’re like this stuck-up snobby mean chick with a bad attitude and a tongue sharper than a two-edged sword–
NIKKi
Those are my good traits. Keep talking–
CANDICE
But the more I’m getting to know you I’m starting to see that underneath the designer clothes and the harsh demeanor you’re a smart funny person who’s really–
An embarrassed Nikki grimaces at Candice and tells her–
NIKKI
Don’t use the N word.
CANDICE
Okay. I won’t use the N word. I’ll just say that you’re all right.
Nikki
You’re all right too Candice.
CANDICE
This is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Nikki and Candice walk into Beverly Hills High on the–
FAde Out:
The End
ALL ABOUT NIKKI
EPISODE 1.04
“I GOT IT MAID”