FADE IN:
INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH BATHROOM – AFTERNOON
A polished lavatory that doubles as a social hub. Girls gossip as–
NIKKI DESMOND and CANDICE COLLINS, 16, spoiled rich sistas dressed in designer suits and high heels hurry in. Nikki reaches into her purse for a lipstick and a comb–
CANDICE
C’mon Nikki, hurry up. I want to get to the library before the kids get all the good computers–
Nikki smiles at Candice and tells her–
NIKKI
Why do you think I’m fixing my makeup Candice?
Candice thinks about it.
CANDICE
Girl, you so devious.
NIKKI
But we’ll be sitting in front of the new Dells in the lab and not the crappy old IBMs in the lounge.
Nikki takes off her Church hat and hands it to Candice along with her car keys. As she combs her hair she tells her–
NIKKI
Just start the car. I’ll be right out.
CANDICE
Cool.
Candice hurries out as–
SHAMEEKA JACKSON, 18, a big super senior with a bad attitude dressed in baggy jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie storms into the bathroom. Scared girls scurry out of the bathroom while Nikki puts on a fresh coat of lipstick. Shameeka approaches the mirror and–
SHAMEEKA
Excuse me.
Nikki steps aside. Shameeka washes her hands then peers down at Nikki’s shoes.
NIKKI
Sure.
SHAMEEKA
Yo, them some nice shoes. What are those lizard?
Nikki smiles at Shameeka.
NIkki
Alligator. Lizard has a smaller print.
SHAMEEKA
Gators? Whoa, them joints must cost what, four, five hundred–
NIKKI
Seven hundred. I got them on sale at Bergdorf’s.
SHAMEEKA
Man, I wish I had the money to get me some gators.
Nikki looks Shameeka up and down as she puts her comb back in her purse.
NIKKI
Well sista, if you keep your eyes on the prize and work real hard, you might be able to get a pair in a couple of years–
SHAMEEKA
Or I might just get me a pair right now.
Shameeka grabs Nikki–
NiKKI
Hey–
and shoves her into a bathroom wall. It’s an intense face off as–
SHAMEEKA
Give up the Gators!
Nikki tries to get past Shameeka–
But WHAM! is shoved back into the wall again. WHUMP! Shammeka slams a fist in her gut. A beaten down Nikki tries to make a run for it past Shameeka but–
RRRIP! Nikki’s suit tears and buttons pop off her blouse as Shameeka grabs her and tosses her back into the wall again. A stunned Nikki slumps on the floor as–
Shameeka pulls a boxcutter from her pocket.
SHAMEEKA
THE SHOES NOW!
Nikki realizes the shoes aren’t worth it.
NIKKI
ALL RIGHT!
Nikki yanks off the pumps. Shameeka snatches them from her. A barefoot Nikki scurries out of the bathroom to the–
EXT. PARKING LOT – Afternoon
Where Candice is waiting in Nikki’s–
Mercedes convertible
Noticing Nikki’s torn clothes a concerned Candice inquires–
CANDICE
Oh my God! What happened?
As Nikki hurries into the car.
NIKKI
Just drive.
Candice pulls out of the lot. As the car is–
MOVING
Into traffic Nikki pulls herself together.
CANDICE
I take it we’re not going to the library–
NIKKI
We’re going.
CANDICE
But you don’t have any shoes and your clothes are ripped–
NIKKI
I always keep a spare outfit in the trunk. We’re cool.
CANDICE
But what happened to you?
NIKKI
This big girl happened to me in the bathroom.
CANDICE
About six feet tall, dressed in sweats and sneakers?
NIKKI
Sounds about right.
CANDICE
Oh My God! You got jacked by Super Senior Shameeka?
NIKKI
Oh, so it has a name?
CANDICE
Yeah, she’s a wanna-be Gangstress. She shakes down all the new kids around here–
Nikki huffs a sigh.
NIKKI
God, just what I need. Mom sent me out here because she was tired of me getting into crap like this in New York–
CANDICE
Look, let’s go to the Dean–
NIKKI
Drop it Candice.
CANDICE
Why? We’ve got to tell somebody–
NIKKI
I’m gonna handle it.
A concerned Candice continues driving to the library–
HOURS LATER
INT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – EVENING
Nikki’s father DONALD DESMOND, 45, sits on the sofa watching TV while RUMSFELD, 61, his polished British servant is dusting the furniture as–
BAM! Nikki in a crisp spring blue suit and white heels strolls into the house followed by a worried Candice. Nikki’s father clicks off the TV to ask–
DONALD
Hey Nikki, weren’t you wearing a burgundy suit this morning?
Nikki plays it off.
NIKKI
Dad, burgundy is just too formal for the library. Now spring blue on the other hand stands out in an afterschool crowd.
Nikki’s Dad shakes his head.
DONALD
Girl, you are something else.
NIKKI
Hey, when you’ve got it like that you flaunt it.
Nikki tells her Dad–
NIKKI
We’re gonna go hang out upstairs.
RUMSFELD
Miss Desmond, shall I bring up supper?
NIKKI
Nah, we’re cool Rumsfeld. I’ll get something later.
Nikki and Candice head 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 and Candice rush in, drop their bags and flop on the bed where–
Nikki takes her burgundy suit and blouse out of the bag. Candice examines the ruined clothes.
CANDICE
Man, she really jacked you up.
NIKKI
Tell me about it. It’s gonna cost a fortune for the tailor to fix this–
CANDICE
I still think you should tell somebody–
NIKKI
I go to the Dean and people at school will start thinking I’m soft.
CANDICE
So you’re gonna handle your business–
NIKKI
I have to. If I start having administration take care of people like Shameeka, people are gonna start thinking they can get over on me.
CANDICE
Yeah, getting her suspended is a punk move.
NIKKI
Shameeka might have taken me for my gators, but she’s not gonna take me again.
Nikki examines her torn suit as Candice turns on the TV–
DISSOLVE TO:
NEXT DAY
INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH HALLWAY – AFTERNOON
Kids bustle down the hall on their way to class. Nikki and Candice chat on their way to the–
CANDICE
So how much is it gonna cost to fix your suit?
NIKKI
Fifty bucks for the jacket, twenty for the replacement buttons. The blouse was a total loss.
CANDICE
You should sue her. Messing
up your school clothes like that–
CAFETERIA
Where they get on line at the–
CONCESSION stand
NIKKI
I know. That was one of my favorite suits.
CANDICE
So what are you gonna get for lunch?
NIKKI
Nachos, fries, a couple sodas–
The line moves as–
A hot sweaty Shameeka in soaked gym clothes gets on the line behind Nikki and Candice. She takes a sip from a bottle of water before saying–
SHAMEEKA
A soda sure would be nice after a game of basketball.
Nikki ignores Shameeka and keeps talking to Candice.
NIKKI
You want onion rings Candice?
A nervous Candice doesn’t answer as Shameeka lets herself be known.
SHAMEEKa
Y’know I’m all hot and sweaty from playing basketball. I’d sure like me a soda right now.
Nikki turns around ready to handle her business.
NIKKI
Yeah, they have plenty in the back.
Shameeka lets herself be known again.
SHAMEEKA
And I said a soda would sure be nice. Y’know, I think I’ll have a Sprite–
NIKKI
I think you better have some money to pay for it–
SHAMEEKA
What? You not gonna treat me?
NIKKI
Hey, it’s the fifteenth. Your county check should be at the welfare office right about now.
Candice tugs on Nikki’s sleeve and tells her through gritted teeth–
CANDICE
Nikki, don’t antagonize the hoochie–
NIKKI
No, Candice sista wants a soda when she should be buying some soap. You do know we have showers in the locker room–
SHAMEEKA
So what you sayin’ Ms. Bougie? That I’m poor–
NIKKI
You must be. Jacking people for shoes, smelling like ravioli after gym class–
Candice laughs at the joke. Shameeka is pissed.
SHAMEEKA
Oh, Ms. Bougie got jokes.
Nikki lets Shameeka have it with both barrels.
NIKKI
Yeah. I’m gonna need you to step back cause all that funk you’re radiating is getting all up in my mouth–
Candice is having fun, but Shameeka isn’t amused. She gets in Nikki’s face and has an intense staredown. The mood changes as tension builds.
SHAMEEKA
The way I see it the soda for me is an investment in your future. A dollar towards quenching my thirst can save you a lot of money later on.
NIKKI
I don’t invest in losers. That’s what welfare is for. County office on Crenshaw, second floor.
SHAMEEKA
So I’m not gonna get me a soda?
NIKKI
My money is staying in my pocket.
SHAMEEKA
Cool. Guess if I can’t get me a soda I’m just gonna have to cool off another way–
SNATCH! Shameeka whips off Nikki’s Church hat and pours the water all over her hair. After Nikki’s hair is ruined, she slaps the hat back on Nikki’s head. Kids laugh, a lunchroom monitor approaches–
But backs off when Shameeka cuts her a cold look. Nikki is pissed.
NIKKI
WHAT THE HELL!
SHAMEEKA
Well, I guess a trip to the hairdresser to tame them naps is gonna cost more than a can of soda. Think about that Bougie Princess.
Shameeka storms out of the cafeteria. Candice grabs some napkins from the counter and helps Nikki dry off–
NIKKI
Dammit, this suit is ruined.
CANDICE
So’s your hair. You’re starting to nap.
NIKKI
First the shoes, then the hair. This isn’t just a shakedown for stuff like the other kids.
CANDICE
Yeah, going after a sista’s hair is personal.
NIKKI
It’s obvious I can’t go to administration. She’s got them scared.
CANDICE
What are you gonna do?
NIKKI
I don’t know–
CANDICE
Nikki, you can’t do anything about this on your own–
NIKKI
You don’t understand Candice, I have to. I’m on the outs with my Mom in New York and thin ice with my Dad. I mess up here and it’s the group home. I just can’t get into any more trouble right now.
CANDICE
I really think your Dad would understand–
NIKKI
I hear them on the phone arguing about me all the time–
CANDICE
But your Dad seems really cool–
NIKKI
He’s cool with me to a point. I don’t want to push him.
CANDICE
I wish I could do something.
NIKKI
The only thing I can do is have it out with Shameeka.
They’re up at the concession line. A concerned Candice looks at Nikki as she places their order–
HOURS LATER
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH PARKING LOT – AFTERNOON
Afterschool, most of the cars are gone. Nikki in a ruined suit has her bun-wrapped hair stuffed in her hat. She and Candice approach Nikki’s shiny red Mercedes 500SL convertible where–
Shameeka is leaning on the door.
SHAMEEKA
Nice car.
Nikki huffs a sigh and rolls her eyes.
NIKKI
Yeah, it is. Excuse me.
Shameeka gets in Nikki’s face and asks–
SHAMEEKA
Why don’t you hook a sista up with a ride home?
Nikki doesn’t back down.
NIKKI
There’s a bus stop on the corner.
SHAMEEKA
Now why should I take the bus when I got a friend who can hook me up with a ride in her nice red Mercedes convertible?
NIKKI
Your friend must be across the lot cause she’s not standing in front of my car.
Shameeka takes out her boxcutter–
SHAMEEKA
Is that so? Guess I’ma have to use my special key to get in my friend’s car. Now where’s that lock…
And gestures towards the paint on Nikki’s car door. Nikki swats the boxcutter on the ground–
NIKKI
Get that away from my car!
And Candice kicks it across the lot. It’s a tense face-off between Nikki and Shameeka.
SHAMEEKA
So I’m not gonna get me a ride?
NIKKI
You’re such a bad girl. What? You can’t survive a ride on L.A’s mass transit system?
Shameeka laughs at Nikki.
SHAMEEKA
You know you right. I am tough enough to take the bus–
Shameeka gestures to walk away, then–
CRACK! Sucker punches Nikki in the eye and knocks her to the ground. While she’s down, Shameeka taunts her by telling her–
SHAMEEKA
And I’m bad enough to kick yo ass! Remember that!
Shameeka storms away. Candice rushes to her aid as–
CANDICE
NIKKI!
Nikki sits up. Her right eye is blackened and swollen shut.
NIKKI
I–I’m okay Candice.
Candice helps Nikki up. Nikki hands her the keys.
NIKKI
Can you drive me home Candice? I’m not feeling so great.
CANDICE
Sure.
Candice and Nikki get in the convertible; Nikki grabs sunglasses out of the glove box and slips them on. Candice drives Nikki back to–
INT. DESMOND MANOR KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
Where they enter through the back door. Nikki’s maid ROSA, 36 is preparing dinner. She smiles at the girls as they hurry past her.
ROSA
Good afternoon Mis
s Desmond. What’s with the sunglasses?
Nikki plays it off with a smile.
NIKKI
Rosa, shades indoors are the new thing. And you know I follow the latest trends–
ROSA
With last year’s sunglasses.
NIKKI
(Pointing to her sunglasses)
These are Gucci. A classic. And classics never go out of style.
ROSA
And where are yours Candice? Don’t you always follow all the fashion trends Nikki follows?
Candice realizes they’ve been caught in a lie. Before she can answer–
CAndice
Er…
Nikki gets her out of the jam. She grabs Candice and–
NIkki
Er– she left hers in my car. She’ll get them later. Let’s go study Candice.
Heads to the freezer and grabs a bag of frozen peas. Rosa inquires–
ROSA
Hey muchacha, what’s with the peas? You making your own dinner?
NIKKi
Er– no, science project on endothermic reaction. I’ll bring them back.
A concerned Rosa knows something is wrong with Nikki as the girls rush up the back stairs to–
NIKKI’S BEDROOM
Where they close the door and drop their bags. Nikki stands in front of her hutch mirror–
And peels off her sunglasses. Her black eye is bad. She reaches for a foundation bottle–
NIKKI
Man, it’s gonna take a lot of foundation to cover this up–
Candice takes the bottle from Nikki–
CANDICE
You can't put make-up on until that swelling goes down.
Nikki puts the peas over her eye. She tells Candice–
NIKKI
Could you go downstairs and tell Rosa that I’ll take dinner upstairs– Tell her I’m studying for a test.
CANDICE
Why?
NIKKI
I don’t want my Dad to see me like this.
A concerned Candice heads out of Nikki’s room down the front stairs to the–
LIVING ROOM
Where Nikki’s father is coming home from work. He smiles at Candice as he asks her–
DONALD
Hey, Candice, how was school?
CANDICE
It was okay Mr. Desmond.
Nikki’s Dad notices Candice is acting strangely. He inquires–
DONALD
Is there something wrong?
Candice looks around.
CANDICE
I need to talk to you in the kitchen.
Nikki’s Dad follows Candice into the–
KITCHEN
Where Rosa continues to prepare dinner.
DONALD
What’s going on?
CANDICE
It’s about Nikki. You can’t tell her though.
DONALD
Okay–
CANDICE
This big girl Shameeka at school is hassling her. She’s been trying to handle it on her own, but stuff is escalating. When Nikki stopped her from keying her car with a boxcutter this afternoon, she punched her in the face. She’s got this nasty black eye now.
ROSA
So that’s why she was wearing last year’s sunglasses this afternoon. Ay Dios Mio.
DONALD
And why she changed suits afterschool the other day. How long has this been going on?
CANDICE
A couple of days. She poured water on her hair at lunch today and she took her alligator shoes before the day before that–
DONALD
Oh my God. Why isn’t she coming to me with this?
CANDICE
She thinks you’re gonna send her away like her Mom did–
DONALD
I wouldn’t do that.
CANDICE
I don’t want her to go Mr. Desmond. I mean, she just got here. We just started hanging out–
DONALD
Candice, you don’t have to worry. Nicole isn’t going anywhere.
CANDICE
Just don’t tell her I talked to you about this. I just don’t want to see her get into trouble–
DONALD
Nikki isn’t in any trouble Candice. I’m glad you told me what’s going on. I’m gonna talk to Nicole.
CANDICE
You can’t tell her that I told you–
DONALD
I know. But it’s not on you. It’s on me.
A nervous Candice follows Nikki’s Dad head upstairs to–
NIKKI’S BEDROOM
Where Nikki is still nursing her injury in front of the hutch mirror. She hears the door open–
NIKKI
Candice, is that–
And loses it when her father steps in with Candice.
NIKKI
Oh crap– why’d you tell him!
CANDICE
Nikki, I had to. Stuff is getting crazy–
NIKKI
I told you I had it under control–
CANDICE
She pulled a boxcutter on you. Things are not under control–
Nikki’s Dad takes care of business.
DONALD
Candice, I’ve got it.
Candice heads for the door.
CANDICE
I’ll call you later.
Nikki’s Dad closes the door after Candice leaves. A scared Nikki pulls away as her father reaches out to her.
NIKKI
Dammit Candice–
donald
Is a good friend. I wish I had friends like her when I was your age.
NIKKI
I just thought if you found out about me getting into stuff with kids around here you’d send me away like Mom did–
Nikki’s Dad smiles at his daughter and puts his arm around her.
donald
You’re not going anywhere.
NIKKI
I just didn’t want things to get like they did after you left me and Mom in New York. Fights all the time, getting shipped from boarding school to boarding school–
donald
That’s not gonna happen. No matter what happens at school you’re staying with me.
NIKKI
I just got scared you were gonna get upset like Mom used to–
donald
Nicole, I’m not your mother. I got you. When stuff like this happens I want you to come to me with it. I got your back.
NIKKI
But I hear you and Mom arguing about me on the phone all the time–
donald
Nicole, what goes on between me and your Mom ain’t got nothing to do with you. Anything you need, I got you.
NIKKI
I thought I had to handle things like I did in New York–
donald
Nikki, it’s great you want to handle your business, but when stuff gets out of hand like this, tell me so we can handle it together.
Nikki looks up at her father who reassures–
donald
You’re not on your own anymore. We’re gonna take care of this together.
Nikki breaks the embrace and follows her Dad out of her room. She starts feeling better the–
NEXT DAY
INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH – MORNING
As she returns to school dressed in a new designer suit and her hair fixed, with a brand new pair of sunglasses on. She runs into–
A nervous Candice who timidly rifles through her locker when she sees her. Nikki smiles as she approaches her friend–
NIKKI
What’s up girl?
CANDICE
I thought you were mad at me–
NIKKI
Hey, you had my back. I can’t be mad at you for looking out for me.
CANDICE
So we’re cool?
NIKKI
Definitely.
CANDICE
So how’s your eye now?
Nikki pulls her sunglasses up. Swelling has gone down but it’s still black.
>
NIKKI
Not as bad as it was yesterday. I just hope I don’t get hassled by the teachers for wearing these shades in class.
Candice closes her locker. As they head down the hall–
A pissed off Shameeka rushes out of an office and grabs Nikki–
SHAMEEKA
Can’t fight your own battles rich girl–
And WHAM! slams her into a set of lockers. Nikki’s ready for a fight. She shoves off the bigger Shameeka–
And shifts into a fighting stance.
NIKKI
Look, what is your problem?
SHAMEEKA
My problem is you little Bougie Princess. You got to bring Administration into our beef–
NIKKI
You’re the one who pulled a boxcutter on me–
SHAMEEKA
And I should have cut yo ass in the bathroom you little punk–
NIKKI
Oh I’m a punk? You’re the one who can’t fight without a boxcutter–
In the background
Security and police are about to make a move on Shameeka. Nikki’s Dad holds them back as–
NIKKI AND SHAMEEKA
Are ready to throw down. Kids circle to watch the brawl–
SHAMEEKA
I’ll fight you anytime any place if you ain’t afraid of breaking a nail Ms. Bougie–
As Nikki takes off her heels, her hat, sunglasses and earrings and hands them to Candice.
CANDICE
Nikki–
NIKKI
No, I’m right here heifer.
A pissed off Shameeka swings on Nikki–
and misses. WHAM! Nikki slams a fist in her jaw–
And THUD! The giant hits the floor. The crowd goes wild. Candice is in shock.
CANDICE
Damn Nik, you knocked her out!
NIKKI
I told you I handle my business.
Nikki puts back on her gear as–
The dazed Shameeka staggers up.
And the police move in. They slap handcuffs on her.
SHAMEEKA
What the Hell?
OFFICER
Shameeka Jackson, you’re under arrest for assault, armed robbery, and menacing against Nicole Alexandria Desmond.
SHAMEEKA
I ain’t do nothing–
OFFICER
You just admitted to it to everyone.
SHAMEEKA
You wait till I get out! I’ma get yo ass!
Nikki’s Dad approaches ready to go full Black on her. he locks eyes with her–
DONALD
You ain’t going nowhere near my daughter again.
SHAMEEKA
You can’t do this to me! This is my school district! I have a right to an education–
DONALD
Was forfeited when you threatened my daughter. You want a diploma get one in jail.
SHAMEEKA
Then you ought to arrest Ms. Bougie. Ya’ll saw her hit me–
DONALD
Oh, you want to get legal? You threw the first punch and made the first threats. And with you being eighteen, the legal age of adulthood here in the State of California, you just committed some serious felonies. By the time you get out of jail, Nicole here will be graduating college.
The crowd disperses. Police carry off Shameeka in handcuffs. Nikki smiles at her father and tells him–
NIKKI
Thanks Dad.
DONALD
I told you I got you.
Nikki heads to class as–
FAde Out:
The End
ALL ABOUT NIKKI
EPISODE 1.06
“KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET”