meeting mama

8/9/2019 Meeting Mama

1/12

FADE IN:

EXT. TYRINN'S FORD FOCUS MOVING - DAY

TYRINN MACK, 23, African-American, grad student, neatly dressed and slightlynervous, is driving the car through his neighborhood.

His boyfriend, DAKOTA CARTER, 24, White, bohemian Art student, sits causallyon the passenger's side.

Dakota looks over at Tyrinn.

DAKOTAI can't believe I'm finally meeting your mom onher birthday.

TYRINNIt's her Un-Birthday. After turning fifty, sherefuses to get older. She's just accepting giftsat this point.

DAKOTAGood strategy... You think she will like the gift?

TYRINNShe should. You put a lot work in her present.She better love it.

Dakota chuckles.

DAKOTAAre you still nervous about me meeting her?

TYRINNIt's just...

(exhales)It took her forever to get over my gayness.When she found out I had a boyfriend, shedecided that she had to meet you.

DAKOTAYeah, your mom is going to enjoy hearing howyou like it from the back and on the side and...


2/12

Tyrinn gives Dakota a glaring stare.

TYRINNYou keep your mouth shut. That's the last thingI want my mama to hear.

DAKOTA(jokingly)

Or how you like it when I nuzzle my stubblyface--

Tyrinn HITS Dakota in the shoulder.

DAKOTA (CONT'D)Ow... Love you too, babe.

EXT. TYRINN'S CAR

Tyrinn slows down and parks in front of a Victorian house with a large porch, aSWING and two LEMON TREES in the front yard.

Tyrinn gets out first and then Dakota follows.

DAKOTAI'll get your mom's gift.

Dakota walks back to the trunk to get the gift.

Tyrinn walks to the middle of his neatly trimmed yard. He looks at the house andsighs. He realizes this is a big deal.

Dakota joins Tyrinn, holding a LARGE PURPLE WRAPPED FRAME.

DAKOTA (CONT'D)Let's go wish you mom a Happy Un-Birthday.

Tyrinn quickly stops Dakota in mid-step.

TYRINN'Kota, I need to warn you.

DAKOTAYour mom is a man?

TYRINNNo, no it's not that... I may or may not havementioned that you are... white.


3/12

DAKOTAKnowing your memory, it's a "may not."

TYRINNShe should be nice to you. She is a former

debutante, you know.DAKOTA

Debutante? Maybe I should've dressed betterthan this.

Dakota is wearing a faded black T-shirt and baggy, worn out JEANS. He has twovisible TATTOOS on each arm. His dark hair is wildly covering his eyes and oneof his flip flop straps is broken.

TYRINNIt's okay, I told her you are an artist.

DAKOTAYou remembered that, but forgot to say "Heymom, he's a white boy".

TYRINNWell, I thought I did.

Dakota scratches his head.

DAKOTAAlright, so I'm the evil White Devil of the day. Ican deal with that.

TYRINNI'm sorry.

Dakota leans in towards Tyrinn's face.

DAKOTAI know you are...

(quick kiss)You willmake this up to me later.

Dakota flickers his eyebrows.

Tyrinn rolls his eyes, but smiles.

DAKOTA (CONT'D)So, let's do this.


4/12

INT: TYRINN'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM

Tyrinn's mother, JEANNIE HUTCHSON, 51, decorous and hubristic sits in the

middle of her two sisters, GERTRUDE "AUNT GERTIE" MACK, 48,meddlesome; and RUBYANNE "AUNT RUBY" WESLEY, 54, forthright and verysettled in her ways.

They are sitting in a LARGE COUCH drinking tea and eating shortbread cookies.The women are chatting until Tyrinn and Dakota enter the room.

Tyrinn is completely in shock. He was not excepting for his aunts to be here.

TYRINN(smiling)

Happy Un-Birthday, mama.

Tyrinn bends down and hugs Jeannie. His aunts pat him on his shoulders.

JEANNIEDon't say that too loud, son. It's reminding methat I'm getting closer to God.

Jeannie slowly scans Dakota from head to toe, trying to get a feel of this strangeman in her house.

AUNT GERTIE

How's school?

She is also staring at Dakota.

TYRINNIt's good, tedious, but good.

Aunt Ruby's eyes land on Dakota standing behind Tyrinn.

AUNT RUBYAnd who are you?

Dakota steps forward.

DAKOTAI'm Dakota... Nice to meet you all.

Tyrinn swiftly steps back to Dakota's side.

TYRINN


5/12

(nervously)Everybody, this is Dakota... My boyfriend.That's my Aunt Ruby, my mama and my AuntGertie.

Aunt Gertie smiles, while Jeannie and Aunt Ruby seems disappointed by theannouncement. Especially Aunt Ruby, she looks completely bothered byDakota's presence.

AUNT RUBYYou are in school too, I hope?

DAKOTAI am.

JEANNIEPlease, have a seat.

Dakota and Tyrinn sit down on the loveseat on the opposite side of the women.

Jeannie keeps her eyes fixed on Tyrinn and Dakota. Aunt Ruby sits very close toJeannie, appearing like iniquitous Siamese twins. Aunt Gertie sits apart from bothwomen, but seems less threatening.

Dakota leans back on the couch and places the gift next to him.

An anxious Tyrinn sits upright, clasping his hands together.

AUNT GERTIEUh, Dakota is an interesting name. Where areyou from?

DAKOTAI was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but I wasraised in Ithaca, New York.

AUNT RUBYWhy did your parents named you Dakota, ifyou were born in Milwaukee?

Tyrinn stares at Aunt Ruby in confusion. Dakota remains cool.

DAKOTAMy mom just liked the word.

Aunt Ruby looks disgusted. Aunt Gertie looks interested.

AUNT GERTIE


6/12

That's fascinating! I've--

Jeannie clears her throat, cutting off Aunt Gertie.

JEANNIEDakota, I have heard a little about you fromTyrinn, but... You are a bit different than Ithought.

DAKOTAOh, um, what did you expect, ma'am?

JEANNIEWell, you are a free spirit, I presume, veryopen about your beliefs and thoughts?

DAKOTA

Yeah, I live free and learn as I go. Life is meantto be explored and challenged.

AUNT RUBYDo you believe in God?

DAKOTAI don't, actually. I'm a Buddhist.

JEANNIEYou have no faith or spiritual guidance?

DAKOTAI kinda do, just not in the Biblical sense.

Tyrinn rolls his eyes.

TYRINNI am agnostic or did you forget?

JEANNIETyrinn, this is not about you right now. I'mtrying to get a handle on your boyfriend.

She keeps a thin, fake smile on her face.

AUNT RUBYDoes your family know about Tyrinn?

DAKOTA


7/12

I've told them about him. They know I'm gayand they're chill about it.

JEANNIEAnd do they know that Tyrinn's Black?

Tyrinn briefly shuts his eyes and massages his forehead.

DAKOTAYes ma'am, they're fine with it.

AUNT GERTIE(cheerful)

Well, that's good. It's time for a change in racerelations.

Jeannie shoots a sharp glance at Aunt Gertie and turns back to the boys.

JEANNIE(callously)

I hoped Tyrinn's first boyfriend would be aBlack man. You see, I want people to see thatBlack people can be happy as homosexuals.

Tyrinn shakes his head and Dakota raises his eyebrows.

TYRINNMama, that doesn't make any sense.

JEANNIEOh yes it does. You are my son and anexception to the rule.

Tyrinn's aunts nod in agreement.

DAKOTAI agree with you, ma'am. Tyrinn is theexception. That's why I'm with him.

Dakota winks over at Tyrinn.

AUNT RUBYSo this ain't some jungle fever thing for you,then?

TYRINNAunt Ruby...


8/12

Tyrinn leans forward, but Dakota puts his hand on Tyrinn's knee.

DAKOTAThis is not a fetish thing, I promise you.

JEANNIEAs an artist, what do you plan to do with that?

DAKOTAI want to create, paint, sell and maybe teachart in a high school.

JEANNIEAnd that's it?

Dakota shrugs.

DAKOTAY-Yes, Ma'am Art is something that's nearand dear to me. It would nice to get paid to dosomething I love.

Jeannie allows a smirk to leave her red lips.

JEANNIESweetie, Tyrinn comes from decent wealth. Inother words, we don't shop at a Dollar Storeand I don't expect him to ever shop there.

TYRINNMama, Dakota does just fine. I'm not worriedabout money.

JEANNIEWell, I am, Tyrinn. A relationship can't run onhigh hopes alone. I raised you to always berealistic about life.

TYRINNI'm sure we will cross that--

JEANNIESon, I just want to make sure that you have astrong future.

TYRINNWe will. Dakota is very talented and I'm sure Iwill get a decent job.


9/12

JEANNIEWell, of course you will. You are too smart tomake careless mistakes.

DAKOTA

I actually have some leads for my paintings. Ican probably get a few shows in a couple of artgalleries.

JEANNIEAnd how will you get a decent job with thatnose ring and tattoos?

Tyrinn's anger grows. He looks over at Dakota, who is still in a relaxed state.

Dakota looks back at him and smiles.

DAKOTAOkay...

(takes a deep breath)I get that you don't trust me or you think I'm notup to the standards you hoped for. But, I wantall of you to know that I am the best guy for the

job.

Aunt Ruby narrows her eyes at Dakota.

DAKOTA (CONT'D)

We fit, I can't really explain it, but we do. Whatwe have is real.

Dakota affectionately looks at Tyrinn.

JEANNIEYou may think you two are right for each other,but life will say otherwise.

Aunt Ruby nods in agreement, while Aunt Gertie looks away.

TYRINN

And just because you had a failed marriagedoesn't mean I'm heading for the same fate.

JEANNIENow, you watch yourself!


10/12

TYRINN(slightly raised voice)

No mama! I hoped you would have some faithin me. Why can't you trust that I know what Idoing?

JEANNIEI just want the best for you! That's all! Yourstepfather and I have worked so hard to giveyou everything you ever wanted.

TYRINNMeaning Barry has worked hard, you justdirected where the money went.

Jeannie stares mightily at Tyrinn for a few seconds before replying.

JEANNIEDo you think Dakota can give you what youwant and you what need?

DAKOTAYeah, I can.

Tyrinn nods.

TYRINNHe can, mama.

JEANNIEReally? Are you, Dakota, going to be therewhen it really gets rough?

DAKOTAYes, yes I will be there. I love your son. I hopeyou can see that.

Tyrinn moves to the edge of the couch.

TYRINNYou know what? We're done with this wrestlingmatch. I wanted this to be a pleasant visit, butin true family fashion, it's a disaster!

Tyrinn gets up from the loveseat. Dakota joins him.

Tyrinn heads out, but turns around.


11/12

TYRINN (CONT'D)When you can get over your foolishness, wecan properly talk about this.

Jeannie says nothing, while Gertie and Ruby look a little shocked.

Tyrinn and Dakota leave the house.

EXT. TYRINN'S HOUSE

Tyrinn darts down the porch steps. Dakota hurries behind him.

They get into the car and drive off.

INT. TYRINN'S CAR - MOVING

Tyrinn is furious. He has both hands on the wheel and his eyes directly on theroad.

TYRINNI'm sorry you had to deal with the Witch ofEastwick.

Dakota gazes at Tyrinn and puts his hand on his leg.

DAKOTAHey, I don't worry about it; families are fucked

up, babe.

TYRINNHow can you be so cavalier about all of this?

Dakota leans over to Tyrinn.

DAKOTABecause you haven't met my family yet.

Dakota kisses Tyrinn on cheek.

INT. JEANNIE'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - SEVERAL HOURS LATER.

Jeannie is sipping a GLASS OF WINE alone. The room is quiet and faintly litfrom the candlelight.

The GRANDFATHER CLOCK reads eleven thirty-four.


12/12

She places her glass on the table and looks over at her gift Tyrinn and Dakotabrought her.

Jeannie walks over, picks it up and daintily opens it. Once the gift is open,Jeannie is in awe.

The gift is a PAINTING OF JEANNIE HOLDING TYRINN AS A BABY.

She focuses on the picture of Tyrinn.

Then an ENVELOPE falls on the floor.

Jeannie picks it up and opens it.

She reads it and grins.

The writing on the paper says FROM DAKOTA & ME... I TOLD YOU, DAKOTA'S

TALENTED.

Jeannie holds the paper close to her and stares off into space.

Then she takes the painting to the fireplace.

She removes the PICTURE OF A SETTING SUN from the mantle and puts thenew painting in its place.

The painting hangs crookedly on the wall. Jeannie steps back and takes a look atthe gift.

She lifts her head and smiles.

JEANNIEYes, son. That boy of yours is talented.

FADE TO BLACK.

meeting mama

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