Chapter 6 (The SURFACK Club)

## Full Chapter

INT. CARTER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Iris is going through the freezer to get some ice while Charlie is sitting at the table.

CHARLIE: Really. I'm okay.

IRIS: Really...I'm doing this.

Iris finds some ice and wraps them around some paper towels. She sits at the table as she gently places the ice on his bruised face. As she ices his face, Charlie seems to be comfortable and calm with her.

CHARLIE: That actually feels good. You're good at this.

This makes Iris blush and smile...again.

IRIS: Thanks. I've been doing this for years with my siblings and cousins.

CHARLIE: Iris...we've been passing each other in the school halls for the last few days. But we never said anything to each other. Why is that?

IRIS: I don't know. I guess that it's because I'm shy sometimes. I never know what to say to new people. I don't know if they have good intentions or not. So I never know what to say or rather I should or not.

CHARLIE: I know what you mean. I get the same way. But I never felt that everytime I saw you.

IRIS: Oh? What do see everytime you see me?

CHARLIE: I see someone who is smart, good, honest, someone who is willing to listen and be there for someone when they need her.

This makes Iris smile.

IRIS: I like to think that I'm like that.

CHARLIE: I think you are. I see it in your eyes.

Iris is taken aback by this comment. Nobody has ever said anything like that to her. Not even her late boyfriend Jeremy Smith said anything like that to her. And he said enough to win her over.

IRIS: Thank you.

Kathy walks into the kitchen and sees them together.

KATHY: Hello, Iris. Who is your friend.

IRIS: Oh, Mrs. Carter...(they stand up from the table)...This is Charlie Rodriguez. He's new to our group.

KATHY: (holding her hand out) Well, hello, Charlie. I'm Kathy Carter, Andrew's mom.

CHARLIE: Hello, Mrs. Carter. It's very nice to meet you.

KATHY: Likewise. (Notices the bruise on his face) Are you okay?

CHARLIE: Bullies. But Scott took care of them.

KATHY: Yep. That's Scott alright. He's very protective of his friends.

INT. CLARENCE'S PERSONAL HOME OFFICE - NIGHT

Clarence is sitting at his desk, drinking a glass of whiskey, and staring at the picture of HIM AND HIS MYSTERY WOMAN (SUSAN BAINES CONNORS?). Clarence spaces out as he remembers her.

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - PARKING LOT - DAY

A police car joins a group of police cars parked outside a convenience store. Exiting out the car is DEPUTY CLARENCE CARTER, who pulls out his weapon and joins his fellow officers as they try to see through the windows of the store.

CLARENCE: (to other cops) What do we have here?

OFFICER: A robber holding up the store. He's threatening to take out hostages if his demands aren't met.

CLARENCE: Has he hurt anyone yet?

OFFICER: Not that we know for certain.

CLARENCE: Is there a back door?

OFFICER: I think so.

CLARENCE: Cover me.

As Clarence sneaks behind all the cars to avoid being seen by the robber, the officer signals for the other officers to cover Clarence just in case the robber sees him.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE

The ROBBER grabs a CRYING WOMAN and holds her at gunpoint. He moves her to the window for the officers outside to see.

ROBBER: I'LL KILL HER!!!

It's finally revealed that the female hostage is -- SUSAN BAINES CONNORS AKA CLARENCE'S MYSTERY WOMAN.

As the Robber is distracted with showing off his hostage to the other cops, he doesn't see as Clarence sneaks into the back of the store.

ROBBER: I WILL KILL HER RIGHT NOW!

The Robber aims his gun at Susan to shoot her. Not taking any chances -- CLARENCE SHOOTS. The Robber is shot in the back of the head. The Robber drops to the floor -- DEAD. Susan screams in horror thinking that she's being killed until she realizes that someone has shot the robber instead.

Clarence runs over to Susan and holds her.

CLARENCE: It's okay. Everything is okay. He can't hurt you.

Susan looks up at her rescuer and sees his handsome face for the first time. And she's immediately smitten with him. Clarence is a tough handsome cop. The kind of man that any woman would would feel safe around.

CLARENCE: You alright?

SUSAN: Yes. I'm Susan. Susan Baines Connors.

CLARENCE: I'm Clarence Carter.

Clarence just stares into Susan's eyes. And for some reason, despite being happily married to Kathy, he feels something special with Susan.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Clarence is walking out of the station only to find Susan outside waiting for him.

CLARENCE: Ms. Connors? What are you doing here?

SUSAN: I had to see you.

CLARENCE: Really?

SUSAN: I wanted to thank you for saving my life the other day.

CLARENCE: Oh, it's all in a days work for a police officer.

SUSAN: I was wondering...if you'd like to go lunch with me.

Clarence takes a moment to think about this. What is the harm of having lunch? After all, this is a woman just showing gratitude for him saving her. Right?

CLARENCE: Sure. I'd love to.

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY

Clarence and Susan are sitting together and having lunch together. But they seem more cozy than they should.

CLARENCE: I haven't been out like this in a long time. Not since my wife and I started dating.

SUSAN: Really?

CLARENCE: Yeah. Don't you have a husband to take you out?

SUSAN: No.

CLARENCE: You oughta find yourself a man who would treat you to a fancy place like this.

SUSAN: Who'd want me?

It's clear by Susan's question that she suffers from a low self-esteem image. Clarence feels for her.

CLARENCE: You're a beautiful and lovely woman. I think any man would be lucky to go out with you.

This makes Susan smile. Clarence has just said something that she'd been dying to hear from a man.

SUSAN: And you are a wonderful and amazing man. Your wife...any woman would be lucky to have you.

Susan touches his hand and rubs it gently. At first, Clarence tightens up over it. But for reason, he enjoys her touch and takes her hand. Clarence and Susan stare each other until -- they lean in and KISS.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Clarence and Susan walk into a hotel room. And immediately start kissing and removing each others clothes. Clarence picks her up and carries her to the bed. They proceed to remove the rest of their clothes to have sex.

DISSOLVE TO:

A MONTAGE OF THE AFFAIR. Clarence and Susan do a lot together like a happy couple.

* Watching TV together. \*Walking around the park with their arms wrapped around each other. \*Seeing a movie together. \*Clarence leaving their hotel room and Susan sees him off like a wife would as her husband is leaving for work. \*Dancing at a club.

One moment has them cozyed up at a booth table at a fancy restaurant. A PHOTOGRAPHER approaches their table.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Picture?

Clarence and Susan pose very cozily together. They look happy together. The Photographer takes their picture and it's revealed to be THE PICTURE.

We transition from the moment in the past of them taking the picture to Clarence holding the picture in the present day.

Clarence is ridden guilt. Not just because of having affair. But because of what happend AFTER. What happened after the affair ended? And what does Skiface have anything to do with this?