Little Earthquakes 7
A Serialized Work of Fiction
Little Earthquakes
Installment Seven
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM — DAY 2012
Elena and Ken are sitting in the conference room in silence. The court reporter is drinking water and on her cell phone.
KEN
That's a long ten minutes.
ELENA
Not as long as the ten minutes that you were on top of me.
Ken turns to look at the Court Reporter.
KEN
Is she allowed to talk to me like that?
The court reporter shrugs dismissively.
ELENA
Do you think that your father's wealth can erase that you're a garbage human being?
KEN
You didn't think that before?
ELENA
You had not attacked me before.
Before Ken can speak, the door opens and it's Jack Rubenstein, his lawyer.
JACK
Mr. Fox, a word in private, please.
Ken gets up and follows Jack out into the hall to a small conference room at the end of the hall. Once inside, Jack shuts the door.
JACK
There's a settlement offer on the table. The university is already taking theirs.
KEN
Well, what does that mean for me?
JACK
I would advise you to accept the terms or the complaint from the Jones incident might resurface.
Ken looks down in embarrassment or shock...it's hard to tell which.
KEN
Should we call dad? What does he think?
JACK
Your father already told me before the depositions that he'll pay whatever's necessary to make this go away.
KEN
So, what are the terms?
JACK
Aside from the money for pain and suffering, they want you to withdraw from Laye University. The university accepted that and accepted that there can be no action or prejudice shown to Ms. Chang until she graduates or leaves the school. You will also agree to a permanent, legally binding stay-away provision preventing you from ever coming in proximity to either Ms. Markaj or Ms. Chang. The mutual NDA, of course, is a non-negotiable term.
KEN
What happens next? How long will it take to seal the deal?
JACK
Today, we'll draw up the Term Sheet, which must be signed by all three parties. Then, all final paperwork and processing should be done within 30 days.
Cut To:
INT. BILL NEGRON'S OFFICE — LATE AFTERNOON
Elena is sitting with her parents, all three across from Bill at his desk.
BILL
We signed the term sheet today, which means the deal is locked. Nobody can back out. It's going to take my office a few weeks to draft the formal settlement and get all signatures.
Bill turns slightly to look directly at Adam and Iris.
BILL
The university, or rather their insurance company, will then cut you a check directly to cover every dime of Laye tuition you paid, plus Elena's medical bills, and something for your emotional distress.
ADAM
What do you mean? We didn't request anything.
BILL
But I did.
The Markajs are surprised. Bill then turns his full attention to Elena.
BILL
The remaining bulk of the settlement from Laye, and from the Foxes will all go to you. It's tax-free money, and we're going to set it up so that you are secured for your future.
Bill looks sternly at all of them.
BILL
I want to remind you all that there is an airtight, mutual NDA in the final terms. That means starting right now, none of you can ever speak of Ken Fox, Laye University, or this settlement to anyone. If you leak this, they can get back every single dollar and pursue legal action.
ELENA
I understand. Thank you, sir.
BILL (Softening)
Elena, I say this not as your lawyer but as a father, I'm deeply sorry for what you've been through. I know that there's a long road ahead. I hope you remember that none of it was your fault.
Fade To:
EXT. LAYE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS — DAY — MAY 2012
Students are milling about on the campus grounds. We slowly close in on Rebecca. The other students are chit-chatting and a lot are now looking at their phones.
Closeup on Rebecca.
Rebecca opens her phone. We see her smiling broadly, then close in on her screen.
The Tumblr app is open on her screen. A post from the RiotGirlz dashboard fills the display. It's the same photo of a smiling Ken Fox that we saw earlier. The bold capital text now states "STILL A RAPIST." The bottom right corner of the dashboard post has 2,754 notes (views).
Cut To:
INT. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LYLE GALLOWAY'S OFFICE — DAY
Lyle is standing behind his desk, furious. He is facing a seated Fred.
LYLE
Fred, wasn't this all settled? What can we do to shut her up?
FRED
Absolutely nothing since Ms. Chang wasn't a signatory on the NDA. The terms of the settlement agreement were strictly between Ms. Markaj, the Foxes, and Laye University. Since we agreed to the provision that Ms. Chang is never expelled or retaliated against, she essentially has immunity as long as she's still enrolled.
LYLE
Fuck!
INT. ADAM AND IRIS'S HOUSE — NIGHT
Elena, Adam, and Iris are all at the kitchen table with one phone on speaker in front of them.
IRIS
Bill, what does this new Tumblr post mean for us or for Rebecca in legal terms?
BILL
It means nothing.
ELENA
Really?
BILL
Yes. Rebecca wasn't a signatory on any of the paperwork, so she's free to speak her mind. On top of that, she's protected by the clause you requested to protect Rebecca. Well done, young lady.
Elena smiles and her parents look relieved.
Cut To:
INT. UNDER THE PINK CAFE — DAY — PRESENT
Past the shoulder of a dark haired female, we see Elena sitting at a booth with pastel pink upholstery.
ELENA
I'm glad you agreed to see me.
The view shifts and we see that she's talking to Rebecca.
REBECCA
Of course I would. I'll never forget our time as college BFFs.
ELENA (Smiling)
So, I wanted to apologize for ghosting you after everything that happened at Laye.
REBECCA
You don't—
ELENA (Cutting her off)
Please. I'm doing this as much for me as for you. Rebecca, I moved to the other end of the country to finish college because I couldn't handle the reminders. Unfortunately, you were a big reminder.
Elena looks down, sighing.
Rebecca extends her hand to take Elena's.
ELENA
I watched your interview online. You were so fierce in speaking the truth. I love that about you, but back then, after the second Tumblr post, I needed space. The social media conversations about whether I was actually a victim or a money-grubbing slut were all too much.
REBECCA
Elena, what matters is that you know the truth. No one can take that away from you.
Elena is getting emotional.
ELENA
Can you forgive me?
REBECCA
There's nothing to forgive.
Rebecca is now getting emotional, too. She gets up and walks over to hug her friend.
Fade To:
EXT. ADAM AND IRIS'S HOUSE — NIGHT — SEPTEMBER 2019
Elena (25) and Javier (30) are at the front door, dropping off Ray (9 months) who's in an infant carrier. Adam takes the carrier from Javier. Elena lowers herself to kiss the baby one last time.
ELENA
You be a good boy for Gjyshi and Abuela, okay?
IRIS
You just enjoy your date night. We've got this.
ELENA
Before I forget, how much were you planning to give Uncle Kas and Dillon at the wedding?
ADAM
A thousand.
IRIS (Interjecting)
I was thinking more like two thousand.
ELENA
I'm in. He deserves it.
JAVIER
Okay, honey, let's go.
IRIS
Have fun.
Cut To:
EXT. UNTERMYER GARDENS, YONKERS, NY — EARLY EVENING — SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Family and friends are gathered on the beautiful grounds for the wedding of Kas and Dillon. Kas is dressed in a burnt orange suit and Dillon is dressed in a cream colored suit. Both of them look sharp standing before a garlanded wedding arch. All of the decor and colors are autumn themed.
Javier is serving as the officiant.
JAVIER
As you stand here today, remember that a great marriage isn't something that just happens. It is something you build together, day by day, through love, patience, laughter, forgiveness, and unconditional support.
Javier gestures to both grooms.
JAVIER
The grooms will now make their vows.
KAS
I, Kas, take you, Dillon, to be my wedded partner. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
DILLON
I, Dillon, take you, Kas, to be my wedded partner. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
Elena looks on, beaming at them. She is stunning in an emerald green dress.
JAVIER
We will now have the exchanging of the rings.
DILLON
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and constant devotion. Wear it with PRIDE and joy.
KAS
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and constant devotion. Wear it with pride and gayety.
The crowd erupts in laughter.
JAVIER
By the power vested in me by the state of New York and Westchester County, and in the presence of your beloved family and friends, I now pronounce you wedded partners in life. You may now seal your promises with a kiss.
Kas and Dillon kiss. The crowd cheers and claps for the newlyweds.
Cut To:
EXT. UNTERMYER GARDENS, YONKERS, NY — EVENING
Elena is standing to make a toast by the grooms, champagne glass in hand. Wedding attendees are all seated.
ELENA
Uncle Kas, you've been such a huge part of my life. From taking me to concerts, Broadway shows, the circus, and encouraging my love of reading to loving me through the darkest period of my life. I love you so much and I'm so happy that you found Dillon. Actually, you're officially Uncle Dillon! Uncle Dillon, you are one of the loveliest human beings that I've ever met. You've been a part of my family for years and we're so blessed to have you. Cheers to my favorite queers!
EXT. UNTERMYER GARDENS, YONKERS, NY — NIGHT
Everyone is dancing in a circle to "Let the World Be Ours Tonight" by Deborah Cox. Kas and Dillon are dancing in the middle of the circle, singing along to the lyrics and hamming it up.
The party is then seen winding down as guests are slowly making their way out the gardens.
Kas is standing near a column in the encircled coliseum area of Untermyer and Dillon is behind him, holding him.
DILLON
Babe, I love you so much.
KAS
I love you, too—forever and ever.
Closeup on Kas's face.
Match Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S HOUSE — NIGHT — PRESENT
Closeup on Kas's face.
DILLON (O.S.)
Babe, are you good?
Kas comes out of his reverie. He's in their bedroom staring out the window.
KAS
Yeah, why?
Dillon is putting on his pajama bottoms.
DILLON
Well, I said your name twice and you didn't respond.
KAS
I was lost in thought.
DILLON
You've made an incredible recovery in just a few weeks. Let's make sure you stay healthy.
KAS
Yes, I'm very lucky.
Kas grows somber.
KAS
There's something that I need to tell you. Having had this brush with my mortality... I want to tell you the truth. And, it's okay if you hate me after I tell you.
DILLON
Babe, you're scaring me.
KAS
Dillon. I killed Ken Fox.
Fade Out.
