Your Stage

Here is today’s episode of Chrysalis- The Family Adventure(s):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J5HoKA7LGBNMtH78uY66v?si=PXBtSpxxQOeCc...

Josh undergoes a harsh toughening up and then profound growth change by owning his behavior in deciding to change it. Samantha is upset her folks won’t let her se Josh. Without admitting it, Joey and Giselle are clearly shaken by Josh’s incarceration. The vibe really tenses up at home and then Kamala comes by and complicates matters by bringing up that tomorrow she and Samantha have the first day of their trial which you’ll remembwr there was a hearing vack in Episodes 54 to 56.But Samantha, with a little help from Kamala gets her homework done and Kamala promises to show up early. Amanda shows up late and she and Samantha enjoy a vape and a kiss. And Marc, yours truly, is about to drop dead of utter frustration, assault and exhaustion. Please say hi to me. But listen to the podcast first: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J5HoKA7LGBNMtH78uY66v?si=0qwUKJb6RFWAA...

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CHRYSALIS – THE FAMILY ADVENTURE(S) – Episode 78: The Truth On The The Inside On The Out-side

Episode 78

INT. THE JAIL, VISITING CENTER NIGHT

Walinsky sits down at the guest's chair opposite Josh.

WALINSKY

(reaching his hand to Josh to shake)

How are you, young man?

JOSH

(returning shake)

Hi.

We meet again.

WALINSKY

(smiles)

Yes, indeed we do.

How are you feeling?

JOSH

I’ve been better.

WALINSKY

I can see that.

(breathes out)

Okay, before we review the charges you’re facing and what are the possibilities for outcomes, first I want to hear from your understanding of why you’re here.

JOSH

I left the house with the ankle bracelet.

WALINSKY

And what were you doing with an ankle bracelet?

JOSH

The police put it on me.

WALINSKY

That may be your problem right there. You’re giving me literal answers. But I know you know you’re here because of what you did before. You hacked into your school’s website to access private information in the school files. So you’re facing two charges…Invasion of privacy and hacking. And that’s only the latest crimes. You have a history of unreported crimes. Your school was very kind to you from the first hack and your father, as well, when you stole access to his credit card. But if either one of those is called to testify and the prosecuting attorney asks them about past crimes, they will be under oath and obligated to tell them. And there’s nothing we can do to stop them legally. How do you think it will look in the eyes of a jury that finds out you were given a free pass and abused it? And then on top of that, here you are, getting the mercy of an ankle monitor and still abusing it? You see what I’m saying? It puts me and you in a very difficult position and there’s no way I can keep you from facing serious time.

Josh sits there looking a mixture of guilty, hit hard and lost.

WALINSKY

You’re an adult now. You need to stop living on the surface and just in the moment. Things all have causes and you need to be clear about this cause and effect relationship in your life. You did things that landed you here. In some ways, that can hurt your case. Because people are going to see a continued pattern of these bad causes you made. And on top of that, you’re showing no recognition of this expanded web that landed you here.

JOSH

(lost, confused)

What?? What d’you mean, web?

WALINSKY

Everything we do in life accumulates to spin a web. Every person has a web created by all the things they’ve done. The only way to break out of this fate you’ve created for yourself is to, one, own it up, and two, make a clear determination to yourself—not to others but to yourself—because promises made to others are just that, promises. And they mean little to others. It’s what you do starting from now that is your only hope of changing the trajectory of your life. Maybe prison will be just the thing to shock you, to force you into that.

Josh looks profoundly disappointed.

WALINSKY

You thought I had the magic to get you off. But it doesn’t work like that. I remember you from when these charges were placed on you a few years ago. You tried to act smart then too. Your smarts seemed to give you a free pass to get ahead of everyone else. But it’s not going to work anymore. Now, the truth is your only ally.

JOSH

Okay. Well, the truth is that’s not true. The truth is not my only ally.

WALINSKY

Uschhhh... Alright, smart aleck. The truth is your best ally and don’t argue with me this time. Don’t prolong your pain. Your methods are terrible. You’ve got to change. You’ve got to face life differently. And the best way to make a change us to own up to what you’ve done wrong and decide firmly to live differently from now on. That’s what people need to see. There’s no way you’ll be able to convince a jury of that because it’s a day-after-day change you need, starting with your jailers. Your best hope is to plead guilty and hope the judge is lenient with the sentencing. That means cooperate fully, no fights, best behavior at all times. This isn’t home. So you be pleasant and don’t argue with anyone. Even if you’re right. Are we clear?

JOSH

(reluctantly)

Yes.

WALINSKY

A little more enthusiasm would help you out a lot. You can’t be pleasant reluctantly.

INT. THE HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Samantha, with her laptop open, Joey with a beer.

SAMANTHA

How come I can’t visit Josh?

JOEY

Cause that would make you happy.

SAMANTHA

How would seeing my brother locked up in jail make me happy?

JOEY

(drinking his beer)

You didn’t have any problem when you got him in there.

She shows a pissed off look and then mournfully resigns herself to her laptop. She tries to get into it but then looks away.

SAMANTHA

I didn’t get him in there.

JOEY

You gonna start again with this?

SAMANTHA

I’m not starting. You started.

Joey ignores her and sips on his beer.

They just sit for a while.

INT. JAIL VISITING CENTER – NIGHT

Giselle is now the visitor across from Josh.

JOSH

Ma. I know you did the best you could.

GISELLE

What are you talking about? I had nothing to do with this.

JOSH

I know. It’s my fault totally.

GISELLE

No, it’s not your fault at all. Well, maybe a little.

JOSH

I spoke to the lawyer. I’m gonna turn myself around. I know what I need to do.

GISELLE

No, honey, it’s not you.

JOSH

It is, ma. I can’t hide behind anybody anymore..

GISELLE

Josh, I know you don’t want to hear this but your girlfriend has been trouble from day one.

JOSH

Hey, ma, you want to see real trouble? Come to the cell.

GISELLE

That’s why I’m livid at that girl. She made you go to that concert. You gotta learn to keep yourself safe but I guess boys just don’t have that kind of self-control. And now, here you are locked up and you still are too weak to see how you’re being played and used while she runs free. If this doesn’t open your eyes, then nothing will.

JOSH

It’s all my doing ma. It won’t do me any good blaming anyone else.

GISELLE

Josh, don’t change the subject. I don’t want you seeing that girl. If she comes to see you, please send her away.

JOSH

I thought the same thing but only I am guilty because this started long before she came into my life.

This seems to stop Giselle. She just sits, the realization of a much deeper, unavoidable blow seeming to mark her face.

JOSH

I’m scared ma. But I also got protection. And I know you’re not gonna like this but that protection’s from Amanda. No one else. Except the big guy in there who knows her. That’s why the other guys don’t mess with me. So if you see Amanda, you should thank her.

GISELLE

Well, it’s the least she can do since she got you in here.

JOSH

I’m gonna tell you something, ma. I’ve never been loved by anybody the way that girl loves me. And still does. She could get any man she wants. But she keeps choosing me. Because I love her and care for her like nobody else ever did. And in return, she gives me a love that feels so wonderful and feels so real. She never tried to undermine me. She just wanted to have a good time with me at a show. Like normal couple stuff. She could have left me a long time ago.

Pause as Giselle just sits there taking in all he says.

JOSH

I’ve never known love to feel this wonderful. I’ve never known life to feel this wonderful. She comes every night. That’s how I know it’s real. She came to the house when I had no freedom. And now she comes here when I have even less freedom. And she’s not only making me feel good to even be with her a tiny fragment of the day she’s protecting me because of that cellmate who knows her and respects her. And you know why he won’t let anybody lay a finger on me. Because he respects me for giving her the love I give her, for making her feel so wonderful after all she’s had to go through. But you don’t see that. Because you don’t know about the tough life she’s had to endure.

(another pause)

But if you did know...

(slight pause)

You’d be happy for us. And you’d be proud of me.

They sit still a little while.

GISELLE

Well... I only hope you’re right. Because people just aren’t like that. Maybe it was a bad idea putting you on punishment. You didn’t get a chance to see how ugly the world really is..., how ready people are to back-stab you when you relax for a second. I hope I’m wrong, I really do. But I can just see on top of everything else you have to endure in that cell, getting your heart broken real bad. And then you’ll really be in hell.

JOSH

Don’t say that ma. Please don’t say that.

GUARD

(coming up

from behind Josh)

Okay, time’s up. Say your goodbyes.

JOSH

(reaching behind

her to hug)

I love you, ma. Please take care of yourself and don’t worry, I’ll be fine.

GISELLE

(hugging him as

best she can,

with tears)

Be good, honey. Don’t cause no more trouble.

JOSH

Who me? I’m an angel. You know that.

As he allows the guard to lead him by the arm back to the cell, Giselle gives a yeah-right look of sarcasm.

INT. THE HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

SAMANTHA

When are you gonna see Josh?

JOEY

When he gets out.

SAMANTHA

So if you’re not gonna go, let me go in your place.

JOEY

No way. You’re a bad influence on each other.

SAMANTHA

(breathing an

extra breath)

How bout I go with mom?

JOEY

(enjoying it)

I doubt she’ll let you go with her.

Giselle enters, a little out of breath. They both look at her.

GISELLE

I need a drink.

JOEY

You can have a beer.

GISELLE

You’ll get me a beer?

JOEY

No, you’ll get it.

GISELLE

Of course.

JOEY

And you might as well get me one while you’re there.

GISELLE

You really believe I’m gonna do that.

JOEY

Yeah, you do it other days.

GISELLE

I see now where that kid gets his naivety.

(shakes her head sideways)

One, I just got home. Two, I don’t want a beer. I want a real drink. You and that kid don’t know how to read people.

SAMANTHA

I’ll make you a drink, mom.

GISELLE

What do you want?

SAMANTHA

What do you mean, what do I want? To make you a drink. You just relax...

GISELLE

You see, Joey? This is exactly what I was talking about. She’s trying to play me because she really wants something.

SAMANTHA

(upset)

What are you talking about? I just wanted to do something nice for you. Is there anything wrong with that?

GISELLE

Yes. You don’t ever want to do something nice for me. Of course it means you want something.

JOEY

She did say she wants to go see Josh.

Samantha looks at Joey very unappreciative.

GISELLE

This is exactly what makes you and Josh big fools, a setup for anything. You really expected that beer.

JOEY

Well, I don’t see you getting your drink either.

GISELLE

How much trouble is it to make a margarita or a martini or a bloody russian?

SAMANTHA

Hey, can you guys shut up, please? I got homework to do.

JOEY

Excuse me?!?!

GISELLE

Now the real Samantha comes out.

SAMANTHA

Well, as long as being nice isn’t working…

JOEY

Huh? Did I miss something? When were you being nice?

GISELLE

She offered to make me a drink.

JOEY

I don’t see no drink.

SAMANTHA

Ufff!

She gets up, grabs her computer while unplugging it from the wall and heads toward the stairs.

JOEY

Hey, I don’t remember giving you permission to go anywhere.

SAMANTHA

(turning around)

I swear, Josh is the one who got the better deal.

Giselle makes an expression like I-give-up while Joey gets up and grabs Samantha forcefully by the arm…

SAMANTHA

Hey! What the fuck?

…and she drops the computer on the (thankfully carpeted) floor. Joey then pushes her violently toward the couch, sending her reeling over and on her side, almost half off it, SCREAMING!

SAMANTHA

Heyyyy!!! Owwww!!!

GISELLE

(horrified)

What are you doing?

JOEY

No! She said Josh has it better! You think he has it better?

GISELLE

Joey, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about!

SAMANTHA

(getting up)

I’m going to Child Protective Services.

JOEY

Oh, you’re going to Child Protective Services now! Your brother’s getting the shit beaten out of him in an adult prison and you’re going to Child…

GISELLE

Joey, stop! Josh is being protected.

JOEY

Oh, that’s what they’ve got him telling you on the outside so they won’t kill him!

GISELLE

Oh, you’re a prison expert now! Samantha, you stay right there and you wait till we finish fighting and then you do your homework. Now if you want to be an expert on Josh, Joey, then you go see him.

JOEY

They won’t let you near the inside of the cell.

GISELLE

How convenient. I think I’m gonna go make that drink.

SAMANTHA

And what about my protection?

GISELLE

(on way to kitchen)

Keep your mouth shut and do your homework and no one’ll bother you.

(o.s.)

(from kitchen)

And don’t say Josh has it better.

INT. THE HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

There is a series of short KNOCKS at the door.

Giselle comes in from the kitchen. Joey and Samantha, with her laptop, are sitting.

GISELLE

Don’t bother getting up to answer it. Let the maid get it. That’s what you’re not paying her for.

Joey salutes her.

SAMANTHA

I’m busy, I got homework to do.

GISELLE

(while opening the door)

This better not be one of yours...

EXT./INT. THE HOUSE, FRONT ENTRANCE – NIGHT

KAMALA

(who is there with Amanda)

Hi, Ms. Stivic, I’m sorry to bother you but...

GISELLE

You can come in. You’re gonna have to go. I don’t want to have to get into another fight, please, over my other child.

Kamala enters the house, trepidatious from these last words, while Amanda, showing Giselle a look of you’ve-really-gone-over-the-edge-bitch, quietly backs off and walks away.

INT. THE HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

KAMALA

Hi...

SAMANTHA

Kamala! Wow!

JOEY

I’m sorry but she’s not allowed to have visitors. And she knows that.

Samantha gives him an angry look.

GISELLE

Joey, it’s alright for a few minutes. Come on in. Would you like something to drink

JOEY

Don’t expect a drink around here. It’s just a form of speech that means nothing.

GISELLE

Joey, please. You have to excuse him. He has a big chip on his shoulder that acts up every now and then.

SAMANTHA

How are you doing, Kamala.

KAMALA

How are you doing?

SAMANTHA

Well, you can see it all, free show. Two crazy parents, one totally, the other with half a good heart and one depressed child who’s getting a lot of homework done. I never knew life could be so boring so my parents make up for it and keep me from falling asleep.

KAMALA

Well, that’s actually good. I mean, that you’re getting all that homework done.

SAMANTHA

Yeah, I can thank my brother.

JOEY

And your parents.

It’s silent.

KAMALA

Listen... I don’t mean to interrupt the rhythm but, you remember that trial in L.A. we have to get that abusive cop put away?

SAMANTHA

Oh my God, seems like ancient history.

KAMALA

Yeah, so much for a speedy trial. Well, you probably forgot but it’s tomorrow.

SAMANTHA

No-o..... What are we gonna do? I can’t miss any more school.

JOEY

That’s right, you can’t.

SAMANTHA

But, wait a minute, not so fast. That was important.

KAMALA

That is important.

GISELLE

Alright, I’m putting my foot down, so don’t none of you interrupt.

JOEY

Wait a minute, who put you in charge.

GISELLE

Really, Joey? Are we gonna do that again?

JOEY

She’s on punishment. Did you forget?

SAMANTHA

I can’t believe you’d let this stupid home confinement punishment be more important than real punishment for a serious crime committed.

GISELLE

Alright, Samantha, this is important because you’re right. Punishing wrongdoing is important no matter how you feel about it. And Joey, you’ll just have to accept that.

KAMALA

Plus you’ll need to both be there as character witnesses.

SAMANTHA

Maybe we better not push it that far with dad. He’ll say horrible things about me. But, mom, you’ll come, right?

GISELLE

I’ll go for one day. But not tomorrow. I need to prepare someone to replace me. It’s a very crazy busy place.

KAMALA

The problem with that is, if our side doesn’t call your dad in, the other side could subpoena him cause they’ll be curious why he’s not being called. Not that it’ll make that big a difference but... Well, actually it will, especially if you’re in a bad mood about your daughter, Mr. Stivic.

JOEY

Excuse me, I don’t get in moods.

They all look at him with sarcasm.

JOEY

I say what’s right and what needs to be said. I’m probably your best and most reliable witness.

SAMANTHA

So you’ll come and support me, then, dad?

JOEY

I’ll come and tell the truth. About what a pain-in-the-ass obnoxious girl you are who never listens to anybody. The kind who would get herself into that kind of trouble at a riot like that and get a cop who’s having a bad day so upset that he’d actually lost control and do something that stupid.

GISELLE

I think you should stay home, Joey. I can be the material witness.

KAMALA

That’s not quite a material witness.

GISELLE

What are you talking about? Who knows the material of the case more than her parents? Now this means, little girl—and don’t interrupt me, Joey—this means you finish your homework and you go right up to bed. Kamala, you come here early and you stay with her on the bus and in court. You’ll be her monitor.

SAMANTHA

That means you take me home and stay with me there.

GISELLE

Oh no, no staying overnight.

SAMANTHA

Suppose I’m all broken up from the case and need to hold somebody tight?

GISELLE

Then you don’t go in the first place. Going means you have the maturity to hold yourself together.

SAMANTHA

Alright mom. I’ll hold myself together.

She goes to her mom and gives her a big hug.

JOEY

That’s complicating evidence right there.

ALL OF THEM

What?

JOEY

Her testimony will be tainted. They’ll think she hugged her like that to get her to testify in her favor. Just like she also offered to make her mother a drink so she’d let her go see Josh. In fact, that alone could hurt your case. What are you, a supposedly law-abiding citizen, doing having a brother in jail?

They all look at him like why-did-he-have-to-bring-this-up.

After a pause,

KAMALA

It’s gonna be alright. I think we’re driving ourselves more crazy than we need to. I’m gonna go get some rest.

GISELLE

(to Samantha)

How’s your homework?

SAMANTHA

I don’t think I’m ever gonna get it. It’s just way too complicated.

KAMALA

Why don’t I stay with you and help you then?

SAMANTHA

You sure?

GISELLE

Long as you both stay down here. Thank you Kamala.

IMAGE – TEXT being typed (Kamala): Sorry bout that. Her parents are kind of volatile. I’m helping her with homework and then going home. Tomorrow’s the trial. That’ll get her out of the house.

A few moments pass.

IMAGE – TEXT (Amanda): I got on a bus to Bonnie’s. I’ll see you--- No, I guess I won’t see you tomorrow. Give her a big hug for me (hug emoji)

INT. THE HOUSE, SAMANTHA’S ROOM – LATE NIGHT

It’s dark. A small ROCK HITS Samantha’s WINDOW.

Nothing.

Another ROCK comes. Samantha begins to stir in her bed. A third ROCK gets Samantha up. She goes over to and looks our her window. She sees Amanda down below.

SAMANTHA

(finger vertical over mouth)

Shh!

(soft calling)

I’ll be right down.

INT. SAMANTHA’S ROOM – NIGHT, A LITTLE LATER

Samantha and Amanda are hanging out in the dark. ALL CONVERSATION is MUTED.

SAMANTHA

(smiling)

I love you so much, Amanda. You always find a way to help me get over.

AMANDA

I got a hold of a little something from Sean so we can chill vibe away your tension.

SAMANTHA

Really? We better be careful.

AMANDA

It’s a vape. If we open the windows, you won’t smell anything.

SAMANTHA

Oh wow. Finally getting what I wanted this afternoon. But at least I got my homework done. That’s great.

AMANDA

That’s great.

SAMANTHA

I sent it on to them already.

Amanda has the vape prepared and they inhale, taking turns.

Samantha REALLY COUGHS while trying to keep it as quiet as possible. Amanda CRACKS UP.

AMANDA

I forgot to warn you. This really creeps up on you cause the hit is smooth.

INT. THE HOUSE, SAMANTHA’S ROOM – NIGHT, A LITTLE LATER

The two girls are sitting on Samantha’s bed, backs against the wall. They are stone-faced, relaxedly and contentedly blankly into the night.

As though in total sync, they both turn to look at each other and smile.

SAMANTHA

(with slight laugh)

Wow. This is so great.

Amanda, smiling, nods affirmatively.

After a while of enjoying the vibe, Amanda turns to face Samantha and puts her hands gently on Samantha’s face, cupping and caressing it She then kisses Samantha, who eagerly returns her kiss and they hold, hug and kiss each other with passionate affection.

FADE OUT

This morning I was placed on a panel discussion at the Phoenix Film Festival entitled: WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE. Come one, come all! It'll be a bang up time! And hot! 11 AM, Sunday, April 12.

Happy to report that our short film, VINTAGE JOURNEY, screens three times during the festival in Arizona Shorts, Block A. Come see AUBYN PHILABAUM and JOEL FOSTER sport their thespian skills in our short. They were awesome and a pleasure to direct.

As an added bonus, a script I penned (story by LESLEY LILLYWHITE), HALLOWEEN IN JAVELINA CROSSING is a finalist in this year's Screenplay Search.

Anticipating this festival is more fun than waiting for the Easter Bunny!

www.phoenixfilmfestival.com

Hello creatives,

I’d love to hear your thoughts on my logline.

Script: The Silent PFC War

Logline: When an alien-engineered gas reduces humanity to a childlike state, dissident aliens and imprisoned ISS astronauts must restore human intelligence before a hidden genocide plan is set in motion.

By SCIFISPY

I don’t usually post things like this, but this one matters.

My animated feature screenplay ARMSTRONG-D.U. has just been selected as a FINALIST (Top 17) in the Kinolime Feature Film Competition.Top 26 out of 2,440 scripts in the Kinolime 2026 Feature Competition. Public voting opens today.

This isn’t just recognition, this would be a huge step forward for this project and its future.

Logline:

In a hyper-controlled future where an AI enforces safety by suppressing human instinct, a disabled boy awakens a long-buried military robot and must hide it, becoming a threat to the rules of his world and risking his freedom to play.

If that idea resonates with you, if you believe stories like this should exist, I’d truly appreciate your support in any way.

You can read, rate, or vote here:

https://www.kinolime.com/screenplays/armstrong-d-u-film

No pressure at all, just sharing something I’ve been building for a long time.

Thank you.