Endurance

On a bright Saturday morning in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, a gathering is taking place in an apartment. The living room is filled with men and women. Classic rock music is blasting from the stereo surround sound system. The room is filled with chatter.

A man named MICHAEL LEWIS enters the living room with a glass of champagne in his hand. Michael is a 6'0" Caucasian man dressed in a sweater and jeans, with trendy short brown hair, blue eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard. STEVEN PAGE and DOUG WILLIAMS, two of his friends, approach him.

Steven, a tall, chiseled black man with brown eyes, a medium complexion, and a clean-shaven appearance. He has a black beanie covering his bald head and is wearing green sporting clothing. Doug is a tall, lanky Caucasian man with long, curly red hair, blue eyes, and freckles. He is wearing a plaid vest over baggy blue jeans and a pair of sneakers.

Steven- Michael, are you sure you want to do this?

Michael returns his gaze to his girlfriend, ABBY BEEKS, who is talking with two other women in the kitchen. Abby is a petite Caucasian woman with medium-length blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim body. She looks in Michael's direction, noticing his loving gaze on her. Abby smiles and waves to Michael with her fingers.

Michael returns the gesture and smiles before refocusing his attention to Steven and Doug.

Michael- (smiles) Of course. She's the real thing.

Doug- I'm not sure, man. I don't trust that broad.

Michael- What's the issue, dude?

Doug- What?  Look at her, and then at yourself. Do you really believe a woman like this will stick around?

Steven- (annoyed) Doug, come on.

Doug- What? You obviously know I'm right. Take a close look at her bimbo girlfriends. Those girls enjoy riding the carousel.

Abby is still in the kitchen, chatting with her best friends, CARLA and MONICA, both Caucasian women dressed to the nines in tight dresses and pumps. Carla is a taller woman with an athletic build, long dark brown hair, brown eyes, and lip gloss that shines. Monica is a petite woman with perfect curves, long blonde hair, and blue eyes.

Monica- Are you sure you want to do this, Abby?

Abby- What's the matter with Michael? Why are you so hostile toward him?

Carla- Come on. Look at him and then at yourself. He's a square. You can do so much better.

Abby- (rolling her eyes) Not this nonsense again.

Monica- We're not kidding. Why don't you go after Todd ? He's madly in love with you.

Carla- Yes, and he's incredibly hot.

Abby- I've already told you. Todd and I consider ourselves just friends. Michael and I are in love.

Abby observes Michael as he continues his conversation with Steven and Doug. Carla and Monica both scoff at the sight of Michael, and when Abby turns her focus to them, they put on a fake smile and act like they're paying attention.

Abby- (smiles) He's the nicest sweetest I've ever met.

SHELLY BEEKS and BECKY KINGSLEY enter the kitchen.

Shelly- Hey, more snacks are needed out there. What exactly are you three up to?

Shelly is a tall Caucasian woman with an athletic build, short bleach blonde hair, blue eyes, and tattoos on her arms, shoulders, neck, and upper breasts. She also has piercings in her ears, nose, brows, and one in her tongue. She's wearing black jeans, black boots, a black tank top, and black bracelets.

Becky, the more conservative of the two, is a curvy Caucasian woman with long and brown wavy hair, brown eyes, and an average height. She is dressed in jeans and a v-neck t-shirt.

Becky- Is there any more beer left?

Abby- Yes, in the refrigerator.

Becky walks over to the refrigerator, opens the door, and pulls out two bottles of beer, one of which she hands to Shelly.

Shelly- (takes a beer from Becky) Thank you, Becks. (to Abby) Hey, sis. Can I speak with you privately?

Monica- Hey, you can say whatever you want to her in front of us.

Shelly- Monica, do you want your teeth knocked down your throat?

Monica steps back, terrified of Shelly. Carla gently grabs Monica's arm and pulls her out of the kitchen with her.

Becky- (grabbing the snack tray) Hey, I'll see you out front in a minute.

Shelly- All right, Becks.

Becky walks away with the snack tray.

Shelly- Abby, please be completely honest with me.

Abby, now looking uneasy, smiles awkwardly at Shelly.

Abby- (laughs) Honest about what, exactly?

Shelly- You know what I'm talking about. What happened after Becky and I left the club the other night?

Abby is now as pale as a ghost, staring blankly at her older sister.

To Be Continued...