Lion's Pool

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EXT: Montage of children running from school bus to houses. Sung playing is sort of like Papa Was A Rolling Stone.

INT: Front Porch/Living Room

Momma

Don't let that door slam.

INT: Children dropping bags and running to rooms.

Boom! Door slams.

Children

Any kool-aid?

INT: Livingroom

Rotary Phone with a finger dialing seven times- two heads get close together to listen.

Phone Recording

The day is Monday August 4th. The temp is 94 degrees. The time is (click)...

Child 2

"It's just 94 degrees!"

2 Children

Ahhh

Child 4

Ahh

Child 4

Let's go get the water hose!

EXT: Children run out the door. Someone turns the faucet on as water eases out from both ends of the faucet.The hose springs forth water. Two children run by the water as one child presses a thumb over the spout of the hose.

INT: Laughter ensues. A mother looks out the window and smiles at the kids playing.

Aunt Tiny

You told them you won't take them to the pool until it gets a hundred, huh?

Momma

They fine out there... They know the drill.

Children running around the yard squealing in jubilation.

INT: Later in the Week. Bedroom at daybreak.

One child opens her eyes  from slumber. She looks left to see her sister sleeping. She eases out the bed and runs to the television set. She pulls the knob and it is still on a western from last night. She frowns. She uses the vice grips and clicks to channel 10. She remembers to turn the volume down.

INT: Television Bugs Bunny.

INT: Dining room: A brother makes it from the back into the living room. Child 3 looks over her shoulder to see child 2 coming and snaps back to the set.

Child 3

I ain't watching no Sleaze Stacks today. I got here first.

He sits down and joins her in bugs bunny. Another Child 1 comes in with a big bowl of cereal.

Child 2 and 3

Jethro Boooo-deen!!!

Child 2

What you got? Rice Krispies?

Child 1

Honey Combs!

Child 3

Any left?

Child 1

Go see.

Trying to get her to leave the television so he can take over as master of the set.

Child 1 cont'd

Nah!

He sits down knowing his ploy didn't work.

Child 3 cont'd

No He-man either!

Finally child 4 arrives with cereal. She offers some to child 3. The child 3 takes a spoonful.

Child 3

(Speaking to Child 4)  

Watch the TV until I get back. 

Child 3 cont'd

Talking to child 1 and 2

She got charge.

Child 4

I got in charge!

The two boys begin leaning in toward the child 4. Child 3 stomps back into the room. They turn their heads to her and decide to pull back from the set. A balled up fist relaxes and heads to kitchen.

Child 3

Momma, if it get to a hundred today, can we go swimming?

Momma

If it gets to 100. I will.

Child 2 enters and get a bowl.

Child 2

The Sun pool or the East side pool?

Momma

We'll see. 100!

Child 1 with bowl of cereal and phone in hand. 

Phone Recording

(VO)The time is... (click) He hangs up.

Child 1

98 degrees... 

Child 2 and 3 enter with bowls.

Try again at 3 o'clock. It's just 12. We got time.

Child 1

I know!

INT: Kitchen

Aunt Tiny

Every summer you do this to those children. Got em dialing all day long.

Momma

4 kids and swimming... plus me... 

Momma cont'd

folds her money and puts it in her bra

I stretch mine (referencing her money). I stretch them, too.

Aunt Tiny

You taking them to the white people's pool this year?

wringing her hands

Momma

Maybe... We've been to all the pools in the city.. even the white YMCA and YWCA. I don't know...

Aunt Tiny

I've never been, but Carol and them said they been. They still liked the east side pool and the south side pool better.

Aunt Tiny, cont'd

I like the Sun pool the best. It's like a real outdoor olympic pool with lanes and everything. But you ain't getting me in no swimming suit at my age.

Momma

I know I look good. At your age I will still look good.

Aunt Tiny

It's gone be a long Summer.



















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