WITHDRAW by J.D.Santiago

RODRIGO - 30, the older brother but a little immature.

AJ- 25, the younger brother acts his age. More in touch with reality.

LIGHTS UP.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

RODRIGO sits alone at a small circular table wearing a bright blue bath robe. He is eating his favorite cereal Cocoa Dino Bites. In between each bite he quotes old SNL sketches that he has burned into his memory.

RODRIGO

My name is Matt Foley

RODRIGO bites into a spoonful of cereal.

RODRIGO(muffled)

VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

ENTER AJ shuffling through mail.

RODRIGO

Good morning, handsome!

Good morning!

RODRIGO

Have you had breakfast yet? I have Cocoa Dino Bites, they're the only cereal to come in a bag instead of box.

How Canadian of them.

RODRIGO

Right?

I'm good, I ate before I came over.

RODRIGO

Is that my mail?

AJ Yeah, I grabbed it for you on my way in.

RODRIGO

Did I win any free cruises?

No.

RODRIGO

Any free cologne samples?

Nuh-uh.

RODRIGO

Subpoenas?

AJ Oh my god, no. Why? Are you expecting one?

RODRIGO

No, it's just nice to feel wanted.

No, but you do have a letter from your old college.

RODRIGO

You can just throw that away.

Are you sure? It say's URGENT. DON'T THROW AWAY.

RODRIGO

Yeah, it's just a scare tactic. They don't really mean it.

AJ flips over the letter and on the back is bright read lettering that says, "WE REALLY MEAN IT"

RODRIGO

Okay that's new.

You should probably read this.

RODRIGO

I already know what it is, just throw it away dude.

AJ opens the letter

RODRIGO

Hey you can't do that! You can't open people's mail without a warrant or a cop with you.

AJ continues to open the letter.

AJ That's only half true.

RODRIGO sighs.

AJ(CONT'D)

"Dear Mr. Suarez, this is your final notice to resume making payments on your account or else we will have to move forward with legal action." Are you not paying off your student loans?

RODRIGO

I am paying of my loans.

Are you sure? Because it say's here that you aren't!

RODRIGO

It's not like that. Can you just calm down and sit and have a bowl of cereal with me? You're making me anxious, just sit.

AJ Rodrigo, this is serious! You need to pay these back.

RODRIGO

And I am! Just not on the days they want me to.

AJ That's not how this works. Do you know what will happen if you start paying this back?

RODRIGO

Yes. I am well aware.

They're going to take everything you own. Everything.

RODRIGO

I'd like to see them try and take this robe. Look, why are you even getting all upset about this? It's not your problem.

You're right it's not. But if you keep ignoring this and acting like a child -

RODRIGO

A child? Because I enjoy surrounding myself with things that make me feel good and that makes me childish?

You can still keep yourself surrounded by things that you love. Watch your favorite shows, eat your cereal, but don't let that come in the way of your well being.

RODRIGO

As long as i'm happy then what does that matter?

Happiness is not an excuse to be irresponsible. Own up to your actions and deal with the stress.

AJ sits down next to RODRIGO.

AJ(CONT'D)

I just want the best for you.

RODRIGO and AJ share a moment of silence.

RODRIGO

Okay. Let's get this mess sorted out.

RODRIGO gestures to the letter from his old college.

Do you have any cereal left?

RODRIGO holds up a bag of cereal that says FAMILY SIZE on it.

The two brothers carry on in conversation as the lights begin to fade out to black.

THE END.