Suffer For Us - Developing Script

Chapter 4

Robin: (shocked and excitedly) Hey, ya, I've heard of you guys. Oh my god, I didn't realize you guys we're here.

Max: Nope just me. Look, a friend of yours gave me a tip about your music and I came her to listen to it live. We're interested to meet with you next week at the studio downtown and I'd like to personally invite you. Here's the contacts to my assistant (gives a card). He'll give you the details if you call him tomorrow. 

Robin: Sure, yeah (pulls his brother by the arm who happens to be there but didn't notice them) we'll be there. 

Max: Who's this? 

Robin: My representative. 

Jim: (a bit surprised what's going on) I co-own this coffee shop. 

Max: Oh, okay. We'll see guys next week. Have a good rest of the evening. 

Robin: Thanks, and you too. 

Mr. Ryan exits the coffee shop. 

Jim: Who was that?

Robin: That was from Maximum Records. 

Jim: Really!?

The two start screaming and jumping excitedly

Fast cut to Fast forward a week later, a day after the meeting. A disheveled looking Robin stares at his computer, starting a livestream. 

Robin: Hey, guys. So I know I said some exciting news last week about a certain recording studio (he grits his teeth a little) let's just say I turned them down. 

The chat box gets busy. Messages pop-out such as "What happened?", "What?!" "Why?" , "They suck anyway! Wait, what recording studio?"

Flashback to Robin and Jim with a meeting with some producers at Maximum Records. One of them start showing and talking about the illustrations of how Robin can change his look and appeal to a younger audience meanwhile Robin is wearing a worn out leather jacket on top of a black shirt, quite different to how the illustrations what him to be. Jim is beside him wearing a clean buttoned down shirt. 

Voice over (Robin's thoughts): I can't believe they wanted to change how I look. 

Jim: Wait a second, so he's just gonna look and sound like every artist out there. I don't get it. I thought you like Robin's music. 

Music Producer: Let's talk about stage name.

Fast cut back to the present.  Robin let's out a frustrated growl. He then dramatically and comically  tries to calm himself as if he forgot that people are watching him. 

Robin: It's okay, I'm fine now. The venting is over. Wait not over yet. Is there something I can throw. Ah here's some paper with bad lyrics on it (he crumples it and throws it on the wall to his left). Ughh!!! There, done venting. Okay so the good news is that I have decided to just manage myself, you know. Just continue with the livestreaming, Patreon posting, collecting tips from all of you, thanks again, your support is awesome. I don't want no middleman and because of that my music will stay being affordable and we all love non-expensive stuff. Just quality stuff. 

And when I was talking with some of you guys at the cafe, someone brought up songwriting classes. I've talked with my brother and he said we can have in-person songwriting classes at the cafe. And I can have them on through an online meeting for those who can only afford to pay online or are too far away. It'll be neat. I'll post the details later and I hope to teach some of you soon. 

Family lunch at Jim, Sally, and Melissa's apartment floor.

Jim: The foliage must be really nice at the lake house right about now.

Melissa: Will we go, Daddy?

Jim: Soon, sweetheart.

Sally: I talked with Jeff earlier on the phone and he kept the place in ship-shape for Thanksgiving.

Cut to Jim and Robin arriving at their family lake house by car. Jeff, an older man in his late 40s, meets with them. He looks like he's been gardening for a while.

Jeff (as they enter the lake house): Later, we could fish for dinner. I reeled some good ones last time.

Jim: That's a good plan, Jeff.

Robin looks at old family memorabilia. He stops at the piano and he plays, starts to reminisce. A huge window gives him a good view of the lake. There's a photo of him and his mom on top of the upright piano.

Evening. They eat outside at a bonfire. Grilled fish, veggies, and beer.

Robin: I sometimes forget how huge this place is (camera wideshot. We see  some empty tree stumps circling around the bonfire)

Jim: Ya did a great job around here Jeff.

Jeff: Yeah, what's missing is probably lots of family members running around.

Robin: Oh Jeff, are you getting lonesome. I told ya, online dating.

Jeff: Or that you start hitching with some chick and start birthing babies like your brother here! (Laughs)

Robin: It's still not too late for you, Jeff. You're a handsome guy, it's in our blood.

Jeff: And youth is wasted on the young (points at Robin). Actually, I did started dating, but with a man so...

Robin: (faux frustration) Why are you giving me that pressure! I'm still getting hold of being a good uncle to Melissa, what more if I'm a dad!

Jeff: (laughs heartily. Then in an operatic, singsongy voice) Got to spread the family seed!! Remember Grandpa's speech before he died. Old man was so worried that we're not multiplying. 

Jim: Blame it on inflation. It's so hard raising a family nowadays.

Robin: I'm just uncle material I guess.

Jeff: And Aunt Nat passed me the gay gene. Speaking of gay, I was hoping if Robin here can hold the post for a while. Not asking you to stay, just visit the lake house every now and then.

Robin: When does the gay come in? (Chuckles)

Jeff: My GAY boyfriend was hoping that I could visit him in his city during fall and Xmas break. And I haven't been travelling cross-country in a long time so why not.

Robin: I mean I guess I could work on my music here. And, hmm....would it be a good idea if I have my songwriting classes here.

Jim: What's wrong with the cafe?

Robin: I don't know how loud we could get Jim, and depending on how many will enroll.

Jeff: How long will the classes last?

Robin: Don't know yet but I already made an outline so probably 4 to 6 Saturdays. 

Jim: But you have to be careful. You don't know these people. Especially welcoming strangers to our home. 

Jeff: Didn't we rented this place to strangers a few times ago? 

Robin: I can take care of myself. Besides, I already build camaraderie with them.  I feel like I know some of them already from all our online interactions. 

Jeff: Just make sure that this place is the same as I left it. (pause. Jeff starts singing an old song).