All About Nikki- The Fabulous First Season

  FADE IN:

  INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH BATHROOM – AFTERNOON

  A polished lavatory that doubles as a social hub. Girls gossip as–

  NIKKI DESMOND and CANDICE COLLINS, 16, spoiled rich sistas dressed in designer suits and high heels hurry in. Nikki reaches into her purse for a lipstick and a comb–

  CANDICE

  C’mon Nikki, hurry up. I want to get to the library before the kids get all the good computers–

  Nikki smiles at Candice and tells her–

  NIKKI

  Why do you think I’m fixing my makeup Candice?

  Candice thinks about it.

  CANDICE

  Girl, you so devious.

  NIKKI

  But we’ll be sitting in front of the new Dells in the lab and not the crappy old IBMs in the lounge.

  Nikki takes off her Church hat and hands it to Candice along with her car keys. As she combs her hair she tells her–

  NIKKI

  Just start the car. I’ll be right out.

  CANDICE

  Cool.

  Candice hurries out as–

  SHAMEEKA JACKSON, 18, a big super senior with a bad attitude dressed in baggy jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie storms into the bathroom. Scared girls scurry out of the bathroom while Nikki puts on a fresh coat of lipstick. Shameeka approaches the mirror and–

  SHAMEEKA

  Excuse me.

  Nikki steps aside. Shameeka washes her hands then peers down at Nikki’s shoes.

  NIKKI

  Sure.

  SHAMEEKA

  Yo, them some nice shoes. What are those lizard?

  Nikki smiles at Shameeka.

  NIkki

  Alligator. Lizard has a smaller print.

  SHAMEEKA

  Gators? Whoa, them joints must cost what, four, five hundred–

  NIKKI

  Seven hundred. I got them on sale at Bergdorf’s.

  SHAMEEKA

  Man, I wish I had the money to get me some gators.

  Nikki looks Shameeka up and down as she puts her comb back in her purse.

  NIKKI

  Well sista, if you keep your eyes on the prize and work real hard, you might be able to get a pair in a couple of years–

  SHAMEEKA

  Or I might just get me a pair right now.

  Shameeka grabs Nikki–

  NiKKI

  Hey–

  and shoves her into a bathroom wall. It’s an intense face off as–

  SHAMEEKA

  Give up the Gators!

  Nikki tries to get past Shameeka–

  But WHAM! is shoved back into the wall again. WHUMP! Shammeka slams a fist in her gut. A beaten down Nikki tries to make a run for it past Shameeka but–

  RRRIP! Nikki’s suit tears and buttons pop off her blouse as Shameeka grabs her and tosses her back into the wall again. A stunned Nikki slumps on the floor as–

  Shameeka pulls a boxcutter from her pocket.

  SHAMEEKA

  THE SHOES NOW!

  Nikki realizes the shoes aren’t worth it.

  NIKKI

  ALL RIGHT!

  Nikki yanks off the pumps. Shameeka snatches them from her. A barefoot Nikki scurries out of the bathroom to the–

  EXT. PARKING LOT – Afternoon

  Where Candice is waiting in Nikki’s–

  Mercedes convertible

  Noticing Nikki’s torn clothes a concerned Candice inquires–

  CANDICE

  Oh my God! What happened?

  As Nikki hurries into the car.

  NIKKI

  Just drive.

  Candice pulls out of the lot. As the car is–

  MOVING

  Into traffic Nikki pulls herself together.

  CANDICE

  I take it we’re not going to the library–

  NIKKI

  We’re going.

  CANDICE

  But you don’t have any shoes and your clothes are ripped–

  NIKKI

  I always keep a spare outfit in the trunk. We’re cool.

  CANDICE

  But what happened to you?

  NIKKI

  This big girl happened to me in the bathroom.

  CANDICE

  About six feet tall, dressed in sweats and sneakers?

  NIKKI

  Sounds about right.

  CANDICE

  Oh My God! You got jacked by Super Senior Shameeka?

  NIKKI

  Oh, so it has a name?

  CANDICE

  Yeah, she’s a wanna-be Gangstress. She shakes down all the new kids around here–

  Nikki huffs a sigh.

  NIKKI

  God, just what I need. Mom sent me out here because she was tired of me getting into crap like this in New York–

  CANDICE

  Look, let’s go to the Dean–

  NIKKI

  Drop it Candice.

  CANDICE

  Why? We’ve got to tell somebody–

  NIKKI

  I’m gonna handle it.

  A concerned Candice continues driving to the library–

  HOURS LATER

  INT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – EVENING

  Nikki’s father DONALD DESMOND, 45, sits on the sofa watching TV while RUMSFELD, 61, his polished British servant is dusting the furniture as–

  BAM! Nikki in a crisp spring blue suit and white heels strolls into the house followed by a worried Candice. Nikki’s father clicks off the TV to ask–

  DONALD

  Hey Nikki, weren’t you wearing a burgundy suit this morning?

  Nikki plays it off.

  NIKKI

  Dad, burgundy is just too formal for the library. Now spring blue on the other hand stands out in an afterschool crowd.

  Nikki’s Dad shakes his head.

  DONALD

  Girl, you are something else.

  NIKKI

  Hey, when you’ve got it like that you flaunt it.

  Nikki tells her Dad–

  NIKKI

  We’re gonna go hang out upstairs.

  RUMSFELD

  Miss Desmond, shall I bring up supper?

  NIKKI

  Nah, we’re cool Rumsfeld. I’ll get something later.

  Nikki and Candice head upstairs to–

  NIKKI’s BEDROOM

  A luxurious bedroom fit for a spoiled princess. Furnished with a white canopy bed, white furniture, stuffed animals, and all the amenities a spoiled teenage girl would enjoy. Nikki and Candice rush in, drop their bags and flop on the bed where–

  Nikki takes her burgundy suit and blouse out of the bag. Candice examines the ruined clothes.

  CANDICE

  Man, she really jacked you up.

  NIKKI

  Tell me about it. It’s gonna cost a fortune for the tailor to fix this–

  CANDICE

  I still think you should tell somebody–

  NIKKI

  I go to the Dean and people at school will start thinking I’m soft.

  CANDICE

  So you’re gonna handle your business–

  NIKKI

  I have to. If I start having administration take care of people like Shameeka, people are gonna start thinking they can get over on me.

  CANDICE

  Yeah, getting her suspended is a punk move.

  NIKKI

  Shameeka might have taken me for my gators, but she’s not gonna take me again.

  Nikki examines her torn suit as Candice turns on the TV–

  DISSOLVE TO:

  NEXT DAY

  INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH HALLWAY – AFTERNOON

  Kids bustle down the hall on their way to class. Nikki and Candice chat on their way to the–

  CANDICE

  So how much is it gonna cost to fix your suit?

  NIKKI

  Fifty bucks for the jacket, twenty for the replacement buttons. The blouse was a total loss.

  CANDICE

  You should sue her. Messing
up your school clothes like that–

  CAFETERIA

  Where they get on line at the–

  CONCESSION stand

  NIKKI

  I know. That was one of my favorite suits.

  CANDICE

  So what are you gonna get for lunch?

  NIKKI

  Nachos, fries, a couple sodas–

  The line moves as–

  A hot sweaty Shameeka in soaked gym clothes gets on the line behind Nikki and Candice. She takes a sip from a bottle of water before saying–

  SHAMEEKA

  A soda sure would be nice after a game of basketball.

  Nikki ignores Shameeka and keeps talking to Candice.

  NIKKI

  You want onion rings Candice?

  A nervous Candice doesn’t answer as Shameeka lets herself be known.

  SHAMEEKa

  Y’know I’m all hot and sweaty from playing basketball. I’d sure like me a soda right now.

  Nikki turns around ready to handle her business.

  NIKKI

  Yeah, they have plenty in the back.

  Shameeka lets herself be known again.

  SHAMEEKA

  And I said a soda would sure be nice. Y’know, I think I’ll have a Sprite–

  NIKKI

  I think you better have some money to pay for it–

  SHAMEEKA

  What? You not gonna treat me?

  NIKKI

  Hey, it’s the fifteenth. Your county check should be at the welfare office right about now.

  Candice tugs on Nikki’s sleeve and tells her through gritted teeth–

  CANDICE

  Nikki, don’t antagonize the hoochie–

  NIKKI

  No, Candice sista wants a soda when she should be buying some soap. You do know we have showers in the locker room–

  SHAMEEKA

  So what you sayin’ Ms. Bougie? That I’m poor–

  NIKKI

  You must be. Jacking people for shoes, smelling like ravioli after gym class–

  Candice laughs at the joke. Shameeka is pissed.

  SHAMEEKA

  Oh, Ms. Bougie got jokes.

  Nikki lets Shameeka have it with both barrels.

  NIKKI

  Yeah. I’m gonna need you to step back cause all that funk you’re radiating is getting all up in my mouth–

  Candice is having fun, but Shameeka isn’t amused. She gets in Nikki’s face and has an intense staredown. The mood changes as tension builds.

  SHAMEEKA

  The way I see it the soda for me is an investment in your future. A dollar towards quenching my thirst can save you a lot of money later on.

  NIKKI

  I don’t invest in losers. That’s what welfare is for. County office on Crenshaw, second floor.

  SHAMEEKA

  So I’m not gonna get me a soda?

  NIKKI

  My money is staying in my pocket.

  SHAMEEKA

  Cool. Guess if I can’t get me a soda I’m just gonna have to cool off another way–

  SNATCH! Shameeka whips off Nikki’s Church hat and pours the water all over her hair. After Nikki’s hair is ruined, she slaps the hat back on Nikki’s head. Kids laugh, a lunchroom monitor approaches–

  But backs off when Shameeka cuts her a cold look. Nikki is pissed.

  NIKKI

  WHAT THE HELL!

  SHAMEEKA

  Well, I guess a trip to the hairdresser to tame them naps is gonna cost more than a can of soda. Think about that Bougie Princess.

  Shameeka storms out of the cafeteria. Candice grabs some napkins from the counter and helps Nikki dry off–

  NIKKI

  Dammit, this suit is ruined.

  CANDICE

  So’s your hair. You’re starting to nap.

  NIKKI

  First the shoes, then the hair. This isn’t just a shakedown for stuff like the other kids.

  CANDICE

  Yeah, going after a sista’s hair is personal.

  NIKKI

  It’s obvious I can’t go to administration. She’s got them scared.

  CANDICE

  What are you gonna do?

  NIKKI

  I don’t know–

  CANDICE

  Nikki, you can’t do anything about this on your own–

  NIKKI

  You don’t understand Candice, I have to. I’m on the outs with my Mom in New York and thin ice with my Dad. I mess up here and it’s the group home. I just can’t get into any more trouble right now.

  CANDICE

  I really think your Dad would understand–

  NIKKI

  I hear them on the phone arguing about me all the time–

  CANDICE

  But your Dad seems really cool–

  NIKKI

  He’s cool with me to a point. I don’t want to push him.

  CANDICE

  I wish I could do something.

  NIKKI

  The only thing I can do is have it out with Shameeka.

  They’re up at the concession line. A concerned Candice looks at Nikki as she places their order–

  HOURS LATER

  EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH PARKING LOT – AFTERNOON

  Afterschool, most of the cars are gone. Nikki in a ruined suit has her bun-wrapped hair stuffed in her hat. She and Candice approach Nikki’s shiny red Mercedes 500SL convertible where–

  Shameeka is leaning on the door.

  SHAMEEKA

  Nice car.

  Nikki huffs a sigh and rolls her eyes.

  NIKKI

  Yeah, it is. Excuse me.

  Shameeka gets in Nikki’s face and asks–

  SHAMEEKA

  Why don’t you hook a sista up with a ride home?

  Nikki doesn’t back down.

  NIKKI

  There’s a bus stop on the corner.

  SHAMEEKA

  Now why should I take the bus when I got a friend who can hook me up with a ride in her nice red Mercedes convertible?

  NIKKI

  Your friend must be across the lot cause she’s not standing in front of my car.

  Shameeka takes out her boxcutter–

  SHAMEEKA

  Is that so? Guess I’ma have to use my special key to get in my friend’s car. Now where’s that lock…

  And gestures towards the paint on Nikki’s car door. Nikki swats the boxcutter on the ground–

  NIKKI

  Get that away from my car!

  And Candice kicks it across the lot. It’s a tense face-off between Nikki and Shameeka.

  SHAMEEKA

  So I’m not gonna get me a ride?

  NIKKI

  You’re such a bad girl. What? You can’t survive a ride on L.A’s mass transit system?

  Shameeka laughs at Nikki.

  SHAMEEKA

  You know you right. I am tough enough to take the bus–

  Shameeka gestures to walk away, then–

  CRACK! Sucker punches Nikki in the eye and knocks her to the ground. While she’s down, Shameeka taunts her by telling her–

  SHAMEEKA

  And I’m bad enough to kick yo ass! Remember that!

  Shameeka storms away. Candice rushes to her aid as–

  CANDICE

  NIKKI!

  Nikki sits up. Her right eye is blackened and swollen shut.

  NIKKI

  I–I’m okay Candice.

  Candice helps Nikki up. Nikki hands her the keys.

  NIKKI

  Can you drive me home Candice? I’m not feeling so great.

  CANDICE

  Sure.

  Candice and Nikki get in the convertible; Nikki grabs sunglasses out of the glove box and slips them on. Candice drives Nikki back to–

  INT. DESMOND MANOR KITCHEN – AFTERNOON

  Where they enter through the back door. Nikki’s maid ROSA, 36 is preparing dinner. She smiles at the girls as they hurry past her.

  ROSA

  Good afternoon Mis
s Desmond. What’s with the sunglasses?

  Nikki plays it off with a smile.

  NIKKI

  Rosa, shades indoors are the new thing. And you know I follow the latest trends–

  ROSA

  With last year’s sunglasses.

  NIKKI

  (Pointing to her sunglasses)

  These are Gucci. A classic. And classics never go out of style.

  ROSA

  And where are yours Candice? Don’t you always follow all the fashion trends Nikki follows?

  Candice realizes they’ve been caught in a lie. Before she can answer–

  CAndice

  Er…

  Nikki gets her out of the jam. She grabs Candice and–

  NIkki

  Er– she left hers in my car. She’ll get them later. Let’s go study Candice.

  Heads to the freezer and grabs a bag of frozen peas. Rosa inquires–

  ROSA

  Hey muchacha, what’s with the peas? You making your own dinner?

  NIKKi

  Er– no, science project on endothermic reaction. I’ll bring them back.

  A concerned Rosa knows something is wrong with Nikki as the girls rush up the back stairs to–

  NIKKI’S BEDROOM

  Where they close the door and drop their bags. Nikki stands in front of her hutch mirror–

  And peels off her sunglasses. Her black eye is bad. She reaches for a foundation bottle–

  NIKKI

  Man, it’s gonna take a lot of foundation to cover this up–

  Candice takes the bottle from Nikki–

  CANDICE

  You can't put make-up on until that swelling goes down.

  Nikki puts the peas over her eye. She tells Candice–

  NIKKI

  Could you go downstairs and tell Rosa that I’ll take dinner upstairs– Tell her I’m studying for a test.

  CANDICE

  Why?

  NIKKI

  I don’t want my Dad to see me like this.

  A concerned Candice heads out of Nikki’s room down the front stairs to the–

  LIVING ROOM

  Where Nikki’s father is coming home from work. He smiles at Candice as he asks her–

  DONALD

  Hey, Candice, how was school?

  CANDICE

  It was okay Mr. Desmond.

  Nikki’s Dad notices Candice is acting strangely. He inquires–

  DONALD

  Is there something wrong?

  Candice looks around.

  CANDICE

  I need to talk to you in the kitchen.

  Nikki’s Dad follows Candice into the–

  KITCHEN

  Where Rosa continues to prepare dinner.

  DONALD

  What’s going on?

  CANDICE

  It’s about Nikki. You can’t tell her though.

  DONALD

  Okay–

  CANDICE

  This big girl Shameeka at school is hassling her. She’s been trying to handle it on her own, but stuff is escalating. When Nikki stopped her from keying her car with a boxcutter this afternoon, she punched her in the face. She’s got this nasty black eye now.

  ROSA

  So that’s why she was wearing last year’s sunglasses this afternoon. Ay Dios Mio.

  DONALD

  And why she changed suits afterschool the other day. How long has this been going on?

  CANDICE

  A couple of days. She poured water on her hair at lunch today and she took her alligator shoes before the day before that–

  DONALD

  Oh my God. Why isn’t she coming to me with this?

  CANDICE

  She thinks you’re gonna send her away like her Mom did–

  DONALD

  I wouldn’t do that.

  CANDICE

  I don’t want her to go Mr. Desmond. I mean, she just got here. We just started hanging out–

  DONALD

  Candice, you don’t have to worry. Nicole isn’t going anywhere.

  CANDICE

  Just don’t tell her I talked to you about this. I just don’t want to see her get into trouble–

  DONALD

  Nikki isn’t in any trouble Candice. I’m glad you told me what’s going on. I’m gonna talk to Nicole.

  CANDICE

  You can’t tell her that I told you–

  DONALD

  I know. But it’s not on you. It’s on me.

  A nervous Candice follows Nikki’s Dad head upstairs to–

  NIKKI’S BEDROOM

  Where Nikki is still nursing her injury in front of the hutch mirror. She hears the door open–

  NIKKI

  Candice, is that–

  And loses it when her father steps in with Candice.

  NIKKI

  Oh crap– why’d you tell him!

  CANDICE

  Nikki, I had to. Stuff is getting crazy–

  NIKKI

  I told you I had it under control–

  CANDICE

  She pulled a boxcutter on you. Things are not under control–

  Nikki’s Dad takes care of business.

  DONALD

  Candice, I’ve got it.

  Candice heads for the door.

  CANDICE

  I’ll call you later.

  Nikki’s Dad closes the door after Candice leaves. A scared Nikki pulls away as her father reaches out to her.

  NIKKI

  Dammit Candice–

  donald

  Is a good friend. I wish I had friends like her when I was your age.

  NIKKI

  I just thought if you found out about me getting into stuff with kids around here you’d send me away like Mom did–

  Nikki’s Dad smiles at his daughter and puts his arm around her.

  donald

  You’re not going anywhere.

  NIKKI

  I just didn’t want things to get like they did after you left me and Mom in New York. Fights all the time, getting shipped from boarding school to boarding school–

  donald

  That’s not gonna happen. No matter what happens at school you’re staying with me.

  NIKKI

  I just got scared you were gonna get upset like Mom used to–

  donald

  Nicole, I’m not your mother. I got you. When stuff like this happens I want you to come to me with it. I got your back.

  NIKKI

  But I hear you and Mom arguing about me on the phone all the time–

  donald

  Nicole, what goes on between me and your Mom ain’t got nothing to do with you. Anything you need, I got you.

  NIKKI

  I thought I had to handle things like I did in New York–

  donald

  Nikki, it’s great you want to handle your business, but when stuff gets out of hand like this, tell me so we can handle it together.

  Nikki looks up at her father who reassures–

  donald

  You’re not on your own anymore. We’re gonna take care of this together.

  Nikki breaks the embrace and follows her Dad out of her room. She starts feeling better the–

  NEXT DAY

  INT. BEVERLY HILLS HIGH – MORNING

  As she returns to school dressed in a new designer suit and her hair fixed, with a brand new pair of sunglasses on. She runs into–

  A nervous Candice who timidly rifles through her locker when she sees her. Nikki smiles as she approaches her friend–

  NIKKI

  What’s up girl?

  CANDICE

  I thought you were mad at me–

  NIKKI

  Hey, you had my back. I can’t be mad at you for looking out for me.

  CANDICE

  So we’re cool?

  NIKKI

  Definitely.

  CANDICE

  So how’s your eye now?

  Nikki pulls her sunglasses up. Swelling has gone down but it’s still black.
>
  NIKKI

  Not as bad as it was yesterday. I just hope I don’t get hassled by the teachers for wearing these shades in class.

  Candice closes her locker. As they head down the hall–

  A pissed off Shameeka rushes out of an office and grabs Nikki–

  SHAMEEKA

  Can’t fight your own battles rich girl–

  And WHAM! slams her into a set of lockers. Nikki’s ready for a fight. She shoves off the bigger Shameeka–

  And shifts into a fighting stance.

  NIKKI

  Look, what is your problem?

  SHAMEEKA

  My problem is you little Bougie Princess. You got to bring Administration into our beef–

  NIKKI

  You’re the one who pulled a boxcutter on me–

  SHAMEEKA

  And I should have cut yo ass in the bathroom you little punk–

  NIKKI

  Oh I’m a punk? You’re the one who can’t fight without a boxcutter–

  In the background

  Security and police are about to make a move on Shameeka. Nikki’s Dad holds them back as–

  NIKKI AND SHAMEEKA

  Are ready to throw down. Kids circle to watch the brawl–

  SHAMEEKA

  I’ll fight you anytime any place if you ain’t afraid of breaking a nail Ms. Bougie–

  As Nikki takes off her heels, her hat, sunglasses and earrings and hands them to Candice.

  CANDICE

  Nikki–

  NIKKI

  No, I’m right here heifer.

  A pissed off Shameeka swings on Nikki–

  and misses. WHAM! Nikki slams a fist in her jaw–

  And THUD! The giant hits the floor. The crowd goes wild. Candice is in shock.

  CANDICE

  Damn Nik, you knocked her out!

  NIKKI

  I told you I handle my business.

  Nikki puts back on her gear as–

  The dazed Shameeka staggers up.

  And the police move in. They slap handcuffs on her.

  SHAMEEKA

  What the Hell?

  OFFICER

  Shameeka Jackson, you’re under arrest for assault, armed robbery, and menacing against Nicole Alexandria Desmond.

  SHAMEEKA

  I ain’t do nothing–

  OFFICER

  You just admitted to it to everyone.

  SHAMEEKA

  You wait till I get out! I’ma get yo ass!

  Nikki’s Dad approaches ready to go full Black on her. he locks eyes with her–

  DONALD

  You ain’t going nowhere near my daughter again.

  SHAMEEKA

  You can’t do this to me! This is my school district! I have a right to an education–

  DONALD

  Was forfeited when you threatened my daughter. You want a diploma get one in jail.

  SHAMEEKA

  Then you ought to arrest Ms. Bougie. Ya’ll saw her hit me–

  DONALD

  Oh, you want to get legal? You threw the first punch and made the first threats. And with you being eighteen, the legal age of adulthood here in the State of California, you just committed some serious felonies. By the time you get out of jail, Nicole here will be graduating college.

  The crowd disperses. Police carry off Shameeka in handcuffs. Nikki smiles at her father and tells him–

  NIKKI

  Thanks Dad.

  DONALD

  I told you I got you.

  Nikki heads to class as–

  FAde Out:

  The End

  ALL ABOUT NIKKI

  EPISODE 1.06

  “KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET”