All About Nikki- The Fabulous First Season Read online

  FADE IN:

  INT. DESMOND MANOR Living room – morning

  Early morning at Desmond Manor. RUMSFELD, 61, a polished British servant is doing some light dusting of African knick knacks on the mantel when DONALD DESMOND, 45, a well-dressed Black businessman hurries out of the den checking his watch.

  DONALD

  Rumsfeld, have you seen Nicole? It’s 7:00. She should be getting ready for school–

  RUMSFELD

  Sir, Miss Desmond just got off the plane a few days ago–

  DONALD

  She still has to go to school.

  Donald is about to hurry upstairs when Rumsfeld asks him–

  RUMSFELD

  Well, did you register her sir?

  It hits Donald in the head.

  DONALD

  Oh man, I forgot we had to do that! Thanks Rumsfeld.

  Nikki’s Dad heads 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 DESMOND, 16, a spoiled rich sista is buried under the sheets asleep when–

  Nikki’s Dad walks in. He sits on the side of the bed–

  And nudges Nikki. She’s out like a light. He nudges again…

  DONALD

  Nikki, wake up.

  Nikki

  Five more minutes Agnes…

  And Nikki rolls over dressed in a nightgown with bed hair and a sleep mask over her eyes. Her father nudges harder and–

  DONALD

  Nicole, wake up.

  Upon hearing her father’s voice a startled Nikki rolls over and flips up her mask. Her Dad gives her a smile.

  NIkki

  Dad! Did I oversleep? What time is it twelve, one?

  DONALD

  (Checking watch)

  It’s seven o’clock. Time to get ready for school.

  Nikki

  Yeah, about that. Now that I’m out here I think I’m gonna try home schooling. Wake me up about noonish–

  Nikki pulls the covers back over her and turns over to go back to sleep. Her Dad pulls them back and says–

  DONALD

  I don’t think so. The laws of the State of California say you have to go to school–

  NIKKI

  C’mon Dad, I’ve been kicked out of almost every private school on the east coast. I start getting kicked out of the ones out here and I’ll never get into college–

  DONALD

  So let’s try public school.

  Nikki gives her father a look.

  NIKKI

  With all the poor kids? Shoot me now–

  DONALD

  Most of the kids at Beverly Hills High are from families like ours. I think you’ll be all right there.

  Nikki folds her arms and pouts–

  NIKKI

  You don’t want to waste any more money on private schools–

  DONALD

  Nikki, it’s not about money. Maybe private school wasn’t right for you–

  NIKKI

  C’mon Dad, home schooling will work for me. No White girls starting fights with me, no teachers hating on me–

  DONALD

  It can’t be that bad Nicole–

  nikki

  Dad, you don’t know what it’s like being the only Black girl in school. It’s like I don’t even exist there–

  Nikki’s Dad sympathizes.

  DONALD

  I go through the same thing at work Nicole. But you can’t isolate yourself from the world because people hurt you. You have to go out and face it–

  NIKKI

  I just get tired of being by myself–

  DONALD

  Maybe there’ll be someone there just like you. You’ll probably be surprised who goes to Beverly Hills High–

  NIKKI

  People too poor to afford private school, misfits, losers,–

  DONALD

  People like you.

  NIKKI

  Ouch. Right in the chest. Next time go for a head shot–

  DONALD

  All I’m asking you to do is give this a chance.

  Nikki reluctantly goes along with her father.

  NIKKI

  Three months. If it doesn’t work I want a private tutor.

  DONALD

  Get ready for school.

  Thirty minutes later Nikki is headed downstairs to the–

  DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM

  Where her father and Rumsfeld in his driving uniform are waiting for her. He smiles at the sight of her coming down the stairs in a powder blue Chanel suit, white high heels, and a white Church hat as she slings her Louis Vuitton backpack over her shoulder–

  DONALD

  Aren’t you a little overdressed for school?

  NIKKI

  I’m making a fashion statement.

  Donald

  You didn’t have any other clothes outside of uniforms.

  Nikki plays it off.

  NIKKI

  Dad, a lady never discusses her attire. She lets it be discussed.

  donald

  We’ll talk about building your wardrobe this weekend. Rumsfeld, bring the Rolls around.

  Rumsfeld

  Right away sir.

  Nikki, Rumsfeld, and Donald head out the mansion to–

  Ext. beverly hills high – morning

  A high-end public high school campus. Sunny and warm, kids are hanging out on the lawns, playing ball and doing stuff. On the–

  School steps

  CANDICE COLLINS, 16, a cute funny sista dressed in bleached blue jeans, white sneakers, and a floral print blouse is talking to her White friends DESIREE and NONI, 16, blonde Cali girls in trendy clothes. They watch in awe as–

  A white Rolls Royce pulls up in front of the school.

  DESIREE

  Wow! A Rolls Royce!

  candice

  They must have serious money to drive a car like that everywhere–

  All eyes are on the Rolls as–

  Rumsfeld gets out of the car opens the rear door. Candice’s White friends put their feet in their mouths as–

  Nikki and her Dad step out of the back seat. She smiles at Candice–

  DESIREE

  Look, there’s a chauffeur!

  noni

  Oh my God, those are Black people!

  And Candice frowns at her friends.

  Desiree

  Noni, how can you be so racist?

  noni

  I’m not being racist. You just don’t see too many people like–

  An angry Candice finishes the sentence.

  candice

  Me coming out of cars like that.

  Desiree and Noni try to cover for their social gaffe.

  Noni

  I didn’t mean anything by it Candice. We just don’t see girls like you with chauffeurs and cars like that–

  candice

  What do you mean you don’t see girls like me? I live two blocks from you Noni–

  Desiree

  Candice, she didn’t mean it like that–

  Candice

  Yeah right. I’m going to homeroom.

  Candice storms away from an embarrassed Desiree and Noni into–

  int. beverly hills high school room 316 – morning

  A bustling social network between the desks and chairs. Kids talking, listening to music on Discmans, playing game boys, catching up on homework and hanging out. Candice broods at her desk as–

  Noni and Desiree take seats between her with apologetic expressions pasted to their faces.

  Noni

  Candice, I’m sorry about earlier–

  Candice doesn’t want to hear it.

  Candice

  Yeah right–

  Desiree

  It’s not that we’re racist. I mean, how many Black people live in the ten thousands anyway?

  candice

  You see me every day after sc
hool.

  Noni tries to break the tension by changing the subject.

  NONI

  Do you think we’ll see that new girl on campus or in the neighborhood?

  Desiree

  If she has so much money that she can drive around in a Rolls, I doubt she even notices we exist–

  Desiree is interrupted as–

  Nikki walks into the room. She approaches the homeroom teacher and asks–

  Nikki

  Is this is room 316?

  The homeroom teacher nods her head. Nikki is surprised as–

  She sees Candice. Nikki smiles at Candice and Candice smiles back at her before Nikki takes a seat in the back of the room. Desiree and Noni notice–

  DESIREE

  Oh my God, she’s wearing a Chanel suit!

  NONI

  And a Louis Vuitton backpack!

  desiree

  No way she’s gonna talk to girls like us.

  Candice isn’t as pessimistic as her friends.

  candice

  I think I’ve got a shot with her.

  desiree

  Because you’re Black–

  Candice

  No, because she smiled at me–

  desiree

  She was being nice because you looked at her–

  Candice

  How do you know how she was being? Are you in her head?

  NONI

  You don’t need telepathy to know a girl with money like that is stuck up and conceited. Smiles are just a formality for her–

  candice

  I’m gonna go talk to her–

  DESIREE

  Candice–

  Candice

  Just gonna go find out what’s up with the new girl.

  Candice jumps out of her seat and heads over to–

  Nikki’s desk

  And has a seat next to Nikki who is reading her schedule. She peers up–

  To be greeted by Candice’s smile. Nikki lights up as Candice introduces herself.

  CANDICE

  (Extending hand)

  Hey, welcome to Beverly Hills High. I’m Candice Collins, token Black chick of the Junior class.

  NIKKI

  (Shaking hand)

  I’m Nicole Desmond, token Black chick from New York, Boston, and Chicago. Nice to meet you Candice.

  Candice

  You travel a lot?

  nikki

  Nah, that’s where the boarding schools I was expelled from are.

  candice

  So what brings you to public school Nicole?

  NIKKI

  Trying something different. So where are you from Candice?

  Candice

  Born and raised in right here in Beverly Hills. The only Black family on the ten thousands–

  Nikki lights up. They have something in common.

  nikki

  You live in the ten thousands? That’s where I live!

  candicE

  No way! What house do you live in?

  nikki

  10030 Beverly Lane.

  Candice

  Desmond Manor! Oh man, I just live down the street from you! I didn’t even know Black people even lived in that house!

  Nikki

  My Dad leaves for work real early so no one probably sees him–

  candice

  We so have to have lunch. Let me see your schedule–

  Nikki hands Candice her program card.

  Candice

  Great. We’ve got the same lunch period. And a study period–

  Candice is cut off by BRRRRING! The bell ringing. Nikki jumps out of her seat to tell Candice–

  Nikki

  I guess I’ll see you at lunch Candice.

  Candice follows her–

  Candice

  Wait, let me walk with you to your next class–

  Passing by a brooding Noni and Desiree–

  DESIREE

  Why didn’t she introduce us to her?

  noni

  Maybe she’s still mad at us.

  Who feel slighted. Two hours–

  later

  In the–

  int. Beverly hills high cafeteria – Afternoon

  Kids chow down and hang out in the high school social hub. Desiree and Noni are sitting in front of nachos when they notice–

  Candice looking around at the front entrance of the cafeteria. They feel slighted again.

  Desiree

  Hey there’s Candice. What’s she standing over there for?

  noni

  (Rolling eyes)

  I can’t believe she’s still mad at us. How long is she gonna hold a grudge?

  Desiree

  I know, we apologized. She should be getting her nachos and having lunch with us–

  As Noni and Desiree brood–

  Nikki comes into the lunchroom from the–

  Back cafeteria entrance

  And heads for the lunch line. Desiree and Noni are pissed as–

  DESIREE

  Oh my God! I don’t believe this! She’s ditching us for her?

  noni

  And she says we’re racist.

  Candice notices Nikki headed for the lunch line and–

  Runs up to her and pulls her away. She lets her know about the unwritten social rules of Beverly Hills High.

  nikki

  Hey, I just wanted some lunch–

  candice

  Don’t do that to yourself. You’ll ruin your reputation before it gets started around here.

  Nikki

  Come on, me getting a cheeseburger isn’t gonna ruin my social standing–

  Nikki has to eat her words when–

  A nerdy kid with glasses and a pocket protector passes by with a tray of school lunch. Nikki grimaces at the glop on his plate–

  NIkki

  …But it will ruin my appetite.

  Candice

  Told you. No one who is anyone gets on the free lunch line. Us cool kids eat over here–

  Nikki and Candice walk over to the–

  concession stand

  And get in line. Nikki gives Candice an appreciative smile.

  Nikki

  Thanks for saving me from the social gaffe. So what’s good on the menu?

  Candice

  Well, at Beverly Hills High we students live off nachos, fries, sodas, cookies, onion rings–

  Nikki’s feeling generous. She wants to reward Candice for having her back.

  NIKKI

  Order anything you want. I’m buying.

  CANDICE

  Wow, no one has ever treated me to lunch before–

  Nikki

  I always look out for my friends.

  Candice

  Thanks Nicole.

  Nikki

  Hey, my friends call me Nikki.

  Candice lights up as they connect. As Nikki looks over her choices on the menu Candice looks her up and down and inquires–

  Candice

  So what’s with the Chanel suit, the heels, and the Louis Vuitton backpack Nikki?

  nikki

  I always dress when I go out.

  Candice

  I mean, you’re really dressed up for school–

  NIKki

  What do you mean? You don’t dress for school?

  CANDICE

  Dress? So you don’t wear clothes like mine?

  Nikki looks Candice up and down.

  nikki

  That cheap stuff? I only wear that when I’m in the house.

  Candice takes a little offense.

  candice

  But these are the latest fashions from the Gap and Ralph Lauren. Every kid wears them around here–

  nikki

  (Feeling Candice’s blouse)

  You know what I use stuff like this for Candice?

  Candice

  What?

  nikki

  I use clothes like these to wax the Rolls.

  Candice’s feelings are hurt. Nikki is surprised.

  Candice r />
  You don’t have to be so cruel–

  Nikki

  Look, these are poor people clothes. Only Valley bimbos and O.C. wannabes wear stuff like this–

  Candice

  I’m from the same neighborhood you’re from and I like these clothes–

  NIkki

  Look Candice, if you dress like a nobody, you’ll be treated like nobody.

  Candice

  Don’t you think that’s a little elitist?

  Nikki

  Look, people will never see you dressed like this–

  candice

  I just want to be like everyone else–

  Nikki

  Look, we’re not like everyone else. We’re Black.

  Candice has tears in her eyes.

  candice

  I have feelings like other kids–

  Nikki

  Look, Candice I didn’t mean anything–

  candice

  No, no one ever means anything.

  Nikki

  What’s wrong with you?

  candice

  I thought you were going to be different. But you’re just like everyone else around here!

  A sobbing Candice hurries out of the cafeteria. Nikki realizes she put her foot in her mouth as–

  Desiree and Noni survey the damage from afar.

  Noni

  Man, Candice ran out of here crying. We better go find out what happened–

  Desiree folds her arms and tells Noni–

  desiree

  I’m staying right here.

  noni

  That’s cold Desiree. She’s our friend–

  desiree

  Hey, she snubbed us to be with her people. Let her people help her out.

  Desiree and Noni go back to their lunch as–

  Nikki ponders how to help Candice–

  LATER

  ext. beverly hills high school front steps – afternoon

  The end of the school day, kids are headed home. A brooding Candice feels hurt as–

  Noni and Desiree walk past her giving her the cold shoulder.

  Candice

  Hey–

  Desiree

  We’re not talking to you.

  candice

  What did I do?

  noni

  You talk about us being racist and you’re a racist yourself–

  candice

  How am I racist?

  Desiree

  You hang out with the new girl instead of us. What’s that about?

  cANDICE

  It’s not about anything–

  NONI

  Is it? You don’t even introduce us to your “sista”–

  CANDICE

  I didn’t introduce you because we just met. I wanted to get to know her–

  desiree

  No, you wanted to blow us off.

  candice

  Look, I just met Nicole–

  Noni

  And you could have brought her over to our table–

  Desiree

  It’s obvious you’re more comfortable with your people than us–

  Candice

  People?

  Desiree

  I’m gonna be “real” with you Candice. You’re going in a different direction in your life. One where we aren’t gonna fit in. So it’s best if we just ended things here.

  Candice

  Guys, this is crazy. We’ve been friends for years–

  Noni ends things with Candice.

  Noni

  Look Candice, this is for the best. We’re not kids anymore.

  Candice is super pissed. She wants to curse her former friends out but holds back–

  Candice

  You know what? Forget both of you!

  A hurt Candice hurries off the campus as–

  Nikki comes out of school. She sees Candice crying and wants to reach out to her as–

  Rumsfeld pulls up in the Rolls. Instead, a reluctant Nikki gets in–

  int. Rolls Royce – Afternoon

  moving

  The backseat. Rumsfeld notices the forlorn look on Nikki’s face in the rearview mirror, but keeps things formal.

  rumsfeld

  Good afternoon Miss Desmond. How was school today?

  nikki

  The same as it was in private school Rumsfeld. Awful.

  rumsfeld

  Did you get into trouble again Miss Desmond–

  nikki

  Kind of. I met this girl.

  rumsfeld

  I don’t see what the problem is Miss Desmond. You’re making friends–

  nikki

  Not really. I said something stupid and hurt her feelings.

  rumsfeld

  You put your foot in your mouth so to speak.

  nikki

  Toe jam sandwich with blue cheese mold. The thing is I really liked this girl. Man, I meet the only other black girl in Beverly Hills and I screw it up by insulting her clothes–

  rumsfeld

  A fashion faux pas?

  nikki

  Like a plaid Sears shirt. She was talking about the Gap like it was some store people shop in for school clothes around here–

  rumsfeld

  Well, not every student in public school can afford Chanel suits and Louis Vuitton backpacks Miss Desmond–

  nikki

  But she lives in our neighborhood–

  rumsfeld

  And not everyone who lives in our neighborhood is as blessed as we are. You have to be a bit more sensitive to the feelings of others–

  nikki

  I didn’t mean to make Candice cry–

  rumsfeld

  I’m sure you didn’t Miss Desmond.

  nikki

  I don’t know what to do. I want to make things better between us. I mean, Candice is a nice girl–

  rumsfeld

  Well, you could apologize.

  Nikki

  I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy.

  rumsfeld

  Miss Desmond, sometimes the simplest gestures of kindness lead to the greatest overtures of understanding.

  nikki

  I don’t know Rumsfeld, I really think I blew it–

  rumsfeld

  True friendship can overcome the greatest adversity. I think you should show this young woman the kindness you’re expressing to me.

  The conversation ends abruptly as Rumsfeld drives into–

  desmond manor

  And lets Nikki out. She hurries up the stairs into–

  int. Desmond manor living room – AFTERNOON

  Where her Dad is eagerly waiting for a report on the first day of school. He jumps off the sofa–

  DONALD

  Hey Nikki, how was your first day of school?

  Nikki

  Lousy. Do you know where Candice Collins lives? She says she lives around here–

  DONALD

  Oh Dr. Collins’ daughter Candice? She lives two houses down from us. Did you meet her at school?

  DONALD

  Met her and offended her.

  Donald gives his daughter a look.

  donald

  Okay, what did you say?

  NIKKI

  Nothing- Just that her clothes were for poor people and I’d wax the Rolls with them–

  Nikki’s Dad sighs.

  DONALD

  Nikki, Nikki, Nikki, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Didn’t you think about Candice’s feelings?

  nikki

  I didn’t know Gap was what kids wore around here. In New York it’s a poor people brand–

  DONALD

  Still it’s very insensitive to insult people’s clothes.

  NIKKI

  I know. But I really like Candice Dad. I mean, she was nice enough to help me out and show me around and I–

  Nikki has tears in her eyes. Her Dad hugs her.

  DONALD

  I’m sorry Nicole.

  nikki

  I just want to make things right
between us–

  DONALD

  You know what you have to do if you want to earn Candice’s friendship back.

  A resigned Nikki charts a course of action.

  nikki

  I’m gonna head over there.

  Nikki’s father smiles as she hurries out the door over to–

  INT. CANDICE’s living room – Afternoon

  Where Candice is sitting in the living room brooding with her walkman in her ears and her homework on the coffee table. DING DONG! The doorbell rings–

  And Candice hurries over to the door to open it. She rolls her eyes when she sees Nikki–

  Candice

  Oh great, it’s you.

  nikki

  I want to say I’m sorry about what I said at lunch–

  candice

  Go back to your mansion Nicole–

  nikki

  Look, I really didn’t mean to hurt you Candice. Just give me a chance–

  Candice

  I did. You blew it by being a snob–

  Nikki is cut to the core by Candice’s hostility. Resigned, she somberly walks away when–

  Nikki

  I did. I’ll just leave you alone then.

  Candice grabs her arm.

  Candice

  Hey wait, come in.

  Nikki walks in. Candice closes the door behind her and lets it all out.

  Candice

  Look, I’m kinda having a bad day. My White friends went and said some racist crap when they saw you–

  Nikki

  Were you defending me?

  CANDICE

  I was defending myself. They sat there and talked about you like you were the first Black girl they ever saw around here–

  Nikki

  They acted like you were invisible.

  candice

  It’s like I wasn’t even there. I’ve been their friend since the sixth grade and they just acted like I didn’t exist. It just got me so mad–

  Nikki reaches out to Candice.

  NIKKI

  I know. I’ve been there myself. You feel so alone.

  CANDICE

  Yeah, then they try to justify stuff with that crap like “Well, you know I didn’t mean to be racist, but we don’t have that many Black people around here–”

  NIKKI

  And they see you every day.

  CANDICE

  Yeah, these heifers live right next door to me. I played with them, hung out with them, and then they dump me. Talking about how they’re going in a different direction than me–

  Candice is about to cry again when Nikki takes her hand.

  Nikki

  Why don’t you hang around me?

  candice

  I’d be better off by myself–

  Nikki remembers what her father told her and thinks about her own experiences.

  Nikki

  No you wouldn’t.

  candice

  It seems like a good direction to go in–

  Nikki

  Look, I know you had a rough day today, but you can’t cut yourself off from everyone because some people who you thought were your friends hurt you.

  candice

  I just don’t want to be hurt again–

  Nikki

  Cutting yourself off from everyone is just gonna hurt you worse. I mean, like there’s a lot of bad people out here, there’s a lot of good people out here too. Don’t you think they deserve a chance?

  Candice

  And you deserve a chance because–

  NIKKI

  Look, I may be a bit obnoxious sometimes and even a little vein–

  Candice gives Nikki a look.

  Candice

  Sometimes?

  Nikki smiles back at Candice and owns up to her faults.

  Nikki

  Okay, it’s something I have to work on. But if I was your friend I’d have your back. I wouldn’t bail on you like those girls did.

  candice

  You’re a real snob though–

  Nikki

  Look, I didn’t mean to make a crack on your clothes. I didn’t know people around here wore stuff like Gap and Ralph Lauren outside–

  Candice

  So you always dressed like this?

  NIKKI

  The boarding schools I went to were really strict. If you weren’t in uniform you had to wear suits as casual clothes. I only dressed in clothes like yours when I went to visit my Dad out here in the summer–

  Candice

  I never saw you–

  nikki

  Er…you were hanging out with your little White friends–

  CANDICE

  Touché.

  Nikki

  I really enjoyed lunch with you today.

  Candice

  I never did get my onion rings.

  NIKKI

  I could get you some tomorrow.

  Candice

  I want a pack of cookies too. And a soda.

  nikki

  Anything you want. I’m always generous with my friends. What are you doing Saturday?

  Candice lights up.

  CANDICE

  You want to do something with me–

  Nikki

  This wardrobe of mine is great for the east coast but it’s a bit formal for the west coast. Tweed and the L.A. Sun don’t mix.

  CANDICE

  Ewww. Sweat city. I think I could help you buy some new school clothes–

  NIkki

  Cool. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow–

  Nikki is about to leave when Candice grabs her arm–

  Candice

  Hey, where do you think you’re going?

  nikki

  I was gonna go home and do my homework.

  Candice

  There was some stuff I wanted to tell you about study hall.

  NIKKI

  You want me to hang out with you?

  Candice

  What are friends supposed to do?

  Nikki smiles and drops her bag on the coffee table and flops on the sofa across from Candice. They talk as–

  FAde Out:

  The End

  ALL ABOUT NIKKI

  EPISODE 1.03

  “ALL ABOUT RIVALS”