INT. BATHROOM – DAY

A young man no more than 22 years old, Issac, stands at the sink wearing nothing but a white tank top and khakis that are left unbuttoned around his waist. He’s brushing his teeth in a hurried manner, fumbling with a hairbrush at the same time.

A knock on the door makes him drop the hairbrush in the running sink. ‘Fuck’ is uttered under his breath.

ISAAC

What!?

Isaac stops everything, the TOOTHBRUSH dangling in his mouth as he turns his head to listen,

MUFFLED VOICE (O.S.)

Hurry up, man, you’re not 

the only one in the house!

Isaac groans, annoyed, and rushes to the door to see his younger brother, Max, 15. Wearing a wrinkled polo shirt and jeans.

ISAAC

I got work, can you give 

me just two minutes!

Isaac looks to his outfit, his brows furrows as he takes the toothbrush out of his mouth,

ISAAC

The hell are you wearing 

that for?

MAX

(Sheepishly)

I got a job interview at 

the gas station-

ISAAC

When did you even apply?

MAX

Bro, it’s a gas station, you just 

walk in and say you wanna work-

Isaac’s shoulders drop,

ISAAC

You just turned 15, man, 

what’s the rush?

MAX

You got your first job at 14.

ISAAC

That’s different-

MAX

How the fuck is that different?

ISAAC

Because I said so!

Max looks agitated and Isaac huffs in thought and the two fall into a heated silence.

The tension dissipates without a word being said. Max’s gaze drops to the floor, and Isaac looks at Max.

ISAAC

Just be a kid for a little 

while longer. Please.

MAX

Can we afford to?

Isaac’s lips purse and his eyebrows shoot upward for a moment– as if saying “fair”.

He turns back into the bathroom and closes the door.

ISAAC (O.S.)

I’ll be out in a few minutes.

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Isaac and Max are sitting on the living room floor, Isaac left, Max right, in front of the couch, GAMING CONTROLLERS in hand and their faces illuminated by the TV.

MAX

Can I be player 1 this time?

ISAAC

Fuck no.

MAX

Why?

ISAAC

I’m older, that’s literally 

the rules.

Max quickly tries to take the controller from Isaac’s hands and the two get into a scuffle, both trying not to laugh or smile, but Isaac clearly has the upper hand. It’s the rules after all.

MAX

Whatever!

Max shoves his older brother off of him and the two get back to pressing buttons on the controllers.

DAD (O.S.)

I think we got a good amount to 

get groceries tomorrow after work.

The two boys look to the left when they hear Dad’s voice.

A knowing look washes over Isaac as he looks back to Max and shoves his face with the palm of his hand, gesturing to the screen,

ISAAC

Pick your character, dumbass.

MAX

Mom said not to call me a dumbass.

Isaac gives Max the middle finger and the gesture is returned.

MOM (O.S.)

I can pick up some shifts in 

the kitchen. Carl’ll even 

give me cash straight up.

The boys begin moving the controllers around as if driving,

DAD (O.S.)

I can do that too. I need to get 

some stuff fixed on the truck, so 

we’ll have to see what we can 

put aside– Shit, it’s insurance…

Papers are heard rustling in the distance. The video game is playing over it.

DAD (O.S.)

It’s for his car–

(Calling loudly)

Isaac, come in here a minute!

ISAAC

I’m in the middle of a round!

DAD (O.S.)

Isaac!

Isaac groans and the game stops playing. He smacks Max upside the head as he gets up to leave.

ISAAC

Don’t touch my controller, I swear to God.

Max is quick to pick up his controller and messes around with the buttons, a satisfied smile on his face as the game audio continues again– illuminated colors changing on his face.

TO BE CONTINUED…