Small town Florida. A 24-hour diner.

STAR, eight, Black, sits alone in a booth. In front of her: a half-full glass of iced tea. She practices a coin trick. CANDACE, thirties, Black, trans, pretty, in a waitress uniform, stands nearby, on her phone.

CANDACE: (into phone) TWO days, Tina! I’m working doubles. This ain’t daycare, she can’t sit all day at the diner.

JOEY enters. Thirties, white, tats, gold grill and flip-flops, a backpack slung over one shoulder and a plastic grocery bag in his hand. He kisses Candace on the cheek. NOTE: Off of the description, it might be tempting to play Joey as a caricature. In a small, rural town, he’d be taken very seriously.

JOEY. You’re wearing that uniform, baby.

Candace waves him off, keeps listening.

CANDACE. (into phone) How much? (listens) Okay. Yeah. Okay. I’ll keep her. Just keep your phone charged. (then) Wanna talk to her?

Candace listens. Her face falls. She hangs up, pockets the phone, looks at Star, still focused on the coin. Joey blocks her POV, handing the grocery bag to her.

JOEY. You get my text?

Candace reaches into the bag, pulls out a sweet potato, studies it.

JOEY (CONT’D). (nods at the sweet potato) Miss Ann. She had too many, said they were gonna go bad. Figured y’all could make pies or something. (looking around) Where’s that girl you work with. The one with all the makeup. Dorothy? Deidre?

CANDACE. Donna’s on break. Miguel’s in the back. And yeah, I saw your text. You see mine? The “no” part? (crossing to Star) Star, baby, want some more sweet tea?

STAR. (still working the trick) I’m good in the hood, home skillet.

JOEY. (laughs) She’s good in the hood, home skillet.

Candace gently steers Joey away from Star.

CANDACE. I’m gonna talk to my friend, okay?

JOEY. You babysitting?

CANDACE. Tina’s baby.

JOEY. Tina got kids?

CANDACE. She was with her daddy in Georgia. Somebody got sick, now she’s with Tina…which means she’s with me. Supposed to be one night.

JOEY. (looking at Star) Poor baby. (then) Candace. You gonna help me out?

CANDACE. You heard what I said.

JOEY. Just put it in your locker. I’ll grab it tomorrow night. (holding her) Do your man a favor.

CANDACE. Why can’t Markie take it?

JOEY. He drove up to Jacksonville.

Candace pushes away.

CANDACE. I’m not doing it.

Joey unzips his backpack and removes a tightly wrapped, heavy brick. Star notices, stops her trick.

CANDACE (CONT’D). (hissing) Joey—

Joey slides into the booth across from Star.

JOEY. Hey, little girl. You like pound cake?

Star nods. Joey taps the package.

JOEY (CONT’D). What if I told you this is the sweetest pound cake you ever tasted. Made it myself.

STAR. (gasps) Can I have some?

JOEY. What you say, Candace? Take this back there, cut the baby a slice. Hell—make it two. My sugar tooth’s been acting up all day.

Candace looks at Joey, furious. She grabs the package and the grocery bag and exits toward the kitchen. A moment. Joey and Star study each other.

STAR. What’s your name?

JOEY. Tonight? It’s Joey. What’s your name?

STAR. Star.

JOEY. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Star.

STAR. Wanna see a magic trick?

JOEY. Magic’s my favorite kind of trick.

Star performs the trick. The coin vanishes. Reappears. Joey claps, impressed. Candace returns with two plates of pound cake and forks.

JOEY (CONT’D). (to Star) Good stuff, baby girl. You gonna move to Vegas? Be a magician?

STAR. My mom says I’m not good enough. Says I should do hair.

JOEY. Hair? Nah. You’re a star. Like your name.

STAR. That’s not what my mom says.

JOEY. Well tell your mom to suck a—

Candace slams the plate down in front of him. Sets the other in front of Star. Star reaches for her fork.

JOEY (CONT’D). Aht, aht. We say grace. (to Candace) Don’t we, baby? (to Star) Bow your head.

They bow.

JOEY (CONT’D). Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this food. In your son’s name, amen.

STAR. Amen.

JOEY. Good girl.

Star eats. Joey watches Candace.

STAR. You’re not eating.

JOEY. Not hungry anymore. (standing) Take my slice. I’m gonna head out.

He leans in for a kiss. Candace turns away. He chuckles. Exits. Star eats fast. Candace stares at the untouched cake.

STAR. Go on. It’s really good.

Candace smiles. Takes a bite.

STAR (CONT’D). See?

They sit together, chewing.

End.