Starring:
Mo McKynzie as Marisol Montgomery
Yodeet Nymberg as Nina Greene
Lolita Marie as Summer
Chinna Palmer as The Stranger
Joy Jones as Kelly Greene
Derek Snow as Jonah Greene
Akanimo Effang as The Host
Director & Sound Designer: Nathan Gabriel
Writer, Creator, & Producer: Jade Madison Scott
Supervising Producer: Virginia Wilson
Producer: Will Stokes
Beyond Underscore & Dialogue Editor: Michael Ronstadt
Theme Composer: Sterlyn Termine
Show Art: Julia Patrick
Introduction
HOST
Before we begin I want you to know that you can listen to the entire series along with bloopers and bonus content on Apollo+. Apollo+ is a new platform where your subscription gets you early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, behind the scenes content, supercuts and more. 70% of the revenue goes directly to creators. Join Apollo+ through the Apollo Podcasts app OR by going to apollopods.com/plus. Now, on to the show. WGC Productions presents Small Victories. And let's celebrate since little Marisol Montgomery is getting married tomorrow. Launch the confetti, boys.
(Confetti cannons explode. Jaunty music plays.)
MARISOL
Can you stop that?
HOST
What? You’re not excited? Not every day you get married to your, what did you call her? Right. Your soulmate. Not every day you get to have a soulmate and someone on the side. It’s not every day a liar wins and you’ve won, Marisol. Not everyone’s that lucky. How’s it feel to be so lucky-
MARISOL
I said stop it.
(The music limps to a stop.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
You think I don’t know I’m a piece-of-shit-asshole? I was born a grade-A piece-of-shit-asshole, genius. I know that. What do you know? You’re not even real.
HOST
I’m real to you.
MARISOL
Language. Drug Abuse. Bye.
(The scene is sucked into the real world.)
INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM- DAY
(Marisol and Summer are just lying in bed, humming the same song, lost in their own little worlds.)
MARISOL
Hey, can you do something for me real quick?
SUMMER
What is it?
MARISOL
Stay here.
(Marisol rolls out of bed and grabs her pants off the floor. She pulls out a box.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Ummm…..
SUMMER
Is that?
MARISOL
Yeah, I got it the other day. Honestly, I should thank you. You know your lessons helped me buy this kind of. Um, you and Nina have the same hands so I wanted to…I think if it fits you it’ll fit her.
SUMMER
It’s a really lovely ring, Marisol.
MARISOL
Thanks. She didn’t want me to get one, but she deserves it, you know?
SUMMER
If you want to know if it fits her then you should probably ask her.
MARISOL
No way. If I ask then she’ll know that I didn’t already know and I should know everything about her.
SUMMER
Aren’t we the romantic?
MARISOL
What’s wrong with being romantic?
SUMMER
Nothing. Martin couldn't afford a ring. We got tattoos. See.
MARISOL
Permanent.
SUMMER
That's the point.
MARISOL
Wanna know a secret? I still can’t believe she really likes me. I’ve never been lucky but she makes me feel like maybe I could be.
SUMMER
You're so...I just don't know about you.
MARISOL
What's that mean?
SUMMER
Where are you at Marisol? Right now?
MARISOL
That a trick question?
SUMMER
Answer it.
MARISOL
I'm in your house.
SUMMER
In my bed. Asking me to try on your engagement ring so you can surprise your wife-
MARISOL
What? Are you jealous or something?
SUMMER
Why would I be jealous?
MARISOL
Uh, what’s that mean?
SUMMER
Sorry, we’re getting off topic. Look, I’ve learned that in order to get through life without going insane one has to have an intimate knowledge and respect of what their soul can tolerate.
MARISOL
Okay, and-
SUMMER
Do you know what you can tolerate?
MARISOL
Wait, is this foreplay?
(Marisol laughs and stops when she realizes her joke wasn't well received.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
That was a joke.
SUMMER
God, you are such a little kid.
MARISOL
Am not. Wait, wait, wait, I....I know where my lines are. I know what I can tolerate. This, us, I can handle it. It's fine. Well, not fine. Honestly this might be the worst pillow talk ever, but I'm good. I'm great.
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
You’re not gonna try the ring, are you?
SUMMER
Having your mistress try-
MARISOL
You’re not my mistress. We’re….you’re my friend.
SUMMER
Hmmm.
(Summer gets out of bed.)
MARISOL
Wait, where are you going?
SUMMER
Shower.
MARISOL
Want company?
SUMMER
No.
(Summer enters the bathroom. Marisol gives a deep ugly dramatic sigh. It’s quiet and then, suddenly, there is the faint sound of chirping.)
STRANGER
(whispering)
Marisol-
MARISOL
Nope!
(Marisol quickly pulls out her phone and dials. It rings once-)
OLIVER
(bad connection)
Tiny!
MARISOL
Ollie! Man, I’ve missed you so much. How is it? Have you seen penguins? Do the toilets flush the other way?
OLIVER
(bad connection)
I…..water…….class…..you- (I don’t watch the water. Wait, I just got out of class. How are you?)
MARISOL
I got, I kinda got something to tell you. I’m getting married tomorrow.
OLIVER
(bad connection)
What?
MARISOL
Married. Me and Nina. City Hall. Bells and everything. I’m gonna be an honest woman.
OLIVER
(bad connection)
Hold……in…….clouds- (Hold on, I can’t hear you. Let me go inside. It’s these clouds.)
MARISOL
You can’t hear anything I’m saying, can you? Alright. What the hell? I’m kinda freaking out about getting married cause, like, what the hell do I know about love? Who’d wanna spend their life with me? Nina’s perfect and I’m a piece of shit. What am I gonna do when she leaves me?
OLIVER
(good connection)
I hear communication is good for these kinds of things.
MARISOL
Jesus! How long could you-
OLIVER
I told you I had to go inside. I could hear you fine. Also, wedding jitters are normal, I hear.
MARISOL
I’m serious. She says she loves me, but I know better-
OLIVER
People can love you, Marisol. I do.
MARISOL
But you don’t count.
OLIVER
Uh, okay. That’s a shitty thing to say to me.
MARISOL
I just meant you love everyone. It’s not, like, special.
OLIVER
Why would you say that?
MARISOL
See! Like this? I’m annoying and she’s gonna fucking….I’m gonna drive her away.
OLIVER
Talk to her.
MARISOL
I don’t-
(Text ding)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Hold on. That’s probably…..
OLIVER
Tiny? What is it?
MARISOL
I………I’m gonna call you back.
OLIVER
Marisol?
MARISOL
I’ll Facetime you at the wedding.
(Marisol hangs up. She sits quietly in the room. Long Beat. Summer opens the bathroom door.)
SUMMER
Marisol, I really don’t think I’m, what? What’s wrong? What happened?
MARISOL
Huh? Oh, sorry. My Dad….my, uh….he texted me.
SUMMER
Oh. Is everything okay?
MARISOL
Yeah. Yeah. We just, uh, we don’t talk much.
SUMMER
What does he want?
MARISOL
(quickly getting dressed)
To see how I’m doing. Look, I gotta go. But, later. We can talk later. After the wedding or whatever.
(Marisol leaves the room. Transition music.)
EXT. CITY PARK
Marisol is taking a drag as she sits in a well populated public park.
MARISOL
(internal)
-Shit. Sorry. I haven’t smoked since I was, like, seventeen. I don’t even like cigarettes. They make food taste shitty and turn your fingernails yellow, but sometimes they take the edge off and that’s what I needed. I needed a little less edge.
(Marisol takes a drag.)
Where the fuck does he get off? Hasn’t talked to me in 5 years, and here he is texting out the blue. “How you been?” Fuck you. That’s how I’ve been. Suck my dick from the back. That’s how I’ve fucking been. Fucking neglectful alcoholic piece of shit-
(Marisol coughs)
Shit. I can not be this bad at this. Ugh, what’s he even want me to say? Want me to pretend or something? Pretend that I’m fine. Want me to pretend that I’m doing good so he can think he did the right thing by kicking me out? “See, kiddo, it was just tough love. I really was doing what was best for you. It wasn’t me letting you down again.” That’s all he’s even good for. Letting people down. Disappointing pe ople. Making promises and not keeping ‘em. T hat’s all he’s good for. I bet he’s drunk. I bet he got upset when he was drunk. Looking at baby photos and shit. Got all nostalgic. I bet if I texted back he wouldn’t even answer. I bet he wouldn’t even care. He doesn’t care. He never cared. I wasn’t Sam. I wasn’t Mom. I wasn’t anything. I’m nothing.
(Pause)
I should text him back. Just to tell him to fuck off. Just so he doesn’t think he can ever do this shit again. I mean, if we’re being honest, if we’re being really fucking honest, if you hate me you should hate him more. Everything bad in me, every hateful, deceitful, terrible little thing that festers in me came from him. So if you hate me, hate him ten times as much. I do.
AD BREAK
The Host is listening to one of the other Apollo+ show’s in his headphones as he sits in the void.
HOST
(to himself)
Why does anyone still even live in Gunnaway? You could not pay me to stay-
(He sees the audience)
HOST (CONT'D)
Hey, there! I didn't know you guys were coming by. Let me just pause-
(He pauses his show.)
HOST (CONT'D)
Sorry, I was just listening to Afflicted on this new podcasting platform, Apollo+, which you….may not know anything about. Okay, so Apollo+ is a creator-owned platform where people like you and me subscribe and then 70% of the revenue goes directly to the audio drama creators. And they can use that revenue to pay their cast or help make another season of their show or make more episodes or anything! It’s a sweet set-up, especially since Small Victories is one of the shows you can listen to over there. And on Apollo+ the episodes don’t have ads and you can listen to Small Victories bonus content and you can listen to the entire season at once instead of waiting each week. And it’s super easy to join. All you have to do is join Apollo+ through the Apollo Podcasts app OR go to apollopods.com/plus. It’s so easy even a fictional character in an incorporeal space can do it. But I really do want to know how Mama Cherie is getting out of this so I’m gonna go back to Apollo+ and you can go listen to whatever Marisol is getting up to right now.
INT. NINA'S KITCHEN
Nina and Marisol are cooking up a storm.
NINA
Are you sure we can’t just go to a restaurant-
MARISOL
Are you kidding? Cooking for them will be the best way to show that I can take care of their precious, perfect, little princess from the Upper West Side.
NINA
Me in a kitchen. They’d never believe it.
MARISOL
Can you grab the-
NINA
Braiser, right?
MARISOL
God, you’re so hot when you know what kitchenware is called.
NINA
Skillet.
MARISOL
Wow.
NINA
Meat tenderizer.
MARISOL
Woah
NINA
Emulsifier.
MARISOL
(talking through her laughter)
Woah, woah, woah, stop in the name of decency, sorry. Oh, you’re so great
NINA
(laughing)
I know. Ooh, can I taste-
MARISOL
Go head.
NINA
Oh, dang. That's good.
MARISOL
Thank you. Uh, Nina, I think I’m gonna need a couple more oxy today.
NINA
What? Why?
MARISOL
Nothing major. Just, I’ve been feeling nauseous and getting headaches-
NINA
For how long? Why didn’t you tell me?
MARISOL
Pretty much the whole time. You know I have a pretty high tolerance. I’m kind of always in pain, I just didn’t want to freak you out, but with your parents coming I wanna make sure I can last the whole time. If I’m in pain, I might dip early. That wouldn’t be good.
NINA
Okay. I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t know if that’s wise.
MARISOL
Look, how bout another 20mg, huh?
NINA
(uncomfortable laughter)
That’s a lot.
MARISOL
Nah. Remember I took the last ones like 8 hours ago. That plus the tolerance. It’s totally safe, trust me. I could probably take 30 without feeling anything, but I’m doing 20 cause that’s smarter, you know? More responsible.
NINA
But what if it triggers something? You’ve gotten so far-
MARISOL
You know they say addiction has a lot to do with life situations, so, I’m pretty much great, you know? Beautiful wife. Good job. I swear to God, I don’t want to miss any of it for anything.
NINA
I don’t think you should do more than 10-
MARISOL
I’m telling you 20mg should be fine.
NINA
Are you sure you’re okay?
MARISOL
Yeah. I mean, I guess I am a little nervous about your parents seeing me tweaking. I already know they think I’m the big poor dumb junkie who’s corrupting you. I just know if they even see my hand shake or my head dip they’re gonna think the worst.
NINA
Maybe 15-
MARISOL
Alright, 15. That should be okay.
NINA
You sure?
MARISOL
I’m sure. Thank you. I love you. Now, come on. I’ll go take my meds and then we can get this meal together so your parents won’t hate me.
(Transition Music.)
INT. NINA'S APARTMENT- LATER
Marisol, Nina, and Nina’s Parents are quietly eating their meal. It is clear the parents are not very fond of Marisol.
NINA
Do you like the crab?
KELLY
It’s lovely, dear.
NINA
That’s all Marisol. She learned how to make the perfect crab when she worked at Le Vingt. You know, I hear Representative Benett really loves that place.
MARISOL
How do you like it, Jonah?
JONAH
I can’t taste much of it.
(Marisol easily laughs. She’s so high.)
MARISOL
Ah, blame chemo not me.
NINA
Uh, she’s a private chef now. She even teaches lessons. She’s giving cooking lessons to a widow right now-
MARISOL
Sure am. Really a highlight of my week.
NINA
Isn’t that great?
KELLY
It’s always nice to see someone turn their life around.
MARISOL
Oh, don’t worry, Kelly. I know how worried you were for Nina. Trust me. I wouldn’t dream of going back on the pipe.
(Nina clears her throat.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
That was a joke. I’ve never done crack. Wouldn’t touch the stuff. I, like your neighbors and coworkers, preferred the good old Columbian classic-
NINA
Alright! For dessert we have-
JONAH
We haven’t even finished our meal yet, Nina.
MARISOL
Yeah, sweetheart. Gotta let them eat.
KELLY
You’re being terribly rude.
MARISOL
I am? Oh, no. Maybe I’m just really nervous cause I’m gonna marry your daughter and I know you don’t like me.
NINA
This risotto is delicious.
KELLY
It is not a matter of like or dislike.
NINA
Pass the salt?
MARISOL
Oh, did I say something wrong?
KELLY
I have put people away for less than what you do.
MARISOL
So, what I heard is you’re proud of breaking up families-
NINA
Somebody, please, the salt?
MARISOL
(trampling over Nina’s line)
I don't even do that stuff anymore.
KELLY
How would I know? You certainly act the same.
MARISOL
I have to take legally prescribed pain medication.
NINA
But she’s been so responsible about it. She always takes exactly what’s prescribed. It’s really admirable don’t you think? I mean, you both know how hard it is to do that, and she did. That’s Marisol. She’s always making the hard choices.
JONAH
Should have gone into politics with a spin like that, sweetheart.
MARISOL
Yep. That’s Nina. Ms. Perfect. She always knows the right thing to say. How to save me from myself. You should be really proud of her. You two made the best person alive. The most wonderful perfect person alive. I don’t know how you can live in New York, if I knew Nina I’d wanna see her every day forever.
KELLY
We are very proud of her.
MARISOL
Me too.
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
It’s really good that you two are both here for her. She deserves it. Two parents who really care about-
(Marisol scoots her chair back suddenly.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Sorry, I’m not…I have to go. I’m not feeling good. I…thanks.
NINA
Wait, are-
MARISOL
Sorry. I need to lie down.
(Marisol walks away. Transition music.)
EXT. NINA'S BUILDING- NIGHT
Marisol is leaning against a wall, smoking. Nina walk out the building to meet her.
NINA
So, when I asked if you were okay you weren’t.
MARISOL
You’re really lucky, you know? To have people that care. Everyone thinks that parents are just supposed to love you, like they don’t have a choice, but they do. And they don’t all choose love. You don’t even know how lucky you are, do you?
NINA
(gentle)
Hey, what’s going on?
MARISOL
My Dad texted me.
NINA
Oh! When?
MARISOL
Hours ago. During Summer’s lesson. He just texted me out of nowhere. Asked how I was. I mean, who does that?
NINA
What did you say?
MARISOL
What are you supposed to say to that?
NINA
Depends. Do you want to say anything?
MARISOL
I don’t know.
NINA
Then you don’t have to say anything until you figure it out.
MARISOL
What if….what if I text back and he doesn’t say anything?
NINA
Then he’ll be an asshole and an idiot.
(Pause)
Does it hurt?
MARISOL
Huh?
NINA
The scar. You just keep rubbing it so-
MARISOL
Oh. Uh, no. Not really, I just…you wanna hear something stupid? I thought when I got stabbed that meant….I thought maybe it was important. Like, it was a reminder that I could be, that I was different. Stupid, huh?
NINA
That doesn’t sound stupid at all.
MARISOL
No. It was. Sometimes a scar is just a scar.
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Hey, I almost forgot.
(Marisol digs in her pocket.)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Here.
NINA
You….
MARISOL
Do you like it?
NINA
How did you afford this?
MARISOL
I saved.
NINA
But I told you-
MARISOL
Please, can you not make this a big deal tonight?
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Can I put it on? I sort of guessed your size so….hey, it fits. Do you like it?
NINA
Yeah. I do.
MARISOL
Good. We’re really going to get married tomorrow. Can you believe it?
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
I said can you believe it?
(Pause)
MARISOL (CONT'D)
Nina?
NINA
Huh? Oh, right. Right. Yeah.
(Small Victories Theme)
CLOSING
HOST
You have just listened to Small Victories. Starring Mo Mckynzie as Marisol.
MO
Suck my dick from the back.
HOST
Yodeet Nymberg as Nina
YODEET
This risotto is delicious.
HOST
Lolita Marie as Summer.
LOLITA
Sweetie, I don't need to be jealous.
HOST
Chinna Palmer as the Stranger
CHINNA
Marisol.
HOST
Jacquir LaFond
JACQUIR
People can love you Marisol.
HOST
Joy Jones as Kelly Greene
JOY
I have put people away for less than what you do.
HOST
Derek Snow as Jonah Greene
HENRY
Should've gone into politics with a spin like that sweetheart.
HOST
And Akanimo Effang as the Host. Theme Composer, Sterlyn Termine. Original Cello Music Composed by Assistant Sound Designer Micahel Rondstadt. Script Supervisor, Virginia Wilson. Director and Sound Designer, Nathan Gabriel. Created and Written by Jade Madison Scott. This episode of Small Victories may be over but the fun doesn’t have to end. Listen to the entire season on Apollo+. Not only can you listen to our show but you can also listen to and support other shows like, Primordial Deep, Omen, Afflicted, Sidequesting and more. Not to mention that when you subscribe to Apollo+, 70% of that revenue goes to the creators you love! And they can use that revenue to make new episodes, new seasons, bonus content, and make sure the cast and crews of their shows get paid. It’s a win-win. Or a win-win-win-win? Or a win-win-win? Look, I don’t know what it is, but I do know that Apollo+ is good for me, you, and the crew. What more could you ask for?