ToxiCity

Your Honor, growing up,

I didn't have a father in my life.

As a child, I will go nights,

sometimes weeks without eating,

which is why my daughter

nor her mother have ever had the want for anything.

I know the pain that comes from being a single parent,

the pain that comes with being a fatherless child.

And I made it my business to break that cycle.

Mr. Spencer, I understand

that you've made your best attempt

at providing voluntary support, however,

it is the court's ruling that, starting next month,

you'll be ordered to pay $3,000 a month in child support.

Objection, your Honor.

I don't need the state telling me how to raise my kid.

You'll be granted visitation rights every other weekend.

I can't be away from my daughter that long.

I get her every weekend.

I need my time.

Time?

What do you know about time?

What about the time that I spend working two jobs.

Order.

Or what about that time that you forgot

to pick up our daughter from school

because you were busy working on an update?

- Order. - That was an accident.

Was it?

And you ain't the only one that made sacrifices.

So watch how you talk to me. - I don't have to watch shit.

You ain't no damn daddy, you a sperm donor.

Fuck you!

Order.

Fuck you too!

Now, order in this courtroom.

Order in the courtroom.

This is what the world sounds like.

To be numb, it's my life right now.

I hate the club.

Seems like everyone here is trying

to escape some part of their reality.

Shit, maybe I belong here.

How you doing? You want to dance?

Ew, I have a boyfriend.

Your breath stink anyway.

You look nice.

Huh? I can't hear you.

I said you look nice.

Oh, thank you.

You want to dance?

No, uh-uh. We good.

This place is wild, isn't it?

Yeah. Pretty wild.

You come here often?

Nah, this is my first time.

Oh, man.

You're living the dream.

There are so many beautiful women here.

In fact, why are you sitting here?

Why aren't you out there?

Get, go out there and get laid.

Man, it's hot in here.

I'm taking a break.

Well, I guess we all need to take a break sometime.

Get your hand.

What the fuck is wrong with you, man?

Damn. Watch where you going.

You almost hit a lady.

Damn, I would never put a hand on you.

Unless you like that type of stuff.

I do, but how is it in there?

It's a little crazy. I ain't gonna lie.

- Oh yeah? - But it depends on what type

of vibe you looking for.

Honestly, I don't really care. I just need a drink.

Hey, watch my shoes, man.

- What, nigga? - How about this?

Think I can help you out with that.

Punk ass. Boy, how about this?

Fuck, man.

Oh, damn.

Definitely not my vibe.

So you always dressed like this when you come out?

Oh, this old thing.

I just came from court earlier.

Right. So you know any other places close by?

I just moved down here.

I'm not really familiar with the area yet.

Oh yeah.

I know a spot that's right up the block.

It's a little laid back though.

Up the block? Laid back?

I like laid back.

Oh shit.

So what do you do for work?

I dabble in business, I dabble in tech.

A few years back I started an app.

So it's a dating app,

but it's only available to people in Atlanta.

And it uses basic principles of astrology

to match you with someone who has, you know,

compatible interests and lifestyle habits and,

I'm sorry, am I boring you?

My ex used to hate when I talk about this stuff.

Nah, it's cool.

Plus I asked you what you do.

So do you use the app yourself?

Nah, I ain't even got a profile.

I like the old-school, face-to-face contact type of

shit.

Okay, what's the app called?

- ATLUV. - Oh, that's cute.

What?

Nothing.

There's something.

Why you looking at me like that?

It's just, you have nice eyes.

Oh, I got a nice eyes.

They tell a story.

What kind of story?

Something deep like a Shakespearean sonnet.

I hate Shakespeare.

What? You can't hate Shakespeare.

I love Shakespeare.

Man, that guy wasn't even original.

- He stole most of his plots. - Lies.

William Shakespeare was a genius, tripping.

A genius and a thief.

Look, I took a drama class in college,

and we had a whole lesson how most

of his stuff was written by ghost writers.

I took drama in college too.

And that topic never came up.

Well, that's 'cause I went to HBCU.

Mm.

What HBCU did you go to?

I went to Clark.

- Mm. Okay. - What about you?

I went to a PWI, college of Miami.

Oh, okay. That's where you're from, Miami?

A little city on the outskirts.

You wouldn't know the name if I told you.

Try me.

Hialeah.

Yeah, I don't know that shit.

See, what about you?

Where are you from?

I never really know how to answer that question.

What do you mean?

- It's complicated. - Explain.

But I was born in South Carolina.

- Okay. - My mom, she was an addict.

So I was raised in Texas until I was about five

by my auntie, and she passed away.

By then, my mom, she got back on her feet,

and I moved to New Jersey.

Then she went to prison when I was 13.

So I moved in with my grandmother in New York.

Best thing that ever happened to me in my life.

- Damn. - I went to high school there.

- I'm sorry. - Don't be sorry.

Everything I went through made me who I am today.

What about your dad? Was he around?

I never met him.

How about you? Your folks, they was in your life?

Oh, they were present.

Sometimes too present, but I'm thankful.

Okay, so it sounds like you had

a little good life in Florida.

What brought you to Atlanta?

- I'm an inspiring actress. - Uh-oh.

Oh, no. What?

Let me guess, you model too?

No, just act.

And please do not try to box me in

with all those other shallow women who just wanna act

because they think they have the look.

I actually have talent. Thank you very much.

Uh-huh, huh. Prove it.

Okay.

They met me in the day of success,

and I have learned by the most perfect report

that they have more in them than mortal knowledge.

While stood captivated in the wonder of it came messages

from the king who all held me, Thane of Cawdor.

This have I thought good to deliver thee,

my dearest partner of greatness,

that thou might not lose the dues of rejoicing

by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.

Lay it to thy heart and farewell.

Mm.

I thought we had a... What is your name?

- Corey. - Hi, Corey.

- What's your name? - Sierra.

You have really soft lips by the way.

- Thank you. - You can do it again.

Oh. Oh.

Bartender.

So what's next?