Present day, Brooklyn, New York, 2012.

 

The still of the night has been broken by the sound of a hot iron pot filled with the night’s dinner, colliding with the skull of young Promise Emerson.

The house erupts into screams and cries as Delores Emerson struggles to protect her daughter from her belligerent husband. Prudence, her youngest daughter, backs herself into a corner and then slides to the floor. Overwhelmed with fear. She buries her head on her knees and wraps her frail arms around her thin legs.

Promise falls to her knees. Aware of the pain inflicted upon her, but disconnected from reality.

“No, no!”

Delores fears her daughter has a severe injury.

She rushes to her daughter’s aid, only to get hit in the face with the same pot, causing her to fall back in excruciating pain.

Blood oozes from Promise’s head injury as her father staggers over her, the hot pot still in his hand.

“Get out of here!  Slut!”

He throws the pot, grinning when it hits Promise’s shoulder.

Soft whimpers fill the room as Promise, stoic, gets to her feet and leaves the room.