I changed around the ending a bit. The mother's ex boyfriend comes back to haunt her... I'm still revising the fight scene. Suggestions are welcome :)

NEW VERSION
Setting- The city is South Central, California; in a small apartment near the city of Los Angeles, California. Characters- Zaria (mother) 39, she lives with Natasha (daughter) 18, and Natasha’s friend Valerie who is also 18. Conflict- Natasha and Valerie had just become friends at school in McKinley Avenue High School. Natasha had just moved there with her mother, Zaria, because her mother was beaten by her last boyfriend so they had to leave New York City.
NATASHA
I cannot stand you Mother! MOVING?! To South Central, California of all places where people are shot on the streets? Are you seriously kidding me all my friends are here and this is my last year of high school.
ZARIA
Honey, calm down and think about it the sooner we get away from George the better. He beat me with a wrench just when I mentioned that I didn’t want to see him anymore. So I think that moving to South Central, California is good for us because my old friend Tanya from high school lives close and is going to help keep both of us safe.
NATASHA
Mother how many times do I have to tell you, that you get into abusive relationships because you need men to always be there for you. News flash nobody needs men like you do; you are just pathetic.
ZARIA
Natasha! Don’t ever speak like that to me again. Now we are moving whether you like it or not. So pack your things and get into the truck we are leaving in an hour because George gets off work soon.
NATASHA
Fine I’ll go but on one condition, no more men at all. You cannot do this to me ever again because I cannot keep moving just because you need to.
ZARIA
That sounds reasonable and I’ll think about it. Natasha I love you, you know this right?
NATASHA
Yeah….Whatever. (Slams the door)
(An hour later in the truck driving from New York City, NY to South Central, California)
ZARIA
Well I guess you are never going to speak to me again since you’re not talking at all.
NATASHA
You know what I never got to say goodbye to my friends or even say goodbye to my teachers at school. On top of it all I’m tired and I’m moving to the fricken scariest place of California. So, no mother, I really do not want to speak to you right now.
ZARIA
(Sighs and keeps staring ahead while driving)
You know I’m not here to ruin your life but to keep you safe. That’s just what I’m doing by taking us to South Central. It will be a new start for the both of us… you’ll see.
(12 Hours later…)
NATASHA
I’m going to sleep so make sure that you don’t bug me. This is a nightmare so I’m going to wake up and be in my bed in New York. Where my friends are and where home exists.
(Yawns and falls asleep in the passenger seat)
ZARIA
(Whispering) Natasha everything will work out I promise. I just need to stay positive and remember why I’m throwing away my career and my life in New York City for South Central, California. George was a monster and if I wouldn’t have had us move now I’m afraid that he could have hurt you too. I could never live with myself Natasha if anything ever happened to you. You are my life, and I’m going to prove to you that our moving here is best for the both of us. (Brushes Natasha’s hair back and then keeps driving without looking back)
(Traffic is honking and sirens are sounding. Loud music starts blasting from a car next to the truck. Natasha is startled awake by the loud roar of South Central)
NATASHA
Jeesh look at all these scary people… Not even in New York did I ever see this many criminals in one area.
ZARIA
We are not even at the apartment yet and you’re still being judgmental. Just stop and consider the benefits of living here because it’s a new place and that means you can be whoever you want to be and no one would ever know your past.
NATASHA
Oh you are talking to me? I wasn’t really listening considering that the guy across the street is selling drugs. Well great choice of living arrangements mom, I mean this really takes the gold.
ZARIA
Shut up Natasha this is really getting on my nerves that you cannot be at least reasonable about this.
(Natasha rolls her eyes and slumps down in her seat)
ZARIA
See we’re here I told you that this place is going to be great! Natasha go get the suitcases in the back of the truck while I talk to the landlord of the building. Here are the keys; it’s apartment 3B on the second floor.
NATASHA
(Mumbling as she looks around at the ratty old apartment. There’s an old lady that comes in the hallway that screams, “You’re the devil!” Slams the door of her apartment and then you hear the loud rap music of the car outside. The walls are all chipped and graffiti lines the entire hallway. Once Natasha reaches 3B she opens the door slowly with disgust.)
NATASHA
Look at this place… It is the absolute filthiest hole to live in. (Throws the suitcases and slides down the door. She cradles her head in her hands.) I want my life to go back to the way it was before mom met George. The both of us were happy, sane, and lived in New York City.
ZARIA
(Enters the apartment) Natasha isn’t this place fantastic? It’s just what we need for our new start.
NATASHA
Whatever I give in, this place is fine I guess so why don’t we just stop arguing so I can go call my friends back home.
ZARIA
Go ahead I’ll unpack and we can maybe go out for dinner.
NATASHA
(Leaves the room and slams the door of her new room. The ceiling tiles fall and the doorknob falls off.)
(The next day starts out as Natasha attending her first day at McKinley High School.)
ZARIA
Here are your books and your lunch. Don’t forget that the principal will show you around when you get there… I love you.
NATASHA
Yes mom I won’t forget and I love you too so stop worrying. (Kisses her mother’s cheek and runs out the door.)
(The telephone rings...)
TANYA
Zaria! Hello! How have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you because you haven’t called me since you told me you’re moving here and to tell me the number of the phone.
ZARIA
I’m doing alright… I’m holding up a little better than I thought, but Natasha isn’t. I feel like maybe I did make a mistake by leaving George. I mean he wasn’t that bad until he was drinking…
TANYA
Zaria you did the right thing and you know it. George almost killed you the night he beat you with a wrench, and he threatened to beat Natasha too. Look on the bright side, George does not know anything about where you are and you’re safe.
ZARIA
Your right I should stop worrying and start my new abusive free life. (The phone beeps) Hold on Tanya I have another call on the other line…(presses the talk button) Hello?
GEORGE
Well hello Zaria, moving to South Central huh? Nice place you have there with the falling ceiling tiles and the rats under the sink. Thought you’d get away from me?
ZARIA
(Is so shocked she drops the coffee she had been making and stares straight ahead.)
GEORGE
You never could make good coffee, I watched you put too much sugar in it this time.
ZARIA
(Looking around the apartment slowly opening every door…) How did you get this number?
GEORGE
I know everything, where you are, and where Natasha is right this second. I have private investigators Zaria; money can go a long way.
ZARIA
I don’t want you George! Do you hear me? Stay away from Natasha, and leave us alone. If you don’t I’ll tell the police that New York Cities’ best lawyer George Brady beats his girlfriends and is a lousy drunk.
GEORGE
(Laughs) You will never escape me Zaria, and I told you not to ever leave me but you disobeyed me. That means consequences… As for your little extortion plan no one will believe you because of you shady past with drugs.
ZARIA
I’m calling the police right now George!
GEORGE
You do and Natasha will die. Make your choice and I’ll be seeing you real soon. ( The phone is dead on the other line and the dial tone starts sounding.)
(Zaria switches back over to Tanya who is still on the other line.)
ZARIA
(In a weak voice) Tanya…George is after me and I need you to do something right now. Get Natasha from her school and bring her to the address I gave you when I said if anything went wrong we would go there. Go quick and don’t talk to anyone. I’m going to go there right now and I’ll figure the rest of my plan out when I get there.
TANYA
No questions asked Zaria. I’m going right now... (Hangs up the phone.)
(Zaria hangs up the phone and bursts into tears. She whispers, “Not again.” Then she packs up her stuff quickly and gets into the truck. She drives towards her safe location which is an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of South Central.)
ZARIA
( Zaria opens the door of the warehouse and yells, “Natasha! Where are you?” The door of the warehouse is suddenly slammed shut and all goes black.)
GEORGE
(Turns on the florescent lights and they blink on to show Natasha and Tanya tied up on the floor. They are doused in gas and George is smoking a cigarette.)You finally got here; it took you long enough. Now that I think about it you were never really worth waiting for. You’re just a stupid whore who couldn’t obey my commands. Now you are gunna pay.
ZARIA
NO! Let them go it’s me that you want to make pay, George. We can talk about this and work it all out I promise. We can even go back to New York if that’s what makes you happy, just let my friend and Natasha free.
GEORGE
It’s too late for negotiations and it makes me happy to see you squirm. (As he is talking, Zaria and George are circling each other. Zaria feels her pocket knife in her pocket and grips it tightly.) Too bad that Natasha and Tanya have to suffer because of you. You’re never going to get the chance to make it up to me because you did the one unforgivable thing… And that was leaving me. So say goodbye to the people you love. (George moves to drop the cigarette, but Zaria lunges at him with the pocket knife. The pocket knife slashes open Georges wrist and provides just enough distraction for Zaria to push him towards the balcony of the warehouse.)
ZARIA
Don’t you ever mess with me or my family! (Zaria pushes George with all her might and he falls off the balcony screaming and lands without moving.)
ZARIA
(Runs over to where Tanya and Natasha are tightly bound and unties them. Natasha and Tanya both rip off the duct tape that was attached to their mouths.) Are two okay? I’m so sorry all of this is my fault entirely. George came after both of you because of me. Natasha it is okay honey I’m here and he’s gone. (Grabs Natasha and they both start crying.)
NATASHA
Mom I was so scared, he just grabbed us in the alleyway and the next thing we knew we’re tied to each other and drowned in gasoline.
TANYA
Zaria where is George now? Are you sure he’s not moving after you pushed him?
ZARIA
I’m positive he fell about 50 feet and the floor was concrete. When I pushed him I pushed with all my might so he has to be gone. Thank God, it is all over now.
TANYA
Look over there is George’s phone we should call the police right now. (Walks over to grab the cell phone off of the floor then quickly dials 911.) Please we need your help right now, we’ve been kidnapped and doused in gas. The guy who did this is George Brady and he was beating my friend Zaria. We aren’t in immediate danger but we aren’t sure if he is incapacitated or not. Come to the abandoned warehouse at 56th street just off of Kline. (Hangs up and tightly hugs the crying Zaria and Natasha.)
(Sirens start sounding and they hear the police kicking open the door and shouting, “Police!” Natasha, Zaria, and Tanya move to the balcony to see the police put away their guns. All three look down to see a pool of blood where George was.)