Sunny “Sun” Williams is heir to some of D.C.’s most iconic businesses—including the legendary B-B-Q restaurant. Her future was set—until a devastating tragedy shatters her world. As chilling, unexplained events begin to unfold, Sunny must confront the possibility that something far more sinister has been unleashed. A gripping audio drama and exclusive preview of diSUNity—an upcoming supernatural thriller film.
Sunny “Sun” Williams is heir to some of D.C.’s most iconic businesses—including the legendary B-B-Q restaurant. Her future was set—until a devastating tragedy shatters her world. As chilling, unexplained events begin to unfold, Sunny must confront the possibility that something far more sinister has been unleashed.
A gripping audio drama and exclusive preview of diSUNity—an upcoming supernatural thriller film.
Music.
NARRATOR: Diedre Von Creative presents diSUNity, the podcast, by Diedre Von. Starring Tianna Mendez, Jose Rufino, Melissa Lopez, Jam Donaldson, Tonya Fitzpatrick, and J. Brooks.
Prologue, "When the Sun Sets.”
December 9th. Washington, D.C. Georgetown University Hospital. Sunny Williams, heir of the Williams family, renowned for iconic businesses throughout the city, including the legendary B-B-Q, undergoes emergency surgery.
Her fiancé Dave, a 39-year-old Wall Street Exec turned advisor to the mayor, paces in the waiting room. Best friend Ava, a witty 38-year old nonprofit staffer, and the yin to Sunny's yang, rushes in. Sunny's aunt, Gloria, a refined 67-year-old world traveler, reads the same magazine page over and over again. Life as they know it will never be the same.
End scene.
Sounds of ambient noise in the hospital. Sunny comes in and out of consciousness. A Nurse fixes her IV.
SUNNY: Mom. Mom??
NURSE EMMA: Hey Sunny. I'm Nurse Emma. Listen, you're in the intensive care unit. You just got out of surgery. Don't try and talk. Just rest.
SUNNY: [gasps for air] Mom!
NURSE EMMA: I'm so sorry Sunny.
SUNNY: [sobs, hysterical]
NURSE EMMA: I know Sunny. Please, you have to calm down. [nurses] Here, this should help. Just a little something to help you rest.
Sunny passes out.
Music.
End scene.
Ambient sounds of the waiting room.
AVA: I can't believe this is happening. God, there's no place that's safe.
DAVE: I know.
AUNT GLORIA: So what are they saying??
DAVE: She was shot two times. They're saying...it's touch and go.
AVA: Oh God.
AUNT GLORIA: Ugh.
DAVE: The next 24 hours are critical [chokes up].
AVA: [groans]
AUNT GLORIA: Ava, you're shaking honey. Come sit down. And what about Sheila??
DAVE: She's gone.
They react to Dave, devastated.
Music.
End scene.
Ambient hospital sounds.
Sunny wakes, groggy.
AVA: Hey Sun. Oh, thank God. I'm here. I got you.
Sounds of Sunny trying to talk.
AVA: Try and take it easy Sun. Listen, we need you to keep fighting, OK? You're not leaving us Sun. You're not going anywhere, OK?
SUNNY: [whimpers]
AVA: Hey, Hey. We're gonna get through this. OK. You have your whole life to live. [shaky] And it's gonna be great. You just rest. Rest. OK.
Sounds of Sunny sniffling.
Music.
End scene.
Transition sound effect.
Ambient hospital sounds. Sounds of gunshots. Chaos in the hospital. Alarms blast.
Sunny wakes, terrified.
PA SYSTEM: [recording plays] Attention. Active shooter on site. Lock the doors and stay away from the windows. A facility lockdown is in effect. Attention. Active shooter on site. Lock the doors and stay away from the windows. A facility lockdown is in effect. Attention. Active shooter on site...
SUNNY: [murmurs]
PEOPLE: Run! Get down! In here. In here. Quick. Hide! Call 911. He's in the hallway. Lock down the floor. Lock it down! Turn off the lights.
Gunshots. Screams. The Nurse runs into Sunny's room.
NURSE EMMA: Don't make a sound. Stay quiet. [locks door, closes blinds] I'm just going to turn off the lights and close the blinds, OK? Don't worry. Just stay calm.
SUNNY: [weak, indecipherable sounds] Uhhhhhh. Duuuurrr.
NURSE EMMA: Shh. Don't try to talk. I need you to stay very quiet.
Sounds of Sunny going into trauma.
NURSE EMMA: Oh God. Oh. Oh. OK. No. No. No. No. Not now. Sunny, stay with me! [opens door] Hey! I need some help in here.
Gunshots. Commotion.
Music.
End scene.
Transition sound effect.
Ambient hospital sounds. Sunny wakes. Gasps for air. Her heart races. Sunny catching her breath.
Sounds of movement in the room. Sunny reacts.
Someone walking with heavy boots.
SUNNY: [weak] No, no, no. Help.
Sounds of Sunny frantically reaching for the call button. Things crashing to the floor. Sounds of a gun.
SUNNY: No. Help! Help!
A gun fires. BANG!
Music.
End scene.
Transition sound effect.
Ambient sounds. Sunny comes to.
NURSE EMMA: You really gave us a scare there Sunny. How are you feeling?
SUNNY: [hoarse] The shuuu...
NURSE EMMA: Here let me get you some water. Drink this. It will take a little while for you to get your bearings again.
Sounds of the nurse helping Sunny.
SUNNY: The shuuuu...shooter?
NURSE EMMA: I know it was horrible. Try not to think about that now. You just need to focus on getting better. And he's gone. He won't hurt anyone else.
SUNNY: He came back. He shot me.
NURSE EMMA: I know. It's just awful. Thank God that security guard stopped him. And that you got here just in time.
SUNNY: I thaaww...I thought he killlled you.
NURSE EMMA: Oh me, no.
SUNNY: He was here. At the hossspital.
NURSE EMMA: No Sunny, there was no one here. Hmm. Let me check your vitals. Bit of a fever. The shooting was at City Point. It wasn't here.
SUNNY: But...ugh. I saw. The...hossspital was on lockkkkdown. You...you caaaame to saaaavve me.
NURSE EMMA: There was no shooter, Sunny. N-Not here. You're safe, OK? Please try to rest. Alright?
Sunny sighs. Reacts in confusion.
SUNNY: Myyyy mom?
NURSE EMMA: Oh Sunny, I'm so sorry. She didn't make it. Remember?
Sunny breaks down.
Music.
End scene.
NARRATOR: One month later, in the aftermath of one of the biggest tragedies to strike the Washington, D.C. area, Sunny's back at home. She uses crutches to get around and struggles badly to navigate her closet. She writhes in pain from her injuries.
R&B tunes play softly on the radio.
Phone buzzes. A voicemail chime beeps. Pause. Phone unlocks, light finger tap as Sunny plays the message.
FUNERAL HOME STAFFER: [voicemail] Hi Miss Williams, this is Diane from Heritage Memorial. We’re so sorry again for your loss. I’m just calling to confirm your mother’s service and to check if you’ve had a chance to select the outfit you’d like her to wear. When you’re ready, feel free to drop it off or give us a call if we can assist with anything. We’re here for you.
End of voicemail. Beat of silence.
Closet door creaks open. Quiet rustle of hangers. A soft exhale from Sunny. Sounds of hangers being swiped.
SUNNY: [soft, to herself] Okaaay, Mom. Should we go with your favorite Balenciaga? Or, my fave the McQueen? You slayed in that McQueen.
Flashback:
Music. Transition sound effect.
Sounds of a prestigious and festive event at the D.C. convention center.
ATTENDEE: Wow, Sheila. Congratulations.
YOUNG SHEILA: Thank you so much. It’s really been a great year for B-B-Q.
ATTENDEE: Look at what you have on. I love this dress. Who are you wearing?
YOUNG SHEILA: Oh it’s a McQueen. Thank you.
ATTENDEE: So, who do we have here, Sheila? Who is this lovely young lady?
YOUNG SHEILA: This is my baby Sunny. I’m so happy to have her with us here tonight.
LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY J. BROOKS: I can't tell you how honored I am tonight to present this award to an incredibly deserving leader in the community. A trailblazer. And the owner of the best barbecue joint in the city. This year's RAMMY award for Restaurateur of the Year goes to none other than Ward 1's Sheila Williams!
YOUNG SHEILA: [gasps] What?! Whaaat? No way. I can't believe this.
ATTENDEES: Congrats, Sheila! Awesome. YES.
Applause. Cheers.
Music.
Flashback ends.
Transition sound effect.
Radio plays.
SUNNY: McQueen. OK, Mom. Definitely the McQueen.
A hanger clinks gently. Fabric brushing.
LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY J. BROOKS: [radio] Washington, D.C. is still reeling after police say a gunman went on a rampage at City Point, wounding 20 people, killing 18. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack in the busy shopping district. In Downtown D.C., J. Brooks, WTH—
Sounds of Sunny making her way to the radio. She CHANGES the station. Music plays.
Sounds of paper rustling. Pen scratching pad.
SUNNY: [sighs] OK. What can I say about my mom, the incomparable Sheila Williams? Umh...When I think of you, I think of love, and laughter. I think of love, laughter, and-
DAVE: Babe.
SUNNY: Hey...
DAVE: You OK? Whatcha doing in here?
SUNNY: Just working on this.
She flips some pages of the notebook.
DAVE: You weren't answering your phone. I got you some coffee. And some scones from that place you like. I'm heading to work.
Sounds of paper bag rustling.
SUNNY: Oh. OK. Thanks. So you're not going to work?
DAVE: I'm on my way to work. Are you feeling OK?
SUNNY: Yeah.
DAVE: Sunny, call me if you need anything. Alright?
Dave moves toward her to embrace her. KISS. She winces in pain.
DAVE: Oh. Sorry! Sorry.
Sounds of Dave leaving. Door closes in the background.
Notebook pages rustle. Pen scratches.
SUNNY: God blessed me when he gave me you. God...God...
The muffled voice of Sunny's thoughts.
SUNNY: [scoffs] God. The Savior. I mean where were you? Huh, God? Huh? Keep us safe, huh? What a joke. Where the hell were you?
Her thoughts explode to the surface as she yells out.
SUNNY: Answer me!! Where were you?? You let this happen! You-you did this!
Sounds of Sunny lashing out, trashing the place. Cringing in pain.
SUNNY: Oh. Ow. Ow. Damn it! How could you? How could you? Why her? Why God? Like, why? [sobs]
Music.
End scene.
NARRATOR: One week later. Sheila Williams' funeral service. Sunny stands before family and friends gathered on a sunny afternoon. She delivers the eulogy she was preparing earlier.
Live music. Sounds of a quiet outdoor event. People speak softly.
SUNNY: What can I say about my mom, the incomparable Sheila Williams. So many of you know her as a trailblazer. One of the most successful business women in the city. Our family, woven into the history and culture of this incredible city. And of course, the owner of B-B-Q, one of DC's legendary, and best spots, on 14th Street.
Jump scare sound effect.
Sunny gasps at a vision of her mom. Murmurs in the crowd.
The muffled voice of Sunny's thoughts.
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] Mom? Is...that you? Oh my God. I'm seeing things. Not again. Not here.
Suspenseful music.
SUNNY: Uh. Umh. There was no such thing as a bad meal at Sheila's table. And for those of us who were lucky enough to know her...
Scary sound effect.
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] Uhh...It's not real, it's not real, it's not real...She's not here.
DAVE: Sunny [whispers].
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] OK. OK. Open your eyes. [reacts] She's gone.
CROWD: [whispers].
SUNNY: Mom, mom was a [jump scare]...uhhh [raises her voice].
Crowd reacts.
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] She's back. She's back. Oh God. Oh God. This can't be real. This can't be real.
CROWD: [Murmurs]
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] Mom? I can't believe I'm thinking this. Is that really you? What am I saying? I'm losing it. It's trauma Sunny. This is trauma. Look around. Right. No one else is seeing her right now. What is happening? OK. OK. Just keep going.
DAVE: Sunny, you OK? [subtle]
SUNNY: Uh. Mom was...she was...a give it to you straight...
Ominous sound effect.
SUNNY: Ah! [reacts to seeing her mom double over in pain.] [muffled thoughts] Oh no. Mom. What's happening? Are you OK? Mom!
Sunny hears yelling and chaos from the City Point shooting.
AVA: What's happening? [whispers]
DAVE: I don't know.
Muffled sound.
CITY POINT PEOPLE: Run! Run!...He's got a gun. Get down. Get down.
Gunfire at City Point.
SUNNY: [muffled thoughts] Ow. Oh God. What's happening? I'm hit. I'm hit. I'm bleeding.
Sounds of Sunny as she stumbles back. Knocks over the mic. Feedback.
SUNNY: Oh my God. Oh my God. Help. Somebody help. Help!
Reactions from a stunned crowd.
Sounds of Dave rushing to her.
DAVE: Sunny?? Are you OK? Sunny?
SUNNY: Dave, you got to help her. Please! Please...
DAVE: Who, Sunny? Help who? Sunny?
Comments and reactions from the attendees.
SUNNY: She was here. Please Dave. She’s right-right. She was right...I saw her…I saw her…
AVA: Uh. Thank you all for being here during this incredibly difficult time. Please join us at sunset in the courtyard for a champagne toast in Sheila Williams' honor...
Music.
End scene.
NARRATOR: This has been a production of diSUNity, the podcast. Created, written, and directed by Diedre Von.
Starring Tianna Mendez as Sunny, Melissa Lopez as Ava, Jam Donaldson as Nurse Emma, Tonya Fitzpatrick as Aunt Gloria. With J. Brooks. And Jose Rufino as Dave and Narrator.
Additional performances by Julia Moroles, Courtland Sutton, Tonya Fitzpatrick, Melissa Lopez, Jam Donaldson, and J. Brooks.
Producers Diedre Von and Alma Davenport.
Sound design and mix by Steve Lack: AUDIO.
Special Thanks to: Crystal Keys. Felicia Gardner. Karen Cooley. Ashley Laryea. Michele Blackwell. Barbara and David Clark. Brandi Whitfield. Lakai Vinson. Erica Phillip. La Faye Howard. Marsha and Mike Davenport. Bill Keating and Danielle Wilson. Shoes Off Media. Heather D. Horton. And Ty and Donna Couey.
Music outro.
AD:
This is D. Von, the writer and creator of the diSUNity movie podcast.
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Sunny’s journey is just getting started—and trust us, you don’t want to miss what’s next.
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