THE PHOTO THAT SHOCKED LARRY
INT. DRE’S CAR – NIGHT
The city glows beneath the streetlights as Dre drives through the busy streets. Music plays softly from the speakers.
Sharra sits beside him, smiling as she looks out the window.
SHARRA
Tonight, I just want to have fun. No drama. No stress.
Dre glances at her and smiles.
DRE
Then tonight is exactly what you’re getting.
Sharra laughs.
For the first time in a while, the two seem completely relaxed.
Dre turns toward a lively part of town.
A neon pub sign flashes ahead.
DRE
There it is.
Sharra looks up.
SHARRA
That place?
DRE
Yeah. You ready?
She smiles confidently.
SHARRA
Let’s go.
EXT. PUB – NIGHT
The pub is packed.
Music shakes the walls while people stand outside, laughing and talking.
Dre and Sharra step out of the car together.
They exchange a quick look before walking inside.
Across the street, another car slows down.
Brooke is sitting in the passenger seat.
Stevie is behind the wheel.
Brooke notices Dre and Sharra entering the pub.
Her expression immediately changes.
BROOKE
Wait.
Stevie looks at her.
STEVIE
What?
Brooke points toward the entrance.
BROOKE
Is that Dre?
Stevie looks.
His eyes widen.
STEVIE
And Sharra?
Brooke watches them disappear through the doors.
A suspicious smile crosses her face.
BROOKE
So that’s where they’re going.
Stevie shakes his head.
STEVIE
Looks like it.
Brooke reaches for the door handle.
BROOKE
Come on.
Stevie sighs and parks the car.
INT. PUB – NIGHT
The atmosphere is electric.
Colored lights move across the crowded dance floor.
Dre and Sharra make their way through the crowd.
Sharra starts dancing to the music.
Dre laughs.
DRE
I thought you said you wanted a quiet night.
Sharra spins around.
SHARRA
I changed my mind.
Dre joins her.
They laugh and dance together.
For a moment, nothing else matters.
Sharra looks at Dre.
SHARRA
You know what?
DRE
What?
SHARRA
I actually needed this.
Dre’s smile softens.
DRE
Me too.
They continue dancing.
Neither notices the two familiar faces entering the pub.
INT. PUB – CONTINUOUS
Brooke and Stevie step inside.
They scan the crowded room.
Stevie spots Dre first.
STEVIE
There.
Brooke turns.
She sees Dre and Sharra dancing together.
Her eyes widen.
BROOKE
Wow.
Stevie watches them carefully.
STEVIE
They look pretty comfortable.
Brooke pulls out her phone.
BROOKE
Larry needs to see this.
Stevie looks at her.
STEVIE
You’re really going to send him a picture?
Brooke raises her phone.
BROOKE
Absolutely.
She secretly takes a photo.
The screen captures Dre and Sharra laughing together.
Brooke looks at the picture.
A satisfied expression appears on her face.
BROOKE
Perfect.
INT. PUB – LATER
Dre and Sharra sit at a small table near the dance floor.
They talk and laugh.
SHARRA
I can’t remember the last time I had a night like this.
DRE
Then we should do it more often.
Sharra smiles.
SHARRA
Maybe we should.
Across the room, Brooke watches them.
She looks down at her phone.
The photo is still open.
Stevie stands beside her.
STEVIE
You already sent it?
Brooke nods.
BROOKE
Just did.
She types another message.
BROOKE
Larry is going to lose his mind when he sees this.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Larry sits alone on his couch.
The television plays quietly in the background.
His phone suddenly vibrates.
He looks down.
A message from Brooke appears.
Larry opens it casually.
Then he sees the photo.
His expression freezes.
Dre and Sharra are standing together inside the pub.
Larry stares at the screen.
His smile disappears.
LARRY
What the hell?
He zooms in on the picture.
His eyes narrow.
He looks at the message again.
LARRY
Dre and Sharra?
Larry stands up.
He begins pacing across the room.
His mind races.
LARRY
Why are they together?
He looks at the photo again.
The image suddenly feels much more serious than a simple night out.
Larry grabs his phone.
He calls Brooke.
The phone rings.
No answer.
Larry hangs up.
He immediately calls Stevie.
Still no answer.
Larry exhales sharply.
LARRY
Unbelievable.
He throws himself back onto the couch.
His eyes remain fixed on the picture.
INT. PUB – NIGHT
The music continues.
Dre and Sharra are still unaware of the storm building outside the pub.
Sharra notices Dre staring at his phone.
SHARRA
Everything okay?
Dre looks up.
DRE
Yeah. Why?
SHARRA
You just looked distracted.
Dre puts his phone away.
DRE
I’m good.
Sharra smiles.
SHARRA
Then stop thinking and enjoy the night.
Dre laughs.
DRE
Fair enough.
They return to the dance floor.
Nearby, Brooke and Stevie watch them.
Brooke looks satisfied.
STEVIE
You know this is going to cause problems.
Brooke shrugs.
BROOKE
That’s not my problem.
Stevie looks toward Dre and Sharra.
STEVIE
You sure?
Brooke looks down at her phone.
BROOKE
Larry knows now.
She smiles.
BROOKE
That’s all that matters.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Larry continues staring at the photo.
He opens the message again.
The image fills the screen.
Dre and Sharra.
Together.
Laughing.
Enjoying themselves.
Larry’s expression becomes colder.
LARRY
There’s something they’re not telling me.
He walks toward the window.
The city lights shine outside.
Larry grips his phone tightly.
His phone vibrates again.
Another message from Brooke appears.
Larry opens it.
“Now you know where they are.”
Larry stares at the words.
His jaw tightens.
LARRY
So this was planned.
He immediately reaches for his keys.
His expression is filled with determination.
LARRY
I’m going to find out what’s really going on.
Larry walks toward the door.
He stops for a moment.
One final look at the photo.
Then he leaves.
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Larry gets into his car.
The engine starts.
He pulls away into the night.
Back at the pub, Dre and Sharra continue enjoying their evening, completely unaware of what is coming.
The camera slowly pulls away from the glowing pub.
Inside, Brooke watches the entrance.
Stevie stands beside her.
STEVIE
This is about to get messy.
Brooke smiles.
BROOKE
It already is.
The music continues.
The night is far from over.