AMBER MAKES A SECRET DEAL WITH THE LAWYER
INT. LAWYER’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
The office is quiet.
Soft sunlight comes through the large windows.
AMBER, SHAYLA, HONEY POT, and LAUREN sit across from a LAWYER.
All four women look nervous.
A thick folder rests on the lawyer’s desk.
The lawyer slowly opens it.
LAWYER
I’ve reviewed everything you gave me.
The women exchange nervous looks.
SHAYLA
So… can you take the case?
The lawyer leans back in his chair.
LAWYER
Yes.
A moment of silence.
Shayla lets out a small breath of relief.
Lauren looks at Honey Pot.
Honey Pot nods.
But Amber remains completely serious.
LAUREN
How much is your fee?
The lawyer looks at all four women.
LAWYER
For all of you?
He pauses.
LAWYER
The retainer will be substantial.
Shayla’s smile disappears.
Honey Pot looks down.
Lauren crosses her arms.
Amber watches the lawyer carefully.
SHAYLA
How substantial?
The lawyer gives them the amount.
The room suddenly becomes silent.
Everyone looks shocked.
HONEY POT
That’s a lot of money.
LAUREN
We knew it wasn’t going to be cheap.
SHAYLA
But I didn’t think it would be that much.
The lawyer closes the folder.
LAWYER
I’m not forcing anyone to hire me.
He stands.
LAWYER
But if you want me to represent all of you, I need the retainer before I begin.
Shayla looks at Amber.
SHAYLA
Amber?
Amber doesn’t answer.
She looks down at her hands.
Her jewelry catches the light.
A bracelet.
A necklace.
A pair of earrings.
Amber slowly touches the necklace around her neck.
Her expression changes.
She knows exactly what she has to do.
HONEY POT
Amber?
Amber looks up.
AMBER
I’ll handle it.
Everyone stares at her.
LAUREN
What do you mean?
Amber stands.
AMBER
I’ll get the money.
Shayla looks confused.
SHAYLA
All of it?
Amber nods.
AMBER
Yes.
She grabs her purse.
HONEY POT
Where are you going?
Amber looks toward the door.
AMBER
I need to take care of something.
She walks away.
The others watch her leave.
INT. LAWYER’S OFFICE – HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
Amber walks quickly down the hallway.
Her expression is tense.
She reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone.
She checks her bank account.
Her eyes widen.
Not enough.
Amber takes a deep breath.
She looks at her jewelry again.
AMBER
I’m not losing everything.
She makes a decision.
EXT. JEWELRY STORE – EVENING
Amber’s car pulls up outside a jewelry store.
She steps out.
She looks through the glass doors.
For a second, she hesitates.
Then she walks inside.
INT. JEWELRY STORE – CONTINUOUS
A JEWELRY BUYER approaches Amber.
BUYER
Can I help you?
Amber removes her necklace.
Then her bracelet.
Then her earrings.
She places them carefully on the counter.
AMBER
I need to know how much these are worth.
The buyer examines each piece.
Amber waits anxiously.
After a few moments, the buyer gives her a number.
Amber looks surprised.
It isn’t what she expected.
AMBER
That’s all?
BUYER
That’s the best I can offer.
Amber looks down at her jewelry.
She remembers how much each piece means to her.
But then she thinks about the lawyer.
She thinks about Shayla.
Honey Pot.
Lauren.
She closes her eyes.
AMBER
Fine.
The buyer prepares the paperwork.
Amber signs.
The jewelry is placed into a small box.
Amber stares at it one last time.
Then she takes the money.
EXT. LAWYER’S OFFICE – EVENING
Amber’s car pulls into the parking lot.
She quickly gets out.
She walks back inside.
INT. LAWYER’S OFFICE – EVENING
Shayla, Honey Pot, and Lauren are still sitting in the office.
The lawyer looks up when Amber enters.
Amber walks straight toward the desk.
She places an envelope on it.
Everyone becomes silent.
LAWYER
What’s this?
AMBER
Your fee.
The lawyer opens the envelope.
He counts the money.
Shayla looks stunned.
SHAYLA
Amber… where did you get that?
Amber looks at her.
AMBER
I handled it.
LAUREN
You didn’t have to do that alone.
Amber shakes her head.
AMBER
Yes, I did.
Honey Pot looks concerned.
HONEY POT
What did you give up?
Amber doesn’t answer.
The lawyer finishes counting the money.
He looks at Amber.
LAWYER
Everything is in order.
Amber nods.
LAWYER
I’ll officially represent you.
He pulls out the necessary documents.
LAWYER
I’ll need everyone to sign these.
Shayla takes a pen.
Lauren signs.
Honey Pot signs.
Amber watches them.
Finally, she takes the pen.
She signs her name.
The lawyer gathers the papers.
LAWYER
From this moment forward, I’ll handle the legal side of this matter.
The women exchange looks.
For the first time, they seem relieved.
But Amber doesn’t smile.
She looks at the empty space where her necklace used to be.
Lauren notices.
LAUREN
Amber…
Amber looks up.
LAUREN
You really sold your jewelry for this?
Amber forces a small smile.
AMBER
It was jewelry.
She pauses.
AMBER
You all are more important right now.
Shayla’s eyes become emotional.
SHAYLA
I don’t know what to say.
Amber shakes her head.
AMBER
Don’t say anything.
Honey Pot reaches for Amber’s hand.
HONEY POT
Thank you.
Amber squeezes her hand.
AMBER
Just make sure we don’t waste what I gave up.
The room becomes quiet.
The lawyer closes the file.
LAWYER
Then let’s get to work.
Everyone turns toward him.
LAWYER
I’ll need every document, every message, and every piece of evidence you have.
Shayla nods.
SHAYLA
We’ll bring everything.
LAUREN
We’re ready.
Honey Pot nods.
HONEY POT
Let’s do this.
The lawyer looks at Amber.
LAWYER
And you?
Amber looks determined.
AMBER
I’m ready too.
The lawyer gives a small nod.
He opens the case file.
The women move closer to the desk.
The atmosphere has completely changed.
They are no longer just four worried women sitting in an office.
They are preparing to fight back.
Amber quietly looks at her empty wrist.
Her bracelet is gone.
Her necklace is gone.
Her earrings are gone.
But she doesn’t regret her decision.
She looks at the women beside her.
AMBER
Let’s finish this.
Shayla nods.
SHAYLA
Together.
Honey Pot smiles.
HONEY POT
Together.
Lauren places her hand on the table.
LAUREN
Together.
Amber looks at all three women.
For the first time that evening, she smiles.
AMBER
Then let’s fight.
The lawyer closes the door to his office.
The case has officially begun.
FADE OUT.