BETHANY’S HOSPITAL SURPRISE

A shocking hospital visit changes everything!

SCENE 1 — BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND’S CAR — EVENING

The sky is beginning to darken.

Bethany’s boyfriend sits in his car, scrolling through his phone.

His expression suddenly changes when he receives a message.

Bethany has been admitted to the hospital.

He immediately picks up his phone and calls Charlotte.

The phone rings.

Charlotte answers.

CHARLOTTE
What’s going on?

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I just found out Bethany is in the hospital.

Charlotte becomes quiet.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I need to see her. Please come with me.

CHARLOTTE
I don’t know if that’s a good idea.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Why not?

CHARLOTTE
Because Larry is with her.

She takes a breath.

CHARLOTTE
I don’t want to get in the middle of whatever is going on between them.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Charlotte, I’m not trying to cause trouble. I just need to know that Bethany is okay.

His voice becomes emotional.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
She’s in the hospital. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.

Charlotte hesitates.

She knows he genuinely cares about Bethany.

CHARLOTTE
Fine.

She sighs.

CHARLOTTE
I’ll take you.

SCENE 2 — HOSPITAL PARKING LOT — NIGHT

Charlotte pulls into the hospital parking lot.

Bethany’s boyfriend immediately reaches for the door.

CHARLOTTE
Wait.

He looks at her.

CHARLOTTE
Let me go inside first.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Why?

CHARLOTTE
Because I need to see what the situation is.

She looks serious.

CHARLOTTE
If Larry is there, we need to be careful.

Bethany’s boyfriend reluctantly agrees.

Charlotte gets out of the car.

He follows her a few steps behind.

SCENE 3 — HOSPITAL HALLWAY — NIGHT

Charlotte walks quickly down the hallway.

The hospital is quiet.

She reaches Bethany’s room.

She slowly opens the door.

SCENE 4 — BETHANY’S HOSPITAL ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Bethany lies in the hospital bed.

She looks tired and weak.

Larry sits nearby.

Charlotte enters with a concerned expression.

CHARLOTTE
Hey, Bethany.

Bethany looks up.

BETHANY
Charlotte?

Charlotte walks closer.

CHARLOTTE
How are you feeling?

BETHANY
I’m okay.

Charlotte looks at Larry.

Then she looks back at Bethany.

CHARLOTTE
I’m glad you’re okay.

Larry watches Charlotte carefully.

LARRY
What are you doing here?

Charlotte tries to stay calm.

CHARLOTTE
I came to check on Bethany.

Larry nods suspiciously.

Charlotte notices Bethany’s boyfriend waiting outside.

She knows she has to get Larry out of the room.

CHARLOTTE
Larry, can I talk to you outside for a minute?

LARRY
About what?

CHARLOTTE
Just come outside.

Larry looks confused but eventually stands.

SCENE 5 — HOSPITAL HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

Charlotte leads Larry away from the room.

She keeps him occupied.

LARRY
Why are you acting strange?

CHARLOTTE
I’m not acting strange.

LARRY
Yes, you are.

Charlotte forces a small smile.

CHARLOTTE
Larry, just give Bethany some space for a minute.

Larry looks back toward the room.

LARRY
Why?

Charlotte steps slightly in front of him.

CHARLOTTE
Because she needs some privacy.

Larry studies her face.

He doesn’t completely believe her.

LARRY
Fine.

He walks a few steps away.

Charlotte watches him carefully.

Then she turns toward Bethany’s boyfriend.

SCENE 6 — HOSPITAL HALLWAY — MOMENTS LATER

Charlotte walks quickly toward him.

CHARLOTTE
Go.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Now?

CHARLOTTE
Yes. Go see her.

He nods.

He quickly enters Bethany’s room.

Charlotte watches him disappear inside.

She takes a deep breath.

SCENE 7 — BETHANY’S HOSPITAL ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Bethany looks up when the door opens.

Her eyes widen.

Her boyfriend walks toward her.

BETHANY
What are you doing here?

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I heard you were in the hospital.

He sits beside her.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I had to come.

Bethany looks emotional.

BETHANY
You didn’t have to.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Yes, I did.

He gently looks at her.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I was worried about you.

Bethany looks down.

BETHANY
I’m sorry you had to find out like this.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Forget that.

He reaches for her hand.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Just tell me you’re going to be okay.

Bethany gives him a small smile.

BETHANY
I’m going to be okay.

SCENE 8 — HOSPITAL HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

Charlotte sees Larry walking toward the room.

Her eyes widen.

CHARLOTTE
Larry!

Larry stops.

LARRY
What?

Charlotte quickly walks toward him.

CHARLOTTE
Can you wait here for a second?

Larry looks suspicious.

LARRY
Why?

CHARLOTTE
I need to talk to you.

Larry looks past her.

LARRY
About what?

Charlotte tries to block his view.

But Larry steps to the side.

He sees the hospital room door.

LARRY
Who’s in there?

Charlotte freezes.

CHARLOTTE
Larry—

He walks toward the door.

Charlotte quickly follows.

SCENE 9 — BETHANY’S HOSPITAL ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Charlotte enters first.

She sees Bethany’s boyfriend sitting beside Bethany.

CHARLOTTE
Oh no.

Bethany looks toward the door.

Her boyfriend turns around.

Charlotte immediately steps back into the hallway.

She tries to stop Larry.

CHARLOTTE
Larry, wait!

But Larry has already seen them through the doorway.

His eyes widen.

He walks into the room.

Bethany’s boyfriend stands up.

LARRY
What are you doing here?

Bethany looks nervous.

BETHANY
Larry, calm down.

LARRY
Calm down?

Larry looks at Charlotte.

LARRY
You brought him here?

Charlotte struggles to answer.

CHARLOTTE
He just wanted to see Bethany.

Larry looks back at Bethany’s boyfriend.

LARRY
You came all the way here?

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
Bethany is in the hospital. Of course I came.

Larry’s jaw tightens.

LARRY
You should leave.

Bethany’s boyfriend refuses to move.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I’m not here to fight with you.

He looks at Bethany.

BETHANY’S BOYFRIEND
I just wanted to make sure she was okay.

Larry looks at Bethany.

LARRY
And you were okay with this?

Bethany doesn’t answer immediately.

Charlotte watches the confrontation unfold.

CHARLOTTE
Everybody needs to calm down.

Larry shakes his head.

LARRY
No. I want to know exactly what’s going on.

Bethany looks overwhelmed.

The tension in the room continues to rise.

Her boyfriend stands beside her.

Larry stands across from them.

CHARLOTTE’S SECRET PLAN HAS COMPLETELY BACKFIRED!

Charlotte realizes that her attempt to keep the visit secret has completely backfired.

The room falls silent.

Everyone waits for Bethany to speak.

Bethany takes a deep breath.

BETHANY
Larry…

She looks between Larry and her boyfriend.

BETHANY
This isn’t what you think.

Larry stares at her.

LARRY
Then tell me what it is.

Bethany struggles to find the right words.

Charlotte looks worried.

THE TENSION BECOMES ALMOST UNBEARABLE…

And now, everyone in the room knows that this unexpected hospital visit has changed everything.

TO BE CONTINUED…

What will Bethany tell Larry about her boyfriend’s unexpected hospital visit?