THE MONEY BEHIND THE DOOR
A Secret, Twenty Thousand Dollars, and a Shocking Discovery
THE HOOK
The moment Amber opened the door, she froze.
Shayla was standing only a few feet away from Dave—far too close for Amber to understand what she was seeing.
And in Dave’s hand was something that would make everything even more complicated.
SCENE 1 — LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON
The house was unusually quiet.
Dave sat alone, looking through some papers when a soft knock came from the front door.
DAVE
“Shayla? What are you doing here?”
Shayla glanced behind her before stepping inside.
SHAYLA
“I need to ask you for a favor.”
DAVE
“What kind of favor?”
Shayla took a deep breath.
SHAYLA
“It’s about Kai’s party.”
She lowered her voice.
SHAYLA
“I need twenty thousand dollars.”
Dave stared at her in disbelief.
DAVE
“Twenty thousand?”
SHAYLA
“I know it’s a lot. I wouldn’t ask you if I had another choice.”
Dave remained silent.
SHAYLA
“Can you help me?”
Dave studied her face.
Then he sighed.
DAVE
“Come with me.”
SCENE 2 — DAVE’S ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Dave led Shayla down the hallway.
He opened the bedroom door and walked toward a large wooden dresser.
He pulled open one of the drawers.
Shayla watched silently.
Dave reached underneath a stack of documents and took out an envelope.
He placed it on the dresser.
DAVE
“I hope this solves your problem.”
Shayla slowly opened the envelope.
Shayla’s eyes widened when she saw the money.
SHAYLA
“Dave… I don’t know what to say.”
DAVE
“Just make sure Kai gets the party he deserves.”
Shayla looked at him emotionally.
SHAYLA
“Thank you.”
Neither of them noticed the shadow moving outside the doorway.
SCENE 3 — HALLWAY — SAME TIME
Amber had just returned home.
She walked through the hallway, carrying a small bag.
Then she heard voices coming from Dave’s room.
She slowly walked toward the partially open door.
Amber looked inside.
Her face immediately changed.
Shayla was standing close to Dave.
Dave was holding the envelope of money.
AMBER
“What… is going on?”
Dave and Shayla both turned.
Shayla froze.
AMBER
“Why is Shayla here?”
No one answered.
AMBER
“And why are you standing so close to Dave?”
Shayla opened her mouth, but no words came out.
AMBER
“Dave, what are you hiding from me?”
DAVE
“Amber, it’s not what you think.”
Amber gave a bitter laugh.
AMBER
“That’s what people always say when it is exactly what I think.”
Shayla stepped forward.
SHAYLA
“Amber, please let me explain.”
AMBER
“Then explain.”
SHAYLA
“I came here because I needed money for Kai’s party.”
AMBER
“How much?”
Shayla remained silent.
DAVE
“Twenty thousand dollars.”
AMBER
“Twenty… thousand?”
Dave nodded.
DAVE
“She needed help.”
AMBER
“And you decided to give her twenty thousand dollars without telling me?”
DAVE
“I was going to tell you.”
AMBER
“When? After she left?”
Silence filled the room.
SCENE 4 — THE SECRET
Amber reached for the envelope.
Dave quickly stopped her.
DAVE
“Amber, wait.”
AMBER
“Why?”
Dave stared at her.
DAVE
“There’s something you don’t know.”
Shayla suddenly looked frightened.
SHAYLA
“Dave…”
Dave turned toward her.
DAVE
“She deserves to know.”
Amber’s heart began pounding.
AMBER
“Know what?”
Dave remained silent.
Shayla suddenly stepped between them.
SHAYLA
“Please, Dave. Not here.”
Amber stared at both of them.
AMBER
“What are you two hiding from me?”
Dave said nothing.
Amber noticed something strange inside the drawer.
A second envelope.
Written across it was one name:
Amber slowly reached toward it.
Dave’s face suddenly turned pale.
DAVE
“Amber… don’t open that.”
Amber stopped.
She looked at Dave.
Then at Shayla.
The room fell completely silent.
Amber slowly pulled the envelope from the drawer.
Whatever was inside had been hidden for a long time.
And judging by the fear on Dave’s face…
it had nothing to do with Kai’s party.
THE SUSPENSE
Amber tore open the envelope.
Her eyes moved over the first line.
Then she froze.
AMBER
“Oh my God…”
Shayla covered her mouth.
Dave closed his eyes.
Amber looked up at both of them.
“WHO IS KAI’S REAL FATHER?”
CUT TO BLACK…