Living Room — Evening
The house is quiet. Brooke stands near Bethany, looking nervous but hopeful. Bethany notices the hesitation in her expression.
BROOKE: Bethany, can I ask you for a favor?
Bethany looks at Brooke, waiting for her to explain.
BETHANY: Of course. What do you need?
BROOKE: I need you to help me with something. Please pay my car insurance for me.
Bethany pauses for a moment. Brooke looks down, clearly embarrassed that she has to ask.
BETHANY: Your car insurance?
BROOKE: Yeah. I’m supposed to pay it, but I’m short on cash right now. I promise I’ll figure something out soon.
Bethany studies Brooke’s face. She can tell Brooke is genuinely worried.
BETHANY: Okay. Don’t worry about it. I’ll help you.
Brooke immediately looks relieved.
BROOKE: Really?
BETHANY: Yes. I don’t want you stressing over something like this.
Bethany walks toward her purse and opens it. She counts out the cash Brooke needs.
BROOKE: Thank you, Bethany. Seriously. I really appreciate this.
BETHANY: Just make sure you use it for the insurance, okay?
BROOKE: I will.
Bethany holds the cash out toward Brooke. But neither of them notices someone standing nearby.
Hallway — Continuous
Larry has just walked into the room. He stops when he sees Bethany handing Brooke the cash. His expression immediately changes.
Larry doesn’t say a word. Instead, he quietly reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. He opens the camera. He starts recording.
LARRY: (quietly to himself) So this is what’s going on.
Larry keeps the phone low, carefully recording the exchange without alerting Bethany or Brooke.
Living Room — Continuous
BROOKE: Thank you. I won’t forget this.
BETHANY: You’re welcome.
Brooke puts the money away. Larry continues recording. Bethany suddenly notices movement behind her. She turns. Her face drops when she sees Larry standing there.
BETHANY: Larry?
Larry slowly lowers the phone, but he doesn’t stop recording.
LARRY: Yeah. Larry.
Bethany looks at the phone in his hand.
BETHANY: Were you recording us?
Larry gives her a serious look.
LARRY: Yes, I was.
Brooke immediately becomes uncomfortable.
BROOKE: Larry, it’s not what you think.
LARRY: I didn’t say anything about Brooke.
Larry looks directly at Bethany.
LARRY: I’m talking to you.
The Confrontation
Bethany takes a breath.
BETHANY: Larry, she needed help with her car insurance. That’s all.
LARRY: And you decided to hand her cash without telling me?
BETHANY: It’s my money. I wanted to help her.
LARRY: Then why did you look around before giving it to her?
Bethany is caught off guard.
BETHANY: I wasn’t hiding anything.
LARRY: Really?
Larry raises his phone slightly.
LARRY: Because I have the whole thing recorded.
Brooke looks worried.
BROOKE: Larry, please. Don’t make this into something it isn’t.
LARRY: I’m not making anything up. I watched exactly what happened.
Larry turns his attention back to Bethany.
LARRY: You told me you were trying to save money. Then I walk in and find you giving Brooke cash.
BETHANY: She needed help.
LARRY: Helping someone isn’t the problem, Bethany. The problem is that you didn’t tell me.
Bethany folds her arms.
BETHANY: Do I really have to ask your permission every time I help Brooke?
LARRY: No. But when something looks suspicious, I’m going to ask questions.
Bethany becomes frustrated.
BETHANY: There is nothing suspicious about helping someone pay their insurance.
LARRY: Then you shouldn’t have a problem with me keeping the video.
Bethany stares at him.
BETHANY: What are you planning to do with that video?
LARRY: That depends on what you tell me.
BETHANY: Larry, I already told you the truth.
LARRY: Then answer one question.
Larry steps closer, keeping his voice controlled.
LARRY: How many times have you given Brooke money without telling me?
Bethany hesitates. Larry notices the hesitation.
LARRY: That’s what I thought.
BETHANY: No, Larry. You’re misunderstanding me.
LARRY: Then explain it.
Brooke Steps In
Brooke steps forward.
BROOKE: Larry, she was just trying to help me. I asked her for a favor. She didn’t force anything on me, and I didn’t trick her.
LARRY: Brooke, I understand that. But I still need to know what’s happening in my house.
BROOKE: It has nothing to do with you.
Larry looks at Brooke, then back at Bethany.
LARRY: Maybe. But when I see cash changing hands behind my back, I’m going to ask questions.
Bethany shakes her head.
BETHANY: You always assume the worst.
LARRY: And you always give me a reason to ask questions.
The room falls silent. Bethany looks angry. Brooke looks uncomfortable. Larry looks down at his phone and checks the recording.
BETHANY: Are you seriously going to use that video against me?
LARRY: I’m not threatening you.
He pauses.
LARRY: I’m making sure nobody can change the story later.
BETHANY: There is no story to change.
LARRY: Good.
Larry puts the phone back into his pocket.
LARRY: Then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
An Uneasy Truce
Bethany stares at him.
BETHANY: I helped Brooke because she needed me. That’s what family does.
Larry’s expression softens slightly, but he remains cautious.
LARRY: Then next time, just tell me.
BETHANY: And if I don’t?
Larry looks at her seriously.
LARRY: Then don’t be surprised when I start asking questions.
Brooke looks between them.
BROOKE: Can we please just calm down? I only asked Bethany for help with my insurance.
LARRY: Fine.
Larry takes a breath.
LARRY: Pay the insurance. Take care of the car. But from now on, I don’t want secrets in this house.
Bethany nods reluctantly.
BETHANY: Fine.
Larry turns and walks away.
BROOKE: I’m sorry this caused a problem.
BETHANY: You didn’