Living Room — Morning
The house is unusually quiet. Brooke sits on the couch, looking frustrated and unwilling to talk. Her phone rests in her hand as she stares at the screen without really paying attention.
Sara walks into the room slowly. She looks concerned.
SARA: Larry, I need to tell you something about Brooke.
Larry looks up immediately. He can tell from Sara’s expression that something is wrong.
LARRY: What happened?
Sara takes a breath before answering.
SARA: Brooke has decided that she doesn’t want to go to college.
Larry’s expression changes. He looks toward Brooke.
LARRY: What?
Brooke remains silent for a moment. Then she finally looks up.
BROOKE: I said I’m not going.
Larry stares at her in disbelief.
LARRY: You’re not going to college?
Brooke shakes her head.
BROOKE: No. I don’t want to go anymore.
Larry slowly stands up. His frustration is obvious. Sara immediately notices the tension in the room.
SARA: Larry, please calm down. Let her explain.
Larry looks at Brooke.
LARRY: Explain what?
Brooke looks away.
BROOKE: I just don’t want to go. That’s my decision.
Larry takes a deep breath. He tries to control his temper, but his disappointment quickly turns into anger.
LARRY: Brooke, we’ve talked about this before.
BROOKE: I know.
LARRY: Then why are you suddenly refusing?
Brooke crosses her arms.
BROOKE: Because I don’t want to live my life the way everyone else wants me to.
Sara steps closer.
SARA: Brooke, nobody is trying to ruin your life. Larry just wants you to think about your future.
Brooke looks at Sara.
BROOKE: I’ve already thought about it.
Larry shakes his head.
LARRY: Apparently, you haven’t thought about it enough.
Brooke stands up from the couch.
BROOKE: I said I’m not going!
Larry looks at her with frustration. Sara immediately steps between them slightly, trying to keep the situation from escalating.
SARA: Okay. Everyone needs to calm down.
Larry looks at Sara.
LARRY: Sara, this has gone far enough.
He turns back toward Brooke.
LARRY: You think you can simply decide that you’re not going to college and everything will stay the same?
Brooke says nothing. Larry notices the car keys in Brooke’s hand. He walks over and takes them from her. Brooke looks shocked.
BROOKE: Hey! Give those back!
Larry holds the keys firmly in his hand.
LARRY: No.
Brooke reaches toward him, but Larry steps back.
BROOKE: Those are my car keys!
LARRY: Not anymore.
Sara immediately reacts.
SARA: Larry, wait.
Larry looks at Sara.
SARA: You don’t need to do this while you’re angry.
Larry’s jaw tightens.
LARRY: I’m trying to make her understand that her choices have consequences.
Brooke looks furious.
BROOKE: You can’t just take my things because I disagree with you!
Larry looks at her.
LARRY: Then start making better choices.
Brooke turns away angrily. Larry notices the phone in her hand. He reaches toward it and takes it from her. Brooke immediately protests.
BROOKE: My phone too?
LARRY: Yes.
BROOKE: Give it back!
Sara steps forward.
SARA: Larry, please. You’re making this worse.
Larry looks at both of them. He is visibly angry, but his voice becomes controlled and firm.
LARRY: No. I’m done arguing about this.
Brooke looks at him with frustration.
BROOKE: You can’t control everything I do.
Larry pauses. For a moment, nobody says anything. The tension in the room becomes heavier. Sara looks between them. She knows that neither of them is willing to back down.
SARA: Brooke, maybe you should just talk to him.
Brooke shakes her head.
BROOKE: He doesn’t want to listen.
Larry responds immediately.
LARRY: I’ve been listening all morning.
Brooke looks away. Larry takes another breath. He looks at the car keys and phone in his hands before looking back at Brooke.
LARRY: This is the last time I’m going to say this.
Brooke remains silent. Larry speaks slowly and firmly.
LARRY: If you’re not going to college, then you’re not getting these two things back.
He raises the car keys slightly. Then he looks at the phone.
LARRY: Your car keys and your phone.
Brooke stares at him. Sara tries once again to calm the situation.
SARA: Larry, maybe give everyone some time to cool down.
Larry looks at Sara.
LARRY: I’m giving her a choice.
Brooke responds angrily.
BROOKE: That’s not a choice. That’s a threat.
Larry looks disappointed.
LARRY: No, Brooke. It’s a consequence.
Brooke folds her arms.
BROOKE: And what if I still don’t go?
Larry pauses. His expression becomes serious.
LARRY: Then you’ll have to live with the consequences of that decision.
Sara looks worried. She approaches Brooke carefully.
SARA: Brooke, think about what you’re doing before you make this situation worse.
Brooke looks at Sara. Her anger begins to fade slightly, replaced by frustration.
BROOKE: I just want everyone to stop deciding my future for me.
Sara softens.
SARA: Then explain what you want. But refusing to talk isn’t going to solve anything.
Brooke looks down. Larry remains standing nearby. The room becomes quiet again. After a few seconds, Brooke finally speaks.
BROOKE: I need time to think.
Larry nods slowly.
LARRY: Fine.
He keeps the keys and phone with him.
LARRY: Take your time.
Brooke looks at him.
BROOKE: But I still don’t want to go.
Larry doesn’t respond immediately. He looks toward Sara, then back at Brooke.
LARRY: We’ll talk about it again when everyone has calmed down.
Sara nods. The tension begins to settle. Brooke sits back down on the couch, frustrated and overwhelmed. Larry walks a few steps away. Sara watches both of them carefully. Nobody says another word.
FADE OUT.