MARIAH REFUSES TO STAY AT ISAIAH’S HOUSE

SCENE 1 — ARRIVAL

EXT. ISAIAH’S HOUSE — LATE AFTERNOON

The sun hangs low in the sky as Mariah’s car slowly comes to a stop outside Isaiah’s house.

Mariah steps out, carrying her handbag and looking around with curiosity.

She expected a comfortable place.

Instead, she finds an old, worn-down house that looks as though it has been neglected for years.

The walls are faded. The front steps are cracked. The yard is untidy, and several old items are scattered around the entrance.

Mariah’s expression immediately changes.

She stares at the house in disbelief.

Isaiah walks toward her with a hopeful smile.

ISAIAH

Mariah, you finally made it.

Mariah doesn’t answer.

She continues staring at the house.

Her smile disappears completely.

MARIAH

This is your house?

Isaiah looks back at the house.

He seems confused by her reaction.

ISAIAH

Yeah. This is where I live.

Mariah slowly shakes her head.

MARIAH

You never told me it was like this.

Isaiah sighs.

ISAIAH

I didn’t think the house would matter that much.

Mariah looks at him in disbelief.

MARIAH

How can you say that? I can’t believe I’m supposed to stay here.

Isaiah takes a step closer.

ISAIAH

Mariah, just give it a chance.

Mariah lets out a frustrated laugh.

MARIAH

A chance? Isaiah, this place looks like a ruin.

Isaiah lowers his eyes, clearly embarrassed.

SCENE 2 — MARIAH MAKES A DEMAND

INT. ISAIAH’S HOUSE — MOMENTS LATER

Mariah walks inside.

The interior is just as old and basic as the outside.

The furniture is worn. The walls are plain. There is nothing luxurious about the place.

Mariah slowly looks from one side of the room to the other.

Her disappointment turns into anger.

She puts her handbag down.

MARIAH

No.

Isaiah looks at her.

ISAIAH

What?

Mariah turns toward him.

MARIAH

I’m not staying here.

Isaiah takes a step closer.

ISAIAH

Mariah, calm down.

MARIAH

No, Isaiah. You need to understand me. I cannot live in this place.

She gestures toward the room.

MARIAH

Get me a hotel room. I want a proper room. I am not sleeping in this rundown house.

Isaiah looks stunned.

ISAIAH

A hotel room?

MARIAH

Yes. I want a proper room.

Isaiah shakes his head.

ISAIAH

Mariah, I don’t have that kind of money.

Mariah’s expression hardens.

MARIAH

That’s not my problem.

Isaiah looks hurt by her words.

ISAIAH

I’m doing the best I can.

MARIAH

Then do better.

SCENE 3 — ISAIAH EXPLAINS

Isaiah takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

ISAIAH

Mariah, listen to me. I live here. This is my home. I know it’s not perfect, but this is what I can afford.

Mariah looks away.

ISAIAH

I don’t have the budget to pay for a hotel room for you. If you want to stay with me, you’re going to have to adjust.

Mariah slowly turns toward him.

Her eyes fill with frustration.

MARIAH

Adjust? You want me to adjust to this?

ISAIAH

Yes. For now.

Mariah shakes her head.

MARIAH

No, Isaiah. I’m not going to pretend I’m comfortable when I’m not.

Isaiah looks disappointed.

ISAIAH

I never asked you to pretend. I only asked you to understand my situation.

Mariah shakes her head.

MARIAH

I understand it perfectly. You can’t give me the life I want.

SCENE 4 — MARIAH WALKS AWAY

Mariah grabs her handbag.

Isaiah immediately realizes what she is about to do.

ISAIAH

Mariah, where are you going?

She walks toward the door.

MARIAH

I’m leaving.

ISAIAH

Wait.

Mariah doesn’t stop.

Isaiah follows her.

ISAIAH

Mariah, please.

She opens the front door.

MARIAH

I came here thinking things would be different. But I can’t stay here.

Isaiah steps in front of her.

ISAIAH

Give me some time. I’ll figure something out.

Mariah looks at him angrily.

MARIAH

You already told me you can’t afford a hotel.

She tries to walk past him.

Isaiah gently reaches out, trying to stop her.

ISAIAH

Mariah, don’t go.

Mariah pulls her arm back.

MARIAH

Isaiah, let me go.

Isaiah freezes.

SCENE 5 — THE FINAL DECISION

Mariah walks down the front steps.

Isaiah follows her outside.

ISAIAH

Mariah!

She stops for a moment but doesn’t turn around.

ISAIAH

Please don’t leave like this.

Mariah slowly turns toward him.

Her face is filled with anger and disappointment.

MARIAH

What do you expect me to do? Stay somewhere I don’t want to be?

Isaiah looks down.

ISAIAH

I just wanted you to stay with me.

Mariah’s expression softens for a brief second.

But then she remembers the house.

Her frustration returns.

MARIAH

I can’t do this.

Isaiah takes another step toward her.

ISAIAH

So you’re really leaving?

Mariah nods.

MARIAH

Yes.

Isaiah’s eyes widen.

ISAIAH

Where will you go?

Mariah looks directly at him.

MARIAH

Back to Atlanta.

Isaiah is stunned.

ISAIAH

Atlanta?

Mariah picks up her luggage.

MARIAH

Yes. I’m going back to Atlanta. But I’m not staying here.

She takes a step toward her car.

ISAIAH

Mariah, please think about this.

Mariah stops one final time.

She looks back at him.

MARIAH

I have already thought about it.

She wipes away a tear of frustration.

MARIAH

But I’m not staying here.

Isaiah stands silently.

Mariah opens the car door.

ISAIAH

Mariah…

She looks at him one last time.

MARIAH

I’m sorry, Isaiah. But I can’t live like this.

Mariah gets into the car.

Isaiah watches helplessly as she starts the engine.

The car slowly pulls away from the house.

Isaiah remains standing alone at the front steps.

He watches Mariah disappear down the road.

The old house becomes quiet again.

Isaiah looks around.

For the first time, the place feels even more empty than before.

He lowers his head.

ISAIAH

I just wanted her to stay.

The camera slowly pulls back.

Isaiah stands alone outside the worn-down house as the evening light fades.

FADE OUT.

TO BE CONTINUED…