SCENE 1 — DAVE’S OFFICE

The afternoon is unusually quiet.

Dave’s office is organized, with paperwork spread across the desk and a few files waiting to be reviewed.

The door opens.

Wayne walks inside with a confident expression. Behind him is a young woman who has just been introduced as Dave’s new assistant.

DAVE

Who is this?

WAYNE

This is your new assistant.

Dave looks at the woman, then back at Wayne.

DAVE

My new assistant?

WAYNE

Yeah. I figured you needed somebody around here to help you handle things.

Dave leans back in his chair and studies Wayne for a moment.

DAVE

And you decided that for me?

WAYNE

Sometimes you gotta help your people make the right decisions.

Dave shakes his head.

DAVE

Man, I can handle my own business.

WAYNE

I know you can.

Wayne turns toward the assistant.

WAYNE

Just make sure you keep everything organized for him.

The assistant nods.

Dave returns his attention to his paperwork.

Wayne walks toward the door.

But before leaving, Wayne looks back at Dave. There is a strange look in his eyes. He knows exactly why he made this move.

SCENE 2 — WAYNE’S PRIVATE PLAN

A few minutes later, Wayne waits outside the office.

The assistant eventually walks out. Wayne gestures for her to follow him down the hallway.

They stop in a quiet area away from Dave.

WAYNE

I need you to understand something.

ASSISTANT

What do you mean?

Wayne looks toward Dave’s office to make sure nobody is watching.

WAYNE

Your job isn’t just about helping Dave with paperwork.

ASSISTANT

Then what is it?

WAYNE

I need you to keep Dave busy.

ASSISTANT

Busy doing what?

WAYNE

Keep him focused on work. Keep him occupied. And most importantly, keep him away from Amber.

ASSISTANT

Amber?

WAYNE

Yes. Amber.

WAYNE

I don’t want Dave spending too much time around her.

ASSISTANT

Why?

WAYNE

Because there’s too much going on between those two. And I need some distance between them.

SCENE 3 — THE SECRET CONVERSATION

Wayne continues explaining his plan.

WAYNE

When Dave wants to leave the office, give him something to handle. When he’s trying to go see Amber, remind him about work. Keep him occupied.

ASSISTANT

Wayne, this sounds like more than just helping Dave.

WAYNE

It is.

Wayne looks directly at her.

WAYNE

I have a reason for doing all this.

ASSISTANT

Your chance to do what?

WAYNE

To get Amber back.

The assistant looks shocked by Wayne’s confession.

WAYNE

I still care about Amber. I believe there’s still a part of her heart that remembers what we had.

WAYNE

I’m going to bring that love back into her heart.

ASSISTANT

But what about Dave?

WAYNE

That’s exactly why Dave has to stay out of the way.

SCENE 4 — DAVE AND AMBER ARRIVE

Neither Wayne nor the assistant notices that someone has entered the hallway behind them.

Dave and Amber have just arrived. They stop when they hear Wayne’s voice.

Dave signals Amber to remain quiet.

WAYNE

I don’t want Dave getting too close to Amber.

WAYNE

Create distance between them.

Dave’s expression immediately changes.

Amber looks stunned.

WAYNE

Make sure they don’t spend too much time together. Because when that distance starts growing, I’ll have an opportunity.

Amber becomes emotional after hearing Wayne’s words.

SCENE 5 — DAVE HEARS EVERYTHING

Dave finally steps forward.

DAVE

So that’s what this is about?

Wayne freezes.

The assistant turns around. Amber remains behind Dave.

WAYNE

Dave…

DAVE

Don’t “Dave” me.

DAVE

You hired an assistant for me just to keep me away from Amber?

WAYNE

You weren’t supposed to hear that conversation.

DAVE

But I did.

Amber looks at Wayne with a mixture of shock and emotion.

SCENE 6 — WAYNE’S CONFESSION

WAYNE

Amber, you need to understand something.

DAVE

She doesn’t need to understand anything from you.

WAYNE

I never stopped caring about you.

Amber’s eyes become emotional.

WAYNE

Maybe you moved on. Maybe you built a different life. But I never completely let go of what we had.

DAVE

That’s enough.

WAYNE

I wanted another chance.

DAVE

By trying to separate me and Amber?

WAYNE

I wanted some distance between you two.

SCENE 7 — AMBER GETS EMOTIONAL

Amber takes a small step forward.

AMBER

Why didn’t you just tell me how you felt?

WAYNE

Because I didn’t know if you’d listen.

Amber takes another step toward Wayne.

WAYNE

I just wanted another chance to show you that I still care.

Amber becomes overwhelmed by Wayne’s words and starts moving toward him.

SCENE 8 — DAVE STOPS AMBER

Before Amber can reach Wayne, Dave catches her hand and stops her.

AMBER

Dave…

DAVE

Don’t.

Amber pauses and looks at Dave.

DAVE

Think about what you just heard.

Amber looks back toward Wayne.

WAYNE

Amber, I’m not asking you to decide anything right now.

DAVE

Then stop trying to control everything around her.

SCENE 9 — THE CONFRONTATION

Dave keeps hold of Amber’s hand. Wayne looks at both of them.

WAYNE

You can stop me from talking to her. But you can’t control what she feels.

DAVE

And you can’t control her either.

AMBER

Both of you need to stop.

The hallway becomes silent.

AMBER

I’m not something either of you can fight over.

AMBER

If you have something to say to me, say it to me. Don’t create secret plans. Don’t put other people in the middle.

WAYNE

I understand.

DAVE

Then prove it.

SCENE 10 — THE UNEXPECTED TWIST

Amber looks at Wayne one more time.

AMBER

You really still feel that way about me?

WAYNE

Yes.

Dave looks away for a moment.

WAYNE

But I know I can’t force you to choose me.

Wayne takes a step back.

WAYNE