MARIA, HOPE AND FAITH — THE UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

SCENE 1 — MARIA’S HOUSE — MORNING

Soft morning sunlight fills the room.

Maria moves quickly around the house, gathering her things. A travel bag rests near the door.

Hope and Faith stand nearby, watching her prepare.

Maria checks her phone one more time.

She knows they need to leave soon.

MARIA

We should get going. If we leave now, we can reach Philly without wasting too much time.

Hope picks up her bag.

HOPE

Are you sure Isaiah is expecting all of us?

Maria pauses for a moment.

She looks at Hope, then at Faith.

MARIA

Isaiah knows I’m coming. I just don’t think he knows you two are coming with me.

Faith looks surprised.

FAITH

You never told him?

Maria shakes her head.

MARIA

No. I thought I would tell him when we got there.

Hope exchanges a quick glance with Faith.

HOPE

That could be a problem.

Maria gives a small, confident smile.

MARIA

Don’t worry. Isaiah will understand.

She picks up her bag.

The three women head toward the door.

None of them realize what is waiting for them in Philly.

SCENE 2 — ON THE ROAD TO PHILLY — DAY

The car moves steadily down the highway.

Maria sits in the front, looking ahead.

Hope and Faith sit in the back with their bags beside them.

The mood is calm, but there is a quiet uncertainty in the car.

Faith looks toward Maria.

FAITH

What if Isaiah’s family isn’t ready for three people?

Maria turns slightly.

MARIA

Isaiah knows I’m coming. That’s what matters.

Hope looks out the window.

HOPE

But his uncle might not know.

Maria becomes quiet.

For a moment, nobody speaks.

The road stretches ahead.

Maria takes a breath.

MARIA

We’ll deal with it when we get there.

The car continues toward Philly.

SCENE 3 — ISAIAH’S HOUSE — AFTERNOON

Isaiah’s house stands quietly on a residential street.

Inside, Isaiah’s uncle is busy with a few things around the house.

He has no idea that Maria is arriving with Hope and Faith.

He believes Maria is coming alone.

Outside, the car finally pulls up.

Maria steps out first.

Hope follows.

Then Faith steps out with her bag.

The three women stand together near the car.

Maria looks toward the house.

MARIA

We’re here.

Hope looks at the front door.

HOPE

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.

Faith nods.

Maria picks up her bag.

The three begin walking toward the entrance.

SCENE 4 — OUTSIDE ISAIAH’S HOUSE — CONTINUOUS

The front door suddenly opens.

Isaiah’s uncle steps outside.

He looks toward the street.

His expression immediately changes.

He sees Maria.

Then he notices Hope.

Then Faith.

He stops.

His face becomes serious.

He looks at the three women in disbelief.

Maria notices his reaction.

She slows down.

MARIA

Hello. We just arrived.

Isaiah’s uncle does not respond immediately.

His eyes remain fixed on Hope and Faith.

UNCLE

Wait.

Maria stops.

Hope and Faith exchange nervous looks.

The uncle walks a few steps toward them.

UNCLE

Who are they?

Maria looks at Hope and Faith.

MARIA

They came with me.

The uncle looks increasingly frustrated.

UNCLE

They came with you?

Maria nods.

MARIA

Yes. We were all going to Philly together.

The uncle shakes his head.

He clearly was not expecting this.

SCENE 5 — OUTSIDE THE HOUSE — MOMENTS LATER

The uncle takes a breath, trying to control his frustration.

UNCLE

Isaiah told me that Maria was coming.

Maria listens carefully.

UNCLE

He told me only Maria was coming here.

Hope lowers her eyes.

Faith remains silent.

Maria looks surprised.

MARIA

I understand, but they’re with me.

The uncle points toward the house.

UNCLE

That’s the problem.

Maria looks confused.

MARIA

What problem?

The uncle looks at Hope and Faith.

UNCLE

Isaiah never told me there would be two more girls coming with you.

Maria tries to remain calm.

MARIA

Maybe Isaiah forgot to mention it.

The uncle shakes his head.

UNCLE

This isn’t something that can simply be forgotten.

The atmosphere becomes tense.

Hope steps slightly closer to Maria.

HOPE

We didn’t mean to cause any trouble.

The uncle looks at her.

UNCLE

I’m not saying you came here to cause trouble.

He pauses.

UNCLE

But I have to think about the space in this house.

Faith speaks quietly.

FAITH

We can stay somewhere else if necessary.

Maria turns toward Faith.

She does not want the situation to become worse.

SCENE 6 — THE UNCLE’S DECISION — CONTINUOUS

The uncle looks toward the house.

He appears firm now.

UNCLE

Isaiah told me Maria was coming.

Maria nods.

UNCLE

He did not tell me Hope and Faith were coming too.

He turns toward Hope and Faith.

UNCLE

I’m sorry, but I cannot let both of you stay in this house.

Hope looks shocked.

HOPE

You won’t even let us come inside?

The uncle shakes his head.

UNCLE

There isn’t enough room.

Faith looks at Maria.

FAITH

Maria, maybe we should leave.

Maria looks uncomfortable.

She turns toward the uncle.

MARIA

Please understand. They came with me. I can’t just leave them outside.

The uncle responds firmly.

UNCLE

And I can’t change what Isaiah told me.

Maria takes a breath.

The tension grows.

SCENE 7 — A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION — AFTERNOON

Maria puts her bag down.

She wants to solve the problem calmly.

MARIA

Let’s call Isaiah.

The uncle looks at her.

UNCLE

Yes. Call him.

Maria takes out her phone.

Hope and Faith stand quietly beside her.

Maria starts the call.

The phone rings.

No answer.

She tries again.

Still nothing.

Maria lowers the phone.

MARIA

He isn’t answering.

The uncle folds his arms.

UNCLE

That’s exactly why this situation is difficult.

Hope looks worried.

HOPE

Maybe he doesn’t know we’re here.

Maria nods.

MARIA

That’s probably true.

Faith looks toward the road.

FAITH

Then maybe we should wait until Isaiah comes back.

The uncle remains firm.

UNCLE

You can wait somewhere else.

Maria looks at him.

MARIA

You really won’t let them inside?

The uncle shakes his head.

UNCLE

I already told you. There is no room.

He looks toward Hope and Faith.

UNCLE

I’m not trying to insult either of you. I simply cannot accommodate everyone.

Hope nods slowly.

HOPE

We understand.

SCENE 8 — HOPE AND FAITH STEP BACK — DAY

Hope picks up her bag.

Faith does the same.

Maria watches them.

She looks upset that things have turned out this way.

MARIA

I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this.

Hope gives Maria a reassuring look.

HOPE

It’s not your fault.

Faith nods.

FAITH

We’ll figure something out.

The uncle watches quietly.

For a moment, nobody knows what to say.

Maria looks toward the house.

She had expected a completely different welcome.

Instead, their arrival has created an unexpected problem.

SCENE 9 — MARIA CONFRONTS THE SITUATION — LATER

Maria turns back toward the uncle.

Her voice remains respectful, but she is clearly frustrated.

MARIA

I understand that Isaiah told you I was coming alone.

She pauses.

MARIA

But Hope and Faith are important to me. I didn’t want to leave them behind.

The uncle listens.

UNCLE

I understand that.

MARIA

Then please give us a little time.

The uncle considers her words.

UNCLE

I can give you time to contact Isaiah.

Maria nods.

MARIA

Thank you.

Hope and Faith stand beside her.

The tension has not disappeared, but the conversation has become calmer.

Maria looks at her phone again.

She waits for Isaiah to call back.

SCENE 10 — AN UNEXPECTED TURN — EVENING

The sun begins to lower.

The three women remain outside.

Maria looks down the street.

Hope stands beside her.

Faith checks her phone.

Suddenly, Maria’s phone rings.

She looks at the screen.

Her expression changes.

MARIA

It’s Isaiah.

Everyone becomes quiet.

Maria answers.

MARIA

Isaiah?

She listens.

Her eyes move toward his uncle.

MARIA

We just arrived.

A pause.

MARIA

Yes. Hope and Faith are with me.

She listens again.

Her expression becomes uncertain.

MARIA

Your uncle is here.

The uncle looks at Maria.

Maria listens carefully.

Whatever Isaiah is saying appears to surprise her.

MARIA

Okay. I understand.

She ends the call.

Hope immediately looks at her.

HOPE

What did he say?

Maria remains silent for a moment.

Faith steps closer.

FAITH

Maria?

Maria looks toward them.

MARIA

Isaiah didn’t know we were all coming together.

The uncle nods.

UNCLE

That’s what I was saying.

Maria takes a deep breath.

MARIA

But Isaiah wants to talk to all of us.

The three women look at one another.

The situation is no longer just about a lack of space.

Something else may be coming.

SCENE 11 — OUTSIDE ISAIAH’S HOUSE — EVENING

The street grows quieter.

The uncle remains near the entrance.

Maria stands with Hope and Faith.

They wait.

HOPE

Do you think Isaiah is upset?

Maria looks thoughtful.

MARIA

I don’t know.

Faith looks toward the house.

FAITH

And what about his uncle?

Maria gives a small sigh.

MARIA

He already made his decision.

The uncle hears her.

UNCLE

My decision was based on what Isaiah told me.

Maria looks at him.

MARIA

I understand.

The uncle softens slightly.

UNCLE

I don’t have anything against you girls.

He pauses.

UNCLE

I just wasn’t prepared for this.

Hope nods.

HOPE

We understand.

For the first time, the tension begins to ease.

SCENE 12 — CLIFFHANGER — NIGHT

Maria looks at the road again.

A vehicle can be heard approaching in the distance.

Everyone turns toward the sound.

Maria watches carefully.

Hope and Faith stand beside her.

The uncle remains at the doorway.

The vehicle gets closer.

Maria’s expression becomes serious.

MARIA

I think Isaiah is coming.

Hope takes a breath.

HOPE

Then we’re finally going to find out what happens.

Faith looks at the uncle.

The uncle remains silent.

The vehicle stops nearby.

The door begins to open.

Maria looks toward Hope and Faith.

Then toward the house.

The unexpected arrival has created a problem nobody planned for.

And now, Isaiah is finally here to face it.

FADE OUT.