BETHANY STOPS BROOKE’S MOVE TO CHICAGO — A CINEMATIC SCREENPLAY

SCENE 1 — BROOKE’S ROOM — EVENING

The room is quiet.

Brooke sits on the edge of her bed, surrounded by a few neatly packed bags. Clothes are folded carefully into a suitcase. A small notebook, some personal items, and a few documents are placed on the table.

She looks nervous, but there is excitement in her eyes.

Brooke checks her phone.

A message from Larry appears on the screen.

She reads it again.

Larry has promised to help her move to Chicago. He has offered to pay for her first three months of housing so she can get settled and begin working there.

Brooke smiles faintly.

BROOKE

I finally have a chance to start over.

She closes the suitcase.

For the first time in a long while, she looks hopeful.

But outside the room, Bethany walks down the hallway.

She stops when she hears Brooke talking on the phone.

BROOKE

Yes, Larry. I’m almost ready. I’ll be able to leave soon.

Bethany’s expression changes.

She slowly steps closer to the doorway.

BROOKE

I really appreciate what you’re doing for me. Chicago feels like the right place for a fresh start.

Bethany hears every word.

Her face becomes tense.

She turns away from the door and walks quickly toward the living room.

SCENE 2 — THE LIVING ROOM — EVENING

Bethany enters the room, visibly upset.

She takes out her phone and immediately calls Larry.

The phone rings.

Larry answers.

LARRY

Hey, Bethany. What’s going on?

Bethany doesn’t waste time.

BETHANY

Larry, I just found out that Brooke is getting ready to move to Chicago.

Larry pauses.

LARRY

Yes. She told me she wanted to go. I thought I could help her get settled.

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY

You cannot do this.

Larry remains calm.

LARRY

Why not?

Bethany folds her arms.

BETHANY

Because you’re wasting your money on her.

Larry is surprised by her words.

LARRY

Wasting my money?

BETHANY

Yes. You’re talking about paying for her housing for three months, helping her move, and supporting her while she gets started.

Bethany takes a breath.

BETHANY

If Brooke wants to study or work, she can do that right here. She doesn’t need to go all the way to Chicago.

Larry listens quietly.

Bethany’s voice becomes firmer.

BETHANY

Don’t send Brooke to Chicago. Don’t waste your money on this.

Larry looks thoughtful.

LARRY

Bethany, Brooke believes Chicago could give her a new opportunity.

BETHANY

Then let her find that opportunity here.

Bethany walks across the room.

BETHANY

She can work here. She can build something here. If she really wants to do something with her life, she doesn’t need Chicago to do it.

Larry remains silent.

Bethany senses that he is listening.

SCENE 3 — LARRY’S OFFICE — NIGHT

Larry sits behind his desk, thinking about the situation.

He looks at the paperwork concerning Brooke’s move.

The Chicago address.

The housing information.

The estimated expenses.

He slowly leans back in his chair.

Bethany’s words continue to echo in his mind.

He picks up the phone again.

LARRY

Bethany, I understand what you’re saying.

Bethany listens.

LARRY

Maybe I was moving too quickly.

Bethany’s expression relaxes.

BETHANY

I’m only telling you because I don’t want you throwing money away.

Larry nods to himself.

LARRY

I know.

A long pause follows.

Then Larry makes his decision.

LARRY

I’ll talk to Brooke.

Bethany smiles.

BETHANY

Thank you, Larry.

Larry ends the call.

He looks at Brooke’s paperwork one more time.

Then he places it aside.

SCENE 4 — BROOKE’S ROOM — NIGHT

Brooke is still packing.

She places the last few things into her suitcase.

She looks at herself in the mirror.

BROOKE

Chicago.

She smiles.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door.

Brooke turns.

Larry stands in the doorway.

His expression is serious.

BROOKE

Larry? Is everything okay?

Larry steps inside.

He looks at the packed suitcase.

LARRY

Brooke, we need to talk about Chicago.

Brooke’s smile disappears.

BROOKE

What happened?

Larry takes a breath.

LARRY

I’ve decided that I can’t help you with the move anymore.

Brooke stares at him.

BROOKE

What?

Larry speaks gently.

LARRY

I’m not going to send you to Chicago or pay for the housing.

Brooke slowly sits down.

BROOKE

But you said you would help me.

LARRY

I know. And I meant it when I said it.

Brooke looks confused.

BROOKE

Then why are you changing your mind?

Larry hesitates.

LARRY

I’ve reconsidered the situation. I don’t think moving to Chicago is the right decision right now.

Brooke looks toward her suitcase.

BROOKE

I thought this was my chance.

Larry’s expression softens.

LARRY

I understand why you feel that way.

Brooke stands.

BROOKE

Did Bethany talk to you?

Larry remains quiet for a moment.

That silence tells Brooke everything.

Her face falls.

BROOKE

She did, didn’t she?

Larry doesn’t answer directly.

LARRY

Bethany was concerned about the money and the decision to move so far away.

Brooke looks disappointed.

BROOKE

So she changed your mind.

Larry shakes his head slightly.

LARRY

I made my own decision.

Brooke looks down.

The excitement she had felt only minutes earlier is gone.

SCENE 5 — HALLWAY — NIGHT

Bethany stands in the hallway.

She has heard the conversation.

Larry walks out of Brooke’s room.

Bethany looks at him.

BETHANY

Did you talk to her?

Larry nods.

LARRY

Yes.

BETHANY

And?

Larry looks serious.

LARRY

I told her I’m not sending her to Chicago.

Bethany exhales with relief.

BETHANY

Good.

Larry looks at her.

LARRY

But I hope we haven’t made this harder for her than it needed to be.

Bethany says nothing.

Larry walks away.

Bethany remains standing in the hallway.

For a moment, she looks toward Brooke’s closed bedroom door.

Inside, Brooke sits beside her packed suitcase.

The suitcase is ready.

The dream is not.

SCENE 6 — BROOKE’S ROOM — LATE NIGHT

Brooke slowly opens her suitcase.

She looks at everything she packed for Chicago.

She picks up a jacket and holds it against herself.

Her eyes fill with disappointment.

Then she wipes her face.

BROOKE

If Chicago isn’t happening…

She pauses.

BROOKE

…I’ll have to find another way.

She closes the suitcase.

This time, there is no smile on her face.

But there is determination in her eyes.

Outside, the house becomes quiet again.

Bethany believes she has protected Larry from wasting his money.

Larry believes he has made the responsible decision.

But Brooke is already thinking about what she will do next.

The fight over Chicago may be over.

But Brooke’s story is only beginning.

FADE OUT.