SCENE 1 — SHARRA’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — EVENING

The house is unusually quiet.

Brooke stands near the couch with her phone in her hand. Her face is determined, but there is tension in her eyes.

Sharra stands across from her, clearly frustrated.

Brooke, I already told you. You are not going to Philly.

Brooke looks down for a moment.

She takes a deep breath.

I heard you, Sharra.

Sharra waits for her to continue.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to change my mind.

Sharra’s expression hardens.

What are you saying?

Brooke looks directly at her.

I’m saying I’m going.

Sharra shakes her head.

No. You’re not.

Brooke slowly stands up straighter.

No matter what happens, I’m going to Philly.

The room falls silent.

Sharra stares at Brooke, unable to believe what she just heard.

You’re going against my decision?

Brooke nods.

I have to.

Sharra turns away, trying to control her anger.

I already made up my mind.

Sharra turns back toward her.

Then you’re not listening to anything I’m saying.

Brooke’s eyes begin to fill with emotion.

I just want to go.

Go to your room.

Brooke hesitates.

Then she walks away.

Sharra remains standing in the living room, visibly upset.

SCENE 2 — BROOKE’S ROOM — EVENING

Brooke enters her room and closes the door.

She sits on the edge of her bed.

Her phone rests beside her.

She looks at the Philly ticket on the table.

A small smile appears on her face.

She picks up the ticket and looks at it carefully.

I’m really going.

She holds the ticket close to herself.

For Brooke, the trip means more than just visiting Philly.

It feels like a chance to finally make her own decision.

Outside the room, footsteps approach.

Brooke quickly puts the ticket back down.

The door opens slightly.

Sharra appears.

Brooke?

What?

Sharra walks into the room.

Her eyes move around the room.

Then she notices something on the table.

The Philly ticket.

Sharra stops.

Her expression changes immediately.

She walks toward the table.

Sharra…

Sharra picks up the ticket.

So you really bought the ticket.

Brooke steps closer.

Please. I just want to go.

After everything I told you?

Brooke reaches for the ticket.

Sharra pulls it away.

Please, give that back.

Sharra walks toward the door.

Brooke follows her.

Sharra, please!

Sharra doesn’t answer.

She walks out of the room with the ticket in her hand.

SCENE 3 — LIVING ROOM — MOMENTS LATER

Sharra walks into the living room.

Brooke follows behind her, becoming increasingly worried.

Please listen to me.

Sharra places the ticket in her hand.

She looks at it one more time.

Brooke stands several feet away.

I promise I’ll be careful.

Sharra remains silent.

Brooke takes another step forward.

Please don’t ruin this for me.

Sharra looks toward the kitchen.

She walks inside.

Sharra, what are you doing?

Sharra opens a drawer.

She takes out a lighter.

Brooke freezes.

Her eyes widen.

No.

Sharra walks back into the living room.

Brooke realizes what Sharra is about to do.

Please don’t do this.

Please!

Brooke’s voice breaks.

That’s my ticket.

Sharra looks at her.

I told you that you weren’t going.

Brooke begins crying.

I’ll listen to you. I’ll do whatever you want.

Sharra doesn’t move.

Just please give it back.

Sharra looks at the ticket.

Then she looks at Brooke.

The tension in the room becomes unbearable.

SCENE 4 — LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Sharra makes her decision.

She uses the lighter on the ticket.

Brooke immediately breaks down.

Please! Don’t do that!

Brooke moves forward, crying.

Please, Sharra! Please!

Sharra keeps her distance.

The ticket is destroyed.

Brooke stares in disbelief.

Tears roll down her face.

Why would you do that?

Sharra looks at Brooke.

Because you weren’t listening to me.

Brooke shakes her head.

I was listening.

Her voice trembles.

I just wanted you to understand me.

Sharra takes a breath.

For a brief moment, her anger fades.

Brooke, sometimes I have to make the difficult decision.

Brooke looks at what remains of the ticket.

You didn’t have to destroy it.

You could have just talked to me.

Sharra turns toward her.

I tried talking to you.

Brooke cries harder.

And I told you I wanted to go.

A long silence follows.

Neither of them speaks.

SCENE 5 — LIVING ROOM — LATER

Brooke sits quietly on the couch.

Her eyes are red from crying.

Sharra stands near the window.

The anger between them has turned into silence.

Sharra finally turns around.

Brooke…

Brooke doesn’t look at her.

I don’t want to talk right now.

Sharra slowly walks closer.

I know you’re upset.

Brooke looks up.

Upset?

She pauses.

You destroyed the one thing that was getting me to Philly.

Sharra looks down.

I know.

Brooke wipes her tears.

You didn’t even give me a chance.

Sharra sits across from her.

I was angry.

Brooke looks away.

You were angry, so you made the decision for me.

Sharra doesn’t respond immediately.

The room becomes quiet again.

I thought I was doing what was necessary.

Brooke shakes her head.

It doesn’t feel that way.

Sharra looks at her.

I understand.

Brooke takes a deep breath.

I still want to go.

Sharra knows Brooke hasn’t changed her mind.

She looks toward the floor.

Brooke…

Brooke stands.

I’m not giving up that easily.

Sharra watches her walk toward the hallway.

Brooke stops at the doorway.

She turns around.

You can take the ticket away.

A pause.

But you can’t make me stop wanting to go.

Brooke walks into her room.

Sharra remains alone in the living room.