SCENE 1 — ANTHONY’S LIVING ROOM
The house is unusually quiet. Anthony walks slowly across the living room, looking distracted and deeply concerned.
D’Nisha notices his expression from across the room.
D’NISHA
Anthony, what’s wrong?
Anthony looks at her but doesn’t answer immediately.
ANTHONY
It’s Shayla.
D’NISHA
Shayla? Why are you so worried about Shayla?
Anthony explains that he is concerned about everything Shayla has been dealing with involving Iman.
SCENE 2 — D’NISHA QUESTIONS ANTHONY
D’Nisha becomes increasingly frustrated as Anthony continues explaining his concern.
D’NISHA
Anthony, why do you care about Shayla this much?
ANTHONY
Because I know what she’s going through.
D’NISHA
And what about what I’m going through?
Anthony becomes quiet.
D’NISHA
You can feel bad for her without getting involved.
ANTHONY
I’m only trying to help.
D’Nisha turns away, clearly upset.
SCENE 3 — ANTHONY MAKES THE CALL
Anthony picks up his phone despite D’Nisha asking him not to call Shayla.
D’NISHA
Anthony, don’t call her.
ANTHONY
I need to know if she’s okay.
Anthony calls Shayla.
ANTHONY
Shayla, are you okay?
After listening to her, Anthony becomes even more concerned.
ANTHONY
You don’t have to handle everything alone. Come over. We can talk.
SCENE 4 — SHAYLA ARRIVES
A short while later, a car pulls up outside.
Anthony opens the front door. Shayla steps inside looking tired and emotional.
ANTHONY
Shayla, come sit down.
SHAYLA
Anthony… I don’t even know how I feel right now.
Anthony listens carefully as Shayla begins talking about what happened with Iman.
SHAYLA
I trusted him. That’s what hurts the most.
SCENE 5 — ANTHONY COMFORTS SHAYLA
Anthony looks at Shayla with concern.
ANTHONY
Shayla, you didn’t deserve to be treated like that.
ANTHONY
Iman shouldn’t have treated you that way. He did you very wrong.
Shayla’s eyes fill with tears.
SHAYLA
I just wanted somebody to care.
ANTHONY
You deserve to be treated with respect.
Shayla reaches for Anthony’s hand and begins crying.
SHAYLA
Thank you for listening to me.
ANTHONY
You’re going to get through this.
SCENE 6 — D’NISHA SEES THEM
Upstairs, D’Nisha hears voices from downstairs.
She slowly walks out of her room and heads toward the living room.
When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she sees Anthony holding Shayla’s hand and comforting her.
D’Nisha freezes. Her expression immediately changes.
SHAYLA
D’Nisha…
D’Nisha doesn’t answer.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, listen.
D’NISHA
I don’t want to hear it.
SCENE 7 — THE CONFRONTATION
The room becomes tense.
D’NISHA
I told you this would happen.
ANTHONY
I was trying to comfort her.
D’NISHA
And you had to hold her hand?
ANTHONY
Nothing happened.
D’NISHA
I didn’t say something happened. I’m saying I don’t like what I just saw.
Shayla looks uncomfortable and steps back.
SHAYLA
D’Nisha, nothing happened.
SCENE 8 — SHAYLA DECIDES TO LEAVE
Shayla picks up her purse.
SHAYLA
I don’t want to cause problems between you two.
ANTHONY
Shayla, you don’t have to leave because of this.
SHAYLA
I didn’t come here for this.
Shayla looks at Anthony one last time before walking toward the door.
SHAYLA
Thank you for listening.
The door closes behind her.
SCENE 9 — AFTER SHAYLA LEAVES
Anthony turns toward D’Nisha.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, I understand why you were upset.
D’NISHA
I just don’t want to feel like I’m competing with anybody.
ANTHONY
You aren’t.
D’NISHA
Then don’t make me feel that way.
Anthony looks down and quietly nods.
ANTHONY
I’m sorry.
SCENE 10 — THE NEXT MORNING
The next morning, Anthony sits quietly at the kitchen table.
D’Nisha walks into the kitchen. The tension from the previous night is still there.
ANTHONY
About last night… I understand why you were upset.
D’NISHA
I don’t want to feel like I’m competing with anybody.
ANTHONY
You aren’t.
Suddenly, Anthony’s phone begins to ring.
He looks at the screen.
ANTHONY
Hello?
Anthony listens. His expression slowly changes.
ANTHONY
What do you mean?
D’Nisha watches him carefully.
D’NISHA
Anthony… what did he say?
Anthony looks at D’Nisha but doesn’t answer.
Whatever Iman has told him appears to change everything.