Bethany’s $20,000 Request

A Family Argument That Leaves Bethany Heartbroken

SCENE 1 — MR. NEWBURGER’S OFFICE

The afternoon is quiet inside Mr. Newburger’s office. Papers are spread across his desk as he works through several documents. Everything seems peaceful, but that peace is about to disappear.

The office door slowly opens.

Bethany walks inside. She looks serious and determined. She takes a deep breath before approaching her father.

MR. NEWBURGER
“Bethany? What are you doing here?”

Bethany walks closer to the desk.

BETHANY
“Dad, I need to talk to you about something important.”

Mr. Newburger puts his papers down and gives his daughter his full attention.

SCENE 2 — BETHANY REVEALS HER PLAN

Bethany takes a seat across from her father. For a moment, she remains quiet, trying to find the right words.

Finally, she tells him exactly what she wants.

BETHANY
“Dad, I want to start a business.”

Mr. Newburger raises his eyebrows. He clearly was not expecting that answer.

MR. NEWBURGER
“A business?”

Bethany nods.

BETHANY
“Yes. I have been thinking about it for a while. I think it could be good for me and Larry.”

Mr. Newburger leans back in his chair.

MR. NEWBURGER
“And what does this have to do with Larry?”

Bethany explains that Larry has been dealing with too many family problems and conflicts.

BETHANY
“Larry has so much going on right now. There are always problems, arguments, and family issues. I want him to have something productive to focus on.”

She pauses before continuing.

BETHANY
“If we start a business together, Larry can stay busy. He can focus on building something instead of getting caught up in all these unnecessary conflicts.”

SCENE 3 — THE $20,000 REQUEST

Bethany knows that she has reached the most important part of the conversation.

She looks directly at her father.

BETHANY
“Dad, that’s why I came here.”

Mr. Newburger waits for her to continue.

BETHANY
“I need $20,000 to get the business started.”

The room suddenly becomes silent.

Mr. Newburger stares at Bethany. His expression changes immediately.

MR. NEWBURGER
“Twenty thousand dollars?”

Bethany nods.

BETHANY
“Yes.”

SCENE 4 — MR. NEWBURGER REMINDS HER

Mr. Newburger slowly stands from his chair. His patience is already beginning to disappear.

MR. NEWBURGER
“Bethany, do you realize how much money you have already asked me for?”

Bethany tries to remain calm.

BETHANY
“Dad, this is different. This is an investment. I’m not asking you for money just to spend it. I want to build something.”

Mr. Newburger shakes his head.

MR. NEWBURGER
“You just had surgery, Bethany. And you came to me for money for that. I helped you when you needed it.”

Bethany looks down.

MR. NEWBURGER
“Larry didn’t give you that money. I was the one who helped you. And now you’re asking me for another $20,000?”

Bethany becomes emotional.

BETHANY
“I’m trying to do something positive, Dad.”

SCENE 5 — BETHANY TRIES TO CONVINCE HIM

Bethany refuses to give up.

She steps closer to her father and tries to make him understand why the business matters to her.

BETHANY
“Dad, please listen to me. This business could change things for Larry.”

Mr. Newburger remains silent.

BETHANY
“He wouldn’t have to spend all his time dealing with everyone else’s problems. He could focus on work. We could build something together. It could give us a fresh start.”

Mr. Newburger looks at her seriously.

MR. NEWBURGER
“I understand what you’re saying. But understanding you doesn’t mean I’m giving you $20,000.”

Bethany’s eyes begin to fill with tears.

BETHANY
“Why won’t you help me?”

MR. NEWBURGER
“Because I have already helped you.”

SCENE 6 — THE ARGUMENT ESCALATES

Bethany continues trying to change her father’s mind.

BETHANY
“Dad, I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t really need it.”

Mr. Newburger sighs.

MR. NEWBURGER
“You always have a reason.”

Bethany wipes away a tear.

BETHANY
“This isn’t about me wasting money. I’m trying to make my life better.”

MR. NEWBURGER
“Then make it better with your own resources.”

Bethany becomes increasingly emotional.

BETHANY
“Larry and I are trying to build a future. Why can’t you support us?”

Mr. Newburger looks at her in disbelief.

MR. NEWBURGER
“Bethany, I have supported you. But I’m not going to keep handing you money every time you decide you need something.”

SCENE 7 — MR. NEWBURGER SAYS ENOUGH

Bethany makes one final attempt to change her father’s mind.

BETHANY
“Dad, please. Just give me a chance.”

Mr. Newburger shakes his head.

MR. NEWBURGER
“No.”

Bethany looks shocked.

MR. NEWBURGER
“I am not giving you $20,000.”

Bethany’s voice becomes softer.

BETHANY
“Dad…”

Mr. Newburger interrupts her.

Bethany freezes.

She never expected her father to speak to her so harshly.

SCENE 8 — BETHANY WALKS OUT

Bethany slowly picks up her belongings.

She looks at her father one last time, hoping that he might change his mind.

BETHANY
“I just wanted you to believe in me.”

Mr. Newburger remains silent.

Bethany turns toward the door.

Tears begin falling down her face as she walks away.

She opens the office door slowly and steps into the hallway.

SCENE 9 — BETHANY’S EMOTIONAL EXIT

Bethany walks down the hallway while trying to hold back her tears.

She wipes her face, but the pain is obvious.

She had entered her father’s office believing that he might support her dream. Instead, she leaves without the money she came for and with her feelings deeply hurt.

Inside the office, Mr. Newburger remains standing behind his desk.

He looks toward the closed door.

For a moment, the anger on his face fades.

Outside, Bethany continues walking.

She takes a deep breath and quietly speaks to herself.

BETHANY
“I’ll figure something out.”

She wipes away another tear.

Although the conversation with her father has left her devastated, Bethany is not ready to abandon her plans.

She still wants to build a business with Larry. She still believes that keeping Larry busy with work could help him stay away from the constant conflicts surrounding the family.

But now, without her father’s financial support, she will have to find another way to make her plan happen.

THE STORY CONTINUES…

Bethany came looking for $20,000, but she left her father’s office in tears. Now the question is: what will she do next?