SHARRA BEGS BETHANY FOR HELP — BUT SHE STILL CAN’T GET ANY HELP
INT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
The house is quiet.
Bethany sits on the couch, sorting through a few papers on the coffee table. She looks tired but focused.
A knock comes from the front door.
Bethany looks up.
She walks over and opens it.
Sharra is standing outside.
Her face is filled with worry.
BETHANY
Sharra? What happened?
Sharra steps inside slowly.
She looks like she has been carrying the same problem for days.
SHARRA
Bethany, I really need your help.
Bethany closes the door.
BETHANY
Okay. Sit down. Tell me what’s going on.
Sharra sits on the edge of the couch.
She takes a deep breath.
SHARRA
It’s about my mom.
Bethany’s expression changes.
BETHANY
What about her?
SHARRA
Her case is getting worse, and we don’t know what to do anymore.
Bethany listens carefully.
SHARRA
I need somebody who can help us financially with the case. I was hoping you could talk to Mr. Newburger.
Bethany pauses.
BETHANY
Mr. Newburger?
SHARRA
Yes.
Sharra leans forward.
SHARRA
Please ask him to put some money into my mom’s case. We just need someone willing to help us get through this.
Bethany looks uncomfortable.
BETHANY
Sharra, you know I can talk to my dad, but I can’t promise anything.
Sharra immediately shakes her head.
SHARRA
Please, Bethany. I’m not asking you for the money.
Her voice begins to crack.
SHARRA
I’m asking you to talk to him.
Bethany looks at her.
BETHANY
I’ll call my dad.
Sharra nods, relieved.
Bethany picks up her phone and steps away from the couch.
She dials her father.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Then he answers.
BETHANY’S DAD
Hello?
BETHANY
Dad, I need to ask you something.
BETHANY’S DAD
What is it?
Bethany glances toward Sharra.
BETHANY
Sharra is here. She needs help with her mom’s case.
A pause.
BETHANY’S DAD
What kind of help?
BETHANY
She wants me to ask Mr. Newburger if he would put some money toward the case.
Her father immediately sounds hesitant.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, I don’t think that’s something he’s going to do.
Bethany frowns.
BETHANY
Dad, can you at least talk to him?
BETHANY’S DAD
I can ask, but I’m not going to pressure him.
Bethany looks at Sharra.
Sharra is watching her closely.
BETHANY
Please try.
BETHANY’S DAD
I’ll see what I can do.
The call ends.
Bethany puts the phone down.
Sharra stands.
SHARRA
What did he say?
BETHANY
He said he’ll ask.
Sharra exhales.
For a moment, she looks hopeful.
But that hope disappears when Bethany’s phone rings again.
Bethany answers.
BETHANY
Hello?
Her father speaks.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, I talked to him.
Bethany listens.
BETHANY
And?
BETHANY’S DAD
He’s not willing to put money into the case.
Bethany closes her eyes.
Sharra immediately notices her expression.
SHARRA
What happened?
Bethany slowly lowers the phone.
BETHANY
Dad said Mr. Newburger isn’t willing to pay for the case.
Sharra freezes.
SHARRA
What?
Bethany nods.
BETHANY
I’m sorry.
Sharra’s eyes fill with tears.
SHARRA
No, Bethany. Please.
She steps closer.
SHARRA
Please ask him again.
Bethany shakes her head gently.
BETHANY
Sharra, he already said no.
SHARRA
But my mom needs help!
Her voice rises.
SHARRA
What am I supposed to do?
Bethany tries to calm her.
BETHANY
I understand you’re scared.
SHARRA
You don’t understand!
Sharra begins crying.
SHARRA
I’m watching my mother go through all of this, and I don’t know how to help her.
Bethany remains silent.
Sharra reaches for Bethany’s hands.
SHARRA
Please.
She starts pleading.
SHARRA
Just call your dad one more time.
BETHANY
Sharra—
SHARRA
Please, Bethany!
Sharra drops to her knees in front of Bethany.
Bethany is shocked.
BETHANY
Sharra, get up.
SHARRA
I can’t lose this chance.
Sharra clasps her hands together.
SHARRA
Please help my mom.
Bethany looks down at her.
She is clearly overwhelmed by the situation.
BETHANY
You don’t have to beg me.
SHARRA
Then help me.
Bethany takes a breath.
BETHANY
I already asked my dad.
SHARRA
Ask him again.
Bethany becomes emotional.
BETHANY
Sharra, what do you want me to do? Force Mr. Newburger to pay?
Sharra looks up.
SHARRA
No.
Her voice is softer now.
SHARRA
I just want somebody to care enough to help.
Bethany sits down.
She looks at Sharra with sympathy.
BETHANY
I care.
SHARRA
Then please don’t give up on me.
Bethany looks toward her phone.
She knows there may not be anything else she can do.
Still, she picks it up.
She calls her father again.
He answers.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, I already told you.
BETHANY
Dad, I know.
She looks at Sharra.
BETHANY
But she’s here crying in front of me. She really needs help.
Her father sighs.
BETHANY’S DAD
I understand, but Mr. Newburger made his decision.
BETHANY
Can you please explain to him how serious this is?
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, I already spoke to him.
BETHANY
So there’s nothing you can do?
BETHANY’S DAD
Not if he doesn’t want to get involved financially.
Bethany becomes quiet.
BETHANY
Okay.
She ends the call.
Sharra looks at her.
SHARRA
He still said no?
Bethany nods.
BETHANY
Yes.
Sharra wipes her tears.
SHARRA
I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Bethany reaches toward her.
BETHANY
We’ll figure out another way.
Sharra looks at her.
SHARRA
You really mean that?
BETHANY
Yes.
A long silence fills the room.
Sharra slowly stands.
She looks emotionally exhausted.
SHARRA
I’m sorry I came here and put all of this on you.
BETHANY
You didn’t put anything on me.
SHARRA
I just wanted someone to help my mom.
Bethany nods.
BETHANY
And I understand that.
Sharra walks toward the door.
Before leaving, she turns around.
SHARRA
Thank you for trying.
Bethany gives her a small nod.
BETHANY
I’m sorry it didn’t work out.
Sharra opens the door.
She pauses.
Her eyes fill with tears again.
SHARRA
I just hope I can find another way.
She walks outside.
Bethany watches her leave.
Then she slowly closes the door.
Bethany stands alone in the living room.
She looks down at her phone.
Her father’s words are still running through her mind.
Mr. Newburger had said no.
And Sharra’s mother still needed help.
Bethany takes a deep breath.
BETHANY
There has to be another way.
She looks toward the window.
Outside, Sharra walks away slowly.
The situation is far from over.