SHARRA ASKS BETHANY FOR HELP — BUT THE POLICE ARRIVE

INT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON

The house is quiet.

Bethany sits on the couch, looking through some papers on the coffee table. Her expression is serious.

A soft knock comes from the front door.

Bethany looks up.

She gets to her feet and walks toward the door.

When she opens it, Sharra is standing outside.

Sharra looks nervous.

She takes a breath before speaking.

BETHANY
Sharra?

What’s wrong? You look worried.

Sharra steps inside slowly.

She looks around before turning back toward Bethany.

SHARRA
Bethany, I really need your help.

Bethany closes the door.

BETHANY
Tell me what happened.

Sharra hesitates.

Her eyes begin to fill with emotion.

SHARRA
It’s about my mom.

Bethany’s expression changes.

She immediately becomes more serious.

BETHANY
Your mom?

What about her?

Sharra looks down at her hands.

SHARRA
I don’t know what to do anymore.

I’ve been trying to handle everything myself, but I can’t.

Bethany walks closer.

BETHANY
Sharra, slow down.

Just tell me what’s going on.

Sharra takes a deep breath.

SHARRA
Can you talk to Mr. Newburger?

Bethany looks surprised.

BETHANY
Mr. Newburger?

Why?

SHARRA
I need you to ask him if he can help me with my mom’s case.

Maybe he knows somebody who can help us.

Bethany studies Sharra’s face.

BETHANY
You really think Mr. Newburger can help?

Sharra nods.

SHARRA
I just need somebody to listen.

I don’t want my mom to be alone in this.

Bethany sits back down.

She gestures for Sharra to sit beside her.

BETHANY
Okay.

I’ll talk to him.

But you have to tell me everything.

Sharra sits down.

For a moment, neither woman speaks.

Then Sharra finally looks at Bethany.

SHARRA
There’s something else.

Bethany waits.

SHARRA
I want my mom to come here.

Bethany looks confused.

BETHANY
You want me to invite your mom here?

Sharra nods.

SHARRA
Please.

I need her here so we can talk about everything together.

Bethany thinks for a moment.

Then she picks up her phone.

BETHANY
Okay.

I’ll call her.

Sharra lets out a small breath of relief.

SHARRA
Thank you.

Bethany makes the call.

INT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER

Time passes.

Sharra sits nervously on the couch.

Bethany stands near the window.

A knock suddenly comes from the front door.

Both women look toward the entrance.

Sharra freezes.

SHARRA
That’s my mom.

Bethany walks to the door.

She opens it.

Sharra’s mother stands outside.

Bethany steps aside.

BETHANY
Come in.

Sharra’s mother enters the house.

She looks at Sharra.

SHARRA’S MOM
You wanted to talk to me?

Sharra stands.

SHARRA
Yes, Mom.

I need us to talk about the case.

Her mother looks uncomfortable.

SHARRA’S MOM
What exactly are you trying to say?

Sharra looks toward Bethany.

Bethany steps forward.

BETHANY
Sharra came to me because she needs help.

She asked me to speak with Mr. Newburger about her situation.

Sharra’s mother looks surprised.

SHARRA’S MOM
Mr. Newburger?

Why him?

SHARRA
Because I don’t know who else to ask.

I just want somebody to help us figure out what happens next.

Her mother looks at her daughter.

SHARRA’S MOM
You should have talked to me first.

SHARRA
Mom, I tried.

But everything keeps getting worse.

The room becomes tense.

Bethany watches them carefully.

Then she quietly reaches for her phone.

Sharra notices.

SHARRA
Bethany?

Bethany looks at her.

BETHANY
I think we need to handle this the right way.

Sharra’s mother immediately becomes concerned.

SHARRA’S MOM
What does that mean?

Bethany doesn’t answer immediately.

She makes a phone call.

INT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Sharra looks shocked when she realizes Bethany has called the police.

SHARRA
Bethany…

What did you do?

Bethany remains calm.

BETHANY
I called the police because this situation needs to be handled properly.

Sharra looks between Bethany and her mother.

SHARRA
I asked you to help me.

I didn’t ask you to do this.

Bethany walks toward her.

BETHANY
I know.

But sometimes helping someone means making sure the situation is handled safely and legally.

Sharra’s mother stands up.

SHARRA’S MOM
You had no right to call the police!

Bethany keeps her distance.

BETHANY
I’m not here to argue with you.

The police are coming, and you’ll have a chance to explain your side.

Sharra looks overwhelmed.

SHARRA
Mom…

Her mother turns toward her.

SHARRA’S MOM
Sharra, you brought me here.

Sharra’s face falls.

SHARRA
I only wanted help.

A police siren can be heard approaching from outside.

Everyone becomes silent.

EXT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – MOMENTS LATER

Two police officers arrive at the house.

Bethany opens the door.

The officers step inside.

Sharra stands near the living room, visibly nervous.

Her mother remains beside the couch.

One of the officers speaks calmly.

OFFICER
Ma’am, we need to speak with you about the matter that was reported.

Sharra’s mother looks at Bethany.

SHARRA’S MOM
This is unbelievable.

Bethany says nothing.

Sharra looks down.

The officer asks Sharra’s mother to come with them.

She hesitates.

SHARRA’S MOM
Sharra?

Sharra slowly looks up.

SHARRA
Mom…

Her voice breaks.

SHARRA
I’m sorry.

Sharra’s mother looks hurt.

SHARRA’S MOM
You should have told me what was happening.

Sharra wipes her eyes.

SHARRA
I thought Bethany could help us.

Bethany looks at Sharra.

BETHANY
I was trying to help.

The officers escort Sharra’s mother toward the door.

Sharra follows a few steps behind.

Then she stops.

She watches her mother leave.

The front door closes.

Silence fills the room.

Sharra turns toward Bethany.

Her expression is a mixture of confusion, sadness, and disbelief.

SHARRA
I asked you to help me with my mom’s case.

Bethany takes a breath.

BETHANY
And I did what I thought was necessary.

Sharra looks toward the closed door.

SHARRA
But now she’s gone with the police.

Bethany walks over and gently puts a hand on Sharra’s shoulder.

BETHANY
This isn’t over, Sharra.

There will be a chance for your mom to explain her side.

Sharra says nothing.

She continues staring at the door.

Outside, the police car slowly drives away.

Sharra stands completely still.

Bethany remains beside her.

The situation has changed everything.

And now, Sharra has to face what happens next.

FADE OUT.