MR. NEW BURGER DISCOVERS BETHANY IS MISSING — HE BRINGS THE POLICE TO ARREST LARRY!

SCENE 1 — MR. NEW BURGER’S HOUSE — MORNING

The morning is unusually quiet.

Mr. New Burger stands near the living room window, holding his phone. He has called Bethany several times, but she has not answered.

His face fills with worry. He knows Bethany would never disappear without telling him something.

MR. NEW BURGER

Why isn’t she answering my calls? Bethany always lets me know where she is.

He tries calling her again. The phone rings, but nobody answers.

MR. NEW BURGER

Something isn’t right. I need to find out what’s happening before it’s too late.

He grabs his keys and walks toward the front door. Before leaving, he calls one of his relatives, hoping they might know where Bethany has gone.

MR. NEW BURGER

Have you heard from Bethany today?

RELATIVE (ON PHONE)

No, I haven’t spoken to her. Is everything okay?

MR. NEW BURGER

I don’t know. She’s not answering, and I can’t find her anywhere.

He ends the call, his concern growing. There is only one person he believes might know something about Bethany’s disappearance.

Larry.

SCENE 2 — OUTSIDE LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — LATE MORNING

Mr. New Burger arrives outside Larry’s house. He walks toward the front door and knocks firmly.

After several moments, Larry opens it. He looks surprised to see him.

LARRY

Mr. New Burger? What are you doing here?

MR. NEW BURGER

I’m looking for Bethany. Where is she?

Larry hesitates.

LARRY

She’s not here right now.

MR. NEW BURGER

What do you mean she’s not here? Where did she go?

LARRY

I don’t know. She left.

Mr. New Burger stares at him, trying to understand his answer.

MR. NEW BURGER

She left without telling anybody where she was going?

LARRY

You’ll have to ask her yourself when she comes back.

Mr. New Burger steps closer to the doorway.

MR. NEW BURGER

I’ve been calling her all morning. She isn’t answering her phone. Nobody I’ve spoken to knows where she is, and now you’re telling me you don’t know anything?

Larry’s expression hardens.

LARRY

I’m telling you what I know. I can’t force her to stay in this house.

MR. NEW BURGER

I’m not asking you to force her to stay! I’m asking you to tell me what happened between you two.

Larry looks away. That small reaction makes Mr. New Burger even more suspicious.

MR. NEW BURGER

Look me in the eyes, Larry.

Larry reluctantly looks at him.

MR. NEW BURGER

Did you and Bethany have another argument?

LARRY

That’s none of your business.

Mr. New Burger shakes his head in disbelief.

MR. NEW BURGER

She’s my daughter. If she’s missing and nobody knows where she is, it absolutely is my business!

LARRY

I don’t have to explain every problem in my marriage to you.

MR. NEW BURGER

And I don’t have to stand here pretending everything is fine when my daughter has disappeared!

Mr. New Burger turns away, but before leaving, he looks back at Larry.

MR. NEW BURGER

If something has happened to Bethany, Larry, I will do everything I can to find out the truth.

He walks toward his car. Larry watches him leave, his face tense.

SCENE 3 — MR. NEW BURGER’S CAR — MOMENTS LATER

Mr. New Burger sits behind the steering wheel, struggling to control his emotions. He looks at a photograph of Bethany on his phone.

MR. NEW BURGER

Where are you, sweetheart? Please be safe.

He wipes his eyes and starts the engine. After a moment of hesitation, he takes out his phone and calls the police.

MR. NEW BURGER

Hello, I need to report that my daughter is missing. I’ve tried contacting her, but nobody can tell me where she is.

He listens carefully.

MR. NEW BURGER

Her name is Bethany. I went to her house, and her husband, Larry, says she isn’t there. Something about this situation doesn’t feel right to me.

He pauses before continuing.

MR. NEW BURGER

I’m worried something may have happened to her. I want someone to investigate and help me find her.

The officer asks him to provide more information.

MR. NEW BURGER

I’ll cooperate with everything you need. Please, just help me find my daughter.

He ends the call and grips the steering wheel. His fear is no longer something he can ignore.

SCENE 4 — POLICE STATION — AFTERNOON

Mr. New Burger sits across from two police officers in a small interview room. A photograph of Bethany lies on the table.

One officer writes down the information while the other listens.

OFFICER 1

When was the last time you personally saw your daughter?

MR. NEW BURGER

It’s been a little while, but we usually stay in contact. Today, I couldn’t reach her at all.

OFFICER 2

And you believe her husband knows more than he’s telling you?

Mr. New Burger leans forward.

MR. NEW BURGER

I can’t prove that. But when I asked him where Bethany was, he couldn’t give me a clear answer. He didn’t seem concerned about finding her.

OFFICER 1

Did he threaten her or tell you that he had harmed her?

MR. NEW BURGER

No, not directly. But I know my daughter. Something is wrong, and I want you to take this seriously.

The officers exchange a glance.

OFFICER 2

We’ll need to speak with Larry and establish the facts. We cannot assume he’s responsible without evidence.

Mr. New Burger nods, although his anxiety remains.

MR. NEW BURGER

Then come with me. I’ll show you exactly where he lives.

The officers gather their paperwork and stand.

OFFICER 1

All right. We’ll go there and speak with him.

MR. NEW BURGER

Thank you. Please understand that I’m not doing this because I want revenge. I just want my daughter back.

SCENE 5 — LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — AFTERNOON

A police vehicle pulls into the driveway. Larry is standing near the front window when he notices the officers getting out.

His expression changes. Mr. New Burger steps out behind them.

Larry opens the front door before the officers can knock.

LARRY

What’s going on? Why are the police here?

MR. NEW BURGER

You tell me, Larry! Where is Bethany?

LARRY

I already told you. She’s not here!

MR. NEW BURGER

And I already told you that nobody can find her!

One of the officers steps forward.

OFFICER 1

Sir, we’re investigating a missing-person report concerning Bethany. We need to ask you some questions.

LARRY

Then ask your questions. I haven’t done anything wrong.

Mr. New Burger points toward Larry, his voice trembling with anger.

MR. NEW BURGER

Officer, this is the man I’ve been telling you about! His wife is missing, and he keeps telling me he doesn’t know where she is. What if he’s done something to Bethany?

Larry’s eyes widen.

LARRY

Are you serious? You’re accusing me of hurting my own wife?

MR. NEW BURGER

I’m saying I don’t know what happened to her, and you aren’t giving me any answers!

LARRY

Because I don’t have the answers you’re looking for!

The officers move between the two men before the argument escalates.

OFFICER 2

Both of you, calm down. Mr. New Burger, let us handle this.

He turns toward Larry.

OFFICER 2

Larry, we need you to come with us so we can clarify the circumstances surrounding Bethany’s disappearance.

LARRY

Am I under arrest?

OFFICER 1

We’ll explain your legal status and the next steps. Right now, we need your cooperation.

Larry looks toward Mr. New Burger.

LARRY

You really think I would do something to Bethany?

Mr. New Burger’s eyes fill with tears.

MR. NEW BURGER

I don’t want to believe that. She’s my daughter, Larry. I don’t know where she is, and I’m terrified that something has happened to her.

Larry’s expression briefly softens, but the anger returns just as quickly.

LARRY

Then help me find her instead of treating me like a criminal!

MR. NEW BURGER

I’ve been trying to find her all day! What else am I supposed to do?

The officers instruct Larry to accompany them. Larry reluctantly steps outside with the police. Mr. New Burger follows, watching him closely.

SCENE 6 — LARRY’S DRIVEWAY — CONTINUOUS

Neighbors begin watching from their windows as the officers escort Larry toward the police vehicle. Larry looks humiliated and furious.

Mr. New Burger stands several feet away, unable to hide his distress.

LARRY

I hope you’re happy now. You’ve brought the police to my home and made everyone think I’m responsible for my wife’s disappearance.

MR. NEW BURGER

I don’t care what the neighbors think! I care about Bethany!

LARRY

And what about me? Has anybody even stopped to ask how I’m feeling?

Mr. New Burger looks at him in disbelief.

MR. NEW BURGER

Your wife is missing, and you’re worried about your reputation?

LARRY

You don’t understand anything about our marriage!

MR. NEW BURGER

Then explain it to the police! Tell them what happened. Tell them where she went. Tell them anything that can help us find her!

Larry falls silent. The officer opens the vehicle door.

OFFICER 1

Larry, it’s time to go.

Larry looks back at the house. For a brief moment, he seems to want to say something, but he changes his mind.

He gets into the police vehicle. Mr. New Burger watches the door close.

MR. NEW BURGER

Please, God. Let my daughter be safe.

The police vehicle pulls away from the house. Mr. New Burger remains in the driveway, staring after it.

He has taken the first step toward getting answers, but he still has no idea where Bethany is.

SCENE 7 — POLICE STATION — EVENING

Larry sits in an interview room while an officer places a notepad on the table. Mr. New Burger waits outside, pacing anxiously.

OFFICER 2

Larry, we need you to walk us through your last interaction with Bethany. When did you last see her, and what happened?

LARRY

We had problems. We argued, like married couples sometimes do. But I never imagined she would disappear like this.

OFFICER 2

What was the argument about?

Larry hesitates.

LARRY

Our marriage. Things haven’t been good between us lately.

OFFICER 2

Did she tell you she was leaving?

Larry lowers his eyes.

LARRY

She was upset. But I didn’t think she would leave without telling anyone where she was going.

The officer studies his face.

OFFICER 2

Is there anything else you think we should know?

Larry shakes his head.

LARRY

I want to find her, too. Whatever you think of me, Bethany is my wife.

Outside the room, Mr. New Burger hears the last sentence through the partially opened door. He stops pacing.

For the first time that day, he wonders whether his fear has caused him to judge Larry too quickly. But he still cannot bring himself to trust him.

SCENE 8 — POLICE STATION CORRIDOR — NIGHT

An officer approaches Mr. New Burger. He immediately stands.

MR. NEW BURGER

Did he tell you where she is?

OFFICER 1

Not yet. We’re still gathering information, and we need to follow up on several details.

MR. NEW BURGER

So you still haven’t found my daughter?

OFFICER 1

Not yet. We’ll continue investigating her disappearance.

Mr. New Burger sits down heavily.

MR. NEW BURGER

I should have known something was wrong. I should have kept checking on her.

OFFICER 1

You did the right thing by reporting her missing. We’ll do everything we can within the investigation to locate her.

The officer returns to the interview room. Mr. New Burger takes Bethany’s photograph from his pocket and looks at it.

MR. NEW BURGER

Bethany, wherever you are, please come home. Your father is waiting for you.

Inside the interview room, Larry sits alone, staring at the table.

Outside, Mr. New Burger continues waiting for news. Neither man knows where Bethany is.

And until she is found, the questions surrounding her disappearance will continue to haunt them both.