SCENE 1 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — AFTERNOON

The podcast studio is alive with conversation.

Cameras are being adjusted.

Microphones sit on the table.

AMBER sits nearby, reviewing some notes while WAYNE talks with LAUREN.

Lauren looks comfortable.

Wayne smiles as he listens to her.

The front door suddenly opens.

Dan walks inside.

He stops.

His eyes immediately land on Lauren.

His expression changes.

Shock turns into anger.

Lauren?

Lauren slowly turns around.

Her smile disappears.

Dan…

Dan looks from Lauren to Wayne.

He clearly does not like what he is seeing.

What are you doing here?

Lauren takes a nervous breath.

I came here to spend some time with Wayne.

Dan’s face becomes tense.

Spend some time with Wayne?

Wayne watches Dan carefully.

Amber also notices the sudden tension.

She puts her papers down.

SCENE 2 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — CONTINUOUS

Dan walks farther into the room.

His eyes remain fixed on Lauren.

So this is where you’ve been?

Lauren looks uncomfortable.

Dan, I can explain.

I don’t need an explanation.

He points toward the door.

You’re coming with me.

Lauren immediately shakes her head.

No.

The room becomes silent.

Wayne looks surprised.

Amber looks between them.

What did you just say?

I said I’m not leaving with you.

Dan’s anger grows.

Lauren, we’re leaving.

No, Dan. I don’t want to go.

Lauren takes a step back.

Dan takes a step forward.

Wayne immediately stands.

Dan, calm down.

Dan turns toward Wayne.

This doesn’t concern you.

Wayne remains calm.

It does when you walk into my studio and start yelling at Lauren.

Amber watches the confrontation carefully.

SCENE 3 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — MOMENTS LATER

Dan turns back toward Lauren.

His frustration is obvious.

You’ve been spending all this time with Wayne, and you didn’t think I deserved to know?

Lauren shakes her head.

It’s not like that.

Then what is it like?

Lauren struggles to answer.

I wanted some space.

Dan looks stunned.

Space?

Lauren nods.

Yes. I needed time to think.

Dan’s voice becomes sharper.

And Wayne was part of that?

Wayne steps forward.

She came here because she wanted to. Nobody forced her.

Dan looks at Wayne angrily.

Stay out of this.

I’m not going to stand here while you pressure her.

Amber rises from her seat.

Dan, you need to calm down.

Dan looks toward Amber.

You stay out of it too.

Amber is taken aback by his response.

Wayne looks shocked.

Lauren looks increasingly uncomfortable.

SCENE 4 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — CONTINUOUS

Dan approaches Lauren again.

I’m giving you one last chance.

Come with me.

Lauren doesn’t move.

No.

Dan clenches his jaw.

Why are you doing this?

Because I don’t want to leave.

Her words hang in the air.

Dan looks hurt beneath his anger.

For a moment, he says nothing.

Then his frustration returns.

So you’d rather stay here?

Lauren looks toward Wayne.

Then back at Dan.

I want to make my own decision.

Wayne nods slightly.

Amber watches Dan carefully.

Dan, you can’t force Lauren to go somewhere she doesn’t want to go.

Dan looks at Amber.

His expression is filled with frustration.

You don’t understand what is happening.

Maybe not.

Amber pauses.

But Lauren just told you what she wants.

Dan looks away.

His breathing becomes heavier.

SCENE 5 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — LATER

The atmosphere remains tense.

Lauren stands beside the podcast table.

Wayne stays nearby, keeping his distance but making sure the situation remains calm.

Amber watches silently.

Dan finally looks at Lauren again.

His anger has softened slightly, but his disappointment is obvious.

I came here because I thought you would want to see me.

Lauren looks down.

I didn’t know you were coming.

And if you had known?

Lauren pauses.

I still don’t know if I would’ve gone with you.

Dan looks deeply frustrated.

So that’s where we are now?

Lauren quietly answers.

I need to make my own choices, Dan.

Dan shakes his head.

I never thought you’d choose this.

Wayne steps closer.

Dan, maybe you should give her some time.

Dan looks at Wayne.

You seem very interested in giving her advice.

Wayne doesn’t respond.

Amber immediately notices the tension rising again.

Wayne is only trying to keep things from getting worse.

Dan looks around the room.

Everyone is watching him.

SCENE 6 — INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST STUDIO — EVENING

The sunlight outside begins to fade.

The studio lights become more noticeable.

Dan finally steps back.

He looks at Lauren one last time.

Fine.

Lauren looks surprised.

Fine?

Dan nods.

I’m leaving.

He pauses at the door.

But Lauren, I hope you understand that your choices have consequences.

Lauren remains silent.

Dan opens the door.

Before leaving, he looks back toward Wayne.

And Wayne…

Wayne raises his eyebrows.

Don’t make this worse.

I’m not the one making this worse.

Dan gives him a hard look.

Then he walks out.