The Final Warning
A CINEMATIC DRAMA
INT. WAYNE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
Sunlight pours through the kitchen windows.
D’Nisha stands near the counter, checking a grocery list on her phone.
The refrigerator is almost empty.
Her phone suddenly rings. She looks at the screen.
It is Wayne.
D’NISHA
Hey, Wayne.
WAYNE
You said you needed groceries, right?
D’NISHA
Yeah. I was about to go shopping, but I don’t really have enough money right now.
There is a brief pause.
WAYNE
I got you. I’ll send you some money. Go get everything you need.
D’NISHA
Wayne, you don’t have to do that.
WAYNE
I said I got you. Go take care of the groceries.
D’NISHA
Okay… thank you.
WAYNE
No problem.
The call ends. A notification appears on D’Nisha’s phone.
She looks at the amount, surprised.
EXT. GROCERY STORE – LATER
D’Nisha walks through the parking lot pushing a shopping cart.
She loads several grocery bags into her car.
Her phone buzzes again. She checks it.
Another message from Wayne appears.
D’Nisha stares at the screen for a moment before putting her phone away.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The front door opens. D’Nisha walks inside carrying several grocery bags.
Anthony is sitting in the living room.
ANTHONY
You went shopping?
D’NISHA
Yeah. We needed a lot of things.
Anthony looks at the grocery bags, then looks directly at D’Nisha.
ANTHONY
Where did you get the money?
D’NISHA
What do you mean?
ANTHONY
I mean exactly what I asked. Where did you get the money for all that?
D’Nisha becomes uncomfortable.
D’NISHA
I had some money.
ANTHONY
You had enough money to buy all that?
D’Nisha remains silent.
ANTHONY
D’Nisha.
D’NISHA
Wayne gave it to me.
“WAYNE?”
Anthony’s expression immediately changes.
Anthony’s expression immediately changes.
ANTHONY
Why would Wayne give you money?
D’NISHA
Because I told him I needed groceries.
ANTHONY
And you accepted it?
D’NISHA
Anthony, it was just grocery money.
ANTHONY
That’s not the point.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
D’Nisha sits down. Anthony remains standing.
The tension between them becomes heavier.
D’NISHA
You keep acting like Wayne has never done anything good for anybody.
ANTHONY
This isn’t about whether he’s good or bad.
D’NISHA
Then what is it about?
ANTHONY
It’s about boundaries.
D’Nisha folds her arms and starts bringing up things that happened in the past.
D’NISHA
You remember how Wayne helped people when they needed something?
ANTHONY
D’Nisha, don’t change the subject.
D’NISHA
I’m not changing the subject. I’m telling you what happened.
D’NISHA
There were times when Wayne was there when nobody else was.
ANTHONY
And that gives him the right to keep giving you money?
D’NISHA
I never said that.
ANTHONY
But you accepted it.
D’NISHA
Because we needed food!
ANTHONY
Then you should have come to me.
D’NISHA
And what if I didn’t want to ask you?
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Anthony walks toward the window, trying to calm himself.
D’NISHA
Anthony, nothing happened.
ANTHONY
That’s not the issue.
D’NISHA
Then stop making it one.
ANTHONY
I don’t want you meeting Wayne.
D’NISHA
Why?
ANTHONY
Because I don’t trust the situation.
D’NISHA
You don’t trust Wayne.
ANTHONY
I don’t trust what happens when you and Wayne are around each other.
D’Nisha looks offended. Anthony’s voice becomes firm.
ANTHONY
I’m warning you.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Anthony steps closer. His voice becomes quieter, but more serious.
ANTHONY
Listen to me carefully.
ANTHONY
From now on, you do not meet Wayne.
D’NISHA
Anthony—
ANTHONY
And you don’t take money from him.
D’NISHA
What if he offers to help?
ANTHONY
You say no.
D’NISHA
What if it’s something important?
ANTHONY
You come to me.
THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING.
The words hang heavily in the room.
D’Nisha becomes completely silent.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – LATER
D’Nisha slowly begins putting the groceries away.
Anthony stands quietly in the doorway.
D’NISHA
Anthony… I wasn’t trying to disrespect you.
ANTHONY
Then understand why I’m upset.
D’NISHA
I understand.
ANTHONY
I don’t want Wayne buying things for you.
D’NISHA
Okay.
ANTHONY
I don’t want secret conversations.
D’NISHA
There weren’t any secrets.
ANTHONY
Then keep it that way.
Anthony turns and walks away.
D’Nisha watches him leave.
INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Anthony sits alone, deep in thought.
His mind keeps returning to one question:
Why did Wayne give D’Nisha money?
Meanwhile, D’Nisha stands alone in the kitchen.
Her phone buzzes.
She looks down.
Wayne’s name appears on the screen.
D’NISHA HESITATES.
She doesn’t open the message.
Instead, she places the phone face down on the counter.
A moment later, Anthony appears in the doorway.
He notices the phone.
Neither of them speaks.
The tension between them returns.
D’Nisha slowly reaches toward the phone…
Then stops.
FADE OUT…