WELCOME
AMBER, DAVE & THE ASSISTANT — HIDDEN INTENTIONS
SCENE 1 — THE LIVING ROOM
The house is quiet.
Amber walks into the living room and suddenly notices Dave standing nearby with his new assistant.
Dave is talking to her, but Amber quickly notices the way he keeps looking at her.
Amber stops. She watches them carefully.
Something about Dave’s behavior immediately bothers her.
Dave smiles at his assistant.
Amber’s expression changes. She realizes that Dave may not be looking at his assistant like an employer looking at an employee.
Amber slowly walks toward them.
Dave turns around.
DAVE
What’s wrong?
Amber doesn’t answer immediately. She looks at Dave, then at his assistant.
AMBER
Nothing.
Dave continues talking to his assistant.
Amber walks away, but she keeps watching them from across the room.
SCENE 2 — AMBER CONFRONTS THE ASSISTANT
A few moments later, Dave walks into another room.
His assistant remains behind.
Amber immediately approaches her.
ASSISTANT
Can I help you?
AMBER
Yes. I need to tell you something about Dave.
ASSISTANT
About Dave?
AMBER
The way he’s looking at you isn’t normal.
The assistant’s expression becomes serious.
AMBER
You need to understand something. Dave isn’t looking at you like you’re just his assistant.
ASSISTANT
What are you trying to say?
AMBER
I’m saying Dave has another reason for making you his assistant.
ASSISTANT
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
AMBER
You do. You just don’t want to admit it.
SCENE 3 — THE ASSISTANT FIRES BACK
The assistant takes a step toward Amber. Her confidence surprises Amber.
ASSISTANT
I know exactly why you’re trying to keep me away from Dave.
AMBER
Then tell me.
ASSISTANT
You’re afraid.
AMBER
Afraid of what?
ASSISTANT
You’re afraid Dave might leave you because of me.
Amber becomes silent.
ASSISTANT
That’s why you’re trying to stop me from getting close to him.
AMBER
You don’t know anything about me.
ASSISTANT
I know enough.
The assistant looks toward the room where Dave disappeared.
ASSISTANT
Deep down, you’re scared.
Amber looks away for a moment. The words clearly hit a nerve.
SCENE 4 — AMBER’S WARNING
AMBER
Listen to me carefully.
AMBER
Whatever you think Dave is offering you, don’t assume it’s because he respects you.
ASSISTANT
I can make my own decisions.
AMBER
Then make the right one.
ASSISTANT
And who decides what’s right?
AMBER
I’m telling you that Dave isn’t as innocent as you think.
ASSISTANT
Or maybe you’re just jealous.
AMBER
Jealous?
ASSISTANT
I think you’re afraid of losing your place in Dave’s life.
Amber takes a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.
SCENE 5 — DAVE RETURNS
Suddenly, footsteps can be heard.
Amber looks toward the hallway.
Dave walks back into the room and immediately notices the tension.
DAVE
What’s going on?
AMBER
Ask her.
DAVE
What happened?
ASSISTANT
Nothing happened.
AMBER
Nothing?
AMBER
I was trying to warn her about you.
DAVE
Warn her about me?
AMBER
Yes. You know exactly what’s happening.
SCENE 6 — AMBER LOSES HER PATIENCE
AMBER
You hired her as your assistant, but the way you’ve been looking at her doesn’t look professional.
DAVE
You’re making an accusation without knowing the whole story.
AMBER
I saw what I saw.
ASSISTANT
Amber, you’re upset because I’m working for Dave.
AMBER
That’s not what I said.
ASSISTANT
That’s exactly what you meant.
DAVE
Enough.
Amber looks at Dave with disbelief.
AMBER
You’re defending her?
DAVE
I’m not defending anyone.
SCENE 7 — THE ARGUMENT ESCALATES
ASSISTANT
Amber, you need to accept that Dave chose me for this position.
AMBER
And you need to understand that this isn’t about the job.
ASSISTANT
Then what is it about?
AMBER
It’s about intentions.
ASSISTANT
You’re still trying to convince yourself that Dave wants something from me.
AMBER
Because I can see it.
DAVE
That’s enough.
Dave steps between the two women.
AMBER
Then tell me I’m wrong.
Dave becomes quiet.
AMBER
Go ahead.
Dave doesn’t immediately respond.
AMBER
Exactly.
SCENE 8 — AMBER CONFRONTS THE ASSISTANT AGAIN
ASSISTANT
You heard him.
AMBER
I heard what he said.
ASSISTANT
Then let it go.
AMBER
I tried to warn you.
ASSISTANT
And I told you I don’t need your warning.
AMBER
Maybe you should think about why Dave suddenly needed an assistant in the first place.
ASSISTANT
You can’t stand the idea of another woman being around him.
AMBER
That’s not true.
ASSISTANT
Then prove it.
Amber looks at Dave. Dave looks back at her.
For a moment, nobody speaks.
SCENE 9 — THE FINAL BREAKING POINT
ASSISTANT
You’re scared, Amber.
AMBER
Stop.
ASSISTANT
You’re scared that Dave might choose someone else.
AMBER
I said stop.
ASSISTANT
You don’t want me around because you think I’m a threat.
Amber suddenly moves toward her.
DAVE
Amber!
Amber grabs the assistant by the collar.
ASSISTANT
Amber!
Dave immediately steps forward and separates them.
DAVE
Amber, this is not the way to handle this!
Amber finally releases the assistant.
The assistant steps backward, shocked and angry.
DAVE
Everybody needs to calm down.
AMBER
I told her what I saw.
ASSISTANT
And I told her she was wrong.
Dave looks between them.
The room becomes completely silent.
AMBER
Now you want everybody to calm down?
Dave remains silent.
AMBER
I told her what I saw.
DAVE
We need to talk.
Amber doesn’t respond.
She simply keeps staring at him.
The assistant stands nearby, still trying to process what just happened.
