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• • • •
The house is quiet.
Warm evening light shines through the windows.
Brooke sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone.
Larry is nearby, putting a few things away.
Bethany sits quietly in an armchair.
At first, everything seems normal.
Then Bethany suddenly places a hand against her forehead.
She closes her eyes.
Her breathing becomes slower.
Bethany opens her eyes. She looks pale.
Larry immediately walks toward her.
Bethany tries to stand, but her legs suddenly become weak. Larry catches her before she falls.
He carefully helps her back into the chair.
Brooke looks up from her phone and immediately notices the concern on Larry’s face.
She takes a deep breath. Her eyes begin to close.
Bethany slowly opens her eyes.
Bethany doesn’t answer. Her head suddenly drops to the side.
He gently holds her shoulders.
Brooke jumps up from the couch and rushes over.
Larry carefully lays Bethany back against the chair. Bethany is completely unconscious.
Larry looks terrified.
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• • • •
Larry gently taps Bethany’s cheek.
Nothing. Bethany doesn’t respond.
He checks Bethany and realizes she still isn’t responding.
Still nothing.
Brooke immediately runs toward the kitchen.
Larry stays beside Bethany and holds her hand.
Brooke returns with a glass of water.
Larry carefully brings the water closer to Bethany, but she doesn’t wake up.
He reaches for his phone.
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• • • •
Larry quickly unlocks his phone. His hands are shaking.
Brooke watches him anxiously.
He looks down at Bethany.
Larry listens carefully and gives the address.
Brooke sits beside Bethany and gently holds her hand.
Larry kneels beside Bethany again.
The distant sound of a siren can suddenly be heard outside.
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• • • •
An ambulance pulls up outside the house.
The doors open.
Two paramedics quickly step out carrying medical equipment.
The paramedics follow him inside.
Brooke stands back, frightened.
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• • • •
The paramedics kneel beside Bethany.
Bethany doesn’t respond.
They carefully position the stretcher beside Bethany.
The paramedics carefully lift Bethany onto the stretcher.
Larry places a hand on Brooke’s shoulder.
The paramedics secure Bethany onto the stretcher and begin wheeling her toward the front door.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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• • • •
The paramedics carefully carry Bethany outside.
Larry follows behind them while Brooke walks beside him.
The ambulance lights flash across the neighborhood.
The paramedics load Bethany into the ambulance.
The ambulance doors close. The siren begins to sound again.
Larry stands frozen for a moment, his eyes fixed on the ambulance.
The ambulance disappears down the road.
Larry and Brooke quickly head toward their car.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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• • • •
The ambulance arrives at the hospital.
Hospital staff rush Bethany inside.
Larry and Brooke arrive moments later.
A nurse points toward the emergency department.
Larry and Brooke hurry inside.
The emergency room doors close behind Bethany.
Larry stops in the hallway and looks at the closed doors.
Larry pulls Brooke into a hug.
They stand together in the quiet hospital hallway.
Behind the closed doors, doctors and nurses work to help Bethany.
Larry looks toward the emergency room one more time.
The scene fades out.
CONTINUED…