Bethany and Larry’s House — Living Room — Afternoon
Brooke stands near the couch with her arms crossed. Bethany watches her carefully, trying to stay calm.
BETHANY: Brooke, listen to me. I don’t want you running to Sharra every time you have a problem, and I don’t want you going to Lynette either.
Brooke gives her a confused look.
BROOKE: Then what am I supposed to do?
BETHANY: Stay here. Focus on yourself. If you want to do something with your life, do it on your own two feet.
BROOKE: And how exactly am I supposed to do that?
BETHANY: One step at a time. You don’t have to depend on somebody every time something goes wrong.
Bethany walks closer, speaking gently.
BETHANY: And if this is about your insurance money, I can help you with that.
Brooke’s expression immediately changes.
BROOKE: Help me?
BETHANY: Yes. I’ll give you the money.
BROOKE: No.
BETHANY: Brooke, just listen—
BROOKE: I said no.
Bethany pauses. Brooke’s voice is becoming sharper.
BETHANY: I’m not trying to upset you. I’m trying to make sure you’re okay.
BROOKE: By giving me money so you can remind me later that I needed you?
BETHANY: That’s not what I’m doing.
BROOKE: That’s exactly what you’re doing.
The Argument Escalates
Bethany takes a deep breath, trying not to lose her patience.
BETHANY: Brooke, I’m telling you that you don’t have to go begging other people for help. If you have an insurance problem, I’ll handle it. But I want you to learn how to stand on your own too.
BROOKE: So now I’m begging?
BETHANY: I didn’t say that.
BROOKE: You didn’t have to.
The tension in the room grows.
BETHANY: You are taking everything I’m saying the wrong way.
BROOKE: Maybe because you always act like you know what’s best for everybody!
Bethany’s eyes narrow.
BETHANY: I’m trying to help you.
BROOKE: I didn’t ask for your help!
BETHANY: Then what do you want from me, Brooke?
BROOKE: I want you to stop acting like you’re doing me some huge favor!
Bethany looks hurt, but Brooke is too angry to notice.
BETHANY: You know what? I have been trying to talk to you respectfully.
BROOKE: Well, maybe I don’t want your respect or your money.
BETHANY: Fine. Don’t take it.
BROOKE: Good. I won’t.
Bethany turns away, but Brooke continues.
BROOKE: I don’t need you acting like you’re some kind of savior.
Bethany slowly turns back around.
BETHANY: Watch how you’re talking to me.
BROOKE: Why? You’re going to lecture me again?
BETHANY: Brooke.
BROOKE: What?
BETHANY: I said watch your mouth.
The Breaking Point
Brooke steps closer, her frustration boiling over.
BROOKE: And I’m telling you that I don’t need you! I can take care of myself without you trying to control everything I do!
Bethany’s patience finally breaks.
BETHANY: Control you?
BROOKE: Yes! You want me to stay here, you don’t want me going to Sharra, you don’t want me going to Lynette, and now you want to pay my insurance. What am I supposed to think?
BETHANY: I told you why! I want you to stop depending on everybody else!
BROOKE: Then stop trying to make me depend on you!
Silence fills the room. Bethany stares at Brooke, shocked by her attitude.
BETHANY: You know what? Enough.
BROOKE: Oh, now you’re mad?
BETHANY: Yes, I am mad.
BROOKE: Good.
BETHANY: And since you clearly don’t want to be here, maybe you shouldn’t be.
Brooke’s expression changes.
BROOKE: What did you just say?
BETHANY: You heard me.
Bethany walks toward Brooke’s belongings.
BROOKE: Bethany, don’t touch my stuff.
BETHANY: You said you don’t need me. You said you can take care of yourself.
Bethany picks up Brooke’s bag.
BROOKE: Put my stuff down!
BETHANY: Then take it and go.
BROOKE: Are you serious right now?
BETHANY: Completely serious.
Brooke grabs for her bag, but Bethany pulls it away.
BROOKE: You can’t just throw me out!
BETHANY: Then maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to stand here and disrespect me.
BROOKE: I was just telling you how I feel!
BETHANY: There’s a difference between telling me how you feel and talking to me like I’m nothing.
Out The Door
Bethany places the bag near the front door.
BROOKE: You’re unbelievable.
BETHANY: And you’re leaving.
Bethany opens the door.
BROOKE: So that’s it? You’re just going to throw me out because I wouldn’t take your money?
BETHANY: No. I’m throwing you out because you turned my attempt to help you into a reason to disrespect me.
Brooke looks around the room, furious and embarrassed.
BROOKE: Fine! I don’t want to stay here anyway!
BETHANY: Then go.
Brooke snatches her belongings and storms toward the door.
BROOKE: You know what? Keep your money!
BETHANY: I was never trying to buy you!
BROOKE: Sure!
Brooke walks outside. Bethany shuts the door behind her. For a few seconds, Bethany stands there, breathing heavily.
BETHANY: I tried.
Larry’s Office — Evening
Larry sits at his desk, looking through some papers. His phone suddenly rings.
LARRY: Hello?
BROOKE: Larry…
Larry immediately hears the frustration in Brooke’s voice.
LARRY: Brooke? What’s wrong?
BROOKE: You need to talk to Bethany.
LARRY: Why? What happened?
Brooke hesitates.
BROOKE: She threw me out.
Larry slowly sits back in his chair.
LARRY: She did what?
BROOKE: We got into an argument, and she threw my stuff out and told me to leave.
LARRY: Where are you right now?
BROOKE: I’m outside.