The Empty Ring Box

WELCOME

THE EMPTY RING BOX

SCENE 1 — ANTHONY SETS THE BOUNDARY

The room is quiet. Shayla stands near the doorway, watching Anthony prepare for the Turks and Caicos event.

Anthony looks serious.

ANTHONY
Shayla, I’m just going to be honest with you. You shouldn’t come to Turks and Caicos.
SHAYLA
Why not?

Anthony takes a breath.

ANTHONY
Because you don’t have a reason to be there.

Shayla crosses her arms.

SHAYLA
So everybody else has a reason, but I don’t?
ANTHONY
That’s not what I’m saying. I just don’t want any unnecessary drama.

Shayla stares at him for a moment.

SHAYLA
Okay, Anthony. I heard you.

She walks away. Anthony watches her leave.

SCENE 2 — THE JEWELRY STORE

Anthony walks into an elegant jewelry shop. The store is quiet and beautifully lit.

JEWELRY EMPLOYEE
Mr. Anthony, your order is ready.

The employee hands him a small ring box.

Anthony looks at the box. His eyes become emotional.

ANTHONY
I’ve been waiting for this moment.

He opens the box.

The ring shines under the store lights. Anthony remembers his memories with D’Nisha — the laughter, arguments, difficult moments and everything they survived together.

ANTHONY
Tonight, everything changes.

He carefully closes the box and places it into his pocket.

SCENE 3 — GETTING READY

Back at the hotel, everyone prepares for the Turks and Caicos function.

D’Nisha stands in front of the mirror, fixing her outfit.

D’NISHA
I just hope tonight goes smoothly.

Anthony walks into the room, trying to hide his nervousness.

D’NISHA
Why do you look so serious?
ANTHONY
Just thinking about tonight.

D’Nisha smiles. She has no idea what Anthony has planned.

Meanwhile, Dave and Amber are getting ready too.

Anthony believes Shayla will not show up. D’Nisha believes Amber will not be there.

Everything seems perfectly planned.

SCENE 4 — TURKS AND CAICOS

The group arrives at the beautiful function. Music plays as everyone enters.

D’Nisha suddenly freezes.

Dave is there.

And standing beside him is Amber.

D’NISHA
Amber?

Anthony notices her reaction.

ANTHONY
What’s wrong?
D’NISHA
Nothing.

D’Nisha looks toward Amber, then back at Anthony.

A thought suddenly crosses her mind. Maybe Anthony planned everything. Maybe tonight is the night he proposes.

D’NISHA
I’m just going to stay calm.

Anthony smiles nervously and checks his pocket.

THE BIG PROPOSAL

The music slows down. Everyone gathers around.

Anthony walks toward D’Nisha.

He slowly gets down on one knee.

Everyone reacts with surprise.

Anthony reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small ring box.

D’Nisha smiles.

ANTHONY
D’Nisha… There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you…

He opens the box.

Silence.

The box is completely EMPTY.

D’NISHA
Anthony…
ANTHONY
What?

Anthony looks inside again.

Nothing.

He checks his other pocket.

Still nothing.

ANTHONY
Where is the ring?

SCENE 6 — SHAYLA ARRIVES

Suddenly, laughter comes from the entrance.

Everyone turns around.

Shayla walks into the function.

She sees Anthony kneeling with an empty ring box.

She immediately starts laughing.

Amber looks at Shayla and tries to hold back her laughter.

But she can’t.

Amber starts laughing too.

ANTHONY
Why are y’all laughing?
SHAYLA
Anthony… You really got down on one knee with no ring?

D’Nisha looks embarrassed.

D’NISHA
Anthony, where is the ring?
ANTHONY
I had it! I picked it up myself!
SHAYLA
So where did it go?

SCENE 7 — THE MYSTERY

Anthony pulls out his phone and calls the jewelry store.

Everyone watches him carefully.

ANTHONY
Hello, this is Anthony. I picked up my ring earlier today.

There is a long pause.

Anthony’s expression suddenly changes.

ANTHONY
What do you mean?

Anthony slowly lowers the phone.

D’NISHA
What did they say?
ANTHONY
They said the ring left the store with me.

Everyone becomes silent.

DAVE
Then somebody took it.

Anthony looks around the room.

ANTHONY
But who?

D’Nisha looks at everyone suspiciously.

D’NISHA
Wait… Somebody knew about this?

Anthony looks toward Shayla.

Then Amber.

Then Dave.

Nobody says anything.

Anthony closes the empty ring box.

ANTHONY
I’m going to find that ring.
SHAYLA
And when you find it… You better find out who took it.

Anthony looks around the room.

The night that was supposed to become a beautiful proposal has suddenly turned into a mystery.

Somewhere nearby, the missing engagement ring is still waiting to be found.

THE STORY CONTINUES…

TO BE CONTINUE.