THE NIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGED
The party was supposed to be a celebration.
But one innocent gesture would turn the entire evening into chaos.
And before the night was over, a secret would come to light.
A secret nobody was prepared to discover.
SCENE 1 — THE FISH FRY PARTY
EXT. LARRY’S BACKYARD — NIGHT
Music fills the backyard. String lights glow above a long table covered with fried fish, fries, sauces, and cold drinks.
Larry stands near the grill while Lynette sits beside him, enjoying the evening.
LARRY
Try this one. I saved the best piece for you.
LYNETTE
You always say that.
Larry smiles and gently feeds her a piece of fish. Across the yard, Bethany notices everything.
SCENE 2 — THE STARE
EXT. LARRY’S BACKYARD — CONTINUOUS
Bethany slowly walks toward them. Her smile disappears and her expression becomes hard.
BETHANY
What exactly are you doing?
LYNETTE
Eating fish?
Several guests turn toward them. Larry immediately stands between the two women.
LARRY
Bethany, calm down. It’s not what you think.
BETHANY
I saw everything.
SCENE 3 — THE FIGHT
EXT. BACKYARD — MOMENTS LATER
Lynette takes a step back, trying to understand Bethany’s anger.
LYNETTE
Bethany, you’re making a scene.
Bethany suddenly grabs Lynette by the hair and pulls her down. Gasps erupt from the crowd.
LARRY
Bethany!
Lynette gets back up, furious. The two women argue as chairs scrape across the ground and a plate crashes to the floor.
SCENE 4 — THE SECRET
EXT. BACKYARD — LATER
The party has nearly fallen silent. Some guests leave while others whisper among themselves.
LARRY
Bethany, tell us what you’re talking about.
BETHANY
Not here.
LARRY
Then where?
Bethany looks around at everyone watching.
BETHANY
There are things about tonight that you don’t know.
SCENE 5 — THE PHONE
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE — NIGHT
The party is over. Larry walks inside alone and places his phone on the kitchen counter.
Suddenly, the phone vibrates.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Larry opens the message. His expression immediately changes.
A photograph shows Larry feeding Lynette the fish. Someone has circled a mysterious figure standing in the background.
LARRY
No…
SCENE 6 — THE WARNING
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE — SAME NIGHT
Bethany stands near the street, holding her phone tightly. She looks toward Larry’s house.
Her phone rings.
BETHANY
Hello?
She listens. Her face suddenly changes.
BETHANY
You can’t do this. I told you I’d handle it.
She looks toward the house again.
BETHANY
Nobody was supposed to find out.
SCENE 7 — THE FINAL REVEAL
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE — NIGHT
Larry sees Bethany outside and calls her name.
LARRY
Who sent me that photograph?
Bethany says nothing. Larry takes a step toward her.
LARRY
And why were they watching us tonight?
Bethany’s face turns pale. Before she can answer, Larry’s phone rings again.
A new message appears on the screen:
UNKNOWN MESSAGE
“She’s not the person you think.”
Larry looks up at Bethany. She looks terrified.
Suddenly, a door behind Larry slowly creaks open.
The house is supposed to be empty.
Larry turns toward the hallway.
LARRY
Who’s there?
Silence.
Then the lights suddenly go out.
TO BE CONTINUED…