SHARRA AND LARRY DECEIVE BETHANY — AND LEAVE FOR THE TOWER
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is unusually quiet.
Bethany stands near the doorway, watching Sharra and Larry whisper to each other.
Something about their behavior feels suspicious.
Sharra keeps looking toward the front door.
Larry quietly checks his phone.
Bethany notices.
BETHANY
What are you two talking about?
Sharra immediately stops speaking.
Larry looks at Bethany, trying to remain calm.
LARRY
Nothing, Bethany. We’re just talking.
Bethany crosses her arms.
BETHANY
Then why do you both look like you’re hiding something from me?
Sharra avoids Bethany’s eyes.
Larry takes a slow breath.
LARRY
You’re overthinking it.
Bethany shakes her head.
BETHANY
No. I know something is going on.
Sharra finally steps forward.
Her expression is nervous, but her mind seems made up.
SHARRA
Bethany, please. Just trust us.
Bethany looks confused.
BETHANY
Trust you?
She glances between them.
BETHANY
After everything that has happened, you want me to just trust you?
Sharra looks down.
Larry gently gestures toward the door.
LARRY
We need to go somewhere for a little while.
Bethany’s eyes widen.
BETHANY
Go where?
Neither of them answers.
Bethany immediately realizes something is wrong.
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – DRIVEWAY – MOMENTS LATER
Larry walks toward the car.
Sharra follows him.
Bethany rushes outside.
BETHANY
Larry! Sharra! Wait!
They continue walking.
Bethany catches up to them.
BETHANY
Where are you going?
Larry opens the car door.
BETHANY
You can’t just leave without telling me!
Sharra turns around.
For a moment, she looks guilty.
SHARRA
Bethany, I’m sorry.
Bethany freezes.
BETHANY
Sorry for what?
Sharra looks at Larry.
Larry gives her a small nod.
Sharra turns back to Bethany.
SHARRA
I need to get away from my mom.
Bethany’s expression changes.
BETHANY
What?
SHARRA
I can’t keep dealing with everything anymore.
Bethany steps closer.
BETHANY
Then talk to me. Don’t run away.
Sharra shakes her head.
SHARRA
I’ve tried talking.
Her voice becomes emotional.
SHARRA
Nothing changes.
Bethany reaches for Sharra’s hand.
BETHANY
Then let me help you.
Sharra slowly pulls her hand away.
SHARRA
You can’t fix this for me.
Bethany looks at Larry.
BETHANY
And you’re helping her do this?
Larry remains silent.
BETHANY
Larry, please. Tell her to stay.
Larry looks torn.
But after a moment, he opens the passenger door for Sharra.
Bethany’s eyes fill with emotion.
BETHANY
No…
She shakes her head.
BETHANY
You two planned this.
Larry looks at her.
LARRY
Bethany, we’re not trying to hurt you.
BETHANY
But you are!
Bethany steps in front of the car.
BETHANY
Please don’t go.
Sharra watches her from beside the car.
EXT. DRIVEWAY – CONTINUOUS
The tension grows.
Bethany stands between them and the road.
BETHANY
Sharra, if you’re hurting, stay here. We can figure this out together.
Sharra wipes away a tear.
SHARRA
I appreciate that.
She pauses.
SHARRA
But I need to make this decision for myself.
Bethany looks devastated.
BETHANY
So you’re really leaving me?
Sharra doesn’t answer immediately.
Larry looks toward the road.
LARRY
We need to go.
Bethany turns toward him.
BETHANY
Larry, don’t do this.
Larry looks at Bethany with regret.
LARRY
I’m sorry.
Bethany shakes her head.
BETHANY
You’re both making a mistake.
Sharra gets into the car.
Bethany rushes toward the passenger door.
BETHANY
Sharra! Please!
Sharra closes the door.
Bethany places her hand against the window.
BETHANY
Look at me!
Sharra looks through the glass.
Their eyes meet.
Bethany’s voice becomes softer.
BETHANY
Please don’t leave like this.
Sharra looks heartbroken.
But she turns away.
Larry gets into the driver’s seat.
Bethany immediately moves toward the driver’s window.
BETHANY
Larry, stop!
Larry lowers the window slightly.
BETHANY
Where are you taking her?
LARRY
We’re going to the tower.
Bethany stares at him.
BETHANY
The tower?
Larry nods.
LARRY
We just need some space.
Bethany steps back.
BETHANY
And you think running away will solve everything?
Larry doesn’t answer.
He starts the car.
Bethany begins shaking her head.
BETHANY
No. Please don’t go.
The car slowly starts moving.
Bethany follows it.
BETHANY
SHARRA!
Sharra looks back through the rear window.
Bethany continues running after them.
EXT. ROAD – CONTINUOUS
The car moves farther down the street.
Bethany remains behind, helplessly watching.
BETHANY
Sharra! Come back!
Inside the car, Sharra looks back one final time.
She sees Bethany standing alone.
Sharra’s eyes fill with tears.
Larry keeps driving.
SHARRA
Maybe we shouldn’t have left like this.
Larry glances at her.
LARRY
You needed to get away.
Sharra looks down.
SHARRA
I know.
She takes a deep breath.
SHARRA
I just didn’t expect Bethany to look so hurt.
Larry keeps his eyes on the road.
LARRY
Sometimes leaving hurts people.
Sharra looks out the window.
SHARRA
I don’t want to hurt her.
LARRY
Then when we’re ready, we’ll explain everything.
Sharra nods slowly.
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – SAME TIME
Bethany finally stops.
The car has disappeared from sight.
She stands in the driveway, staring at the empty road.
Tears roll down her face.
BETHANY
Why did you do this?
She looks toward the house.
Everything suddenly feels empty.
Bethany pulls out her phone and calls Sharra.
The phone rings.
No answer.
She calls again.
Still nothing.
Bethany lowers the phone.
BETHANY
You really left…
She wipes her tears.
But her expression changes from sadness to determination.
BETHANY
I’m not going to let this end like this.
EXT. TOWER – NIGHT
Larry’s car finally arrives near the tower.
Sharra steps out and looks around.
The area is quiet.
Larry stands beside her.
LARRY
Are you sure?
Sharra takes a deep breath.
SHARRA
No.
She looks back toward the road.
SHARRA
But I know I can’t keep living the same way.
Larry nods.
The two walk toward the tower.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Bethany sits alone.
Her phone rests in her hand.
She looks at Sharra’s unanswered call.
BETHANY
You can run…
She takes a deep breath.
BETHANY
But eventually, we’re going to have to face each other.
Bethany stands.
Her expression is no longer helpless.
She is ready to find out the truth behind Sharra and Larry’s decision.
EXT. TOWER – NIGHT
Sharra and Larry stand together, looking out into the distance.
Sharra’s phone suddenly vibrates.
She looks at the screen.
It is Bethany calling again.
Sharra hesitates.
Larry looks at her.
LARRY
Are you going to answer?
Sharra stares at the phone.
The call continues ringing.
She finally takes a breath…
And reaches for the answer button.