WHEN WAYNE SAYS GOODBYE TO LAUREN
The podcast studio is unusually quiet.
WAYNE sits behind his desk, looking through paperwork without really reading it.
His friend sits across from him, watching him carefully.
WAYNE finally looks up.
WAYNEWhat’s going on? You’ve been looking at me like you have something to say.
WAYNE’S FRIENDI do.
A tense silence fills the room.
WAYNE’S FRIEND takes a breath.
WAYNE’S FRIENDYou need to leave Lauren.
Wayne slowly puts the papers down.
WAYNEWhy would you say that?
WAYNE’S FRIENDBecause I don’t think Lauren is staying with you because she loves you.
WAYNEWhat are you talking about?
WAYNE’S FRIENDI’m saying she might only be with you because of your money.
Wayne leans back in his chair.
The words clearly hurt him.
WAYNEYou think that’s true?
WAYNE’S FRIENDI think you need to find out before you lose more than money.
Wayne looks toward the studio windows.
Lauren is visible in the distance, talking with someone.
Wayne watches her silently.
For the first time, doubt begins to take over his face.
WAYNEMaybe I need to hear it from her.
WAYNE’S FRIENDThen talk to her.
Wayne stands.
He takes one last look at Lauren before walking away.
Lauren enters slowly.
She notices immediately that Wayne looks serious.
LAURENYou wanted to talk to me?
Wayne nods.
WAYNEYeah.
Lauren steps closer.
LAURENWhat happened?
Wayne looks at her for several seconds.
He seems to be searching for the right words.
WAYNECome closer.
Lauren moves toward him.
WAYNESomeone told me something about you today.
LAURENWhat did they say?
WAYNEThey said you’re only staying with me because of my money.
LAURENThat’s not true.
WAYNEI wanted to believe that.
He looks away.
WAYNEBut once someone puts that thought in your head, you start questioning everything.
LAURENWayne, I never stayed with you because of your money.
WAYNEThen why did you stay?
LAURENBecause I cared about you.
Wayne looks directly at her.
WAYNECared?
Lauren becomes quiet.
The word hangs between them.
WAYNEMaybe we should have had this conversation a long time ago.
LAURENWhat are you saying?
Wayne reaches for her hand.
WAYNEAfter today, we will never see each other again.
Lauren freezes.
LAURENWhat?
WAYNEI think this is where we say goodbye.
LAURENYou’re really ending this?
WAYNEI don’t want to keep wondering whether you’re here for me or for everything I can give you.
Lauren’s eyes fill with emotion.
LAURENI wish you would trust me.
WAYNEI wish I could stop doubting everything.
A long silence follows.
Wayne looks at Lauren one final time.
He leans forward and kisses her goodbye.
The moment is brief.
When they separate, neither of them speaks.
WAYNEGoodbye, Lauren.
Lauren looks at him, unable to respond.
She slowly turns toward the door.
The studio door suddenly opens.
DAN walks inside.
He stops immediately.
His eyes land on Wayne and Lauren.
Dan’s face changes.
He is stunned.
WAYNEDan?
Dan says nothing.
He looks from Wayne to Lauren.
LAURENDan—
DANDon’t.
Lauren stops.
Dan takes a breath, trying to control himself.
DANI didn’t come here to see this.
DANI thought maybe things could still be fixed.
DANBut I guess I was wrong.
LAURENDan, you don’t understand what just happened.
DANI understand enough.
DANI came here because I wanted answers.
He looks at Wayne.
DANNow I have them.
WAYNEDan, this isn’t what you think.
DANIt doesn’t matter anymore.
Wayne stops.
Dan looks at Lauren one last time.
DANI kept thinking there was something worth fighting for.
LAURENThere was.
DANMaybe there was.
DANBut I’m done fighting.
LAURENDan, please—
DANNo.
DANI’m leaving Lauren for good.
Lauren becomes silent.
Wayne watches Dan carefully.
Dan turns toward the exit.
DANTake care of yourself, Lauren.
Dan walks out.
The door closes behind him.
Silence fills the room.
Lauren stands frozen.
LAURENHe really left.
WAYNEYeah.
LAURENAnd now you’re leaving too.
WAYNEThat was the decision.
LAURENI never wanted things to end like this.
WAYNENeither did I.
He walks toward the window.
Outside, Dan disappears into the distance.
WAYNESometimes people leave before you’re ready.
LAURENAnd sometimes they leave because they think it’s the only way to protect themselves.
Wayne turns back toward her.
Neither knows what to say.
The room feels completely different now.
Dan walks toward his car.
He stops beside the driver’s door.
For a moment, he looks back at the studio.
His face is filled with disappointment, but his decision is clear.
DANI’m done.
He gets into his car.
The engine starts.
Dan drives away.
Wayne stands alone near the window.
Lauren has already left.
His friend walks into the room.
WAYNE’S FRIENDDid you talk to her?
Wayne nods.
WAYNEYeah.
WAYNE’S FRIENDAnd?
Wayne looks toward the empty doorway.
WAYNEI said goodbye.
His friend stays quiet.
WAYNEMaybe I needed to know the truth.
He looks around the studio.
For the first time, the place feels empty.
WAYNEEven if the truth hurts.
The camera slowly pulls back.
Wayne remains standing alone.
Outside, the evening sky grows darker.
Three people have walked away from the same moment carrying three different kinds of pain.
And none of them knows what tomorrow will bring.
TO BE CONTINUED
😢