BROOKE CALLS LYNETTE

SCENE 1 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

Soft afternoon light fills the living room.

BROOKE sits quietly on the couch, scrolling through her phone. BETHANY stands nearby, watching her with a serious expression.

The atmosphere feels calm, but Bethany clearly has something on her mind.

Bethany takes a slow breath.

She walks toward Brooke.

BETHANY

Brooke, I need to talk to you.

Brooke looks up from her phone.

BROOKE

About what?

Bethany folds her arms.

Her voice becomes firm.

BETHANY

You need to stop trying to be like Lynette.

Brooke’s expression immediately changes.

She slowly puts her phone down.

BROOKE

What are you talking about?

Bethany steps closer.

BETHANY

I’m talking about the way you’ve been acting lately. You’re becoming just like her.

Brooke stares at Bethany, clearly offended.

BROOKE

Like Lynette?

Bethany nods.

BETHANY

Yes. You’re starting to say and do everything the way she does.

Brooke’s face becomes tense.

BROOKE

I don’t know why you’re comparing me to Lynette.

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY

Because it’s true. Every time something happens, you run to her and tell her everything.

Brooke stands up.

She is now visibly angry.

BROOKE

So what? She’s someone I trust!

Bethany looks at her seriously.

BETHANY

I’m not telling you who you can trust. I’m telling you that you don’t need to become Lynette.

Brooke clenches her jaw.

BROOKE

You don’t get to decide who I should be.

A tense silence fills the room.

Bethany looks surprised by Brooke’s response.

BETHANY

I’m trying to help you.

BROOKE

No. You’re trying to control me.

Brooke picks up her phone.

She turns away from Bethany.

BETHANY

Brooke, don’t walk away from me.

Brooke ignores her.

She unlocks her phone.

Her fingers quickly move across the screen.

She finds LYNETTE’S name.

Brooke presses CALL.

Bethany watches her.

Her expression becomes worried.

The phone rings.

Once.

Twice.

Then Lynette answers.

SCENE 2 — LYNETTE’S HOUSE — CONTINUOUS

LYNETTE is sitting at a table when she sees Brooke’s name on her phone.

She immediately answers.

LYNETTE

Brooke? What’s wrong?

Brooke takes a deep breath.

Her voice is still filled with anger.

BROOKE

Lynette, Bethany just said something to me.

Lynette’s expression changes.

LYNETTE

What did she say?

Brooke looks toward Bethany.

Bethany stands silently across the room.

BROOKE

She told me I’m becoming like you.

Lynette’s eyebrows rise.

LYNETTE

She said that?

BROOKE

Yes. She said I’m trying to be like you and that I’m telling you everything.

Lynette slowly stands.

Her expression becomes serious.

LYNETTE

And what else did she say?

BROOKE

She basically made me feel like I was doing something wrong by trusting you.

Lynette’s face becomes angry.

She grabs her purse.

LYNETTE

Don’t worry, Brooke. I’ll handle this.

Brooke looks surprised.

BROOKE

Lynette, where are you going?

Lynette walks toward the door.

LYNETTE

I’m coming to Bethany’s house.

Brooke looks nervous.

BROOKE

Please don’t make things worse.

Lynette opens the door.

LYNETTE

I’m not looking for a fight. But Bethany needs to understand something.

She steps outside.

LYNETTE

Nobody gets to make you feel bad for trusting someone.

The call ends.

SCENE 3 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LATER

The living room is quiet again.

Brooke sits on the couch, staring at the floor.

Bethany remains standing nearby.

She looks frustrated.

BETHANY

You really called Lynette?

Brooke looks up.

BROOKE

Yes.

BETHANY

You didn’t have to tell her everything.

Brooke crosses her arms.

BROOKE

I wanted to.

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY

This is exactly what I’m talking about.

Brooke rolls her eyes.

Suddenly—

A loud knock comes from the front door.

Both women freeze.

Bethany looks toward the entrance.

Another knock.

This time harder.

Bethany walks toward the door.

She opens it.

LYNETTE stands outside.

Her expression is cold and angry.

Bethany immediately knows why she is there.

BETHANY

Lynette…

Lynette steps inside.

LYNETTE

We need to talk.

Bethany closes the door.

Brooke remains seated, watching them.

BETHANY

If this is about what I said to Brooke—

LYNETTE

It is.

Lynette walks closer.

Her voice is controlled, but her anger is obvious.

LYNETTE

Why are you telling Brooke she shouldn’t be like me?

Bethany looks defensive.

BETHANY

Because she’s changing.

LYNETTE

Changing into what?

Bethany pauses.

BETHANY

She’s starting to act like you.

Lynette gives a short, frustrated laugh.

LYNETTE

And apparently that’s a problem?

Bethany crosses her arms.

BETHANY

You know what I meant.

LYNETTE

No, Bethany. I want you to say exactly what you meant.

Bethany looks at Brooke.

Brooke looks uncomfortable.

BETHANY

I just don’t want Brooke depending on you for everything.

Lynette’s expression hardens.

LYNETTE

Then talk to Brooke about that.

She points toward Brooke.

LYNETTE

Don’t insult her because she trusts me.

Bethany takes a step forward.

BETHANY

I wasn’t insulting her.

LYNETTE

You were making her feel guilty for being honest.

Brooke looks down.

The tension between the two women grows.

SCENE 4 — BETHANY AND LYNETTE FACE OFF

Lynette stands directly in front of Bethany.

Her voice becomes firm.

LYNETTE

Listen to me carefully.

Bethany remains silent.

LYNETTE

You can disagree with me. You can be angry with me. But don’t put Brooke in the middle of your problems with me.

Bethany looks frustrated.

BETHANY

I was trying to protect her.

LYNETTE

Then protect her without controlling her.

Bethany looks away.

Lynette continues.

LYNETTE

Brooke is allowed to make her own choices.

Brooke slowly stands.

She looks between Bethany and Lynette.

BROOKE

I didn’t want you two fighting.

Lynette turns toward Brooke.

Her expression softens slightly.

LYNETTE

I’m not here to fight with you, Brooke.

She looks back at Bethany.

LYNETTE

I’m here because I won’t let anyone make you feel ashamed for trusting me.

Bethany takes a deep breath.

BETHANY

You always think you’re right.

Lynette shakes her head.

LYNETTE

No. I just know when someone has crossed a line.

Bethany looks directly into Lynette’s eyes.

BETHANY

And what exactly are you warning me about?

Lynette steps closer.

Her voice is calm but serious.

LYNETTE

I’m warning you not to push Brooke away.

Bethany says nothing.

LYNETTE

If you keep treating her like she can’t make her own decisions, one day she may stop coming to you altogether.

Brooke looks at Bethany.

Bethany’s anger slowly turns into uncertainty.

SCENE 5 — THE WARNING

The room becomes completely silent.

Lynette takes one final step toward Bethany.

LYNETTE

This is your warning, Bethany.

Bethany looks at her.

LYNETTE

Don’t use your problems with me to hurt Brooke.

Bethany’s eyes narrow.

BETHANY

Are you threatening me?

LYNETTE

No.

Lynette pauses.

LYNETTE

I’m telling you to think before you speak.

Bethany looks down for a moment.

Brooke watches both women.

She finally speaks.

BROOKE

I just want everyone to stop fighting.

Lynette turns toward Brooke.

LYNETTE

Then don’t let anyone tell you who you’re allowed to trust.

Bethany looks at Brooke.

For the first time, she seems to realize how deeply her words affected her.

BETHANY

Brooke…

Brooke doesn’t answer.

She picks up her phone and walks toward the window.

Lynette watches Bethany carefully.

LYNETTE

Think about what I said.

Bethany remains silent.

Lynette heads toward the door.

Before leaving, she turns back.

LYNETTE

And Bethany?

Bethany looks up.

LYNETTE

Don’t make me come back here for the same reason.

Lynette walks out.

The door closes.

Bethany stands motionless in the living room.

Brooke looks at her from across the room.

Neither says a word.

The tension remains.

And Bethany realizes that this argument may have changed everything between them.