SHARRA CONFRONTS MR. NEWBURGER — BETHANY LOSES HER TEMPER

SCENE 1 — MR. NEWBURGER’S OFFICE

The afternoon is quiet inside Mr. Newburger’s office.

Sunlight falls through the large windows. Papers are spread across the desk, but Mr. Newburger’s attention is focused on the woman sitting across from him.

Sharra looks nervous.

Her hands are tightly clasped together. She knows she is asking for a difficult favor.

SHARRA
Mr. Newburger, I know this is a lot to ask, but I really need your help.

Mr. Newburger leans back in his chair and studies Sharra carefully.

MR. NEWBURGER
Sharra, you came here because you believe I can help your mother?

Sharra nods. Her voice becomes emotional.

SHARRA
Yes. My mom is in jail, and I don’t know what else to do.

She takes a deep breath.

SHARRA
I’m asking you to please help me get her out. At least help me find out what can be done.

Mr. Newburger remains serious. He knows the situation is complicated.

MR. NEWBURGER
I understand that you’re worried about your mother. But I have to be careful about what I get involved in.

Sharra immediately responds.

SHARRA
I understand. But she’s still my mom.

Her eyes begin to fill with emotion.

SHARRA
I can’t just sit back and do nothing while she’s behind bars.

Mr. Newburger looks at her with concern. He slowly places his papers aside.

MR. NEWBURGER
I’m not promising anything. But I can listen to what happened and see whether there is anything I can do.

Sharra finally looks relieved.

SHARRA
Thank you. That’s all I’m asking for.

SCENE 2 — THE CONVERSATION DEEPENS

Sharra begins explaining the situation.

Mr. Newburger listens without interrupting. The atmosphere inside the office becomes heavier.

SHARRA
I know people have already made up their minds about my mom.

SHARRA
But I still believe she deserves a chance to explain herself.

Mr. Newburger nods slowly.

MR. NEWBURGER
Everyone deserves the opportunity to understand what happened.

Sharra looks down.

SHARRA
I just don’t want her to feel like everyone has abandoned her.

Mr. Newburger looks toward the office door.

Neither of them realizes someone is approaching.

Footsteps can be heard in the hallway.

They grow closer.

The door suddenly opens.

SCENE 3 — BETHANY ARRIVES

Bethany walks into the office.

She stops immediately.

Her expression changes.

She sees Sharra sitting across from her father.

Bethany’s eyes widen.

For a moment, nobody speaks.

Sharra slowly turns around.

SHARRA
Bethany…

Bethany looks from Sharra to her father. Her anger rises instantly.

BETHANY
What are you doing in my father’s office?

SHARRA
I came to talk to your father.

Bethany takes a step forward.

BETHANY
About what?

Sharra hesitates.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany, calm down.

But Bethany is already upset.

BETHANY
No, Dad. Why is she here?

Sharra tries to explain.

SHARRA
I came because I need help with my mom.

Bethany’s expression becomes even more angry.

BETHANY
You came here asking my father for help?

SHARRA
I didn’t come here to cause a problem.

BETHANY
Then why are you here?

SHARRA
Because I’m trying to help my mother.

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY
You should have never come here.

SCENE 4 — THE TENSION EXPLODES

Mr. Newburger stands from behind his desk.

He can feel the situation getting out of control.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany, that’s enough.

Bethany looks at her father.

BETHANY
Dad, you don’t understand.

MR. NEWBURGER
Then explain it without yelling.

Bethany turns back toward Sharra.

BETHANY
I don’t want you in here.

Sharra remains calm.

SHARRA
I’m talking to your father. I haven’t done anything to you.

Bethany moves closer.

BETHANY
You need to leave.

SHARRA
I’m not trying to fight with you.

BETHANY
Then leave!

Sharra looks toward Mr. Newburger.

SHARRA
Mr. Newburger, I’m sorry this happened.

Before she can say anything else, Bethany steps forward and pushes Sharra toward the office door.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany!

Bethany continues forcing Sharra toward the doorway.

BETHANY
Get out of my father’s office!

Sharra reaches the doorway and turns around. Her face shows shock and frustration.

SHARRA
I came here for help.

BETHANY
And now you need to leave.

Sharra looks at Mr. Newburger one last time.

SHARRA
I’m sorry.

She slowly steps outside.

SCENE 5 — MR. NEWBURGER IS SHOCKED

The door closes.

Silence fills the office.

Bethany turns around, still breathing heavily.

Mr. Newburger stares at his daughter.

He cannot believe what he just witnessed.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany…

She looks at him.

BETHANY
What?

Mr. Newburger shakes his head.

MR. NEWBURGER
What just happened?

Bethany tries to defend herself.

BETHANY
She shouldn’t have been here.

MR. NEWBURGER
That doesn’t give you the right to treat her that way.

Bethany becomes defensive.

BETHANY
Dad, she came here asking you to help her mother.

MR. NEWBURGER
Yes. And I was listening to her.

Bethany looks stunned.

BETHANY
You were actually going to help her?

MR. NEWBURGER
I said I would listen.

He pauses.

MR. NEWBURGER
There is a difference between listening to someone and agreeing with them.

SCENE 6 — THE AFTERMATH

Outside the office, Sharra walks down the hallway.

She stops for a moment and looks back toward the closed door.

Her eyes are filled with disappointment.

SHARRA
I didn’t come here to fight.

She takes a deep breath.

SHARRA
I only wanted someone to help my mom.

Inside the office, Mr. Newburger remains standing.

Bethany is silent.

The tension between father and daughter has completely changed the atmosphere.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany, you need to understand something.

Bethany looks up.

MR. NEWBURGER
Your anger cannot control every situation.

Bethany says nothing.

MR. NEWBURGER
If Sharra needs help, she has the right to ask.

Bethany slowly nods, but her expression remains conflicted.

Outside, Sharra continues walking.

The office door remains closed behind her.

What will happen next? Will Mr. Newburger stand up for Sharra, or will Bethany’s anger create an even bigger confrontation?