SCENE 1: AMBER OPENS UP TO ERNESTINE

INT. AMBER AND DAVE’S HOUSE – AFTERNOON

Amber sits on the couch, looking frustrated. She has been feeling ignored by Dave for quite some time, and she finally decides to share her feelings with her friend Ernestine.

AMBER

I honestly don’t understand Dave anymore. He doesn’t care about me the way he used to. Sometimes, I feel like I’m living in this house all by myself. He barely checks on me, and he doesn’t even ask how my day is going.

ERNESTINE

Are you serious? Dave doesn’t even check on you? That’s not right, Amber. You’re supposed to be in a relationship where both people care about each other.

AMBER

Exactly! That’s what I’ve been trying to explain. I’m not asking him to do anything extraordinary. I just want him to show me that I matter to him.

ERNESTINE

I understand what you’re saying, but you need to be careful. Sometimes, people get too comfortable in relationships and forget that they still have responsibilities toward their partners.

AMBER

That’s exactly how Dave is behaving. He thinks everything is fine just because we’re still living under the same roof. But I’m tired of pretending that I’m happy.

Ernestine nods, making Amber feel that someone finally understands her situation. However, Amber doesn’t realize that this conversation is about to create a much bigger problem.

SCENE 2: ERNESTINE TELLS DAVE EVERYTHING

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – LATER THAT DAY

Dave is relaxing when Ernestine arrives. She greets him and sits down, but something about her expression suggests that she has something important to discuss.

DAVE

What’s going on, Ernestine? You look like you have something on your mind.

ERNESTINE

Well, I wasn’t really planning to get involved, but I think you should know what Amber has been saying about you.

DAVE

What are you talking about? What did Amber say?

ERNESTINE

She was telling me that you don’t care about her anymore. She said you never check on her, you don’t ask how she’s doing, and you barely give her any attention.

DAVE

She said all that?

ERNESTINE

Yes, Dave. She was complaining about how you treat her. Honestly, she made it sound like you’re not doing anything for her.

DAVE

That’s interesting. So instead of coming to me and talking about whatever is bothering her, she’s going around telling people that I’m a terrible person?

Dave begins thinking about everything that has happened between him and Amber. He feels disrespected and betrayed.

SCENE 3: DAVE CONFRONTS AMBER

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – EVENING

Amber walks into the living room, unaware that Dave already knows about her conversation with Ernestine.

DAVE

Amber, we need to talk.

AMBER

What’s wrong?

DAVE

I just heard something interesting. Apparently, you’ve been telling Ernestine that I don’t care about you and that I never check on you.

AMBER

Wait, Ernestine told you that?

DAVE

That’s not the point. Is it true? Did you really sit there and complain about me instead of talking to me?

AMBER

Dave, I was just expressing how I felt. I wasn’t trying to make you look bad.

DAVE

Then why didn’t you tell me? Why did you have to take our personal business outside this house?

AMBER

Because every time I try to explain something to you, you don’t listen! I needed someone to talk to.

DAVE

So now I’m the bad person? You’re going to sit there and tell everyone how terrible I am while pretending everything is normal when you’re around me?

Amber tries to calm him down, but Dave is already too upset.

SCENE 4: DAVE KICKS AMBER OUT

INT. DAVE’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS

Dave stands up and walks toward the hallway.

AMBER

Where are you going?

DAVE

I’m getting your things together. If you think I’m such a terrible person, then there’s no reason for you to continue staying here.

AMBER

Are you seriously kicking me out because I talked to Ernestine?

DAVE

I’m kicking you out because I’m tired of the disrespect and the drama. You clearly don’t appreciate what we have here.

AMBER

Dave, please. Don’t make this decision while you’re angry.

DAVE

I’ve made my decision. You need to leave.

Amber begins packing her belongings. Before leaving, she turns toward Dave.

AMBER

I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done.

DAVE

I hope you understand that actions have consequences.

Amber picks up her bags and walks out. The door closes behind her.

SCENE 5: AMBER DECIDES TO GO TO ANTHONY

EXT. DAVE’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Amber stands outside with her belongings. She takes out her phone and starts thinking about the people she could possibly ask for help.

AMBER

I don’t know what else to do. Anthony might be my only option right now. I know Dinisha isn’t going to be happy about seeing me, but I have to try.

Amber calls Anthony. After several rings, he finally answers.

ANTHONY

Hey, Amber. What’s going on?

AMBER

Anthony, I really need to talk to you. Something happened, and I don’t know where else to go.

ANTHONY

What happened?

AMBER

Dave kicked me out of his house. I don’t have anywhere to stay right now.

ANTHONY

Wait, what? Why would Dave kick you out?

AMBER

It’s a long story. Can I please come over? I really need your help.

ANTHONY

Okay. Come over, and we’ll talk about it.

Amber finally feels a little relieved and heads toward Anthony’s house.

SCENE 6: AMBER BEGS ANTHONY FOR ANOTHER CHANCE

INT. ANTHONY AND DINISHA’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Anthony opens the door. Amber is standing outside with several bags. Dinisha is sitting in the living room when she notices Amber.

DINISHA

Hold on. What’s going on here?

ANTHONY

Amber needs somewhere to stay. Dave kicked her out, and she called me asking for help.

DINISHA

So what exactly are you expecting? Are you planning to move in here?

AMBER

I know this is unexpected, and I know things haven’t always been easy between us. But I’m asking you both to please hear me out.

ANTHONY

What’s going on, Amber? Tell us what happened.

AMBER

Dave found out that I was talking to Ernestine about our relationship. He got extremely angry and told me to leave. I tried explaining everything, but he wouldn’t listen.

DINISHA

And now you’ve decided to come here?

AMBER

I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Anthony, please, I’m asking you to forgive me. I know we’ve had problems before, but I really need somewhere to stay.

SCENE 7: DINISHA REFUSES TO LET AMBER STAY

INT. ANTHONY’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Dinisha stands up and faces Amber.

DINISHA

I don’t think you understand the situation. This is our home, Anthony and mine. You can’t just show up with your bags and expect us to let you move in.

AMBER

Dinisha, I’m not trying to cause any problems. I just need a place to stay until I figure things out.

DINISHA

That’s what everybody says in the beginning. First, it’s just for a few days. Then suddenly, nobody knows when the arrangement is going to end.

AMBER

I promise I won’t interfere with your relationship. You two can continue doing whatever you’re doing. You can remain boyfriend and girlfriend, and I’ll stay out of your business.

DINISHA

Excuse me? What does our relationship have to do with you staying here?

AMBER

I’m just saying that I won’t get involved. I won’t bother either of you. I only need a roof over my head.

DINISHA

Amber, you’re missing the point. I don’t want you living in this house.

SCENE 8: ANTHONY GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WOMEN

INT. ANTHONY’S KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER

Anthony asks Dinisha to step into the kitchen so they can speak privately.

ANTHONY

Look, I understand that you’re upset, but Amber is in a difficult situation. I don’t want to send her away without at least considering what she’s asking.

DINISHA

Anthony, are you seriously considering letting her stay here?

ANTHONY

I’m just trying to figure out what we can do. She doesn’t have anywhere to go.

DINISHA

And what about me? Have you even considered how I feel about this?

ANTHONY

Of course I have. That’s why I’m talking to you.

DINISHA

Then you should already know my answer. I don’t want Amber living here.

ANTHONY

I’m not saying she has to stay forever. Maybe we can help her temporarily.

DINISHA

No, Anthony. I don’t want this situation entering our relationship.

SCENE 9: DINISHA GIVES ANTHONY AN ULTIMATUM

INT. ANTHONY’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Anthony and Dinisha return to the living room. Amber is sitting quietly beside her bags.

DINISHA

I want you to understand something before you make any decision.

ANTHONY

What is it?

DINISHA

Either you tell Amber she cannot stay here, or I’m leaving this house.

Amber immediately looks up.

AMBER

Dinisha, please don’t do that. I don’t want you two fighting because of me.

DINISHA

Then you should understand that you’re not welcome to move in here.

ANTHONY

Dinisha, can we please calm down? We don’t have to turn this into an argument.

DINISHA

I’m not arguing. I’m telling you exactly how I feel. I will not stay in a house where another woman is living against my wishes.

AMBER

Anthony, I don’t want to come between you and Dinisha. But I really need your help. I wouldn’t have come here if I had another choice.

SCENE 10: ANTHONY MUST MAKE A DECISION

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – LATE NIGHT

The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. Amber sits quietly with her belongings beside her. Dinisha waits for Anthony to make his decision.

ANTHONY

I honestly didn’t expect things to turn out this way tonight.

DINISHA

Neither did I. But now that we’re here, I need you to make your position clear.

ANTHONY

I care about both of you, but I don’t want to make a decision that will hurt someone.

DINISHA

You can’t keep everybody happy, Anthony. Sometimes you have to decide what matters most.

AMBER

Anthony, please don’t let this destroy your relationship. I can understand if you don’t want me here. I just thought you might give me a chance.

ANTHONY

Amber, I haven’t said that I’m refusing to help you.

DINISHA

And I haven’t changed my mind. If she stays, I’m leaving.

Anthony looks at Dinisha. He knows that whatever decision he makes will have consequences.

SCENE 11: AN UNEXPECTED CALL CHANGES EVERYTHING

INT. ANTHONY’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS

Just when Anthony is about to respond, his phone begins ringing. He looks at the screen. It’s Dave.

ANTHONY

Why is Dave calling me at this time?

Amber immediately becomes nervous.

AMBER

Don’t answer that call, Anthony.

Dinisha notices Amber’s reaction.

DINISHA

Why? What’s the problem? It’s just a phone call.

Anthony answers.

ANTHONY

Hey, Dave. What’s going on?

DAVE (ON PHONE)

Anthony, I need to talk to you about Amber. I know she’s probably at your house right now.

ANTHONY

How did you know she was here?

DAVE (ON PHONE)

That’s not important. Just listen to what I’m about to tell you. There’s something you need to know before you decide to let her stay.

Amber’s face suddenly changes.

AMBER

Anthony, please hang up!

ANTHONY

Dave, what exactly are you trying to tell me?

DAVE (ON PHONE)

Before you let Amber move into your house, you need to ask her what she was planning to do next. Because there’s a lot more to this situation than what she’s telling you.

Anthony slowly turns toward Amber.

ANTHONY

Amber, what is he talking about?

Amber doesn’t respond. Dinisha steps closer.