DISCLAIMER: This is an original piece of fiction and the property of the author.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
The Inheritance
By ralst
Act I
ext. back alley - day
Sarah looks in confusion at a rusted doorway. Johnathan looks
at her condescendingly, while Mr Tanner sorts through papers in his briefcase.
sarah
This is his book store?
Mr Tanner
Book store?
SARAH
Dad's book store? The one I've just inherited?
Mr Tanner
Ms Perry, I never mentioned a book store.
Mr Tanner riffles through his papers before producing a
document and passing it to Sarah.
Mr Tanner
Your father's business interests were quite diverse but his
main source of income came from 'The Palace'.
Mr Tanner indicated the door before leading the other two
into the dark interior.
INT. DARK CLUB - DAY
johnathan
This doesn't look like any book store I've ever seen.
SARAH
Mr Tanner?
Lights come on. The interior is revealed to be an empty strip
club.
SARAH
What the hell?
JOHNATHAN
Jesus.
Mr Tanner
I take it you were unaware of the extent of your father's
interests?
SARAH
I thought he ran a little second hand book store. I can't
believe...
JOHNATHAN
(To Mr Tanner)
You said his interests were diverse?
Mr Tanner
That is correct.
SARAH
He owned a strip joint?
JOHNATHAN
(To Mr Tanner)
How diverse?
Mr Tanner
He bought 'The Palace' twelve years ago, along with a
considerable amount of real estate.
Johnathan pulls a resisting Sarah into his arms.
JOHNATHAN
We're freaking rich!
SARAH
He bought a strip club?
Sarah shrugs of Johnathan's hold and starts to pace the small
area between the door and the first set of tables and chairs.
SARAH
I don't believe it. I just don't believe it.
Mr Tanner
The business is very lucrative...
SARAH
Oh, great! So my father wasn't just an exploiter of women,
he was a successful exploiter of women! My women's studies teacher would be so
proud.
Mr Tanner shuffles through his papers and ignores the
outburst.
JOHNATHAN
Hon, let it go.
SARAH
He owned a strip club!
Mr Tanner
And a laundromat, fifty percent of an Italian restaurant and
two apartment buildings.
JOHNATHAN
Two...?
(He turns to speak directly to Sarah)
Did you hear that? Your old man was some piece of work. We're
freakin' rich!
A dark-haired woman, Anna, wearing a fluffy toweling robe
appears from a back room.
anna
Hey! Who the hell are you?
Sarah stops dead in her tracks and stares at the new arrival.
Mr Tanner takes a step forward.
Mr Tanner
Ms Carlson, isn't it? My name's James Tanner, we met at
Edgar's funeral.
ANNA
Yeah.
(She looks condescendingly towards Sarah and Johnathan)
Well if your friends are lookin' for a free show, they're
outta luck.
Mr Tanner
I can assure you...
SARAH
I would never...
JOHNATHAN
When's the next show?
SARAH
Johnathan!
ANNA
Look, whoever you are, why don't you go back to your little
trailer park and watch Oprah. Some of us are in mourning and don't have time
for this shit.
Mr Tanner
Ms Carlson, I don't think you understand...
ANNA
Oh, I understand perfectly. Old Ed's not even cold in his
grave and already you're trying to muscle in on his operation and install your
little librarian and her Ken doll in his place.
Mr Tanner
I would never...
ANNA
Can it! If you think we're gonna let you steal this place out
from under his kid, you've got another thing comin'. Ed might have been a randy
old leach but he adored that little brat of his and there's not one girl in
this place that'll let you cheat her out of a single penny.
Mr Tanner
Ms Perry...
Sarah crosses to Mr Tanner and snatches the forms out of his
hand, before striding towards Anna and thrusting them in her face.
SARAH
I can't steal what I already own.
Anna grabs the papers out of Sarah's hand and reads them.
ANNA
You're his kid?
(To Mr Tanner)
Is she shitting me?
Mr Tanner
I can assure you...
ANNA
We all thought you were a kid.
Anna gives Sarah a very unsubtle once over.
ANNA
Pfft. You're hardly his golden haired little angel.
Johnathan tries to intervene as Sarah takes a menacing step
forward.
SARAH
I might not be the reincarnation of Shirley Temple...
ANNA
She's not dead.
SARAH
but I am your boss!
int. strip club's office - day
Sarah sits at a big oak desk. The desk is covered in loose
papers, with an over-flowing ashtray perched precariously on the edge.
Johnathan lounges on the large leather couch listening to the music coming from
the club below.
SARAH
Did you know they have theme nights? Cowgirls, schoolgirls,
nuns, even? It's... it's disgusting.
JOHNATHAN
Yeah, but they're not real nuns, right? 'Cause real nuns
would just be...
Johnathan smiles lecherously and Sarah throws a balled up
piece of paper in his direction.
SARAH
You need help.
JOHNATHAN
Come on, it's just sex.
SARAH
It is not! What they do is.. it's disgusting. My father
peddled flesh for a living and now I'm expected to follow in his grubby little
footsteps and choose between naughty nurses and glamourous geishas for next
week's theme night.
JOHNATHAN
Nurses. I've always had a thing for...
SARAH
I'm not doing it. He can't make me.
JOHNATHAN
Hon, you said it yourself, you're the boss, and that means
you're responsible for all those writhing and sweat drenched bodies down there.
SARAH
Don't talk about them like that.
JOHNATHAN
Please, did you see that Anna girl? She was gorgeous. I can
totally understand why your dad made her a headliner.
Sarah drops her head into her hands.
JOHNATHAN
Not that she's got anything on you, babe. I mean, you're a
knock out.
SARAH
Shut up, Johnathan, before I decapitate you with the letter
opener.
Sarah holds up the letter opener, which is shaped to resemble
a woman's shapely legs.
SARAH
I'll talk to Tanner in the morning about putting this place
up for sale.
JOHNATHAN
No naked ladies?
Sarah sweeps the papers off the desk and into the wastepaper
bin.
SARAH
No naked ladies.
int. dressing room - night
Anna sits in front of a mirror applying her lipstick, and
watching Candace and Ellie show off their new costumes.
candace
I don't know why we bother.
ELLIE
Com'on, Hon, you look great. The feathers really bring out
the colour of your eyes.
Candace twirls.
CANDACE
I'm not talkin' about the outfit.
(She turns to address Anna)
My Gary says that now old man Perry's gone, the Donaldson
brothers will be in here like a shot, and there's no way I'm working for those
creeps.
ELLIE
Creeps.
ANNA
Don't sweat it.
CANDACE
Don't sweat it? Is that all you've got to say? I thought you,
of all people, would be worried.
ELLIE
That Richie Donaldson is sure sweet on you.
CANDACE
Needs his head examinin'.
Anna and Ellie both turn a disbelieving look on Candace.
CANDACE
I only mean that he knows you're a dyke, so I dunno why he
bothers.
ELLIE
'Cause he knows she's a dyke.
CANDACE
Huh?
ELLIE
Some guys get off on it.
CANDACE
That's a myth. My Gary said he hates the idea of me getting
all sweaty and shit with another woman. Brings him out in hives.
ELLIE
Yeah, right. Every guy I've ever been with has practically
worn the skin from his knees begging me to invite one of my friends over for a
little play-date, and you can bet once the
Donaldsons take over we'll be dyking it out nightly up on that stage.
CANDACE
No way! I'm not doin' that. A quick kiss an' a cuddle at
Christmas time is one thing, but I'm not sharing the stage with anyone.
ANNA
It's not going to happen, okay? Just forget about the
Donaldsons and concentrate on finding a new costume.
Anna silently surveys Candace's new costume.
ANNA
Because you look like a peacock on Viagra in that get up.
CANDACE
Hey!
Ellie laughs, and is promptly slapped by Candace.
ELLIE
Why're you slappin' me? Anna's the one who said it.
CANDACE
'Cause she'd slap me back.
INT. STRIP CLUB'S OFFICE - DAY
Sarah sits at the desk sorting through and discarding papers.
There is a knock at the door.
SARAH
Come in.
Anna enters, once more wearing a fluffy toweling robe.
SARAH
Can I help you?
ANNA
Yeah.
Anna slowly surveys the room and the mess of papers littering
the desk.
ANNA
I know you're busy sortin' out your father's affairs and
shit, but the girls were wonderin' what you had planned for 'The Palace'?
SARAH
I see.
Sarah nervously shuffled through her papers.
SARAH
I'm still in the process of settling my father's estate, but
I think it's safe to say I will be relinquishing control of this...
establishment at the earliest opportunity.
ANNA
Shit. You've sellin' the place?
SARAH
As soon as it's gone through probate, yes.
ANNA
Great. Fuckin' great! I guess I might as well tell the girls
to whore it up, 'cause that's exactly what they'll be doin' once the Donaldsons
take over.
SARAH
The Donaldsons?
ANNA
The arse-holes that have been threatening to take over this
place.
Anna perches on the edge of the desk, and Sarah sits back
further in her chair, putting as much distance between them as she can.
ANNA
Your old man literally spit in their faces the last time they
came callin' but I guess you don't have his spunk.
SARAH
Excuse me?
ANNA
I 'spose I expected too much, you bein' a woman and all.
SARAH
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Anna begins sifting idly through the papers on the desk,
then picks one up and brandishes it in Sarah's face.
ANNA
Ted and Richie Donaldson, the scumbag brothers who own the
'Cat's Meow' and 'Ho, Ho Heaven' out by the airport.
Sarah quickly scans the letter.
SARAH
They've made offers?
ANNA
Repeatedly.
SARAH
But my father wouldn't sell?
ANNA
Never in a million years.
SARAH
I still don't see...
ANNA
The second this place goes on the market those two apes are
going to round up the competition and explain to them, in slow and excruciating
detail, exactly why they don't want to buy 'The Palace' and then they're gonna
put in your one and only offer, which will just happen to be twenty grand or so
lower than what the place is worth.
Sarah drops the letter.
ANNA
And then, once they've bought the place, they'll turn it into the sleaziest joint this side of Vegas.
SARAH
Sleazier than this?
Anna gives her a slow look.
ANNA
They'll make this place look like a nunnery.
The door opens and in walks Johnathan. He takes one look at
Anna and his smile widens.
JOHNATHAN
We meet again.
ANNA
(To Sarah)
If you could just give us some time, maybe me and the girls
could get together the right kind of backing to buy the place ourselves.
SARAH
I don't...
JOHNATHAN
There's no way you girls could ever come up with that kind of
money. This place is worth a fortune in revenue alone.
Anna turns on Johnathan with a venomous look.
ANNA
I know! It's our tits and arse that brings in your fortune,
remember?
(To Sarah)
All I'm askin' is that you give us a chance.
SARAH
I'm not meeting with the lawyer until next week. If you can
put together a proposal by then, I'll look into it. Right now, that's all I
can promise.
ANNA
That's enough.
Anna leaves. Johnathan takes her place, leaning against the
desk and facing Sarah.
JOHNATHAN
She's quite the little firecracker.
SARAH
Johnathan, don't.
JOHNATHAN
What? I'm just admiring her get up and go.
SARAH
Oh, is that why you were trying to peer down her robe? I
thought you were just being a perv.
JOHNATHAN
Hey, I resent that. You can't expect a guy to walk in on two
hot chicks fighting it out and not stop to look at what's on offer. That would
just be criminal.
SARAH
She's not on offer.
(Sarah reaches for her bag)
And neither am I.
Sarah stands and walks from the room. Johnathan waits until
she's left and then picks up the discarded letter from the Donaldsons.
ext. front of club - day
A man stands outside the club watching various people enter
the building. Anna, Ellie, Mary-Ann and Julie approach the club chatting.
mary-ann
There's no way we can raise that kind of money. I don't know
about y'all but if I had that kind of cash lying around, I sure as hell
wouldn't be shakin' my booty for every low-life and prison reject to come
through those doors.
ELLIE
If I had any money I'd buy myself one of those big screen TVs
like they have in the window at Harvey's. It's got cinema surround sound and
blue-ray.
julie
(Whispers)
As if you know what that means.
ELLIE
And Candace's Gary offered to help me install it.
JULIE
I'm sure he did.
ELLIE
What's that supposed to mean?
JULIE
What do you think it means?
ANNA
Cut it out you two.
ELLIE
She started it.
JULIE
(In whiny voice)
She started it.
MARY-ANN
Quiet, the both of you. The truth is we haven't a hope in
hell of buying this place, and that can mean only one thing.
Anna opens the door for the other three women to pass through.
JULIE
The Donaldsons.
ANNA
Over my dead body.
The women enter the club. The man takes out his phone and
places a call.
Man # 1
You were right, the bitches are trying to muscle in on our
turf.
(A pause)
That dyke, Anna, and her friends.
(A contrite pause)
Sorry, Boss, I didn't mean nothin' by it.
(A pause)
Consider it done.
int. strip club main floor - day
Daylight streams into the room, highlighting its seedy
design. Sarah walks between the tables and takes video of the room with a small
hand-held camcorder. Anna, Ellie, Mary-Ann and Julie enter.
SARAH
(Speaking for the camera)
As you can see, the square footage is quite impressive and
the establishment already has a liquor license, which I'm told are difficult to
get hold of in this part of town.
Ellie walks up behind Sarah.
ELLIE
Whatcha doin'?
Sarah jumps and accidentally drops her camcorder.
SARAH
Fuck!
(She looks shocked at her expletive)
Please don't sneak up on me.
ELLIE
Sorry, Lady-Boss, I thought you heard us come in.
MARY-ANN
(Whispers to the other strippers)
We made enough noise.
Anna bypasses the others and bends down to retrieve the
camcorder.
ANNA
You've cracked the screen.
(She tinkers with the controls)
But it still seems to be workin'.
SARAH
Thank you.
Sarah grabs back the camcorder, but appears embarrassed by
her rudeness.
SARAH
I wasn't expecting anyone to be here.
JULIE
We always arrive about now.
MARY-ANN
I like to limber up before a performance.
(Mary-Ann moves in real close to Sarah and whispers
seductively in her ear)
I pride myself on my flexibility.
Sarah moves back, next to Anna.
SARAH
But it's only four o'clock.
ANNA
It's Friday.
JULIE
We always get in early on a Friday.
MARY-ANN
I need to be extra limber for the weekend boys.
ANNA
And your old man used to pay us before our Friday sets. He
said we'd be too exhausted to count the money if he gave it to us afterwards.
Ellie, Julie, Mary-Ann and Anna start to circle Sarah.
MARY-ANN
You have got our money, right?
ELLIE
Gary'll kill me if I go home empty handed.
JULIE
Mr Perry promised me a raise.
Anna, Ellie and Mary-Ann turn to look at Julie in
astonishment.
MARY-ANN
A raise?
JULIE
He said he was gonna reward me for showing my dedication to
'The Palace'.
ELLIE
So it had nothing to do with you letting him jerk off over
your tits the other week.
JULIE
I did not!
SARAH
Oh God.
Sarah starts backing away. Mary-Ann moves to block her path.
MARY-ANN
Hey, Lady-Boss, where'd you think you're going?
SARAH
I can't... I can't listen to this.
MARY-ANN
(To Ellie)
Cut the jerk off talk, you're scaring the little rich girl.
(To Sarah)
What about our money?
SARAH
I don't know anything about it.
ELLIE
I cannot go home empty handed.
JULIE
You're not the only one.
MARY-ANN
We want our money, lady, and don't think you can dick us
around just because your old man croaked.
ANNA
Mary-Ann, that's enough.
MARY-ANN
Don't go telling me what to do, dyke, I was here long before
your sorry ass ever showed up.
Anna took a menacing step forward.
ANNA
I said, that's enough.
Ellie and Julie look at one another before choosing sides and
moving behind Anna. Sarah stays rooted to the spot.
MARY-ANN
(Under her breath)
I've had enough of this macho-crap.
(To Anna)
I'm gonna go get changed. You take care of little miss
lady-boss.
Mary-Ann exits and seconds later Julie and Ellie follow her
into the back rooms. Sarah looks at Anna nervously. Anna sits on the edge of
the
stage.
ANNA
So, what's with the camera, you planning on selling this
place on e-bay?
Sarah perches on the edge of a table, putting some distance
between them.
SARAH
I was thinking about re-envisioning the place.
ANNA
Re-envisioning?
SARAH
Turning it into a restaurant or cafe.
ANNA
A restaurant? Are you kidding me? This is a titty bar and
it's never gonna be anything else.
SARAH
I don't see why...
ANNA
This place is in the middle of fucking nowhere. Do you really
think anyone would come all this way if they didn't think they were gonna catch
sight of some girl's pussy?
Sarah becomes visibly uncomfortable at the description.
SARAH
I could employ the women here as waitresses.
ANNA
A topless bar?
SARAH
No, I didn't mean...
ANNA
You need more than swaying boobs to get the bozos this far
outta town. Hell, your old man had to introduce fetish and freaks nights just
to keep the customers rolling in.
SARAH
What?
(Sarah shakes her head)
I don't want to know.
ANNA
Look, honey, if you're gonna be in the strip club business,
however temporary, you gotta learn to stop squirmin' every time someone takes a
left turn away from the vanilla.
SARAH
What?
ANNA
Sex. Fucking. Tits and ass. It's what we sell here.
SARAH
I thought you said yesterday that this wasn't a brothel?
Anna snorts in derision, then jumps down from the stage and
stalks quickly to Sarah. She leans into Sarah's body, trapping her against the
table.
ANNA
Believe me, honey, you don't have to touch someone to make
them
come. One session with me and you'd swear blind you'd been fucked three ways
from Christmas and I wouldn't have to lay a finger on you.
Sarah is transfixed for a moment until she suddenly pushes
Anna away.
SARAH
What is wrong with you? Do you actually enjoy selling your
body up on that stage or something? I'm offering you a way out.
ANNA
You're offering me nothing.
Anna stalks by Sarah on her way to the door leading to the
back rooms. She turns and speaks over her shoulder just as she passes Sarah.
ANNA
You just make sure and get us our money by the end of the
evening or you'll
have a posse of pissed off strippers on your tail.
INT. STRIP CLUB'S OFFICE - DAY
Sarah paces the office. Johnathan lazily watches her progress
from his position lounging on the couch. The sound of disco/pop drums against
the walls.
SARAH
She hates me. She does. She's probably down there right now
riling up the woman into a mob set on lynching me from the tallest building.
JOHNATHAN
Uh huh.
SARAH
You should have seen her. All sex appeal and heaving
cleavage, as if she's the only woman in the world who could get me hot.
JOHNATHAN
Uh huh
SARAH
So what if she's gorgeous? It's not as if I care. She could
strip naked and perform her routine on the top of my desk and I wouldn't even
blink.
JOHNATHAN
No blinking.
SARAH
I don't care what she says, it would take more than the likes
of her gyrating in my face for me to come.
JOHNATHAN
Uh huh.
(Johnathan suddenly sits up)
She ... You ... What?
SARAH
Then she had the temerity to threaten me! Can you believe it?
JOHNATHAN
Hold on, go back a moment, what was that about her stripping
naked and gyrating over you on your desk?
SARAH
What? Have you been drinking.
JOHNATHAN
You said...
SARAH
That woman is out to ruin me! First she's all 'please give us
a chance to buy this wonderful club' but then her sister Ms Hyde takes over and
she's threatening to unleash a pack of rabid former beauty queens on me if I
don't get them their money.
JOHNATHAN
Rabid beauty queens?
SARAH
Former beauty queens. I read it in one of my father's files.
Ellie, Lesley, Julie and Anna were all 'Miss Somewhere or other' before they
descended into a life of degradation.
(Johnathan looks even more confused)
Before they became strippers.
JOHNATHAN
I bet back stage at those competitions would have been worth
seeing.
SARAH
Mind out of the gutter, please.
JOHNATHAN
Sorry, babe, but you're the one who brought up gyrating naked
strippers, not me.
SARAH
But I'm not the one drooling at the prospect.
JOHNATHAN
I don't know about that, you seem pretty hot and bothered to
me.
(He stands and approaches Sarah cautiously)
Maybe we could invite Anna round one night and exorcise these
little fantasies of yours?
SARAH
Pervert!
JOHNATHAN
I'm just saying...
There is a knock at the door and before either of them can answer it swings open and Candace walks in. Candace is wearing her stage costume.
CANDACE
Miss?
JOHNATHAN
Well, hello there.
SARAH
(To Johnathan)
Down boy.
(To Candace)
Is there something you need er...?
CANDACE
Candace.
SARAH
Is there something you need, Candace?
CANDACE
No Miss.
(Candace takes a step back towards the door)
It's just that... Well, it's Anna, she wanted me to remind
you that the deadline is fast approachin' and you really don't want to miss it
if you plan on stayin' in business. That's her words, Miss, not mine.
SARAH
Thank you Candace.
CANDACE
Sorry Miss.
(Candace turns to leave but then turns back to add)
She don't mean nothing by it. Anna, that is. She's just
worried about the girls and what'll happen if the Donaldsons get hold of this
place.
SARAH
I know you're all concerned.
CANDACE
Yeah, but it's worse for Anna, what with Richie tryin' to get
in her knickers all the time, and havin' to support Emily all on her own.
SARAH
Emily? She has a partner?
JOHNATHAN
(Whispers)
Try not to be too disappointed.
CANDACE
No, Miss, Emily's her little girl.
SARAH
She's got a daughter?
CANDACE
Yeah. A number of the girls have got family.
SARAH
I didn't... Thank you, Candace, please tell Anna that I'll be
down to discuss the situation as soon as Mr Tanner arrives.
CANDACE
Okay, Miss.
Candace leaves.
JOHNATHAN
You're giving in?
SARAH
I'm paying them what they're owed. Nothing more.
JOHNATHAN
Sure, babe, whatever you say.
INT. STRIP CLUB MAIN FLOOR - night
As the last of the customers leaves the lights come on and
the bar staff rush out to start clearing the tables and sweep the floors. Sarah
enters from a side door, followed by Mr Tanner and Johnathan.
SARAH
(To Mr Tanner)
Why don't you set up on one of those tables.
(she indicates one of the larger round tables that
circles the stage)
I'll go inform the women that we're ready for them.
JOHNATHAN
I can do that.
SARAH
If you think I'm letting you within a mile of that dressing
room you're even stupider than you look.
JOHNATHAN
Hey!
SARAH
I mean it, Johnathan, stay away from the dancers.
JOHNATHAN
Jealous, are we?
SARAH
Don't be obtuse. I just don't want them to catch anything.
JOHNATHAN
Hey!
Sarah exits through the dressing room door behind the stage.
Johnathan sits on the table where Mr Tanner is busily counting out money and
checking off items on his PDA.
JOHNATHAN
That's a lot of money for doing nothing more than waggling
your tail.
MR TANNER
I believe Mr Perry paid his employees the standard rate, plus
a small benefits package.
JOHNATHAN
All that and benefits too? I think I'm in the wrong
profession.
MR TANNER
And what profession would that be?
JOHNATHAN
Oh, you know...
Johnathan stands up and starts walking towards the dressing
room door when it opens and Sarah emerges followed by Anna, Mary-Ann, Candace,
Julie, Ellie and six other women.
SARAH
If you'd like to form an orderly line.
(Sarah indicates the table at which Mr Tanner is
sitting patiently)
CANDACE
Yes Miss.
MARY-ANN
Suck up.
CANDACE
Am not!
Ellie and Julie take the opportunity to sneak passed the
squabbling dancers.
MARY-ANN
Hey, bitch, I was first!
JULIE
You snooze, you loose.
ELLIE
Yeah.
MARY-ANN
(whispers)
Fuckin' parrot.
ANNA
Can we hurry this up? I'd like to get home before Christmas.
ELLIE
It's May.
ANNA
Exactly.
JOHNATHAN
If any of you ladies would like a ride home...?
The women all turn and give him a bored look.
ANNA
(To Sarah)
You might want to keep your boy-toy on a leash.
MARY-ANN
Or muzzled.
SARAH
I'll keep that in mind.
(To Johnathan)
Try and behave like the gentleman your parents foolishly
think you are.
JOHNATHAN
I was offering to escort these fine ladies back to their
homes. You can't get more gentlemanly than that.
SARAH
Sure you were, Johnathan, just like you were only helping
that blonde with her Yoga positions last month.
JOHNATHAN
I explained about...
JULIE
Ohhh, someone's in trouble.
JOHNATHAN
Hey! I don't need any comments from the peanut gallery.
ANNA
Not even if they come wrapped around a lapdance?
Sarah and Johnathan both turn to stare at Anna, the wonton
expressions on their faces errily similar.
MR TANNER
(To Anna)
Ms Carlson?
(Anna steps up to the table)
If you'd just sign here.
ANNA
Thanks.
As Anna counts her money the main doors bang open and Ted and
Richie Donaldson stride into the club and towards where Mr Tanner is sitting.
ted
(To Mr Tanner)
Tanner, where's the new...
Richie
(To Anna)
Hey, Anna, you're lookin' good. Do ya fancy goin' out for a
meal with me later? I know the best Indian joint. The curry will blow your mind.
TED
(Shouts at Richie)
Richie? I'm talkin' business here! Save your pussy chasin'
'til later.
Anna moves as if to attack Ted but Mary-Ann quickly steps in
her way and diffuses the situation.
Richie
Don't go talkin' about her like that.
TED
Stop being so pussy-whipped, you moron, and concentrate on
why we're here.
Sarah comes forward to stand before the Donaldsons.
SARAH
And why exactly are you here?
Ted Donaldson looks Sarah up and down very slowly before
turning to address Mr Tanner.
TED
She Ed's kid?
MR TANNER
Ms Perry is Edgar's daughter, yes.
SARAH
I asked why you were here.
TED
(He smiles widely and approaches Sarah until they're
less than a foot apart)
I wanted to send condolences about your old man. Me and Ed go
way back, don't we Richie.
Richie
Oh yeah, he was like a second father to us.
TED
Really broke me up when he croaked.
Richie
It did.
SARAH
Thank you.
(Sarah gestures towards the entrance)
Now if that's all, I'm sure we'd all like to get to bed. It
is quite late.
TED
Sure, sure. What we've got to say won't take long.
SARAH
Really? I thought you'd already more than adequately
expressed your condolences.
JOHNATHAN
Sarah, honey, hear them out.
All eyes turn on Johnathan who strides forward and offers his
hand to first Ted and then Richie.
JOHNATHAN
Johnathan Taylor, Ms Perry's fiance.
ANNA
Fiance?
SARAH
Ex-fiance.
JOHNATHAN
Don't lets quibble over techniqualities.
(To Ted)
Perhaps we should take this discussion to the office? I'm
sure the girls have places to be and wouldn't want to be bothered with all this
shop talk.
MARY-ANN
Pfft! Arse-hole.
ANNA
If this concerns us, I'm sure we'd all rather stay.
Richie
Don't worry, Anna, I could stay down here and keep you
company.
SARAH
I don't think that'll be necessary. If you have something to
say, gentlemen, I suggest you make an appointment. Right now I'm far too tired
to discuss anything.
TED
It'll only take a...
SARAH
Tomorrow, gentlemen.
JOHNATHAN
Hon, don't you think...
SARAH
Goodnight.
Ted and Richie reluctantly turn to leave.
Richie
Anna, do you want a ride home? I brought the beemer.
ANNA
No.
Richie
We go right by your place. I could even pop up and say hello
to little Emily.
ANNA
I said no.
Ted pulls his brother to the door and they both leave.
JULIE
(To Anna)
He sure is sweet on you.
ANNA
Oh lucky me.
To Be Continued