Dialogue

INT. hank’s office — day

Anne is typing when the door opens and Chester strides in, going straight for hank’s office.

ANNE

Mr. Patton! Mr. Keenan isn’t there. You just missed him! 

CHESTER

(Angry) What? How? I was … I asked you to call me!

CHESTER FLINGS OPEN HANK’S DOOR. THE OFFICE IS EMPTY BUT HE SEES THE SAME NEWSPAPER ON THE DESK, ITS HEADLINE STARING HIM IN THE FACE.

ANNE

(Tartly) I did. Margie said she didn’t know where you were. Then Mr. Keenan left, saying he wouldn’t be back today.

CHESTER

But I have to speak to him!

ANNE

(Coldly) Mr. Patton, you are welcome to leave Mr. Keenan a message. He will receive it on Monday morning.

CHESTER glares at her and strides out without a word.

cut to:

INT. Chester’s office — day

Chester enters and goes to walk past Margaret to his office but this time she blocks his way.

MARGARET

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh! (He stops) What is going on with you today? You’re in – out, in – out, disappear who knows where, and you haven’t even given me the time of day! Now, what’s going on?

CHESTER

What? Nothing. Everything’s fine.

MARGARET

I see. (Arches eyebrow) Was the meeting that bad?

Chester

No, no. That went fine. Real good, actually.

MARGARET

So what’s eating you? (Pause) C/mon, spit it out.

CHESTER

(Pause, then sits down heavily and voice quavers) Oh, Margaret. I’ve … I’ve done something stupid.

MARGARET

(Concerned) Oh Chester, what is it? Are you … (Realisation dawns) Those two policemen! What have you  done?

CHESTER

What policemen?

MARGARET

They were here earlier. They wanted to talk to you but you’d done a disappearing act.

CHESTER

No, I don’t know anything about that.

MARGARET

Well what is it then? (Archly) Ah, is it that woman you’ve been seeing? The married one? (CHESTER hangs his head)

Has she broken it off? Did her husband finally get wise?

CHESTER

(Horrified) God, no, definitely not! (Pause) but … the truth is … I … I was weak. I cheated on her.

MARGARET

(Disbelief) That’s what’s got you all tied up in knots? You cheated on your married lover? Chester, you really had me worried there. Is that all?

INT. suburban hallway — late afternoon

the phone is ringing. BRENDA HETFIELD is at a pottery wheel, shaping a vase. She dries her hands and answers the phone.

[scene cuts between the two locations as they speak]

BRENDA HETFIELD

Hello, Hetfield household.

CHESTER

Brenda, it’s Chester. I need to talk to your sister.

BRENDA

Chester Patton? I’ve told you before  I don’t want you going anywhere near Doris again. And I’m certainly not facilitating any …!

CHESTER

Brenda, this is important. I must talk to Doris immediately! Do you know where she is?

BRENDA

No, and if I did I wouldn’t tell you. You’ve stained our family enough with your ungodly behaviour.

CHESTER

This is nothing to do with that, I promise. It’s much more serious.

BRENDA

More serious? How could it be any more serious? Proverbs 6:32 – “Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his dishonour shall not be wiped away.”

CHESTER

(Begging) C’mon Brenda, enough with the bible-thumping. This is life or death here.