THE RETURN OF STEPHANIE

The man holding a gun pushes Annabelle and Diana to the floor. Beatrice and the bodyguard are taped to the floor.

Annabelle: (To the strange man, in a loud voice) Who are you?. What do you want from us?.

Strange man: (In a loud voice) Shut up (Annabelle suddenly sees Stephanie approaching them from the kitchen, while eating an apple).

Annabelle: (Surprised) You?.

Stephanie: Well, well, well. If it isn't the little Mrs Jones.

Annabelle: Why exactly are you here?. What do you really want from us?. Aren't you tired of being too desperate?.

Stephanie: Me?, desperate?. (Laughs) You better shut that tramp of yours before I shut it for you. (To the strange man) I want you to tie up every part of her body, especially her mouth, it needs to be sealed. (Turns to look at Diana and then turns to Annabelle) A friend?, or is it your sister?. Anyways, I don't care. (To the strange man) Tie her up as well.

Strange man: (Pulls out a tape from his pocket and goes to tape Annabelle when she tries to resist) Stay put.

Annabelle: (Struggles to get out of his hold) Let go of me. Don't you dare touch me.

Strange man: (Suddenly irritated) I said, stay put. (Struggles to tape Annabelle's legs when she kicks him. He slaps her so hard and he bruises her lips) Bitch!. (Tapes her feet, hands, and finally her mouth. He does same with Diana. To Stephanie) All done.

Stephanie: (To Annabelle, mockingly) Poor thing!. Did you think you could actually fight him?. Let's see how brave you are now. You know what?, actually I want to hear you talk. I hate having conversations alone with myself. (Suddenly peels the tape off her mouth and she screams in pain) How does it feel?, does it hurt?. Well, this is just the beginning.

Annabelle: (Suddenly curses) Hoe!.

Stephanie: What did you just say?.

Annabelle: You're a hoe!. Always desperate for attention, but you'll never get it. You know why?, because you're just as empty as your head. There's nothing in there (Stephanie suddenly slaps her).

Stephanie: (In a loud voice) Shut up!. You don't know anything about me. You're no one, you're no one!.

Annabelle: (Smirks) You wanted us to have a conversation, we're having one right now. You should be honored I'm even speaking to you. You've got some nerve to come into my home and threaten me. (Turns to the strange man while staring at the gun in his hand) That better not be a toy gun. (Smirks) I doubt you have the guts to come here with a real gun (Stephanie suddenly grabs the gun from the man and aims at the tv, breaking the screen. Screams in anger) Do you know how much that costs?.

Stephanie: You really aren't worried about your life right now, are you?. Just one shot and you're gone forever, far away from David's reach.

Annabelle: Don't you dare mention his name.

Stephanie: Or what?. You can't do anything honey, you're taped to the floor.

Annabelle: Free me and I'll cut your lousy tongue off.

Stephanie: (Smirks and hits her on the face with her gun) You talk too much. I'll get straight to the point and tell you why I came here. Tell me where David hides all his savings and I might just retrain myself from from shooting you in the head.

Annabelle: Then you're just as dumb as I thought.

Stephanie: What?.

Annabelle: I'm not a snake like you Stephanie. Unlike you, I don't go around looking for where David keeps his money. I'm not a goal digger. Oh well, they say a parent also plays a great role in raising their child. Maybe they just spoiled you too much instead of paying attention to that attitude of yours.

Stephanie: (Suddenly yells) Shut up!. You think I have the time to chitchat with you?. I'll ask you one last time. Tell me where David keeps his savings and I'll let you go.

Annabelle: Do you think I know where it is?.

Stephanie: You're his wife, you should know. Unless, you two are not that close. (Laughs mockingly) David used to tell me everything you see.

Annabelle: (Smirks) Then you should know where he keeps his money.

Stephanie: We're wasting time here. (To the strange man, referring to the maid) Untie her (he quickly removes the tape from her mouth, hands, and feet. To Beatrice) Now, take me to his savings. If you fail to comply, you'll be buried next to your late mother's grave. Now move!. (To the strange man. Referring to Annabelle and Diana) Make sure they don't escape. (Back to Beatrice, while pointing the gun at her) Move! (Beatrice takes her upstairs and 10 minutes later, they return with a bag full of money).

Annabelle: (Surprised to actually see them return with money. To Beatrice, with a piercing gaze) How did you know?.

Maid: (Suddenly starts crying and panics at the same time) It was one day, when I wanted to go home to see my sick mother. I had no money and I was afraid to ask Sir David, because Mam here (refers to Stephanie) was always with him. So one time I went up to his study and I found him opening a secret door. I looked carefully and I could see all the numbers he punched in. Although he found out later that I was actually spying on him, he still gave me some money to go home, but before I could make it, my mom died.

Stephanie: Such a touching story!. Are we done here?. (To the strange man) Tie her up. (To Annabelle) As for you, I'll handle you myself. (Drops the bag and goes to put back the tape on Annabelle's mouth when Annabelle suddenly bites her hand. Screams in pain) How dare you bite me with that filthy mouth of yours?. Do you know how much I spent to have this clear skin?.

Annabelle: Go to hell!.

Stephanie: (Suddenly angry and picks up her gun) Go to hell?, you go to hell and say hi to my mom for me (suddenly pulls the trigger while aiming at Annabelle. Diana struggles to move her body, same with the bodyguard).

Maid: (Screams and runs to Annabelle) Mam Annabelle!!!!.