THE EMPTY CHAIR

FADE IN:

EXT. COMPOUND - DAY

We see a young girl, MAY (16), and a boy, JOHN (17), standing close to the entrance of a house, talking in hushed tones.

MAY

(whispering)

Leave that one, John. My dad's bark is worse than his bite. He's never home anyway. The best he can do is beat me. Nothing else. Besides, he's not always at home. We barely see him. It's the information he gets that he can work with.

JOHN

(nervously)

How about your mum?

MAY

(dismissively)

She's home always but went to the market. Don't bother about her, she's a pushover. Her words don't hold water. She's not as firm or disciplined as my father.

JOHN

(hesitantly)

Won't she tell your dad?

MAY

(confidently)

She won't dare. She's just too soft. She won't want to cause me some problems. Besides, I already informed her I was expecting a visitor.

JOHN

(scared)

I'm scared o

MAY

(reassuringly)

Why? Ain't you a man? Besides, I'm giving you my word. My dad won't be back until midnight. He thinks money is everything.

Both of them walked in and were surprised to hear the door shut behind them. Both of them looked behind to see. The girl saw her father standing close to the door.

MAY

(terrified)

Dad! Where's mum? Someone please help me!

JOHN

(panicked)

I told you this wasn't a good idea! (he starts wetting his pants)

MR. JONES

(firmly)

Your mother's not here, May. And neither of you is leaving this house until we have a talk.

FADE OUT.