🔥 Brooke vs Bethany: The Control Break 🔥
Brooke had spent years swallowing her words.
Years watching Bethany explode at everyone.
Years hoping Larry would defend her.
But today… something shifted.
And the house was never the same again.
INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The TV plays in the background. Tension fills the room like smoke.
BETHANY storms in, talking fast, waving her hands.
Bethany
Why Sharra again? Why she always around in your head, Brooke? Huh?
Brooke freezes. Larry watches quietly from the couch.
BROOKE
I wasn’t even talking about Sharra…
Bethany
Then why her name slip from your mouth like that? You think I’m stupid?
Brooke clenches her jaw. Larry avoids eye contact.
FLASHBACK – LARRY AND BROOKE TALK
Soft lighting. Larry sits near Brooke, worried.
Larry
Brooke… listen. You gotta speak sometimes.
Not too much. Just enough to shut her down.
I’ll handle the rest… okay?
Brooke looks uncertain but desperate.
Brooke
You sure, Dad?
Larry
Yeah. She gets heavy sometimes… real heavy.
Just… don’t let her crush you.
BACK TO SCENE
Bethany stands inches from Brooke.
Bethany
Say it again. Say it with your chest this time!
Brooke trembles… then stops trembling.
A new fire lights inside her.
BROOKE
You wanna hear it? Fine.
Stop talking about Sharra every second.
She lives in your head more than she lives in her house.
Bethany’s eyes widen.
Larry looks down… but he smiles secretly.
Bethany
Larry! Larry are you hearing this disrespect? Your daughter is rude!
Larry says nothing.
Bethany gets louder.
Bethany
Say something! Aren’t you the man of this house?
Larry opens his mouth—
nothing comes out.
Brooke watches him, heart sinking.
INT. KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER
Bethany follows Brooke, still yelling.
Bethany
You think you grown now? That’s why you act like this?
Talking back like you own this place.
Brooke grabs a glass of water, holding back tears.
BROOKE
You started shouting first…
Bethany
So what? I’m the adult!
Brooke slams the glass on the counter—
not breaking it, but loud enough to echo.
BROOKE
I’m tired!
I’m tired of you yelling at me for things I didn’t do!
Bethany steps back, shocked.
She wasn’t expecting that.
INT. HALLWAY – SAME TIME
Larry listens from the doorway.
He looks guilty.
He knows this is his fault.
He is the one who told Brooke to speak up…
but never warned her how dangerous Bethany’s anger could be.
INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
Bethany’s breathing gets heavy.
Bethany
Larry! Come get your daughter before she forgets who I am!
Brooke folds her arms.
BROOKE
He told me to speak up.
You make me feel like trash every day.
Bethany freezes.
Larry panics.
Larry
Brooke… I didn’t mean it like—
Bethany
Oh, REALLY?
You told her to talk back to me?
Larry looks trapped.
Larry
I told her to defend herself… not fight you.
Bethany points a finger in Brooke’s face.
Bethany
See? This is why you got that attitude.
You spoiled. You disrespectful.
You turning into a whole problem!
Brooke pushes her hand away.
BROOKE
Don’t put your finger in my face again.
Bethany steps back, stunned.
Larry freezes.
FLASHBACK – BROOKE ALONE IN ROOM
Brooke sits on her bed holding her phone.
She scrolls through messages…
all filled with arguments about Sharra.
Every fight in the house somehow circles back to Sharra.
Brooke is sick of it.
BROOKE (V.O.)
If I keep living like this…
I’ll never become anything.
I’ll lose myself before I grow up.
BACK TO PRESENT – LIVING ROOM
Bethany sits on the couch, arms crossed.
Bethany
You think you tough now?
Is this how you’ll be in life?
Talking back to elders?
You think this will make you successful?
Brooke takes a deep breath.
BROOKE
I think…
you’re the reason I’m scared to grow up.
Larry looks up sharply.
He did not expect that.
BROOKE (CONT’D)
I don’t wanna end up angry every day.
I don’t wanna shout at everyone.
I don’t wanna become… like you.
Bethany stiffens—like she got punched.
INT. LIVING ROOM – SILENCE
No one speaks.
Larry looks between them, shaking his head slowly.
Larry
Bethany… maybe you should ease up.
She’s a kid.
Bethany’s eyes fill with fire.
Bethany
Oh so NOW you speak?
Larry gulps.
INT. STAIRS – MOMENTS LATER
Brooke walks upstairs quietly, shoulders low.
She wipes her tears, trying not to break.
BROOKE (V.O.)
Is this my life forever?
Anger… shouting… blame…
Can I ever focus on school, friends, anything?
INT. LARRY & BETHANY'S ROOM
Bethany storms in, pacing.
Bethany
She’s getting out of hand, Larry.
And you’re letting her.
Larry sits on the bed, exhausted.
Larry
Maybe…
she’s tired.
Maybe I pushed her too far.
Bethany stops pacing.
Bethany
What’s that supposed to mean?
Larry hesitates.
INT. BROOKE’S ROOM – SAME TIME
Brooke sits at her desk.
Her school books lie open… untouched.
She stares at her reflection in a small mirror.
BROOKE (V.O.)
If this keeps going…
I’ll never be able to grow.
Never focus.
Never become something better.
She wipes her eyes again.
BROOKE (V.O.)
But maybe… maybe tomorrow…
She stops.
A sound downstairs catches her attention.
A loud thud.
Bethany’s voice rising again—this time angrier than before.
Brooke stands slowly, scared but curious.
She steps toward the door…
hand shaking…
reaching for the handle…
To be Continue
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