<Billy,
Chester and Mallu are sitting around the table. Benson is in
the background cooking something. Jessica enters the
kitchen.>
Jessica:
Sorry I’m late. I was at the hospital.
Chester:
How is she?
Jessica:
She’s stable, but they’re not sure exactly what’s wrong
with her.
Chester:
She’ll be fine. I know it.
Jessica:
I hope so…Now Billy, what’s this I hear about attempted
murder?
Billy:
Well ma, remember when I shot Leslie on New Year’s Eve?
Jessica:
Sure I do. It was awful, wasn’t it? All bloody and
everything…
Billy:
Ma…
Jessica:
And all that screaming. And the blood that got on the carpet
in the basement…but then I suppose I could probably clean
that up. Benson, did you get that carpet in the basement
cleaned up?
Benson:
Nope. I ain’t going down there.
Jessica:
Why not?
Benson:
Because I don’t like it down there.
Jessica:
Well, how will the carpet get cleaned then?
Benson:
Beats me.
<The
audience cheers as Benson gets back to cooking.>
Billy:
Anyway ma, Leslie told everyone that I tried to kill her, when
in reality it was her that was going to kill me. I was just
defending myself.
Jessica:
I see…
Mallu:
Well, you won’t have to worry about anything, Billy. I’ll
get you out of this. That’s what I’m here for.
Chester:
You’re sure you can get him out?
Mallu:
Of course I can. One look at me, the judge will throw
Haversham out the window. Besides, have I ever lost a case?
Billy:
Okay Mallu, that’s great. Now what defense tactic are you
going to use?
<Mallu
looks at Billy as if he’s crazy.>
Mallu:
How should I know? But don’t worry. I’ll come up with
something. In the meantime, sit tight, don’t leave the
house, and don’t try to kill anyone else.
Billy:
I’m innocent!
Mallu:
Oh yeah…I forgot. Okay, see you later.
<Mallu
gets up to leave but stops and looks at Chester.>
Chester:
What?
Mallu:
Remember our agreement, Tate? We’re never supposed to be
alone with Jessica in the house.
Chester:
This is a family emergency, Mallu. I have to be here for my
son.
Billy:
It’s okay, dad. You can go. I’ll be fine, really.
Chester:
Well I guess I can go back to the basement…but if you have
any problems at all, call me and I’ll be here right away.
Billy:
Thanks, dad.
<Chester
gets up and leaves with Mallu. Jessica, Billy and Benson
remain in the kitchen.>
Jessica: Benson, would you mind going upstairs and
cleaning up my bedroom?
Benson: Yes, I would mind very much actually.
Jessica: Benson…
Benson: Fine…But I hate cleaning….
<Benson leaves the kitchen>
Jessica: Billy, did everything really happen the
way you said it did?
Billy: I swear, ma. I’m telling the truth. It
happened exactly as I described it.
Jessica: Good. I believe you. And you will beat
this thing. I know it.
Billy: Thanks, ma. I love you.
<Jessica and Billy
hug>
|