INT. POLICE STATION – HOLDING AREA – NIGHT
Harsh white lights flicker overhead. The air smells of metal and damp walls. Distant footsteps echo through the corridor.
Bethany walks in, tense, her eyes scanning until they land on a cell.
Lyntee sits behind iron bars, quiet, distant.
Bethany steps closer, her voice barely holding together.
BETHANY
Lyntee…
Lyntee looks up slowly, surprised—but not relieved.
LYNTEE
You shouldn’t be here.
Bethany grips the cold bars tightly.
BETHANY
I had to see you.
A pause. The noise of the station fades into the background.
BETHANY
Tell me this is a mistake.
Lyntee looks away, her jaw tightening.
LYNTEE
It doesn’t matter what it is anymore.
Bethany shakes her head, refusing to accept that.
BETHANY
It matters to me.
Lyntee lets out a quiet breath, almost a laugh.
LYNTEE
You always cared too much.
Bethany leans closer, her voice firm.
BETHANY
And you always push people away.
Silence falls between them.
A constable walks past, glancing at them, then keeps moving.
Bethany lowers her voice.
BETHANY
I’m going to get you out.
Lyntee’s expression immediately hardens.
LYNTEE
No.
Bethany frowns.
BETHANY
No?
LYNTEE
Don’t do that. Don’t drag yourself into this.
Bethany’s grip on the bars tightens.
BETHANY
You think I can just walk away?
Lyntee stands now, stepping closer to the bars.
LYNTEE
You should.
Bethany’s voice cracks, but her determination doesn’t.
BETHANY
I won’t.
Their eyes lock—years of history in one moment.
BETHANY
I’m not leaving you here.
Lyntee studies her, searching for hesitation… but finds none.
LYNTEE
You haven’t changed.
Bethany gives a faint, sad smile.
BETHANY
Neither have you.
A whistle blows somewhere in the station. Time is running.
Bethany steps even closer.
BETHANY
Just hold on.
Slowly, Lyntee lifts her hand and places it against the bars. Bethany mirrors her on the other side.
So close… yet separated by cold iron.
Cut to—
INT. POLICE STATION – INSPECTOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
A dim room filled with files and paperwork. A ceiling fan spins lazily.
Bethany pushes the door open. Her father stands inside, speaking to an officer. The officer nods and leaves.
Her father turns, calm and composed.
FATHER
I didn’t expect you here.
Bethany walks in without hesitation.
BETHANY
Get her out.
Her father raises an eyebrow.
FATHER
Straight to the point.
Bethany doesn’t soften.
BETHANY
She doesn’t belong in that cell.
He folds his arms.
FATHER
She’s been arrested for a reason.
Bethany steps closer.
BETHANY
Then the reason is wrong.
Her father studies her carefully.
FATHER
And you know this how?
Bethany meets his gaze without fear.
BETHANY
Because I know her.
A faint pause.
FATHER
That’s not how this works.
Bethany’s frustration rises.
BETHANY
Then make it work.
Her voice echoes slightly in the small room.
The fan creaks above them.
FATHER
You’re asking me to interfere with the law.
Bethany doesn’t back down.
BETHANY
I’m asking you to do the right thing.
A silence fills the room.
FATHER
And if she’s guilty?
Bethany’s answer comes instantly.
BETHANY
She’s not.
Her father walks toward the desk, thinking.
FATHER
Belief isn’t evidence.
Bethany follows him.
BETHANY
Then find the evidence.
A long pause.
Outside, faint voices and typewriters continue their rhythm.
FATHER
Why does she matter so much?
Bethany hesitates… then answers honestly.
BETHANY
Because she has no one else.
Her father looks at her—really looks.
BETHANY
And I’m not going to let her stay alone in there.
Another silence.
The weight of her words settles in the room.
Her father exhales slowly.
FATHER
This won’t be easy.
Bethany nods.
BETHANY
I’m not asking for easy.
He looks toward the door, conflicted.
FATHER
If I step in, there will be consequences.
Bethany’s voice is steady.
BETHANY
I understand.
A moment passes.
Then—
Her father finally nods.
FATHER
I’ll see what I can do.
Bethany’s shoulders relax slightly, relief mixing with hope.
BETHANY
Thank you.
He doesn’t respond immediately, still thinking.
Cut to—
INT. POLICE STATION – HOLDING AREA – NIGHT
The corridor is quieter now.
Lyntee sits alone in her cell, staring at the floor.
Footsteps approach. A constable pauses near her cell.
CONSTABLE
You’ve got someone fighting for you.
Lyntee looks up, confused.
LYNTEE
What?
The constable shrugs slightly.
CONSTABLE
Must mean something.
He walks away.
Lyntee leans back against the wall, her expression softening for the first time.
A faint smile appears.
LYNTEE
(whispering)
Bethany…
She closes her eyes, holding onto that one fragile piece of hope.
Fade out.