Tarnished Armor
Part 102

Belinda’s apartment. Later that same night.

There’s a knock at the door. After a moment, the knocking continues.

Belinda comes out of her bedroom, wrapping her robe around her.

Belinda: Just a minute!

Belinda opens the door.

Stuart is standing outside the door, propping up Liza.

Belinda: Stuart! What’s --

Stuart: Can we come in?

Belinda: Well, sure.

Stuart guides Liza over to the couch.

Liza: Why’m I here?

Stuart: You’re here because you need a friend.

Belinda: What’s going on?

Stuart: She’s been drinking. A lot. She was sick a couple of times on the way over.

Liza: The honest brother. How ‘freshing.

Liza lies down on the couch.

Belinda pulls Stuart aside.

Belinda: Stuart, what happened? Does this have something to do with why Liza didn’t show up in court yesterday?

Stuart: I think so. I’m not sure. She and Adam had a fight.

Liza: A fight? Who tol’ you that? It was sabotage. Sabotage. Is that French?

Stuart: Is it okay if she stays here?

Adrian comes out of the bedroom.

Liza begins to sing.

Liza: Secret. A-Gent man. Secret. A-Gent man.

Adrian looks at Liza.

Adrian: Rough night?

Liza: Shut up. You’re all skunks.

Liza gets a strange look on her face.

Belinda: Liza?

Liza: Bathroom.

Belinda hurries over to Liza and helps her up.

Belinda: This way.

Belinda helps Liza stumble to the bathroom.

Adrian: Stuart, what do you know about this?

Stuart shrugs his shoulders.

Belinda comes out of the bathroom.

Stuart: So, what do you think, Belinda? Can she stay?

Belinda: Of course.

Stuart: Make sure she remembers why she came back tomorrow.

Belinda: Came back?

Stuart: From New York. Tell her WRCW and the FCC. And... and...

Belinda: And?

Stuart: Kick -- kickbacks. Kickbacks?

Belinda: WRCW and the FCC and kickbacks.

Stuart: Are you sure you’ll remember? It’s very important.

Belinda: I won’t forget.

Liza calls out from the bathroom.

Liza: Belinda?

Belinda: I’ll be right there!

Belinda turns to Stuart.

Belinda: You can go. It’s okay.

Stuart: You sure?

Belinda: I’m sure.

Stuart: Thanks, Belinda. Bye.

Stuart leaves.

Belinda: Adrian, I know this is awkward, but --

Adrian: Say no more. I’ll get my things and call you in the morning.

Belinda kisses Adrian.

Belinda: Thanks.

Belinda heads towards the bathroom. Adrian goes to the bedroom.

 
Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred One
Part One Hundred and Three