Tarnished Armor
Part 111

Chandler Mansion.

Adam and Liza’s bedroom. Early morning.

Adam is sitting at Liza’s dressing table.

There’s a knock on the door and Hayley enters.

Hayley: Good morning.

Adam: Morning, anyway.

Hayley: Did you ... did you give Winifred and Lucretia the day off? I went downstairs and --

Adam: I sent them away. Hayley, you should go.

Hayley: That’s not an option. I’m not on the payroll.

Hayley goes to the bed and sits on it.

Hayley: What did Liza mean? About you playing dress-up?

Adam: Not now, Hayley.

Hayley: I don’t get it. I mean, it’s not as if she’s Miss Noble of Heart herself. Does she blame you for losing Colby?

Adam doesn’t answer.

Hayley: Okay. I can see you’ve entered your zipped lip phase. Let’s try something else. It’s been awhile since we’ve spent time together. What do you want to do?

Adam: What do you mean?

Hayley: Well, I’d say bowling is probably out of the question, but we could take in a movie, or go to McKay’s for hamburgers.

Adam doesn’t answer.

Hayley: Not good, huh? I bet you’re just afraid of that mad cow thing, right?

Adam: Sweetheart, I really appreciate what you’re trying to do here, but I’d like to be alone for a while.

Hayley: Leave you alone? No way.

Adam: I... I just need some time to think.

Adam gets up.

Adam: I’ll be back later -- I promise. And we can go to the stables, or something.

Hayley: You promise.

Adam: Yes. My word is worth nothing, I know, but I promise.

Hayley: I’m not going to find out that you were out coaxing Liza into murder later, am I?

Adam: No. I’m staying away from Liza.

Hayley: Okay. When will you be back?

Adam: This afternoon?

Hayley: For sure? Or are you asking me?

Adam: For sure. This afternoon.

Hayley: Okay. See you later. Don’t get into any trouble.

Adam: I won’t. Not on purpose.

Hayley: Okay.

Adam goes to the door and leaves.

Hayley goes over to Liza’s dressing table. She picks up a picture of Adam that’s sitting there and looks at it. Then she surveys the room. Her eyes fall on the picture of Adam, Liza and Colby. She stares at it. Then she puts down the picture of Adam and leaves the room.


******


Belinda’s apartment.

The living room is empty.

Belinda comes out of her bedroom.

Belinda: Liza?

There’s no answer.

There’s a knock at the door. Belinda goes over and starts to open it.

Belinda: We’re going to have to get you your own key.

Adrian is standing there.

Adrian: I have my own key. I just thought it was better to knock this time.

Belinda: Oh.

Adrian: Expecting someone else?

Belinda: I thought you might be Liza.

Adrian: Really?

Adrian touches his jaw.

Adrian: Now that’s what I call a close shave.

Belinda laughs.

Adrian comes in and Belinda closes the door.

Belinda: Liza is going to be staying here for a while.

Adrian: Problems at home?

Belinda: I don’t know exactly what’s going on.

Adrian: I guess this means we’ll be spending less time together.

Belinda: I’m not a nun, Adrian. Just a good friend of someone in trouble.

Adrian: Good.

Adrian goes over to the refrigerator.

Belinda: Adrian?

Adrian: What?

Belinda: What are we right now?

Adrian: What do you mean?

Belinda: I mean, where do you see this relationship going? We’ve been together for almost a year now.

Adrian opens the refrigerator.

Adrian: What’s with your orange juice?

Belinda: What?

Adrian takes out a container of orange juice. There’s an envelope taped to it. Belinda goes over and takes the envelope and opens it. She reads the note inside.

Adrian: What is that?

Belinda: It’s from Liza. I hope she’s all right.

Adrian: Why? What does it say?

Belinda: It says she went out for a while, bought some orange juice and went back out. She’ll be at the Valley Inn tonight for dinner if I want to join her.

Adrian: That doesn’t sound too bad. And it looks like we have the whole day for just the two of us.

Belinda puts down the note.

Belinda: For what?

Adrian: Use your imagination, counselor.

Belinda smiles.

Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Ten
Part One Hundred and Twelve