Tarnished Armor
Part 119

Chandler Mansion. Living room. Night.

The phone is ringing. Adam comes down the stairs. He picks up the phone.

Adam: Adam Chandler. ... Yes, I’m leaving right now. ... Eight o’clock. ... I’ll see you there.

Adam hangs up the phone.

Hayley comes out of the kitchen.

Hayley: Hey! I’ve almost got dinner ready. How do you feel about pasta?

Adam looks up at Hayley.

Adam: I’m sorry, Hayley. I have to go out. I should have told you.

Hayley: Oh. Well, where are you going?

Adam: I have some unfinished business to take care of. I’ll be back later.

Hayley steps in front of Adam.

Hayley: What unfinished business?

Adam: I don’t have time for this, Hayley. I can’t miss my chance.

Hayley: You’re not leaving here until you tell me where you’re going.

Adam: I can’t do that right now.

Adam moves towards the door.

Hayley: Dad?

Adam stops.

Hayley: Dad, is this that one last thing?

Adam doesn’t answer.

Hayley: Dad, don’t go. Please don’t go.

Adam: I’m sorry, Hayley. It has to be done.

Hayley: No, Dad.

Adam studies Hayley.

Adam: Pasta?

Hayley smiles.

Hayley: Yes. And there’s a salad to go with it. We could eat it right out here. Will you stay?

Adam: How could I refuse an offer like that?

Hayley: Good. I’ll be right back with the food.

Adam goes and sits on the couch.

Adam: I’ll be waiting.

Hayley: I’m counting on it.

Hayley goes into the kitchen.

Adam goes to the door and leaves.

A minute passes. Hayley comes back out carrying two salad bowls.

Hayley: Dad?

Hayley looks around the room.

Hayley: No. Oh, no. Dad? Dad!

Hayley drops the bowls and goes to the door.

She runs outside. A moment later she comes back in, looking defeated.

She goes and sits on the couch.



  *******


Belinda’s apartment.

Liza and Belinda are putting the dishes from their dinner into the dishwasher.

Belinda coughs.

Liza: What was that?

Belinda: That was my way of getting your attention. I think I need a hot cup of tea. Would you turn on the burner under the teakettle?

Liza goes to the stove and turns on the burner.

Liza: Getting a cold? See, that’s what happens when you don’t go to the gym.

Belinda: Oh, please. I haven’t see you there in over a year. By your calculations, you should be dead by now.

Liza: Well, I know you’re getting your vitamin C. I’m paying for it every day. What do you do -- inhale orange juice?

Belinda: Well, I’ll say one thing. My dollar has served me well.

Liza: What? Me paying for take-out and orange juice, and turning on the stove? Don’t fool yourself. I’m still getting the better end of the deal.

The phone rings.

Belinda goes to the phone.

Liza opens the refrigerator and looks through the shelves.

Belinda (into phone): Hello? ... Well, hello stranger. ... What? ...Where are you? .... Where is he? ... No. Of course. ... Where exactly are you? ... I’ll be right there.

Belinda hangs up the phone.

She rushes to her closet and grabs a coat.

Belinda: I’ll be back later.

Liza: What is it?

Belinda: There’s no time to explain.

Liza: What’s wrong?

Belinda: Adrian’s having trouble with a case.

Liza: I’m coming with you.

Belinda: I’m not sure you’ll want to.

Liza: After everything you’ve done for me --

Belinda: It’s a case he took from Adam.

Liza stands still for a moment. Then she turns off the burner under the teakettle. She goes to the closet and gets her coat.

Liza and Belinda leave.

Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Eighteen
Part One Hundred and Twenty