18. INT	LIVING ROOM	SAME TIME
STEPHEN AND CATHERINE WALK OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITH CATHERINE LAUGHING AT A JOKE FROM STEPHEN AS THEY WALK INTO THE LIVING ROOM…

CATHERINE

You are a comedian, Stephen! Where did Precious find you?

STEPHEN

(Smiles) Precious is an angel, ma. That is why I will never forget the first time I met her nine months ago at a supermarket. I had just finished picking out the items I wanted when I realized I didn’t have my wallet with me.

CATHERINE

Oh no! That must have been very embarrassing!

STEPHEN

Very embarrassing, ma. My only choice was to go back and return all the items I had picked out aisle by aisle! But Precious was in the supermarket at the same time to shop and she stepped forward and agreed to assist me in paying. She spared me my blushes that day.

CATHERINE

That’s a very sweet romantic story. I am happy for the two of you. 

STEPHEN

Thank you, ma.

CATHERINE

So what do you do for a living?

STEPHEN

Well, I am into the importation of electronics and cars. I have been into the business for the past seventeen years now.

CATHERINE

Good. That is very good. 


STEPHEN

Thanks, ma.




CATHERINE

(Dries hands) I am happy we had this small chat, Stephen. Precious is my step-daughter and her happiness means a lot to her father and me. Please do take care of her.

STEPHEN

I intend to do that for a long time to come, ma.

CATHERINE

We hope so, too. We are even happier with the fact that you clearly love her even though she had lived a very terrible life when she was much younger. 

STEPHEN

(Surprised) A very terrible life?

CATHERINE

(Confused) I am sorry. But didn’t she tell you about her past?

STEPHEN RECOVERS HIS COMPOSURE QUICKLY AND SMILES AS HE SPEAKS…

STEPHEN

Oh, yes. She told me everything. But seriously, I do not consider any of that serious. The bottom line is that I love Precious and nothing else matters. 

CATHERINE

Good. Very good.

STEPHEN

Thank you, ma. Eh, may I go to the room now, please?

CATHERINE

Yes, you can. Thanks for helping me out with the dishes. 

STEPHEN

You welcome, ma.

HE SMILES AND WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN. CATHERINE WATCHES HIM WALK OUT WITH A WORRIED LOOK IN HER EYES AS SHE STARES AT HIS BACK…

CUT