INT. STARBUCKS, 7:25 AM

ELIZABETH, age 9, is on her way to school. CYNTHIA, Elizabeth’s mother, and ELIZABETH decide to stop at Starbucks, because they are running a bit early that day. They walk up to the cashier, and they both stare at menu behind the him. After a few seconds, they decide on their order.

CYNTHIA

May I have a tall Latte with no sugar please.

ELIZABETH

And can I have a grande vanilla bean frappuccino with an extra espresso shot…

CYNTHIA

(Interrupting Elizabeth)

Excuse me missy. Too much caffeine. You can get tea.

ELIZABETH

But mommy… Daddy always lets me get the frappuccino with two shots of espresso when I go with him. We get to play for hours after that.

CYNTHIA

What?!? I need to talk to him right now.

Mother, indignant, steps out of line, pulls out her phone and starts dialing up her husband.

CYNTHIA

(Dialing the cell phone)

I cannot believe that your father lets you have so much caffeine. You know it’s a drug, right?

Elizabeth realizes her mistake.

ELIZABETH

That was only one time! He doesn’t usually let me. That was just before a soccer game.

Mother, now ignoring her, puts the phone to her ear and begins to speak to DAVID, .

CYNTHIA

David!

DAVID

Hey, what’s up, Cynthia?

CYNTHIA

Have you been letting Elizabeth have espresso at Starbucks when she goes?

DAVID

What? No…

CYNTHIA

Are you sure, because that's not what she said.

DAVID

Let me talk to her for a moment, ok?

Reluctantly, Cynthia passes her phone to Elizabeth.

CYNTHIA

(passes the phone)

Here’s the phone, your father wants to talk to you for a moment.

ELIZABETH

Yeah, daddy?

DAVID

Did you tell your mother about our special trips to Starbucks after soccer?

ELIZABETH

Wait! Let me explain!

DAVID

What did you do?!

ELIZABETH

I didn’t mean to, really!

DAVID

C’mon, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH

I’m sorry. Bye dad.

Elizabeth passes the phone back to Cynthia, but as she does, David hangs up.

CYNTHIA

(Snatches the phone)

So what was that all about?

ELIZABETH

Nothing…

CYNTHIA

Everyone’s keeping secrets. So many secrets. So awful.

I’m going to the car.

Cynthia storms off.