Lady Macbeth

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In Chapter 13 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, just as private eye Carrie Love's mother Margo starts recovering from her stroke -- and is enjoying her meds -- her dead husband's second wife Eva arrives on the scene to try and take control, making for quite the tricky Christmas Eve ...


INT. MARGO’S MANSION - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A hospital bed has been set up in a corner of the room.
Margo lies on it with an IV tube in her arm.

The private nurse, LAYLA (25),
a lovely HISPANIC GIRL, adjusts the dosage.

MARGO
Do I really have to wear
this fucking thing in my arm?

LAYLA
It’s a sedative. It’ll calm you down.
Most people like it.

MARGO
What about food? Nutrients?

LAYLA
You’re not a vegetable.
You can still eat.

MARGO
Seth, could you go make me a sandwich?

SETH
Leans against the fireplace.
Wearily looks at his mother.

SETH
When I had dinner an hour ago
you said you weren’t hungry.

MARGO
You know I hate pizza.
I’d like turkey on wheat with mustard.
And bring me a fresh cocktail.

LAYLA
I’m sorry -- no alcohol.

MARGO
Not even a beer?

LAYLA
NO ALCOHOL.
(adjusts the drip)
How about this?

Margo’s eyes glaze over.

MARGO
Oooh. That’s -- nice.

Seth rolls his eyes.
Starts off for the kitchen.

The doorbell RINGS.

MARGO
Shit. It’s Lady Macbeth.
Somebody go get my rifle.

The doorbell RINGS again.

LAYLA
I’ll get it.

MARGO
No. Don’t let her in.

LAYLA
But that’s rude.

MARGO
Now you’re catching on.

Seth comes back in from the kitchen.
Hands Margo a sandwich on a plate
and a glass of milk.

SETH
I’ll get it. Chew slowly, Mom.
(under his breath)
Wouldn’t want you to choke.

MARGO
(to Layla)
I assume MILK is okay?

Seth goes to the door. Opens it.

In walks EVA LOVE (40),
Carrie’s father’s second wife.

Blonde. Blue-eyed. Aryan. Curvy. No-nonsense.
A bit formal in a designer suit.
With a clipped German accent to match.

She rolls in her suitcase.
Rushes to Margo’s bed.

EVA
Margo, how are you feeling?
Are you alright?
Seth called me at the airport.
My heavens, all this tragedy in one family.
Poor Tad. He was such a bright young man.
And on the holidays. Tsk-tsk.

MARGO
Get the fuck out of my face, you witch.
(looks at the bag)
Back from another trip, I see.
Must be nice to travel so much.

EVA
I was closing up my apartment in Berlin.

MARGO
Oh dear, then I guess you had
to let the stormtroopers go.

Pause.

EVA
Seth. It’s so good to see you again.
My, you’re looking more and more
like your father every day.

SETH
Hi, Eva. Thanks for coming.
We’re so glad you could make it.

MARGO
(to Layla)
Everyone says he looks more like me.

An uncomfortable silence.

SETH
So, uh -- Carrie should be here any minute.

EVA
Splendid. It will be nice to see her, too.

MARGO
You talked to CARRIE?
She didn’t return MY call.

SETH
She’s working on a case, Mom.
You can’t exactly check your messages
when you’re rescuing someone from the bad guys.

LAYLA
Is she -- a cop?

SETH
She used to be.
Now she’s a private detective.

MARGO
After she was kicked off the force.

Pause.

EVA
Perhaps I should make some coffee.
How about it? Maybe with some brandy in it?

SETH
Sure. Great.

LAYLA
I’ll come help.

PUSH IN ON Margo.
She raises her arm with the IV drip.

MARGO
I’ll stick with what I’m having --