Ethan & Theresa 3/21/07

Summary

In this dramatic script, Theresa is blackmailed, causing tension in her relationship with Ethan. The blackmailer threatens to destroy Theresa's family if she doesn't comply with their demands, which include marrying Jared. Despite Ethan's love and his attempts to support her, Theresa's refusal to reveal her secret pushes him away. The script is filled with suspense as Theresa struggles with her decision, while the blackmailer's identity and motives remain a mystery.

Takeaways

• 🔒 A character is being blackmailed, with the threat of severe consequences for their family if they don't comply with the blackmailer's demands.
• ❤️ The main characters express deep love for each other, with one character insisting on honesty and openness despite the blackmail situation.
• 😣 A secret is being kept from the loved one, causing tension and a potential rift in their relationship.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The family of one of the characters is under threat, with the blackmailer holding significant power over their fate.
• 🚫 The character refuses to give in to the blackmailer's demands, showing a strong stance against屈服于 criminal pressure.
• 🤔 The identity of the blackmailer remains a mystery, with the character receiving anonymous and disguised communications.
• 😱 There is a sense of being watched and listened to, suggesting the blackmailer could be monitoring the characters' every move.
• 😢 A character is torn between protecting their family and being honest with their partner, leading to emotional distress.
• 💔 The relationship is at a breaking point due to the secret and the blackmail, with one character considering leaving.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 A mother is involved in the situation, showing concern for her child's well-being and possibly eavesdropping on their conversations.

Q & A

What is the main conflict in the script?

The main conflict revolves around Theresa being blackmailed, which threatens her relationship with Ethan and the safety of her brothers.

Why does Theresa refuse to reveal her secret to Ethan?

Theresa refuses to reveal her secret because she fears the consequences it may have on her family, particularly her brothers.

What is the blackmailer threatening to do if Theresa doesn't comply?

The blackmailer threatens to frame Theresa's brothers for crimes they didn't commit, leading to Miguel going to prison for life and Louise receiving a lethal injection.

How does the blackmailer communicate with Theresa?

The blackmailer communicates with Theresa through disguised phone calls on both her computer and cell phone, making their voice sound low and raspy.

What is Ethan's reaction when Theresa won't reveal her secret?

Ethan feels betrayed and frustrated, as he believes Theresa is not being honest with him, which leads him to walk away from their relationship.

What does the blackmailer want Theresa to do?

The blackmailer wants Theresa to marry Jared and give up on Ethan, threatening to destroy her family if she defies them.

Why does Ethan believe they can overcome the blackmailer's threats?

Ethan believes they can overcome the threats because he is confident in their ability to find the blackmailer and put an end to their manipulation.

What is the significance of the undisclosed secret that Theresa is hiding?

The undisclosed secret is significant because it is the leverage the blackmailer is using to control Theresa's actions and decisions, affecting her relationships and her family's safety.

How does Theresa's mother become involved in the situation?

Theresa's mother becomes involved when she eavesdrops on their conversation and tries to intervene, showing concern for Theresa and Ethan's relationship.

What is the relationship between Theresa and Ethan?

Theresa and Ethan are in a romantic relationship, and they have a history together, with Ethan expressing a desire to marry Theresa.

Outlines

00:00

🔒 Blackmail and Love's Struggle

The first paragraph revolves around a couple, Theresa and Ethan, who are dealing with a blackmailer's threats to their relationship. The blackmailer is pressuring Theresa to stay away from Ethan, and they suspect that the blackmailer might be someone who wants Theresa for themselves or simply hates Ethan. The couple is determined not to let the blackmailer control their lives, but the situation is complicated by the fact that Theresa's brothers are being threatened with false accusations if she doesn't comply. Ethan is adamant that they should fight back and find the blackmailer, but Theresa is hesitant to reveal the secret that the blackmailer is holding over her. The tension builds as Ethan urges Theresa to trust him with her secret, which is implied to be a significant revelation about her past.

05:02

😔 Ultimatums and Family's Fate

The second paragraph delves deeper into the blackmail situation, with the blackmailer threatening Theresa's family's well-being if she doesn't marry Jared, a man chosen by the blackmailer. The threats are severe, including life imprisonment for her brother Miguel and a lethal injection for her brother Louis for crimes they did not commit. The blackmailer uses emotional manipulation, suggesting that Theresa's happiness and her family's safety are at stake. Ethan, frustrated by Theresa's refusal to share the secret, gives her an ultimatum: reveal the truth, or he will leave. The situation escalates to a breaking point, with Theresa's mother intervening and Ethan deciding to leave if the truth isn't revealed. The paragraph ends with Theresa still unable to disclose her secret, leading to Ethan's departure and the potential end of their relationship.

Keywords

💡Blackmailer

A blackmailer is someone who threatens to reveal embarrassing, disgraceful, or incriminating information about a person unless certain demands are met, typically involving money or other favors. In the script, the blackmailer is manipulating Theresa's life, threatening to destroy her family if she does not comply with their demands. This is a central conflict in the narrative, as Theresa and Ethan struggle with the decision to give in to the blackmailer's demands or to resist and face the consequences.

💡Secret

A secret in this context refers to information that is kept hidden from others, often because it could be damaging or harmful if revealed. Theresa is harboring a secret that the blackmailer is using against her, which is a pivotal point in the story. The secret is not explicitly revealed in the script, but its existence drives the plot and creates tension between Theresa and Ethan, as he seeks to know what it is in order to help her.

💡Manipulation

Manipulation is the act of influencing someone's behavior or decisions through underhanded or deceptive tactics. The blackmailer is manipulating Theresa by threatening her family's safety and well-being, forcing her to consider actions that could have severe consequences. This theme is evident throughout the script as Theresa is torn between her love for Ethan and her fear of the blackmailer's threats.

💡Integrity

Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Ethan values integrity, as shown by his insistence that Theresa be honest with him about the blackmailer's hold over her. He believes that facing the truth together is the only way to overcome the situation, highlighting the importance of trust and honesty in a relationship.

💡Family

Family is a central theme in the script, as Theresa's decisions are heavily influenced by her concern for her brothers' well-being. The blackmailer threatens her family's safety, which adds a layer of complexity to Theresa's dilemma. The family dynamic is crucial to understanding Theresa's reluctance to reveal her secret and the weight of her decisions on her loved ones.

💡Trust

Trust is the reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or surety of someone or something. In the script, Ethan asks Theresa to trust him with her secret, arguing that their relationship cannot move forward without honesty and openness. Trust is a key issue in their relationship, as Theresa's reluctance to share her secret creates a barrier between them.

💡Obsession

Obsession refers to an excessive preoccupation or fixation on something or someone. The script implies that Theresa's feelings for Ethan might be obsessive, as she has loved him her entire life. This concept is used to illustrate the depth of her emotions and the potential for her actions to be driven by an intense, possibly unhealthy, attachment.

💡Selfishness

Selfishness is the quality of being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, often at the expense of others. The blackmailer accuses Theresa of being selfish, suggesting that her refusal to comply with their demands is due to her own desires rather than the welfare of her family. This accusation adds to the moral complexity of Theresa's situation, as she must weigh her personal happiness against the potential harm to her loved ones.

💡Consequences

Consequences are the results or effects of an action or decision. The script frequently refers to the potential consequences of Theresa's actions, both if she gives in to the blackmailer and if she resists. The looming threat of dire consequences for her family creates a sense of urgency and danger, driving the narrative forward.

💡Conflict

Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces or ideas. The script is filled with various forms of conflict, including the external conflict between Theresa and the blackmailer, and the internal conflict within Theresa as she grapples with her feelings for Ethan and her fear of the blackmailer's threats. Conflict is a driving force in the story, creating tension and propelling the characters toward resolution.

Highlights

Theresa is being blackmailed, and the blackmailer is threatening to disrupt her life and relationships.

Ethan is determined not to let the blackmailer control their lives and is willing to fight against it.

Theresa's brothers' fates are in the hands of the blackmailer, adding a layer of urgency to the situation.

Ethan expresses his love for Theresa and his commitment to their relationship despite the threats.

Theresa is hesitant to reveal her secret, fearing the consequences it may have on her family.

Ethan insists on knowing Theresa's secret to help her, but she refuses, causing tension in their relationship.

The blackmailer's threats involve serious legal consequences for Theresa's brothers, including prison and lethal injection.

Ethan offers to provide financial support to help Theresa's brothers, showing his dedication to her family.

Theresa is torn between her love for Ethan and her fear of the blackmailer's threats.

Ethan demands honesty from Theresa, feeling that her secret is jeopardizing their future together.

Theresa's mother becomes involved, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Ethan decides to leave if Theresa doesn't reveal her secret, showing the depth of his frustration.

Theresa's mother eavesdrops on their conversation, indicating her concern and involvement in the matter.

Ethan's final ultimatum to Theresa is a pivotal moment, highlighting the stakes of their relationship.

Theresa's refusal to disclose her secret leads to Ethan's departure, marking a potential end to their relationship.

Ivy, Theresa's sister, seems to take pleasure in Theresa's predicament, revealing underlying family tensions.

Transcripts

[Music]

too much

and this is what's real

that was magical

you know what

you do this every single day

you just let me in your life theresa

black mom is not gonna let us be

together

sounds so ridiculous you know that no it

is i don't get it myself but whoever

this person is wants you all to him or

herself or they hate me so much they

just don't want me to be happy

that's ridiculous

i'm not gonna let some blackmailer run

my life

and even if you were right let's say

you're right let's say there's a

criminal out there that wants

wants me

you think i'm gonna go along with it if

it's a man

sorry not interested if it's another

woman i'm still not interested because

i'm only interested in you you have to

do what the black people want i am not

going to sleep with this this person i

don't want you to you just have to think

about my brothers

okay

their fates are in the blackmailer's

hands theresa you don't give in to a

criminal

you catch him and we're gonna find the

sick bastard and we're gonna stop him or

her

are you sure you have no idea who this

person could be no i don't i don't uh

however they've contacted me they make

sure that i can't identify with them

they they call me on the computer they

call me on my cell phone they disguise

their voice they make it low they make

it raspy creeps me out i think it's out

or maybe maybe he's alive they have eyes

and ears

everywhere they could be watching us

right now

we're gonna find this person

i swear to you

you sound so confident i'm telling you i

have tried

then we're going to try harder

hey many hands

makes light work right

right right then we're going to start

from the beginning and i'll tell you

where the beginning starts

with you telling me exactly what this

blackmailer has on you

i had a son and i didn't know it

and the mother kept me from being a

father to the child

[Music]

i don't know if i'd ever

it's time let's hear it what is your big

[Music]

secret look don't start this again all

right we just we just made love here and

we're about to to start the rest of our

lives together and it's going to be

wonderful but you have got to tell me

what this blackmailer has on you so you

won't be forced to marry jared you hear

me

why are you doing this

i can't believe you we just we i mean we

just shared what two people can only

share in the most intimate of moments

and you want to hold out on me you want

to keep a secret from me i mean i love

you you love me right of course i love

you then just be honest with me about

this please that's simple this is this

is dangerous okay not just for me but

for my

what the hell is brothers with you

i can't i can't believe what i'm hearing

here you just you just need to tell me

your secret that's all no i can't tell

you

teresa

you're throwing us away by doing this i

don't i don't want to do we've been

apart

half of our lives we finally have a

chance to be together i'm getting a

divorce i'm going to be able to marry

you and you get high forget the

blackmail or garbage

once i clear louisa miguel's names

there's no reason why you and i can't

get married you know i can give you all

the money that you need to win the cases

honey i don't need the money what we

need is to know what's going on in your

head

so that we can get to the bottom of all

this craziness theresa

[Music]

why can't you tell me

i mean i want to be with you we

we've waited our whole lives to be

together and we have our time here this

is our moment and you know what you're

doing you're blowing it for us you're

blowing it

so you need to tell me what is going on

what is your secret

theresa help me

help me to help you so i can help us

just tell me what this blackmail has on

you

then i'll know what we're up against

please

if i tell you

don't ask me to give up on ethan i have

loved him my entire life

obsessed with him is a better word

and i think i'm being very reasonable

it's not as if i'm asking you to be

alone for the rest of your life i'm

telling you to marry a man who can make

you and your children happy

do what i say

marry jared and you'll be happy

but defy me

and i'll destroy you and your family

your brother miguel will go to prison

for life for the hidden run that put fox

in the hospital

and your brother louise will get a

lethal injection for murdering rey for

raping fancy

you and your mother and sister will

never be the same but they're innocent

doesn't matter they'll be convicted

you'll mourn the loss of your brothers

for the rest of your life

and you'll know it was all your fault

your life ethan will be doomed you'll

never find happiness

don't do that

all the sacrifices your family has made

for you will be nothing

because you're a self-centered selfish

[ __ ]

[Music]

[Music]

why the hell not

[Music]

if you love me you will trust me

trust you have a trust in me teresa

look i'm gonna ask you one more time

tell me the secret that you're hiding

from me

or

just do it just tell me

no i can't

[Music]

what are you doing i'm leaving theresa

oh no ethan please don't do this why the

heck would i stay here i have no reason

to to be here oh no you don't mean that

theresa you say you love me you won't

even give me simple honesty

there's nothing simple

we're at an impasse here

and there's nothing i can do to help you

right now but you can help my brothers i

want to help you brothers teresa but i

can't help them if you won't help me

you're not being honest with me i'm

sorry this is your last chance your last

chance either make up your mind and tell

me the truth now or i'm out the door

oh my

to him

[Music]

i can't tell you

you can't tell me

fine and i'm gone no ethan don't leave

[Music]

oh whoa what not my room oh mother what

a surprise you need to mind your own

business sometimes okay i was

eavesdropping but i couldn't hear enough

so please tell me what's going on no

mother please stay out of this all right

i just hate to see you upset and i know

that teresa has done something to hurt

you

no no actually teresa hasn't done

anything that's the problem

okay well just call me i'm fine mother

i'm i'm fine i'm not gonna calm down

teresa's ruined my life for the

millionth time and i'm gone i'm out of

here good night no no ethan don't go i

have work to do

you can't leave i'm done wasting my time

here

either you're gonna tell me what you're

hiding or my hands are tied

but i do have to get to work because

your brothers deserve some kind of a

defense teresa

whatever i'm gone

[Music]

thank you for cheering me up theresa

i don't know what you did this time but

whatever it is i think you actually

might be history

go away ivy

oh you know what ethan's like once he

makes up his mind that's it

i don't think you're ever gonna get your

hooks into my son now

[Music]

you