(The Scene opens with a class , which happens to be Arnold's, Lila's, Sid's and Rhonda's. Their teacher, Mrs Arlington, lectures them.)
ARLINGTON
— So, i remind you to finish your essay about history in a couple of days. (Ring bells. Students leave, rather relieved. Arnold and Lila are the last to exit.)
ARNOLD
— So, Lila, do you have plan for the weekend ?
LILA
— Well, you know, i ... i just probably to stay with my parents (Note : I heard her mom died, but it seems to dark and gloomy, so i just retconned it).
ARNOLD
— Normal. See you on Monday (he gets on the bus and leaves. Lila walks slowly and alone to her house.)
(The scene shifts into Lila's coming. Her parents, Bobby and Jenda, greet her.)
BOBBY
— Guess What Lila ?
JENDA
— We have a great news for you.
(Screen turns black).
(The scene opens again, with the subtitle a week later appearing. We are in the same class. Mrs Arlington takes the registers.)
ARLINGTON
— Mike Roswell, Rita Ryks, Lila Sawyer... (She marks a pause, noticing that Lila is absent, and puzzled, writes the word absent next to Lila's name.)
ARNOLD
— So, Lila is absent ? It's the first time she missed (Lila then enters to the class).
LILA
— Sorry, i'm late. Our car had a... (She stops as she realize they look at her with confusion. She wears a more fashion dress and golden shoes.)
ARLINGTON
— Well, have a seat, Lila it's Ok.
(Arnold is very intrigued. At the recess, he approaches Lila).
ARNOLD
— Ok, Lila, you can tell me, since we're friends, why were you late ?
LILA (blushes)
— It's personal.
ARNOLD
— We are friends, you can tell me all you want.
LILA
— Ok, (she shows him a place which is safe. Screen turns black.)
(The scene opens at a table, Arnold and Lila are sitting, face to face. Lila speaks).
LILA
— Ok, you have to know that it's secret, but my parents won the lottery.
ARNOLD
— It's great.
LILA
— Yeah, it was but at the beginning, only. See, Arnold (As she talks, we see all events in the past.)
At first, they were genuinely enthusiasts. You see, it was not great for me, because we were poor for a long time. Before moving in this town, we had a farm and then, my dad wanted to make some business and i left with him. My mom stayed at the farm. She finally joined us a bit later when she was unable to handle it by herself. When i arrived at this town, dad had a job which was simple, but when mom arrived , she was unemployed and he had tree mouths to feed.
ARNOLD
— And that's the reason why you wanted to play loto ?
LILA
— No. In fact, we come from a Quacker family and we never play money games. But one day, mom was tempted and it turned out we won.
ARNOLD
— And then ?
LILA
— And then, they began to spend it but not very wisely. They had to buy a car, Arnold, a car ! We never had it, but we did not even need it. I think my parents act as foolish irresponsible. I tried to warn them but...
ARNOLD
— That's OK, Lila. I remember when Rhonda went bankrupt as kids. At first, she thought money was their only wealth and then she gradually warmed up into realizing that you still can be rich and it does not mean that you have to be full of money. And i'm glad to see that my advice still gave her an epiphany.
(He puts his hand on Lila's arm, gently).
Look, Lila, it seems you have the opposite problem. By You, i mean your parents, and we have to find a solution in order to pervent them from going bankruptcy again.
(Scene dissolves in Lila's House, as she talks with her parents).
LILA
— Mom, Dad, regarding all this money...
BOBBY
— Isn't it fantastic Lila ? We now are rich.
JENDA
— And happy.
LILA (embarrassed)
— Well, not really.
(Her parents are puzzled).
Look, i know we hard financial hard times, but it does not mean we have to turn into spoiled rotten brats. I mean, look, mom, look, dad, you both have job you as a journalist and mom as an artist. Before we won at the lottery, we were happy, even if we were not so money fulfilled.
(Bobby and Jenda gradually realize their daughter is right.)
BOBBY
— Guess you're not wrong. I can't tell i'm happy to meet with all his snobs people.
JENDA
— Yeah, i read a kind of Monkeyman who fell under their spell, and i do not want it to the Sawyer's family.
LILA
— See what i mean ? On the other side, it does not mean that you have to renounce all money. We can put it on bank invests, and live very comfortably.
BOBBY
— It's an excellent idea, honey.
(They hug. The Screen turns black).
The End
