Internet 24

Don places his phone on the circle charger embedded in the wood. They have reached the end of their investigation. Each sibling sits behind their respective desks, back in their formal wear. Sitting in front of them is Mrs. Olive.

Don's desk is clear with one stack of papers, all his pens organized, picture frame recently polished, and desked wiped. Attempting to seem as disciplined and methodical, Aly has set up stacks of papers and files on her desk. Most of the papers are blank and hold no real value, but Mrs. Olive doesn't need to know this.

On the verge of tears, Mrs. Olive clutches her purse, bracing herself for some horror they are unaware of.

MRS OLIVE

Hurry up, tell me. I can take it.

What is it? He's cheating on me,

isn't he? Is she younger, older? God,

I'd rather it be younger – if I find out he

is cheating on me with some retirement

home harlot, I will lose it.

I'm ready. Just hit me with it.

The siblings look at each other, tempted to let her talk and hear what other theories run rampant in her head. Aly nods as they both acknowledge they should end her self-inflicting suffering.

ALY

We can see that you're in pain.

It must have been difficult waiting for us.

So, we won't take up more of your time

and rip the band-aid off right now.

Don, tell her what we found.

Don's neck almost snaps when he turns to Aly. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Olive, Don and Aly played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who would have to do the uncomfortable job of breaking the news to her. Don won best, two out of three. Aly was supposed to take the lead this time. The look Don shoots Aly screams murder. His sister leans back in her chair and gestures for him to hurry.

Don sucks it up and speaks.

DON

Mrs. Olive, I need to ask you a few things.

You hired us because you believe your husband,

Ben Olive, lied and cheated on you.

He lifts a paper and starts reading it.

DON

Your exact words were,

"There is no way he can be going out

playing cards and watching movies that

many times a week. He has to be

cheating, I know it.'" Well, let me

put it this way...

Don pauses for a moment. He is trying to find the appropriate words to deliver the message delicately.

DON

Sorry to break it to you,

but that is what he is doing.

You were wrong.

He blurts out, failing to find those words.

MRS OLIVE

Wait wha...?

ALY

Yeah, he's loyal. No mistress,

no dark dealings. Looks like

an honest man who says what he does.

MRS OLIVE

That... that can't be true.

Think he caught wind of you

and put up an act?

ALY

Don't try that.

DON

What my sister means, is that there's

no way that would happen. You are giving your husband

way too much credit. We're professionals

and we made sure never to be noticed.

Mrs. Olive bites her lip, refusing to believe what she's hearing.

MRS OLIVE

But why would he do that?

Why go out so much?

Don closes the folder and reaches across his desk to Mrs Olive. Her hand shakes, but she grips it tight.

DON

Maybe he wants some me time.

I can't tell you why, but I can show

you it's true. In here are photos of him were

he said he was. Every day we tailed him

and found no unusual behavior.

We checked his phone records, emails, everything.

No special messages to another woman or man.

I know this may seem too personal,

but I think you should talk to your husband.

Mrs Olive flips through the folder with care. Afraid of missing any detail. Aly softens her voice, in hopes, it will lighten the blow.

ALY

You seem to have some hang-ups about trust,

and you need to talk to him. I mean, you

went as far to hire us to follow him because

him wanting alone time was unbelievable. Try

to think about why he would like some alone time.

Maybe he knows you wouldn't be interested

in the card game or movies, and is trying to

spare you. Granted, the game is fun and

you should pick it up. It could be a good couple's exercise.

DON

We're not marriage counselors.

We told you what's up, and now

it's up to you to use the information.

Don stares at the embarrassed Mrs. Olive. She looks through the list of movies and recognizes them as many she dismissed.

ALY

Now let's talk about compensation.

Aly pulls the top folder on her desk, the only folder with anything typed on it. It is filled with papers and receipts sticking out of the edges. The woman sits there, stupefied by the grinning siblings. This is their favorite part.

Moments later, Mrs. Olive stands ready to go as the siblings sit at their desks. Before she leaves, she asks them one question.

MRS OLIVE

That card game – they sell it at the mall?

ALY

Yeah, go left and then straight. It will be on your right.

MRS OLIVE

Okay, thank you.

Mrs. Olive steps out of the office, feeling oddly unsatisfied.

ALY

Shouldn't one of us walk her out?

DON

I thought you were going to?

They hear the glass door open, then close.

DON

Too late now. I'm going on a food run. You coming?

ALY

Shouldn't one of us get it so if someone comes in...?

DON

Man, we need a secretary.

He walks to the door.

ALY

Crazy about the 'Roos, right? They thought he was in a gang.

DON

Yeah, it really is. We should keep tabs

on both. I don't want to get

involved, but we should stay informed.

Before Don leaves, he looks over his shoulder.

DON

I still think a mall is a weird place to

house our business, but it did bring

us our first case.

ALY

Are you finally coming around and

seeing the genius of my choice?

DON

No, but I guess it's fine...for now.

I'm going to get us coffee too –

we've had a long day.

He walks out the door.