BOTH DIANNA & LEA:- Dad?!
MRS MARTIN:- That's not your father. That's your uncle Thomas.
DIANNA:- what?!!... no way...
LEA:- wait... so you are saying there is another version of dad?. WOW!
THOMAS:- ( has the same voice as Mr. Martin ) Hello Cynthia
MRS. MARTIN:- Well well well Thomas. out of any time you Could come out of Jail, it's after your brother's death. So tell me, how does it feel to be a free man?
THOMAS:- (having no Expression on his face) relaxing. (Nicholas then points to a seat for him as he sat down on it)
LAWYER:- now that you are all gathered here I will start reading Mr. Martin's Letter.
LEA:- A letter?
LAWYER:- The Will is written in an epistolary form. ( they all became silent as the lawyer began to read from a black file case)
The Letter
MR. MARTIN:- ( the date of the Will been written. 1st of April 2025)
Dear Family
I know By the time Benjamin my lawyer would be reading this letter I would be already dead. Well, that's the point of a Will, isn't it? I know Nicholas has gathered you all and you are all seated in the living room. I hope I guessed it right and hope you all came. I know I have wronged you all one way or the other but I'm not going to say "I'm sorry" because I don't deserve your forgiveness.
I honestly don't have anything to say so I'll start with my beloved brother Thomas. you have been there for me all through my life, even with the ups and downs, you still accepted me for who I am. but when you needed me the most I failed you woefully. letting you go to jail for me was a mistake but if not for that sacrifice, the mansion you all sit in wouldn't have existed so I thank you.
Then my lovely daughters Diane and Cecilia. I wasn't the father you both deserved and to be honest being a father to you both with your mother was the biggest mistake of my life. but a mistake that I don't regret.
And Then Nickolas, you have been with me since the very day I came to New York and as a thank you, it's an honor to give you 40 million dollars as a token of my appreciation. you are not only a Butler. you are my friend. My only friend to be frank.
My darling daughters will take 100 million dollars each. Cecilia will take over my private hospitals. the one in France and the other in Chicago. Diane will take my hotel in Manhattan and a newly bought lands in New Jersey and Italy. you are free to do whatever you want with the lands even sell them, your choice, but I trust you will do something useful with it.
And my dear brother Thomas, don't think I will forget you. As this Will is being read, you own this Mansion and all the 50 cars in the garage and From now on, you are the CEO of The Martin building Empire. All this is nothing compared to the years you spent in jail for me. I can't thank you enough.
And then my darling Ex-wife Cynthia, I will be waiting for you in hell.
From your unfortunate brother, father, boss/friend, and Ex-husband
Zechat Jr. (the lawyer then closed the black file case)
MRS. MARTIN:- wait is that it?
LAWYER:- yes. I'm afraid so.
MRS. MARTIN:- no that can't be all.
THOMAS:- excuse me. were you expecting anything?
MRS. MARTIN:- don't open your mouth and speak to me Thomas. where were you when your brother was abusing us?. oh. I remember you were in prison. so keep quiet and let me talk to the lawyer.
THOMAS:- may I remind you that you are in my house. so I advise you to mind your words.
MRS. MARTIN:- or what?... you are going to hit me like your coward brother.
THOMAS:- you are the root that led Zechat to committing suicide. he came out to you about who he really is and instead of being an understanding wife, you made him feel worse about himself, and drove him insane. So as far as I'm concerned, You deserve nothing.
MRS. MARTIN:- you are no better than your brother. how am I sure you are not a homosexual too.
DIANNA:- ENOUGH!!. Both of you!!. for goodness sake, Dad was just buried but it still feels as if he is very much alive.
LEA:- wait... dad was gay?
THOMAS:- no my dear. he was bisexual just like you both. ( Lea and Dianna looked shocked)
MRS. MARTIN:- don't say it as if it's a good thing Thomas. Look my daughters, Don't listen to him. he doesn't know what he is saying. bisexual or whatever is a sin!!
THOMAS:- ok. I think it's time you leave.
MRS. MARTIN:- I'm not going anywhere!!. I'm the mother of Zechat's only two children I have every right to his company and businesses!!!
LAWYER:- no you don't Mis Cynthia.
MRS. MARTIN:- and why is that?
LAWYER:- Well for starters, You and Mr.Martin got divorced, and by law, his properties were shared equally between the both of you at that time so he owes you nothing now.
MRS. MARTIN:- but I'm the mother of his only children.
LAWYER:- children who are well grown up and are above 18. by law, they are their own parents at their age.
NICKOLAS:- (he stood up) Mis Cynthia I will gladly escort you to the door if you wish?
MRS. MARTIN:- ( she stood up with her hand bag and red umbrella) don't bother. I know my way to the door. ( she began to walk and then Paused and faced all of them) I don't even want your dirty money. everything about this family is evil and anything evil will burn in hell!! ( she then stormed out)
NICKOLAS:- good riddance! ( everyone laughed)
THOMAS:- ( he and the lawyer stood up) thank you very much, Mr. Benjamin
LAWYER:- (he stretch forth his hand as they shake hands) please, it was an honor. your brother was worth working for.
THOMAS:- yes but still Thank you again. ( Nicholas then escorted the lawyer to the main door as Thomas sat back down facing Lea and Dianna ) Your father has told me so much about the both of you and I know the both of you have so many questions.
LEA:- yes
DIANNA:- we actually do have questions.
THOMAS:- (he crossed his legs and smiled) Well then. I have all day to Answer them.
'ANCHOR' written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin.
RENEE ELISE GOLDSBERRY:- ...( opening the envelope as the drumrolls and Dianna held Tintina's hand even tighter) Dianna Martin for Anchor!! ( audience cheered as Dianna made her way to the stage )
DIANNA:- ( receiving the award from Mrs. Goldsberry) Oh my gosh! ( audience laughed) firstly, receiving an award from The' Renee Elise Goldsberry is an award itself. "Satisfied" is still my ringtone. (the audience laughed again) And I would love to dedicate this award to my family, my mom (she rolled her eyes) my sister ( she smiled and then Paused for a second)... and then my dad. He isn't here with us anymore but I know he would have been happy seeing me winning an award out of something I love doing ( audience clapped as from afar, her eyes were locked towards Tintina) and finally I'd want Tintina Harrison to know how much I love her and ... the rest of the cast member for the opportunity of being in the show. Thank you. ( she walked backstage as Tintina began to tear up)
CHRISTINE:- oh baby. you are crying (she then wipe the tears off Tintina's face)
TINTINA:- Oh it's nothing. (she smiled) I cry whenever I see something beautiful.
Four days later
Vero is in a strip club spraying one hundred dollar bills on both male and female strippers dancing on stage. This performance ended immediately after 'Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels by Todrick" stopped playing. The male stripper is dark, tall, a bit muscular, and has a mustache and hair on his chin with tattoos all over his body. He is wearing a leather SFHK Mankini with heels and has on blue contact lenses and one heavy eyelash with makeup. He came down from the stage and walked towards Vero as she stood up and began walking by his side towards the bar slab.
VERO:- Damn Jamari, with that ass, you can make a gay girl straight!
JAMARI:- (he laughed) you know that's not how being gay works.
VERO:- I'm just saying you're one talented exotic dancer.
JAMARI:- Well, I love dancing and expressing my body as art. And there's no better way to do that every night than stripping. ( he whistled for the attention of the bartender) we need to toast on your Tony win. so what would you like to drink ?
VERO:- no I'd rather head home. I'm kinda tired.
JAMARI:- oh come on. The night is still young.
VERO:- ( she looked at her wristwatch ) you call 10:57 young?
JAMARI:- you forget you are in New York City? The City that never sleeps? ( Vero laughed ) and besides, don't you want to watch Krystal-Ice perform again?
VERO:- ( looking confused ) who the hell is Krystal-Ice?
JAMARI:- are you for real girl? Don't you remember the stripper at Jay-J's birthday last year?
VERO:- well, I remember there was a stripper but I can't remember her name or her face beneath the makeup and wig.
JAMARI:- well buckle up because you are in it for a ride. she is up next. ( Vero without putting much interest or attention to the stage, she sat on a chair at the bar slab)
DJ:- (she began to play WAP by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion and is speaking to the microphone) LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE THE ICONIC, DASHING AND LEGENDARY! KRYSTAL-ICE !!! ( the whole club began to rain money as the audience screamed and cheered Which made Vero focus her attention on the stage. The stage light shines on a stripper who is topless. She has on a blue bone straight wig and is wearing only a blue g-string and blue Ice heels)
VERO:- ( her eyes were very well opened but she doesn't look surprised) well well well, Christine?
JAMARI:- I thought you said you can't remember her name?
VERO:- believe me I'm surprised I remembered. ( she then smiled suspiciously) can you tell me more about her?
JAMARI:- I will tell you everything you want to know about her on one condition?
VERO:- hit me.
JAMARI:- you're going to leave this club until Dawn (he smiled as he hands over a drink to Vero )
VERO:- ( she collects the drink and smiled) then I'm really in it for one hell of a night...