Good Girl - Episode 1

My phone rings.

I look over.

Erik is FaceTiming me.

I answer.

Daniel

Hey, man. How’s it going?

Erik

Not great.

Daniel

What’s up?

Erik

I think Sophia might be cheating on me.

Daniel

What?! Why would you think that?

Erik

She’s been acting kind of weird lately.

Erik

Like…secretive.

Daniel

That’s all you’ve got?

Erik looks a little sheepish.

Erik

Well…yeah.

Daniel

C’mon, man.

Daniel

You’re probably just imagining it.

Daniel

Sophia is a good girl.

Daniel

You should trust her.

Erik

I do.

Erik

But I need to know for sure.

He clears his throat.

Erik

I have to ask you for a favor.

Daniel

Why do I not like the sound of this?

Erik

I need you to try and seduce Sophia.

Daniel

What?!!

Erik

She used to have a huge crush on you.

Erik

If she turns you down…

Erik

I’ll know I can trust her.

Daniel

And what if she doesn’t turn me down?

Erik

Well, at least I know you’ll stop it before it goes too far.

Daniel

Better me than some rando, huh?

He nods.

Erik

So, will you do it?

Daniel

I don’t know, man.

Daniel

You have a good thing going with her.

Daniel

Don’t mess with it.

Erik

Daniel. Please.

I sigh and shake my head.

Daniel

All right.

Erik

Yes! Thanks, bro.

Erik

I’ll let you know when to do it.

the next day

Erik FaceTimes me again.

Erik

Hey! Can you do this now?

Daniel

Right now?

Erik

Yeah. I know she has some free time.

Erik

And she’s going to Cancun with her family in a couple days…

Erik

So this is our best shot.

He pauses and looks pointedly at my ratty t-shirt.

Erik

Is that what you’re gonna wear?

Daniel

Umm, I guess I’ll put on a button-up.

Erik

Good.

I set the phone down…

Pull off my t-shirt…

Grab a shirt nearby…

And put it on.

I pick the phone back up.

Erik scrutinizes me again.

Erik

Can you not just grab a shirt off the floor?

Erik

That thing has a thousand wrinkles.

I groan, put down my phone…

And change into a fresh shirt.

I pick my phone back up.

Daniel

Better?

Erik

Much.

I sit down in front of my laptop.

Daniel

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Erik

Um, I was thinking we’d just stay on our call…

Erik

So I can see how she reacts.

Daniel

Right. Of course.

I prop my phone up.

Now he should have a clear view of my laptop screen.

Daniel

Does that work?

He nods.

Erik

Go for it.

I open up the video call app.

I click on “Sophia Sereno.”

It rings.

After a few moments, she answers.

Daniel

Hey Sophia!

Sophia

Oh, hey Daniel!

Sophia

What’s up?

Sophia looks absolutely gorgeous.

She’s most guys’ dream girl.

I can understand why Erik is worried.

Daniel

Not too much.

Daniel

Just wanted to see how you were doing.

Daniel

Things have been so crazy lately.

Sophia

No kidding.

Sophia

I’ve been good though.

Sophia

How about you?

Daniel

Yeah, been doing all right.

Daniel

Kind of bored though.

Daniel

On that note, I have a question for you.

Sophia

What’s up?

I try to play it like I’m nervous.

I clear my throat.

Daniel

I know you’re going on vacation soon.

Daniel

But when you get back, I was wondering if you’d…

Daniel

You know…like to grab dinner sometime?

She stares at me.

Sophia

You mean, like a date?

Daniel

Yeah, I guess.

Sophia pauses.

She looks down, and then back up.

Her eyes flutter.

Sophia

Uh, I don’t know what to say, Daniel.

Sophia

Like, I’m honestly surprised you’d even ask.

Daniel

Why?

Sophia

Because of Erik.

Daniel

What about him?

Sophia

You know we’re together.

I shrug.

Sophia

And you guys are such good friends.

Daniel

Well, yeah.

Daniel

But he knew I liked you…

Daniel

Way before he even noticed you.

Sophia

Wow. I didn’t know that.

I look away.

I glance at my phone.

Erik is watching, captivated.

Daniel

Yeah.

Daniel

Look, I love the guy, don’t get me wrong.

Daniel

But he just doesn’t appreciate you.

Daniel

Not like you deserve.

Sophia

Daniel, that is really sweet of you to say.

Sophia

And I’ll admit, I used to have a pretty big crush on you.

Daniel

“Used to?”

Sophia

Yeah. Before Erik and I got together.

Daniel

Right.

Sophia

But things are different now.

Sophia

Erik means a lot to me.

Sophia

And I want to be with him.

Sophia

So I could never hurt him.

Sophia

And going out with you…

Sophia

That would be such a betrayal.

Daniel

All right.

Daniel

I get it.

Sophia

I’m sorry.

She does look genuinely sad.

Daniel

No, it’s okay.

Daniel

I’m sorry for bringing it up.

I look her in the eyes.

Daniel

Can you please do me a huge favor though?

Sophia

Sure. Anything.

Daniel

Can you just keep this between me and you?

Daniel

I don’t know if he’d ever forgive me if he found out.

Daniel

And I’m already really ashamed that I even asked.

She nods.

Sophia

It stays here.

Daniel

Thank you, Sophia.

Sophia

Of course.

We avoid eye contact for the next few seconds.

Sophia

So…what are you up to now?

Daniel

Um, nothing. I should probably go though.

Sophia

Okay, no problem.

Sophia

I should probably get back to packing anyway.

Daniel

Take care, Sophia.

Sophia

You too, Daniel.

I look at her sadly and smile.

She smiles back.

I end the call.

Then I turn to my phone and grin widely.

Daniel

Am I good, or am I good?

Erik gives me a standing ovation.

I bow.

Daniel

Convinced now?

Erik

Yeah, man.

Erik

She really is a good girl.

Daniel

Yeah, you never should have doubted her.

Erik

No kidding.

Daniel

So…are you all right?

He nods.

Erik

Although, I hope she does still tell me.

Erik

That you tried, I mean.

I laugh.

Daniel

Hey! She promised.

Erik

I know, I know.

Erik

All right.

Erik

Thanks, man.

Erik

I know you didn’t feel great about doing that.

Daniel

It’s cool.

Daniel

I haven’t been able to act in a while.

Daniel

And an immense talent like mine needs to be used.

Erik laughs.

Erik

Take care, dude.

Erik

Talk to you soon.

I give him a salute…

And hang up.

I clear my throat.

And take a deep breath.

I turn back to my laptop.

And place a video call.

The call connects.

Sophia

Did he buy it?

Daniel

Hook, line, and sinker.

Daniel

We’re in the clear.

Daniel

Dinner tonight?

She grins at me and nods.

What a good girl.

Daniel