Eye of the Stalker

Stephen Primes:
Beth? I've been waiting for you.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
Hi, Mr. Primes.

Stephen Primes:
Stephen, and I, um, got you a surprise.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
Another stuffed toy.

Stephen Primes:
Hmm. Cute, wasn't he? I thought you'd like this. It's a Martin Neumeyer original print.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
It's great, but I can't accept that.

Stephen Primes:
Sure you can. I'll have it framed for you.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
No, I can't.

Stephen Primes:
Will you stop? It's just a little something for our anniversary.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
[puzzled] Our anniversary?

Stephen Primes:
Two weeks since we met. I thought we might go out to dinner tonight and celebrate.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
Oh, I can't. I have work, and uh, and I have finals.

Stephen Primes:
Finals? American Literature and 20th Century Mexican Art? With your grades, you'll knock those out in no time.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
[shocked] What, are you *checking* on me?

Stephen Primes:
Some girls would be flattered.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Knowlton:
Excuse me; I have to go. [walks away]

Stephen Primes:
Don't go too far.

Stephen Primes:
[Danny Zerbo follows Stephen to his vehicle] I'll keep you in mind. I already got an investigator that handles most of my stuff exclusively, but...never know when I'll have an overflow.

[chuckles]

Danny Zerbo:
You don't seem to get it. I got a case, and you're the object of it.

[steps into Stephen's car]

Stephen Primes:
Nice boots. I got mine down in Nogales. I could give you the guy's name. He doesn't...

Danny Zerbo:
Hey! I'm gonna talk to you about Beth Knowlton. Now I wanna say this real clear so you understand. Back off, Slick. Way off.

Stephen Primes:
Beth can make her own decisions about who she wants to be with.

Danny Zerbo:
She already has. Leave her alone.

Stephen Primes:
This is Beth's mother, isn't it? She's the one that hired you. Mr. Zerbo, this is one confused and very lonely lady. She didn't tell you she was interested in me way before I even met Beth, did she? No. You see, the judge simply couldn't handle my being with Beth instead of with her. It's typical of a reaction. You know women, so before you say another thing, I suggest you look there before you find yourself in a really sticky situation. *Legally* sticky, if you know what I mean.

Danny Zerbo:
[shakes his head] You're a confused fellow in a lot of ways, Mr. Primes, so I'm just gonna say this once, and consider yourself warned. This is not about what the mother wants. It's about what the girl wants. Beth. She's a nice kid. Too nice to tell you to your face that she thinks you're weird and scary.

Stephen Primes:
I don't believe that.

[gets into his car]

Danny Zerbo:
Weird, scary, and way too old, man.

Stephen Primes:
[starts car up] Nice earring.

[reverses out of parking space]