The Intervention
The narrative begins with Mary Anne, a modest woman clad in a light pink sweater, crucifix, and tight pants, as she enters her house through the back door, arms laden with groceries. Life has been a roller coaster for her, culminating in her current status. She's been married twice, and her last husband left her with their home and his daughter, Charlie, who is now 18.
Charlie has lived with her stepmother for several years, and Mary Anne has always treated her like her own. After the divorce, Mary Anne became incredibly protective of Charlie, perhaps overly so. Why should Charlie live elsewhere when she is well taken care of here? Especially when living with her father would be much worse.
Mary Anne calls out for Charlie to help with the groceries, but there's no answer. Puzzled, she goes to look for her. She sees Charlie's shoes and backpack near the front door, but still no response.
Concerned, she ascends the stairs to Charlie's room. As she opens the door, she is stunned to find Charlie in bed, topless, and kissing another girl. Charlie barely has time to react before Mary Anne shuts the door in shock.
After composing herself, she bursts back into the room and lashes out at Charlie and her girlfriend as they scramble to put their clothes back on. Charlie pleads for her mother to calm down, but Mary Anne is beside herself. Is her daughter gay? In her house? She didn't raise her daughter to be that way.
Mary Anne orders the other girl to leave and never return, stating that they are conservatives and do not tolerate homosexuality. Charlie is appalled by her mother's behavior and offers to drive her girlfriend home. Mary Anne accuses Charlie of being brainwashed, but Charlie insists that it's 2018, same-sex marriage is legal, and she's an adult who can make her own decisions.
Charlie leaves the house with her girlfriend, slamming the door behind them. The scene then switches to Mary Anne nervously pacing in her room while her boyfriend, Steve, watches TV and snacks on chips. Steve is a rough-around-the-edges car mechanic Mary Anne met through a church community program.
He was not there for religious reasons, but as part of a court-ordered mandate. They make an odd pair; Mary Anne is prim and proper, while Steve is unkempt and boisterous. While Mary Anne vents about the day's events, Steve half-listens, telling her not to worry.
Charlie's college plans hinge on Mary Anne's financial support. Charlie can't afford to move out on her own. Despite Steve's reassurances, Mary Anne continues to fret, lamenting that Charlie has never disrespected her like this before.
She believes Charlie needs an ultimatum. Steve quips that Charlie needs to experience a real man, which gives Mary Anne pause. She agrees and sets a plan into motion when Charlie returns home.
The scene then shifts to Charlie cautiously climbing the stairs. She's unsure of what to expect after her last encounter with her stepmother. Despite being appalled by her mother's reaction, Charlie respects her and is even a little afraid of her.
After all, Mary Anne is her primary source of support. Mary Anne is waiting for her by her bedroom door. They exchange intense stares before Mary Anne invites Charlie in for a serious discussion.
Charlie is surprised to see Steve but ignores him, focusing on the conversation with her mother. Charlie admits that the girl Mary Anne caught her with is her girlfriend and they are in love. Before she can say more, Mary Anne cuts her off and tells her to sit down.
Mary Anne forbids Charlie from seeing her girlfriend again, stating that she will not tolerate homosexuality in her family. Charlie tearfully explains that this is who she is; she was born this way. Mary Anne warns Charlie that if she doesn't respect her decision, she will be forced to kick her out and revoke her college funds.
Charlie, desperate, begs her mother to reconsider. She's worked hard to get into college and can't afford to pay for it herself. Steve, who has been watching TV throughout the conversation, casually asks how Charlie can be sure she's gay.
Charlie is taken aback and turns to glare at Steve, dismissing him brusquely. Steve persists, asking how she knows she's not just confused. Mary Anne backs Steve, asking Charlie directly if she has ever been with a man before.
Charlie admits she hasn't, and Mary Anne questions how she can be sure of her sexuality if she hasn't tried both sides. Charlie argues that she doesn't need to do that to know, but Mary Anne insists. She declares that until Charlie proves she's not straight, she will not support her.
If Charlie tries having sex with a man and still doesn't like it, Mary Anne might reconsider. Otherwise, she will not tolerate this "unnatural behavior. " Charlie.
Charlie has lived with her stepmother for several years, and Mary Anne has always treated her like her own. After the divorce, Mary Anne became incredibly protective of Charlie, perhaps overly so. Why should Charlie live elsewhere when she is well taken care of here? Especially when living with her father would be much worse.
Mary Anne calls out for Charlie to help with the groceries, but there's no answer. Puzzled, she goes to look for her. She sees Charlie's shoes and backpack near the front door, but still no response.
Concerned, she ascends the stairs to Charlie's room. As she opens the door, she is stunned to find Charlie in bed, topless, and kissing another girl. Charlie barely has time to react before Mary Anne shuts the door in shock.
After composing herself, she bursts back into the room and lashes out at Charlie and her girlfriend as they scramble to put their clothes back on. Charlie pleads for her mother to calm down, but Mary Anne is beside herself. Is her daughter gay? In her house? She didn't raise her daughter to be that way.
Mary Anne orders the other girl to leave and never return, stating that they are conservatives and do not tolerate homosexuality. Charlie is appalled by her mother's behavior and offers to drive her girlfriend home. Mary Anne accuses Charlie of being brainwashed, but Charlie insists that it's 2018, same-sex marriage is legal, and she's an adult who can make her own decisions.
Charlie leaves the house with her girlfriend, slamming the door behind them. The scene then switches to Mary Anne nervously pacing in her room while her boyfriend, Steve, watches TV and snacks on chips. Steve is a rough-around-the-edges car mechanic Mary Anne met through a church community program.
He was not there for religious reasons, but as part of a court-ordered mandate. They make an odd pair; Mary Anne is prim and proper, while Steve is unkempt and boisterous. While Mary Anne vents about the day's events, Steve half-listens, telling her not to worry.
Charlie's college plans hinge on Mary Anne's financial support. Charlie can't afford to move out on her own. Despite Steve's reassurances, Mary Anne continues to fret, lamenting that Charlie has never disrespected her like this before.
She believes Charlie needs an ultimatum. Steve quips that Charlie needs to experience a real man, which gives Mary Anne pause. She agrees and sets a plan into motion when Charlie returns home.
The scene then shifts to Charlie cautiously climbing the stairs. She's unsure of what to expect after her last encounter with her stepmother. Despite being appalled by her mother's reaction, Charlie respects her and is even a little afraid of her.
After all, Mary Anne is her primary source of support. Mary Anne is waiting for her by her bedroom door. They exchange intense stares before Mary Anne invites Charlie in for a serious discussion.
Charlie is surprised to see Steve but ignores him, focusing on the conversation with her mother. Charlie admits that the girl Mary Anne caught her with is her girlfriend and they are in love. Before she can say more, Mary Anne cuts her off and tells her to sit down.
Mary Anne forbids Charlie from seeing her girlfriend again, stating that she will not tolerate homosexuality in her family. Charlie tearfully explains that this is who she is; she was born this way. Mary Anne warns Charlie that if she doesn't respect her decision, she will be forced to kick her out and revoke her college funds.
Charlie, desperate, begs her mother to reconsider. She's worked hard to get into college and can't afford to pay for it herself. Steve, who has been watching TV throughout the conversation, casually asks how Charlie can be sure she's gay.
Charlie is taken aback and turns to glare at Steve, dismissing him brusquely. Steve persists, asking how she knows she's not just confused. Mary Anne backs Steve, asking Charlie directly if she has ever been with a man before.
Charlie admits she hasn't, and Mary Anne questions how she can be sure of her sexuality if she hasn't tried both sides. Charlie argues that she doesn't need to do that to know, but Mary Anne insists. She declares that until Charlie proves she's not straight, she will not support her.
If Charlie tries having sex with a man and still doesn't like it, Mary Anne might reconsider. Otherwise, she will not tolerate this "unnatural behavior. " Charlie.
Actors:
