Writers 
A SECRET BURIED AT SUNRISE
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
SETTING: The family house. Early morning.
The first light of sunrise enters through the windows. The house is quiet and peaceful.
AMARA, an eight-year-old girl, sits on a small wooden chair beside her mother, MAMA ROSE. Mama Rose is preparing breakfast while Amara excitedly tells her a story.
AMARA: Mama, you should have seen Chinedu yesterday!
MAMA ROSE: (smiling) What did he do this time?
AMARA: He tried to climb the mango tree because he wanted the biggest mango.
MAMA ROSE: And?
AMARA: He fell into the mud!
Mama Rose laughs.
MAMA ROSE: Did you help him?
AMARA: Of course.
(pause)
After I finished laughing.
They both laugh.
MAMA ROSE: Amara, you are becoming too troublesome.
AMARA: No, Mama. I'm just funny.
MAMA ROSE: Is that what you call it?
AMARA: Yes.
They laugh again.
Suddenly...
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
They both stop.
Another knock.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Amara looks toward the door.
AMARA: Mama, who is knocking?
MAMA ROSE: I don't know.
The knocking becomes louder.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Mama Rose slowly puts down what she is holding.
She walks toward the door.
AMARA: Mama, wait for me.
Amara follows.
Mama Rose opens the door slightly.
A MAN stands outside. He is breathing heavily. His clothes are dusty, and his face is filled with worry.
MAN: Madam Rose...
MAMA ROSE: Yes?
The man looks past her and notices Amara.
MAN: Is... is she your daughter?
Mama Rose's expression changes slightly.
MAMA ROSE: Why?
MAN: I need to speak with you privately.
MAMA ROSE: Speak.
The man looks around nervously.
MAN: Not here.
Mama Rose steps outside and quietly closes the door behind her.
Amara remains inside, listening through the door.
MAMA ROSE: What happened?
MAN: They found someone near the old property this morning.
MAMA ROSE: Who?
The man hesitates.
MAN: Your husband.
Silence.
Mama Rose stares at him.
MAMA ROSE: Michael?
The man nods slowly.
MAN: Yes.
MAMA ROSE: Is he injured?
The man looks away.
MAN: Madam...
MAMA ROSE: I asked you a question.
MAN: He's dead.
For several seconds, Mama Rose says nothing.
There is no scream.
No tears.
No shaking.
She simply stares at the man.
MAN: I'm sorry.
Mama Rose looks toward the house.
Behind the closed door, Amara is still listening.
AMARA: (from inside) Mama?
Mama Rose quickly opens the door and enters.
AMARA: Who was that man?
MAMA ROSE: Nobody.
AMARA: Why did he come here?
Mama Rose kneels in front of her.
MAMA ROSE: I need you to stay inside for me, okay?
AMARA: Why?
MAMA ROSE: Just listen to Mama.
Amara looks confused.
AMARA: Is Daddy coming home?
Mama Rose pauses.
She looks at her daughter for a long moment.
MAMA ROSE: Your father had to go somewhere.
AMARA: Where?
MAMA ROSE: Somewhere far away.
AMARA: When is he coming back?
Mama Rose looks away.
MAMA ROSE: I don't know.
AMARA: But you know where he went?
Mama Rose doesn't answer.
MAMA ROSE: It's nothing.
AMARA: Did something happen to Daddy?
Mama Rose stands.
MAMA ROSE: Go to your room.
AMARA: But Mama—
MAMA ROSE: Amara.
Amara becomes quiet.
MAMA ROSE: Go.
Amara slowly walks away.
She reaches the hallway but stops.
She turns around and secretly watches her mother.
Mama Rose walks to the table.
She opens a drawer.
Inside is an old envelope.
She takes it out and stares at it.
The envelope has one name written across it:
MICHAEL.
Mama Rose's hands tighten around it.
Suddenly, there is another knock at the door.
KNOCK... KNOCK...
Mama Rose freezes.
She slowly turns toward the door.
MAMA ROSE: Who is it?
No answer.
Another knock.
KNOCK... KNOCK...
Mama Rose quietly hides the envelope beneath her clothes.
She walks toward the door.
Before opening it, she looks back toward the hallway.
Amara is gone.
Mama Rose opens the door.
There is nobody there.
She looks outside.
The compound is empty.
Then she notices something lying on the ground.
A small black envelope.
Mama Rose bends down and picks it up.
Her face suddenly changes.
She recognizes the handwriting.
Slowly, she opens it.
Inside is a single piece of paper.
She reads it.
Her eyes widen.
MAMA ROSE: (whispers) No...
She looks around the compound.
The morning sun is rising.
Somewhere in the distance, a rooster crows.
Mama Rose quickly closes the door.
CUT TO BLACK.
