RIVKA

RIVKA Excerpt - written by Gordon Blitz

Tagline: .Rivka Klein runs a crime syndicate with her spineless son. But when a young Hasidic woman asks Rivka for a job, a surprising connection occurs.

INT-OFFICE-PRESENT DAY

RIVKA KLEIN (50s, elegant, composed, eyes sharp as glass). She wears a tailored black suit, a Star of David necklace tucked just inside her collar. Across from her stands LEO (30s, nervous). He is holding an envelope with shaking hands.

RIVKA

Sit down, it looks like you're going to faint.

Leo sits.

LEO

I didn't skim, Rivka. I swear...

RIVKA

Don't swear.

LEO

Sorry. It's just that...

RIVKA

I can't believe I raised a liar.

Leo gives the envelope to Rivka.

LEO

It's all there. I've counted it twice. Salaries went up that's why it's less.

RIVKA

I know you've been skimming. I keep count of how many Johns they service every week, and it doesn't add up.

LEO

I swear.

Leo paces around the offices.

RIVKA

There you go again. You took ten percent. Not enough to ruin me, just enough to insult me. So here's what we're going to do.

LEO

Please, I have kids. They're your grandchildren.

Leo starts to sweat.

RIVKA

You keep your job. You pay me back over six months. And every Friday, before sundown, you bring it to the synagogue in an envelope.

Leo wipes his brow; relieved. He smiles nervously.

LEO

Thank you. I promise.

Rivka gets up from her desk and walks up to Leo.

RIVKA

Don't make promises. And remember God is going to be watching you. You know my grandmother survived Auschwitz believing God was watching. I don't know if He is. But I like to behave as if He might be.

Leo nods repeatedly.

RIVKA (CONT'D)

Go home and hug your wife and your kids. Don't teach them my business.

              LEO

       Mom, can you please treat me like an adult. It's embarrassing.

              RIVKA

       Okay. Just get out of here.

Leo leaves. Rivka sits down. A moment later, ESTHER, a young woman, enters (20's, plainly dressed, long sleeves, and wearing a wig). Rivka gets up and stares at Esther.

RIVKA (CONT'D)

Who are you? I don't have any more appointments today.

ESTHER

I've been waiting outside your door all day. They said I could see you. That you would help me.