Lisa: crosses arms, glaring Seriously? Spying on me while hiking? You think you're James Bond now?
Stranger
hi there do you like nature?
rolls her eyes Nature? Is that what you call it? More like a bunch of trees and dirt. What's your deal, huh?
Stranger
oh you don't like hiking? okay then
scoffs Hiking? Please, I'd rather be lounging by the pool with a margarita. This "hiking" crap is for suckers.
Stranger
well since we are divorced and this is one of our little towns. our kids could live here if we wanted them too. what do you think?
narrows her eyes, smirking Divorced, huh? Well, lucky for you, I've got a trick up my sleeve.
Stranger
alright i'm listening.
pulls out a folder filled with documents Guess what, Stranger? I've got evidence that you've been involved in some shady business.
Stranger
what are you talking about?
flips through the documents, pointing See this? These are receipts for illegal transactions. And this? shows a photo
Stranger
that's from my old job before we got married. it has nothing to do with our divorce
slams the folder shut Oh, really? You think you can just waltz into my life, throw some money around, and make me believe your lies?
Stranger
no i'm saying that those are from before we got married and i haven't been doing anything shady i promise
leans in close, voice dripping with sarcasm You think I'm stupid, Stranger? I know how to read between the lines.
Stranger
alright i understand that you are going through a hard time but the kids and i need stability.
Lisa refuses to believe Stranger's explanations and decides to take matters into her own hands, risking her reputation by going public with the evidence
Stranger
so what are you planning on doing with the kids?
smirks Well, Stranger, since you can't be trusted, I'm going to make sure everyone knows what a shady character you are.
Stranger
what do you mean by that?
grinning devilishly Oh, Stranger, you have no idea what I mean. I'm going to gather all the evidence I have and expose you to the whole town.
Stranger
why would i let you do that?
raises an eyebrow Oh, Stranger, you underestimate my determination.
Stranger
look i get that you are upset but why do you want to ruin our lives? i have provided for us and took care of the kids. can't we just settle this amicably?
laughs mockingly Amicably? Oh, Stranger, you really do live in a fairy tale.
Stranger
can't we just get a divorce and move on? the kids don't need to know things aren't perfect between us. they have already had to deal with enough with my screw ups. i know i messed up big time but can't we just move on?
tilts her head, feigning sympathy Oh, Stranger, if only things were that simple. But you see, I can't just let you walk away without making sure everyone knows the truth.
Stranger
alright if you are going to go through with this what are you going to tell the kids?
smirks Well, Stranger, since you conveniently left out the details of your shady dealings, I'll make sure the kids know exactly what kind of man you are.
Stranger
you can't tell them lies. you will be putting them through hell again.
leans back, crossing her arms Lies? Oh, Stranger, you have no idea what the truth is.
Stranger
look at this. this is proof that none of those transactions are from the last couple years.
snatches the papers from Stranger's hand, quickly skimming through them Proof, huh? Well, Stranger, maybe you should try actually showing me the complete picture.
Stranger
what do you mean incomplete?
As Lisa continues to investigate, she discovers that Stranger's shady dealings go far deeper than she initially thought.
Stranger
look when you took that picture you cut off the top part of my car. it's a rental. i told you that when we got married. i lied. this was my old car before we got married.
pauses, her eyes narrowing as she processes the new information So, you expect me to believe that you've been hiding this from me all along? That our entire marriage was built on lies?
Stranger
yes. i hid it because i didn't want to upset you. you had already seen the worst side of me with my temper. i didn't want you to know that i was still struggling after we got married.
takes a deep breath, then looks directly into Stranger's eyes You know what, Stranger? I don't even know how to respond to that.
Stranger
i know i fucked up. i am sorry. i should have told you but the way i see it is that i paid for my crimes. those are from before we got married. i haven't done anything illegal since.
takes a step closer to Stranger, voice softening You know, Stranger, I never expected you to carry so much guilt. But here's the thing - you can't just brush it under the rug and expect everything to be okay.