Anne - Act One: The Orphanage, Scene #01

In the stillness of the night, a police cruiser rolls into view, parking beside an imposing residential complex. A uniformed officer emerges, adjusting his gear and striding confidently towards the entrance. The sign reads: "The Hands Transition House for Wayward Girls." No response comes from his knock, so he helps himself inside. What secrets lurk within these walls? The scene shifts indoors, where the officer navigates a dimly lit hallway towards Mr. Hands' office. This isn't your average orphanage; it's a government-sponsored facility with a dark twist. Mr. Hands has found a lucrative loophole, retaining orphans past their 18th birthdays, hidden away in a secret room. They're not just wards of the state; they're his unwilling employees, fueling his illicit businesses. But the officer is in on it. He's been pocketing bribes for years. Tonight, he walks in on Mr. Hands, dressed in a smoking jacket, receiving a sordid favor from one of his girls. The officer isn't fazed. He's here for his monthly envelope, nothing more. As they talk, Mr. Hands boasts about his latest acquisition: Anne, an 18-year-old redhead who still clings to the hope that her parents will return for her. She's a prize, he says, the prettiest he's ever had. The officer scoffs, demanding his payment. He doesn't care about sob stories; he just wants to keep the girls quiet and the money flowing. Meanwhile, Anne is led up to the secret room. Her face is hidden, but her hands clutch a broken heart necklace, a remnant of her past. Inside, the room is more sweatshop than sanctuary. Girls work tirelessly, packaging used panties for Mr. Hands' black-market business or performing on webcams. Anne's eyes widen as she takes in her new home. Can this really be her future? Patty, the resident bully, bursts in with her sidekick, Bonnie. They taunt Sally, a frail girl with leg braces, and stir up the others. Anne steps in, defending Sally and standing up to Patty. A fight nearly breaks out, but the orphans restrain Anne. Patty retaliates, turning the group against Anne. If only Anne would give in to Mr. Hands, life would be easier for everyone, she claims. But Anne refuses, clutching her necklace and her hope. Mr. Hands enters, demanding to know who caused the commotion. He zeroes in on Anne, punishing her with double duty. But there's a way out, he sneers. Anne turns away in disgust as Mr. Hands graphically demonstrates with Patty and Bonnie. They taunt her, pressuring her to give in. Anne stands her ground, even as Mr. Hands rips her beloved necklace from her neck and storms out. Two weeks later, Anne is a shell of her former self. She scrubs the courtyard alone, her spirit broken. Only Sally tries to help. Suddenly, a luxury car pulls up. Ms. Farling, a beautiful and well-dressed woman, steps out. She's seeking an orphan for a charity event, but Mr. Hands is reluctant. As they tour the facility, Ms. Farling spots Anne in the courtyard. She's drawn to the girl's sad eyes and kneels beside her. Anne looks up, a single tear streaming down her face. Ms. Farling asks if she'd like to come with her, to find her parents. Anne smiles for the first time in weeks. Mr. Hands is furious but powerless. He drags Anne to his office, demanding sex in exchange for her freedom. Desperate, Anne agrees. But after taking her virginity, Mr. Hands changes his mind. He locks Anne in his closet, leaving her pounding on the door as he snorts drugs at his desk. Anne's future hangs in the balance, her hope flickering like a dying flame. Will she ever escape Mr. Hands' clutches? Will she find her parents, or is her dream destined to remain just that - a dream? The stage is set for a dramatic tale of hope, despair, and the struggle for freedom. Stay tuned for the next act in Anne's gripping story!