Clara: Son, step down immediately. We have a serious situation in the main hallway.
Victoria burst out laughing, trying desperately to cover up the sudden anxiety creeping up her spine at Clara's words. She tossed the empty plastic bucket onto the floor, where it bounced with a loud clatter against the wet oak wood. She thought the old woman was simply playing some bizarre mind game to protect her remaining dignity after being humiliated so publicly. Victoria raised her hand to smooth her hair, taking a step forward to kick the wet rag away from Clara's feet. She wanted to drive the maid out of the house once and for all before Julian came downstairs for lunch.
Victoria: Calling your son? Is your son going to come mop the floor for you? How pathetic can you possibly be?
Clara: My son is already in this house, Victoria. And he does not take kindly to people hurting his family.
Victoria: You are completely delusional! Your family is probably living in some rundown apartment across town!
Before Clara could reply, heavy footsteps sounded from the top of the grand staircase overlooking the entrance hall. Julian Miller had been in his private study reviewing the company's quarterly financial statements when the internal comms device on his desk beeped. He had recognized his mother's urgent voice instantly, dropping his pen and sprinting straight out toward the balcony overlooking the hall. When he looked down from the top landing, his blood ran completely cold at the sight below. His mother was sitting on the wet floor, completely soaked from head to toe, while Victoria stood over her holding an empty bucket.
Victoria glanced up toward the balcony and saw Julian descending the stairs two at a time, his face twisted in utter disbelief. Panicking instantly, Victoria threw her hands over her mouth and let out a dramatic, high-pitched sob. She fell to her knees on the dry side of the hallway, putting on the performance of her life to make herself look like the victim. She wiped imaginary tears from her eyes, pointing a shaking finger toward the soaked elderly woman sitting calmly near the wall. Victoria was confident that Julian would take her side instantly, as he had always done during their two years of dating.
Victoria: Darling, help! She just assaulted me! She threw dirty cleaning water all over the hallway and tried to hit me!
Julian: Victoria, stop talking right now! What is going on down here?
Victoria: She snapped, Julian! This old maid is completely crazy! Call the police and have her thrown out of our house!