AMBER, ANTHONY & DNISHA â THE DIVORCE PAPERS
SCENE 1 â ANTHONYâS HOUSE â LIVING ROOM â AFTERNOON
Soft afternoon sunlight fills the living room.
Anthony sits on the couch, staring at his phone.
Dnisha is nearby, quietly scrolling through her phone.
Anthonyâs phone suddenly rings.
He looks at the screen.
AMBER
Anthony hesitates before answering. He takes a deep breath.
ANTHONYHello?
Amberâs voice comes through the phone.
AMBERAnthony, Iâm here at your place. I need you to sign the divorce papers.
Anthonyâs expression immediately changes. His eyes widen. He slowly sits up.
ANTHONYYouâre already here?
AMBERYes. I donât want to argue with you. I just want to get this taken care of.
Anthony looks toward the front door. His face becomes tense.
He lowers the phone for a moment and looks at Dnisha.
ANTHONYAmber is here.
DNISHAWhat does she want?
Anthony puts the phone back to his ear.
ANTHONYShe says she wants me to sign the divorce papers.
There is a long pause.
Anthony rubs his forehead.
ANTHONYI knew this was coming, but I didnât expect her to show up today.
AMBERAnthony, Iâm not here to cause a scene. I just want you to sign the papers so we can finally move forward.
Anthony closes his eyes for a moment. He looks overwhelmed.
ANTHONYAmber, can we talk about this later?
AMBERNo, Anthony. Weâve already talked about it enough.
Anthony remains silent.
AMBERIâve made my decision. I just need you to sign.
Anthony slowly hangs up. He places his phone on the table.
Dnisha watches him carefully.
DNISHAWhat happened?
Anthony looks frustrated.
ANTHONYShe wants me to sign the divorce papers right now.
DNISHAThen sign them.
ANTHONYItâs not that simple.
DNISHAWhy not?
Anthony looks down.
ANTHONYBecause I donât have any money right now.
DNISHAMoney for what?
Anthony sighs.
ANTHONYI have expenses. Iâve been trying to handle everything, and now Amber is here asking me to deal with the divorce.
He shakes his head.
ANTHONYI honestly donât know what Iâm going to do.
Dnisha moves closer. Her voice becomes calm.
DNISHAAnthony, donât worry about it.
ANTHONYWhat do you mean?
DNISHAIâll give you the money.
Anthony looks surprised.
ANTHONYYou will?
DNISHAYes.
She sits beside him.
DNISHAIf you need money to get this handled, Iâll help you.
Anthony looks conflicted.
ANTHONYDnisha, I donât want you paying for my problems.
DNISHAThis isnât just your problem anymore.
Anthony looks at her with uncertainty.
DNISHAYouâre trying to move forward with your life. If signing those papers is what you need to do, then do it.
Anthony looks down at his hands.
ANTHONYI just didnât expect things to happen this fast.
DNISHASometimes you have to stop looking backward.
Anthony looks at her. Her words clearly affect him.
Suddenly, there is a knock at the front door.
Anthony freezes.
DNISHAThat must be Amber.
Anthony slowly stands. His nervousness returns.
ANTHONYIâm not ready for this.
DNISHAYou donât have to be ready.
She looks directly into his eyes.
DNISHAJust be honest.
Anthony takes a deep breath. He walks toward the door.
SCENE 2 â ANTHONYâS HOUSE â FRONT DOOR â CONTINUOUS
Anthony opens the door.
Amber stands outside holding a folder.
She looks serious.
ANTHONYYou brought them?
AMBERYes.
She holds up the folder.
AMBERThe divorce papers.
Anthony looks uncomfortable.
ANTHONYAmber, I know this is serious.
AMBERThen please donât make it harder than it has to be.
Amber steps inside. She notices Dnisha standing in the living room.
Her expression changes.
AMBERDnisha is here too?
Anthony glances at Dnisha.
ANTHONYShe was already here.
AMBEROkay.
She places the folder on the table.
AMBERIâm not here to fight with anyone.
Anthony walks toward the table. He looks at the papers.
His hand moves toward the folder but stops.
AMBERAnthony.
He looks up.
AMBERWe both know this marriage has been over for a while.
Anthony looks hurt.
ANTHONYI know.
AMBERThen letâs stop pretending everything is going to change.
Anthony slowly opens the folder. He looks through the documents.
Dnisha watches silently.
Anthony takes a deep breath.
ANTHONYI just need some time.
AMBERYouâve had time.
Anthony looks at Dnisha.
Dnisha gives him a reassuring nod.
DNISHAYou can do this.
Anthony looks back at Amber.
ANTHONYIâll sign them.
Amber looks relieved.
She slides the papers toward him.
Anthony picks up the pen. His hand trembles slightly.
He pauses.
AMBERAnthony?
He looks at her one last time.
ANTHONYI never thought we would end up here.
Amberâs expression softens.
AMBERNeither did I.
A quiet moment passes.
Anthony finally signs.
He places the pen down.
Amber takes a slow breath.
AMBERThank you.
She gathers the papers.
Anthony looks away.
Dnisha walks over to him.
DNISHAYou okay?
Anthony nods, though his face shows emotion.
ANTHONYI will be.
Amber heads toward the door.
Before leaving, she turns around.
AMBERAnthony, I really hope you find what youâre looking for.
Anthony looks at her.
ANTHONYI hope you do too.
Amber leaves.
The door closes.
Anthony stands silently.
Dnisha comes closer.
DNISHAItâs done.
Anthony nods.
ANTHONYYeah.
He takes a deep breath.
ANTHONYAnd now I have to figure out what comes next.
DNISHAYou wonât have to figure it out alone.
Anthony looks at her.
For the first time all afternoon, Anthonyâs expression relaxes.
The room becomes quiet.
But Anthony knows this is only the beginning of a completely new chapter.
