THE PRICE OF SAVING A MARRIAGE
SCENE 1 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — EVENING
The house is unusually quiet.
Soft evening light enters through the windows.
BETHANY stands near the couch, holding her phone tightly in both hands.
Her expression is troubled.
She has been thinking about Larry’s words ever since he spoke to her.
Bethany takes a deep breath.
She unlocks her phone and scrolls through her contacts.
Her finger stops on one name.
DAD.
She hesitates for a moment before pressing CALL.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Then her father answers.
BETHANY
Dad… I need to talk to you.
Her voice sounds nervous.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, what happened?
You sound upset.
Bethany sits down slowly.
She looks toward the window, trying to find the right words.
BETHANY
It’s Larry.
Her father becomes silent.
BETHANY’S DAD
What did Larry do?
Bethany takes a deep breath.
BETHANY
He told me something today.
Something I never expected him to say.
BETHANY’S DAD
Tell me.
Bethany lowers her eyes.
BETHANY
Larry told me that I have to put my share of the office in his name.
Her father immediately becomes serious.
BETHANY’S DAD
Your share?
BETHANY
Yes.
He said I should transfer my part of the office to him.
And he said if I don’t do it…
He won’t talk to me anymore.
Her father sits silently on the other end of the phone.
Bethany wipes away a tear.
BETHANY
Dad, I don’t understand him anymore.
Why would he ask me for something like this?
SCENE 2 — BETHANY’S DAD’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
BETHANY’S DAD stands beside his desk, holding the phone against his ear.
His face is tense.
He clearly doesn’t like what he is hearing.
BETHANY’S DAD
Did Larry explain why he wants your share?
BETHANY
He said it would prove that I trust him.
But it doesn’t feel like trust.
It feels like pressure.
Her father slowly walks toward the window.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany, listen to me carefully.
Don’t make a decision while you’re emotional.
BETHANY
But Dad…
I don’t want to lose my marriage.
Her father closes his eyes for a moment.
BETHANY’S DAD
Your marriage is important.
But you shouldn’t have to give up everything just to keep someone beside you.
Bethany becomes quiet.
His words hit her deeply.
BETHANY
So what am I supposed to do?
Larry says he won’t speak to me unless I give him what he wants.
BETHANY’S DAD
Then let him stay silent for a while.
Bethany looks shocked.
BETHANY
Dad!
I can’t just ignore him.
BETHANY’S DAD
I’m not telling you to ignore him.
I’m telling you not to let fear control your decision.
Bethany looks down at her hands.
SCENE 3 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Bethany stands and slowly walks across the room.
She looks at a framed photograph of herself and Larry.
Her eyes fill with emotion.
BETHANY
Dad, I love Larry.
I just want things to be normal between us again.
BETHANY’S DAD
I know you love him.
That’s why this is difficult.
Bethany leans against the wall.
BETHANY
Maybe if I give him my share, everything will be okay.
Maybe he’ll stop being angry.
There is a long silence.
Her father looks deeply concerned.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany…
If giving him everything is what it takes to stop your marriage from falling apart, then…
give him everything.
Bethany freezes.
She wasn’t expecting that answer.
BETHANY
What?
BETHANY’S DAD
You heard me.
If transferring everything into his name is the only thing that can save your marriage, then do it.
But remember something.
His voice becomes firm.
BETHANY’S DAD
Once you give someone control over everything you built, getting it back may not be easy.
Bethany looks confused.
BETHANY
Dad, are you really telling me to do this?
BETHANY’S DAD
I’m telling you that the decision is yours.
You are an adult.
You have to decide what matters most to you.
Bethany slowly sits back down.
SCENE 4 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LATER THAT EVENING
The call is still connected.
Bethany stares at the floor.
Her father’s words echo in her mind.
“Give him everything.”
She takes a shaky breath.
BETHANY
What if Larry changes after I give him my share?
BETHANY’S DAD
Then you’ll know that the problem was never the office.
Bethany looks up.
BETHANY
What do you mean?
BETHANY’S DAD
If he truly loves you, he shouldn’t need ownership of your life to prove it.
Bethany becomes emotional.
BETHANY
I just don’t want my marriage to end.
BETHANY’S DAD
Neither do I.
But a marriage cannot survive on fear alone.
Bethany wipes her eyes.
SCENE 5 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — NIGHT
The room is darker now.
Bethany ends the call.
She places the phone on the table.
For several seconds, she simply stands there.
She looks at the photograph of herself and Larry again.
Her expression changes from sadness to determination.
She picks up her phone.
She opens Larry’s contact.
Her thumb hovers over the CALL button.
She hesitates.
Then she presses it.
The phone rings.
No answer.
Bethany waits.
The ringing continues.
Still nothing.
She slowly lowers the phone.
BETHANY
Larry…
What have you turned our marriage into?
She looks toward the window.
Outside, the street is quiet.
Bethany’s phone suddenly vibrates.
A message appears.
LARRY: “Have you made your decision?”
Bethany stares at the screen.
Her eyes fill with tears.
She begins typing.
Stops.
Deletes the message.
Types again.
Stops once more.
Finally, she puts the phone down.
SCENE 6 — BETHANY’S DAD’S HOUSE — SAME NIGHT
BETHANY’S DAD sits alone in his living room.
He looks worried.
His phone is still in his hand.
He remembers Bethany’s voice.
He knows she is struggling with an impossible decision.
His phone suddenly rings.
It is Bethany.
He answers immediately.
BETHANY’S DAD
Bethany?
BETHANY
Dad…
I don’t know what to do.
BETHANY’S DAD
Then don’t rush.
Take your time.
Bethany’s voice trembles.
BETHANY
What if giving Larry everything is the only way to keep him?
Her father pauses.
BETHANY’S DAD
Then ask yourself one question.
Do you want a husband who chooses you…
or someone who stays only because you gave him everything?
Bethany becomes silent.
Those words finally make her understand what is at stake.
BETHANY
I think I’ve been so afraid of losing Larry…
that I forgot to think about what I’m losing myself.
Her father softens.
BETHANY’S DAD
That’s the Bethany I want to hear.
You can love someone without giving away your entire life.
Bethany takes a deep breath.
BETHANY
Thank you, Dad.
I needed to hear that.
SCENE 7 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — NIGHT
Bethany ends the call.
She looks at Larry’s message one final time.
Then she locks her phone.
She walks toward the window.
Her reflection stares back at her.
She is still hurt.
Still afraid.
But now she looks stronger.
Bethany whispers to herself.
BETHANY
I won’t let fear make my decision.
The camera slowly moves backward.
Bethany remains standing by the window as the room falls into silence.
Her phone lights up again.
Another message from Larry.
Bethany doesn’t look at it.
She simply stands there.
For the first time, she is ready to make a decision for herself.
FADE OUT.