1. The Business That Could Save Their Marriage
FADE IN:
INT. LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE – MORNING
Soft morning light spills through the windows. The house is quiet, but the tension between LARRY and BETHANY is impossible to miss.
Larry sits at the kitchen table, looking tired but composed. Bethany stands nearby, carefully choosing her words.
She takes a breath.
BETHANY
I’ve been thinking about this business, Larry.
Larry looks up.
BETHANY
Maybe this business could be the thing that finally helps fix our marriage.
Larry stays silent.
Bethany takes his silence as an invitation to continue.
BETHANY
We could build something together. Something that gives us a reason to work together again. Maybe it could bring us closer.
Larry slowly shakes his head.
LARRY
Bethany, I understand what you’re saying.
He pauses.
LARRY
But a business isn’t going to magically fix everything between us.
Bethany looks disappointed.
BETHANY
But it could help.
LARRY
Maybe. But there are other things we need to deal with first.
2. Bethany Brings Up Brooke
A heavy silence fills the kitchen.
Bethany folds her arms.
BETHANY
And what about Brooke?
Larry looks toward the hallway.
LARRY
What about her?
BETHANY
You need to keep doing what you’re doing.
Larry frowns.
BETHANY
Brooke doesn’t want to go to school. She’s living in your house. Someone has to make sure she understands that there are responsibilities.
Larry leans back in his chair.
His expression becomes firmer.
LARRY
Bethany, this is my responsibility.
BETHANY
I’m only trying to help.
3. Larry Draws the Line
LARRY
I know you say that.
He pauses.
LARRY
But you need to stay in your lane.
Bethany’s face changes. She wasn’t expecting that.
BETHANY
Stay in my lane?
LARRY
Yes.
Larry stands.
LARRY
You keep trying to make decisions about situations that aren’t yours to control.
Bethany stares at him.
LARRY
Whatever happens, whatever decision needs to be made, eventually it’s going to come down to me, Brooke, Sharra, and Lynette.
Bethany remains silent.
LARRY
You don’t get to decide everything.
The words hang heavily in the room.
CUT TO:
4. Bethany Tries to Keep Brooke Around
INT. KITCHEN – LATER
Bethany sits alone at the table. Her frustration is obvious.
She looks toward the doorway as Brooke walks past.
Bethany watches her carefully.
BETHANY
Brooke.
Brooke stops.
BETHANY
Where are you going?
BROOKE
I’m just going to my room.
Bethany forces a smile.
BETHANY
You know, maybe you should think about staying here a little longer.
Brooke looks confused.
BROOKE
Why?
Bethany hesitates.
BETHANY
Because… maybe it’s better for everyone.
Brooke doesn’t respond. She walks away.
Bethany watches her disappear.
CUT TO:
5. Larry’s Retirement Changes Everything
INT. LARRY’S OFFICE – AFTERNOON
Larry sits behind his desk.
A stack of papers rests in front of him.
He looks at them, then takes a deep breath.
His retirement has given him something he never had before — time.
He has stepped away from work and now has a steady income.
For the first time in years, Larry feels like he can live life on his own terms.
But outside the office, Bethany’s situation is very different.
She is still waiting for her court date.
And the uncertainty has left her frustrated.
CUT TO:
6. The Argument About Brooke
INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING
Larry walks into the living room.
Bethany is sitting on the couch.
BETHANY
Larry, we need to talk.
Larry stops.
LARRY
About what?
BETHANY
About Brooke.
Larry sighs.
LARRY
Again?
BETHANY
Yes, again.
She sits forward.
BETHANY
She doesn’t want to go to school, Larry. She’s living here. You can’t just ignore it.
Larry looks at her calmly.
LARRY
I’m not ignoring anything.
BETHANY
Then why are you letting this continue?
LARRY
Because I’m handling it.
Bethany shakes her head.
BETHANY
You keep saying that.
LARRY
Because it’s true.
BETHANY
I’m trying to protect this family.
LARRY
And sometimes protecting the family means knowing when to step back.
7. Brooke Hears the Conversation
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Brooke stands around the corner, hearing part of the conversation.
She doesn’t interrupt.
Larry notices her.
LARRY
Brooke?
She slowly steps into the room.
Bethany looks at her.
Larry gestures toward the chair.
LARRY
Come sit down.
Brooke sits.
Larry looks between them.
LARRY
This needs to stop becoming a fight every time we talk about it.
Bethany remains quiet.
LARRY
Brooke has her own decisions to make, and I’m going to deal with them.
Brooke looks relieved.
Bethany looks frustrated.
8. Larry Wants Peace
BETHANY
So where does that leave me?
Larry answers without hesitation.
LARRY
It leaves you with the same choice you’ve always had.
Bethany waits.
LARRY
You can support me.
He pauses.
LARRY
Or you can keep trying to control something that isn’t yours.
Bethany looks down.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT
Larry sits alone.
His phone rests on the table.
He looks around the quiet house.
9. What Can Really Save Their Marriage?
Retirement has changed his life.
He has income.
He has freedom.
And now he wants peace.
But Bethany’s unresolved situation continues to hang over the household.
She is waiting for a court date that seems increasingly uncertain.
Without a steady income of her own, the pressure is becoming harder to ignore.
Bethany enters the room.
BETHANY
You really think this business could change everything?
Larry looks at her.
LARRY
I think a business can create opportunities.
Bethany waits.
LARRY
But it can’t repair a marriage by itself.
She slowly nods.
BETHANY
Then what can?
Larry looks toward the hallway.
LARRY
Honesty.
A beat.
LARRY
Boundaries.
Another beat.
LARRY
And knowing when to listen.
10. Larry Makes His Final Decision
Bethany sits down.
For once, she doesn’t argue.
The room becomes quiet.
Outside, the night settles over the house.
Larry looks at Bethany.
Bethany looks back.
Their marriage is still uncertain.
The business may or may not save them.
Brooke’s future remains unresolved.
And Bethany’s court date is still hanging over everything.
But one thing is clear:
Larry is no longer willing to let anyone else make his decisions for him.
FADE OUT.