The Divorce Papers
A MARRIAGE ON THE EDGE
SCENE 1: LARRY’S OFFICE — AFTERNOON
The atmosphere inside Larry’s office is tense. Papers are scattered across his desk, and the ticking of the wall clock fills the uncomfortable silence. Bethany stands before Larry with her arms folded, while he watches her impatiently.
LARRY
Bethany, I don’t understand why you’re making this so difficult. All I’m asking you to do is help Sara’s mother with her case. You need to handle this matter and speak to your father about it.
BETHANY
Larry, I’ve already told you that I’m not going to do it. I have my reasons, and I expect you to respect my decision.
Larry walks around his desk, his irritation growing with every passing second.
LARRY
Your reasons? What reasons could possibly justify refusing to help someone with such an important case?
BETHANY
The reason is Sara herself. Her behaviour toward me has been completely unacceptable. She doesn’t treat me with respect, so why should I put myself in an uncomfortable position to help her mother?
Larry shakes his head in disbelief. His patience is wearing thin.
LARRY
This isn’t about whether you like Sara or whether she treats you nicely. This is about responsibility. Sometimes, you have to put your personal feelings aside and do what needs to be done.
BETHANY
And sometimes, you need to understand that you cannot force people to do whatever you want!
Her voice echoes through the office. Larry freezes, surprised by her defiance.
LARRY
Watch your tone, Bethany. I’m not asking you to do something unreasonable. I’m telling you what needs to happen.
BETHANY
And I’m telling you that my answer is no!
A heavy silence falls between them. Larry turns away sharply and runs a frustrated hand through his hair.
LARRY
You will handle Sara’s mother’s case. You will speak to your father, and you will make sure that everything is taken care of. Is that clear?
BETHANY
No, Larry. It’s not clear, because I’m not going to follow your orders simply because you refuse to accept the word no.
Larry’s expression hardens. He has reached the limit of his patience.
LARRY
I’ve had enough of this conversation.
SCENE 2: THE DIVORCE PAPERS
Larry returns to his desk and pulls open a drawer. He searches through several documents until his fingers stop on a neatly arranged set of papers.
The divorce papers.
He stares at them for a moment. These are the same papers he had prepared earlier but had never found the courage to give Bethany. Now, his anger pushes him toward a decision that could change their lives forever.
BETHANY
What are you looking for?
Larry doesn’t answer. He pulls the documents from the drawer, straightens them, and turns toward Bethany.
LARRY
You want to make your own decisions? Fine. You want to do whatever you please without considering anything I say? Fine!
He walks toward the table and throws the divorce papers in front of her. The documents slide across the polished surface.
LARRY
There you go! Divorce papers! Sign them and leave me alone!
Bethany looks down at the papers. Her eyes move across the heading on the first page. For a moment, she cannot believe what she is seeing.
BETHANY
You… you prepared divorce papers?
LARRY
Yes. And maybe I should have given them to you a long time ago.
BETHANY
Then why didn’t you?
Larry hesitates for a fraction of a second before his anger returns.
LARRY
Does it matter? They’re here now. If you’re so determined to go against me, then sign them and end this.
Bethany lets out a small, disbelieving laugh. Her eyes begin to glisten, but she refuses to let the tears fall.
BETHANY
So that’s what our marriage means to you? The moment I disagree with you, you throw divorce papers in my face?
LARRY
Don’t twist my words!
BETHANY
I’m not twisting anything, Larry. You’re the one who just told me to sign away our marriage because I refused to handle a case.
Larry slams his palm against the edge of the table.
LARRY
I said sign them!
Bethany flinches at the sudden noise but refuses to step back.
BETHANY
And I haven’t agreed to anything. You can put those papers in front of me a hundred times, Larry. That doesn’t mean you get to decide everything for both of us.
LARRY
You always have an answer for everything!
BETHANY
Because you never listen!
Their voices rise, filling the office with anger and frustration. Neither notices the footsteps approaching the door.
SCENE 3: MR. NEUBERGER ARRIVES
The office door suddenly opens. Mr. Neuberger steps inside, expecting an ordinary visit with his daughter. He stops immediately when he sees Larry standing beside the table and Bethany staring at a stack of papers.
His eyes fall on the heading.
DIVORCE.
MR. NEUBERGER
What is going on here?
Larry turns toward the doorway. Bethany’s expression changes as she sees her father standing there.
Mr. Neuberger walks farther into the room, his gaze shifting between Larry and his daughter.
MR. NEUBERGER
Larry, what are these papers?
LARRY
They’re divorce papers. Bethany and I have some things we need to settle.
Mr. Neuberger stares at him in disbelief.
MR. NEUBERGER
Divorce papers? You are telling me that you are asking my daughter to sign divorce papers?
LARRY
I’m telling her that if she doesn’t want to respect our marriage, then perhaps we shouldn’t remain married.
BETHANY
Dad, that’s not what happened. I refused to do something he was demanding from me, and he suddenly took these papers out of his drawer and threw them in front of me.
Mr. Neuberger looks at his daughter, then slowly turns back toward Larry. His initial shock gives way to anger.
MR. NEUBERGER
Is that true, Larry? You are prepared to end your marriage over a disagreement about a legal case?
LARRY
This is between Bethany and me. I don’t think we need to turn it into a family matter.
MR. NEUBERGER
You made it a family matter the moment you threw divorce papers in front of my daughter!
The room falls silent. Larry looks away, his expression rigid. Bethany stands beside the table, struggling to hide her hurt.
MR. NEUBERGER
Bethany, are you all right?
BETHANY
I’m fine, Dad.
Her trembling voice tells a different story. Mr. Neuberger places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
MR. NEUBERGER
You may be angry with each other, but marriage is not something you should threaten to destroy whenever things don’t go your way.
LARRY
You don’t know everything that has happened between us.
MR. NEUBERGER
Then explain it. But don’t expect me to stand here silently while you demand that my daughter sign these papers in the middle of an argument.
Larry opens his mouth to respond, but no words come out immediately.
Bethany looks down at the documents one last time. Then she lifts her head and meets Larry’s gaze.
BETHANY
I came here to have a conversation with my husband. I never imagined I’d leave this room being asked to sign away my marriage.
Her voice breaks slightly. Mr. Neuberger watches Larry closely, waiting for an answer.
BETHANY
If this is truly what you want, Larry, then at least have the courage to tell me when you’re calm—not when you’re trying to punish me for disagreeing with you.
Larry remains silent. His eyes settle on the divorce papers lying between them.
The documents he had kept hidden in his drawer are now out in the open, witnessed by the one person he never expected to see them.
FADE OUT
