The house is completely quiet. LARRY and BETHANY sit together in the living room.
Bethany looks at Larry with hopeful eyes.
BETHANY
Larry, I really want to be close to you tonight. Please be ready for me.
Larry looks uncomfortable and slowly shakes his head.
LARRY
Bethany, I can’t. I’m just not in the mood.
Bethany’s smile disappears.
BETHANY
You always do this. Every time I try to get close to you, you push me away.
Larry remains silent. Bethany becomes more frustrated.
BETHANY
What’s the reason? If something is wrong, just tell me.
BETHANY
If you’re having some kind of problem, then go see a doctor. At least find out what’s wrong.
LARRY
There’s nothing wrong with me.
LARRY
I just don’t want that kind of relationship with you.
Larry’s words hurt Bethany deeply. She becomes completely silent.
BETHANY
Then… what’s wrong with me?
Larry doesn’t answer. Bethany wipes away a tear.
BETHANY
What’s wrong with me? Why don’t you want me anymore?
BETHANY
If you can’t make me happy, then why do you keep me here?
BETHANY
Why don’t you just leave me?
LARRY
Very soon, Bethany. You’ll see. Things are going to change.
Bethany stares at Larry in confusion. She says nothing.
The front door opens. PURNELL, Larry’s older brother, walks into the house.
PURNELL
Good morning, Larry.
LARRY
Morning, Purnell.
Purnell looks toward Bethany. Bethany doesn’t respond.
She sits quietly, lost in her thoughts.
PURNELL
Bethany, what’s wrong?
There is no answer. Purnell walks closer.
PURNELL
Bethany?
Bethany remains silent.
Purnell sits beside her and gently touches her shoulder.
PURNELL
Why aren’t you talking?
BETHANY
Hmm?
PURNELL
I asked what’s wrong.
BETHANY
Nothing. I’m fine.
PURNELL
You don’t look fine.
BETHANY
I just have a lot on my mind.
Purnell nods but continues watching her carefully.
The house is dark. Larry enters the bedroom.
Bethany is already lying in bed. Larry changes his clothes and gets into bed.
Bethany keeps her back turned toward him.
LARRY
You’re already asleep?
Bethany doesn’t answer.
Larry sighs and eventually closes his eyes.
After a few moments, Bethany slowly opens her eyes and looks over at Larry.
Her face shows sadness and confusion.
She quietly gets out of bed, walks toward the door, and silently leaves the room.
Bethany slowly walks through the dark hallway.
She stops outside Purnell’s room.
The door is slightly open.
She looks inside. Purnell is asleep.
Bethany stands there for several moments.
Her expression shows that she knows she is about to make a serious mistake.
After hesitating, she quietly walks inside.
Purnell suddenly wakes up. He is shocked to see Bethany standing inside his room.
PURNELL
Bethany?
PURNELL
What are you doing here?
Tears fill Bethany’s eyes.
BETHANY
I don’t know.
PURNELL
You need to go back to your room.
BETHANY
Larry doesn’t want me anymore.
PURNELL
That doesn’t make coming here right.
BETHANY
I just wanted someone to make me feel like I mattered.
Purnell remains silent. The room becomes increasingly uncomfortable.
Purnell knows Bethany is emotionally hurt, but he also knows that Larry is his brother.
PURNELL
Bethany, whatever is happening between you and Larry, you can’t solve it this way.
BETHANY
I feel completely alone.
PURNELL
You need to talk to Larry.
Larry is awake. He realizes Bethany isn’t in their bedroom.
He gets out of bed and walks into the hallway.
He notices the light coming from Purnell’s room.
Larry slowly walks toward the room.
He hears Bethany crying.
Larry’s expression changes.
He looks through the partially open doorway.
Bethany is sitting near Purnell.
Larry is shocked.
LARRY
Bethany?!
Bethany immediately turns toward him. Purnell stands up.
PURNELL
Larry, wait—
LARRY
What is she doing in here?
Bethany freezes.
BETHANY
Larry, I—
LARRY
Don’t!
Larry points toward the hallway.
LARRY
Both of you, get out there.
PURNELL
Nothing happened.
LARRY
Then why is my wife in your bedroom in the middle of the night?
Bethany starts crying.
BETHANY
I was hurt. I wasn’t thinking clearly.
LARRY
You were hurt, so you came to my brother?
Bethany has no answer.
LARRY
And you knew she was emotionally hurt.
PURNELL
I didn’t do anything wrong.
LARRY
This family is already falling apart.
LARRY
And tonight, you made everything worse.
Bethany lowers her head.
All three return to the living room.
The tension is unbearable.
Larry stands near the window. Bethany sits on the couch, quietly crying.
Purnell stands near the doorway.
LARRY
I don’t know what happens after tonight.
BETHANY
Larry…
Larry turns toward her.
LARRY
You were asking me why I’ve been distant from you.
Bethany listens silently.
LARRY
Now you understand why trust matters.
Bethany looks devastated.
Larry remains near the window. Bethany looks down at the floor.
Purnell stays silent.
LARRY
If we’re going to have any future together, we have to be honest with each other.
Bethany slowly looks up.
She wants to respond, but no words come out.
Purnell takes a deep breath.
The silence in the room becomes heavier.
Bethany wipes away her tears.
She realizes that her loneliness and frustration have pushed her into a situation that could destroy what little trust remains.
Larry watches her from across the room.
LARRY
I never wanted things to get this complicated.
BETHANY
I was hurt, Larry.
Larry remains silent.
BETHANY
I just wanted to feel like I still mattered to you.
Larry looks away.
The room falls silent again.
Larry quietly looks out the window.
Bethany sits on the couch, wiping away her tears.
Purnell stands near the doorway, unsure of what to say.
None of them speaks.
The trust between Larry and Bethany has been shaken.
Larry finally turns toward Bethany.
She lowers her eyes.
The three remain in silence, knowing that things may never be the same after tonight.
The camera slowly pulls away from the room.