LARRY LOSES HIS TEMPER WITH BROOKE
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is unusually quiet.
Warm evening light filters through the windows.
LARRY stands near the couch, looking through some papers.
His expression is serious.
The front door suddenly opens.
BROOKE walks inside.
She drops her bag onto the couch.
She looks irritated.
Larry glances at her.
Brooke, where have you been?
Brooke barely looks at him.
Out.
Larry slowly puts the papers down.
Out where?
Brooke rolls her eyes.
Why do you always have to question me?
Larry’s expression tightens.
Because you’re supposed to tell me where you’re going.
Brooke crosses her arms.
I’m not a little kid, Larry.
Larry takes a slow breath.
He tries to remain calm.
I’m not saying you are. I’m saying you live in this house, and I deserve some respect.
Brooke scoffs.
Respect?
She laughs bitterly.
You want respect, but you don’t give me any freedom.
Larry stares at her.
Watch your tone.
Brooke steps closer.
Her frustration grows.
No. I’m tired of watching my tone every time I talk to you.
Larry’s jaw tightens.
Brooke—
You always think you can tell me what to do.
Larry’s voice becomes firmer.
Because sometimes you need somebody to tell you when you’re making the wrong choices.
Brooke shakes her head.
I don’t need you controlling my life.
Larry looks at her in disbelief.
Controlling your life?
He takes a step toward her.
Is that what you think this is?
Brooke grabs her phone from the couch.
Yes.
She turns away.
And I’m done arguing about it.
Larry watches her.
His patience is disappearing.
Come back here.
Brooke keeps walking.
I’m going upstairs.
Brooke, I said come back.
She stops.
Slowly, she turns around.
Her eyes are filled with anger.
What now?
Larry points toward her.
You don’t get to speak to me like that.
Brooke raises her voice.
Then stop treating me like I’m helpless!
The room goes silent.
Larry stares at her.
His breathing becomes heavier.
You need to calm down.
Brooke shakes her head.
No. You need to calm down.
That sentence pushes Larry over the edge.
He looks at the phone in Brooke’s hand.
Give me the phone.
Brooke immediately pulls it closer to herself.
No.
Brooke.
I’m not giving you my phone.
Larry reaches for it.
Brooke pulls away.
Don’t touch me!
Larry’s expression changes.
His anger boils over.
He takes the phone from her hand.
Larry! Give it back!
Larry looks down at the phone.
For a moment, he says nothing.
Then, in a burst of anger, he slams the phone against the floor.
The screen shatters.
Brooke freezes.
Her mouth falls open.
She looks down at the broken phone.
You broke my phone?
Larry’s chest rises and falls.
Yes.
Brooke looks at him in disbelief.
You had no right!
Larry points toward her.
And you had no right to speak to me the way you just did!
Brooke’s eyes fill with tears.
But she refuses to cry.
I can’t believe you.
Larry’s anger remains.
From now on, you’re not going to be talking to whoever you want whenever you want.
Brooke wipes her eyes.
You can’t stop me.
Larry looks directly into her eyes.
Yes, I can.
Brooke steps backward.
This is insane.
Larry’s voice becomes cold.
You’re not going anywhere.
Brooke stares at him.
What?
You heard me.
He points toward the stairs.
Starting today, you’re staying in this house.
Brooke shakes her head.
No.
Yes.
You can’t keep me locked inside.
Larry takes a deep breath.
I’m not locking you up. I’m making sure you understand there are consequences for disrespecting people who are trying to protect you.
Brooke looks at the broken phone again.
Breaking my phone isn’t protection.
Larry looks away for a moment.
The anger on his face briefly turns into regret.
But he quickly hides it.
Maybe I shouldn’t have broken it.
Brooke looks at him.
Hope flickers across her face.
Then Larry continues.
But I’m not changing my decision.
Brooke’s face falls.
So what exactly are you saying?
Larry looks directly at her.
You’re not talking to anybody.
Brooke’s eyes widen.
You’re not making plans.
You’re not going anywhere.
And you’re not leaving this house after today.
Brooke clenches her fists.
You can’t control everything I do.
Larry’s voice lowers.
Maybe not everything.
He pauses.
But while you’re under my roof, you’re going to follow the rules.
Brooke turns away.
Tears finally roll down her cheeks.
I hate this.
Larry watches her.
His anger slowly fades.
But the tension remains.
Brooke walks toward the stairs.
Brooke.
She stops but doesn’t turn around.
This isn’t because I hate you.
Brooke closes her eyes.
Then why does it feel like you do?
Larry has no immediate answer.
His face softens.
Because I’m angry.
Brooke finally turns around.
You’re angry, so you destroy my things?
Larry looks at the shattered phone.
He knows she is right.
I lost my temper.
Brooke shakes her head.
You always say that after you hurt somebody.
Larry looks down.
The silence between them becomes heavy.
Brooke wipes away another tear.
I just wanted you to listen to me.
Larry looks at her.
And I wanted you to listen to me.
Neither of them moves.
For a moment, they simply stare at each other.
Then Brooke slowly walks upstairs.
Larry remains standing in the living room.
He looks down at the broken phone.
His anger is gone now.
Only regret remains.
He bends down and picks up one piece of the shattered screen.
His eyes become distant.
What did I just do?
Upstairs, Brooke closes her bedroom door.
She sits on the edge of her bed.
Her hands tremble.
She looks at the empty space where her phone should be.
A tear rolls down her cheek.
She whispers to herself.
He can’t keep controlling me forever.
Downstairs, Larry sits alone.
He rubs his face.
His breathing slows.
The house becomes silent again.
But this time, the silence feels different.
Something between Larry and Brooke has changed.
And neither of them knows how to fix it.