BETHANY CONFRONTS LARRY — SHE DEMANDS TO KNOW WHY HE AVOIDS HER!

SCENE 1 — HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT — DAY

The hospital corridor is busy, but Larry and Bethany are focused entirely on each other. Larry stands in his navy-blue shirt, looking frustrated. Bethany, wearing a floral top, stares at him with hurt and anger in her eyes.

She has brought him to the hospital because she can no longer tolerate his constant excuses.

BETHANY

Larry, I brought you here because I want answers. I am tired of asking you the same questions and getting nothing but excuses.

Larry shakes his head and exhales sharply.

LARRY

Bethany, I already told you that I don’t want to do this right now. Why can’t you leave me alone for once?

BETHANY

Because you never explain anything! Every time I try to talk to you about our marriage, you get angry and walk away.

She raises her finger, struggling to control her emotions.

BETHANY

Larry, I am your wife. I deserve to understand what is happening between us.

Larry looks away, avoiding her eyes.

LARRY

Not everything is as simple as you think.

BETHANY

Then explain it to me! Stop making me feel like I am the problem every time I ask you a question.

Larry remains silent. Bethany’s expression changes. Beneath her anger is a deep fear that the man she loves is keeping something important from her.

---

SCENE 2 — OUTSIDE THE EXAMINATION ROOM — DAY

Larry walks toward the examination room, hoping to end the argument. Bethany follows him immediately.

BETHANY

Larry, wait! We are not finished talking.

He stops and turns around impatiently.

LARRY

What else do you want me to say?

Bethany takes a breath. Her voice becomes firmer.

BETHANY

Larry, I am going to get you checked. I don’t know what is going on with you, and I cannot keep pretending everything is fine.

Larry stares at her in disbelief.

LARRY

You cannot just make decisions about my health without listening to me!

BETHANY

I am not trying to control you. I am trying to understand why you keep pushing me away.

LARRY

And you think bringing me to a hospital is going to solve everything?

BETHANY

At least here, we can talk to someone who might help us understand what is happening.

Larry rubs his forehead, visibly frustrated.

LARRY

You always have to turn everything into a confrontation.

Bethany’s eyes fill with tears, but she refuses to look away.

BETHANY

No, Larry. I am trying to save a marriage that feels like it is falling apart right in front of me.

For a moment, neither of them speaks. A nurse opens the examination room door and calls Larry’s name. Larry looks at Bethany, then reluctantly walks inside.

---

SCENE 3 — EXAMINATION ROOM — DAY

Larry sits on the examination bed while Bethany remains near the door. A doctor enters with a clipboard and offers them both a calm, professional smile.

DOCTOR

Good afternoon. I understand there are some concerns you’d like to discuss today.

Larry glances at Bethany.

LARRY

My wife thinks something is wrong with me because things between us haven’t been the way she wants them to be.

Bethany immediately responds.

BETHANY

That is not what I said, Larry. I said I don’t understand why you keep avoiding me and refusing to explain what’s happening.

The doctor raises a hand gently to prevent the disagreement from escalating.

DOCTOR

Let’s take this one step at a time. Changes in a person’s interest in physical intimacy can happen for many reasons. Stress, emotional difficulties, medications, and certain health conditions can all play a role.

Larry looks down at his hands.

DOCTOR

Larry, I would like to hear your perspective, too. Have you noticed any changes in your health or how you have been feeling lately?

Larry hesitates.

LARRY

I’ve been under a lot of pressure. That’s all I want to say right now.

Bethany looks at him, surprised by his answer.

BETHANY

Pressure from what, Larry? You never tell me anything!

DOCTOR

Bethany, I understand that you’re worried. But Larry also needs the opportunity to discuss his health honestly and privately if he wishes.

Bethany lowers her head.

BETHANY

I just don’t want to keep guessing.

DOCTOR

That’s understandable. We can arrange the appropriate examinations and discuss the results with Larry. If he agrees, we can also talk together about how this is affecting your relationship.

Larry nods slowly. For the first time that day, he seems willing to listen.

---

SCENE 4 — HOSPITAL CORRIDOR — AFTERNOON

After the initial consultation, the doctor asks Larry whether he would prefer to speak privately for a few minutes. Larry agrees.

Bethany steps into the corridor, folding her arms as she waits. She watches other families pass by, wondering why her own marriage has become so difficult.

A few minutes later, Larry emerges from the examination room.

BETHANY

What did the doctor say?

LARRY

He needs to ask me some more questions and review a few things before he can give me any answers.

BETHANY

Is there something seriously wrong?

Larry pauses.

LARRY

I don’t know yet.

Bethany moves closer, her anger giving way to concern.

BETHANY

Then why didn’t you tell me you were worried about something?

LARRY

Because I didn’t want every conversation between us to become an argument about our marriage.

BETHANY

And you thought keeping me in the dark would make things better?

Larry looks at her with exhaustion in his eyes.

LARRY

I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling.

BETHANY

You could have started by talking to me.

He looks away again.

LARRY

Maybe you’re right.

Bethany is taken aback by his admission.

BETHANY

Larry, I don’t expect you to have every answer. But I need you to stop treating me like an enemy.

Larry says nothing. His silence leaves her wondering whether his admission is the beginning of a change or simply another temporary moment of honesty.

---

SCENE 5 — LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — EVENING

The couple returns home. Bethany places her handbag on the table while Larry sits on the couch, staring at the floor. The house feels unusually quiet.

Bethany stands in front of him.

BETHANY

Larry, we need to finish this conversation.

He closes his eyes briefly.

LARRY

Bethany, I am tired. Can we please talk tomorrow?

BETHANY

You always say tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes, and nothing changes.

Larry looks up at her.

LARRY

What exactly do you want from me?

Bethany’s voice trembles, but she speaks clearly.

BETHANY

I want the truth. I don’t know why you don’t want a physical relationship with me anymore. I don’t know whether you’re afraid, whether something is bothering you, or whether you’ve stopped loving me.

Larry immediately stands.

LARRY

Don’t say that!

BETHANY

Then tell me what I am supposed to think!

She wipes a tear from her cheek.

BETHANY

I am not asking you to pretend to be someone you’re not. I am asking you to be honest with your own wife.

Larry walks toward the window and stands with his back to her.

LARRY

You don’t understand how difficult this is for me.

BETHANY

Then help me understand!

He turns around, his expression conflicted.

LARRY

What if I tell you something you don’t want to hear?

Bethany freezes.

BETHANY

At least I would finally know the truth.

Larry opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Bethany waits, hoping he will finally reveal what he has been hiding. Instead, Larry lowers his eyes.

LARRY

I need more time.

Bethany lets out a painful sigh.

BETHANY

How much more time, Larry? How long am I supposed to live in a marriage where I feel unwanted and shut out?

Larry has no answer.

---

SCENE 6 — THE LIVING ROOM — LATER THAT NIGHT

Bethany sits alone on the couch. Her wedding ring catches the light as she turns her hand, remembering the promises they once made to each other.

Larry returns from the kitchen with two glasses of water. He places one on the table beside her.

LARRY

You haven’t eaten anything.

BETHANY

I’m not hungry.

He sits beside her, leaving a little distance between them.

LARRY

I know I’ve hurt you.

Bethany looks at him, surprised by the softness in his voice.

BETHANY

Then why do you keep doing it?

Larry struggles to find the right words.

LARRY

Because I don’t know how to deal with everything I’m feeling. And sometimes, instead of talking to you, I shut you out.

BETHANY

But when you shut me out, you leave me to imagine the worst.

Larry nods slowly.

LARRY

I know.

BETHANY

I love you, Larry. But I cannot be the only person fighting for this marriage.

He reaches for his glass, then puts it down without drinking.

LARRY

I don’t want to lose you.

Bethany studies his face.

BETHANY

Then stop making me feel like I’m already lost.

A long silence follows. Larry finally looks directly into her eyes.

LARRY

I’ll go back to the doctor. I’ll answer the questions I need to answer, and I’ll try to talk to you honestly. I can’t promise everything will be fixed overnight, but I can try.

Bethany’s expression softens, although the hurt remains.

BETHANY

That’s all I have been asking for. Honesty, Larry. Not excuses.

He nods. For the first time in weeks, they sit together without arguing.

But Bethany knows that one conversation cannot repair everything. And Larry knows that the next conversation may reveal truths neither of them is prepared to face.