INT. BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is unusually quiet. Soft evening light filters through the curtains, casting long shadows across the living room. Everything looks peaceful, but the tension in the room tells a different story.
BETHANY stands near the window, arms folded tightly across her chest. She looks irritated. Her eyes remain fixed on the front door.
Across the room, LARRY sits quietly on the sofa, scrolling through his phone.
Suddenly, the front door opens.
SHARRA
walks inside, looking frustrated and distracted.
Bethany glances at her. For a moment, neither woman says anything.
BETHANY
Larry, can you please talk to her?
LARRY
Talk to her about what?
BETHANY
Tell her that she needs to deal with her own problems.
SHARRA
Excuse me?
BETHANY
You heard me.
SHARRA
What exactly is that supposed to mean?
BETHANY
It means that whatever problems you’re dealing with, you need to solve them yourself.
Sharra shakes her head in disbelief. Larry slowly puts his phone down, sensing where the conversation is heading.
SHARRA
So now you’re giving me advice?
BETHANY
I’m asking you to stop making your problems everyone else’s responsibility.
LARRY
Okay, let’s just calm down.
Neither woman listens. Sharra steps closer. The tension in the room grows.
SHARRA
You have no idea what I’m dealing with.
BETHANY
And you don’t know what we’re dealing with either.
SHARRA
At least I’m honest about my problems.
BETHANY
And what is that supposed to mean?
SHARRA
You know exactly what it means.
THE ARGUMENT ESCALATES…
LARRY
Bethany, why are you fighting with her?
BETHANY
Because she won’t listen.
LARRY
Then walk away. You don’t have to fight with her.
Bethany takes a deep breath. For a moment, she considers leaving. But Sharra speaks again.
SHARRA
Maybe she’s angry because she knows I’m right.
Bethany slowly turns back. The tension reaches its breaking point.
BETHANY
What did you say?
LARRY
Sharra, don’t.
SHARRA
I’m tired of being treated like I’m the problem.
BETHANY
Then stop making everything a problem.
A long silence follows. The anger slowly gives way to hurt.
SHARRA
You really don’t understand me.
BETHANY
Maybe I don’t.
LARRY
Can we please stop for one minute?
Nobody answers. Larry looks at both women, trying to bring the situation under control.
LARRY
Bethany, you’re angry.
BETHANY
Yes.
LARRY
And you’re saying things because you’re angry.
BETHANY
I’m saying what I mean.
LARRY
Maybe. But you’re still angry.
Bethany looks down. Her hands slowly relax.
LARRY
Sharra, you’re angry too. Fighting isn’t going to solve anything.
SHARRA
Then what am I supposed to do?
LARRY
Deal with your problems one at a time. And if you need help, ask for help.
Sharra lowers her eyes. The room becomes quiet again.
SHARRA
Fine. I’ll handle my own problems.
BETHANY
Sharra…
SHARRA
What?
BETHANY
I just don’t want our problems getting mixed together.
SHARRA
Then you should have said that without attacking me.
Bethany has no immediate answer. Her anger has slowly been replaced by regret.
BETHANY
Maybe I could have said it differently.
SHARRA
Maybe.
LARRY
That’s all I’m asking. Talk to each other. Don’t fight.
Sharra looks at Bethany. Bethany looks back. The tension hasn’t disappeared, but it has changed.
SHARRA
I don’t want to fight anymore.
BETHANY
Neither do I.
Larry lets out a quiet breath of relief. For the first time that evening, the tension begins to break.
LARRY
Good.
Sharra picks up her bag and heads toward the door. Before leaving, she looks back one final time.
SHARRA
Bethany?
BETHANY
Yeah?
SHARRA
I’m sorry I got angry.
BETHANY
I’m sorry too.
Sharra opens the door and walks outside. The door closes gently behind her.
LARRY
You okay?
BETHANY
I don’t know. I just wish things didn’t always become so complicated.
Bethany walks toward the window. Outside, the last light of evening has disappeared.
BETHANY
I hope she understands.
LARRY
She will.
The camera slowly pulls away. The closed front door remains visible.
A FAINT SOUND COMES FROM OUTSIDE…
Bethany turns toward the door. Larry looks at her.
LARRY
Did you hear that?
Bethany doesn’t answer. She takes one cautious step toward the door. Larry follows.
Bethany reaches for the doorknob. She stops. Her eyes meet Larry’s.
Something unexpected may be waiting on the other side.
BETHANY SLOWLY OPENS THE DOOR…
TO BE CONTINUED…
