THE CRUISE HE NEVER TOOK WITH HER

A Cinematic Drama Screenplay

Summary

Bethany plans a romantic cruise trip with Larry, hoping to spend precious time with the man she loves. But everything changes when Larry invites Lynette to join them. When Lynette arrives, Larry abandons Bethany and chooses to board the cruise ship with her. Heartbroken and desperate, Bethany begs Larry to stay, but he ignores her pleas and leaves her alone at the harbor.

The Cruise Ship Terminal

The golden sun hangs over the ocean. A massive luxury cruise ship stands at the harbor, its white exterior glowing beneath the fading sunlight. Passengers move through the terminal with their luggage, laughing and taking pictures.

Larry walks toward the boarding entrance with Bethany beside him. She looks excited, holding her travel bag and checking the cruise tickets in her hand.

For Bethany, this trip means more than a vacation. It is a chance to spend time with the man she loves. Larry, however, seems distracted by his phone.

BETHANY

(Smiling softly)
I still can’t believe we’re finally doing this, Larry. I’ve been waiting for this trip for so long.

LARRY

Yeah. It’s going to be fine.

BETHANY

I’ve planned everything. The dinner reservations, the ocean-view room, even that sunset cruise you said you wanted to take.

Larry’s phone vibrates. He looks at the screen. The name LYNETTE appears. His expression changes immediately.

LARRY

(Into the phone)
Hey, Lynette. Where are you?

LYNETTE (V.O.)

I’m almost at the terminal. Are you already there?

LARRY

Yeah, we’re here. Listen, just come straight to the boarding entrance. I’ll wait for you.

Bethany hears Lynette’s name. Her smile slowly fades. Larry ends the call and puts his phone away.

BETHANY

(Quietly)
Lynette? Why is she coming here?

LARRY

She’s coming on the cruise.

BETHANY

What do you mean, she’s coming on the cruise? I thought this was our trip.

LARRY

Don’t start, Bethany. She’s joining us. That’s all.

BETHANY

But you told me this trip was going to be just for us.

LARRY

Plans change.

Larry starts walking again. Bethany follows him, trying to understand what is happening.

Lynette Arrives

A taxi pulls up near the entrance. Lynette steps out, carrying a small suitcase. When she spots Larry, her face brightens.

LYNETTE

(Smiling)
Larry!

LARRY

Hey.

Larry takes Lynette’s suitcase from her and smiles warmly. It is a smile Bethany has not seen from him in a long time.

LYNETTE

Oh, hi, Bethany.

BETHANY

(Trying to remain composed)
Hi.

An uncomfortable silence follows. Larry stands beside Lynette, holding her suitcase. Bethany looks from Lynette to Larry.

BETHANY

Larry, can I talk to you for a second?

LARRY

What now?

BETHANY

Please. Just a minute.

Larry reluctantly steps aside with Bethany.

BETHANY

(Voice trembling)
What’s going on? You asked me to come on this trip with you. You let me plan everything. You knew how much this meant to me.

LARRY

I know what you planned.

BETHANY

Then why are you acting like I’m not even here?

Larry glances back at Lynette. Bethany notices. That single glance hurts more than his words.

BETHANY

You’re going to leave me alone here, aren’t you?

Larry says nothing. Bethany’s eyes begin to fill with tears.

BETHANY

Larry, please tell me you’re not going to do this.

LARRY

I don’t want to argue. I’m getting on that ship.

BETHANY

And what about me?

Larry doesn’t answer.

The Suitcase Falls

Bethany hurries after Larry as he starts walking toward the boarding entrance with Lynette. She grabs her suitcase and moves in front of him.

BETHANY

Larry, wait!

He stops abruptly. Passengers nearby glance in their direction.

BETHANY

(Crying)
Please, just listen to me. I planned this whole trip for the two of us. I saved money for it. I spent weeks making sure everything would be perfect.

She wipes her tears with the back of her hand.

BETHANY

I thought we were finally going to have some time together. No arguments, no distractions, no one coming between us. Just you and me.

LARRY

Move, Bethany.

BETHANY

No. Not until you tell me why you’re doing this.

LARRY

I said move!

Bethany reaches for his arm, desperately trying to stop him from leaving.

BETHANY

Please, Larry! Don’t do this to me. We can talk about whatever is bothering you. If I’ve made a mistake, tell me. I’ll listen. Just don’t leave me here like I mean nothing to you!

LARRY

(Angrily)
I’m tired of this drama!

Larry turns toward her luggage and suddenly shoves the suitcase aside. The bag crashes onto the ground. Its zipper comes undone, and clothes spill across the pavement.

A dress slides near a passing passenger. A folded sweater lands beside a bench. Bethany’s small toiletry pouch rolls several feet away.

BETHANY

(Whispering)
Larry… what are you doing?

Larry grabs a piece of clothing and throws it aside impatiently while trying to clear his path.

BETHANY

(Sobbing)
Please… those are my things.

She drops to her knees and begins gathering her clothes with trembling hands. Tears fall onto the fabric.

LYNETTE

Larry, maybe you should calm down.

LARRY

Stay out of it, Lynette.

Lynette falls silent. Bethany slowly lifts her head and looks at the man she had spent so much time loving, trusting, and defending. She can barely recognize him.

BETHANY

I never thought you’d treat me like this.

Larry gives her no answer. Instead, he picks up Lynette’s suitcase.

That small gesture breaks whatever hope Bethany has left.

Bethany Begs Him to Stay

The loudspeaker announces the final boarding call. Passengers begin moving toward the ship. Larry takes Lynette’s hand and heads for the entrance.

Bethany struggles to gather the last of her belongings. Her hands shake so badly that she drops a blouse she has just folded.

Then she sees Larry moving farther away. Panic rises in her chest. She abandons the half-packed suitcase and runs after him.

BETHANY

(Shouting through tears)
Larry!

He hears her, but he keeps walking.

BETHANY

PLEASE! DON’T GO!

Larry slows for half a second. Bethany reaches him, breathless and crying. She grabs his hand with both of hers.

BETHANY

Larry, please. I’m begging you. I planned this trip for us. I wanted to wake up beside you, have breakfast with you, watch the sunset with you.

Her voice breaks. She looks directly into his eyes.

BETHANY

I wanted memories with you. That’s all I wanted.

BETHANY

Please don’t leave me here. We can still go together. We can forget this argument ever happened. I’ll do anything. Just please don’t walk away from me.

Larry slowly pulls his hand free.

LARRY

Bethany, it’s over. Stop embarrassing yourself.

The words strike her like a physical blow. She takes a small step backward.

BETHANY

(Weakly)
Over?

Larry turns toward Lynette.

LARRY

Come on. We’re going to miss boarding.

LYNETTE

Are you sure you want to leave her here?

LARRY

I said we’re going.

Lynette lowers her eyes and follows him. Bethany remains frozen as they approach the boarding ramp.

BETHANY

(Crying out one last time)
Larry! Please! Just look at me!

He doesn’t turn around. He doesn’t even slow down. He walks onto the cruise ship beside Lynette. A moment later, they disappear behind the boarding entrance.

Alone at the Harbor

The cruise ship slowly pulls away from the harbor. Bethany stands near the railing, her suitcase beside her and her clothes stuffed hastily inside.

She watches the ship move farther into the ocean. Her phone vibrates. For one foolish second, she hopes it is Larry.

She looks at the screen. No message. No missed call. Nothing.

She opens their conversation and scrolls through old messages. Pictures of them smiling together. Promises about the future. A message from Larry that reads, “Can’t wait to spend time with you.”

Bethany presses the phone against her chest.

BETHANY

(Whispering through tears)
I didn’t need a perfect trip, Larry.

She looks out at the disappearing ship.

BETHANY

I just needed you to love me enough to stay.

The ship grows smaller against the orange horizon. Bethany wipes her face, but the tears keep coming.

Around her, strangers laugh, taxis arrive, and families embrace. Life continues as if nothing has happened. But for Bethany, something has ended.

She looks down at the suitcase Larry knocked over, its corners scraped against the pavement. Slowly, she closes it.

Her hands remain on the handle. For a long moment, she does nothing.

Then she stands. She takes one last look at the ocean before turning away from the harbor.

Her steps are unsteady, but she keeps walking. Behind her, the cruise ship disappears into the fading light.

THE END