The Envelope
Int. Larry’s House — Living Room — Evening
The house is unusually quiet. A tense silence hangs in the living room as Larry sits on the sofa beside his Attorney. An envelope rests on the coffee table between them. Larry keeps glancing at it. His face is serious, almost nervous.
LARRY: I need you to bring the divorce papers to me here. I don’t want any problems when I deal with Bethany.
The Attorney nods and carefully looks at the envelope.
ATTORNEY: Everything is ready. You just need to make sure you understand what you’re signing.
Larry takes a deep breath. He reaches for the envelope but stops himself.
LARRY: I understand.
A long silence follows. Larry leans back against the sofa, clearly uncomfortable with what is about to happen.
ATTORNEY: Once these papers are signed, things will become much more complicated.
Larry looks down at the floor.
LARRY: I know.
His voice is quiet. For a moment, neither man speaks. Then — the sound of a car pulling up outside breaks the silence. Larry immediately looks toward the front door. His expression changes.
Int. Larry’s House — Entrance — Continuous
The front gate opens. Bethany walks inside after returning from work. She carries her bag over one shoulder and looks exhausted. But as soon as she steps through the entrance, something feels wrong. She notices the unusual silence. Bethany slowly looks toward the living room. Her eyes narrow.
Int. Larry’s House — Living Room — Continuous
Larry quickly looks at his Attorney. The Attorney remains seated. Bethany’s footsteps become louder as she approaches. Larry tries to stay calm. The Attorney quietly picks up the envelope. Bethany enters the room. She immediately notices the unfamiliar man sitting beside Larry. Her suspicion grows.
BETHANY: Larry… who is this?
Larry stands up. He forces a smile.
LARRY: He’s just someone I needed to talk to.
Bethany looks from Larry to the Attorney. She doesn’t believe him.
BETHANY: Someone you needed to talk to?
Larry nods.
LARRY: Yes. It’s nothing serious.
Bethany takes a few steps closer. Her eyes remain fixed on the Attorney.
BETHANY: Then why does it look like you’re hiding something from me?
Larry’s expression becomes tense.
LARRY: Bethany, you’re misunderstanding the situation.
The Attorney remains silent. Bethany suddenly notices something in his hand. An envelope. Her eyes move toward it. She immediately recognizes the seriousness of the moment.
BETHANY: What’s in that envelope?
Larry’s face changes. He realizes she has seen it.
LARRY: Nothing you need to worry about.
Bethany steps closer.
BETHANY: Give it to me.
Larry shakes his head.
LARRY: Bethany, calm down.
BETHANY: I said, give it to me.
The room becomes completely silent. Bethany reaches toward the envelope. Larry quickly pulls it away. Her suspicion turns into anger.
BETHANY: What are you hiding from me?
Larry doesn’t answer. Bethany looks directly into his eyes.
BETHANY: Larry, what is in that envelope?
Larry grips it tightly.
LARRY: It’s personal.
Bethany’s face falls. She realizes this is much more serious than she thought.
BETHANY: Personal?
She lets out a nervous laugh.
BETHANY: You have a stranger sitting in our living room, you’re hiding an envelope from me, and now you’re telling me it’s personal?
Larry looks away. That reaction tells Bethany everything. She suddenly reaches for the envelope.
Int. Larry’s House — Living Room — Continuous
Bethany grabs the edge of the envelope. Larry immediately pulls it toward himself.
BETHANY: Let go!
LARRY: Bethany, stop!
She pulls harder. Larry refuses to release it. The Attorney stands up, unsure of what to do.
ATTORNEY: Please, both of you—
Bethany ignores him. Her eyes remain locked on Larry.
BETHANY: Why are you so desperate to keep this from me?
Larry struggles to hold onto the envelope.
LARRY: Because you don’t understand!
BETHANY: Then explain it!
Bethany pulls again. Larry pulls the envelope in the opposite direction. For a moment, neither one is willing to let go. The envelope bends between them. Bethany’s breathing becomes heavier.
BETHANY: What is it, Larry?
Larry says nothing. Bethany’s eyes fill with fear. She looks at the envelope again. Then back at Larry.
BETHANY: Are those divorce papers?
Larry freezes. The question hangs in the air. The Attorney looks down. Bethany immediately notices his reaction. Her expression changes. She understands.
BETHANY: Oh my God…
Larry slowly looks at her.
LARRY: Bethany—
She pulls the envelope again.
BETHANY: You were going to divorce me?
Larry holds on tightly.
LARRY: Listen to me.
BETHANY: No!
Her voice echoes through the room. She tries once more to take the envelope. Larry pulls it back.
BETHANY: You brought your attorney into our home and you were going to hide this from me?
Larry’s face is filled with guilt.
LARRY: I was going to tell you.
Bethany stares at him in disbelief.
BETHANY: When?
Larry doesn’t answer. That silence hurts more than anything he could have said. Bethany slowly releases her grip on the envelope. Larry lowers his hand. The Attorney watches them both. Bethany takes a step backward.
BETHANY: So this was your plan?
Larry shakes his head.
LARRY: It wasn’t that simple.
BETHANY: It looks pretty simple to me.
She points toward the envelope.
BETHANY: You wanted to end our marriage.
Larry looks down. Bethany’s eyes become filled with tears, but she refuses to cry.
BETHANY: And you couldn’t even tell me yourself.
Larry takes a step toward her.
LARRY: Bethany, please.
She immediately steps back.
BETHANY: Don’t.
Larry stops. The room falls silent again. The Attorney slowly places the envelope on the table. Bethany looks at it. The divorce papers are only inches away. Yet they suddenly feel like a wall between her and Larry.
BETHANY: I trusted you.
Larry looks at her, unable to find the right words.
LARRY: I’m sorry.
Bethany shakes her head.
BETHANY: Sorry doesn’t change what’s in that envelope.
She turns toward the door. Larry watches helplessly.
LARRY: Bethany, wait.
She stops for a moment. Without turning around, she speaks quietly.
BETHANY: I need to know how long you’ve been planning this.
Larry remains silent. Bethany slowly turns her head. She looks at him one last time.
BETHANY: That’s all I want to know.
Larry’s eyes drop. Bethany sees the answer in his silence. Her face breaks with disappointment. She walks away. Larry remains standing beside the sofa. The Attorney looks at him. Neither man says a word. The envelope sits on the