BETHANY RUSHES TO THE LAWYER IN ANGER — SHE’S FED UP WITH LARRY’S BEHAVIOR!

SCENE 1 — BETHANY AND LARRY’S HOUSE — MORNING

The house is unusually quiet. Bethany stands beside the living room window, holding her phone. Her face shows frustration as she waits for Larry to respond to her messages.

Charlotte sits on the couch, watching her sister with concern. Bethany calls Larry again. After several rings, he finally answers.

BETHANY

Larry, where are you? I’ve been trying to talk to you since this morning.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

Bethany, I’m busy right now. I don’t have time for this.

Bethany’s expression changes immediately.

BETHANY

You don’t have time for me? I’m your wife, Larry. How can you keep treating me like I don’t matter?

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

Not everything is about you, Bethany. I’ve got other things to deal with.

Bethany takes a deep breath, struggling to control her anger.

BETHANY

I’m not asking you to stop your work. I’m asking you to give me a proper answer when I speak to you.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

I already told you I’m busy. Stop making everything into an argument.

Bethany looks at Charlotte, unable to believe what she is hearing.

BETHANY

Larry, don’t you dare speak to me like that. I’m tired of calling you just to be treated like a burden.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

Then stop calling me when you know I’m working.

Larry ends the call. Bethany stares at her phone in disbelief.

BETHANY

Did he really just hang up on me?

Charlotte slowly stands up from the couch.

CHARLOTTE

I heard everything. He didn’t even let you finish speaking.

Bethany places her phone on the table, her hands trembling with frustration.

BETHANY

I’m done, Charlotte. I’m absolutely done with this behavior. Every time I try to talk to him, he makes me feel like I’m asking for too much.

CHARLOTTE

You have every right to expect respect from your husband. You shouldn’t have to beg him to listen to you.

Bethany wipes away a tear and straightens her shoulders.

BETHANY

I’m not going to sit here and keep waiting for him to decide when I’m worth his time.

She grabs her handbag from the chair.

CHARLOTTE

Where are you going?

BETHANY

To see a lawyer.

Charlotte pauses, surprised by the seriousness in Bethany’s voice.

CHARLOTTE

Are you sure about this?

BETHANY

Yes. I need someone to explain my options to me because I cannot keep living like this.

CHARLOTTE

Then I’m coming with you. You don’t have to face this alone.

Bethany nods. Together, they leave the house.

SCENE 2 — INSIDE THE CAR — LATE MORNING

Charlotte drives through the city while Bethany sits in the passenger seat, staring out of the window. Her anger has not disappeared, but beneath it is a deep sense of disappointment.

CHARLOTTE

Bethany, I know you’re angry, but I want you to think clearly before making any major decisions.

BETHANY

I am thinking clearly. That’s the problem. I’ve spent so much time trying to understand Larry that I’ve stopped asking myself how much more I can take.

CHARLOTTE

You keep giving him chances, hoping he’ll change.

BETHANY

And every time I believe things might get better, he finds another way to make me feel unwanted.

She looks down at her hands.

BETHANY

I don’t expect him to agree with everything I say. I don’t expect him to be available every second of the day. But when I call my own husband, I shouldn’t have to prepare myself to be insulted.

CHARLOTTE

You’re right. A disagreement doesn’t give him the right to dismiss your feelings.

BETHANY

I want the lawyer to explain where I stand. I want to know what choices I have if Larry refuses to treat me with respect.

Charlotte reaches over and briefly touches her sister’s hand.

CHARLOTTE

Whatever happens, make sure your decision is yours. Don’t let anger make the decision for you.

BETHANY

That’s exactly why I’m going. I need answers, not another argument with Larry.

The car turns into a parking lot outside a professional office building. Charlotte parks the car. Bethany takes her handbag and steps out.

She looks up at the building. For a moment, she hesitates. Then she walks toward the entrance with Charlotte beside her.

SCENE 3 — LAWYER’S OFFICE RECEPTION — AFTERNOON

The reception area is quiet and professionally decorated. A receptionist sits behind a desk, organizing paperwork. Bethany and Charlotte approach her.

RECEPTIONIST

Good afternoon. How may I help you?

BETHANY

Good afternoon. I’d like to speak with a lawyer about a personal family matter.

RECEPTIONIST

Of course. Do you have an appointment?

BETHANY

No, but the matter is important. I need some advice as soon as possible.

RECEPTIONIST

The lawyer has a short opening in a few minutes. Please have a seat, and I’ll let you know when he’s ready.

BETHANY

Thank you.

Bethany and Charlotte sit together. Bethany looks around the room, realizing that this visit could change the direction of her marriage.

CHARLOTTE

Are you feeling better now that we’re here?

BETHANY

A little. But I’m still furious about the way he spoke to me.

CHARLOTTE

Then tell the lawyer exactly what happened. Don’t hide your feelings, but explain the situation calmly.

BETHANY

I’m going to tell him everything. I’m tired of protecting Larry from the consequences of his own behavior.

The office door opens. A lawyer steps into the reception area holding a folder.

LAWYER

Bethany? I’m ready to see you now.

Bethany stands immediately. Charlotte rises beside her.

BETHANY

Thank you.

The two women follow the lawyer into his office.

SCENE 4 — LAWYER’S OFFICE — CONTINUOUS

The lawyer gestures toward two chairs in front of his desk. Bethany and Charlotte sit down. He places his folder on the desk and looks at Bethany attentively.

LAWYER

Please tell me what’s been happening. Take your time.

Bethany folds her hands in her lap, trying to organize her thoughts.

BETHANY

I’m having serious problems with my husband, Larry. I keep trying to communicate with him, but he acts as if talking to me is an inconvenience.

LAWYER

Can you give me an example of what happened today?

Bethany immediately remembers the phone call. Her frustration returns.

BETHANY

I called him because I wanted to discuss something important. Instead of listening, he told me he was busy and acted as though I was disturbing him.

She pauses, fighting back tears.

BETHANY

When I tried to explain how I felt, he told me to stop making everything into an argument. Then he hung up on me.

The lawyer listens without interrupting.

BETHANY

Do you understand how humiliating that feels? I’m his wife. I’m not a stranger asking for his attention. I’m the person who’s supposed to share her life with him.

LAWYER

I understand that you’re feeling dismissed and frustrated. How long has this been happening?

Bethany exhales slowly.

BETHANY

For a long time, I’ve felt as though my feelings don’t matter to him. Every time I raise a concern, he turns the conversation around until I’m the one apologizing.

CHARLOTTE

I’ve seen how much this has affected her. She keeps trying to make things work, but Larry doesn’t seem willing to listen to her side.

LAWYER

I appreciate you explaining that. Bethany, what are you hoping to achieve by speaking with me today?

Bethany looks directly at him.

BETHANY

I want to understand my rights and my options. I don’t want to make a decision without knowing what it means for my future.

She takes a breath, and her voice becomes firmer.

BETHANY

But I need you to understand something. I’m angry. I’m exhausted. I’m tired of being the only person trying to fix this marriage.

She shakes her head.

BETHANY

Larry cannot keep treating me this way and expect me to pretend everything is fine. I’m tired of his attitude, his excuses, and the way he speaks to me whenever I want an honest conversation.

LAWYER

You have the right to seek advice and understand your options. We can discuss the circumstances of your marriage, what concerns you most, and what steps may be available to you.

Bethany listens carefully.

BETHANY

If I decide that I cannot continue this marriage, I want to know what I need to do.

LAWYER

We can discuss separation, divorce procedures, and any financial or property matters that may apply to your situation. Before you make a final decision, I’ll need to understand the details.

Bethany nods slowly.

BETHANY

That’s what I need. I need someone to tell me the truth instead of making me feel guilty for asking questions.

CHARLOTTE

And whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you.

Bethany turns toward Charlotte, grateful for her presence.

BETHANY

Thank you. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I know I can’t continue pretending that I’m happy.

SCENE 5 — LARRY’S OFFICE — SAME AFTERNOON

Larry sits behind his desk, reviewing documents. His phone rests beside him. He glances at the screen and notices Bethany’s earlier call.

For a moment, he considers calling her back. Instead, he puts the phone down.

LARRY

She’s probably still angry. She’ll calm down eventually.

He returns to his paperwork, convinced the situation will resolve itself. But he has no idea that Bethany is sitting in a lawyer’s office, discussing the future of their marriage.

A few minutes later, his phone rings. Bethany’s name appears on the screen. Larry answers.

LARRY

Bethany, what is it now?

SCENE 6 — LAWYER’S OFFICE — CONTINUOUS

Bethany hears Larry’s irritated voice through the phone. The lawyer and Charlotte watch as her expression hardens.

BETHANY

Larry, I’m calling because we need to have a serious conversation.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

I told you this morning that I was busy. Why can’t you understand that?

Bethany closes her eyes briefly, gathering herself.

BETHANY

Because every time I try to talk to you, you make me feel like I don’t matter.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

Bethany, I’m not doing this right now.

Bethany looks at the lawyer, then straightens in her chair.

BETHANY

Fine, Larry. You don’t have to do anything right now. But I am no longer going to ignore the way you treat me.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

What is that supposed to mean?

BETHANY

It means I’m getting advice about my options. I’m tired of being dismissed, and I’m tired of being the only one who seems to care about fixing this marriage.

Larry goes silent. For the first time, her words seem to get his attention.

LARRY (ON THE PHONE)

Where are you, Bethany?

Bethany looks at Charlotte.

BETHANY

I’m somewhere I can finally talk without being interrupted.

She ends the call.

CHARLOTTE

You really told him.

Bethany sets her phone on the desk.

BETHANY

Yes. And for once, I’m not going to call him back just because he’s upset that I’m standing up for myself.

LAWYER

Let’s continue discussing your options so you can decide what is best for your future.

Bethany nods. Her eyes remain full of emotion, but her voice is steady now.

BETHANY

That’s exactly what I’m here for. I need to make a decision about my life, and this time, I’m going to put my own well-being into consideration.

Charlotte reaches for her hand.

Outside the office window, the afternoon sun begins to fade. Bethany knows that one conversation cannot resolve years of marital conflict. But today, she has finally taken a step toward deciding what happens next.