THE DIVORCE ARGUMENT
SCENE 1 — BETHANY’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — EVENING
The living room is unusually quiet.
BETHANY sits on one side of the room, watching PURNELL carefully. Purnell stands near the window, distracted and frustrated by everything happening around him.
Bethany takes a breath before speaking.
BETHANY
Purnell, I think you need to lose some weight.
Purnell slowly turns toward her. His expression immediately changes.
PURNELL
Excuse me?
Bethany remains seated, trying to sound serious rather than insulting.
BETHANY
I’m just saying you should take better care of yourself. You don’t have to get angry about it.
Purnell shakes his head.
PURNELL
You really think that’s something you should be telling me?
BETHANY
I’m saying it because I think you need to hear it.
Purnell takes a few steps into the room.
PURNELL
And what makes you think you’re in a position to judge me?
BETHANY
I’m not judging you. I’m trying to be honest with you.
Purnell laughs bitterly.
PURNELL
Honest?
He gestures toward Bethany.
PURNELL
You’ve changed too, Bethany.
BETHANY
Yes, I have.
A brief silence fills the room.
PURNELL
So what’s your point?
Bethany stands.
BETHANY
My point is that people can make changes when they decide they want something different.
PURNELL
And you think I don’t know that?
BETHANY
I think sometimes you need somebody to remind you.
PURNELL
Maybe I don’t need your reminders.
Bethany exhales, realizing the conversation is becoming more heated.
BETHANY
What about Larry?
PURNELL
What about him?
BETHANY
The divorce.
PURNELL
Why are you bringing that up now?
BETHANY
Because you keep talking about it like everything is going to happen immediately.
PURNELL
I have every right to want that divorce.
BETHANY
I know.
PURNELL
Then why are we arguing about it?
BETHANY
Because sometimes you act like Larry is the only person making decisions.
PURNELL
Larry has made his position clear.
BETHANY
And so have you.
Purnell walks toward the couch and sits down.
The tension between them grows.
SCENE 2 — THE CONVERSATION GETS PERSONAL
Bethany remains standing across from Purnell.
BETHANY
You know what I don’t understand?
PURNELL
What?
BETHANY
You keep worrying about what Larry is going to do, but you don’t seem to realize that you can still move forward with your own life.
PURNELL
That’s easy for you to say.
BETHANY
No, it isn’t.
She takes a step closer.
BETHANY
I’ve had to make changes too.
PURNELL
So now you’re comparing yourself to me?
BETHANY
No. I’m telling you that change isn’t impossible.
PURNELL
You already lost the weight you wanted to lose. Maybe you think everything is easy now.
BETHANY
That’s not what I said.
PURNELL
It sounds like it.
BETHANY
I’m not saying your situation is easy.
Purnell stands again.
PURNELL
Then stop telling me what I need to do.
BETHANY
I’m trying to help you!
PURNELL
I didn’t ask for your help!
The room suddenly falls silent.
BETHANY
Fine.
She turns away.
PURNELL
Bethany—
BETHANY
No. You made yourself clear.
SCENE 3 — LARRY ENTERS THE ARGUMENT
Bethany looks toward the hallway.
BETHANY
Larry may not give you the answer you want, but that doesn’t mean you should stop living your life.
PURNELL
You don’t understand what I’m dealing with.
BETHANY
Maybe I understand more than you think.
PURNELL
Larry isn’t going to change his mind.
BETHANY
Maybe not.
BETHANY
But you can’t control Larry.
BETHANY
You can only control what you do next.
Purnell becomes quieter.
PURNELL
At least Larry doesn’t have to listen to you criticizing him every five minutes.
BETHANY
What did you just say?
PURNELL
I said you’re acting like you know everything.
BETHANY
You know what? Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.
PURNELL
Maybe you shouldn’t have.
BETHANY
I was trying to help you!
PURNELL
And I told you I don’t need your help!
Bethany’s patience finally breaks.
SCENE 4 — THE CONFRONTATION
Bethany steps forward.
BETHANY
You want to know why I said something?
BETHANY
Because I don’t want to see you keep blaming everyone else for what happens in your life.
PURNELL
Blaming everyone else?
BETHANY
Yes.
PURNELL
That’s unfair.
BETHANY
Maybe.
She pauses.
BETHANY
But sometimes the truth hurts.
PURNELL
You’re the last person who should be giving me a lecture.
BETHANY
Don’t talk to me like that.
PURNELL
Then don’t talk to me like I’m a child!
The argument reaches its breaking point.
Bethany reacts impulsively and slaps Purnell.
The room goes completely silent.
Purnell freezes, shocked by what just happened.
PURNELL
Did you really just do that?
BETHANY
I…
BETHANY
You pushed me too far.
PURNELL
That doesn’t make it okay.
Bethany looks down. The atmosphere is no longer angry. It is simply tense and uncomfortable.
SCENE 5 — AFTER THE ARGUMENT
PURNELL
We need to stop this.
BETHANY
I know.
PURNELL
Whatever happens with Larry and the divorce, we can’t keep treating each other like this.
BETHANY
You’re right.
A long silence follows.
BETHANY
I’m sorry I lost my temper.
PURNELL
I shouldn’t have said those things either.
BETHANY
Then maybe we both need to take a step back.
PURNELL
Maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Bethany sits down on the couch.
Purnell remains standing across the room.
Neither knows what will happen next.
But for the first time that evening, they are no longer shouting.
The argument has left both of them thinking about their choices, their relationships, and what comes next.
FADE OUT.
