The Divorce Papers
A SHORT SCRIPT
Scene 1 — Larry’s House — Day
The house is quiet. Brooke stands in front of Larry, looking nervous but determined. She takes a deep breath before finally speaking.
Brooke
I want to get admitted to college again.
Larry looks at her carefully. He can see that she is serious this time. Brooke waits anxiously for his answer.
Brooke
I know I made a mistake before. I should have listened to you. Please help me get another chance.
Larry
You really want to go back to college?
Brooke quickly nods.
Brooke
Yes. I really do. I want to continue my education and make something of myself.
Larry thinks about her request. After a moment, he reaches for his phone.
Larry
Alright. Let me talk to Sharra.
Brooke’s face shows a small sign of relief. Larry calls Sharra.
Scene 2 — Phone Call — Day
Sharra answers the phone.
Sharra
Hello, Larry. What’s going on?
Larry looks toward Brooke.
Larry
Brooke wants to go back to college. She wants to get admitted again.
There is a brief pause.
Sharra
Okay. If she’s serious about it, we can take her and see what we can do.
Larry
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Brooke listens quietly from nearby. When Larry ends the call, Brooke looks hopeful.
Brooke
So you’re really going to take me?
Larry
Yes. Get ready.
Brooke smiles. For the first time in a while, she feels like she has another opportunity.
Scene 3 — Outside the House — Later
Larry and Sharra arrive. Brooke walks out of the house and joins them, looking excited and nervous at the same time.
Sharra
Ready?
Brooke smiles and nods.
Brooke
Yes. I’m ready.
Larry opens the car door. Brooke gets inside. Larry and Sharra get in as well, and the car drives away toward the college. The house slowly disappears in the distance.
Scene 4 — Bethany Alone — Day
Back at the house, Bethany is completely alone. The silence feels unusually heavy. She walks around the room, lost in her thoughts. Then she notices Larry’s personal drawer. She stares at it for several seconds. Curiosity takes over.
Bethany slowly walks toward the drawer. She opens it. Inside are several personal documents and belongings. Then she notices a file. Her expression changes. She carefully picks it up.
Bethany
What is this?
Bethany looks at the file with growing concern. She turns it over in her hands. Something about it makes her uneasy. She slowly opens it.
Scene 5 — The Shocking Discovery
Bethany looks at the papers inside. Her eyes move from one line to another. Suddenly, she freezes. Her face turns pale. She realizes exactly what she is holding. Divorce papers. Bethany’s hands begin to shake.
Bethany
No…
She looks at the papers again, hoping she has misunderstood them. But the truth is right in front of her.
Bethany
This can’t be happening.
Her eyes fill with tears. She sits down slowly, still holding the file. The room becomes completely silent. Bethany looks devastated.
Bethany
Larry…
A tear rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away, but more tears follow. She looks through the papers again. Every page seems to make the pain worse.
Scene 6 — Bethany Breaks Down
Bethany begins crying uncontrollably. She holds the divorce papers tightly against her chest.
Bethany
Why would you do this to me?
Her voice breaks. She looks toward the door as if Larry might suddenly walk inside and explain everything. But nobody comes. Bethany grabs her phone. With trembling fingers, she searches for Larry’s name. She presses the call button. The phone rings. And rings. No answer. Bethany waits. Her tears continue falling.
Bethany
Please answer…
The call ends. Bethany immediately calls again. Still no answer. She tries a third time. Nothing. Her breathing becomes shaky.
Bethany
Larry, please pick up the phone.
She stares at the screen. No response.
Scene 7 — Larry Doesn’t Answer
Bethany keeps calling Larry. Each unanswered call makes her more emotional. She lowers the phone from her ear. Her hands are shaking.
Bethany
Why aren’t you answering me?
She looks down at the divorce papers. The realization becomes unbearable. Bethany covers her face with both hands and starts sobbing.
Bethany
I thought everything was going to be okay…
She struggles to control her emotions.
Bethany
How could you hide this from me?
She looks at the file one more time. The divorce papers are still there. There is no mistake.
Scene 8 — Two Different Journeys
Meanwhile, Larry, Sharra, and Brooke continue driving toward the college. Brooke looks through the car window, thinking about her future. She has no idea what is happening back at home. Larry remains focused on the road. Sharra sits quietly beside him. The atmosphere in the car is calm.
But back at the house, Bethany is falling apart. She sits alone with the divorce papers in her hands. Her tears continue to flow.
Scene 9 — Bethany’s Heartbreak
Bethany slowly stands up. She walks toward the window while holding the file. Outside, everything looks normal. But her world feels completely different. She looks at her phone again. No missed call from Larry. No message. Nothing. Bethany’s eyes fill with tears once more.
Bethany
You won’t even answer my calls…
She takes a shaky breath.
Bethany
What am I supposed to do now?
She sits down again. The file rests on her lap. Bethany looks at the divorce papers as though they have shattered everything she believed about her marriage. She begins crying again.
Scene 10 — Final Moment
The camera slowly moves away from Bethany. She remains alone in the room. The divorce papers are still in her hands. Her phone lies beside her. The screen is dark. Bethany wipes her tears, but she cannot stop crying.
Bethany
Larry… please come back.
Her voice becomes almost a whisper. The room falls silent. Bethany looks down at the papers one final time. Her heart is broken.