BETHANY LEAVES LARRY AND GOES TO HER DAD’S HOUSE
A CINEMATIC DRAMA SCREENPLAY
FADE IN:
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
The house is unusually quiet.
A television plays softly in the background, but neither Larry nor Bethany is paying attention to it.
Bethany stands near the center of the living room.
Her eyes are filled with frustration. She looks emotionally exhausted.
Larry watches her carefully from across the room. He can tell something is wrong.
Bethany takes a deep breath. For a moment, she says nothing.
Then she finally looks directly at Larry.
BETHANY
I can’t do this anymore, Larry.
LARRY
What are you talking about?
Bethany shakes her head. Her eyes begin to fill with tears.
BETHANY
I’m saying that I don’t want to live here anymore.
LARRY
Bethany, calm down. Whatever happened, we can talk about it.
BETHANY
How many times have we talked about the same thing?
LARRY
Because I care about you. I don’t want you walking out of this house angry.
BETHANY
I’m not leaving because I’m angry. I’m leaving because I’m tired.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
A long silence fills the room.
Bethany slowly picks up her purse from the couch.
Larry immediately realizes that she has already made up her mind.
LARRY
Bethany, wait. Where are you going?
BETHANY
I’m going to my dad’s house.
LARRY
No. Don’t do this.
BETHANY
Why not?
LARRY
Because you’re upset right now.
BETHANY
I’m not confused, Larry. I’ve thought about this.
LARRY
Then stay tonight. Sleep on it. We can figure everything out tomorrow.
BETHANY
Tomorrow isn’t going to change how I feel.
Larry reaches toward her hand. Bethany gently pulls away.
LARRY
Bethany, please.
BETHANY
Don’t.
THE SHARRA CONFLICT
Bethany takes a deep breath.
BETHANY
I’m tired of all this drama with Sharra.
LARRY
This isn’t about Sharra.
BETHANY
It is always about Sharra.
She steps closer.
BETHANY
Every argument, every problem, every uncomfortable moment… somehow her name ends up in the middle of everything.
LARRY
That’s not fair.
BETHANY
Maybe it isn’t. But this is how I feel.
LARRY
I never wanted you to feel like this.
BETHANY
But I do. And I’m done pretending that everything is okay.
LARRY
I can fix this.
BETHANY
You keep saying that.
LARRY
Because I mean it.
BETHANY
But nothing changes.
THE FINAL DECISION
Larry becomes emotional.
LARRY
So you’re just going to leave?
BETHANY
Yes.
Larry follows her as she walks toward the hallway.
LARRY
Bethany, please listen to me. At least give me a chance to explain.
Bethany stops near the door and turns around.
BETHANY
I’ve listened. I’ve listened more times than you know.
LARRY
Then tell me what you want me to do.
BETHANY
I want peace.
BETHANY
I want to wake up without wondering what argument is coming next.
BETHANY
I want to feel like I’m actually wanted.
LARRY
You are wanted.
BETHANY
Then why don’t I feel that way?
Silence.
The question hits Larry hard.
He looks at her, unable to respond.
EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Bethany opens the front door. Cold night air enters the house.
LARRY
Bethany, wait! Please don’t leave like this.
BETHANY
I have to.
LARRY
Where are you going to stay?
BETHANY
With my dad.
LARRY
You really want to go there?
BETHANY
Yes. I need my dad right now.
LARRY
Bethany, please. Don’t make a decision you’ll regret.
BETHANY
Maybe leaving is the decision I’ll regret. But staying here when I’m this unhappy… that is something I already regret.
THE LAST WORDS
Larry looks devastated.
Bethany steps outside.
Larry follows her onto the porch.
LARRY
Bethany!
LARRY
I love you.
Bethany closes her eyes.
The words hurt more than they comfort her.
BETHANY
I know.
BETHANY
But love isn’t supposed to feel like this.
Bethany walks toward her car.
Larry watches her go.
LARRY
Please don’t shut me out!
BETHANY
I’m not shutting you out.
BETHANY
I’m choosing myself.
She gets into the car.
The engine starts.
The headlights illuminate the driveway.
LARRY
Bethany!
She doesn’t answer.
The car slowly pulls away.
Larry watches until the vehicle disappears down the street.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET – NIGHT
Bethany drives through the quiet neighborhood.
Streetlights pass across her face.
She wipes away tears as she keeps both hands on the steering wheel.
Her phone begins to ring.
The screen shows Larry’s name.
Bethany looks at it.
Her eyes fill with tears again.
She doesn’t answer.
BETHANY
I just need to get away from all of this.
BETHANY
I need my dad.
The road stretches ahead.
She keeps driving.
EXT. BETHANY’S DAD’S HOUSE – NIGHT
A car slowly pulls into the driveway.
Bethany turns off the engine.
For a few seconds, she simply sits there.
She looks toward the house.
A warm light shines through one of the windows.
Bethany gets out of the car and walks toward the front door.
Before she can knock, the door opens.
Her dad stands there.
DAD
Bethany?
She tries to hold herself together.
But the moment she sees him, her emotions overwhelm her.
BETHANY
Dad…
Her dad steps forward.
Bethany hugs him tightly.
She begins crying.
DAD
What’s wrong?
BETHANY
I couldn’t stay there anymore.
DAD
You’re okay. You’re here now.
BETHANY
I’m so tired, Dad.
DAD
I know. Come inside.
INT. BETHANY’S DAD’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Bethany sits on the couch.
Her dad brings her a glass of water.
DAD
You don’t have to explain everything tonight. Just breathe.
Her phone vibrates again.
Larry is calling.
Bethany looks at the screen.
Her dad notices but says nothing.
Bethany turns the phone face down.
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