BETRAYED
By Martin Douglas
Jack is a struggling actor. He is constantly chasing work
hoping that the next job may be his big break. His wife
works nights at a regular job trying to pay the bills. They
very rarely even see each other. Jack finally has some free
time at home and is talking to his good friend Nicolas.
Nicolas just informed Jack that his wife is cheating on him.
Jack has just hung up the phone as his wife walks into the
house.
INT. HOUSE -- DAY
Kate enters, putting her coat and purse away in the closet.
KATE
Hi honey. How was your day?
JACK
I just got off the phone with Nicolas.
KATE
That's nice. My day was great. I
was at the mall trying to find some
winter coats and I went into this
shop that...Are you all right?
JACK
That depends. Kate you aren't keeping
any secrets from me, are you?
KATE
Secrets? Jack what are you talking
about? Who did you say you were
talking to again?
JACK
Nicolas. He told me you were keeping
a secret from me. You wouldn't happen
to know what that secret is, do you?
KATE
Honestly I don't know what he's
talking about. Did you try asking
him what is was?
JACK
He told me you knew what it was. He
said it had something to do with
what you've been doing while I've
been gone.
KATE
Did he say anything else?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
JACK
Only that if you didn't tell me, he
would.
KATE
I don't know what to say...
JACK
Kate, I'm giving you a chance to
come clean with me...He told me
everything. I just need to hear you
say it isn't true. Please...Kate?
KATE
I'm sorry...
JACK
I'm sorry? That's it? You do this
to me and all you can say is I'm
sorry?
KATE
What do you want me to say? That I
wish it never happened? Do you want
me to tell you that I'd take it all
back if I could? Is that what you
want?
JACK
How could you do this to me?
KATE
Okay, fine Jack! Here I am. I'm on
my hands and knees wishing it never
happened and now some stupid little
fairy is going to wave her magic
wand and it'll be like everything I
did never happened. Just like in
the movies.
JACK
How the hell can you be so uncaring?
KATE
I'm uncaring? You care more about
your damn dream than you do about
me. All you do is run around chasing
the next so called big job. I'm
lucky to see you for an hour out of
the week. I'm amazed you even have
time to have this conversation with
me now.
JACK
You think I like never being home?
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
JACK (CONT'D)
That I don't miss spending time with
you?...Damn it Kate! Don't you
realize how much I love you?
KATE
If you loved me so much you'd have
been here when I need you. You
weren't so I found someone who was.
JACK
What the hell do you want me to do?
Give up my dream for some nine to
five office job where I can spend
the rest of my life being miserable?
I'm your husband for Christ sake.
You're supposed to support me.
KATE
For how long Jack? How long am I
supposed to wait for you? You keep
saying that all you want is that one
break and once you make your mark
you'll settle down. Well, what if
that break never comes? Huh? Then
what? ...I'm not going to wait forever
for someone who may never show up.
JACK
What are you saying?
KATE
I want you to choose between me and
your so called job.
JACK
Don't make me do that.
KATE
Choose!
JACK
You know I love you...All you had to
do was be patient. You weren't and
then you went out and betrayed my
trust. I can't forgive you for that.
Jack walks toward the door to leave. As he opens it up he
turns back to her.
JACK (CONT'D)
I got a call earlier from my agent.
I finally got my break.
He exits.