Poison

Written: 2008
© Julie Ruffell 2008
Description: An underappreciated wife decides it's time to take action against her husband.

"Poison"

1 INT. DINNING ROOM

ECU of a match being stuck.

HUSBAND (v.o.)
Just shut up!

ECU of the wick of a candle being set on fire by the match.

HUSBAND (v.o.)
You're completely useless.

ECU of lips blowing out of the match, dropping us into darkness.

HUSBAND (v.o.)
I don't know why I married you.

2 INT. DINNING ROOM

A dinning room table is elegantly set with candles and an elaborate meal. WIFE, dressed up, is seated at the far end of the table, sipping a glass of wine. HUSBAND can be heard entering the house.

HUSBAND (o.s.)
Honey?
(pause)
Are you home? I'm sorry about the morning, but, it was your --

He enters the dinning room with flowers in his hand. He looks like he's ready to deliver a prepared speech, but he stops when he sees the table.

HUSBAND
--oh...well...it's nice to see you've accepted that it was your fault.

3 INT. KITCHEN

ECU of meat being pounded by a meat tenderizer. ECU of the hammer as it is set down, bits of meat stuck to it.

4 INT. DINNING ROOM

Husband holds up the flowers.

HUSBAND
I brought these for you.

He sets them on a side table and then seats himself at the dinning room table. He picks up his fork and studies the meal, savoring the smell.

HUSBAND
You're starting to learn your place. There might be hope for this marriage yet.

5 INT. KITCHEN

ECU of meat being cut into.

6 INT. DINNING ROOM

Husband holds the fork to his mouth, but then notices Wife hasn't moved. He suddenly seems nervous.

HUSBAND
Aren't you eating?

Wife, with great show, takes a bite of her meal, slowly sliding the fork out of her mouth. She has a wicked smile on her face.

7 INT. KITCHEN

ECU of a powder being sprinkled on the meat.

8 INT. DINNING ROOM

Husband looks at his plate nervously, then back to Wife, who, still smiling, takes another bite.

9 INT. KITCHEN

Two plates; a piece of parsley is very carefully placed on top of one of the pieces of meat.

10 INT. DINNING ROOM

ECU on the parsley, which is on the Husband's plate. Wife takes a sip of wine. Husband laughs at himself, deciding he's being ridiculous and he begins to eat. Wife's smile behind her wine glass grows wider.

11 INT. KITCHEN

Wife spits on the Husband's food.

12 CREDITS

13 INT. DINNING ROOM

The meals are finished. Husband wipes his mouth with a napkin, and eyes Wife hungrily.

HUSBAND
What about desert?

Wife rises and saunters over to Husband. She leans in like she is going to kiss him, but stops. She drops divorce papers in front of him and walks out.

FIN