The Ultimatum

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JOSH, 28, slightly heavy, sits on a recliner, staring at the television, an earpiece on, holding a game controller.

JOSH
Get it! Grab the ATV and meet me around back. I’m arming it now.

INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS

SARAH, 26, slim and attractive, sits in her car staring straight ahead. She sighs, steps out, and walks inside.

INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS

Sarah enters the foyer.

JOSH (O.S.)
Daddy calls you baby Hitler, bitch!

She hangs her head, walking to the living room.

SARAH
Hey, I’m home.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Josh doesn’t take his eyes off the television.

JOSH
Okay.

Sarah brushes past Josh, turns on the lamp and surveys the scattered clothes, empty soda bottles, and dirty dishes.

SARAH
Decided not to clean today, I see?

Frustrated with his game, Josh doesn’t look at Sarah.

JOSH
What? Go fist yourself!
(to Sarah)

I was busy with school and stuff.

SARAH
You take one online class.

JOSH
Yeah, but I had a lot of homework. I’ll clean up later. I’m trying to win this game while Bryan is on.
(to Bryan)
The other way, idiot!

Sarah cleans up the living room. Josh ignores her.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Sarah, upset, enters and places the dirty dishes in the sink.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Josh plays his game.

JOSH
Bryan, if you don’t save me I’ll punch your mom in the throat!

Sarah approaches Josh and sits on his lap. Josh, frustrated, wraps his arms around her and leans to get a better view.

Annoyed, Sarah moves to the couch.

SARAH
I’m not happy.

JOSH
With what?

SARAH
Our marriage.

Josh turns to Sarah for the first time.

JOSH
What’s wrong with our marriage? 

Sarah looks at him like he’s crazy. She starts to cry.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Hey, Bryan, I’ll be right back.
(to Sarah)
What?

SARAH
Josh, it’s been five years. Ever since the military booted you out, you’ve been clueless.

Josh moves onto the couch with Sarah.

SARAH (CONT’D)
Look at  you.

Josh looks down at his dirty sweats.

SARAH (CONT’D)
You’ve put on weight, you stopped shaving, and now that your clothes don’t fit, you dress like a bum.

Josh stands up and flexes.

JOSH
Baby, this is the body of a Greek God.

SARAH
Yeah, a fat, hairy one. All you see are your video games. You’re never even in the mood for sex anymore.

JOSH
What? Why don’t you ask me?

SARAH
I shouldn’t have to! I feel like your roommate.

Sarah stares at Josh.

SARAH (CONT’D)
I’m in school at night and working all day to make a better life for us. All you do is this.

She gestures towards the television.

JOSH
Wow. I’m sorry I’m such a piece of shit, Sarah.

Josh paces back and forth.

JOSH (CONT’D)
What else is wrong with me? Please, tell me how horrible I am.

Sarah shakes her head.

SARAH
I can’t win. You act like you’re a victim. Am I invisible to you? 

Sarah puts her face into her hands.

SARAH (CONT’D)
I think it would be better if I found my own place--

JOSH
Oh, like fucking hell!

Josh storms out, punching the wall on his way.

EXT. DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Josh lights a cigarette and angrily paces back and forth.

Josh hears giggling and turns. A young COUPLE on the sidewalk walk by, her arms wrapped around his middle while he gently caresses her back.

Josh freezes, staring at the couple, lost in his thoughts. He looks down at his wedding ring and rubs a finger over it.

He tosses his cigarette and starts to march back inside. He stops, looks at the couple again. His eyes soften as he slowly smiles. He continues inside. 

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Sarah is microwaving something to eat, Josh enters.

JOSH
Sarah, I’m-- I’m sorry. I’ve been lazy and selfish.

Sarah takes her food out and gets a beverage from the fridge.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I’ll go upstairs and shave right now. I’ll start exercising again and maybe we can go out on a weekly date. I’ll even cut back on gaming.

He grabs Sarah as she walks by and pulls her close.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I’ll show you the love you deserve.

He leans in to kiss her neck and she pulls way.

SARAH
Stop. You need to do those things for yourself. I feel like you only want to do this because I threatened to leave.

JOSH
I love you. Tell me what to do.

Sarah pulls away from Josh.

SARAH
Josh, you can’t bring back your military career with these games. If you want to fix this, get rid of the Xbox and spend time with me.

JOSH
What?

SARAH
It’s all you do! Look around. It’s made you lazy and selfish.

A stunned Josh turns away from Sarah.

SARAH (CONT’D)
Choose, Josh. Me or your games. I’ll be staying at Ashley’s until you make up your mind.

She walks out of the kitchen.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Josh packs his console and games into a box. He picks up a game and stares at it. This is hard for him.

He finally puts the game in the box and continues packing.

EXT. PAWN SHOP - DAY

Josh steps out of his car and lights a cigarette, staring at the shop. Bryan, 27, approaches.

BRYAN
Jay, man, what’s up?

JOSH
Hey, Bryan.

BRYAN
What are you doing?

JOSH
Selling my Xbox to appease the wife. Fucking buzz kill.

BRYAN
Is this why you left last night?

JOSH
Yeah. Apparently gaming has turned me into a fat slob who’s fallen out of love with my wife.

BRYAN
Bitches be crazy, bro. Don’t sell your shit because she’s got a stick up her ass.

JOSH
She threatened to leave me.

BRYAN
Ha! You’d have to take care of yourself for once.

Josh looks in his car at the box.

JOSH
You’re right. I don’t take care of myself. She does. I play games to escape, man... and it’s ruining the one good thing I have.

BRYAN
Wow, Dr. Phil, that was gay.

Bryan punches Josh’s arm.

BRYAN (CONT’D)
Dude, you complain how she blows your money. Sounds like she’s being selfish. This is why I never date.

JOSH
I’m sure that’s the reason, Bryan.

Bryan scoffs at the comment.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I’m the one who’s selfish, trust me. Thanks, man.

BRYAN
For what?

JOSH
For helping me open my eyes. She’s the only person who has stuck by me and I’ve taken her for granted. She deserves all the attention she gives to me.

Bryan watches as Josh gets the box and enters the Pawn Shop.

EXT. PAWN SHOP - LATER

Josh walks out holding a small velvet gift box.

EXT. PARK - DAY

Sarah and Josh walk through the park. Sarah has her arms wrapped around his middle while he gently caresses her back.

Josh stops and gets on a one knee.

JOSH
I haven’t been the best husband and I’m sorry. Almost losing you is the biggest mistake I’ve made and I never want that to happen again.

He pulls out the velvet gift box and reveals a diamond ring. Sarah’s hands shoot to her face.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Sarah, will you give me a fresh start and re-marry me?

Sarah smiles, cries, and fans her face with her hands.

SARAH
Of course I will you idiot!

Josh replaces Sarah’s old ring with the new one. The couple embrace and kiss before they continue walking.