BEHIND THE SCENES
Chapter 5
At the start of this chapter, Sylvia’s divorce papers are delivered. Second hand. To realise the impact of this delivery, let’s have a closer look, shall we?
Title: “Boundaries”
A one-act scene in a modern restaurant
Characters:
- ELENA – A confident, independent woman in her early 30s. She values trust and privacy.
- JASON – Her date, mid-30s, charming but a little entitled, with a tendency to push boundaries.
(Lights up. A cozy restaurant, softly lit. A half-empty wine glass sits in front of ELENA, who is mid-conversation, laughing slightly. JASON sits across from her, reaching casually for her phone on the table.)
JASON (grinning)
Hey, let’s see what you’ve got in here.
(Before ELENA can react, he picks up her phone and starts flipping through it.)
ELENA (startled)
Jason—wait, what are you doing?
JASON (chuckling, scrolling)
Relax, just checking out your photos. Oh, who’s this guy?
(ELENA’s face shifts from surprise to disbelief. She blinks, processing.)
ELENA
Are you serious right now? Give me my phone.
JASON (teasing)
Why? Got something to hide?
ELENA (voice sharp, controlled)
That’s not the point. That’s my phone. My personal space.
(She reaches for it, but JASON holds it just out of reach, still scrolling.)
JASON (mock-innocent)
Oh, come on, Elena. We’re on a date. What’s the big deal?
(A beat. ELENA exhales, a slow shake of her head. Her expression changes—not just irritation, but something deeper.)
ELENA
The big deal? Jason, I don’t even let my best friend go through my phone. And you just took it—without asking—like it’s yours to inspect.
(JASON hesitates, sensing the shift in her tone.)
JASON
I didn’t think—
ELENA (firm)
No, you didn’t. Do you know how many times I’ve had someone treat my privacy like it’s optional? Like I owe them access just because we’re sitting at the same table?
(Her voice tightens, frustration layered with something personal.)
ELENA
I’ve had exes do this. Question every text, every number. Assume I must be hiding something because I value my own space.
JASON (softer)
Elena, I wasn’t—
ELENA (interrupting)
Yes, you were. And that’s the problem.
(She extends her hand, steady, unyielding. A silent challenge.)
(A pause. JASON looks at her, then at the phone. Slowly, he sets it back on the table.)
JASON (quietly)
I’m sorry.
(ELENA studies him. A long beat. Then she picks up her phone and places it in her bag, out of reach.)
ELENA (calm, but firm)
Yeah. You are.
(A moment of silence. The air between them has shifted. The waiter approaches with the check, oblivious to the tension.)
BLACKOUT.
Sounds familiar? I bet it does. Imagine how it feels when someone is going through your mail, your phone, your post… And hands over your divorce papers!
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