The scenario:
• Middle-aged man returns home from work
• He had stopped for a few drinks with his friends and forgot to phone his wife to tell her he’ll be late.
• Dinner is ruined.
The exercise:
• Write a short scene composed of dialogue between husband and wife.

Part 1: Spark

Woman: Where have you been!?
Man: I *burp*…
Woman: You went drinking? You could have just tell me! Look at this. I cooked for nothing! I waited for nothing!
Man: I…
Woman: You what? Forgot? *laugh coldly*… *laugh frantically*…
Man: Dear, please, don’t laugh like that *BURP*!
Woman: Then what about you? STOP BURPING LIKE THAT!
Man: It just slips off my mind. These friends of mine, they are from my secondary school. It’s been years since we meet up, so I got a little carried away and…
Woman: and forget? Do you even remember what day is today?
Man: *thinks to himself* Dang it, her birthday? Our wedding anniversary? Our engagement anniversary? Nonono! *accidentally shouts out* What is it?

Woman: *Stunned* you shout at me? How dare you! *turns and storm into the room and slam shut the door*
Man: Think i drank too much… Anyway, i suppose i need a cup or two more… *leave home for beer*

Part 2: Assignment

object>

Man: I’m back…
Woman: Mmm…
Man: U cooked?
Woman: Mmm…
Man: I see…
Woman: *mumble to herself* I see? That’s all? Can’t even make a call home or what…
Man: What?
Woman: Nothing!
Man: I just forgot to call home, that’s all!
Woman: Ya, ya, ya *walk away*
Man: Can you stop walking away as I talk to you? Is it so difficult for us to talk nicely?
Woman: Talk nicely? You call that talk nicely?
Man: At least I’m trying?
Woman: ok, ok. Whatever you say.
Man: *bang on the wall* Fine! So it’s all my fault, ok?
Woman: It is your fault! And what kind of apology is that? I maintain the household everyday, prepare food everyday and you treat me like what? Like a maid!
Man: Then what about me? I slog day and night outside to support this family, to feed the kids, and to feed YOU! I merely forgot to call home and inform you, and you make such a big fuss out of it!
Woman: Just a mistake? Why don’t you think it the other way round? Imagine you come home for dinner but I FORGOT to tell you that I will not prepare dinner tonight because I am meeting my FRIENDS! Will you still think that it is a small matter? Will you not make a big fuss out of it? Will you not yell at me? Will you? Will you?
Man: Oh, now you are trying to bring matters up from the past right?
Woman: No, I’m not…
Man: Then, do you still remember that time when you cook that fish when it is already a little stinky?
Woman: yea, and you are the one who bought that fish!
Man: but you can buy it yourself!
Woman: then you cook it yourself! For every dinner!
Both storms off…