(Fade to early afternoon)
Howard rumbled around the room, grabbing everything he could get his hands on. He didn't know how long he had before Bethany returned home. He just knew he needed to get out of there.
Drawers flew open and things came off the shelves as he worked to stuff his suitcase. He did a final check to make sure not a single item in his possession was left behind.
Satisfied, he grabbed his keys and left, leaving his wedding ring on the dresser.
(End Scene)
As the afternoon sun was obscured by clouds, Howard's car sped along the highway. Rain came down in a huge torrent as he thought over what he'd done.
He had no choice, he thought. Beth had refused his request for a divorce, and at 54, he knew he didn't have many good years left. Better to take a chance in the wide open world then to suffer in self-imposed silence, he told himself.
Suddenly, his phone ran. It was Beth.
"Howard, please come home. I get it, you're mad. But that's no reason to just up and leave. Come back. I'm sure we can talk abo-"
Howard hung up without a second thought. He turned on the radio to clear his head. "Reports of a massive power outage up and down the coast continue to pour in 24/7. Stay tuned for further updates."
Better stay away from that, Howard thought. He decided to turn off his phone when another car suddenly sideswiped him. He tried to regain control, but the car slipped and spun in circles before flying off the road. Howard could only try to shield himself as the car somersaulted down a cliff before finally coming to a stop at the bottom.
(Fade to black)