Slam the Door Softly
by Clare Boothe Luce

THE STORY: The scene is a suburban living room, where husband Thaw Wald is watching television, oblivious to the fact that his wife, Nora, has suddenly appeared, suitcase in hand, with the firm intention of leaving him.

Her request for “severance pay” shocks him to attention, but despite her careful recital of her reasons for deciding that the time has come to seek her own life —and identify—Thaw cannot grasp the thought that his wife could be dissatisfied.

The ensuing conversation makes it clear that the real villain is society, and the outmoded, limiting concepts to which it so often clings, but the die is cast.

To Thaw's disbelief Nora leaves, but she “slams the door softly” —for there is still love between them and perhaps, if both try, a meaningful and relevant relationship can yet be found.