john

john turns off the television.

after a long day at work, he decides that it's best to turn in early. tonight's episode of ER wasn't that good anyways, he mutters to himself as he turns towards the stairs.

"come on, honey, let's ..."

he trails off abrubtly. it's been 35 days since she left him, and yet he still falls into the same routine every day. he shakes his head, trying to will it out of his mind, as he slowly trudges up the stairs, one heavy footstep at a time.

** fade in I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie **

we see his tired face, wrinkled with time as he labors up the steps.
we next see a close up of his shoes coming onto a step and moving on.
we see his brown leather shoes, worn out and probably should've been replaced a long time ago.
we see him approaching the 3rd rung from the top step. his right foot's about to come down on the rung, but the rubber sole gives up traction at the time he puts his body weight on that foot.
we see john's body flaing backward.
we see john's facial expression, strangely peaceful, strangely relieved.

** fade out music **