The Dark at the Top of the Stairs

Rubin discovers his company is closing as Prohibition shifts commerce in Oklahoma. He cannot face telling Cora the bad news, so he stops at a local pharmacy to drink medicinal alcohol rather than cope with the truth. The moment marks the start of a downward spiral in their domestic life.

Cora is out with Reenie, shopping for Reenie's party dress. The outing underscores the couple's financial tension, as money matters become a recurring source of strain.

Rubin is unable to share the layoff with Cora, and the unspoken truth triggers an argument about how much she has spent on the dress. The conflict exposes the fragility of their marriage under economic pressure.

Rubin tries to teach Sonny to stand up for himself by boxing, but the lesson goes too far when he accidentally hits the boy too hard. The incident heightens Sonny's fear of the dark and strains Rubin's role as a father.

Cora accuses Rubin of having an affair with Mavis Pruitt, a local widow. In a heated moment, Rubin slaps Cora and storms out, leaving the house in turmoil.

Reenie witnesses the row and runs into the street, causing a motorist to swerve and crash into a tree. The unhurt driver, Sammy Golden, and Reenie quickly become attracted to one another.

Days after the fight, Rubin visits Mavis's beauty salon and confesses he has desired her for years. Mavis admits she has loved Rubin but insists he remains faithful to Cora, and Rubin falls asleep on her sofa.

Lottie and her husband come for dinner, and Cora asks to stay with them for a few days while things settle. Rubin returns home to apologize for the earlier trouble.

Town gossips spread word about Mavis and Rubin’s encounter, reigniting the couple’s argument. Rubin accuses Cora of sexually rejecting him, while Cora emphasizes money worries and their strained finances.

Reenie’s friends arrive with a date for Reenie, and Lottie’s bigotry surfaces when she questions Reenie bringing a Jew to a country club party. The prejudice adds to the family’s social pressures.

Sammy and Reenie share a kiss at the party, but guests berate Reenie for bringing a Jew to the country club. Embarrassed, they leave together.

The next morning, Sammy has attempted suicide. Reenie rushes to the hospital and tells him she doesn't care what people think, standing by his side.

That evening, Cora goes to Mavis's salon, pretending to be a customer, and reveals she is Rubin's wife. Mavis confesses she has loved Rubin for years, but notes that Rubin has remained faithful and has lost his job.

Rubin secures a new job as a salesman for an oil drilling equipment company. Reenie is sent to Lottie's for a few days to recover from Sammy's death. Rubin and Cora resolve to pay more attention to each other's needs, and the family ends with Rubin paying for two boys to go to a movie, then following his wife to the bedroom.