In this radio spot, a narrator takes us through an argument between a husband and wife because the husband has forgotten their anniversary. What seems like a typical fight actually plays out on a battlefield and the words of anger are not just words, they are actual weapons– missiles, bullets and even atomic bombs.

The wife starts the squabble and catches the husband off guard. Before he can gather his thoughts, she strikes again. He manages to respond to her attacks but his frantic muttering is ineffective.

He decides to retreat by apologising profusely. However, his wife is having none of it and she ends the fight with the catastrophic words; “Sleep On The Couch!” The narrator sweeps in at the end to remind us that you will lose a war of words with your wife if you only equip yourself with words. Arm yourself with flowers instead, and win.

The advert is about a war of words between a husband and wife. There is no specific cultural context or information because it is a universal insight that a husband will get into trouble with his wife for forgetting their anniversary.

“Anniversary Forgotten”

MUSIC UP: DRAMATIC WAR MUSIC

Narrator: The great war of Anniversary Forgotten was brutal and merciless…

{SFX: The sound of war in the background}

Narrator Thabo did not expect the onslaught brought on by his wife’s wounded words:

FVO: “You forgot didn’t you?”

{SFX: We hear the these words undercut by an array of missiles being launched by the word: “…you?”}

Narrator: Still reeling from the first attack, he barely survives the second:

FVO: “You don’t care about us.”

{SFX: We hear the these words undercut by the sound of grenades, ending in a loud explosion on the last word: “us”}

MVO: “But babe”

{SFX: We hear a fighter jet descending. It sounds like the word “Babe”}

MVO: “What had happened was I had to work late…”

{SFX: We hear the fighter jet firing numerous bullets that sound like his excuses}

FVO: “Ssshhhh! I don’t wanna hear it”

{SFX: We hear the sound of tear gas being released that mimics her “SSSSSHHHHH”}

Narrator Blinded, and almost defeated, he fires wave after wave of-

MO: “Sorry”

{SFX: We hear the word “sorry” undercut by a pump action shotgun firing}

Narrator: But Lerato remains unyielding

Narrator: and drops an atomic bomb in the middle of his argument.

{SFX: This is quickly followed by the sound of a bomb dropping from high up, it sounds like it makes up the words; “Sleeeeeeeeep oooooooon the…” and the explosion sounds like the word “Couch!”}

FVO: “Sleeeeeeeeep ooooooon the COUCH!!!”

Narrator: Thabo’s words fought a honourable fight, but a fight they were destined to lose.

A war of words is best won with flowers.

Netflorist. South Africa’s largest same-day flower and gifting service.