Act III: In Spite of Jove's Command
LONG FADE TO
A black screen with the title (possibly against seasonal backgrounds or
graphics):
In Spite of Jove's Command
107. INT. RICK'S APARTMENT--DAY
FADE UP
The phone rings. No one answers. The phone machine activates.
RICK (OS)
(from phone machine)
You know the routine, so talk to the machine.
("BEEP")
JUNE (OS)
(through phone)
Rick, this is June. I don't think we should see each
other any more. Bye.
108. INT. DENNIS'S OFFICE--DAY
The phone rings. No one is in. The voice mail activates.
DENNIS (OS)
(from voice mail)
This is the voice mail of Dennis Davenport. I'll be
out of the office through the week of the 12th but
I'll be checking my messages on the road.
("BEEP")
VANESSA (OS)
(through phone)
Dennis, darling. I'm moving out. I'm taking an
apartment downtown. I'm sorry, dear. Something's
just not right.
109. INT. JUNE'S & BOB'S APARTMENTS--NIGHT
The phone rings. June picks up. A SPLIT SCREEN reveals the following
phone conversation between June in her apartment and Bob in his. June is
somber, near depression.
JUNE
Hello.
BOB
June, it's Bob. Rick tells me the New Year's party is
off. I don't get it. What's up?
Note: we recorded the above line as "...the dinner party is off".
JUNE
I don't know. I screwed up. I pushed one too many
buttons with Vanessa. Everything's a mess. So the
dinner's off.
BOB
Well, I'm making my famous Mexican Lasagna. Why
don't you come over and talk about it?
With displeasure on her face, June quietly mouths the words "Mexican
Lasagna."
JUNE
No, I've ordered some food.
BOB
Well, come anyway. I need to see you.
JUNE
No, Bob, I want to be alone.
(her doorbell rings)
BOB
June, I love you.
JUNE
I love you too, Bob. I've gotta...
June moves to the door and opens it. A delivery man is standing there with
her food.
BOB
No, June, listen to me...
JUNE
...go the delivery is here.
June places the receiver on a table next to the door while answering the door
and getting her food.
BOB (OS)
(through the phone)
I'm in love with you. June? Are you there? I'm in
love with you.
With the delivery man gone and her arms full of food, June turns and looks
at the phone and hears Bob's last confession.
BOB (OS) (CONT.)
(again, sadly through the phone)
I'm in love with you.
110. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE & RICK'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
A SPLIT SCREEN reveals Vanessa and Rick on the phone together. Rick sits
quietly in his darkened apartment. Vanessa is in her brightly lit new
apartment and she is busy unpacking her few possessions.
RICK
June dumped me.
VANESSA
Oh, my poor dear child.
RICK
Somehow I suspect you had something to do with
this.
VANESSA
Moi?
RICK
Why don't you come over and try to convince me
otherwise.
VANESSA
I'd love to, Rick. But I've got a million things to
unpack.
Vanessa kicks and unrolls a brightly colored carpet across her barren living
room floor.
RICK
So why don't I come help you?
VANESSA
No, it's a mess. Give me a little while.
RICK
What is this? I'm talking to a brick wall.
VANESSA
What's eating you, sweetheart?
RICK
My mistake. I thought you'd care.
("CLICK")
VANESSA
Rick!
(she looks up a number and starts to dial;
halfway through she hangs up)
Fuck it.
111. INT. JUNE'S APARTMENT & VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
A SPLIT SCREEN reveals June and Vanessa on the phone together. Vanessa is
still unpacking. She has brewed a pot of tea.
JUNE
Hi--it's me. Listen, have you eaten yet?
VANESSA
I was about to microwave something. But I keep
getting interrupted.
JUNE
Don't bother. I've got a ton of takeout. I'm too
melancholy to eat Chinese alone.
VANESSA
Come on over and help me unpack. And bring some
wine, all I have is tea.
(she grimaces)
112. INT. BOB'S KITCHEN--NIGHT
Rick and Bob are eating Bob's Mexican lasagna.
RICK
This food--what do you call it?
BOB
Mexican lasagna. It's my own creation.
RICK
You didn't make this for Martha did you?
113. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
Vanessa is standing on the back of a sofa holding a painting against the wall.
They are eating Chinese take out and drinking red wine.
JUNE
It's too red for that wall.
VANESSA
Or maybe the wall's not red enough for the painting.
JUNE
Maybe the wine is too red for my blood.
114. INT. BOB'S KITCHEN--NIGHT
BOB
So I'm thinking it's not because she's makes me feel
good, or because she helps me be who I want to be.
Maybe we love someone just because she is so
perfectly who she is, because it's a rare and precious
gift and we want to cherish it and honor it.
RICK
I'm lost. Which girlfriend are you talking about?
BOB
I'm talking about June!
115. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
June is now also on the back of the sofa, holding the painting out while
Vanessa spray paints the wall red. They are laughing.
116. INT. BOB'S KITCHEN--NIGHT
BOB
You have to break up with June, and this is
completely independent of the fact that I'm in love
with her.
117. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
Vanessa is spray painting graffiti on the wall with red spray paint--she is
finishing a giant female symbol. They are both wearing New Year's hats.
June is standing nearby with a noisemaker and a glass of wine.
JUNE & VANESSA
(simultaneously)
10...9...8...
118. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Rick is still seated.
RICK
The field is clear. She dumped me this afternoon.
119. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
JUNE & VANESSA
(simultaneously)
5...
120. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Bob and Rick sit there glumly.
121. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
JUNE & VANESSA
(simultaneously)
3...
122. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Bob and Rick sit there glumly.
123. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
By this time June has the paint can and is spraying a peace sign in the head
of the female symbol.
JUNE & VANESSA
(simultaneously)
1...
(they blow their noisemakers)
VANESSA
(as June blows her noisemaker)
Happy New Year!
(she blows her noisemaker)
JUNE
I used to think the worst thing in the world was New
Year's Eve without a man to kiss.
VANESSA
Who needs 'em?
JUNE
(trying to be more serious but, in her
inebriated state, failing)
So what's your New Year's resolution?
VANESSA
I don't know. But things are going to be different, I
guarantee you that. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I
can do anything I want, I can be anyone I want to
be. And it doesn't matter what I choose as long as
they're my choices.
124. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
RICK
I miss June already. She pushes me to new limits.
BOB
What she does is push your buttons.
RICK
Yes, it's exhilarating. Suzanne never did that.
BOB
Maybe Suzanne actually loved you.
RICK
What?
BOB
You pursue the form of love but ignore the content.
Bob looks at his beer, realizes he doesn't want it and pours it down the drain.
RICK
Who do you think you're talking to? I know what
love is!
BOB
Rick, I don't think you'd know what love is if it
snuck up and bit you in the ass.
125. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
June and Vanessa gather empty take-out boxes and wine bottles.
VANESSA
So what are your three New Year's wishes?
JUNE
(after a slight pause)
You know, Bob says he's in love with me now.
VANESSA
June, that's wonderful!
JUNE
I don't know. Rick was all id, Bob's all superego. I'm
not getting out of one inadequate relationship just to
start another.
VANESSA
Take another look. Bob's changed.
JUNE
Well, he's got a lot of proving to do first.
126. EXT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Rick and Bob stand at the front door. They hug each other.
BOB
Happy new, Rick.
RICK
Happy New Year.
Rick exits Bob's house. He walks down the street alone. A carload of revelers
passes by whooping and honking. Rick looks at them, then trudges on.
127. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Bob finishes cleaning up. Then he picks up the phone and starts to dial. We
HEAR the muted sound of a phone ringing from through the headset's ear
piece.
128. EXT. STREET--NIGHT
We continue to HEAR the phone ring while we see Rick walking down the
same street he earlier ran down with Suzanne. He approaches the hot dog
vendor's cart but it's closed. He walks on.
The ringing stops as we hear a phone machine picking up.
JUNE (VO)
(from phone machine)
This is June, I'm not in. Leave a message and I'll
know you called.
Rick wanders up to an intersection. June rides by in a taxi. They make
extended eye contact, but neither signals to the other to stop. They continue
on their own ways. There's a sadness to it all.
BOB (VO)
(from phone machine)
Oh--June--I thought you were eating in. Umm,
listen, I have a wonderful adventure in store for
you. And at the end, you'll be in love with me. Get
ready--the adventure starts tomorrow. I love you.
("CLICK")
As Rick continues walking, he turns a corner and enters his home. We HEAR
the sound of a cassette tape rewinding.
129. INT. RICK'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Rick's finger rises off the rewind/play button of his answering machine.
VANESSA (OS)
(from phone machine)
Rick--it's Vanessa. You don't really have to be such
a sourpuss do you? My new place is ready for your
visit. I've done some decorating of sorts.
130. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--MORNING
From in close, we see Vanessa eating from a pint of premium ice cream. The
CAMERA DOLLIES back to reveal her alone in her unruly apartment with
graffiti on the wall. She looks depressed.
131. EXT. DUPONT CIRCLE NEIGHBORHOOD--MORNING
A SERIES OF SHOTS including birds twittering, someone buying a newspaper
from a vending machine, etc., etc. End with an EXTREME CLOSE-UP of Bob's
hand dialing a cellular phone.
132. INT. JUNE'S APARTMENT--MORNING
A sleepy hand gropes for a ringing phone by the bed.
JUNE
Hello?
BOB (VO)
(through the phone)
Good morning, my love. Go to your window.
From June's window we see Bob standing on the sidewalk holding a guitar
and a cellular phone. He begins to sing I Just Called to Say I Love You .
BOB
(singing)
I just called to say I love you...
June listens sadly. Bob stops and looks up expectantly.
JUNE
Not good enough. That's too tacky. You have to do
something with emotion--something from the heart.
June closes the window and hangs up. Bob turns and begins to walk away.
BOB
(singing to himself)
...and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
133. EXT. OUT DOOR CAFE--NOON
Vanessa sits at a small table and feeds pigeons. Dennis walks up and joins
her. She acknowledges him but remains distant.
DENNIS
I need you to come home.
Vanessa continues feeding the pigeons.
VANESSA
Look, this one is my favorite. He lives by his own
rules.
DENNIS
Vanessa, we used to be happy. What went wrong?
VANESSA
He's not the biggest one, but he always gets what he
wants.
DENNIS
(trying to get her attention)
Vanessa!
A waiter brings her a serving of fudge cake and ice cream. Dennis's eyes bulge.
VANESSA
(to waiter)
Thank you.
(looking at Dennis for the first time)
It's not as if a skinny waist brought me any
happiness.
Vanessa takes a large bite of cake. Concerned, Dennis looks directly at her
and takes her hand. Reluctantly she permits this but she averts her gaze.
DENNIS
Tell me--what did I do wrong?
VANESSA
(swallowing the mouthful of cake)
Nothing. You were perfect. You were just too
perfect.
DENNIS
Father Brian gave me the name of a marriage
counselor. Maybe she could get us communicating
again.
She pulls out a cigarette and holds it up.
VANESSA
Light me up, darling, won't you?
Dennis's eye bulge again. He looks around for a book of matches and can't
find any. He looks at Vanessa and shrugs. She lets the cigarette droop in her
mouth.
DENNIS
I've been thinking about Boston...
VANESSA
(standing)
Don't try to Boston me!
DENNIS
...We didn't scrimp and scrape through three years
of law school so I could add 3 cents to IBM's dividend.
We were going to change the world...I'm still the
same man you fell in love with.
VANESSA
We were kids. We were dumb college kids with
romantic fantasies that haven't come close to
coming true.
Vanessa exits.
134. EXT. JUNE'S APARTMENT FRONT STOOP--DAY
June exits her apartment. As she opens the door, it triggers a booby trap.
Rose petals, balloons and valentines rain down on her from above. June
smiles. She's impressed, a little. She locks up and leaves, stepping on a
balloon and popping it.
135. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--DAY
Vanessa is painting June.
VANESSA
So speak to me.
JUNE
I just don't find, you know, the turning-the-tables
thing very interesting.
VANESSA
Do you miss Rick?
JUNE
Not really. He wasn't right for me.
VANESSA
He's a super-rat.
JUNE
I had this protective wall around me. When Rick
burrowed his way under it, I settled. But even when
we were together, I kept him at arms' length.
VANESSA
And now Bob's burrowing under it.
JUNE
I don't think Bob even sees the wall.
VANESSA
Maybe that wall's coming down.
JUNE
Have I told you that I'm changing my portrait of Bob
to a nude?
VANESSA
Really?
JUNE
With Bob you get everything that's there. OK, he's
pretty naive. But there's no games or pretensions.
He let's it all hang out.
VANESSA
And you got him to pose for you?
JUNE
No, but I'm using my imagination.
136. EXT. JUNE'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Bob stands out front of June's apartment door.
BOB
(quietly to himself and with different
emphasis each time)
June, you're a good friend and I really love you.
June opens her front door to reveal Bob staring back at her.
BOB (CONT.)
June, you're a good friend and I really love you.
(loudly to June as the door fully opens)
June, you're a good friend and I really love you!
JUNE
Murphy Brown is on. I'll give you 30 seconds.
BOB
OK. I've written a poem.
(he waits for a response but gets none)
From the heart.
(still waiting for that response)
OK. "Naked, you are as simple as one of your
hands..."
JUNE
(interrupting, but amused)
Bob, we saw Il Postino together. I know you stole
this poem from the film.
BOB
Poetry doesn't belong to those who write it, it
belongs to those who need it.
JUNE
Not good enough. I want to see inside your heart.
BOB
(Bob sighs)
It'll take a miracle.
137. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--MORNING
Once again, Vanessa is eating premium ice cream in her bath robe. This time
she is more visibly dejected from the start. She reaches for a bottle of scotch.
FADE TO BLACK
We hear the sound of a heartbeat.
BOB (VO)
I'm the Elephant Man. I have an enormous heart
but no one can see it.
138. EXT. THE C & O CANAL TOW PATH--DAY
Bob and Vanessa walk along the canal path. They each are eating an ice
cream cone.
VANESSA
You mean June?
BOB
She's not responding at all.
VANESSA
She doesn't believe you've changed--she thinks you
lack emotional depth.
BOB
I'm doing everything I can think of.
VANESSA
Keep trying.
BOB
(Bob stops walking)
If I lack emotional depth, how come I hurt so much?
139. INT. RICK'S APARTMENT--DAY
Rick is wearing a running outfit and is stretching when the phone rings.
He presses the "speaker" button and continues to warm up.
RICK
(while stretching)
Yes?
DENNIS (OS)
(through phone)
Rick, this is Dennis...Can we meet? I need to talk to
you about Vanessa.
Rick stops warming up and moves closer to the phone receiver.
RICK
Sorry, but I can't talk now. I'm heading out for a
run.
140. EXT. OPEN PARK AREA--DAY
Rick and Dennis are running side by side. Dennis is not a runner and does
not have on proper running attire. Dennis is out of his element, and, for the
first time, we see him not in a position of control and confidence.
At first it's a slow jog, but as the scene progresses Rick picks up the pace.
DENNIS
(a little confused)
...so then she lights up a cigarette and tells me that
I'm too perfect. What the hell's going on?
RICK
Vanessa's on a trip of her own. It doesn't have much
to do with you.
DENNIS
It has everything to do with me! My WIFE has moved
out of our HOUSE!!
RICK
I don't need this. This is between you and Vanessa,
and that's where it should stay.
Rick runs faster and pulls ahead.
DENNIS
What am I supposed to do? Move to Chicago by
myself?!
Dennis catches up.
DENNIS (CONT.)
We didn't have problems before the damn opera.
Has June been messing with my wife?
RICK
June? Probably.
Again Rick runs faster. And again Dennis closes the gap.
DENNIS
Vanessa's completely shut me out. Someone has to
talk some sense to her.
RICK
Oh no. No, no. I'm not doing this.
DENNIS
I think she trusts you.
RICK
Get her into therapy. I can recommend someone
good.
DENNIS
You're all I've got.
RICK
No. I'm the wrong man for the job.
DENNIS
Rick...please.
It's an all out sprint, and Rick is escaping.
RICK
No.
DENNIS
Please.
RICK
No!
From a distant POV we see the end of their sprint. Rick and Dennis stand
there hands on their knees, huffing and puffing all out of breath.
141. INT. BUTCHER SHOP--LATER THAT DAY
Rosie is at the end of giving the "carrot and the onion" sermon to a teenage
couple seated in the two plastic chairs. She has on latex gloves and pulls on a
finger and lets it snap back.
ROSIE
...and the carrot always stays protected.
The young boy begins to sweat when ding-a-ling goes the door bell. Rosie
hands them their order and turns to Rick who just entered wearing his
running outfit.
ROSIE
Glad to see you're exercising. What can I get you
today?
RICK
Nothing.
ROSIE
Just advice for the lovelorn?
Rosie takes off the latex gloves.
RICK
The way I pursue love, Rosie, it's just all wrong.
Isn't it?
ROSIE
Yes...?
RICK
It shouldn't be so difficult. Why can't I just love
someone?
ROSIE
Yes...But don't you?...Don't you?
142. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--DAY
Bob is playing his guitar. He is playing the same little bit over and over,
humming, occasionally singing a line or two.
BOB
(singing)
June, you're a good friend
And I really love you.
Song writing is a frustrating process for Bob. And it's not going too well. But
he keeps on plugging away.
143. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
Vanessa is standing in a kitchen drawer, trying to hang a large, black
multimedia art piece. The kitchen is a mess with art supplies. Vanessa's
hands and arms are covered in black. Rick enters through the open front
door and looks around. He has a house warming gift of a bottle of wine.
RICK
Hello, anyone here?
VANESSA
(after about a half bottle of wine)
I'm in here. Here, hold this end up.
Rick puts down his gift and lends a hand. Vanessa hammers away.
RICK
I like it. What's it called?
VANESSA
I don't know. I just made it this evening.
Perhaps...The Heart is a Lonely Sucker. How does
that sound? No, better still, how about Centrifuge of
Sludge. See, the whole world is inundating this poor
heart with all its crap, but if the heart can spin hard
enough and fast enough it just spews it all right
back at them.
RICK
Are you entirely sober?
VANESSA
I'm not entirely drunk.
RICK
(pouring himself a drink)
I'll head you off at the pass.
As Vanessa hammers away, Rick sips his wine and notices her painting of
June. He lifts it and looks at it closely. He covers one eye and tries looking at
it from another perspective.
VANESSA
Do you know what I did today?
Rick puts down the painting, portrait side facing the wall. He moves back to
where Vanessa is.
RICK
Yes...?
VANESSA
I went to a video dating service and I made a video to
advertise myself. Not a very respectable thing to do,
is it? Catch me darling.
Vanessa leaps off the kitchen drawer, bouncing off Rick's arms to a standing
position on the floor. She gives him a quick kiss.
VANESSA
Thanks for coming, dearheart.
Rick happens to glance in Vanessa's trash can, which contains several
empty containers of premium ice cream and a liquor bottle.
RICK (OS)
Well what did you say?
VANESSA
Oh, I don't know. Something like...
(very playful and animated)
"I'm Vanessa Davenport, I mean Vanessa Reynolds.
I've wasted 30 years living by other people's rules
and now I'm ready to make up for lost time! So give
me a call!"
RICK
Great! Is that what you need? To make up for lost
time?
VANESSA
To live by my own rules.
RICK
Which reminds me. I saw your husband recently.
VANESSA
Do let's talk about something pleasant.
RICK
He wants to know what you need.
Rick is bearing a half-full wine bottle, a half-full wine glass for Vanessa,
and an empty wine glass for himself. As Rick offers her her wine glass, she
grabs his arm and pulls him onto the sofa next to her.
VANESSA
What I need he's not selling.
RICK
(pouring himself a glass)
What's he selling?
VANESSA
Religion. Wholesomeness. Fidelity.
RICK
Those might not be bad things. I think you two
should patch things up.
VANESSA
It would take a miracle.
Suddenly, a large gooey piece of Vanessa's multimedia art work falls from the
canvas onto the wall and floor making a loud splattering sound and a big
mess. Both Vanessa and Rick look at it for a moment.
VANESSA (CONT.)
I was very wholesome in my 20s. So my 30s will be
different. I'm declaring this my "Decade of Good
Sex!" In marriage or out.
By this time Vanessa is snuggled up against his chest and Rick is absent-
mindedly stroking her hair. Vanessa is packing away the wine.
RICK
I applaud the sentiment.
VANESSA
Applause, applause. You feel warm.
RICK
Why did you marry him?
VANESSA
We were young. We were in love.
RICK
Mmm.
VANESSA
He was a sucker. No. He was sweet, he was kind.
RICK
He's still sweet...
VANESSA
Too sweet--and I'm on a diet.
A beat or two passes as they sit there together quietly.
VANESSA (CONT.)
We were going to do something together. We were
going to change the world.
RICK
What happened?
VANESSA
The world changed us first, darling.
Vanessa is almost asleep, and starting to cry. Rick stands and picks her up in
his arms. She smiles. He carries her to the bedroom. He lays her down, tucks
her in, and steps away.
VANESSA
Where are you going?
RICK
I'm right here.
Rick grabs a chair and brings it to the bedside. He sits, holding her hand.
VANESSA
I want you to love me.
RICK
I do love you, Vanessa. I'm just going to love you
from over here.
VANESSA
Why doesn't anyone love me anymore?
RICK
We all love you. Dennis still loves you. You have to
let us love you.
VANESSA
Why doesn't God love me anymore?
RICK
Shh. God loves you. Go to sleep.
Vanessa stops moving, and after a moment Rick releases her hand. He stands
and pulls up the covers around her.
RICK (CONT.)
(whispering)
I love you Vanessa.
He kisses her cheek, and settles back into his chair to watch her sleep.
FADE TO BLACK
We HEAR the distinctively hoaky sounds of country music. Then a telephone
rings.
RICK (VO)
Suzanne, this is Rick. I need your help to work some
miracles.
144. INT. THE TEXAS STOMP DANCE HALL--NIGHT
FADE UP
The country music gets louder as we see a large room full of people dancing
and moving about in jeans, boots and flannel shirts. We're at an urban
redneck square dance!
Dancing in pairs but as a cluster are Rick, Bob, June, Vanessa, Dennis, and
Suzanne. Rick and Suzanne are very sure of themselves while the others are
very tentative.
The dance consists of short STANZAS in which one couple does a certain step
in the center of a circle, then they fade back into the circle and another
couple does the same step. At the end of each stanza, everyone stands there
unsure of themselves a moment until Suzanne or Rick grab someone and
begins the next stanza with a different step.
STANZA 1: The couples do a jig facing each other but do not touch. Suzanne
and Rick start the dance.
RICK
OK, Suzanne, you know what we have to do?
SUZANNE
Relax--don't you trust me?
Bob and Dennis:
BOB
(looking at June)
God, she's beautiful.
DENNIS
(looking at Vanessa)
I just have to get her back.
Vanessa and June:
VANESSA
(eyeing Dennis)
I didn't know he'd be here.
JUNE
(eyeing Rick)
Rick is up to something.
STANZA 2: The MUSIC changes and while everyone is standing around, Rick
grabs Vanessa and begins a polka-like step where the dancers touch and hold
each other.
RICK
Dennis cuts quite a figure--he's turning a few
heads.
VANESSA
When I need your help with my love life I'll ask.
Rick has a smirking "you did" look on his face.
Suzanne and Bob:
SUZANNE
Hold me closer.
BOB
What?
SUZANNE
She's watching.
Dennis and June:
DENNIS
Does she miss me?
JUNE
(answering Dennis but watching Bob and Suzanne)
Yeah, but she doesn't realize it yet.
STANZA 3: The MUSIC changes and Suzanne grabs Dennis and does a similar
step in the opposite direction. The dancers again need to touch and hold each
other.
SUZANNE
Hold me closer.
DENNIS
What?
SUZANNE
She's watching.
Rick and June:
RICK
Bob's an emotional wreck--he just sits around
playing his drum.
JUNE
Hmph!
Bob and Vanessa:
BOB
(innocently)
Dennis seems to be taking to single life.
Vanessa gives Bob an evil look.
STANZA 4: A jig similar to the first stanza. The dancers don't touch each
other. Rick and Bob start things off.
BOB
This was a stupid idea.
RICK
Relax, it'll be fine.
BOB
Now I think she hates me.
RICK
She wants to love you. Be persistent.
Suzanne and Vanessa:
SUZANNE
I think your husband's still in love with you.
VANESSA
I think you should mind your own business.
Rick and Dennis:
RICK
(almost jokingly)
Suzanne's kinda cute. I think she likes you.
DENNIS
Are you crazy!
Suzanne and June:
SUZANNE
I like Bob--he's very sensitive.
The song ends.
JUNE
I'm just glad I didn't have to dance with him.
Bob walks up.
BOB
May I have this dance?
Moving out of the dance area and toward a nearby table.
JUNE
Aw, Bob, I'm pooped.
June moves off leaving Bob standing there alone. But he's not alone for
long. Suzanne approaches from behind and pulls him off to the bar where
they meet up with Dennis.
Meanwhile, June and Vanessa sit at the table. Rick joins them.
During the following, the POV remains at the table. In the background we
can see the three at the bar.
RICK
(while sitting)
Enjoying yourselves, ladies?
VANESSA
Very much so, dear. My, what a nice little ensemble
you've orchestrated here tonight.
RICK
Orchestrated? I just wanted to go dancing with a few
friends.
JUNE
(looking at Suzanne)
Old flames reignited?
RICK
(turning to face the bar and Suzanne)
She's a free woman, pursuing whatever catches her
eye.
From the table, we see Suzanne being very playful and affectionate with Bob
and Dennis. She's all over them. She pulls on their ties. June and Vanessa
can't help but to watch.
Suzanne lifts a cigarette to her mouth she says something to both of them
(something a lip reader would interpret as "Light me up, won't you?").
Dennis and Bob both fumble through some matches they find on the bar and
together light her cigarette. Suzanne inhales, nearly gages on the toxic
fumes, and then coolly, oh so coolly, blows smoke in the direction of June and
Vanessa.
VANESSA
(watching Suzanne but speaking to Rick)
Nice trick.
Out of the smoke and toward the table comes Bob. As he approaches, Bob fans
the smoke away from his face and grimaces.
RICK
(to Vanessa)
Yes, but is it working?
VANESSA
Let's watch and see.
BOB
June, may I have this dance?
JUNE
No.
VANESSA
I guess not.
RICK
And you?
VANESSA
I don't think I know what you're talking about, dear.
RICK
Think harder.
Rick rises and joins up with Bob as he heads back to the bar. Once there,
Suzanne advances from the bar and joins the ladies at the table.
SUZANNE
Hello.
JUNE & VANESSA
(simultaneously as they turn away from her)
Humph!
The three men stand in a row facing the bar with backs toward the table.
Suzanne takes one more drag, exhales a cloud of smoke, then puts her
cigarette out in an ash tray. This time, out of the smoke and toward the table
comes both Dennis and Bob.
STANZA 5: A slow country dance begins to play.
BOB & DENNIS
(simultaneously)
Ladies.
With a sense of calm and assurance, Dennis and Bob strongly move toward
their woman and (gently) lift them by the arm and lead them to the dance
floor. They're not interested in hearing the word "no."
We see Dennis and Vanessa dancing. Vanessa dances without enthusiasm.
DENNIS
Thanks for dancing with me.
VANESSA
How's the partnership going? Are they keeping you
busy?
DENNIS
I quit the firm. I'm doing case work now for the
Public Defender's Office.
VANESSA
Public Defender's Office...Really?
Vanessa foot work has suddenly come alive. She now seems to be enjoying
the dance. We close in and hear her thoughts.
VANESSA (VO)
Quit the firm. Hmm, maybe he's still the same man I
fell in love with.
Over on another part of the dance floor Bob is dancing with June; however,
her dance step seems a little flat.
BOB
June, I've written you a love song.
JUNE
Really. You didn't plagiarize, did you?
BOB
No. It's from the heart. My heart!
JUNE
Well, you should play it for me some time.
June's dance step becomes more lively and she seems to be enjoying herself.
We close in and hear her thoughts.
JUNE (VO)
A song from the heart. Hmm, I hope it's good
enough.
Rick approaches Suzanne who is still seated at the table. He sits next to her.
SUZANNE
What nice couples they make.
RICK
It couldn't have happened without you.
SUZANNE
You like my outfit?
Suzanne shows off her sexy country western outfit.
RICK
Yes, I do. What do you say, why don't we do a little
dancing ourselves.
SUZANNE
I don't know...
(playfully)
...my boyfriend might object.
Rick takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor. They join the other two
couples in the slow dance.
SUZANNE
There's a Marx Brothers retrospective at the
Biograph this weekend, if you're interested?
RICK
Excellent.
(looking around at everyone and
liking where he is and how he feels)
God, I love square dancing.
And with that, the hoaky country music fades and is replaced by the soft
sounds of a single, pop guitarist.
145. INT. BOB'S APARTMENT--DAY
We see that the guitar music we have been hearing is Bob's playing,
tentatively at first, but soon with determination. Throughout all that follows,
the soundtrack carries Bob singing a tender, emotional love song of his own
composition.
NOTE: What it Means © Joel Wedberg. Used by
permission.
BOB
(singing)
Lately I've been thinking of you
Making certain how I feel
And I'm sure now that I love you
That it's real.
146. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET--DAY
Vanessa is walking down the street. She stops, and looks to the side. She is
passing by a neighborhood Church. She backtracks and enters the chapel.
In the chapel, Vanessa kneels and prays, palms upward, receptively.
147. EXT. PARK AREA--DAY
June and Bob are walking side by side. June is talking animatedly and Bob is
just watching her devotedly. June stops and asks a question. Bob says
something that makes her blush. She playfully pushes Bob away.
148. INT. RICK'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Rick and Suzanne are cooking dinner. They are making a stew. Together
they chop carrots and onions.
BOB (OS)
(singing)
Do you know how lucky I feel
Every moment you are near?
You have made this heart of mine real
Being here.
149. INT. MARRIAGE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE--DAY
Dennis and Vanessa are at marriage counseling.
150. EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET--DAY
June and Rick are window shopping in antique and art stores. June's eye is
caught by a marble miniature of Rodin's The Kiss.
BOB (OS)
(singing)
To my delight and my surprise
Nothing ever intervenes
And I have begun to recognize
What it means.
151. INT. RESTAURANT--NIGHT
Vanessa and Dennis are on a romantic dinner followed by a late night walk
along the water front.
152. INT. JUNE'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
June gives Bob a large box gift wrapped and with a bow. Bob opens it. It's a
two-foot high replica of Rodin's The Kiss.
JUNE
What do you see?
BOB
(looking at the statue)
I see the passions of youth captured forever. I see
lovers kissing...
(looking at June)
...I see you and me.
BOB (OS)
(singing)
This is one of those occasions
To acknowledge some things start
Not from numbers or equations
From the heart.
153. EXT. OPEN PARK AREA--DAY
Bob, Dennis and Suzanne play touch football against June, Vanessa and Rick.
June and Bob wind up rolling around affectionately on the ground.
154. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--NIGHT
Rick and Vanessa are painting over the graffiti on Vanessa's wall.
BOB (OS)
(singing)
To my delight and my surprise
Nothing ever intervenes
And I have begun to realize
What it means.
155. INT. JUNE'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
Bob is posing nude as June, in her smock, finishes her portrait of him.
156. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--DAY
Vanessa and Dennis are having a romantic fondue in her apartment.
BOB (OS)
(singing)
So it's right to take some time now
Something that I want to do
157. EXT. CHURCH--DAY
A crowd is gathered outside a church. Suddenly Dido and Aeneas run around
a corner in wedding clothes. The crowd throws rice. Dido and Aeneas hop in
a waiting red sports car.
158. INT. JUNE'S APARTMENT--NIGHT
We see Bob singing the song we have been hearing. He has been singing to
June who is nearby.
BOB
(singing)
And let it be known that I'm now
All for you
All for you
All for you.
When Bob finishes the song, June comes and embraces him.
FADE TO
Bob and June sitting in the same position as the lovers in Rodin's The Kiss.
The miniature statue they're mimicking is on the floor next to them.
We hear the sound of a heartbeat.
BOB
I'm the chicken heart that ate New York City. I'm
nothing but heart. And I'm all for you.
FADE TO BLACK
159. EXT. RICK'S APARTMENT--TWILIGHT
Suzanne is approaching Rick's doorstep. Rick opens the door, but his
attention is focused on a hockey game on the television. Suzanne grabs his
suspenders and pulls him out the door.
160. INT. STUDIO
Suzanne is standing speaking directly to the CAMERA.
SUZANNE
I tried dating Rick first. It was very sexy and
exciting and unpredictable. Frankly it was a little
scary. But now he's like the brother I never had.
There's warmth and safety and affection--there's
friendscat: texifyTail.txt: No such file or directory
hip. And this time it will last forever.
161. EXT. CITY STREET--TWILIGHT
Bob and June are running down a city street, past the hot dog stand. The Hot
Dog Vendor gives them a thumbs up sign.
162. INT. STUDIO
June is standing speaking directly to the CAMERA.
JUNE
It was lonely behind the curtain, pulling the levers.
But the curtain's been pulled back, and I'm happy to
have Bob come in...Bob's block of wood is shaping up
nicely.
163. INT. VANESSA'S NEW PLACE--TWILIGHT
We see Dennis at a mirror putting on a tie while Vanessa is talking
animatedly to someone on a cordless phone. She hangs up and throws the
phone on the couch. She gives Dennis a quick kiss and starts to exit. He
catches her and pulls her back for a more passionate kiss. They walk out
together.
164. INT. STUDIO
Vanessa is standing speaking directly to the CAMERA.
VANESSA
Well, it wasn't the gods, it wasn't fate, and it wasn't
biochemistry...It was me. So now in I've come down
off the stage and I'm writing the script myself. And
let me tell ya, it's a much nicer story when you write
the script yourself. And sure, I'll probably work
things out with Dennis, but hell, I got one more
month on my lease!
165. EXT. MOVIE THEATER--TWILIGHT
FADE UP
All three couples arrive at the theatre at the same time and enter. The
marquee reads "The Marx Brothers--A Night at the Opera."
FADE TO BLACK
166. INT. STUDIO
FADE UP
Rick is standing speaking directly to the CAMERA. He looks a little surprised
to be here doing this.
RICK
Well, Bob and I, we fought the fates and the fates
lost. I'm staying in port, with all my new friends.
And I'm happy. I hardly believe it. It's like, well,
it's like...I can't think of anything...
(turning to face off screen)
What's it like, Bob? Bob? What's it like?
BOB (OS)
(faintly)
Carthage.
RICK
(facing the CAMERA)
It's like Carthage. What?...
(facing off screen)
What are you talking about?
BOB
(joining Rick on screen)
Aeneas stays with Dido, happily ever after, in
Carthage.
FADE TO
167. F/X. PAINTING MONTAGE
The same painting of a cherub flying over the capitol building and the
Washington Monument while rolling two dice that opened our story. We
hear MUSIC from the opera song Pursue thy conquest, Love. We ZOOM in on
the black dots on the dice until one of the dots fills the screen with darkness.
BEGIN END CREDITS
168. INT. INSTITUTIONAL KITCHEN--DAY
Underneath the credits FADE UP ON Rosie giving a cooking lesson on how to
make a carrot and onion stew. Her students include: Dido and Aeneas, Jack
and Sally, Martha, Veronica, Julie Anne, and the hot dog vendor man.
Each man holds a carrot while the women each hold an onion. Rosie stands
next to a large caldron of stew.
ROSIE
Repeat after me: The carrot, he adds to the onion...
CROWD
(in unison)
The carrot, he adds to the onion
ROSIE
...the onion, she makes the carrot strong.
CROWD
(in unison)
...the onion, she makes the carrot strong.
Aeneas impatiently looks at his watch then tries to slip out the back. Rosie
yells at him to return.
ROSIE
(sternly)
Aeneas, where are you're going?! Get back here!
Aeneas obeys. He approaches the caldron of stew and obediently tosses in his
carrot. The others follow him and add their carrot or onion.
We see a CLOSE-UP of the stew.
FADE TO BLACK
THE END
Oklahoma Theatre Productions
Send comments to nolty_r@caltech.edu
