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Overture

Then the overture MUSIC to Henry Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas begins.

FADE UP

1. F/X. PAINTING MONTAGE

FADE TO

A black screen with the title:

Overture

FADE TO

2. INT. OPERA HOUSE--BACK STAGE BEFORE PERFORMANCE

As the tempo of the overture MUSIC quickens...

3. EXT. OPERA HOUSE--TWILIGHT

4. INT. VANESSA'S BEDROOM--TWILIGHT

From a CLOSE UP of the envelopes in Dennis's hand, we see that the one on top says WASHINGTON OPERA SOCIETY--DIDO AND AENEAS. Two tickets protrude from the top of the opened envelope. Vanessa takes that envelope. Below it we see that the other envelope is an airline ticket holder; on the top it says DC NATIONAL--CHICAGO O'HARE.

From a wide POV of the room, Vanessa resumes putting on makeup as Dennis finishes his phone call and tosses the cordless phone on the bed. He throws a packed garment bag over his shoulder and grabs an attach'e. He comes to Vanessa and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and begins to exit. She catches his free hand and pulls him back to her for a more passionate kiss. Dennis exits. Vanessa pulls a nice red dress from her closet. The opera MUSIC continues.

5. INT. OPERA HOUSE--NIGHT

6. EXT. BOB'S APARTMENT--TWILIGHT

The door opens and disappointment fills June's face. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a tissue.

BOB, aged 33, steps out onto the landing and greets June. He is wearing a button-down shirt and nice jeans and is stuffing a hot dog in his mouth. With her tissue, June wipes mustard from the corner of his mouth. Bob is expressionless, a moment later he swallows his mouthful of hot dog.

June points to his clothing and we see her mouth forming words that might say "You can't go like that."

The opera MUSIC continues.

7. INT. OPERA HOUSE--NIGHT

8. EXT. CITY STREET--TWILIGHT

Rick stops and, while licking his chops, pulls out his wallet and takes a step toward the silvery glean of the vendor's cart. Suddenly Suzanne grabs him and pulls him away.

Continuing down the street, they reach the Opera House and run up the steps and into the lobby.

9. INT. OPERA HOUSE--NIGHT

The CAMERA is facing the back of the auditorium, DOLLYING toward the front. We see Rick and Suzanne enter late and run up to their row. They pass in front of Bob and June. Since we last saw him, Bob has added a bow tie, which has not improved the overall effect. He is wise-cracking about something in the program and June is faking indignation and hushing him. Closer to the front we see Vanessa, seated next to a conspicuously empty seat.

The overture MUSIC ends.

The opera begins. On stage are Dido and her MAIDSERVANT. The opera is in English but subtitles are provided.

In the audience:

We close in on Vanessa who sits with arms and legs crossed. The Maidservant continues to sing but at a lower volume. We hear Vanessa's thoughts.

On stage:

Dido sits looking pained and tragic as her Maidservant finishes the aria.

FADE TO

Aeneas is courting Dido.

In the audience:

We close in on Rick and Suzanne. The opera MUSIC softens. We hear Rick's thoughts.

On stage:

In the audience:

We close in on Bob and June as Aeneas continues to sing. June holds Bob's forearm which is on the armrest. The MUSIC softens. We hear June's thoughts.

June leans over and steals a kiss from Bob. Bob gives her an inquisitive look then returns to focusing on the opera. June releases his arm.

We close in on Bob as the music continues. Bob shifts in his seat and pulls away from June. He raises opera glasses to his eyes.

As the music drops a notch in volume, we hear Bob's thoughts.

On stage:

Dido, Aeneas, and the Maidservant are on stage.

In the audience:

PULL BACK to reveal a group shot of Bob, June, Rick, Suzanne, Vanessa and the empty seat. Everyone looks uncomfortable, except Bob.

FADE TO BLACK

10. INT. THEATRE STAGE--CUTAWAY

On a SERIES OF SHOTS of Bob, June, Rick, and Vanessa, each appearing alone in front of the closed theatre stage curtain and speaking directly to the CAMERA. They are dressed in the clothes they wore to the opera. We HEAR the melody from the opera song Pursue Thy Conquest, Love.

We see June roll her eyes.

FADE TO

11. EXT. OPERA HOUSE--NIGHT

12. INT. CAFE--NIGHT

Before Bob can answer, the WAITRESS brings their order: two slices of carrot cake, a bowl of French onion soup, and coffee and water.

Vanessa turns back to the counter and gasps. Dido, in ancient Greek costume, is behind the counter where the waitress was.

We see a CLOSE UP of Vanessa from Dido's POV when:

Vanessa blinks. The Waitress is delivering her order of decaf and a fruit platter.

Bob and June are seated at their table eating and drinking. During the following Bob pulls a single-page insert from the opera's playbill and begins origami folds that convert the page into the shape of a frog.

From Bob and June's table we see, at a distant table, Rick and Suzanne.

Vanessa stands next to Bob and June. She is ready to join them. Bob and June turn their attention from Rick and Suzanne to Vanessa.

Once again, the POV includes Rick and Suzanne's table in the background.

Suddenly Suzanne rises and flings her fork down, splashing raspberry sauce on Rick. She turns on her heel and exits, tossing her napkin behind her.

Rick wipes at his shirt with a napkin then heads toward the bathroom muttering to himself:

As Rick passes Bob and June's table.

Rick is distracted with his messy shirt, and June's inquiry goes unanswered.

LONG FADE TO

...

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