Lesson 26

[Rick Whitney]

R Whitney Lesson 26

Logline: An engages couple confront each other over misgivings each are having.

Essence: Love triumphs.

Scene:

EXT. OPEN AIR CAFE – BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY

CARLEY – woman late 20’s – nice looking – slender – stylish business outfit

MARCUS – man late 20’s – hansom – slender – stylish business suit

Carley and Marcus move to sit at a nice little French open air cafe table. The waiter seats them and sets the menu on the table.

MARCUS

We’ll have two martini’s please. Shaken, not stirred.

The waiter acknowledges and leaves.

MARCUS

Isn’t this a lovely fall day.

Carley crosses her arms.

CARLEY

I don’t mean to be forward but who is she?

MARCUS

(perplexed)

Who is who?

CARLEY

Don’t try to deny it.

MARCUS

Could you elaborate so I know what not to deny.

CARLEY

Like you don’t know.

MARCUS

Perhaps you could let me in on it?

CARLEY

And I thought I could trust you.

The martini’s arrive. They remain quiet as the waiter sets their drinks down.

MARCUS

You’re going to need to enlighten me so I can understand what you’re upset about.

CARLEY

That woman you were seen kissing in your office last Monday and don’t deny it. Susan saw you two and told me about it.

Marcus smiles then chuckles.

MARCUS

Is that what this is all about?

CARLEY

I’m waiting for your explanation and it better be a good one.

MARCUS

(stirs his drink)

That was Gloria. We were college friends and we dated for a while. We hadn’t seen each other for nearly 10 years.

CARLEY

That was some kiss for an old friend.

MARCUS

We had a thing going back then and I guess we needed to see if there was any spark still left.

CARLEY

And what did you determine might I ask?

MARCUS

I determined you are the one I love. You are the one I plan to marry.

CARLEY

Then there is nothing between you?

MARCUS

Of course not. I’m sorry you misunderstood. You shouldn’t have jumped to such a conclusion.

Carley uncrosses her arms and picks up her drink.

CARLEY

Maybe you’re right. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions but you know how much I care about you.

The waiter returns.

WAITER

Can I take your order?

CARLEY

I’d like the es car go, please.

MARCUS

Make it two.

The waiter nods and takes the menu.

MARCUS

Which brings me to my question. Who was that man I saw you hugging the other day out in front of your condo?

CARLEY

Uuhhh. When was this?

MARCUS

It was the evening we went out to dinner to Tony’s.

CARLEY

Oh, that evening.

Carley stirs her martini and eats the olive.

CARLEY

These martini’s are really good today.

She drinks hers up.

MARCUS

I don’t mean to be inquisitive but I feel I have a right to know who might be hording in on my fiancé.

CARLEY

You saw that?

MARCUS

Sure did. Quite an embrace if I say so myself.

She chuckles.

CARLEY

It was my auto mechanic. He came all the way out to my apartment to fix my dead car.

MARCUS

That must be some service.

CARLEY

I was so appreciative he stopped by to help me. It was the battery.

MARCUS

Does your mechanic always wear a suit to work on a car?

Carley holds up her glass to get the waiters attention for a refill.

CARLEY

He was … was on his way to a wedding and he made a stop just for me.

The waiter stops by and pour her another martini.

CARLEY

(to the waiter)

Thank you.

(she takes the olive out)

He’s a friend like Gloria.

She slugs the drink down.

MARCUS

I’d like to get to know this mechanic. Could be he can do work on my car. His name?

CARLEY

Harold. His name is Harold. Ah, he’s leaving to join the Army.

MARCUS

You must think I’m pretty dense if you think I’m buying your story.

Carley looks down and takes a breath.

CARLEY

Okay, he’s my brother. I hadn’t seen him for sometime.

MARCUS

Brother? I didn’t know you had a brother.

CARLEY

Step brother. We never got along very well and he wanted to try and fix things.

MARCUS

Did he accomplish his mission?

CARLEY

Not at all. We just never hit it off but it didn’t mean we couldn’t be friendly. For our folks sake.

They look at each other across the table.

MARCUS

It seems like it’s nothing more than a huge misunderstanding.

CARLEY

It is. It really is.

They both stand up and go into each others arms. They kiss.

People in the Cafe applaud.

They smile and hug. While they hug and without each other seeing, Marcus breaths a sigh of relief as Carley rolls her eyes.

[William Whalen]

William Whelan – assignment: Lesson #26 qe cycle #6

Logline: Marcus pushes back against Carley after he loses the lead role in a play production.

ESSENCE: Marcus and Carley find a mutual attraction after a dispute over creative differences.

EXT. BEACH -DAY

Carley, dressed in her jogging outfit, is doing stretches before going for a run on the beach. Marcus, also in running gear approaches her.

MARCUS

Thanks for stabbing me in the back.

CARLEY

I don’t know what you are talking about.

MARCUS

Yes, you do — don’t play coy with me.

CARLEY

I’m not — I genuinely have no idea what you are referring to and if I have offended you, I assure you it was unintentional.

MARCUS

Unintentional? I was supposed to play the lead in Kota’s play in Playlab and I heard through the grapevine you were the one who nixed me.

CARLEY

Is that why your ear is purple.

MARCUS

I don’t think it’s funny — Kota promised me the part.

CARLEY

We both decided the part was not suited for you.

MARCUS

What? Because I was too macho for the part.

CARLEY

I did think the part would be better served by a more reserved, sensitive type.

MARCUS

I always got that vibe that you thought I was a male chauvinist pig.

CARLEY

You’re wrong. I actuallythink you are an excellent actor but just not right for the part.

MARCUS

So, you are saying it was the result of creative differences.

CARLEY

Yes, if that makes you feel better.

MARCUS

Give me an audition — would that be so hard to do? I’ll show you I’m right for the part.

CARLEY

Let me think about it — I have a very full schedule, I not sure I have the time to give you an audition.

MARCUS

I’ll work around your schedule. What will an audition take? Twenty minutes? Half an hour at most?

CARLEY

I said let me think about it.

MARCUS

Look, I’m sorry about the backstabbing comment –I’m sure your decision was nothing personal.

CARLEY

No offense taken – as I said it was strictly a creative decision.

MARCUS

How about tonight after class for an audition — we can go for some pizza afterwards my treat.

CARLEY

Is that a bribe?

MARCUS

No, it will just be a thank you for being flexible enough to give me a second chance.

CARLEY

This is not going to lead to a after dinner drink and you trying to hit on me?

MARCUS

Wow! Where did that come from?

CARLEY

I know your reputation. I heard last semester at the wrap party for the play you had the lead role they played “you’re so vain I bet you think this song is about you”.

MARCUS

Well…it was all in jest.

CARLEY

Many a truth is said in jest.

MARCUS

Believe me, my bark is worse than my bite.

CARLEY

So, you admit you’re a wolf?

MARCUS

Would you rather me be a sheep? Would I stand a better chance to get the lead if I was?

CARLEY

Possibly — to you own sheep’s clothing?

MARCUS

No, but I think I know where I can get some.

CARLEY

Why don’t you do that?

MARCUS

So, does that mean I have an audition after class tonight?

CARLEY

I haven’t decided yet.

MARCUS

Man, you are a real tease.

CARLEY

Don’t text me, I’ll text you.

THE END