Now, as I can't gauge how long this screenplay is thus far, since I'm not typing it in traditional format; I have to guesstimate. I may be overwriting a wee bit. But, I've become so enamored of these characters, I keep finding new things for them to do, apart from the main action. Like the O'Riadas going to visit their dad. That isn't really germane to the goings-on. But, I feel it's better to have an overabundance of material than it is to have too little. You can always cut. But for now, it's going to play out the way it plays out and if that's a little long, then that's the way it is (that's what she said!). Besides, nowadays movies are looooooooonnnnnnnggggggggg. I mean, how could John Wick 4 possibly run for nearly 3 hours? It's nothing but people fighting and shooting guns...
Maybe we could split it into two movies, kind of like, you know, Twilight Part 4 Parts 1 and 2. Or maybe it could be like a streaming "limited series"? Lots of possibilities. So now...on with the show!
FADE UP:
INT. SHANNON AIRPORT BAR -DAY
Donna and Stacey are seated at the bar, having cocktails. Donna's phone is propped up on the counter, on speaker.
DONNA
...yeah, so Gran is gonna be visiting with her cousins for a couple of days before she comes to London...
HENRY
(O/S his voice on phone) Where? And with which cousins?
DONNA
I have no idea. She just said "my cousins out in the country."
DANNY
(O/S) Did she mention Cork?
STACEY
Yeah, actually she did...
DANNY
(O/S) Oh, then it must be Claire and Charlie and all of them.
DONNA
So, we'll see you tomorrow, I guess...
HENRY
We'd pick you up; but we don't have a car yet.
DONNA
No, that's all arranged. The hotel has a shuttle.
HENRY
All right. Safe travels!
DONNA
Bye!
She clicks the phone off.
DONNA
I'm so excited!
STACEY
Are you though? (She sips her drink).
DONNA
What's that supposed to mean?
STACEY
Donna...I don't think I've ever seen you quite so...lit up, as when you were talking to Claude.
DONNA
Claudio. And that's not--
STACEY
Speak of the devil...
Claudio strides up to the bar and smiles.
CLAUDIO
So, we meet again.
STACEY
So we do. I don't think we've been introduced...(she extends her hand).
DONNA
Claudio, this is my good friend Stacey.
CLAUDIO
Enchante...(he kisses the back of her hand).
STACEY
Oh, you speak French too. How convenient.
Maybe we could split it into two movies, kind of like, you know, Twilight Part 4 Parts 1 and 2. Or maybe it could be like a streaming "limited series"? Lots of possibilities. So now...on with the show!
FADE UP:
INT. SHANNON AIRPORT BAR -DAY
Donna and Stacey are seated at the bar, having cocktails. Donna's phone is propped up on the counter, on speaker.
DONNA
...yeah, so Gran is gonna be visiting with her cousins for a couple of days before she comes to London...
HENRY
(O/S his voice on phone) Where? And with which cousins?
DONNA
I have no idea. She just said "my cousins out in the country."
DANNY
(O/S) Did she mention Cork?
STACEY
Yeah, actually she did...
DANNY
(O/S) Oh, then it must be Claire and Charlie and all of them.
DONNA
So, we'll see you tomorrow, I guess...
HENRY
We'd pick you up; but we don't have a car yet.
DONNA
No, that's all arranged. The hotel has a shuttle.
HENRY
All right. Safe travels!
DONNA
Bye!
She clicks the phone off.
DONNA
I'm so excited!
STACEY
Are you though? (She sips her drink).
DONNA
What's that supposed to mean?
STACEY
Donna...I don't think I've ever seen you quite so...lit up, as when you were talking to Claude.
DONNA
Claudio. And that's not--
STACEY
Speak of the devil...
Claudio strides up to the bar and smiles.
CLAUDIO
So, we meet again.
STACEY
So we do. I don't think we've been introduced...(she extends her hand).
DONNA
Claudio, this is my good friend Stacey.
CLAUDIO
Enchante...(he kisses the back of her hand).
STACEY
Oh, you speak French too. How convenient.
DONNA
Why are you still here? I thought you mentioned--
CLAUDIO
Last minute change of plans. I'm heading on to London...which is where you're going, si?
STACEY
Oui.
CLAUDIO
Where are you staying?
DONNA
The Belgrave Hotel...
CLAUDIO
Ammazza! That's where I'm staying!
STACEY
(Glancing at Donna) How convenient.
CLAUDIO
Pardon me, I'll be right back. Did you see where the water closets are?
DONNA
They're back there to the right.
Claudio rushes off. Donna looks at the ceiling.
STACEY
"Water closet..."
DONNA
What?
STACEY
He's calling the Belgrave...
DONNA
No he's not.
STACEY
I can see him. He's got his phone to his ear!
DONNA
It's a coincidence.
STACEY
Whatever...
DONNA
It is!
STACEY
Que sera, sera...
Donna drains her glass and plays with her hair. Stacey stares at her.
DONNA
What...?!?
CUT TO:
INT. HENRY AND DANNY'S APT. -DAY
The apartment now has some furniture in it: a couch. A TV. A table and chairs, etc. Henry is cleaning one of the windows while Danny is working at the computer.
HENRY
God, this thing is so grimy...and that's just on this side.
DANNY
Once curtains go up, you'll never know the difference.
HENRY
(Singing)...I can't see clearly now, the grime's still here...I can see all the bird poop stuck to the glass...(Speaking) Do you think I should tell Donna right now? I mean, get it over with? Rip the bandage off?
DANNY
No, I think that would be a huge mistake. Test the waters...and stop stressing out about it.
HENRY
I can't though. I can't stop thinking about it. And I can't stop thinking about--
There is a loud BUZZ on the intercom.
HENRY
That must be them...
Danny goes to the intercom and presses the switch.
DANNY
Hullo!
DONNA
(O/S) It's us!
DANNY
Come on up...it's on the second floor...
He BUZZES them in and opens the door. We can hear the ladies CLOMPING up the steps. Henry puts his cleaning supplies on the kitchen counter and Donna and Stacey come through the door.
DONNA
Hi! Oh my God Henry! You've lost weight!
She runs to him, throws her arms around him and they kiss.
STACEY
Hey Danny...
DANNY
Hi Stacey, how are you?
STACEY
Never better. Hi Hank.
HENRY
Hey Stacey.
STACEY
(Looking around) This place is really cute. Does the fireplace work?
DANNY
I think so.
DONNA
Give us the tour!
HENRY
It's a pretty short tour honey. Have you eaten?
DONNA
Not yet and I'm starving. I know! Maybe we could have tea and crumpets. I've always wanted to try tea and crumpets!
DANNY
Well, actually, it's nearly tea time...
STACEY
What is a crumpet, anyways?
DANNY
It's kind of like an English muffin--
STACEY
When in Rome!
CUT TO:
EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE -DAY
The foursome are sipping tea. A waiter comes to the table with a plate of crumpets and an assortment of toppings.
Stacey picks one up and starts slathering it with butter.
DANNY
So much butter!
STACEY
Hey, I'm on vacation. I'll dance this off later, baby.
Donna picks up a scone and nibbles on it.
DONNA
Hmmm...not what I was expecting...it's kind of on the dry side...
STACEY
That's what the butter's for!
DANNY
That's a scone Donna--
DONNA
Oh! (She LAUGHS).
HENRY
Donna, there's something I need to tell you--
Danny kicks Henry's leg under the table.
DONNA
What?
HENRY
...it's just really great to see you...
DONNA
Awww, it's really great to see you too!
Danny shoots Henry a look as he sips his tea.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE LONDON EYE -DUSK
Our quartet, along with numerous other TOURISTS, are gazing at the London skyline from inside one of the London Eye pods, high above the city. The sun is sinking and the city lights begin to twinkle. Big Ben lights up.
DONNA
Can you go inside Big Ben?
DANNY
I believe you can--
DONNA
I'd love to do that! Would you like to do that Stacey?
STACEY
Like, go inside the clock?
DONNA
Yeah!
STACEY
I suppose. It could be something to tell the grandkids...
HENRY
How many do you have now Stacey?
STACEY
You're such a riot Hank.
DONNA
You know, I was thinking about this...maybe you two should get together...
DANNY
You mean me and Stacey?
Danny and Stacey both LAUGH heartily.
DONNA
Why is that funny? I think you'd make a cute couple.
STACEY
A cute couple of idiots!
DONNA
What do you think Henry?
HENRY
What?
DONNA
What do you think of Danny and Stacey as a couple?
HENRY
"Scorched earth" comes to mind.
DONNA
No! They always say "opposites attract"; but I'm not sure...sometimes I think it's...the opposite!
As the others consider this, there is more than a little nervous LAUGHTER.
Why are you still here? I thought you mentioned--
CLAUDIO
Last minute change of plans. I'm heading on to London...which is where you're going, si?
STACEY
Oui.
CLAUDIO
Where are you staying?
DONNA
The Belgrave Hotel...
CLAUDIO
Ammazza! That's where I'm staying!
STACEY
(Glancing at Donna) How convenient.
CLAUDIO
Pardon me, I'll be right back. Did you see where the water closets are?
DONNA
They're back there to the right.
Claudio rushes off. Donna looks at the ceiling.
STACEY
"Water closet..."
DONNA
What?
STACEY
He's calling the Belgrave...
DONNA
No he's not.
STACEY
I can see him. He's got his phone to his ear!
DONNA
It's a coincidence.
STACEY
Whatever...
DONNA
It is!
STACEY
Que sera, sera...
Donna drains her glass and plays with her hair. Stacey stares at her.
DONNA
What...?!?
CUT TO:
INT. HENRY AND DANNY'S APT. -DAY
The apartment now has some furniture in it: a couch. A TV. A table and chairs, etc. Henry is cleaning one of the windows while Danny is working at the computer.
HENRY
God, this thing is so grimy...and that's just on this side.
DANNY
Once curtains go up, you'll never know the difference.
HENRY
(Singing)...I can't see clearly now, the grime's still here...I can see all the bird poop stuck to the glass...(Speaking) Do you think I should tell Donna right now? I mean, get it over with? Rip the bandage off?
DANNY
No, I think that would be a huge mistake. Test the waters...and stop stressing out about it.
HENRY
I can't though. I can't stop thinking about it. And I can't stop thinking about--
There is a loud BUZZ on the intercom.
HENRY
That must be them...
Danny goes to the intercom and presses the switch.
DANNY
Hullo!
DONNA
(O/S) It's us!
DANNY
Come on up...it's on the second floor...
He BUZZES them in and opens the door. We can hear the ladies CLOMPING up the steps. Henry puts his cleaning supplies on the kitchen counter and Donna and Stacey come through the door.
DONNA
Hi! Oh my God Henry! You've lost weight!
She runs to him, throws her arms around him and they kiss.
STACEY
Hey Danny...
DANNY
Hi Stacey, how are you?
STACEY
Never better. Hi Hank.
HENRY
Hey Stacey.
STACEY
(Looking around) This place is really cute. Does the fireplace work?
DANNY
I think so.
DONNA
Give us the tour!
HENRY
It's a pretty short tour honey. Have you eaten?
DONNA
Not yet and I'm starving. I know! Maybe we could have tea and crumpets. I've always wanted to try tea and crumpets!
DANNY
Well, actually, it's nearly tea time...
STACEY
What is a crumpet, anyways?
DANNY
It's kind of like an English muffin--
STACEY
When in Rome!
CUT TO:
EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE -DAY
The foursome are sipping tea. A waiter comes to the table with a plate of crumpets and an assortment of toppings.
Stacey picks one up and starts slathering it with butter.
DANNY
So much butter!
STACEY
Hey, I'm on vacation. I'll dance this off later, baby.
Donna picks up a scone and nibbles on it.
DONNA
Hmmm...not what I was expecting...it's kind of on the dry side...
STACEY
That's what the butter's for!
DANNY
That's a scone Donna--
DONNA
Oh! (She LAUGHS).
HENRY
Donna, there's something I need to tell you--
Danny kicks Henry's leg under the table.
DONNA
What?
HENRY
...it's just really great to see you...
DONNA
Awww, it's really great to see you too!
Danny shoots Henry a look as he sips his tea.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE LONDON EYE -DUSK
Our quartet, along with numerous other TOURISTS, are gazing at the London skyline from inside one of the London Eye pods, high above the city. The sun is sinking and the city lights begin to twinkle. Big Ben lights up.
DONNA
Can you go inside Big Ben?
DANNY
I believe you can--
DONNA
I'd love to do that! Would you like to do that Stacey?
STACEY
Like, go inside the clock?
DONNA
Yeah!
STACEY
I suppose. It could be something to tell the grandkids...
HENRY
How many do you have now Stacey?
STACEY
You're such a riot Hank.
DONNA
You know, I was thinking about this...maybe you two should get together...
DANNY
You mean me and Stacey?
Danny and Stacey both LAUGH heartily.
DONNA
Why is that funny? I think you'd make a cute couple.
STACEY
A cute couple of idiots!
DONNA
What do you think Henry?
HENRY
What?
DONNA
What do you think of Danny and Stacey as a couple?
HENRY
"Scorched earth" comes to mind.
DONNA
No! They always say "opposites attract"; but I'm not sure...sometimes I think it's...the opposite!
As the others consider this, there is more than a little nervous LAUGHTER.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET -NIGHT
A taxi pulls up in front of the Belgrave Hotel. Donna and Stacey emerge from the vehicle. Danny pulls the door closed and opens the window.
STACEY
You want to come in for a drink?
DANNY
I've got to get this boy to bed...he's still in training!
DONNA
All right then, we'll see you tomorrow.
Before they can reply, the taxi speeds off.
STACEY
That wasn't exactly the hard sell...
DONNA
Would you stop?
STACEY
I want that drink though.
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE BAR -NIGHT
Stacey and Donna enter the bar where Claudio is sitting at a table with a drink. He stands and waves them over.
STACEY
Fancy meeting you here.
CLAUDIO
Buonasera! You must join us...
DONNA
(As they sit) Who's us?
Before he can answer, Seamus comes out of the shadows and looms over the table. He looks down at Stacey, cocks his head and smiles.
STACEY
Well hello Red...
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE BAR -NIGHT
The atmosphere has become more intimate. The four people seem very relaxed, whether that's from the libations or the company, remains to be seen. There is certainly a lot of flirting going on.
STACEY
...you name it, I've tried it. Intermittent fasting, cleansing, coffee "flushing"; but the one thing I swear by is wheat grass juice.
Seamus nods. Claudio winces.
CLAUDIO
Maybe if you put a shot of Limoncello in it...
SEAMUS
Miss Stacey...I'd like you to do something for me...
STACEY
Mr. Seamus, we've just met!
CLAUDIO
Don't worry. He just wants to read your aura. It's uncanny.
STACEY
Sure. What the hell!
Seamus takes her hand.
SEAMUS
I want you to look into my eyes, but you can't break contact.
STACEY
I'm really good at this.
Like he did with Henry, he locks eyes with her. Her gaze is perhaps even steelier than Henry's was.
SEAMUS
(Talk singing)...Nine o'clock this morning, she left without a warning...I let her take advantage of me...'cuz she's heart and soul...she's hot and cold...she's got it all...
DONNA
That's like her favorite band!
CLAUDIO
Who is that?
DONNA
Huey Lewis!
STACEY
And the News...wow...(Seamus smiles. Stacey slowly retrieves her hand) Is it hot in here?
EXT. STREET -NIGHT
A taxi pulls up in front of the Belgrave Hotel. Donna and Stacey emerge from the vehicle. Danny pulls the door closed and opens the window.
STACEY
You want to come in for a drink?
DANNY
I've got to get this boy to bed...he's still in training!
DONNA
All right then, we'll see you tomorrow.
Before they can reply, the taxi speeds off.
STACEY
That wasn't exactly the hard sell...
DONNA
Would you stop?
STACEY
I want that drink though.
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE BAR -NIGHT
Stacey and Donna enter the bar where Claudio is sitting at a table with a drink. He stands and waves them over.
STACEY
Fancy meeting you here.
CLAUDIO
Buonasera! You must join us...
DONNA
(As they sit) Who's us?
Before he can answer, Seamus comes out of the shadows and looms over the table. He looks down at Stacey, cocks his head and smiles.
STACEY
Well hello Red...
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE BAR -NIGHT
The atmosphere has become more intimate. The four people seem very relaxed, whether that's from the libations or the company, remains to be seen. There is certainly a lot of flirting going on.
STACEY
...you name it, I've tried it. Intermittent fasting, cleansing, coffee "flushing"; but the one thing I swear by is wheat grass juice.
Seamus nods. Claudio winces.
CLAUDIO
Maybe if you put a shot of Limoncello in it...
SEAMUS
Miss Stacey...I'd like you to do something for me...
STACEY
Mr. Seamus, we've just met!
CLAUDIO
Don't worry. He just wants to read your aura. It's uncanny.
STACEY
Sure. What the hell!
Seamus takes her hand.
SEAMUS
I want you to look into my eyes, but you can't break contact.
STACEY
I'm really good at this.
Like he did with Henry, he locks eyes with her. Her gaze is perhaps even steelier than Henry's was.
SEAMUS
(Talk singing)...Nine o'clock this morning, she left without a warning...I let her take advantage of me...'cuz she's heart and soul...she's hot and cold...she's got it all...
DONNA
That's like her favorite band!
CLAUDIO
Who is that?
DONNA
Huey Lewis!
STACEY
And the News...wow...(Seamus smiles. Stacey slowly retrieves her hand) Is it hot in here?
CUT TO:
INT. -HENRY'S BEDROOM -DAWN
Henry is lying in bed, the sheets twisted, staring at the ceiling. We can hear the CITY SOUNDS coming through the window: increasing traffic, birds, etc. Henry is thinking/waking/dreaming about Paddy; which we see in quick flashbacks:
Paddy's face in the dimly lit gym, water running down the window, reflecting on his face...
HENRY
Your eyes change color...
Henry's hand sliding up Paddy's leg...Paddy's face resting on Henry's torso...
Henry sits upright and runs his hands through his hair.
HENRY
I can't do this...
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN -MORNING
Danny comes into the kitchen and goes to the fridge. Henry comes out of his room in shorts and a hoodie.
DANNY
Morning...
HENRY
Hi. Have you seen my running shoes anywhere?
DANNY
I thought I saw them under the chair...you look like road-kill...
HENRY
Didn't sleep well...(He goes to the living room, finds his shoes and pulls them on).
DANNY
You want some toast?
HENRY
When I get back. (He kisses Danny on the cheek).
DANNY
(Wiping it off) Bleccch! What did you do with my bother?
Henry LAUGHS and he's out the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET -DAY
Henry jogs up to the front door of the Belgrave hotel and goes in.
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE LOBBY -DAY
Henry goes to the elevator and rings for it. It arrives and he enters.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR -DAY
He hits the button for the fourth floor but the panel does not respond. He exits and goes for the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR -DAY
Henry looks at his hand where he's scrawled the number "415." He looks at the door numbers: he's at 401. As he walks down the corridor, in the distance he sees a very tall and bald man come out of one of the rooms. He realizes it's Claudio and pulls his hood up. As they pass in the hall, Henry hangs his head.
HENRY
Morning, guvner...
CLAUDIO
Ciao!
Henry slows his pace and watches to see Claudio as he gets on the elevator. He arrives at the door that Claudio has just exited. It's number: 415. He KNOCKS. The door flies open. Donna is standing there with a pair of argyle socks in her hand.
DONNA
Hai dimenticato i calzini!
(You forgot your socks!)
INT. -HENRY'S BEDROOM -DAWN
Henry is lying in bed, the sheets twisted, staring at the ceiling. We can hear the CITY SOUNDS coming through the window: increasing traffic, birds, etc. Henry is thinking/waking/dreaming about Paddy; which we see in quick flashbacks:
Paddy's face in the dimly lit gym, water running down the window, reflecting on his face...
HENRY
Your eyes change color...
Henry's hand sliding up Paddy's leg...Paddy's face resting on Henry's torso...
Henry sits upright and runs his hands through his hair.
HENRY
I can't do this...
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN -MORNING
Danny comes into the kitchen and goes to the fridge. Henry comes out of his room in shorts and a hoodie.
DANNY
Morning...
HENRY
Hi. Have you seen my running shoes anywhere?
DANNY
I thought I saw them under the chair...you look like road-kill...
HENRY
Didn't sleep well...(He goes to the living room, finds his shoes and pulls them on).
DANNY
You want some toast?
HENRY
When I get back. (He kisses Danny on the cheek).
DANNY
(Wiping it off) Bleccch! What did you do with my bother?
Henry LAUGHS and he's out the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET -DAY
Henry jogs up to the front door of the Belgrave hotel and goes in.
CUT TO:
INT. BELGRAVE LOBBY -DAY
Henry goes to the elevator and rings for it. It arrives and he enters.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR -DAY
He hits the button for the fourth floor but the panel does not respond. He exits and goes for the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR -DAY
Henry looks at his hand where he's scrawled the number "415." He looks at the door numbers: he's at 401. As he walks down the corridor, in the distance he sees a very tall and bald man come out of one of the rooms. He realizes it's Claudio and pulls his hood up. As they pass in the hall, Henry hangs his head.
HENRY
Morning, guvner...
CLAUDIO
Ciao!
Henry slows his pace and watches to see Claudio as he gets on the elevator. He arrives at the door that Claudio has just exited. It's number: 415. He KNOCKS. The door flies open. Donna is standing there with a pair of argyle socks in her hand.
DONNA
Hai dimenticato i calzini!
(You forgot your socks!)
Henry pulls his hood off. Donna's face falls.
HENRY
Buongiorno...
DONNA
Oh merda...
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY
Donna is pacing back and forth in her bathrobe, crying. Or is she just turning on the waterworks? Or does she know what's coming can't be avoided and she's upset? Or maybe a little bit of all of them?
DONNA
...you know him? YOU KNOW HIM? Why didn't you tell me?!!?
HENRY
That doesn't even make any sense. Even if I had told you about him, you still wouldn't have known who he was...
Donna rather melodramatically throws herself on the bed and starts sobbing into a pillow.
HENRY
Donna, please...stop crying and just talk to me...I'm not mad...
DONNA
Well I am!
HENRY
Why are you mad?
DONNA
Because you're NOT!
HENRY
Oh, okay...
DONNA
(Realizing he's not buying it) Nothing happened, Henry. We just talked. I swear to God we just talked...
HENRY
But he was comfortable enough to take his socks off?
DONNA
He's European...
HENRY
Because that's what Europeans do...particularly the Swiss.
DONNA
How do you know he's Swiss?
HENRY
I trained with him for three months! Just for the record; I like him. A lot. He's a great guy...at least I thought he was...
DONNA
What do you mean?
HENRY
That he would go after a woman clearly wearing an engagement ring.
DONNA
(Sheepishly) Well, I wasn't exactly wearing it...
She pulls the ring out of her cleavage where it dangles from a necklace. Henry SIGHS and looks at the floor.
HENRY
I think it's time for some real honesty here...Donna, I kissed someone.
DONNA
You kissed someone?
HENRY
Yes...several times...
DONNA
(Drily, analytically)
Anyone I know?
HENRY
Not well...but you met them...on the phone...
DONNA
No...I mean, if you mean facetime...I only talked to you and Danny. (Henry looks at her)...and your coworker, that Irish guy...
Henry looks at her, pleadingly. A tear rolls down his cheek. She realizes the import of what she's just heard.
DONNA
Oh...oh wow. I need a minute...
She jumps up and runs into the bathroom. Henry goes to the window and looks out at the street.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM -DAY
Donna regards herself in the mirror as she cries, her tears now genuine. Her eyes fall on the ring around her neck. She takes it off, splashes some cold water on her face and composes herself.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY
Donna comes out of the bathroom with the ring on the necklace. She goes to the window and looks into Henry's face.
DONNA
I lied. We did kiss...
She presses the ring into his palm.
HENRY
Are you sure?
DONNA
Yes. Henry, I think I've always known...
HENRY
How?
DONNA
Well, the fact that you had zero problems with me dancing buck naked in front of other men.
She takes his face in her hands and tenderly kisses him. He nods at her, turns, and leaves the room. She continues to gaze out the window at the London Bridge.
HENRY
Buongiorno...
DONNA
Oh merda...
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY
Donna is pacing back and forth in her bathrobe, crying. Or is she just turning on the waterworks? Or does she know what's coming can't be avoided and she's upset? Or maybe a little bit of all of them?
DONNA
...you know him? YOU KNOW HIM? Why didn't you tell me?!!?
HENRY
That doesn't even make any sense. Even if I had told you about him, you still wouldn't have known who he was...
Donna rather melodramatically throws herself on the bed and starts sobbing into a pillow.
HENRY
Donna, please...stop crying and just talk to me...I'm not mad...
DONNA
Well I am!
HENRY
Why are you mad?
DONNA
Because you're NOT!
HENRY
Oh, okay...
DONNA
(Realizing he's not buying it) Nothing happened, Henry. We just talked. I swear to God we just talked...
HENRY
But he was comfortable enough to take his socks off?
DONNA
He's European...
HENRY
Because that's what Europeans do...particularly the Swiss.
DONNA
How do you know he's Swiss?
HENRY
I trained with him for three months! Just for the record; I like him. A lot. He's a great guy...at least I thought he was...
DONNA
What do you mean?
HENRY
That he would go after a woman clearly wearing an engagement ring.
DONNA
(Sheepishly) Well, I wasn't exactly wearing it...
She pulls the ring out of her cleavage where it dangles from a necklace. Henry SIGHS and looks at the floor.
HENRY
I think it's time for some real honesty here...Donna, I kissed someone.
DONNA
You kissed someone?
HENRY
Yes...several times...
DONNA
(Drily, analytically)
Anyone I know?
HENRY
Not well...but you met them...on the phone...
DONNA
No...I mean, if you mean facetime...I only talked to you and Danny. (Henry looks at her)...and your coworker, that Irish guy...
Henry looks at her, pleadingly. A tear rolls down his cheek. She realizes the import of what she's just heard.
DONNA
Oh...oh wow. I need a minute...
She jumps up and runs into the bathroom. Henry goes to the window and looks out at the street.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM -DAY
Donna regards herself in the mirror as she cries, her tears now genuine. Her eyes fall on the ring around her neck. She takes it off, splashes some cold water on her face and composes herself.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY
Donna comes out of the bathroom with the ring on the necklace. She goes to the window and looks into Henry's face.
DONNA
I lied. We did kiss...
She presses the ring into his palm.
HENRY
Are you sure?
DONNA
Yes. Henry, I think I've always known...
HENRY
How?
DONNA
Well, the fact that you had zero problems with me dancing buck naked in front of other men.
She takes his face in her hands and tenderly kisses him. He nods at her, turns, and leaves the room. She continues to gaze out the window at the London Bridge.
Please see HEARTFIGHT: A Screenplay / Part 11 for the the next installment!
CFR 6/4/23
CFR 6/4/23
RSS Feed