"Acting Out"
#304
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
GRACE'S INTERVIEW
GRACE
All the world is a stage--
(then, to us)
And all the men and women merely players...
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN-- NIGHT
Zoe eats carrots, watches Rick and Lily try to get dinner together-- Rick dumping a pre-made
salad into a bowl, lily pulling a store-bought rotisserie chicken out of a bag.
LILY
(arranging it on a platter)
That looks pretty good. Don't you think?
RICK
No garnish?
ZOE
Do we have anything to dip these in?
LILY
(handing Zoe a container)
Hummus...
ZOE
Thanks.
JESSIE
(entering)
Is that free range?
ELI
(entering, paint splattered)
What's the difference? You don't eat meat.
JESSIE
I still like to know how they were raised.
ZOE
I've thought about becoming a vegetarian, but I really like bacon.
JESSIE
When are you moving into the garage?
ELI
As soon as the paint dries.
ZOE
How long will that be?
GRACE
(entering, bumping into Eli)
Excuse me.
ELI
Sorry.
GRACE
I'm starving. Can I eat in my room?
LILY
I thought we'd all eat together.
RICK
You did?
LILY
Yes. I did. Why? You didn't?
RICK
Well, it's just, you know-- football.
LILY
Oh, right. You couldn't tape it?
RICK
I could. It's not as fun.
(then)
We could all watch and eat together.
Lily shoots him a look.
GRACE
(helping herself to food)
As much as I love football, I really have to read this play again. Drama Club
has auditions tomorrow, so...
ELI
I have to go to work anyway. Maybe I could just ...
(tearing off a drumstick)
...take a leg or something.
(takes a bite)
It's good.
And he's gone.
JESSIE
(to Grace)
What play are you guys doing?
GRACE
"As You Like It."
JESSIE
So, what do they make you do ... for the audition?
GRACE
Well, normally , you would prepare a soliloquy or something, but Mr.Dimitri wants us to do it
spontaneously, which is so--
JESSIE
So, are you, like, memorizing the whole thing?
GRACE
Pretty much.
JESSIE
That's what I would do.
LILY
Jessie, are you thinking about trying out for the play?
JESSIE
No. I just-- I read that play last year. I liked it.
LILY
Well, I think you should audition. If you want. I bet you'd be great.
GRACE
Do we have any bread?
RICK
Yeah, sweetie, you should try out.
JESSIE
I don't know...
(looks to Grace)
GRACE
You should. It's really fun.
(then)
Mom, where's the bread?
LILY
Right here.
Lily holds out the bread. They exchange a look.
GRACE
Thanks
And she's gone. Off Lily, we:
CUT TO:
INT. PHIL'S/BOOKLOVERS--DAY
Judy is looking for something amid the ruble. Karen waits.
JUDY
Here it is--
(pulling out a big envelope)
KAREN
Is there a copy of the grant deed?
JUDY
Yeah, it's in there.
KAREN
So, the place looks like it's coming along...
JUDY
Yeah... You know...
SAM (O.S)
Karen Sammler!
KAREN
(turns to see Sam)
Sam--
Sam and Karen hug. He smells her hair.
SAM
Mmmm. You smell so good. Do you still wear vanilla extract?
KAREN
Shut Up! I can't believe you remember that!
SAM
Hi Judy.
JUDY
Hi... So, that's right, you two know each other. What's the vanilla extract?
KAREN
Nothing. It's just my past coming back to haunt me. so, you guys know each other?
SAM/JUDY
Yep./Yup.
KAREN
Because you're working with Rick.
SAM/JUDY
Right./ Right.
KAREN
How's Max?
SAM
He's good. You know, he's adjusting to-- the whole thing. But he's good.
(then)
So, you two are... friends?
KAREN
We are-- We became friends--
JUDY
Through circumstances--
SAM
Isn't that ... complicated. For everyone.
JUDY
Not really.
KAREN
We can handle it.
Rick appears with blueprints.
RICK
Judy, we need to talk about these columns you want to take out. They're load bearing--
(then, realizing)
Oh, hi, karen, Sam.
KAREN
Hi. I was just picking up some papers--
SAM
And I was just coming to bother you. Are those my blueprints?
RICK
No, these are Judy's. Blueprints.
They all stand there awkwardly. Lily enters the resturant. She's on her cell phone.
LILY
... I'm just gonna have a quick lunch with my husband-- Sometimes we do
that-- Right, sorry, I know, you don't care. I'll be back in an hour with your lunch...
I know, supersize it.
She hangs up, suddenly, finding herself amongst the awkward crowd--
LILY (CONT'D)
Hi... Everyone...
Ad lib hellos, then silence. Jake comes around the corner--
JAKE
Judy, do you have those resumes--?
(then, seeing)
Whoa...
(stopping)
Hi...
More ad lib hellos.
SAM
(holding out his hand)
Hi, I'm Sam.
JAKE
Jake Manning.
SAM
Manning?
LILY
He's my...
RICK
Ex.
JUDY
Jake's going to run the restaurant.
SAM
Oh. Huh. So, what do you say, we all get some lunch?
(then)
I'm kidding.
JUDY
(to jake)
Those resumes are in the kitchen.
JAKE
Thaks. Nice to see you... all.
And he's gone.
KAREN
Well, I have to get back.
(to Judy)
I'll look over these.
JUDY
Thanks.
KAREN
Good to see you, Sam.
SAM
Bye Karen.
And she's gone.
LILY
Well, that was a little uncomfortable.
RICK
It was excruciating.
SAM
(to Judy)
You know, this is clearly all your fault.
JUDY
I know. I'm the lynch pin.
SAM
It's six degrees of Judy Brooks.
Lily observes a glance exchanged between Sam and Judy.
LILY
(to Rick)
We should probably--
RICK
Yeah--
LILY
Do you-- either of you--or, both of you--want to join us?
JUDY
I'm -- way too busy.
SAM
I'm not, but I don't want to have lunch with a couple.
RICK
Okay, well, then let's meet at the office later.
SAM
You got it.
RICK
Okay.
SAM
All right.
LILY
Bye...
SAM
Bye...
JUDY
Bye...
As they walk away, Lily glances back at Sam and Judy.
JUDY (CONT'D)
I think they were afraid to leave us alone. For some reason.
SAM
I think Lily really likes me. I can tell.
(eyeing some sketches)
What are these?
He moves to a table where some logos from Episode 302 are spread out.
JUDY
They're mock-ups. For my sign. What do you think? You can be honest.
SAM
They're awful.
JUDY
Don't sugar coat it.
SAM
No, seriously, Judy, this is really important. It's who you are. You know, it's your--
JUDY
I know. I'm a little lost with this-- I found this art student, he seemed really nice--
SAM
Cheap?
JUDY
Yeah.
SAM
Yeah. Well...
Sam bends to study the sketches in a different light. Judy watches him.
JUDY
Sam?
SAM
Yeah?
She can't say anything. He turns back to her.
SAM (CONT'D)
What?
JUDY
I forget. What I was going to say.
SAM
I do that. Lately.
JUDY
You do?
SAM
All the time.
JUDY
Well, I have to--
SAM
Yeah, me too--
They look at each other a beat, then Sam heads for the door. He's gone.
Judy takes a moment, and we:
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM--LATER
Auditions in progress. Grace watches, with others, from the audience.
AJAY LIEBERMAN, a junior boy, is on stage.
AJAY
(reading)
... Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history, is second
childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
A silence. ANGLE ON: Mr. Dimitri, squinting, thinking. Everyone waits.
MR. DIMITRI
Thank you, Ajay. Very nice.
AJAY
I can do it some other way.
MR. DIMITRI
(pouring coffee from a thermos)
No, I think your first instinct was very compelling. Who's next, Alexa?
ALEXA YAGODA, reigning senior diva, comes out of the shadows with a clipboard.
ALEXA
Grace Manning.
MR. DIMITRI
I know her.
Grace heads up to the stage.
GRACE
Hi.
MR. DIMITRI
Did you prepare anything?
GRACE
No. You said we shouldn't.
MR. DIMITRI
Are you sure? You didn't memorize Rosalind's epilogue?
GRACE
I read it a few times. Is that a crime?
MR. DIMITRI
In some countries, it is.
(then, after a beat)
My errand is to you, fair youth. My gentle Phoebe did bid me give you this...
Grace is confused. Mr. Dimitri hands her a piece of paper.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Act four, scene three.
(back into character)
I know not the contents, but as I guess by the stern brow and waspish action
which she did use as she was writing of it, it bears an angry tenor. Pardon me.
I am but a guiltless messenger.
GRACE
(with aplomb)
Patience herself would startle at this letter and play the swaggerer. Bear this,
bear all. She says I am not fair, that I lack manners. She calls me proud,
and that she could nto love me were man as rare as phoenix. 'Ode my will,
her love is not the hare that I do hunt? Why writes she so to me? Well,
shepherd, well, this is a letter of your own device.
MR. DIMITRI
No, I portest. I know not the contents. Phoebe did write it.
GRACE
Come, come, you are a fool, and turned into the extremity of love. I saw her
hand. She has a leathern hand, a freestone-colored hand. I verily did think
that her old gloves were on, but 'twas her hand-- but that's no matter. I say
she never did invent this letter. This is a man's invention, and his hand.
MR. DIMITRI
Fun! Thank you, Grace. Very nice. And thank you, everyone, for indulging
me. I know that my process may seem unorthodox for the Drama Club-- but,
I msy say, I am truly grateful that Miss Platt is on maternity leave.
I'm having the best time--
ALEXA
Mr. Dimitri?
MR. DIMITRI
Yes Alexa.
ALEXA
There's one more person. She signed up late.
MR. DIMITRI
Swell. Where is she?
ALEXA
(calling out)
Jessie Sammler?
This lands with Grace, who uickly looks to the back for the auditorium and sees Jessie.
CUT TO:
INT. RICK'S TRUCK--DAY
Rick and Lily eat sandwiches.
RICK
... I told Judy, you know, put in a skylight, it's cheaper...
LILY
Yours looks better than mine.
Rick takes Lily's sandwich and gives her his.
RICK
She's just not paying any attention to the budget.
LILY
Do you think they were trying to get rid of us?
RICK
Who? The sandwitch guys?
LILY
Sam and Judy. Do you think they're seeing each other again?
RICK
I-- I don't think so.
LILY
Why don't you think so?
RICK
I don't know. It just doesn't seem like they are.
LILY
I think they are.
RICK
How do you know?
LILY
I do. I can tell.
RICK
I spend more time with both of them than you do. I think I would notice something.
LILY
No you wouldn't.
RICK
Maybe I don't care, because it's not my business.
LILY
So you do think they are.
RICK
I didn't say that--
(off her look)
okay, there might have been a few indications, but it's hard to say...
LILY
What indications?
RICK
well, this one day, they were both naked-- I'm kidding. I don't know, there
have been some--glances that I've noticed, here and there, but--
LILY
That's that I thought! I knew it! I saw them looking at each other.
RICK
That doesn't necessarily mean anything.
LILY
How can you say that?
RICK
Because it's true.
LILY
Don't be stupid.
After a beat, Rick takes his sandwich back.
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM-- LATER
Jessie is on stage, auditioning.
JESSIE
(reading a little awkward)
... It is a pretty youth-- not very pretty-- But sure he's proud-- and yet his
pride become him...
Grace and Ajay sit in the audience, whispering.
AJAY
So, that's your half sister? Right?
GRACE
Step sister.
AJAY
Right. You are so going to get Rosalind.
GRACE
You think?
AJAY
It's between you and Cynthia McCormick.
Grace looks at him. Alexa shoots them a look. Back on:
JESSIE
...He'll make a proper man. The best thing in him is his complexion; and faster
than his tongue did make offense, his eye did heal it up.
MR. DIMITRI
Ha!
Jessie looks up. Mr. Dimitri is smiling. She keeps going. Grace is absorbed.
JESSIE
He is not very tall- yet for his years he's tall. His leg is but so- so--and yet 'tis
well. There was a pretty redness in his lip, a little riper and more lusty red
than that mixed in his cheek: 'twas just the difference betwixt the constant
red and migled damask--
MR. DIMITRI
Delicious!
(laughing, clapping, cutting her off)
Very good. So, that's it, Alexa?
ALEXA
Yes.
MR. DIMITRI
Oh, good! Nobody leave.
(to Jessie)
Stay right there.
(grabs some papers and runs on stage)
Okay, this is what I was thinking...
Everyone waits.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
... This is what I had in mind...
This is my idea.
(pauses, then)
We're going to sing. We're going to take this wonderful play and make
it a musical. How great is that?
He looks out on blank faces. He looks to Alexa; she shrugs.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
Okay. Well, trust me, it's at least really really good.
(passes out sheet music)
So, I hope everybody loves folk music as much as I do...
AJAY
Mr. Dimitri? Nobody told us we would have to sing.
MR. DIMITRI
I know. I'm telling you now.
GRACE
Do we have to sing today? Like, right now?
MR. DIMITRI
Yes. We're going to go backwards through the order.
(to Jessie)
You're first.
JESSIE
You want me to sing.
MR. DIMITRI
That's right.
JESSIE
I don't think I know any of these.
MR. DIMITRI
Sing anything.
JESSIE
Like what?
MR. DIMITRI
Like, anything. Buffalo Gals.
JESSIE
Buffalo Gals?
MR. DIMITRI
Yeah, you know...
(singing)
Buffalo gals won't you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out
tonight. Buffalo gals wn't you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon.
Everyone stares at him.
MR. DIMITRI (CONT'D)
No? Okay, you must know something.
A beat as everyone squirms.
JESSIE
(re:sheet music)
Um, I think, I guess, I kind of know this one.
MR. DIMITRI
(looking)
Perfect. Just do a little bit. Whatever you're comfortable with.
Jessie takes a moment, then:
JESSIE
(singing, "Five Hundred Miles")
If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone. You can hear
the whistle blow a hundred miles. A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a
hundred miles, a hundred miles. You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles...
A silence. Everyone is kind of unexpectedly blown away.
MR. DIMITRI
I love that. This is going to be so incredible.
A disgruntled CYNTHIA MCCORMICK raises her hand fervently.
CYNTHIA
Mr. Dimitri?
MR. DIMITRI
Yes. Cynthia.
CYNTHIA
I really have to say, I think this is totally unfair? That we have to do this, like this.
MR. DIMITRI
How would you like to do it?
CYNTHIA
Um...
GRACE
We should be given time to prepare. Because it's a little strange to assume that people
would be comfortable just singing-- like that.
MR. DIMITRI
So, you obviously feel strongly about this.
GRACE
Well...
(looking around)
I think we all do...
MR. DIMITRI
(absorbs, then)
Fair enough. I'm not a complete sadist. Okay. Those of you who are called back will be
required to sing one of those songs. And if you don't get called back, you should learn
these songs regardless-- for your own enrichment, if nothing else.
Off everyone, especially Grace and Jessie, we:
CUT TO:
INT. JUDY'S LOFT HALLWAY--NIGHT
Judy approachs her door. There is Sam, waiting for her, sketching.
JUDY
Sam?
SAM
Hi.
JUDY
I wasn't expecting you.
SAM
Which makes it all the more surprising.
JUDY
Good thing I didn't bring anyone home.
SAM
As you're apt to do.
JUDY
(unlocking her door)
What are you doing here?
SAM
(holds up sketchpad)
Um. This is for you.
JUDY
Oh my God.
In front of Judy is an incredibly beautiful sketch of a Booklover's cafe sign.
JUDY (CONT'D)
Sam. This is exactly-- This is perfect. Why did you do this?
SAM
I don't know. It behooved me?
JUDY
Well, it's --it's very sweet. Thank you.
SAM
You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.
JUDY
I do. It's ... inspired.
SAM
Well, you know, I didn't think you'd be here, I was just going to leave it. So--
JUDY
Really? Because it seemed like you were waiting for me.
SAM
Oh. Did it?
JUDY
Yes. It did.
SAM
That may be. Partially. True.
They look at each other. He kisses her. They kiss...
JUDY
Sam--
SAM
Yeah--
JUDY
What is this?
SAM
What?
JUDY
This. What are we doing?
SAM
I don't know.
And they fall into Judy's apartment.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. LILY AND RICK'S UPSTAIRS HALLWAY--MORNING
Lily, dressing for work, sticks her head out of her room--
LILY
(shouting off)
Whoever's going... Let's go...
Jessie appears.
JESSIE
I can't find my backpack.
ZOE
(appearing eating bacon)
It's on my bed.
Eli comes down from the attic, loaded down with personal belongings.
ELI
Jess, if you want me to help you move your stuff upstairs, let me know when.
JESSIE
How about after school?
ELI
I'm working.
JESSIE/ZOE
How about tonight?
ELI
Sure.
The girls go back in their bedroom. Lily pops her head out again.
LILY
(to Eli)
Thank you.
ELI
Sure.
Eli goes downstairs. Grace comes out of her room, "AS YOU LIKE IT" in hand.
GRACE
Are we going?
LILY
Two seconds.
(noticing the play)
Oh! I forgot. How did it go?
Lily heads back into her room to put on jewelry. Grace follows--
GRACE
Okay. I guess. They post call backs today.
LILY
I'm sure you did great.
GRACE
You know, Jessie auditioned, right?
LILY
(too excited)
She did? Nobody tells me anything!
GRACE
Well...
Jessie appears.
JESSIE
I'm ready.
LILY
So, Jessie, Grace told me you tried out.
JESSIE
Yeah.
(then, to Grace)
Did you look at any of those songs?
GRACE
Yeah, a little.
LILY
What songs? I thought you were doing Shakespeare.
GRACE
Mr. Dimitri had this idea-- he wants to use folk music in the play.
LILY
Oh! I think that's really cool. And that's perfect for you, Jessie, you have
such a beautiful voice...
Jessie smiles awkwardly. Zoe comes in with Jessie's "AS YOU LIKE IT".
ZOE
This was in the bathroom, did you want it?
JESSIE
Yeah, thanks.
Jessie and Zoe head out. Lily smiles at Grace. Grace doesn't smile back.
LILY
I'm just trying to encourage her. You know that...?
GRACE
Yeah, I know...
Grace leaves. Off Lily's look, we:
CUT TO:
INT, JUDY'S LOFT-- MORNING
Judy and Sam in bed. Judy rolls off of Sam.
JUDY
Oy vey.
SAM
Yeah.
They lie there a moment, spent.
SAM (CONT'D)
Do you think Jimmy Carter was a good president?
JUDY
(thinks about it, then)
I think he was, but I think he was = misunderstood. Do you like pancakes?
SAM
Why? Are you going to make some?
JUDY
No, but I can order some.
SAM
What times is it?
JUDY
I don't know. Do you have to go?
SAM
Well, don't you have to go to work?
JUDY
Eventually.
(then)
But, you're free to go, obviously.
SAM
Will you be mad if I go?
JUDY
Sam...,you know I'm undeniably attracted to you... And I can't help myself...
(he smiles big)
so, why can't we just have this--and enjoy...each other without making so much out of it?
You know? Because that's where we seem to get into trouble.
SAM
I completely agree.
JUDY
I mean, why can't we just -- do that?
SAM
I think we can. And we should.
JUDY
So do I.
SAM
So let's, do that, then.
JUDY
Okay...
SAM
All right.
Judy leans into Sam. They kiss. Sam's cell phone rings. He struggles to reach for it, answers.
SAM (CONT'D)
Whaaat?
INTERCUT WITH INT. RICK'S TRUCK
Rick has just pulled into a spot.
RICK
(into cell phone)
Where are you?
SAM
I'm on my way.
Judy's phone rings. She answers it.
JUDY
Hello?
INTERCUT WITH INT. LILY'S OFFICE
LILY
Good morning sleepy head.
JUDY
What is that supposed to mean?
RICK
On your way where?
SAM
Wherever you want me to go. Where are you?
LILY
Your voice sounds raspy.
JUDY
I have allergies
RICK
I'm just pulling into Judy's.
SAM
(alarmed)
Judy's house?
LILY
Did you want to have lunch?
JUDY
I'm not sure.
RICK
No. Phil's. Booklover's.
SAM
Oh.
LILY
Is someone there?
JUDY
No.
RICK
Are you at Judy's house?
SAM
No.
LILY
Well it sounds like somebody's there.
JUDY
Anything's possible.
RICK
You're at Judy's house.
SAM
Maybe.
Lily sighs.
JUDY
Don't --
Rick sighs.
SAM
Oh, don't do that.
LILY
What?
RICK
Do what?
JUDY
You sighed.
SAM
That --That judgemental breathing. It's really annoying.
JUDY
It's really annoying.
LILY
Fine.
RICK
Fine. I won't breathe.
LILY
Are you going to work today?
JUDY
Yes I am.
RICK
Are you going to the office today?
SAM
Yes. I plan on it.
JUDY
I have to go.
LILY
Me too.
RICK
Good.
SAM
Good.
They all hang up. Sam and Judy look at each other.
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA-- DAY
Lunchtime. A lot of the Drama Club eats together, including Grace, Ajay, and Cynthia.
GRACE
... I mean, Celia's a good role too. I'd be happy with anything --
CYNTHIA
Well, I know I'm screwed--
AJAY
Cynthia, I think you're overreacting.
CYNTHIA
Nevertheless, I have no singing ability.
GRACE
(delighted)
Oh, come on, you can carry a tune, can't you?
AJAY
It's like Mr. Dimitri is dismantling the entire Drama Club...
CYNTHIA
Not to mention he's a freaking lunatic.
Jessie appears with her tray.
JESSIE
Hey, Grace.
GRACE
Hey...
Cynthia makes room for Jessie, who sits down.
CYNTHIA
What's your name again?
JESSIE
Jessie.
CYNTHIA
Right. You were really good in your audition.
AJAY
You were. Your voice is amazing.
JESSIE
I don't think so.
GRACE
Have you guys looked at the lyrics to those songs he handed out? They're
all about death. Does that seem odd to anyone?
AJAY
That's because they were written in the olden days, when everything was
really depressing.
Alexa walks by; she has her clipboard and an apple.
CYNTHIA
Hi Alexa!
ALEXA
(turns to the group)
Callbacks will be posted at three- thirty. That's all I can tell you.
GRACE
That's fine. I love your sweater.
ALEXA
Thanks.
(she lookes at the group, notices Jessie)
Hi.
JESSIE
Hi...
Alexa walks off. Nervous, paranoid glances exchanged.
INT. PHIL'S/BOOKLOVER'S-- DAY
Judy, a little disheveled, makes her way through the maze of construction.
She finds Karen, waiting, holding a folder of contracts.
JUDY
Hi, Karen.
KAREN
(handing Judy the folder)
Hi. I was in the neighborhood.
JUDY
Thank you so much. This time I'm paying you. I insist.
KAREN
Good. Because I enclosed a bill.
(then)
Are you okay?
JUDY
Yeah. I'm --I woke up late. I mean, I didn't wake up late, I was up late.
I had a night. With someone.
KAREN
Oh?
JUDY
Yeah.
KAREN
(after a beat)
Are you going to tell me who?
JUDY
Well...
(then confidentially)
Sam Blue.
KAREN
Judy!
JUDY
What?
KAREN
I didn't know you and Sam were seeing each other.
JUDY
We're not. We're just -- we seem to have this incredible... connection, you know?
And I'm not completely sure what it is or what it might or where it's going--
KAREN
Oh. Well, Judy, that's --I guess I'm a little floored--
JUDY
Me too. But I'm just--going to live in the moment--with it--you know?
KAREN
I've heard about that, I've never actually tried it--
JUDY
I'm so glad I can talk to you. Sometimes I just can't tell Lily certain things-- she doesn't
want to hear it.
Karen strains to smile, and we:
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY--DAY
A crowd is gathered around the bulletin board. Grace pushes her way through to the
CALL BACK LIST. She inspects it closely, finding, next to the character of ROSALIND,
are three names: GRACE MANNING, CYNTHIA MCCORMICK, JESSIE SAMMLER.
Grace moves away from the board, absorbing this. She sees Jessie at the edge of the
crowd, being congratulated. They look at each other.
CUT TO:
INT. LILY AND RICK'S LIVING ROOM-- NIGHT
Rick and Lily eat take-out Chinese. Rick shovels food in his face and stares at the
television--ESPN--Judy comes in with a plate of food and sits down next to Lily.
JUDY
You've got all this food out there. Where is everyone?
LILY
They're all in their seperate rooms. And when they get hungry I imagine they'll venture
out to forage.
JUDY
Sorry I asked.
Grace comes down the stairs.
LILY
Grace, there's tons of food in the kitchen.
GRACE
I just want a spring roll.
LILY
Whatever.
(waits until Grace is gone, then)
Grace and Jessie are up for the same role in the school play.
JUDY
You're kidding. That's can't be good.
LILY
(let's change the subject)
No.
JUDY
(re: Rick and his television)
So, what's this about?
LILY
World's strongest man competition.
JUDY
They look like heavy boulders.
RICK
They're two tons.
SFX: DOORBELL
GRACE
(coming back through)
I'll get it.
Grace opens the door. It's Sam.
SAM
Hi. I'm Sam. Rick's friend.
GRACE
(calling off)
Rick, your friend is here!
Grace runs upstairs. Sam enters, carrying a Cubist looking thing.
RICK
Over here!
SAM
Ooo. World's strongest man.
LILY
Hi Sam.
SAM
Hello, Lily. Judith.
JUDY
Hi.
SAM
(to Rick)
Hey, I actually did some work today.
RICK
What did you do?
SAM
I made this.
RICK
What is it?
SAM
It's a prototype. For the light swtiches. For the Dreiser.
RICK
It's Cubist.
SAM
That's right.
(looking at Lily's plate)
That looks good.
LILY
It is. Help yourself, Sam. There's plenty in the kitchen.
SAM
Okay.
He looks around, no idea where the kitchen is.
JUDY
(leading him)
I'll show you.
Judy and Sam exit to the kitchen. Lily looks after them, then to Rick,
who's fixated on the television.
LILY
Rick.
RICK
What?
LILY
See.
RICK
What?
LILY
He came here on purpose.
RICK
Yeah, he came to bring he this.
LILY
He knew she was here.
RICK
Maybe.
LILY
Go see what they are doing.
RICK
No.
(then, off her look)
I know what they're doing. They're getting food.
They look at each other.
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN--SAME
Sam and Judy are in extremely close proximity, clearly about to kiss. Rick and Lily
walk in with their empty plates.
LILY
Sam, did you find everything you wanted?
Now caught, Sam and Judy break from each other.
SAM
Uh, yeah, thanks.
LILY
Good. Let me know when your ready for dessert.
Lily exits. Rick gives Sam a look, grabs some wine and follows after Lily.
FADE OUT
END OUT ACT TWO
ACT THREE
LILY AND RICK'S BEDROOM--NIGHT
Rick and Lily in bed. Lily is reading "NICKEL AND DIMES" Rick is engrossed in the
late night Oprah rerun with Dr.Phil.
RICK
I think this lady's too hard on her husband. He should be able to have a donut once
in a while.
LILY
(puts down her book)
What do you think they were going to do?
RICK
Who?
LILY
Sam and Judy. Were they just going to do it right there on my butcher block?
RICK
Our butcher block.
LILY
She's just trying to provoke me.
RICK
There's no question.
LILY
I really liked Will Gluck.
RICK
That's because you really liked Will Gluck.
LILY
It's not that I don't like Sam. It just seems like a bad idea. Don't you think?
RICK
I don't want to be involved.
LILY
I know, I'm sorry.
RICK
I mean, in some ways I think they could be good for each other, but ultimately I
think they'll destroy each other.
LILY
If I know Judy, she'll be devastated and I'll have to pick up the pieces.
RICK
And if I know Sam, he'll rebound with a twenty-three year old.
(off her look)
I'm just kidding. That's not him. Maybe it's him. I don't want to be involved.
CUT TO:
INT. JUDY'S LOFT--NIGHT
Sam and Judy make mad, and passionate love-- all over the place. The phone
rings. The machine picks up.
KAREN
(on machine)
Hey, Judy, it's Karen. I thought we were meeting for drinks. Maybe I misunderstood.
Okay, well, anyway, call me...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JUDY'S LOFT--LATER
Sam and Judy, now post-coital...
SAM
Did you see Rick's face when they walked into the kitchen?
JUDY
No, but I saw Lily's eyes narrow into two little disparaging slits.
SAM
Oh yeah, I saw that.
(then)
Could you hand me my underwear?
She pulls his boxers off a lamp and hands them to him.
SAM
Thanks.
He starts to get dressed.
JUDY
Are you hungry?
SAM
Do you have food?
JUDY
No.
SAM
That's okay, I have to go.
JUDY
Oh. Okay.
SAM
(sensing)
What?
JUDY
(beat)
I don't want you to go.
SAM
Judy.
(she looks away)
Hey, Jude.
(nudging her)
Penny Lane. Whatever your name is.
She smirks.
JUDY
(mustering)
It's okay. I know you have to go sometimes.
They look at each other. There is something not being said. They kiss. He puts
his jacket on and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. LILY AND RICK'S KITCHEN-- MORNING
Lily and Zoe are eating pop tarts.
LILY
Well, what about ice skating?
ZOE
No.
LILY
Do you want to go to the mall?
ZOE
No. I really want to arrange my room now that I have it back.
Rick and Eli enter, they jam whatever food they can find in their mouths
and put on their jackets.
LILY
Hey, what are guys doing toady?
RICK
Home Depot.
ELI
I need some shelves.
RICK
Wanna come?
LILY
Not unless I get desperate.
Jessie enters.
RICK
Hey, how's your new room?
LILY
Did you sleep okay?
JESSIE
There are some weird noises up there.
ELI
That's the ghost. Don't worry, he's pretty friendly, unless you provoke him.
JESSIE
Stop it, that's not funny.
GRACE
(entering)
What's not funny?
ZOE
There's a ghost in the attic.
ELI
His name is Fred.
RICK
