My second screenplay which is still making the rounds, a comedy about a sixtyish actress.
EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE THE BAR – NIGHT
An hour later. Alice and Jimmy are walking to Kate’s car.
JIMMY
Alice, I swear I was going to tell you.
ALICE
Tell me what?
JIMMY
It just didn’t seem so important.
ALICE
Is this about your book? Oh, don’t worry about it.
JIMMY
I am worried. I’m worried you’re going to get the wrong impression. Look, I will admit to a little sensation-mongering to get the book out there. But my book, really, my book is a group portrait of all the formidable women in my life and not, as you might think, some sort of spermatic tabulation. It is a celebration of life, of love, of taking chances with your heart. I take it very seriously.
They stop in front of the car.
ALICE
I don’t care. It’s not my business.
JIMMY
I guess it’s not.
ALICE
No, it’s not. You say you’re “colleagues” with Kate—
JIMMY
Well we are.
ALICE
And so are we. So please don’t put me in this position. Please don’t.
JIMMY
What position?
ALICE
The position where I have to say I don’t care about what you write or who you write about or why.
JIMMY
Why shouldn’t you care? Because you think it’s a tell-all about cheap casual sex?
ALICE
Well, is it?
JIMMY
No, it’s about love.
ALICE
With that title?
JIMMY
It’s a rotten title, granted. I was trying to be intriguing, sell a few copies. Come on, you’re not a prude.
ALICE
You’re missing the point. Women of my generation—
JIMMY
Oh, women of your generation—
ALICE
Women of my generation considered sex a private personal thing. Which probably means we’re out of sync with the rest of the world—
JIMMY
It means you’re a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. I know I don’t think like the usual guy. I think a man should fall in love with every woman before he goes to bed with her. Take her whole being into account. That’s the theme of my book. It’s been the joy of my life.
ALICE
There are rehab centers for that kind of joy, sonny.
JIMMY
Look, I will admit it. I will admit that the variety of my relationships has pretty much consumed my time and I’m the first to say it, I’m not getting any younger. And don’t you say what you’re about to say.
ALICE
What?
JIMMY
That I’m young enough to be your son.
ALICE
Well you are!
JIMMY
An empty cliché. That means nothing and you know it. Because deep in your heart you know you’re just trying to find any excuse not to deal with what’s happening between us.
ALICE
I refuse to continue this conversation.
JIMMY
I suppose you’re going to want to take the bus home now.
Alice looks up and down the dark street.
ALICE
No, give me a ride.
JIMMY
Fine.
They open their doors.
ALICE
I may be crazy but I’m no fool.
