Scene 15 - At the Hotel

(Darkness. Slight outline of door. We hear a fumbling at the lock. Door opens into room Someone comes in (Bruce), closes door. We hear footsteps, see silhouette of Bruce against window. He takes off his shirt. Camera see the outlines of this motion. There is a click, a light comes on and we see Bruce standing in the middle of the floor without his shirt, about to take off his pants. He jumps.)

Bruce: Jesus Christ, Carol!

(We see Carol sitting in chair, quietly.) It's 10 o'clock.

Bruce: (Picks up his shirt from the floor) So?

Carol: So we have a game tomorrow.

Bruce: (Begins putting his shirt back on) I'm still trying to follow you.

Carol: So don't you think it's a little inconsiderate for you to keep one of the girls out so late when she has a game at eight tomorrow morning?

Bruce: (Folding shirt) Oh, I think she'll get to sleep, all that wine she had at dinner. When did you get in, anyway?

Carol: Nine.

Bruce: So what's the big deal?

Carol: What's this about Mary drinking wine?

Bruce: (Unfolds shirt. Decides to put it on after all.) Just a joke.

Carol: Well, it's not a very good joke. Bruce, she is only twelve years old.

Bruce: Thirteen. And don't pretend you care so much about her well being, Carol.

Carol: What?

Bruce: (Still putting on shirt) I was only kidding about the wine.

Carol: Well, I would hope so.

Bruce: (His head comes out of T-shirt he has been putting on, nervously. He looks kind of like a turtle.) What are you, my mother? And what are you doing in my room, anyway? (Turns to dresser while taking off his watch.)

Carol: (Stands up. Walks toward Bruce.) You could use a mother. Maybe she'd talk some sense into you.

Bruce: (Whips around. He's angry.) Would you get off my case, Woman?

(Medium shot. Bruce and Carol are an arm's length apart. Bruce is clenching his fist like he were holding a whip. Carol's stance is closed, guarded. They pause in this position.)

Bruce: Just like old times, huh?

Carol: Yes, like old times. And you still hate me.

Bruce: (His expression softens.) Oh, I don't hate you, and you know it.

Carol: Oh? And how would I know this? You screw me. You leave me...

(Bruce smiles, incredulous.)

Carol: (Continues) Then you simply ignore me and marry my friend. My best friend, Bruce. My best friend. And Lord knows what you're getting yourself into now.

Bruce: Lord knows.

Carol: Don't make fun of me.

Bruce: (More serious now) First off, I didn't screw you and leave you for Dianna. Sounds like a bunch of farm animals or something. There was something very special between you and me, and you know it. And we had already broken things off before you even introduced me to Dianna.

Carol: You broke things off.

Bruce: But you'd have to agree it wasn't working out so well.

Carol: Yeah, so what's your problem?

Bruce: Problem?

Carol: Yeah, problem. Things change, Bruce. People change. Or do I have to spell it out for you? I do have a little self respect, you know.

Bruce: Come on, Carol. (Pause) You were there. Things... our relationship... it's just so, so complicated. But you know how I felt about you. It's not that I'm not attracted to you, or don't like being around you. We work together, for Christ's sake. Come on. We've had this conversation a dozen times before.

Carol: No we haven't, Bruce. You must've had it with my evil twin.

Bruce: Ooh, that's a scary concept...

Carol: Shut up. (Continues) This is the first time you've ever given me the respect to tell me anything. To tell me what's going on. What you're thinking about. Unlike some people I can't read your mind. Why can't you just be clear? Try telling somebody the truth for a change.

Bruce: Well, it's not necessarily such a great thing to be brutally honest all the time...

Carol: What's that supposed to mean?

Bruce: Sometimes knowing the truth doesn't gain you much. And what you lose you might never recover.

Carol: (Pause) So what are you trying to tell me? What don't I know now that if I knew would hurt me?

Bruce: (Pause) Nothing. I guess I'm just trying to make conversation. (They hold this close position for a spell. Abruptly, Bruce walks past Carol toward the night stand. He sits on the bed.)

Bruce: Can I have some of your wine?

(Carol looks skyward in exasperation.)

Carol: Knock yourself out.

Bruce: (Settling down on bed, pours himself some of the wine that is beside him on the night stand. He uses the same glass that Carol has apparently been drinking from. He takes a sip.) Did you get my note? At the amusement park?

Carol: Yes, I got your note.

Bruce: Well, were you amused?

Carol: It was a big responsibility me and Rosella chaperoning all those girls, y'know.

Bruce: I know, but we really couldn't get in. Mary cried her little eyes out, too. It was a scene. You should have seen it.

Carol: Yeah, I bet it was a scene, Bruce. I hope you're not encouraging her. (Carol walks toward the bed. She stops at the foot.)

Bruce: What's that supposed to mean? (Bruce looks at the glass of wine, holding it up to the light.)

Carol: I've got eyes. It's obvious she has quite a crush on you. (Pause. Carol looks at Bruce for a spell.) Lots of love in that angel, Huh?

Bruce: What?

Carol: I was just trying to be witty. I'm surprised you didn't get it. (Pause. A looks of awareness creeps onto Carol's face.) Have you gotten it?

Bruce: She's a sweet girl.

Carol: She's a child, Bruce.

Bruce: So, she's a child, Carol. And do you mean to tell me that you're not?

Carol: I'll smack your teeth in, Mister.

Bruce: (Laughs) Your expressions. They're so violent.

Carol: (Smiling) So why don't you lay off the young ones and cultivate an adult interest in normal women?

Bruce: And you call yourself normal?

Carol: (Her smile fades.) You always try to hurt me, you and your comments. At least I'm honest when I threaten to hit you, to smack your teeth in. (Pause) And you're trying to tell me you never felt like strangling me? Why, I remember once upon a time...

Bruce: (Quickly changes the subject) What are you doing in my room, anyway?

Carol: (Walks closer to Bruce. By now she's standing right in front of him.) This is my room. Your room is next door. (Nods) I switched since this one had a TV, and you didn't seem to care enough to be around when we checked in. They gave you the wrong key. So what are you doing in my room, Mister?

(Carol is standing directly in front of Bruce, looking down at him. Bruce is looking up at Carol, somewhat intimidated.)

Bruce: You change at night.

Carol: (Looking down at her nightgown) Of course I change.

Bruce: No, that's not what I mean. Your persona is so different in the evening than when you play the coach, the teacher.

Carol: It's hard to be oneself when you're surrounded by children. (Quick cut to girl's room. All hell is breaking loose. Girls are pillow fighting, jumping on the bead. Heavy shadows, in motion, in this shot. Girls are euphoric, not the least bit tired.)

Bruce: Those girls aren't children.

(Back to girl's room. Girls are taking turns jumping onto one bed, using it as a trampoline. They are bouncing from one bed to the other.)

(Close up of Mary as she prepares to jump)

Mary: (Using Southern accent) Ladies and gentlemen, we are cleared for landing at SFO. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts until the pilot has indicated that is is safe to move around the cabin. Please ensure that all seat backs and tray tables are in their locked and upright positions and that all articles are stowed away in the overhead bins or beneath your seat. We shall arrive at the gate at San Francisco International Airport terminal A within five minutes. (Mary then opens her arms and falls face first to the bed. She spins around before hitting the bed to land on her back, smiling widely. Girls are looking at her, smiling, curious as to why she's acting especially quirky tonight.)

(Back to Carl's room)

Carol: I'm no child, either.

Bruce: You've got a good memory.

Carol: Bruce. This is my room. What we had was good. You ran away. You figure it all out. Meanwhile, I'm going to bed. (She walks to the bathroom, then walks back out holding her hairbrush. She stand in the middle of the floor looking at Bruce, who is still sitting on the bed, blinking.)

(Bruce collects himself for a spell, then stands up.)

Bruce: (Walks toward Carol) Look, Carol. (Then to himself) This is pathetic. Listen, Carol, I...I always feel like I'm being mean to you. I guess that's always been part of the problem. I don't mean to be. I don't feel like that. But when we get around each other, like this, I guess we bring out the worst in each other. I don't know. I guess life needn't be so complicated.

(They are very close in position. This illumination is overhead.)

Carol: Bruce, why don't you just shut up and hold me for a while?

(Pause. they embrace in the middle of the room for an extended time, first a little guardedly. Close up of Carol's face, eyes closed. Close up of Bruce's face as he closes his eyes, hugs Carol a little more intimately. They hold this position for a spell.)

Carol: Do you remember the first time?

Bruce: Yes.

Carol: (In a quiet, reciting voice) From out of the blue, full lips of earthly grace. I say these words: Drop down, see me a while, knowing since the first time...

Bruce: (Swallows) You remember that?

Carol: We were like animals. (Pause) It wasn't very subtle, was it?

(Bruce chuckles.)

Carol: In the school, even. (She peers up at Bruce.) I know what makes you tick, Mister. Tell me I'm lying. (They hold this position a spell longer.)

(There is a knock on the door. Close up of Carol opening her eyes. Neither Bruce nor Carol move. There's a second knock. Medium shot of Bruce and Carol, still in embrace.)

Carol: Who's that?

Bruce: I dunno. It's your room, remember?

(Slowly, Carol release her embrace of Bruce and moves to answer.)

(Carol walks to door and looks in peephole.)

Carol: That little shit. (She unlocks door and begins to open it.)

(Door opening from hallway. We see Mary's back as Carol opens the door.)

(From Carol's perspective. Camera shows Mary's shocked, amused expression due to Carol opening what Mary believed to be Bruce's door.)

Carol: Yes?

(Mary lifts her hand. She is holding Bruce's car keys in them. Mary drops them into Carol's hand with a contrite smile. She turns, walks away.)

(Carol standing at doorway, looking at keys in her hand. The door is still open.)

(Bruce comes up, takes keys out of Carol's open hand. She casts him a suspicious glance.)

Bruce: I let her drive.

Carol: (Too amused to be really mad) Oh, Bruce...

Bruce: (More seriously) I'd best get to my room. I've got to get some sleep. Think about things.

Carol: What things?

Bruce: It's getting late.

(Bruce kisses Carol on the temple. They share a light embrace. She looks up at him.)

(They hold this position for a short spell, in the vestibule. Carol finally moves out of the way of the door to allow Bruce to pass.)

(Door opens from outside. Bruce steps out.)

Bruce: I'll see you tomorrow morning then, K?

Carol: (Searches his face, a little suspiciously) Suit yourself.

(Bruce walks out into hallway, past camera. Carol's eyes hang on his motion for a spell, then she begins to close the door. Fade begins, ends before door closes.)