Lane Sarasohn - Sample Writings

SCENE IN A RESTAURANT

Written for "Not Necessarily the News"
(Moffitt-Lee Productions, HBO)

UP ON: MALE CAST MEMBER AND FEMALE CAST MEMBER ARE FINISHING UP AN ELEGANT MEAL AT A FANCY RESTAURANT. EVERYONE IS VERY WELL DRESSED
EDWARD
Everything was delicious, wasn't it?
LOUISE
Ummm. I enjoyed the company, too.
HE TOASTS HER WITH HIS WINE GLASS AND TAKES A SIP
LOUISE (CONT'D)
So, what was the "special occasion" that
warranted coming to Emilio's in the middle of
the week?
EDWARD
           (SUDDENLY SERIOUS)
Well, actually, it's not a very happy occasion.
I... I wanted to have one last nice meal with
you tonight, because -- I'm leaving.
LOUISE
You're leaving?!!
EVERYONE IN THE RESTAURANT LOOKS AT THEM BECAUSE OF LOUISE'S OUTBURST. EDWARD TRIES TO QUIET HER DOWN
EDWARD
Shhh. Shhh. I've met someone new. I love her
very much.
LOUISE IS SPEECHLESS, EDWARD CONTINUES
It's been going on for months now. I've
wanted to tell you, but, I just...
LOUISE LETS OUT A LOUD WAIL
LOUISE
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
EDWARD
Louise, please.
LOUISE
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
BY NOW, EVERYONE IN THE PLACE IS ALARMED. LOUISE STAGGERS TO HER FEET AND STAGGERS TO A NEARBY TABLE
LOUISE (CONT'D)
He's leaving me! The bastard's leaving me!
Eight years we've been married. Eight years!
EDWARD
Louise...
THE MAITRE D' COMES OVER TO TRY TO GET LOUISE AWAY FROM THE STRANGERS' TABLE
MAITRE D'
Please, Madame...
LOUISE TEARS FREE FROM THE MAITRE D' AND RUSHES TO ANOTHER TABLE
LOUISE
I've cooked for him. I've cleaned up after
him. You ought to see the way he leaves the
bathroom!
EDWARD APPROACHES LOUISE
EDWARD
Louise...
LOUISE
Don't touch me! I don't want anyone to touch
me. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
SHE BURIES HER HEAD IN THE STRANGER'S SHOULDER. THE MAITRE D' AND THE WAITER TRY TO PULL HER OFF
MAITRE D'
Madame, you'll really have to come with us.
EDWARD PULLS THE WAITER AWAY. LOUISE IS KICKING AT THE MAITRE D'
EDWARD
Leave her alone. Take your hands off my
wife!
THEY FALL TO THE FLOOR AND START WRESTLING
LOUISE
I took care of him when he was sick! He had
an intestinal virus that lasted for months! Now
he's leaving me for a younger woman.
EDWARD
           (FROM THE FLOOR)
Joanne isn't younger than you.
THE MAITRE D' AND A COOK HAVE LIFTED LOUISE OFF THE STRANGER'S LAP AND ARE CARRYING HER OUT
LOUISE
Joanne! It's Joanne?! That whore! That
perfect total slut! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
CUT TO: OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT AS EDWARD AND LOUISE ARE FORCIBLY EJECTED AND END UP ON THE SIDEWALK. SHE'S STILL HOWLING
LOUISE
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
EDWARD
Louise, c'mon, take it easy.
WHEN THE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES ARE ALL BACK INSIDE THE RESTAURANT LOUISE STOPS. EDWARD DUSTS HIMSELF OFF AND HELPS HER UP
EDWARD
That was good, Hon, very good.
LOUISE
Thanks. You weren't bad yourself.
EDWARD
Bet we saved over sixty bucks.
THEY START DOWN THE STREET ARM-IN-ARM
LOUISE
Ummm. Where shall we eat tomorrow night?
EDWARD
How about that new Indian place out by the
Marina. I hear the food's good, a nice quiet
atmosphere...
FADE OUT.