Crimes and Misdemeanors Page #2

Me, too. I love this town.

Out there it's such a Mickey Mouse

environment. I'm not interested.

- That's why I'm in this week.

- Hello, Lester.

I wanna talk to you. Don't go away.

A bunch of us are getting together

to build major studio space

for production right here in the city.

In fact... I'm sorry.

Just give me one second.

Idea for series:

A wealthy builder always trying to realise

grandiose dreams a la Donald Trump.

- To be shot in New York.

- Look who's here.

This is my brother Ben.

Ben. Carol. Come here.

Hi, Cliff.

- How are your eyes?

- Not so good. It's not so optimistic.

- You're kidding.

- I've been seeing Dr Rosenthal.

Lester, I'm sorry. Don't you

want to talk to Clifford?

Yeah. Step into my office.

- Hi. I'm Lisa.

- Hi. We didn't meet. I'm sorry.

So, are you in TV, too?

No. No, I'm a rabbi.

You don't have to wear

an outfit or anything?

Public television wants

to do a documentary on me.

Follow me around,

the way I talk, the way I think.

It's part of their Creative Mind series.

So... I told them about you.

Thank you. But I'm workin'

on a thing of my own. A little film.

Yeah, Wendy told me. A film about some

philosophy professor, which is admirable.

But I'm offering you the chance to earn

decent money and reach a big audience.

The last thing you need

is for me to be your biographer.

I make these little films

on toxic waste and starving children...

Look, I'll be frank with you.

You're not my first choice.

I'm doing this for Wendy. She says

you haven't worked in a long time.

I've worked. It's just that

nobody's paying me.

Look, I know you don't respect what I do.

But I've got a closet full of Emmys.

OK, you think that's bullshit. Fine.

I understand.

I don't know. Maybe I could

use the money to finish my movie.

I do have some debts and things.

Idea for farce:

A poor loser agrees to do

the story of a great man's life

and in the process

comes to learn deep values.

- What are you doing in Boston?

- I'm lecturing at a symposium.

Incidentally, my name's Dolores.

- Hello, Dolores.

- Hello.

- Pretty name.

- Thank you very much.

- Do you go to Boston often?

- Not very often, no.

- I don't know anyone in Boston, actually.

- Really?

- Good morning.

- Hi. Miss Paley called. Said it was urgent.

Why did you phone me?

I told you I'd call you.

I couldn't help it.

I was going out of my skin.

I have to see you later. I have to.

OK.

After work is OK.

I see it.

Yeah. I see it.

Oh, God.

What?

I need to take a minute.

What's wrong, Judah?

I'm in such trouble, Ben.

What is it?

I need to talk to someone.

Sure.

We've known each other many years.

You're a religious man. OK, I'm not.

We've differed on many points,

but you're somebody I do respect.

- May I confide in you?

- Of course.

Go ahead. Everything's confidential.

I've done a foolish thing.

Senseless, vain, dumb.

Another woman.

Maybe I was flattered, vulnerable.

Maybe because she was

helpless and alone.

Now my life's about to go up in smoke.

- Can't you break it off?

- The woman won't allow it.

She's young. She's very unstable.

She's an hysteric.

And vindictive.

And it's my fault.

I instigated it. I prolonged it.

Many times I tried to back off

but I was too weak.

But I promised her nothing.

Or did I?

See, I don't even know any more.

In the heat of passion, you say things.

But, after two years of

shameful deceit in this double life,

I awakened as if from a dream

and realised what I'd be losing.

It's called wisdom.

It comes to some suddenly.

We realise the difference between

what's real and deep and lasting

versus the superficial

payoff of the moment.

You know, I kidded myself about

loving her but deep down I knew.

And knowing, I behaved selfishly.

For pleasure, for adventure, for lust.

Sometimes, when there's real love

and true acknowledgement of a mistake,

there can be forgiveness, too.

I know Miriam.

Her values, her feelings. Our place

among our friends and colleagues.

But what choice do you have

if the woman is going to tell her?

You have to confess the wrong

and hope for understanding.

Maybe Miriam was responsible

in some ways, too.

You have to discuss it

and hope for the best.

Maybe you can never

go back to the old life,

but maybe there's a new one with

maturity and understanding. Maybe...

Maybe even a richer one.

You know what's funny?

Our entire adult lives,

you and I have been having this same

conversation in one form or another.

It's a fundamental difference

in the way we view the world.

You see it as harsh and

empty of values and pitiless,

and I couldn't go on living

if I didn't feel with all my heart

a moral structure with real meaning and

forgiveness,

and some kind of higher power.

Otherwise there's no basis

to know how to live.

And I know you well enough to know that

the spark of that notion is inside you, too.

Now you're talkin' to me

like your congregation.

It's true. We went from a small infidelity

to the meaning of existence.

Miriam won't think two years of scheming

and dishonesty is a... is a small infidelity.

How can you do it? I give up.

God, you're in such wonderful shape.

- For a man my age?

- For any age.

- I was quite athletic as a young student.

- You still make love like a young student.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

You know, I don't think

we should do this here.

- Why not? We're all alone.

- I don't know. I feel a little self-conscious.

Let's go back to the cottage and light

a fire. You can play me the Schumann.

Schubert. Schumann is flowery.

Schubert is...

He reminds me of you. The sad one.

Schubert. God, you have to teach me all

that. I'm so ignorant in classical music.

I'll teach you.

Someday we'll have a lot of time.

Would you like a drink?

Yeah. Fix me whatever you're having.

Why'd you call the house last night

and hang up, Del?

I'm not playing games, Judah.

Just because you've decided we're

through doesn't mean I'll roll over and die.

What the hell happened to us? I mean...

We had a wonderful few years.

We both knew it couldn't go on for ever.

- I gave up things for you.

- Come on. That's poppycock.

Don't give me that, will ya?

For God's sakes.

There were no business opportunities.

It's all in your head.

No lovers beggin' for your hand.

I prevented nothing. I...

Can we not argue? I just wanted to talk.

I'm just so rattled.

I had an idea.

I thought if we could get away, just

for a little while, on one of our trips.

Our trips are

the warmest memories I have.

Not just in our relationship, but

some of the loveliest times I've ever had.

You're always so much more relaxed

away from home.

You come to life.

Your whole face changes.

I thought if we could just get away

to Boston or Washington,

- just without any preconceived notions.

- I can't go away, Del.

- Just a weekend.

- I can't, Del.

- Why not?

- I can't.

- You won't.

- Of course I won't. Right.

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