Life as a House Page #8

NURSE:

What would you do?

GEORGE:

I'd build a house.

George takes another spoonful of food.

NURSE:

What kind of house?

GEORGE:

You know what mortise and tenon is?

The nurse shakes her head "no".

GEORGE (CONT'D)

I've got every part of it ready. It's

like a jig saw puzzle...all in pieces

now, just waiting to make sense. I've

been through design and review...the

planning commission, city council.

She feeds George another small spoonful of food.

NURSE:

No one's really said four months is all

you have, have they?

GEORGE:

Stage four pancreatic cancer. They

haven't even pretended to offer

treatment. You tell me, when would you

start eating red meat?

NURSE:

Can you build a house in four months?

GEORGE:

I can die trying.

The nurse rests her hand for a moment on George's cheek.

NURSE:

Good for you.

GEORGE:

I haven't been touched in years.

Suddenly alarmed by her emotion, the nurse removes her hand

and stands back away from George.

NURSE:

I'm sorry, I don't know what that was.

GEORGE:

A handshake, or you know, someone pats

you on your back through clothes.

Doctors, people who have to touch you.

But not by people who want to.

NURSE:

No. A friend... your mother? Everybody

gets touched by someone they love.

GEORGE:

Isn't that weird? I mean, I dated a

little bit after my divorce, for four or

five years. Six years. I know when my

son was younger...maybe when he was ten

or eleven even, he'd run up and wrap his

arms around me.

George suddenly stops to catch his emotion. The nurse checks

the door before walking back to George; she brushes back his

hair with both hands, then fingers the curves of his ears,

finally resting her thumbs on his lips.

NURSE:

Oh God, I'm married.

Feeling guilty, she flees the room, waking the other PATIENT.

PATIENT:

I'm hungry.

GEORGE:

I'm touched.

EXT. SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO TRAIN STATION - AFTERNOON

George is resting, eyes closed, sitting on a bench with his

box and the remnants of the model beside him. A black Range

Rover pulls to a stop with a HONK. George stands to gather

his things as Robin steps out of the car, yelling.

ROBIN:

I called everyone, everywhere! You just

vanished! You could be dead!

GEORGE:

Thanks for waking me up. Picking me up.

You're loud today.

ROBIN:

You're inconsiderate and absolutely

devoid of emotion!

GEORGE:

You're the most beautiful woman I have

ever known in my life.

Robin is stumped for a second, confused by the words.

ROBIN:

What?

GEORGE:

I'm not talking just physically. Even

your anger is perfect.

Robin climbs back in the car and slams her door shut.

INT. ROBIN'S RANGE ROVER - AFTERNOON

George sets his box in back and climbs into the front seat as

Robin takes off. He closes his door as she runs a stoplight.

GEORGE:

I didn't think you'd know I went missing.

ROBIN:

You didn't think someone from your office

would call and tell me you wrecked the

entire building and threatened people

with a baseball bat?!

GEORGE:

A blueprint spool.

ROBIN:

Where have you been for a week?!

GEORGE:

Four days. I left to think.

ROBIN:

What did you do with your dog?

GEORGE:

Kurt's been feeding him.

ROBIN:

But you can't call me while you think?

GEORGE:

I wasn't thinking. Look, I'm sorry I

didn't think to call you while I

thought...I think.

George raises his eyebrows, wanting just the slightest give

from Robin. She glances at him, but won't yield.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

I need to talk to you.

ROBIN:

Why would they tow your truck?

GEORGE:

I was parked in day parking.

ROBIN:

Why call me?

GEORGE:

I'm going to tear down the shack and

build my house.

ROBIN:

You've been saying that for twenty years.

While we were dating, you said it.

GEORGE:

There's nothing anymore to stop me.

ROBIN:

Money?

GEORGE:

Severance pay. And I'm going to cash in

my life insurance policy.

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