Moonstruck Page #2

A long white box is being filled with red roses. We HEAR the

FLORIST'S VOICE.

FLORIST'S VOICE

Red roses. Very romantic. The man

who sends these knows what he's doing.

Now WE SEE Loretta tabulating and the Florist working on the

box of roses.

LORETTA:

The man who sends those spends a lot

of money on something that ends up

in the garbage can.

The Florist gives her a look and then smiles.

FLORIST:

I'm glad everybody ain't like you,

Loretta. I'd be outta business.

LORETTA:

Without me, you'd be out of business.

I like flowers.

She gives him a sudden, brief, blinding smile. It's the first

time we've seen her smile. She has gold work around one of

her two front teeth. The Florist grunts and hands her a red

rose. Camera moves close to Loretta and the rose.

END OF CREDITS:

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE GRAND TICINO - AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT

A red neon sign hangs in the window.

It's a quaint downstairs restaurant in Greenwich Village. A

YOUNG COUPLE stop, look at the menu, become more interested

in each other, kiss, and decide to go in.

INT. THE GRAND TICINO - NIGHT

White tablecloths and dark green walls, a tiny bar up by the

door. The WAITERS all look a little alike. That's because

they're all related. The place is about half full, and bustles

along pleasantly.

MUSIC:

A VIOLIN PLAYS a melancholy Neapolitan air.

MR. JOHNNY and Loretta sit at a table for two talking quietly.

They have their menus and glasses of red wine. Mr. Johnny is

Italian, around 42. His wavy salt-and pepper hair is

impeccably combed back; but there is so much that it threatens

to fall forward someday and engulf his face. He is wearing a

pinky ring, a dark suit, a gold watch, and, on his face, a

mustache and a look of incredible seriousness. Loretta is

Italian, 37. Her black hair, done in a dated style, is flecked

with grey. She is wearing a dark blouse, black skirt, and

high heels. One of her teeth is framed with gold work.

Mr. Johnny is really timid of life, an overgrown boy, who

hides these qualities behind a veil of dignity.

Loretta is tough and efficient, loyal and watchful; she

watches out for Mr. Johnny, and defends him against life.

BOBO, an Old World Italian waiter, comes over to take their

order.

BOBO:

Are you ready?

MR. JOHNNY

Hello, Bobo. How are you tonight?

BOBO:

Very good, Mr. Johnny.

MR. JOHNNY

We will both have the Salad Ticino.

BOBO:

Uh-huh

MR. JOHNNY

And I'll have the special fish.

LORETTA:

You don't want the fish.

MR. JOHNNY

No?

LORETTA:

It's the oily fish tonight. Not before

the plane ride.

MR. JOHNNY

Maybe you're right.

LORETTA:

Give him the manicotta, Bobo. Me,

too.

BOBO:

Yes, Miss Loretta.

LORETTA:

(to Mr. Johnny)

That will give you a base. For your

stomach. You eat that oily fish, you

go up in the air, halfway to Sicily

you'll be green and your hands will

be sweating.

MR. JOHNNY

(smiles)

You look after me.

They HEAR a distinguished MAN'S VOICE rise out of the babble.

They turn and look. The man's name is PERRY.

PERRY AND PATRICIA FROM LORETTA'S POV

Perry is a university professor. PATRICIA is his

girlfriend/student. He's in his 50's. She's about 25 years

younger. She's getting her coat on in a huff.

PERRY:

Patricia, please don't go!

PATRICIA:

What do you think I am, a talking

dog?

PERRY:

I was just making a point about the

way you said... the way you stated

your aspirations.

PATRICIA:

You can kiss my aspirations!

Professor!

She storms out, leaving Perry muttering to himself.

PERRY:

Kiss my aspirations. Oh, very clever.

The height of cleverness. Waiter!

An abnormally SHY WAITER stops.

SHY WAITER:

Yes?

PERRY:

Could you do away with her dinner,

and any evidence of her, and bring

me an big glass of vodka?

SHY WAITER:

But absolutely!

THE SHY WAITER begins to efficiently clear.

MR. JOHNNY AND LORETTA EXCHANGE A GLANCE

Mr. Johnny is amused. Bobo serves them their salad.

MR. JOHNNY

A man who can't control his woman is

funny.

LORETTA:

She was too young for him.

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