Mother! Page #3

This makes her grin slightly. He peeks out the window.

MOTHER:

What happened last night?

HIM:

I couldn’t sleep. I got so

excited.

MOTHER:

From what?

HIM:

His stories. I love the man’s

mind. It is so inspiring speakingwith someone who really appreciatesthe work.

17.

MOTHER:

I love your work.

HIM:

Of course you do, I know that.

He wanders to the bathroom to relieve himself.

MOTHER:

So is he better?

HIM (O.S.)

Pardon?

MOTHER:

(louder)

Is he feeling better?

But there’s no answer.

MOTHER:

(louder still)

Is he all right!?

HIM (O.S.)

Fine, fine one sec...

She returns to her cooking. She adds some pepper and salt.

She turns to the fridge and nearly SLAMS into Man. She

JUMPS.

MAN:

Oh sorry. Just need a light.

Man motions to the stove. She recovers and steps back.

MAN:

Don’t worry about it, I’ll take itoutside. Morning.

MOTHER:

Morning. How are you feeling?

MAN:

Wonderful.

Man heads out the back door.

MOTHER:

You’re all better?

MAN:

Better?

18.

HIM returns from his piss.

HIM:

Morning!

MAN:

Morning!

HIM:

How did you sleep?

MAN:

Like a baby. Really vivid dreams.

Must be the air.

MOTHER:

Wait. I’m confused-The

door bell RINGS. Mother looks surprised at HIM.

MOTHER:

Who’s that?

HIM:

I’ll get it.

MOTHER:

No, don’t. I’ll get it...

She’s already moving to the

FRONT DOOR:

On the porch is WOMAN. Suitcase by her side.

MOTHER:

Hello.

WOMAN:

Hello.

There’s an awkward pause.

MOTHER:

Can I help you?

Man rushes forward, cigarette still in hand, and hugs Woman.

MAN:

Ah, you made it.

Mother looks to HIM who’s just arrived. He raises his

eyebrows unsure what to make of it.

19.

MAN:

My better half.

WOMAN:

(re:
cigarette)

Get rid of that thing won’t you.

MAN:

I’m not inhaling.

Woman snatches the cigarette from Man and tosses it. They

kiss. It lasts a beat too long.

HIM:

Nice to meet you.

WOMAN:

The pleasure is mine.

HIM:

Well, come in...

And they do.

MOTHER:

I didn’t realize you were married.

MAN:

Really?

It hangs there. The smoke alarm RINGS.

MOTHER:

Breakfast!

HIM:

I’ll grab her suitcase.

Mother rushes back to the

KITCHEN:

Where the pan is burnt and smoking. She grabs it. Too hot

to touch. She cries out.

Everyone rushes in. Woman sees the smoking pan.

WOMAN:

Oh it’s burning.

She grabs the pan as well.

20.

MOTHER:

No, don’t!

Too late.

screams.

The woman drops the pan to the floor as she

Oil and food splatter across the floor.

WOMAN:

Oh sorry.

MOTHER:

I got it.

HIM:

I’ll get the window.

Mother grabs a dishrag and takes the pan. HIM throws open

the windows to air out the smoke.

Woman is in pain. Man examines her hand.

MAN:

(to woman)

Let me take a look at it.

MOTHER:

Are you all right?

WOMAN:

I think so.

HIM fans the fire alarm.

MAN:

You’re okay.

(to Mother)

Ice.

MOTHER:

Ice.

Mother grabs some and wraps it in a dishrag.

WOMAN:

So stupid.

MAN:

It’s not bad. It’s fine, you’re

fine.

MAN:

(to Mother)

Thank you.

21.

MOTHER:

I’m really so sorry.

WOMAN:

Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s

very nice to meet you.

MOTHER:

Very nice to meet you.

The alarm finally snaps off. Later in the

DINING ROOM:

HIM, Man, and Woman all eat. Mother is still bringing some

things to the table. Woman plucks a few things off theplates even before Mother puts them down.

MAN:

I had given up on romance. I was

getting used to being alone.

(to Mother)

Oh thank you.

(Back to group)

But then, it just happened for us.

I saw her, and I knew she was the

woman I wanted to spend the rest ofmy life with.

Mother smiles. Man sees it.

MAN:

Love at first sight.

WOMAN:

Same here.

MAN:

(not believing)

Yeah, right.

WOMAN:

What? How could I resist this

face?

(turns to Mother)

You believe me right?

Mother doesn’t know how to answer. She just shrugs and

continues to serve breakfast.

HIM:

(to Mother)

Sit already.

(MORE)

22.

HIM (CONT'D)

(jokey to Man)

So you never had a doubt?

Man shakes his head as Mother sits.

WOMAN:

That’s true.

MAN:

(to Woman)

Did you have any doubts?

WOMAN:

(cheeky)

No, not a one.

That makes Man chuckle. He smiles.

WOMAN:

You guys understand that kind ofconnection, right? You must. I

mean you’re both so different, musthave been what pulled you together.

MAN:

You’re so beautiful. Come here.

Man pulls Woman’s chin. They lock lips. The kiss slips into

slightly inappropriate tongue.

Mother feels weird. She looks at HIM. He stares at the

couple.

The woman finally pulls away.

WOMAN:

And then the kids came and screwed

it all up.

Man laughs.

HIM:

You have kids?

MAN:

Two. Boys.

He pulls out his phone and shares some images.

HIM:

Beautiful.

MAN:

Here, this is my eldest.

23.

HIM:

Let me see.

Man changes the picture and motions to the woman.

MAN:

And then her baby.

WOMAN:

Oh, shut up.

HIM:

Amazing eyes.

Mother smiles. HIM hands the phone back to Woman.

WOMAN:

And you two?

There’s an awkward beat.

WOMAN:

You have kids?

HIM:

Not yet. But we want them.

Mother looks at HIM. Really?

WOMAN:

Well what are you waiting for? Why

not finish breakfast and get toit...

HIM eats, doesn’t say anything. After an awkward beat,

Mother jumps in.

MOTHER:

Well, I want to finish the house.

And he’s working on a new piece-

MAN:

So you are writing again. That’s

wonderful.

WOMAN:

Finally, right?

HIM:

Yes.

24.

MAN:

(realizing)

Oh no. We’re in the way? That’s

the last thing in the world-

HIM:

No, no, not at all. You’re more

than welcome to stay here as long

as you want.

Mother is startled to hear that.

MAN:

That’s very kind of you.

WOMAN:

No, we couldn’t impose.

MAN:

(to Woman)

Honey, they’ve got plenty of room.

The woman looks at her cell phone.

WOMAN:

Speaking of kids do you have aphone? I can’t get a signal.

HIM:

That’s how we like it.

MAN:

You don’t need to call him everyday-

MOTHER:

There’s one in the kitchen. I can

show you.

WOMAN:

No, that’s all right.

Woman leads Man out of the room.

MAN:

Can we just relax for the weekend-

WOMAN:

No, honey I just want to let himknow we’re okay...

Alone now, HIM senses Mother’s distance.

25.

HIM:

What’s wrong?

MOTHER:

Why would you do that withoutasking me?

HIM:

Do what?

MOTHER:

Invite them to stay.

HIM:

I didn’t think it was a big deal.

MOTHER:

It’s strange.

HIM:

What?

MOTHER:

Did you know he had a wife?

He shakes his head.

MOTHER:

What about your writing?

He sighs.

HIM:

I was actually enjoying notthinking about it. But now that I

am thinking about it, I should goand do something about it.

He gets up and heads to work.

She grabs him.

MOTHER:

(getting serious)

Hey.

He lowers his eyes. Forgiving. She gives him a look. He

looks back. All forgiven. A simple kiss.

HIM:

I really should work.

He leaves. She’s alone. Later in the

26.

DRAWING ROOM:

Mother stands on a bench, plastering the wall above themantle. She’s working her way through the room.

WOMAN (O.S.)

Lemonade.

Woman enters carrying two glasses of lemonade. They’refilled very much to the brim and spilling a bit.

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