Pretty Woman Page #16

VIVIAN:

Plane?

Taking her arm, Edward leads her across the tarmac.

EDWARD:

You don't want to go all the way

to San Francisco in a limousine,

do you? I don't.

VIVIAN:

Where are you taking me!?

EDWARD:

To meet some friends. Rudolpho,

a poet... Benoit, a landlord...

Mimi, a flower maker...

VIVIAN:

Huh?

EDWARD:

The opera.

Up ahead is a waiting private jet, its engines already HUMMING.

She is speechless. Edward grins, loving the look on her face.

EXT. BURBANK AIRPORT - DAY

The corporate jet takes off down the landing strip.

INT. CORPORATE JET - DAY

Edward and Vivian are alone in the passenger lounge of the jet.

Vivian can't believe the cabin. It is a comfortable room

featuring a long couch that curves across two walls, built in

bar, television and stereo. Edward is once again, going over

papers.

VIVIAN:

I've never been on a plane

before.

EDWARD:

I'm glad you like it. Now be

quiet, I've really got to read

these.

Vivian fluffs her hair up. She makes a happy, excited growling

sound -- Rrrrr! A wicked gleam comes to her eye.

She walks over to Edward and stands in front of him. He looks

up. She parts the thigh high slit in her gown to expose silken

quarters. She begins to unfasten the garters one at a time.

EDWARD:

Vivian, what do you think you're

doing?

Edward watches silk stockings slide down Vivian's lovely legs.

VIVIAN:

Being quiet.

She reaches out and gently caresses Edward's face. Edward sets

down his papers.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - SUNSET

The setting sun casts an incredibly glow over the city and the

coast.

VIVIAN (O.S.)

You ever been in love with

anyone?

INT. CORPORATE JET - SUNSET

Vivian is at the window, looking out. She carefully puts her

earrings back on. She stares, mesmerized by the skyline, the

golden gate bridge in the distance. She turns. Edward is

buttoning his shirt. He is silent.

VIVIAN:

Sorry. You're not paying me to

ask you question like that.

EDWARD:

Vivian. I'm paying you to be

you. Be you.

(a beat)

Have you? Ever been in love with

anyone?

VIVIAN:

You mean, besides Elvis?

(turning back to the

window)

I'm a human being. Sure. Once.

First time I ever ran away from

home, I got as far as Atlanta.

I met this boy. He'd been with

his parents on their way to

Chicago. They stopped at a gas

station. He went to the john.

When he came back they'd split.

We sorta started looking out for

each other. Aw, he was sweet.

And boy, was he good looking,

y'know, dark hair and eyes.

The chicken hawks were on him all

the time. He hated that.

Sometimes we'd find a safe place

to crash nights and we'd curl up

together and we'd talk about all

these crazy things. The two of

us getting married someday.

Having kids. Stupid stuff.

EDWARD:

What happened to him?

A moment. Vivian shrugs.

VIVIAN:

My father found me. Dragged me

home. I don't know why, he never

seemed to like me much when I was

there.

(a bitter smile)

'Cept when he was drunk, then he

liked me a whole lot.

(a moment)

I made it back to Atlanta a year

later. Andy was gone.

Silence. Vivian stares out the window.

VIVIAN:

Aw, but things sure look fine

when you're sitting way up high.

Edward moves close to Vivian and putting an arm around her

shoulders, stares with her out at the view. Vivian rests her

head against him.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT

An airport limo pulls to a stop in front of the San Francisco

Opera House. The DRIVER walks around back and opens the

passenger door. Edward emerges and helps Vivian out.

INT. S.F. OPERA HOUSE LOBBY - NIGHT

Edward puts his hand on Vivian's elbow as they walk through

the elegant lobby.

EDWARD:

Some people say that opera is an

acquired taste, but I don't

believe it. You can always tell

when someone goes to the opera

for the first time. They either

love it or hate it. Those who

love it will always love it; those

who hate it might come to

appreciate it, but they'll never

truly love it.

Vivian is wide eyed as they walk past a beautifully lit

fountain with several graceful statues in its center.

Everywhere she looks she sees elegantly dressed WOMEN and

prosperous looking MEN. It makes her nervous. Without

realizing it, she raises a protective hand up to her necklace.

She looks as if she suspects someone is going to step up and

steal it.

EDWARD:

Viv? I really doubt if anyone

here is going to try and grab it.

Vivian reluctantly lowers her hands.

INT. S.F. OPERA HOUSE LOBBY - ANOTHER ANGLE - NIGHT

A crowd of PEOPLE mill around the lobby, heading toward their

seats. Vivian is aware of the looks she draws as she passes

-- curious, even envious looks from the WOMEN, appreciative

glances from the MEN. Her hands again rises nervously to her

necklace.

EDWARD:

They all think you look very

beautiful, Vivian.

Vivian gives him a grateful look. Relaxing, she lowers her hand

from the necklace. With a flourish, he offers his arm. She

takes it. They start forward.

INT. S.F. OPERA HOUSE BOX - NIGHT

Edward and Vivian take their seats in a box high above the

stage.

VIVIAN:

If it's in Italian, how will I

know what they're saying?

EDWARD:

I'll whisper some of the main

parts of the story to you. But

you'll be surprised how much you

understand. The music conveys

the story more powerfully than

any words.

VIVIAN:

But don't they have it in

English?

EDWARD:

Vivian, don't be afraid of what

you don't know. That's the fun

of it.

The lights dim.

VIVIAN:

(resigned)

Okay. Even if I hate it, I'm

glad you brought me.

The orchestra begins to play. Vivian's eyes focus intensely

on the stage, as if a new world is about to be revealed to her.

INT. S.F. OPERA HOUSE STATE - NIGHT

IN A MONTAGE OF IMAGES AND MUSIC - LA BOHEME is performed.

The lights from the stage dance across Vivian's face. Edward

leans over to translate the tenor's aria.

EDWARD:

What am I? I am a poet. Not

a man of wealth but one rich in

dreams. You have come to replace

my vanished dreams. I dwell now

only in your eyes.

The MUSIC ebbs and swells. The sets and costumes change. The

story continues.

Edward again leans close to Vivian.

EDWARD:

And now she asks Rudolpho if he

still thinks her beautiful --

Vivian raises a hand and gently covers Edward's mouth. Her eyes

are fixed on the stage. She doesn't need his help.

Rate this script:4.0 / 2 votes