Short Cuts Page #23

---

Yeah, well, it's - .

- But it should be on the application.

- Okay, I'll tell him you called.

Okay, thank you.

[Hangs Up]

- [Dial Tone]

- So this is what it's gonna be, huh?

Oh, yeah.

We have to be there at : you know.

You don't have very much time.

- What's the big deal? It's just a barbecue.

- [Man On Phone] Personnel.

- This is Stuart Kane.

- You made the date, Stuart.

- With a "K."

- Aren't you the big sportsman

who's supposed to be bringing the fish?

Why are they always naked?

Why does naked make it art?

- Did you make me a drink?

- It's in the blender.

It smells strong.

I'm gonna have some wine.

- Is that what you're wearing?

- Yes.

I thought we were cooking out.

Stuart's bringing fish, remember?

Well, if it's just a barbecue,

why are you getting dressed up?

- This isn't dressed up.

- I'm not changing.

She'll probably dress up.

- Are you competing?

- Competing with who?

Claire, honey.

We're talking about Claire.

- Are you completing with Claire?

- For what?

What women compete for, I guess.

- Do you think he's attractive?

- Who?

- The husband.

- Stuart is.

He's the kind of guy

women find attractive, isn't he?

- The outdoorsman type.

- We don't know a lot about them.

I hope they like something

other than chamber music.

Isn't it wonderful, Marian,

how we can skate around an issue...

always playing our little game?

That's a good idea, a game.

Might help break the ice.

Jeopardy, maybe.

I'm talking about us.

I'm talking about now.

- What about us?

- You know.

Know what?

Let's forget it.

Forget what?

What are you talking about?

- It's nothing. It's ancient history.

- No.

Something's on your mind.

- That party.

- What party?

You know what party I'm talking about,

Marian. The one with Mitchell Anderson.

Jesus, Ralph.

That was three years ago.

- You kissed him, didn't you?

- No.

- Your lipstick was smeared when you came back.

- How would you know? You were drunk.!

Jesus Christ, look at this.

Goddamn it! Look at this!

Look what you made me do.!

Goddamn it.! I wanted to wear this.

That's the way you looked that night with

Mitchell Anderson when you were out necking.

- He kissed you, didn't he?

- Come on, Ralph.

I thought we were through with that.

I want you to tell me about

that night with Mitchell Anderson.

- There's nothing to tell.

- All right.

Then tell me about nothingness. I'd like

to hear a complete account of nothing...

what you didn't do

for two and a halfhours.

Why, Ralph? What's so important?

It was three years ago.

All right, it's not important.

It's water under the bridge.

But what irritates me, Marian -

if that's the right word for it -

is that you won't tell me the truth.

You can't say the obvious.

You can't admit that you lied.!

That's what I don't like, Marian,

having to play this charade.

God, Ralph.

How did this start?

Do you know how this started?

'Cause I really-

- I really don't know how this started.

- Marian, look at me.!

- You don't have any panties on.

- Do you know how this started?

What do you think you are,

one of your goddamn paintings?

Marian, I'm giving you

a chance to come clean...

clear the slate,

on to a higher consciousness.

And then,

don't ever lie to me again, Marian.

- This is not like you, Ralph.

- What, to demand? You're right, Marian.

But I wanna know.

I wanna know the truth.

- We'rejust talking, right?

- Yes, Marian. We're just talking!

- You want me to tell you the truth?

- That's all I've ever asked, Marian.

Okay.

He kissed me.

Does that satisfy you?

- Did it satisfy you?

- Everybody was pretty far gone,

as you may or may not know.

Marian, I don't really need

all this perspective, just the facts.

All right. All right, Ralph. Okay.

Somehow - Somehow the two of us

were elected to go out and get liquor.

We drove to the Foremost,

which was closed...

and then to Cappy's,

which was also closed.

In fact, everything was closed.

I mean, I was beginning to wonder

whether anything would be open...

and all I could think of were those

all-night supermarkets, and -

[Exhales] I wondered whether anybody

would even be in the mood for a drink...

if we had to drive around half the night

looking for an open market.

He was really drunk.

I hadn't even realized how drunk he was

until we started driving.

And he was driving-

he was driving terribly slow.

He was all hunched over the wheel,

and we were talking.

Rate this script:5.0 / 2 votes