The Anniversary Party Page #10

CAL:

Poor Mac. It's been a bit of a struggle.

I'm sure Sally's told you.

JOE:

No, what?

CAL:

The movie.

JOE:

Oh, she's really enjoying it. I think.

Is Mac okay?

CAL:

I don't know what's going on. I don't

care to guess. Mac's really unhappy.

She isn't there, that's all. She's no

idea what she's playing, not a clue.

JOE:

Who, Sally?

CAL:

And, you know it isn't rocket science,

this script. She can barely get the

lines out. There was a scene last week -

she sobbed, through every take. I know

crying's easy for her but it's a f***ing

comedy, Joe. Something's gone. You

know, that thing that was Sally - that

always surprised you. It's gone. I

think she's scared. And that's death.

JOE:

I still think she sails above the rest.

I mean not like her early films. But

those were all such great directors.

CAL:

Mac's a pretty great director, Joe. He's

a woman's director. And nothing's

happening. Course he won't fire her,

because of the friendship... But it was

discussed. He had to battle his studio

to get her in the first place.

JOE:

What?

CAL:

Hey, listen, I love her. She's Sophia's

best friend.

(to Joe's stare)

I never said any of this, alright. I'll

deny it on the stand...

(into the silence)

You guys are gonna have kids. That is so

great. Maybe that's what this is all

about. Maybe she doesn't want to do this

anymore. You know adults don't do this

for a living. You guys are gonna have

your kids, you'll be directing -- one

a**hole in the family is enough. Sophia

knew that intuitively. Look at Clair.

Clair's a mess.

(throws an arm around him)

Make sure she gets the epidural. Forget

that natural childbirth sh*t.

Everything's going to be what it's

supposed to be. "Life is but a walking

shadow. A poor player who struts and

frets his hour upon the stage and then is

heard no more..." And speaking of me, the

role of Leo in your film?

JOE:

(stares at him)

Leo?

CAL:

Any thoughts on casting yet?

JOE:

(regards him)

Leo? It was out to Jude Law. Jude

passed.

CAL:

Well, I can't make any promises, and of

course I haven't read the script but I

loved the novel...when are you shooting?

JOE:

October-ish.

CAL:

I have a small window of time.

JOE:

Leo. Leo's twenty-eight, Cal.

CAL:

Scratch the two, write in a four.

JOE:

Scratch the two, write in a four.

CAL:

You've got a lot of f***ing gall. Thirty

nine.

JOE:

Five years ago, I was at the party,

remember?

Joe looks up and sees Sally standing in the sun room. He

blows her a kiss. She kisses her finger tips and puts her

hand flat against the window pane.

INT. BEDROOM CLOSET - TIGHT CLOSE - SALLY

She's in her wardrobe pacing back and forth a bit frantic.

Trying on clothing, tossing garments to the ground. The

floor is a heap of discarded ideas. She pulls on jeans and a

t-shirt. Very similar to what Skye is wearing. She sits a

moment on the floor. The sounds of the party below are

muted.

SALLY (O.S.)

Oh Warren, that was awful, I can't sing.

The CAMERA stays with Sally as she gets to her feet, walks

along the corridor, toward the sound of her voice.

INT. DAILIES ROOM - NIGHT

Mac is on the edge of the couch, elbows on knees, staring at

the television screen - watching his dailies. At some point

he drops his head. Stops watching...

INT. MOVIE SET

CAL'S VOICE FROM THE T.V. (O.S.)

You sing like a bird.

SALLY'S VOICE FROM THE T.V. (O.S.)

A bird with dropsy. A caged bird. That

hasn't long to live.

CAL'S VOICE FROM THE T.V. (O.S)

You seem so alive up there.

Sally stands at the open door. Stunned. Watches Mac watch

her. Watches herself, with a professional, acute eye. More

critical than Mac's could ever be.

SALLY (ON TV)

I was faking it. I've been feeling caged

for sometime. Funny, huh?

MAC:

(moans)

No, it's not... F*** f*** f*** f***.

INT. CORRIDOR - CLOSE SHOT - SALLY

She backs up into the corridor mortified. Leans against the

wall.

CAL'S VOICE FROM THE T.V. (O.S.)

It's preposterous. You're free to do

whatever you like.

SALLY'S VOICE FROM THE T.V.

Yes, well, we'll see won't we?

MAC (O.S.)

Jesus Christ.

SALLY:

(a deep breath)

Well...wow...

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Clair's started down the hallway, reaches the landing. Sally

rushes into the guest bedroom to avoid her. Clair, just

missing Sally, wanders into the dailies room.

INT. DAILIES ROOM - CONTINUOUS

CLAIR:

Mac? Oh there you are. What are you

doing, honey? No more work. Don't you

feel breezy.

MAC:

I'm in mourning.

CLAIR:

You can cut around it, whatever it is.

You always do.

MAC:

Not this time.

CLAIR:

It's always not this time. If you can do

it around me, you can do it around

anyone.

She walks in front of the television set, blocks it with her

body, switches it off.

MAC:

(an observation)

You don't have any clothes on.

CLAIR:

How nice for everybody. Come swimming.

The water's glorious.

(re:
the film)

You'll fix it. You'll come up with one

of your brilliant ideas.

MAC:

Or I won't. I can't help her. I'm out

of my depth.

CLAIR:

Things always look much worse in the

morning.

MAC:

I don't know how to make her funny.

CLAIR:

You're coming swimming in the pool, and

in a few minutes you won't even remember

what it's about. You won't care who's in

your damn movie.

MAC:

(really stoned)

What what's about?

CLAIR:

I...wait, what are you talking about?

INT. GUEST ROOM

MEDIUM CLOSE:

Jack and Evie are asleep across the bed.

NEW ANGLE:

Sally sits at the edge of the bed, regards the sleeping

children. Reaches over and smoothens the tangled, tousled

hair. Studies their faces.

EXT. POOLSIDE - JOE'S POV

Monica sits on the steps of the pool. She looks frightened,

uncomfortable.

JOE:

Are you okay?

MONICA:

I don't think so. I feel. I feel a bit

funny.

JOE:

Let's go for a walk.

He puts his arm around her and leads her away from the pool.

EXT. BACKYARD LANDING - NIGHT

MONICA:

I've never done this before.

JOE:

Oh? It's easy. You just put one foot in

front of the other... That's a good girl.

MONICA:

I'm a little in the puke zone.

JOE:

(giving her some water)

Here, drink this. Drink lots of water.

(puts the bottle in her hand)

Hold on to this. Take deep breaths.

Nice and slow.

(sits her down; produces a

lollipop)

Would you like a lolly?

MONICA:

What am I, five?

JOE:

You're never too old for a lolly. I'm

having one.

MONICA:

(a grin)

Okay.

He pulls out another one.

JOE:

Lemon or raspberry?

MONICA:

Lemon.

JOE:

Lemon it is.

The two suck on their lollipops for a moment.

MONICA:

(finally)

Ryan's really angry with me.

JOE:

I think he's really angry with me too.

MONICA:

(laughs)

It's really not the same thing.

(a moment)

He was really nicer when he drank.

JOE:

I'm sorry.

MONICA:

Eight years, though. That's quite an

accomplishment.

JOE:

That's a lot of those.

MONICA:

Medallions.

JOE:

A lot of cakes.

MONICA:

Yes.

JOE:

And he doesn't smoke?

MONICA:

He has to find non-smoker's meetings that

used to be almost impossible, you know?

It's gotten much better.

JOE:

How long have you been married?

MONICA:

Nine...nine, yes? Nine years, just

about.

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