LAURA'S FLAT - EVENING
LAURA is on the phone, which is right near the door to her apartment. She occasionally looks at the clock which is beside the phone, then has a peep through the peephole in the door. LAURA: (into phone) Jess? Benjamin will be here in a sec ... shut up, he doesn't like his name being shortened, so what? And anyway I have something much more important to ask you. I can't remember if we said the blue shoes or the red shoes ... you sure? (tries on the red shoes) ... really? The red ones? Okay - well, red it is. Thanks ... Laura promptly changes to the blue shoes. There's a knock at the door. LAURA: (into phone) Gotta go, Jess. BenJAMIN is here. (giggles) Thanks ... bye. She puts down the phone. LAURA: (calling) Coming! She races to the door and opens it. BENJAMIN looks at her approvingly. BENJAMIN: Wow! You look ... amazing. Without even realizing he's doing it, he quickly adjusts the shoulder strap of her dress. LAURA: So do you. Come in while I just grab my bag and keys. You want a drink or something? BENJAMIN: No, I'd rather get going. Don't want to be late. LAURA finds his obsession with punctuality funny, as it is the opposite of her nonchalant attitude to time. LAURA: Right. BENJAMIN looks at his watch, then at her clock. He resists the urge to adjust the clock. BENJAMIN: Oh - it seems your clock is exactly 4 minutes slow. ('joking') That explains why you're never punctual. LAURA: (joking back) Geez, 4 minutes - you gonna shoot me or hang me! Benjamin bristles a bit but laughs with her nonetheless. He then sees the red shoes sitting where she left them. BENJAMIN: Laura? Honey? LAURA: Yep? BENJAMIN: You know ... you DO look amazing ... LAURA: Thanks. She gives him a quick peck of appreciation which he returns. They look at each other affectionately for a couple of seconds. BENJAMIN: But ... wouldn't the red shoes suit the dress better? LAURA: (beat) Really? BENJAMIN: Just a thought. LAURA: Oh ... ok, well ... sure if you think so. As she changes her shoes. BENJAMIN: And maybe your hair (demonstrating with his hands on his own head) ... I really love it when it's ... you know, sort of ... LAURA is both flattered by the compliment and annoyed by the instruction but she goes along with it and adjusts her hair. LAURA: (holding her hair in that position) Like this? BENJAMIN: That's great. Only if you're happy to wear it that way. LAURA: Of course I am. After all, it's your night. END OF FIRST PAGE |