Carolyn enters through the kitchen, flushed and angry. She
just stands there, staring at Lester. After a moment, he
looks up at her.


                                                    (CONTINUED)

                                                           68.
CONTINUED:


                    LESTER
          What?

                    CAROLYN
          Ah, whose car is that out front?

                    LESTER
          Mine. 1970 Pontiac Firebird. The car I
          always wanted and now I have it. I rule!

                    CAROLYN
          Where's the Camry?

                    LESTER
          I traded it in.

                    CAROLYN
          Shouldn't you have consulted me first?

                     LESTER
          Hmm, let me think... No. You never drove
          it.
              (then)
          Have you done something different? You
          look great.

                    CAROLYN
              (brusque)
          Where's Jane?


                     LESTER
          Jane not home. We have the whole house to
          ourselves.

He smiles at her playfully. She stares back, annoyed. It's
the same look she had at the beginning, when he dropped his
briefcase, but whatever power that look had is gone. Lester
just LAUGHS.

                    LESTER (CONT'D)
          Christ, Carolyn. When did you become
          so... joyless?

                    CAROLYN
              (taken aback)
          Joyless?! I am not joyless! There happens
          to be a lot about me that you don't know,
          mister smarty man. There is plenty of joy
          in my life.




                                                   (CONTINUED)

                                                            69.

CONTINUED: (2)


                    LESTER
              (leaning toward her)
          Whatever happened to that girl who used
          to fake seizures at frat parties when she
          got bored? And who used to run up to the
          roof of our first apartment building to
          flash the traffic helicopters? Have you
          totally forgotten about her? Because I
          haven't.

His face is close to hers, and suddenly the atmosphere is
charged. She pulls back automatically, but it's clear she's
drawn to him. He smiles, and moves even closer, holding his
beer loosely balanced. Then, just before their lips meet...

                    CAROLYN
              (barely audible)
          Lester. You're going to spill beer on the
          couch.

She's immediately sorry she said it, but it's too late. His
smile fades, and the moment is gone.

                    LESTER
          So what? It's just a couch.

                    CAROLYN

          This is a four thousand dollar sofa
          upholstered in Italian silk. This is not
          "just a couch."

                    LESTER
          It's just a couch!

He stands and gestures toward all the things in the room.

                    LESTER (CONT'D)
          This isn't life. This is just stuff. And
          it's become more important to you than
          living. Well, honey, that's just nuts.

Carolyn stares at him, on the verge of tears, then turns and
walks out of the room before he can see her cry.

                    LESTER (CONT'D)
              (calls after her)
          I'm only trying to help you.