Scene 24--The Lakeside Conversation
After the conflicts and sexual failures of the first 24 hours of their
honeymoon, the couple sit by the side of the lake in the evening, trying
to mend fences.
24 EXT. LAKE - EVENING 24
Michael and Mimi sit on the rocks by the water in the
evening, talking and watching the night fall. They hold
hands, and are affectionate with each other, though a bit
restrained.
MIMI
Did your family have this place when
you were growing up?
MICHAEL
They bought it when I was pretty
young.
MIMI
And you came here a lot?
MICHAEL
We were here all the time in the
summer.
MIMI
Did you used to sit here and catch
fish?
MICHAEL
Sometimes. Sometimes I'd use that
boat over there. Often I'd go over
there, near that cove. Do you
fish?
MIMI
No.
(pause)
I like it here. It's so very quiet.
MICHAEL
(smiling ruefully)
Except sometimes.
MIMI
Ohhh.
(pause)
I don't want it to be like that.
MICHAEL
Neither do I.
MIMI
It's just very very hard for me.
I'm trying to behave as I'd like to,
I really am. I feel such pressure
to behave the right way, and I don't
always know what the right way is.
MICHAEL
Ne too.
MIMI
Oh, Michael.
(pause)
I hope you don't mind this question,
but - did you ever
had sexual problems before?
Problems getting aroused?
MICHAEL
No.
(pause)
Well, maybe once or twice. But nothing
chronic.
MIMI
Well, how did you deal with it?
MICHAEL
It never really amounted to anything. I
didn't have to deal with it.
There is a pause.
MIMI
Was it terrible for me to ask that?
MICHAEL
(sighing)
No.
MIMI
I'm not trying to put it all on you.
MICHAEL
It's okay, Mimi.
Another pause.
MICHAEL
(cont.)
This sort of thing must have
happened pretty often in the old
days when people got married.
(pause)
I wonder how they handled it.
MIMI
Probably they just stayed miserable
for the rest of their lives.
Michael looks at her with a funny expression.
MIMI
(cont.)
I'm kidding! I'm kidding!
Michael turns away with a smile. Mimi kisses him on the
cheek.
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