Before they become lovers, Mimi and Michael chat on the phone late one evening.
8 INT. MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 8
Michael, dressed in T-shirt and jeans, sits up on his bed,
talking on the TELEPHONE. It's late at night, and the
conversation is quiet and intimate.
MICHAEL
She's very nice. She's always nice.
9 INT. MIMI'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 9
Mimi lies on her stomach on the bed, in her nightclothes,
kicking her heels slowly in the air, drawn into the
conversation, in a dreamy mood.
We go back and forth between the two locations during the
conversation.
MIMI
Well - that counts for something.
MICHAEL
Yeah, I guess it does. She does a
lot of things for other people.
She's always making something for a
friend, or buying presents, or
trying to cheer someone up.
Michael is thinking aloud. He is comfortable sharing his
concerns with Mimi.
MIMI
She sounds like a very nice person.
MICHAEL
(laughing)
You're not supposed to talk me into
it.
MIMI
Oh.
MICHAEL
I just don't think I have enough in
common with her. Our conversations
tend to run out of steam.
MIMI
Hmmm.
Mimi rolls onto her back, puts her hand into her panties,
and starts masturbating, slowly and aimlessly, while she is
talking. You couldn't tell from listening to the
conversation.
MICHAEL
She doesn't really have a lot of
interests, or goals.
MIMI
Does that bother you?
MICHAEL
Um - yes, it does. I think I'd like
someone a little more....
He pauses.
MIMI
Ambitious?
MICHAEL
Yeah, in a way. More directed.
You don't agree with that, do you?
MIMI
It's not a matter of what I want.
It's what you're looking for.
MICHAEL
I think I'd like someone more
independent-minded. Ideally.
MIMI
Oh, well. Too bad for her. I bet
she likes you.
There is a pause in the conversation.
MICHAEL
I have this problem - that I compare
everyone to you, and I don't like
them as much.
Michael is cool and possessed as he says this. Mimi stops
masturbating, and rolls onto her stomach, smelling her
fingers.
MIMI
I wish I were more like her.
MICHAEL
Really?
MIMI
She sounds like a saint. I wish I
could do all those things for other
people.
MICHAEL
She's not a tenth as interesting as
you.
Mimi pauses over this datum.
MIMI
(abstractedly)
Laura told me the other day that she
always thought that you and I would
make a great couple.
MICHAEL
I've heard that before. Several
times. Haven't you?
MIMI
No.
MICHAEL
I think it's a generally held
opinion among the people who know
us.
MIMI
Hmmm.
MICHAEL
Are you thinking about it, by any
chance?
MIMI
About you and me....?
MICHAEL
Uh-huh.
MIMI
I don't know.... Maybe I ought to.
Michael waits.
MIMI
(cont.)
I'm just - I'm really a strange
person, Michael, emotionally
strange. There are things I ought
to want to do, but....
MICHAEL
(comforting)
Yeah.
MIMI
I'm sorry to be so....
Michael isn't too fazed.
MICHAEL
That's okay. Don't upset yourself
about it.
MIMI
I'm not upset.
MICHAEL
(amused)
I bring it up every so often, just
in case. I hope I don't freak you
out when I talk like that.
MIMI
No, I - I wish I....
MICHAEL
That's okay.
(pause; he stretches)
Ohhh. What time is it?
Mimi rolls over and looks at a CLOCK.
MIMI
Two-thirty-seven.
MICHAEL
Wow.
MIMI
I don't care. I don't have to get
up anymore.
MICHAEL
I'm getting sleepy.
MIMI
Oh, well - go to bed then.
MICHAEL
Okay. See you Sunday?
MIMI
Yes. Good night.
MICHAEL
Good night.
Mimi hangs up and lies there, still a bit spacey, thinking.
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