THE LAUNDRY ROOM AT
CHARLIE’S HOUSE. KIRSTEN is
ironing one of Charlie’s shirts. She
finishes and puts the shirt on a hanger and hangs it on a rack beside the
ironing board. She picks up another
shirt, shaking it loose from the crumpled pile.
A folded piece of paper falls out of Charlie’s shirt pocket and falls
to the floor. Puzzled, she bends
down and picks up the paper. She
hesitates a moment, examining it. Finally,
she unfolds it, and reads its contents. Just
then a shirtless CHARLIE enters.
CHARLIE:
Hey. Any shirts ready?
KIRSTEN:
(Startled) Um…yeah.
(Handing Charlie the freshly ironed shirt)
Here.
CHARLIE:
(Putting on the shirt) Thanks.
KIRSTEN:
Charlie… (holding up the piece of paper) …what’s this?
CHARLIE:
(Takes the paper from her, looking at it)
Oh…it’s a message from someone who’s interested in buying the
restaurant.
KIRSTEN:
Already? You didn’t tell
me you were looking for buyers.
CHARLIE:
I wasn’t. This guy’s
been hounding me for years to sell
Salingers’. I always ignored it
before, but now…why not?
KIRSTEN:
Wow. Charlie, this is such a
big decision…I thought you were going to give it a little more time.
CHARLIE:
Kirsten, we’ve talked about this.
Salingers’ is becoming a burden on everyone in this
family…particularly ours. It’s
better for everyone this way.
KIRSTEN:
Well, it would certainly free up a lot of your time, and you know I’d
be happy about that…but you’ve worked so hard to keep it going.
No matter what problems the restaurant’s had, you dealt with it, and made it work. It was
your love and dedication that kept it going all these years.
You have so much vested in that place.
Are you sure this is really what you want to do?
CHARLIE:
Okay, a little perspective here. We
are talking about a restaurant,
not a family member. Besides, I’d
rather let go of it now and have good
memories of the place than go bankrupt trying to keep it alive, and end up resenting
ever having it in the first place. You
can understand that, can’t you? (Kirsten
looks down, nodding her head.)
PO5 Credits
BAILEY’S DORM. BAILEY opens the front door and hears WILL speaking on his answering machine. He throws his backpack on his bed and rushes over to the phone.
WILL: …you’ve gotta help me, man. So please…call me when you— (Bailey picks up the phone.)
BAILEY: Will?
WILL: Bay! You’re a lifesaver.
BAILEY: What’s going on?
WILL: You’ve got to come get me.
BAILEY: Why?
WILL: Because Mark’s Bible group is meeting here tonight.
BAILEY: So.
WILL: So! Do you realize last week three different people asked me if I knew where I was going after I die? Thinking about my death isn’t my idea of a fun Wednesday night.
BAILEY: Alright, well…me and Maria are going to catch a flick. So we’ll swing by and grab you on the way.
WILL: Hmmm. Let’s see…
BAILEY: What?
WILL: I’m trying to figure out what’s worse — contemplating my mortality or playing third wheel to you and Maria.
BAILEY: It’s not like that. Look, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll see if one of her friends can go. That way it’ll just be four friends out together.
WILL: Thanks, man. You just saved me from the depths oh Heaven.
JULIA’S APARTMENT. JULIA and MICHELLE are sitting on the floor of the living room playing chess. Julia looks at the board, thinking.
MICHELLE: (Smiling) Come on, Jul. (Pointing to a small hourglass.) The sand ran out like two minutes ago. What are you trying to figure out?
JULIA: How to postpone the inevitable, I guess. (The phone rings, but Julia doesn’t move.)
MICHELLE: Aren’t you going to get that?
JULIA: The machine will pick up. (Julia continues studying the board as a male voice is heard leaving a message.)
VOICE: Julia, hey. This is Kyle Morgan. (Michelle’s eyes open wide.) I’m gonna be in town next week, and I was hoping we could get together for dinner if you had some time. You can reach me on my cell at 555-6287. Hope to hear from you. (He hangs up, and Michelle stares at Julia.)
JULIA: What?
MICHELLE: You just screened Kyle Morgan. (Julia shrugs.) Why didn’t you pick up?
JULIA: I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t feel like talking to him. (Julia moves a chess piece.) Your move.
MICHELLE: No, no, wait. Julia, this isn’t just any guy. (Julia sighs.) He’s got his own “Behind the Music” special, for God’s sake! Not to mention he’s gorgeous.
JULIA: So?
MICHELLE: So he’s obviously interested in you. Why don’t you go out with him?
JULIA: (Looking down) I don’t know.
MICHELLE: It’s Griffin, isn’t it? (Julia looks up.) Julia, I thought you were going to talk to him. (Julia is silent.) Julia?
JULIA: Look, I tried, okay? I don’t know if it’s such a good idea anymore.
MICHELLE: Why not?
JULIA: Because…he thinks of me as “a friend.” Just a friend.
MICHELLE: How do you know that? I thought you said you haven’t talked to him.
JULIA: I haven’t.
MICHELLE: Then…
JULIA: I just know, okay. (Michelle pauses a moment, taking this in.)
MICHELLE: So…that’s it? You aren’t even going to try?
JULIA: Michelle, didn’t you hear what I just said? (Julia pauses.) Why is it so important to you, anyway? (Michelle breathes in deeply as the scene fades.)
CLAUDIA’S DORM ROOM. SARAH is standing outside the front door, looking for a key in her purse. A young, male student from the next dorm over walks by and smiles at her. She returns a nervous smile. As he’s about to enter his dorm, Sarah drops her purse, scattering its contents. The student from next door bends down and helps Sarah collect her things.
SARAH: God, I’m such a klutz.
STUDENT: (Handing her a brush and compact mirror) Here.
SARAH: Thanks.
STUDENT: Are you new?
SARAH: Uh…yeah. Kind of.
STUDENT: So…what do you think so far? (Handing her more items) Pretty intense, huh? Being surrounded by all these artists.
SARAH: (Smiling nervously) Yeah…intense. (They both stand up, and the student puts out his hand.)
STUDENT: I’m Max.
SARAH: (Shaking hands) Sarah. (She almost drops her purse again.)
MAX: Careful. (They both laugh, as Sarah finds her key.) So…uh, let me guess – drama major.
SARAH: (Shaking her head) Uh…
MAX: Wait, don’t tell me. Dance? (Sarah shakes her head, smiling.) Wow, music, huh? I wouldn’t have thought that.
SARAH: Why not?
MAX: A girl as pretty as you…it’s a shame to hide her behind a tuba.
SARAH: (Laughing) I don’t play the tuba. Actually, I’m just staying with a friend for a couple of weeks.
MAX: Aha, a stowaway. Don’t worry, I won’t tell… (Sarah smiles, putting the key in the door) …as long as you have dinner with me tonight.
SARAH: (Playfully) Isn’t that blackmail?
MAX: I prefer to think of it as a boy, standing in front of a girl…asking her to love him.
SARAH: Nice try, but I saw Notting Hill, too.
MAX: Okay, then it’s blackmail. (They both laugh.)
RITZ MOVIE THEATRE, PHILADELPHIA. BAILEY, WILL, MARIA AND JEAN are exiting the theatre. The marquee reads “ZOOLANDER” in large red letters.
BAILEY: That has got to be one of the most ridiculous movies I have ever seen. It should have been called “GoonLander.”
WILL: Absolutely! But that’s what made it so much fun.
JEAN: (Laughing) That scene with Ben Stiller on the catwalk was hilarious! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard before.
WILL: (Joining in the laughter) I know! And what about David Bowie’s cameo? That was great!
MARIA: Oh, come on, you guys. You can’t be serious. You liked it?
WILL: Hey, you and Bay were the ones who wanted to see it.
JEAN: Yeah…
BAILEY: Well, it looked funny on the commercials.
WILL: Hey, I heard you laughing, too.
BAILEY: Yeah, in like one scene. The rest of it was just so stupid. I mean, sending male models to assassinate political figures? I knew it was downhill from there…
MARIA: Exactly. And what was with that crazy hairdo that guy from Saturday Night Live had? He looked like a freak!
JEAN: That was the point. You guys are taking this way too seriously. It was a comedy.
WILL: (Raising his eyebrows and motioning toward Jean) Thank you. Thank you very much. This isn’t Saving Private Ryan, y’ know. (To Jean, laughing again) I almost died when Andy Dick came in as the masseuse.
JEAN: (Laughing) That was wild! And how about David Duchovny showing up as a hand model? Hilarious! (Bailey rolls his eyes and Maria shakes her head. Jean and Will keep talking about the movie as the four of them walk along the sidewalk.)
CLAUDIA’S DORM ROOM. CLAUDIA is in the kitchen loading dishes into the dishwasher. She is joining in a conversation with TINA and VALERIE, who are sitting at the table.
TINA: I mean, they could have at least given us a choice. They just assumed we would be okay having someone else live with us.
VALERIE: I don’t really care. Tess seems like a nice person and I don’t mind.
TINA: But it’s the principle of the matter. Don’t we get a say in things?
CLAUDIA: (Wiping a dish) Why should we? I didn’t get to choose my roommates, you just…get stuck with them. (Claudia smiles to Tina.) Luckily we all get along. I don’t see a problem.
VALERIE: Yeah, Tina. What would we do with an empty bedroom anyway? (Tina slumps in her chair with a depressed look.)
TINA: I don’t know. Maybe we could have made a guest room, for friends who visit. Or for anybody who wants to crash after a party.
CLAUDIA: C’mon, Tina. We were lucky to have just the four of us for a while. Most of the other dorms have two people to a room…
TINA: I guess. (The girls shrug and the conversation stops for a moment.) So…Tess. She seems kinda old, doesn’t she?
CLAUDIA: (Putting her dish down and speaking in a hushed tone) Tina! She’ll hear you.
TINA: What? I’m just making an observation. In fact, I wonder exactly how old she is. She’s so quiet all the time I bet she’d never tell us. She’s like what, thirty?
VALERIE: Older than that. I think she’s thirty-two.
CLAUDIA: No, she can’t be that old.
TINA: I still say she’s at least thirty. (TESS enters and walks to the refrigerator.)
TESS: Close. I’m twenty-eight. (She grabs a soda.)
TINA: (Embarrassed) Hi, Tess.
TESS: If you have any other questions, you can just ask me. I won’t bite, you know. (She smiles, then exits as the girls stare at each other.)
TROUBADOUR CAFÉ. SARAH sits across from MAX at a table in a small club. She sips her drink while a garage band plays on the stage.
MAX: So, you come thousands of miles to see the Big Apple and get out on your own, and you end up crashing with a friend. (He smiles.)
SARAH: Yeah…well…I’m kinda in between jobs at the moment.
MAX: In between? So you’re a working girl, huh? What do you do?
SARAH: I’m… (smiling bashfully) …I can’t believe I’m about to say this.
MAX: Hey, don’t worry. I’ve heard about all kinds of weird occupations. Your job wouldn’t surprise me.
SARAH: (Brushing her hair behind her ear) Well, I’m a model. At least, I’m trying to be.
MAX: What’s so weird about that? (He smiles at Sarah.) With a face as pretty as yours, it would be a shame not to share it with the world. (Sarah smiles.) And no, I didn’t get that from a movie.
SARAH: The funny thing is, modeling just sort of…sprung up on me. It’s really kind of the unexpected path. If plan A would have worked out I would be singing at Juilliard by now. So I guess it’s on to plan B.
MAX: A singer? Is there anything you don’t do? (Sarah folds her arms.) Let me guess…people don’t think your voice is as amazing as your face?
SARAH: Apparently not. And stop trying to flatter me. (She smiles.) It’s not working.
MAX: (Smiling slyly) I can see that. Anyway, you should forget about singing. Plan B always works better anyhow.
SARAH: Oh really? How so?
MAX: Plan A is always the ultimate dream fantasy world that everyone wants to live in. Plan B on the other hand is always the more realistic vision. I mean, people set these unattainable goals for themselves and they never let go of them. I think it just sets you up for failure, which is a sad thing because plan B was always the better option.
SARAH: But you’re missing the point here. Have you ever heard of the saying “Shoot for the moon…”
MAX: “Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” - Les Brown. And just what is your point?
SARAH: People strive to better themselves…and even if they don’t reach their goal, they’ll come out of the experience a better person. As long as you gave it your all, people won’t blame you for failing.
MAX: But you shouldn’t be concerned with what people think, anyway. I’m just saying that the world would be a happier place if there was less striving and more people being happy with that they have. And you have a lot to smile at when you look in the mirror.
SALINGERS’. CHARLIE unlocks the front door and a man enters. He appears to be in his early forties, with brown, graying hair. The restaurant is empty.
CHARLIE: Mr. Barrett?
MR. BARRETT: (Shaking Charlie’s hand) Yes, nice to meet you, Charlie.
CHARLIE: Sorry to ask you to meet so early. I thought it would be better if the staff didn’t know.
MR. BARRETT: I understand.
CHARLIE: (Walking toward the dining area) Well, I guess we can start with a tour. We’ve got a maximum capacity of 178, including the bar. We just refurbished the booths and tables about, oh—
MR. BARRETT: Actually, I probably just need to see the kitchen. I’m already familiar with the bar and dining area.
CHARLIE: Oh, okay. (Smiling) I’m sorry – I usually recognize our regulars.
MR. BARRETT: Oh, I’m not a customer. I own Barrett’s Bistro. (Charlie looks surprised.) We’re over on Geary.
CHARLIE: Yeah, I…I didn’t know you were that Barrett.
MR. BARRETT: Yes, sir. Business has been pretty good, and I’ve been looking for a larger location for awhile now.
CHARLIE: A…larger location.
MR. BARRETT: (Smiling) And of course, Salingers’ would be perfect. (Charlie stands still, thinking.) Should we go see that kitchen now?
CHARLIE: Huh? Oh, yeah.
DANTE'S SEAFOOD GRILL & CALIFORNIA WINE BAR, SAN FRANCISCO. KIRSTEN and WANDA are seated at an outdoor table, enjoying a light snack, some wine and a fantastic view of the Bay Bridge. STEWIE is in a high chair next to Kirsten.
KIRSTEN: He’s trying so hard, you know? He’s been trying to make more time for me, and the kids. And selling the restaurant…it’s like the ultimate sacrifice.
WANDA: Well, I’m glad to hear it. It’s about time. I just hope that he’s serious and it’s not just a temporary thing.
KIRSTEN: (Dipping a chip into some salsa) He’s serious, Wanda. Believe me.
WANDA: Listen, I just want you to be happy, Kirsten. So, if you’re happy, I’m happy for you. Simple. (She smiles and takes a bite of a chip.)
KIRSTEN: (Smiling and looking down) Thanks. God, I just feel so bad that I almost let things go overboard with Pete.
WANDA: Almost. Key word here.
KIRSTEN: I know, but…do you think I should tell Charlie? I feel terrible keeping it from him. Isn’t thinking about being with someone else just as bad as actually doing it?
WANDA: (Surprised) No. Guys think about “being with” someone else all the time. That doesn’t mean I’d want to know about it. But it’s normal. We’re human. We have desire. And sometimes…sometimes that desire is a sign, trying to tell us something about ourselves and our relationships. But maybe other times, it’s just…like really wanting that dessert, even though you know you shouldn’t have it. And wanting the dessert doesn’t mean you actually have to order it, right?
KIRSTEN: You’re right…it’s just that…well, I sampled the dessert, Wanda.
WANDA: (Leaning forward) Hey, nobody’s perfect. I mean, think of it this way - would you really want Charlie to tell you every little thing he’s ever done? (Kirsten raises her eyebrows.)
The parking lot of THE FACTORY. GRIFFIN approaches his car. As he puts the key in the door, he notices an envelope under his wiper blade. He looks around, then takes then retrieves the envelope and opens it. He has a confused look as he reads, and he looks around again. The camera focuses in on the letter, and we see the words: “Love, a Friend. P.S. – Be sure to dress nicely!” Griffin scratches his head, confused.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. BAILEY and WILL are playing catch with a football on a large lawn area.
WILL: So I get home last night, right? And I see these little crackers in a bowl. A guys sees crackers in a bowl, what does he do? He eats ‘em, right?
BAILEY: Right.
WILL: So Mark wakes me up at six a.m. and chews me out for eating “the body of Jesus.”
BAILEY: It’s called communion, Will. It’s a symbolic thing.
WILL: Yeah, well. If I were Jesus, I’d be ticked that my body was represented by such bad tasting crackers. Point being, thanks again for getting me out of there last night.
BAILEY: No sweat.
WILL: It was fun, right?
BAILEY: I guess so. (Will catches the football and holds it.)
WILL: So…you think we could all go out again? You know…as a group.
BAILEY: I don’t see why not. C’mon, man – you gonna hog the ball? (Will tosses the football to Bailey.)
WILL: Hey, how come you never asked her out yourself? She’s a good-looking chick, don’t you think?
BAILEY: Yeah, I guess.
WILL: So…
BAILEY: So…she had a boyfriend.
WILL: Had?
BAILEY: Yeah, and I had Holly. Besides, we’re just friends.
WILL: What? Who are you talking about?
BAILEY: Maria.
WILL: I’m talking about Jean.
BAILEY: Oh. (Bailey drops Will’s pass.)
THE EQUINOX RESTAURANT IN SAN FRANCISCO. Dressed nicely in a button-down shirt, jacket and slacks, GRIFFIN enters the restaurant and approaches the Maitre D’.
MAITRE D’: Hello, sir.
GRIFFIN: Uh, hi. I’m supposed to meet someone here, but…I’m not sure who I’m meeting.
MAITRE D’: Your name please?
GRIFFIN: Griffin Holbrook.
MAITRE D’: Ah, Mr. Holbrook. Right this way. (Griffin follows the maitre d’ to a small, private booth.) Your guest will be here shortly. (The Maitre D’ leaves, and Griffin looks out of the large window, seeing a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge, various boats, and the San Francisco skyline by night. He hears someone approaching and turns around.)
GRIFFIN: Wow. Michelle? (She’s dressed beautifully, in a flowing blue dress. She sits down across from him.)
MICHELLE: Surprise.
GRIFFIN: You’re “a friend”?
MICHELLE: (Smiling) Haven’t I always been?
CLAUDIA’S DORM ROOM. TESS is sitting at her desk, organizing some papers into a folder. CLAUDIA passes in the hall carrying a laundry basket, and stops at Tess’s doorway.
CLAUDIA: Hey! There you are.
TESS: Hello, Claudia. (Smiling) Just organizing some work.
CLAUDIA: Oh, don’t let me bother you. (Setting down her basket) I just wanted to say I’m sorry about what happened today with Tina and Val.
TESS: That’s okay. I know I’m not your typical roommate.
CLAUDIA: Well, I hope you didn’t get the wrong impression about them because they really are pretty nice once you get to know them. Especially Val. She just lets herself hide in Tina’s shadow sometimes. And believe me, Tina thinks she has a pretty big shadow.
TESS: Got it. So I won’t even try to invade on Tina’s territory.
CLAUDIA: (Laughing) It was the same way with me. This dorm literally wasn’t big enough for the both of us. (Tess smiles as Claudia picks up her basket and begins to exit.)
TESS: Claudia? (Claudia turns around.) I stick out like a sore thumb around here don’t I?
CLAUDIA: No. There are a lot of people your age here. (Tess raises her eyebrows.) Okay…so maybe you do stand out a little.
TESS: Well, that’s okay. I didn’t really expect to blend in with all the 19 and 20 year olds fresh out of high school. (Sighing) At that age they think they know everything. (Claudia stands holding her basket awkwardly.) Oh…no offense. (Claudia smiles and exits.)
THE EQUINOX RESTAURANT IN SAN FRANCISCO. MICHELLE and GRIFFIN are having dinner. Michelle is pushing the salad around her plate and squirming nervously in her seat as Griffin talks.
GRIFFIN: It’s just so amazing, to see him trying to talk and make sense of things now, you know? (Shaking his head) And I still can’t believe he’s already a year old.
MICHELLE: (Half-listening) Mmm-hmmm.
GRIFFIN: (Looking up at Michelle) And the cow jumped over the moon and the fork ran away with the spoon…hello, earth to Michelle… (He smiles and waves his hand in front of her.) Come in for landing.
MICHELLE: (Snapping out of it) Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking.
GRIFFIN: (Smiling) Yeah, I could see the smoke coming out of your ears. (Michelle looks serious.) Uh…ha, ha…that was like a joke. (She sips her wine, looking over her glass at Griffin, then sets the glass down and takes a deep breath.)
MICHELLE: (Clasping her hands together on the table) Okay, look. I’m just going to say this straight out. I know this seems sudden and totally out of left field, but…I’ve been holding back my feelings ever since you went to DC after Julia. I…wanted to say something sooner, but I had to be sure you didn’t still have feelings for her…and when you told her you didn’t think of her like that anymore, well… (Griffin looks surprised.)
GRIFFIN: What?
MICHELLE: Um, yeah…Julia told me what you said. Anyway, I know what you said at Thanksgiving…that you think of me as a friend, and that’s fine. (Excitedly) Because I’ve been thinking about it. The friendship is the hardest part of a relationship, right? So if we’re already friends, who’s to say the other part won’t work? (She pauses slightly and looks down.) That is, unless you find me just completely and repulsively unattractive.
GRIFFIN: (Raising his eyebrows) God, Michelle, of course I don’t.
MICHELLE: Well, then what’s to stop us from giving things a try? (She puts her hand on Griffin’s, looking directly at him.)
LUKE AND DAPHNE’S APARTMENT. DAPHNE is placing dinner on the table. There is a small vase in the center, holding a single yellow rose. Candles are lit and the food is steaming. LUKE is sitting on the couch in the living room, watching television. He changes the channels absent-mindedly as Daphne finishes putting the food out.
DAPHNE: Okay, everything’s ready. (Luke doesn’t answer. He continues channel surfing. He finally decides on a news station.) Luke…dinner. (He gets up slowly from the couch and walks over to the table. He sits down, positioning himself so he can still see the television. He puts a napkin in his lap and begins eating. Daphne sits down in front of him, blocking his view. She looks at him and then starts eating her meal as well. This goes on for a moment, the two of them eating in silence except for the news in the background.) Um…do you mind if we turn the TV off during dinner, honey? (She smiles at him.)
LUKE: (Quietly) If you like. (He holds up the remote and clicks the off switch.)
DAPHNE: Thanks. Um…your mother called. (Luke nods but doesn’t reply.) She said your cousin Mary just had twins. (They eat in silence again.) So…how was your day?
LUKE: Fine.
DAPHNE: (Looking at him and trying to make a joke.) Mine was great, thank you for asking. (She smiles and makes a face.)
LUKE: Glad to hear it. By the way, I talked to the attorney today.
DAPHNE: What for?
LUKE: About the appeal. He said that normally you can’t do anything until at least six months after the ruling. And that it’s even harder to get it overturned even then, unless there’s some kind of proof that one of the parents isn’t fit to raise a child. (He pauses a moment) I just thought you should know.
DAPHNE: (She looks at him.) So, I guess you’re really happy about this news.
LUKE: Daphne, come on--
DAPHNE: Think maybe you’ll get your wish, huh? That we’ll all just be one big happy family after all? You, me, Matthew…and Griffin. Well, you can just tell your little friend he’s off the hook…for now. (They stare at each other as the camera pulls back and the scene fades.)
CHARLIE’S HOUSE. CHARLIE is returning home from a long day of work. He slips the keys in the front door, and pushes the door open. He enters the house, which is quiet and seemingly empty. He places the keys down on the table, and proceeds into the living room and looks around. He peeks into the kitchen, which is also vacant.
CHARLIE: (Walking back into the foyer, he shouts) Hello? Anybody home? Hello?
KIRSTEN: (Making her way down the stairs, in a hushed holler) Shhhh…you’ll wake Stewie!
CHARLIE: (Lowering his tone) Sorry. (He steps in closer to kiss Kirsten hello, but instead she walks right past him, oblivious to his advance, and bends to pick some of Stewie’s toys up from the floor.)
KIRSTEN: I swear these things just multiply and scatter all over the place…like those things in that movie… (Charlie raises his eyebrows) …you know, the one where those little fuzzy creatures get wet and hundreds of other little fuzzy creatures pop right off of them…
CHARLIE: Gremlins?
KIRSTEN: Yes! These toys must be designed to reproduce with baby drool. (She gathers an armful of toys, walks into the living room, and puts them in the toybox.) It feels like every ten minutes I’m putting them away again.
CHARLIE: Okay…it’s obvious the kind of day you had, now ask me how mine went. KIRSTEN: Oh, right…how did the meeting go this morning?
CHARLIE: You’re not going to believe this, but Mr. Barrett is Jack Barrett of Barrett’s Bistro.
KIRSTEN: You mean the place on Geary?
CHARLIE: (Nods) They’ve been after Salingers’ customers for years.
KIRSTEN: But Barrett’s is a completely different restaurant. It’s hard to believe that you’d be competing for the same customers.
CHARLIE: This guy’s really anxious, but I don’t think I want to sell to him. If I do he’s going to change everything about it…everything that makes it Salingers’. I’d rather sell the place to someone who wants to keep the restaurant the way it is.
KIRSTEN: But Charlie, no matter who buys the restaurant, they’re going to change it to be the way they want it. Only a Salinger can keep it authentically Salingers’. (Sympathetically) I’m sorry, honey. But this is something you’re just going to have to accept. That is…if you are going to sell the restaurant.
CHARLIE: (Sighing) I guess you’re right. (Charlie begins slowly to climb the stairs.)
KIRSTEN: Charlie? (Charlie turns around.) Are you sure you aren’t going to regret this...selling the restaurant? Because I can’t help but feel that you’re doing this because of me…because I’ve been complaining about—
CHARLIE: Kirsten, stop. I know what you’re going to say. (He walks closer to her, shaking his head.) And the answer is no, I’m not going to regret it. I promise. (Charlie hugs her.) I would never regret choosing to make time for my family. (Kirsten closes her eyes, smiling as she hugs Charlie.)
JULIA’S APARTMENT. Julia is sitting on the couch, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. She’s watching the old Tyrone Power/Gene Tierney film The Razor’s Edge. Gene Tierney takes a ring off her finger, handing it to Tyrone Power, saying: “Then there’s nothing more to say.” Tyrone Power hands it back: “Isabel, please…wear this on another finger. We’re still friends.” Julia rolls her eyes, then is surprised by a knock at the door.
JULIA: (Opening the door) Griffin, hey. I didn’t expe— (Griffin leans in and kisses her deeply.) Mmm, Griffin. (Leaning back, still in his embrace) What are you doing?
GRIFFIN: How could you have thought that…that I didn’t love you anymore? (Julia shakes her head, confused.) I never stopped, Jul. Don’t you know-- (Julia leans in to kiss him again, and Griffin kicks the door closed as they continue kissing, falling onto the couch.)
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