sanchan2
Registered User
Posts: 4
(6/19/03 12:25 pm)
Reply
|
The Dance - Part 2
INT. RODI’S – NIGHT
Matthew, Nora and Bo are seated around a table at Rodi’s. Bo and Nora are full
to the point it’s painful. An empty plate where a cheeseburger once sat and an
empty rootbeer float glass rests in front of each of them. Matthew makes a loud
sucking sound with his straw as he does his best to suck down every last drop of
his float. Even over the slurping you can still hear the sound of oldies on the
jukebox.
NORA
(still picking at the fries that sit in
the middle of the table) I think the
cheeseburgers got bigger.
MATTHEW
Maybe you just got smaller mom.
NORA
(laughing) Oh honey, your sweet
but I can assure you that I did not
get any smaller.
Bo just leans back content and watches.
MATTHEW
(finishing the last drop of his float)
Could I have some money for the
radiobox?
Noticing he has ice cream on his face Bo instinctively takes a napkin and wipes
off Matthew’s cheek and chin.
BO
Radiobox? Oh my boy, did your
mother teach you nothing? That
thing over there is called a jukebox.
MATTHEW
Oh. Could I have some money for
the jukebox then?
Smiling Nora pulls out her purse and produces two quarters for Matthew.
MATTHEW
Thanks!
Hoping up from his chair Matthew runs over to the jukebox to make his selection.
There is a silent pause as his parents watch him go.
BO
(breaking the silence) Did you
get enough to eat there?
NORA
Ha ha. Yes, I got enough to eat.
Thanks for your help today Bo.
BO
Help? Are you kidding? I had a great
day. Who could ever imagine that doing
homework could be so much fun?
NORA
(laughs) Really. (Getting serious)
You’re a wonderful father Bo.
Another silent pause is quickly broken –
MATTHEW
Mom, Bo, look!
Matthew runs toward their table pointing at a couple out on the dance floor.
MATTHEW
Is that the kind of dancing you won
the trophy for?
Bo and Nora watch as the couple on the floor dance the jitterbug. They’re
good but nothing like the two of them used to be.
BO
That’s the kind.
MATTHEW
Come on, show me. Show me. Please!
Tugging on Nora’s arm with one hand and Bo’s with the other Matthew coaxes
them to stand up.
NORA
Matthew honey I –
Bo’s surprised at himself but suddenly he wants to dance. It’s been such a
long time but all at once he wants to take Nora out on the floor and show their
son how good they used to be.
BO
(rising) Aw, come on, let’s
give it a whirl.
Nora looks up at Bo, the shock written all over her face as he reaches a hand out
to her.
BO
(quietly so Matthew won’t hear) Let’s
show our little guy how it’s done. (Winks)
Taking Bo by the hand Nora stands up. An excited Matthew tosses himself into
a chair and watches with wide eyes.
NORA
One dance.
Leading her out on the dance floor Bo can’t believe how nervous he suddenly
feels. What was he thinking? It’s been so long since they have done this and now,
in public, with everyone, including their son watching? Oh no. Nora’s nervous
too and it doesn’t help to feel the sweat in Bo’s palm as he holds her shaky hand
in his.
Turning toward one another they both smile a nervous smile.
NORA
Wow. It’s been a long time huh?
BO
Yeah, a long time.
NORA
Look Bo, we don’t have to do this. Matthew
will understand. We-
BO
Are you kidding Red? I want to dance with you.
NORA
(smile) Red. Gosh, I haven’t heard that
in a while.
BO
Yeah, it’s been a while since I said it.
A new song starts up on the jukebox and it’s time to see if they’ve still got it.
Taking both of her hands in his, Bo lets his feet go, hoping they remember what it
is they’re supposed to do. They’re both a little rusty at first. Bo’s knees bump
Nora’s, Nora doesn’t keep her arms as stiff as she should and is late reading a
turn. But it’s only moments, just a matter of a beat or two before they are right
back where they were so long ago. It’s amazing how it falls into place. It’s
amazing how the slightest move of Bo’s hand can tell Nora what’s coming next,
how they can read each other without making a sound. Nervous smiles disappear
and make way for childlike excitement.
The energy Nora feels when she’s dancing with Bo is incredible. Pushing her out
along the length of his arm Bo lets Nora go into a fast spin only to find her
making her way back into him without missing a beat. People are watching now.
Just like before “the commissioner” and “Red” soon find themselves the center of
a captive audience. But no one as captivated as little Matthew, sitting so proud
and so tall, a big toothless grin, he can’t take his eyes off his mom and Bo. They
are so cool!
Tossing Nora into another spin Bo pulls her back in, closer this time, and holds
her tight. People are clapping now as the song nears its end. Both Bo and Nora
know this song so well and are sad to hear it coming to a close. Winding up the
dance Bo turns Nora and dips her low to the floor, locking eyes with the woman
who was once the love of his life.
NORA
Wow!
The song comes to an end as Bo’s strong arms raise Nora back to standing.
NORA
I have to say, you still got it commish.
BO
Not so bad yourself there.
They’re out of breath but it’s a wonderful feeling.
NORA
I think we were being watched.
BO
Yeah, I think we still got it Red. The
folks seemed to be enjoying –
NORA
Look at your son Bo. (Nora motions
toward Matthew with her head..)
Nora’s hands still in his Bo turned toward the table where Matthew sits, a grin the
size of Texas spread across his freckled face. Seeing Bo and Nora turn to him
Matthew gives the two a thumbs up and gestures to them to dance again.
BO
What do ya say? You up for one more.
NORA
You know what? I think I am. I may
be regretting this when I can’t walk
tomorrow but, yeah, I think I am.
Getting right back into step Bo and Nora dance again. This time there are another
pair of eyes fixed on them, a set as interested as Matthew’s but not as happy to
see the two of them together. Standing outside in the dim, red Rodi’s light Gabrielle’s heart sinks low into her chest as she peers through the window. She was waiting for Max, they planned to meet at Rodi’s to talk about Al’s tuition. Suddenly she’s getting a show she didn’t bargain for.
EXT. RODI’S – NIGHT
Stepping up behind her Max startles Gabrielle.
MAX
Hey! Sorry I’m late.
GABRIELLE
(distracted, still not taking her eyes
off Bo’s and Nora’s dance) Hi. It’s
ok.
MAX
Is everything alright?
Stepping closer to Gabrielle Max sees what it is putting that look on her face.
MAX
Hey, look, they’re just friends.
GABRIELLE
Max, I’ve got eyes, I –
MAX
You know they used to dance together
all the time. Look –
Max pulls Gabrielle back toward the window.
MAX
Look at little Matthew. They’re doing this
for him. That doesn’t mean that Bo doesn’t
love you.
GABRIELLE
Still…
MAX
Come on, let’s go inside and say hi.
GABRIELLE
No Max, not tonight. Let’s just go
somewhere else tonight.
MAX
Are you sure?
GABRIELLE
Yes.
Taking her by the arm Max walks Gabrielle toward the parking lot taking one
last glance inside as Bo and Nora continue to dance.
|
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies