Passion Cove: Restless Spirits

 

written by Ira Nayman

 

 





© copyright 2003 by Ira Nayman
50 Evanston Drive
North York, Ontario
M3H 5P3
(416) 630-7331
ira@lespagesauxfolles.ca

FADE IN:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY (BW)

ENID (early 20s, beautiful), standing by the stove, cracks an egg. It lands next to another egg in a pan on a burner. Using a long wooden spoon, Enid scrambles the eggs. WILLIAM (mid-20s, beautiful) walks up to her from behind and cups her breasts in his hands. Enid is momentarily surprised, but she starts to warm up when William nuzzles the back of her neck. Enid turns, and the couple kisses with increasing passion.

In a corner of the kitchen that is in colour, OLD WILLIAM (63, stooped) watches the young couple as they start taking off each others' clothes.

OLD ENID
(off)
Tsk! It's a wonder I didn't burn the bloody house down!

William, with a swipe of his hand, clears everything off the breakfast table. OLD ENID (60, walks with a cane), walks over to Old William's side.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
We were like gods.

OLD WILLIAM
Were we ever so young?

Enid lays back on the table, a sensuous cat who wants her tummy rubbed.

OLD ENID
I remember it like it was yesterday.

OLD WILLIAM
I remember it better than yesterday.

Old Enid affectionately hits Old William on the chest. William bends over Enid's crotch to give her oral pleasures.

OLD ENID
You were so...manly...

Old William considers this for a moment, then playfully pokes Old Enid in the shoulder.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Not that you're not now!

OLD WILLIAM
I got a lifetime of experience being a man. What did he know?

He, William, enters his wife, and they develop an increasingly quick rhythm. Old William watches for a few seconds, then chuckles.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
Well, he might have known a trick or two...

OLD ENID
It might not have been exactly like this...

OLD WILLIAM
What do you mean?

OLD ENID
Remember the time you got my sweater caught on your watch?

OLD WILLIAM
Ah. That was awkward.

OLD ENID
Or, what about the time it took you so long to make me...you know, you fell asleep without?

OLD WILLIAM
It had been a busy day at work.

OLD ENID
Or, what about -

William and Enid have a glorious orgasm. William collapses on top of her. Old Enid claps.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Well done!

OLD WILLIAM
Can I help it if I prefer to remember it this way?

OLD ENID
(smiling)
It's a gorgeous day - shall we get some sun?

EXT. POOL - DAY

Old Enid and Old William lay on lawn chairs, basking in the sunshine. Drinks rest on the table between them. A copy of The Eyre Affair lies bookmarked on the end of Old Enid's chair. In a black and white patch of the pool, William (early 30s) is getting oral pleasures from MARJORY (early 20s). Old Enid and Old William are oblivious to this. Long pause.

OLD ENID
You think the children know about your affair with your student?

OLD WILLIAM
And it was such a lovely day...

Pause.

OLD ENID
I oversalted your food for years. Why do you think you had that heart attack four years ago?

Old William looks sharply at her.

OLD WILLIAM
You didn't!

OLD ENID
Okay. I didn't. Still, can't say you didn't give me reason.

Old William rises.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Where are you going?

OLD WILLIAM
It's too hot out here!

Old William walks into the house. Old Enid follows until her eyes rest, for the first time, on William and Marjory, who are intercoursing like rabbits.

OLD ENID
Oh, give it a rest!

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Old William sits at the table. He is in the middle of a game of solitaire. After a couple of seconds, Old Enid enters and sits opposite.

OLD WILLIAM
Had enough sun?

OLD ENID
Don't you think we're beyond it, now?
(pause)
Gin rummy?

OLD WILLLIAM
Strip poker?

OLD ENID
Don't you think we're beyond that now?

Old William and Old Enid smile to themselves.

OLD WILLIAM
Gin rummy it is.

Old William gathers up the cards. He shuffles the deck. He deals out 10 cards to each of them and, as he and Old Enid put their hands together, he flips over the top card of the deck.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
Why did you -

OLD ENID
No.

OLD WILLIAM
(confused)
Wha -?

OLD ENID
I don't want it?

OLD WILLIAM
Don't want what, Enid?

OLD ENID
The top card, William.

OLD WILLLIAM
Oh.

OLD ENID
What did you think?

OLD WILLIAM
Go ahead.

OLD ENID
I'm sorry?

OLD WILLIAM
I don't want it, either. Go ahead.

Nodding, Old Enid picks a card off the top of the deck. She and Old William start the rounds of picking and discarding cards.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
You always knew?

OLD ENID
Pretty much.

OLD WILLIAM
Why did you stay with me?

OLD ENID
I loved you.

Pause. Old William smiles slightly.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Besides, where was I going to go with two children?

OLD WILLLIAM
(stops smiling)
Oh.

OLD ENID
I mean, I had barely finished high school and had never earned an income...

OLD WILLIAM
Okay, I -

OLD ENID
What man would be interested in a woman with two children and no prospects?

OLD WILLIAM
Really, I get -

OLD ENID
Besides, back then you just didn't leave your husband.

OLD WILLIAM
Enid -

Old Enid puts her cards on the table.

OLD ENID
Gin!

OLD WILLLIAM
(mutters)
I can't win!

Old William throws his cards on the table.

OLD ENID
(cheerful)
I'm hungry. Want some lunch?

INT. KITCHEN - DAY (LATER)

Old Enid cracks open an egg. It drops into the pan on the burner next to another egg. Old Enid starts to scramble them with a long wooden spoon when Old William sneaks up from behind her and cups her breasts.

OLD ENID
(kindly)
You're so predictable.

Old William backs off, hurt. He watches her cook for a few seconds.

OLD WILLIAM
No.

OLD ENID
No?

OLD WILLIAM
The children didn't know.

OLD ENID
You think?

OLD WILLIAM
They were too young.

OLD ENID
You slept in the spare bedroom for over three years. Didn't you think they'd be the least bit curious about it?

OLD WILLIAM
Well, no, I -
(the shoe drops)
What did you tell them?

OLD ENID
Pass me your plate.

OLD WILLIAM
Hunh?

Old Enid reaches over and takes a plate off the counter next to Old William.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
Oh.

Old Enid spoons eggs onto the plate, then hands it to Old William.

OLD WILLIAM
What did you tell them?

Old Enid turns off the stove, then spoons the remaining eggs onto her own plate.

OLD ENID
(dreamily)
It was the best sex we'd ever had!

OLD WILLIAM
What!

William, naked, sits on a chair. Enid, naked, sits on William. Their sex is, by turns, passionate and tender. And black and white.

OLD ENID
When I let you back into the bedroom.

OLD WILLIAM
You told the children...that?

Old Enid hands him a fork.

OLD ENID
Eat up before the eggs get cold.

Old Enid takes a fork and starts eating.

OLD WILLIAM
ENID!

OLD ENID
Don't be demented, William. I told the children you had hurt your back.

OLD WILLIAM
Oh.

OLD ENID
They didn't figure it out for themselves until they were adults.

OLD WILLIAM
Oh!

Pause. Old William starts to walk towards the table. Old Enid stops him by putting a hand on his shoulder.

OLD ENID
Where do you think you're going?

OLD WILLIAM
You know I hate to eat standing up.

OLD ENID
But we're having such a good time!

Old William looks at their younger selves.

OLD WILLIAM
I could use a corner of the table. They - we - wouldn't even notice.

OLD ENID
You will do no such thing!

Old William looks at Old Enid. Then, grumbling, he starts eating where he is.

EXT. POOL - DAY

Old Enid and Old William lounge on deck chairs, drinks on the table between them. Old Enid is shuffling the deck of cards.

OLD ENID
How many?

OLD WILLIAM
Oh, the usual amount.

OLD ENID
(astonished)
There's a usual amount?

OLD WILLIAM
(friendly)
Come on, Enid. You've played this game your entire life.

Old Enid puts the deck of cards down on the table.

OLD ENID
You're the one who was playing games!

Old William looks at her, confused.

OLD WILLIAM
You...are talking about...gin rummy. Right?

OLD ENID
Oh! Umm...no. I wanted to know how many women you...you...you know.

OLD WILLIAM
Oh.
(pause)
Don't you, err, think we're beyond that now?

Pause. Old Enid picks up the cards and starts shuffling them again.

INT. DEN - DAY

A fire is roaring in the fireplace. Old Enid and Old William sit in comfortable chairs on either side of the fireplace. Old Enid is reading her book. Old William is reading The New York Times. Pause. Old Enid puts her book down.

OLD ENID
Marcus is cheating on Debbie.

Old William puts the newspaper aside.

OLD WILLIAM
Are you sure?

OLD ENID
Debbie phoned me in tears - they had a terrible row over it.

A patch of carpet in front of the fire fades to black and white. A naked young couple lying on the carpet, making out, begins to fade in.

OLD WILLIAM
Ahh...would you mind if we didn't imagine that?

OLD ENID
Fine by me.

The naked couple fades out, then the carpet fades back to colour.

OLD WILLIAM
And while we're on the subject, could we please lose the cliched symbol of passion?

OLD ENID
You always were such a romantic...

OLD WILLIAM
Enid, please! It's sweltering outside!

OLD ENID
Fine.

The fire goes out. Pause.

OLD WILLIAM
Marcus.

OLD ENID
Yes.

OLD WILLIAM
Cheating on that sweet, sweet girl.

OLD ENID
That's right.

OLD WILLIAM
I should give him a piece of my mind - that scoundrel! I should give him a call and say -

OLD ENID
Like father, like son?

Old William is stopped for a couple of seconds.

OLD WILLIAM
(calmer)
What about Henry?

OLD ENID
(amused)
What about Henry?

OLD WILLIAM
Is he...you know...

OLD ENID
Faithful to Margaret?

OLD WILLIAM
Right.

OLD ENID
As far as I know.

OLD WILLIAM
There you go! I must have done something right!

OLD ENID
He's young. Plenty of time for him to make mistakes...

Old William, uncomfortable, goes back to reading The Times. Old Enid watches him thoughtfully for a couple of seconds, then goes back to reading her book.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Old Enid and Old William are sitting at a table, eating sandwiches and drinking from teacups. Pause.

OLD ENID
Do you still love me?

Pause as Old William decides if he wants to bite into the crust of his sandwich.

OLD WILLIAM
Course I do.

Pause. Old Enid thinks about this for a moment, then drops the sandwich she's about to take a bite out of on her plate.

OLD ENID
But, Bill, what does love mean to you?

The sink area of the kitchen fades to black and white. Enid and William, naked, lean on the counter next to the sink. They are eating bacon and eggs off plates in their hands. Drinks sit next to them on the counter. Enid has a splotch of egg on one cheek; William has some in his hair.

WILLIAM
Romance? That's easy. Sitting on the beach, watching the sun rise after having spent all night talking.

ENID
(nodding appreciatively)
Nice...

WILLIAM
(excited)
No. Wait. I can do better. Romance...is sitting on the beach, watching the sun rise after having spent all night talking...thirty years into your relationship.

Enid looks at William with admiration.

OLD ENID
"To see a young couple loving each other is no wonder; but to see an old couple loving each other is the best sight of all."

OLD WILLIAM
Thackery. Delightful.

Old William looks at Old Enid with admiration. Pause. Enid and William grin at each other then, as one, drop their plates and rush to each other. They start kissing passionately.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
(grumbling)
You wonder why I had a heart attack? You were insatiable!

OLD ENID
(amused)
I don't remember you complaining at the time...

William and Enid fade out. The sink area fades back to colour.

OLD WILLIAM
Must our time really be over?

OLD ENID
Everything ends.

OLD WILLIAM
(sad)
So soon...

Old William pushes his plate aside. He is done eating. Old Enid looks at him for a moment, then puts her own fork down. Old Enid stands up and takes Old William by the hand.

OLD ENID
(affectionately)
Come.

Old William rises. Old Enid leads him by the hand to the door of the room.

OLD WILLIAM
What about the dishes?

OLD ENID
Oh, I think we're beyond that now.

Old Enid and Old William walk out of the room.

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

Old Enid is putting on makeup while Old William is shaving. They are both in their fanciest dress.

OLD ENID
Sweetie?

OLD WILLIAM
Mmm?

OLD ENID
Please put the razor down.

OLD WILLIAM
Almost done.

OLD ENID
I want to tell you something, but -

Old William nicks himself.

OLD WILLIAM
Oww!

OLD ENID
I don't want that to happen.

Old Enid hands Old William a piece of toilet paper. Old William dabs at his chin.

OLD ENID (CONTINUED)
Let me see.

OLD WILLIAM
I'm fine.

Old William slaps water on his face and towels himself off. Then, he turns to face Old Enid.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
What was it you wanted to tell me?

OLD ENID
I...uhh...you know how you...you know, cheated on me?

OLD WILLIAM
Ye...es?

OLD ENID
Well...you weren't the only one.

OLD WILLIAM
Wha -?
(roars)
I knew it!

OLD ENID
You...you did?

OLD WILLIAM
I most certainly did! Back when you started the boutique - I always thought you were spending more time with the Ellisons than you needed to!

OLD ENID
William...

OLD WILLIAM
(dark)
If George Ellison hadn't had a stroke a couple of years ago, I'd -

OLD ENID
BILL!

OLD WILLIAM
What?

OLD ENID
I didn't have an affair with George Ellison!

OLD WILLIAM
You didn't?

OLD ENID
No.

OLD WILLIAM
Then...?

OLD ENID
I had an affair with Miranda.

Old William looks at her, uncomprehending. Old Enid notices his stupefaction.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Oh, see for yourself.

The shower fades to black and white. Enid (late 30s) and MIRANDA (early 30s, skull in a top hat tattoo on one shoulder) are gently exploring each other's naked bodies as the water rains down on them. Old William watches them, fascinated and disgusted.

OLD WILLIAM
Uhh...

OLD ENID
(amused)
Yes?

OLD WILLIAM
I...didn't know...Miranda...

OLD ENID
Yes?

OLD WILLIAM
Had a tattoo.

OLD ENID
A ta - oh, she didn't. That's just the way you're fantasizing it.

OLD WILLIAM
I am?

As the tattoo fades away and Enid and Miranda become increasingly impassioned, Old William turns to face Old Enid.

OLD WILLIAM (CONTINUING)
Why, Enid?

OLD ENID
Why what?

OLD WILLIAM
Why do this?

OLD ENID
You think I did it to get back at you?

OLD WILLIAM
What other reason -

Old Enid, done putting her makeup on, turns to face Old William.

OLD ENID
Why did you have an affair with one of your students?

OLD WILLIAM
I...uhh...

OLD ENID
You were looking for something you thought you couldn't find in our marriage. Sweetie...

Old Enid takes his face in her hands.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Maybe what we were looking for couldn't last. Maybe it was an illusion. Maybe we were just young and one relationship couldn't contain all of our love. All I know is, that was decades ago. Meanwhile, here we are. Here. Now.

Enid and Miranda fade out; the shower returns to colour.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
I love you. I always loved you. Now, more than ever, isn't that all you need to know?

OLD WILLIAM
(choked up)
I...I...

OLD ENID
I know you do.

Old Enid takes Old William by the hand.

OLD ENID (CONTINUING)
Come on.

Old Enid leads Old William out of the bathroom.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Old Enid leads Old William to the bed. They sit by its edge. Old Enid starts to kiss him on the face. After a couple of seconds, Old William begins to respond with his own kisses.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY (BW)

William and Enid sit on the bed, kissing passionately. They fall onto the bed.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Old Enid and Old William lie next to each other. Old William strokes Old Enid's breasts through her clothes.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY (BW)

William and Enid lie next to each other. William strokes Enid's breasts through her clothes.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Old Enid and Old William kiss hungrily, passionately.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY (BW)

Enid and William kiss hungrily, passionately, removing each other's clothes.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Old Enid and Old William eagerly undress each other.

OLD ENID
We are like gods.

SOUND: phone rings. Camera PANS from the bed to a CLOSE-UP of the phone on an endtable. Next to the phone is an upended, empty bottle of pills. PAN back to the bed. Old Enid and Old William lie still on their backs in their finest clothes. One of each of their hands lies on their chests. Their free hands grasp one another. They look at peace.

INT. SAMANTHA'S OFFICE - DAY

SAMANTHA stands by her desk, holding a ringing phone to her ear. He expression tells us that she doesn't understand why the phone isn't being answered. Soon, she shrugs pleasantly and hangs up.

FADE TO BLACK:

The end of Passion Cove: "Restless Spirits"