INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - LATER
Bobby Darin sings "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE" on the RADIO. Carolyn SINGS along as she drives. Her face has lost its usual resolute determination; she's actually enjoying herself spontaneously, and the lack of her usual self-consciousness allows us to see just how beautiful she is.
ANGLE ON the GLOCK 19 sitting on the passenger seat amidst some CDs.
Carolyn takes the gun and holds it at arm's length, admiring it as she continues to SING.
EXT. ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - CONTINUOUS
The Mercedes turns onto Robin Hood Trail.
INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS
Carolyn's POV: We turn into the Burnham driveway. A 1970 PONTIAC FIREBIRD with racing stripes blocks our access to the garage.
CLOSE on Carolyn: She doesn't like having things in her way.
INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lester's REMOTE-CONTROLLED MODEL JEEP is zooming across the floor of the family room, expertly maneuvering corners and narrowly avoiding crashing.
Lester is sprawled on the couch in his underwear, drinking a BEER and controlling the car. His working out is beginning to produce results. The room, too, seems changed: sloppier, more lived in.
Carolyn enters through the kitchen, flushed and angry. She just stands there, staring at Lester. After a moment, he looks up at her.
LESTER
What?
CAROLYN
Ah, whose car is that out front?
LESTER
Mine. 1970 Pontiac Firebird. The car I always wanted and now I have it. I rule!
CAROLYN
Where's the Camry?
LESTER
I traded it in.
CAROLYN
Shouldn't you have consulted me first?
LESTER
Hmm, let me think... No. You never drove it.
(then)
Have you done something different? You look great.
CAROLYN
(brusque)
Where's Jane?
LESTER
Jane not home. We have the whole house to ourselves.
He smiles at her playfully. She stares back, annoyed. It's the same look she had at the beginning, when he dropped his briefcase, but whatever power that look had is gone. Lester just LAUGHS.
LESTER (cont'd)
Christ, Carolyn. When did you become so... joyless?
CAROLYN
(taken aback)
Joyless?! I am not joyless! There happens to be a lot about me that you don't know, mister smarty man. There is plenty of joy in my life.
LESTER
(leaning toward her)
Whatever happened to that girl who used to fake seizures at frat parties when she got bored? And who used to run up to the roof of our first apartment building to flash the traffic helicopters? Have you totally forgotten about her? Because I haven't.
His face is close to hers, and suddenly the atmosphere is charged. She pulls back automatically, but it's clear she's drawn to him. He smiles, and moves even closer, holding his beer loosely balanced. Then, just before their lips meet...
CAROLYN
(barely audible)
Lester. You're going to spill beer on the couch.
She's immediately sorry she said it, but it's too late. His smile fades, and the moment is gone.
LESTER
So what? It's just a couch.
CAROLYN
This is a four thousand dollar sofa upholstered in Italian silk. This is not "just a couch."
LESTER
It's just a couch!
He stands and gestures toward all the things in the room.
LESTER (cont'd)
This isn't life. This is just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that's just nuts.
Carolyn stares at him, on the verge of tears, then turns and walks out of the room before he can see her cry.
LESTER (cont'd)
(calls after her)
I'm only trying to help you.
