A man learns making dinner for a first date is not as easy as it would first seem.
"DINNER FOR TWO"
FADE IN:
INT. JAMES’ OFFICE-DAY
JAMES sits behind his desk. He cradles his cell phone while he types with his hands.
JAMES
Come on pick up. Please pick up. Oh. Hello.
James stops typing, almost dropping the phone. James catches the phone with his hand.
JAMES
Violet? Hi it’s James. You may not remember me. We met at John’s party last Saturday. You said I was cute and I should call you sometime. What?
James pauses.
JAMES
Yes, I was the one wearing the little green bow tie with the blue suit. What? No that is my causal suit. Look the reason I am calling is I was wondering, that is if you don’t all ready have plans...
James takes a deep breath.
JAMES
Will you have dinner with me this Friday night?
A smile crawls across his face.
JAMES
I’ll see you Friday at 7 then. Yeah I’m looking forward to it to.
James hangs up the phone and jumps up out of his chair.
JAMES
Yes. Yes. She said yes.
James does a little dance. A couple of his co-workers give him a funny look. James sits back down still smile. James points to one his co-workers.
JAMES
She said yes.
The co-worker shakes his head and goes back to work. James starts typing again.
INT-JAMES-KITCHEN-MID-DAY
James paces around the kitchen.
JAMES
Let’s see.
James opens the refrigerator and points.
JAMES
Steaks? Check. Salad? Check. Dressing? Check. Wait what if she doesn’t like ranch dressing. What else do I have?
James digs in the refrigerator.
JAMES
Where the hell are my dressings?
James pulls out two bottles of dressing.
JAMES
Good. Now she can choose.
James puts the bottles back into the refrigerator.
JAMES
What else. Candles. I got to find my candles.
James walks out of the room. The clock on the wall reads 2:30.
INT-JAMES LIVING ROOM-LATE MID-DAY
James is digging in a closet.
The floor is covered with blankets, boxes, and other odds and ends.
JAMES
Where the hell are those candles. They got to be here.
He tosses another box on the pile.
JAMES
Yes, here they are.
James pulls out a three ring candle holder with candles in them.
James holds them up in triumph and one of the candles breaks in half.
James stares at it in disbelief.
JAMES
Oh shit.
James lowers his head looking at the floor. He scans the room. He looks at the clock on the wall. The clock reads 3:45.
JAMES
Oh shit.
James starts grabbing stuff of the floor tossing it into the closet.
INT-JAMES DINNING ROOM-EVENING
The candles sit on the table between two place settings. The broke candle is missing and the other two are on the outside holders with the middle one empty. James puts the last fork down in its place. He pulls a lighter out of his jacket and lights the candles.
JAMES
There. Perfect.
James looks up at the clock. It reads 6:30. James straightens his dinner jacket.
JAMES
Better go check the steaks.
James walks into the kitchen.
INT-KITCHEN-SAME
James stands with the oven open whistling. He flips the steaks and closes the oven door. He goes to the refrigerator and takes out a bottle of wine. He puts the wine on the counter. He opens a drawer and pulls out a corkscrew. He sets the corkscrew down next to the wine. He opens the freezer and pulls out a bag of ice. He sets the ice down next to bottle. He opens a cupboard and pulls out a metal bowl. He opens the ice and pours it in the bowl. He puts the bag of ice back in the freezer. He picks up the corkscrew, tosses it in the air, and catches it. He smiles doing it again. He misses and it hits the floor, sliding under the counter.
JAMES
OOPS. That’s what you get for trying to be fancy.
He gets down on his knees. He reaches under the counter. He can’t reach it. He stretches out trying to reach it.
JAMES
Come on you stupid thing.
He grabs a dusty old fork.
JAMES
Got yea.
He pulls out the fork.
JAMES
Oh nasty.
He tosses the fork on to the counter and it lands in the bowl of ice.
He reaches under the counter again.
JAMES
There you are.
James stands up. He puts the corkscrew next to the bowl of ice. He sticks the wine bottle in the bowl of ice. The top of the fork sticks out of the ice, but James doesn’t see it. He picks up the corkscrew and the bowl of ice and carries them into the dinning room.
INT-DINNING ROOM-SAME
James comes in from the kitchen.
He sets the bowl of ice next to the table. He looks at the table.
JAMES
OK. I got the wine, the salad, the steaks are cooking. What else?
The doorbell rings.
JAMES
Get the door.
EXT-JAMES FRONT DOOR-SAME
VIOLET stands in front of the door
looking around nervously. The door opens to reveal James smiling at her. She smiles back.
JAMES
Greetings, Violet, welcome to my humble abode.
VIOLET
Hi. James it’s good to see you again.
JAMES
Please come in. I hope you’re hungry. Dinner is almost ready.
VIOLET
Great, I’m starving.
They go inside.
INT-DINING ROOM-SAME
Violet sits down in the chair James is holding for her. James turns around to face her.
JAMES
Can I get you some wine?
VIOLET
That would be nice.
James pulls the wine bottle out of the ice and the fork hits the floor right next to Violet’s foot. James eyes go wide and he gasps. Violet looks up at him.
VIOLET
You all right, James.
JAMES
What? Fine everything’s fine. Here let me open this for us.
He grabs the corkscrew and starts to open the wine bottle. Violet moves her foot almost kicking the fork. She watches him smiling.
JAMES
Almost got it. Get your glass ready.
Violet picks up her glass. James glances down at the fork. Violet swing her foot almost touching it. He smiles at her nervously.
VIOLET
James you sure your OK?
The cork pops.
JAMES
Fine. Wine?
She holds up her glass. He pours the wine. He spills some on the floor.
JAMES
Oh shoot.
Violet pushes her chair back, standing up. He grabs a napkin, goes down on one knee, and covers the fork with the napkin.
JAMES
Sorry about that. You all right.
Violet looks down into his eyes.
VIOLET
I’m fine.
He picks up his glass off the table.
He raises his glass looking up at her.
JAMES
A toss to your beautiful eyes.
VIOLET
James, that’s so sweet.
They drink. James stands up scooping up the napkin with the fork in it.
JAMES
Please have a seat. I’ll go get our dinner.
VIOLET
Hurry back.
JAMES
Be back before you miss me, my lady.
INT-KITCHEN-SAME
James dances around the kitchen singing softly and getting the dinner out of the oven.
JAMES
She loves me. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
He puts the steaks and the salads on a tray. He picks up the tray and carries into the dinning room.
INT-DINNING ROOM-SAME
Violet sits at the table drinking her wine. James comes into the room carrying the tray. He sets the tray on a side table. He picks up a plate and sets it in front of Violet.
JAMES
There you are my dear.
Violet picks up her fork.
VIOLET
It looks good. Thank you.
JAMES
You’re welcome.
James puts his plate in front of him and sits down across from her. Violet cuts into her steak and a river of red liquid runs out onto her plate.
VIOLET
My goodness.
JAMES
I’m sorry is it to bloody for you? I can put it back in for a little while longer.
James reaches for her plate. Violet pushes his hand back.
VIOLET
Don’t you dare. This is exactly how I like it. I was just surprised you knew that.
JAMES
Well that is how my Mom always ate them. I took a shot.
VIOLET
Your mom has good taste.
She smiles at him. He smiles back.
They start to eat.
VIOLET
James, can I be honest with you?
JAMES
Sure.
VIOLET
I almost didn’t come tonight.
James wipes his month.
JAMES
Really?
VIOLET
Yeah. I...
She pauses. James picks up his wine glass.
VIOLET
What I mean...
James puts the glass to his lips. Violet takes a deep breath. James starts to drink.
VIOLET
This has been the worst day of my life.
James spits out his wine.
VIOLET
My hairdryer broke, I lost my car keys, I was late to work, My computer blew up,...
James starts to laugh.
VIOLET
You’re laughing at me.
JAMES
Oh Violet ,no, I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I know how you feel. This has been one of the worst days of my life too.
VIOLET
Really?
JAMES
Oh yeah. I was going to ask you if you wanted to dance before dinner, but I was afraid the stereo would blow up.
Violet starts to laugh.
VIOLET
With the day I’m having I would probably step on your feet anyway.
The both laugh.
JAMES
You really are a beautiful woman.
VIOLET
Why thank you. You want to try that dance?
JAMES
Do we dare?
VIOLET
What the hell? What’s the worst thing that could happen?
They stand up. James walks over and turns on the stereo. Violet crosses her fingers. The music comes on. Violet claps her hands softly.
VIOLET
Well done.
James walks up to her holding out his hands. They start to slow dance. They stare into each others eyes. They start to kiss. Suddenly the power goes out. They trip and fall on the ground.
JAMES
Oh wonderful. Should I check the fuse?
VIOLET
Yes it was wonderful. To hell with the fuse this is the best date I’ve had in years. Now kiss me again.
JAMES
Whatever you say my dear.
They kiss on the floor in the candle light. James stops raising his head up.
JAMES
You want to have dinner again tomorrow?
VIOLET
How about I make you breakfast first?
James looks at the camera. Violet pulls his head back down.
