INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR DAY
ABRAHAM stops for red light on his way home after saying goodbye to SARA. He looks at the open house invitation from SANDY laying on the seat next to him. All that food! All that good Jewish food! ABRAHAM changes his mind. He turns his car around when he can and heads in the opposite direction.
INT. SANDY'S HOUSE DAY
ABRAHAM stands in the open doorway of SANDY's house looking inside. He sees SANDY talking to a couple. After some moments, SANDY notices ABRAHAM. She approaches him.
SANDY: ABRAHAM, you decided to come. I'm happy you did.
ABRAHAM: Am I too late?
SANDY: Not at all. Come in.
ABRAHAM enters and looks around.
ABRAHAM: You have a beautiful home.
SANDY: Thanks. Come over here and get some food.
Besides the one other couple, ABRAHAM and SANDY are alone. They arrive at a table in the dining room loaded with food, beverages, plates, glasses and cutlery. There is evidence that a number of people had come and gone before ABRAHAM's arrival.
SANDY: Take as much as you want. You'll probably be my last guest.
ABRAHAM: Okay. I'll do my best.
ABRAHAM fills his plate as SANDY hovers nearby. He then looks for a place to sit down and eat.
ABRAHAM: So, where can I sit and eat all this?
SANDY: Come over here and sit on the couch. I'll join you after I get another cup of coffee.
ABRAHAM sits on couch and starts eating. SANDY sits next to him.
ABRAHAM: The creamed herring is delicious. I don't eat it very often, but it's something I'm fond of.
SANDY: I got that especially for you. Sylvia told me you loved creamed herring. How's the nova?
ABRAHAM: Very good. Did many people come?
SANDY: About twenty. But, it would have been a failure if you hadn't. SYLVIA told me so much about you that I wanted to get to know you, ABRAHAM. (pause) I think it's so romantic that you're still in love with your wife. Please tell me about her.
ABRAHAM stops eating for a moment. He contemplates what SANDY said.
ABRAHAM: I don't want to be rude, SANDY. You seem like a nice lady, but...
SANDY: Please don't take offense, ABRAHAM. I don't mean to pry, but...I'm only trying to be friendly.
After taking a deep breath and waiting a moment, ABRAHAM removes his wallet and then takes out a photo of his late wife. After looking at it intently, he hands it to SANDY. Then she gazes at the image of HELEN at the age of 29, when she was pregnant for about 7 months.
SANDY: She was beautiful.
ABRAHAM: You know, we were together for only eight years. It seemed like a lot at the time, but she's been gone now for more than thirty. Eight years... thirty years...it's crazy.
SANDY returns the photo to ABRAHAM who puts it away.
SANDY: What can I say? It was a tragedy.
ABRAHAM: Double! My child died, too.
SANDY: I know.
ABRAHAM: You have children?
SANDY: No. My husband and I decided we didn't want any. But, we had a wonderful life together.
ABRAHAM: When my wife and child died, I was tested. My faith in God was tested. But, it was my faith in God that got me through the worst days of my life. My mother and father...they each had good, long lives...with meaning and purpose. When they died, it was something I could accept. But why did God take Helen and my child away? But, with God's help I was able to deal with it.
SANDY: My faith in God helped me deal with my loss, too. But, thirty years is a long time to be alone.
ABRAHAM: I have carved out a life. I love my work, especially working with my colleagues. And there are things in the world I have passion for. That's enough. I'm a happy man.
SANDY: But not a complete man.
ABRAHAM: That's not for you to judge.
SANDY: Look, we're not children. I pull no punches. I'm speaking the truth. How can you be truly happy alone in your house? We're social animals.
ABRAHAM puts his plate down on table in front of him.
ABRAHAM: Look, you're entitled to your opinion. But, only my opinion counts. Thank you for the food. Have a good evening.
ABRAHAM rises to leave.
SANDY: I'm sorry if I've offended you, but I see a sad man in front of me and I can't help hearing a cry for help. I hope to see you next Shabbos.
ABRAHAM leaves SANDY's home.
EXT. IN FRONT OF SANDY'S HOME DAY
ABRAHAM walks to his car and enters it.
INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR DAY
ABRAHAM puts his key in the ignition and car starts. However, while car is still parked, ABRAHAM starts to cry.
INT. BAR NIGHT
The following Friday night, SARA and her colleague/friend MARIA are at a local sports bar drinking beers and talking. There are many TV monitors showing various games in progress. SARA and MARIA are both dressed up for the occasion. MARIA is flirtatious with her hair and body language trying to attract attention. SARA is more reserved.
MARIA: So, what do ya think of this place?
SARA: Loud...too loud. Hard to hear anything.
MARIA: It's called atmosphere. (pause) See any cute guys?
SARA: Not sure. You?
MARIA: This place is loaded with 'em. C'mon, drink your beer.
SARA: I am. Can't we have a conversation while waiting for Prince Charming. The Diner is taking away some of my good shifts. The last two weeks, my take home was down.
MARIA: Who gives a shit about the Blue Bay Diner? Think about that tomorrow. Talk to one of the managers. Bitch to them. Don't let 'em fuck with you. They both laugh.
SARA: You have a mouth, MARIA. That's what I like about you.
MARIA: And you know what I like about you, SARA?
SARA: What?
MARIA: You're different. Like a fucking foreigner from Michigan. You're not a typical Queens girl. I like looking at a fresh face. You know, with makeup, you're looking good. With better clothes, you'd look really good. We should go shopping some time. What do ya think?
SARA: Yeah, I'd like that. You off next Tuesday? I'm free Tuesday.
MARIA: I can arrange to be off.
Two men approach SARA and MARIA. They are CHUCK and DAVE. They are both medium height, well built, late twenties. CHUCK has a trimmed beard while DAVE is clean shaven and wears a crucifix around his neck. They are both carrying beer bottles with them.
CHUCK: (to MARIA) Hello, gorgeous. (to both) How are you two ladies, tonight? Can we buy you some beers?
MARIA: Sure. Why not?
CHUCK signals to one of the bartenders he wants two more of what SARA and MARIA are drinking.
CHUCK: My name's CHUCK. This is my friend DAVE. What can I call you guys?
MARIA: I'm MARIA and this is my friend SARA. You guys from around here?
CHUCK: Yeah, sure, Bayside. I haven't seen you before. You know this place?
MARIA: I know lots of places.
The fresh beers arrive. Leaving CHUCK and MARIA to talk to each other, DAVE moves closer to SARA to talk more privately with her.
DAVE: So, SARA what do you do?
SARA: I'm a waitress...Blue Bay Diner on Francis Lewis Boulevard. What about you?
DAVE: Construction. Mostly, in the city. You don't sound like you're from here.
SARA: I'm not. Originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan.
DAVE: Where the fuck is that?
SARA: You like football, college football?
DAVE: Yeah!
SARA: You know the Michigan Wolverines?
DAVE: Yeah!
SARA: Ypsilanti is near there.
DAVE: Cool! Ever go to a game?
SARA: No. Too expensive. Ever play football?
DAVE: In high school. It was fun knocking heads. Want to go to a game sometime?
SARA: With you?
DAVE: Yeah, with me?
SARA: I'd rather go to a movie.
DAVE: You like movies?
SARA: (smiling) I love movies. You?
DAVE: They're all right. You smoke?
SARA: Yeah!
DAVE: Why don't we step outside and smoke a cigarette?
SARA: You gonna pull a Thelma and Louise on me?
DAVE: What the fuck does that mean?
SARA: Nothing. (pause) Just something from a movie I saw. Sure, we can go out for a smoke.
SARA signals to the preoccupied MARIA she and DAVE are going out for a smoke. Then SARA and DAVE go outside.
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