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Reluctant Lover

INT.NEIGHBORHOOD BAR-NIGHT
There are four women sitting around a high-top table. They are all in their early to mid-thirties in age and celebrating a girl's night out. At the bar, there are five men four of them are together engaged in a game of pool. Curt sits alone talking to the female bartender.
One of the women challenges one of the other women in their group. Talking loud enough that only the women at her table can hear.
MIDGE
Ivy, you know if you want to meet that guy at the bar, you could ask him to dance with you. I'll plug the jukebox for you.
IVY
(Defensive)
Why would you think I'd want to dance with that guy?
CONNIE
(Sarcastic)
Because you been looking over my shoulder at him since we got here?
MARY JO
You have Ivy. Not only have we noticed, I think he has too.
Ivy has drunk enough so that she might do anything
IVY
(Grinning)
He is nice looking. But the way he's talking with the good-looking bartender, I think something's going on there if you know what I mean.
MIDGE
I dare ya. Just go ask him to dance. How bad would it be if he said no? And he won't because I agree with Mary Jo. He's been checking you out too.
Midge gets up and starts shopping at the jukebox
Ivy hesitantly gets up and starts walking toward the bar.

2.
The bartender sees her coming and positions herself to wait on her.
BARTENDER
You guys want another round?
IVY
No, thank you
She turns to Curt sitting at the bar.
IVY
(Shy)
I was hoping this gentleman would dance with me.
Midge punches some selections into the jukebox. Frank Sinatra starts singing "Strangers in the Night".
Curt stands up from his stool. Smiling at her, he reaches for Ivy's hand and walks her to the small dance floor. They embrace in the standard dance pose.
IVY
Thank you. That could have been embarrassing.
CURT
Let me note something here. We haven't finished this dance. It still could be embarrassing. I'm not a great dancer.
IVY
Don't worry. I guarantee that Midge didn't select fast music. It will be just clutch and sway stuff.
CURT
So that was Midge feeding the jukebox. Who are the others?
IVY
Mary Jo is the one with glasses and Connie is the one with a blue sweater.
CURT
And you are...
IVY
I'm Ivy. Not the poison kind.

3.
CURT
It's pleasure to meet you. They dared you to ask me to dance,
Right?
IVY
That's true.
CURT
Well, thank goodness you did because I'd never have the nerve to walk up to that table and asked one of you to dance.
IVY
Really. I mean that actually occurred to you? You were thinking you'd liked to ask one of us to dance?
CURT
Not exactly. Specifically, I would have asked you to dance.
Curt gently presses her head to his shoulder and embraces her closer. Her girlfriends' audibly gasp. Curt spins slowly and smiles at the others.
Sinatra is thorough and Johnny Mathis begins to sing.
Curt walks Ivy back to the table. Ivy sits smiling at the others smugly.
CURT
Seeing that Ivy has broken the ice here, I wonder Connie would you care for a dance?
(Connie wide-eyed and surprised)
Curt offers his hand, Connie takes it, they walk off to the dance floor.
MIDGE
Damn! He's going to dance with all of us. I don't think I picked four songs.
Ivy is getting closer to being a giggling drunk
IVY
He is so nice.

4.
MIDGE
Yeah, I could see you dreamy-eyed with your head on his shoulder. Oh my God. I think Connie is grinding him.
The bartender brings a tray of drinks over.
BARTENDER
Curt bought this round for you.
MIDGE
Wow, that was nice of him.
BARTENDER
Curt is a nice guy.
MIDGE
Is he your guy?
BARTENDER
I should be so lucky. Nope he's single and he has a lot of friends, but I've never seen him with a steady lady friend.
The bartender leaves
Curt and Connie return from the dance floor. Connie sits down and Curt addresses Mary Jo.
CURT
May I have this dance, Mary Jo?
MARY JO
(Smiling and confident)
I'd love to.
They walk hand in hand to the dance floor as Tony Bennett serenades them.
CONNIE
I hate to say this but, my first impression? I could leave my husband and kids for that guy. He is special.
MIDGE
Did you tell him that?
CONNIE
No. I'm to damned practical. I need a second impression.

5.
They all laugh
MIDGE
You haven't said anything Ivy. But by the expression on your face, I'd say you in lust.
Ivy's grinning and having trouble speaking clearly.
IVY
He is, as Connie said, something special. But I'm not leaving my husband for anybody. I've got a great guy. Hell, we all are married to good men. That being said I'd like to get to know this guy better.
Curt returns to the table with Mary Jo. He reaches for Midge's hand.
CURT
Midge, I hear the jukebox is quiet. Shall we go and pick out a song to dance to?
MIDGE
(Kind of a wiseass attitude)
I thought you were never going to ask.
CURT
What kind of a man would pass up the opportunity to dance with you?
They walk off hand in hand to the jukebox
CONNIE
Well, Mary Jo, what do you think?
MARY JO
(Sighs)
If I wasn't married, I would stalk that guy until he married me. I might anyway.
IVY
Your kidding?

6.
MARY JO
A little bit. I don't know. Charming doesn't explain him because a lot of guys that are charming aren't sincere. Somehow I think that he is the real thing. But, there is some sadness in that swagger.
MIDGE
Look.
They all look out to the dance floor. Curt is leading Midge around the small floor in a waltz.
CONNIE
Jesus H Christ! It's Fred and Ginger.
When they finish their dance Midge and Curt come back to the table.
IVY
(Slurring)
You told me you weren't much of a dancer.
MIDGE
I thought my feet weren't touching the ground. He's fabulous.
CURT
You better watch out my head will swell and no one else will fit in here.
CONNIE
Thanks for the drink, Curt. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
CURT
(Hesitant Searching for words)
I...I live a couple of blocks from here. I...Moved here from a small town up north about ten years ago.
MARY JO
Curt, we are all married ladies here, but we have female friends and relatives that are searching if you get what I mean. So. Are you committed to anyone?

7.
CURT
(Thoughtfully)
I'm straight and unattached. I like a glass of wine by firelight and long walks on the beach, french movies, and picnics in the park.
The women all groan realizing he's teasing them.
CURT
Seriously I manage a coffee shop, breakfast, and lunch place two blocks north of here. That takes up most of my day.
Curt gets off the stool.
MIDGE
But your evenings are free?
CURT
Yes, but I have to get up at five to open the shop. Which is why I'm going to have to say good night.
(Beat)
CURT

I've enjoyed meeting you. I hope we will meet again.
IVY
(Slurring)
I've got to go too.
Ivy gets up gathering her purse and coat.
MIDGE
Are you sure you should drive?
IVY
(Still slurring)
I'll be fine
CURT
Why don't I walk you to your car?
IVY
You're so gallant.
Ivy stumbles just a bit as she takes Curt's arm. They walk out of the bar.

8.

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