Exotica Script - Dialogue Transcript

Voila! Finally, the Exotica script is here for all you fans of the Atom Egoyan movie starring Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Sarah Polley, Elias Koteas, yadda yadda..  This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Exotica. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. You won't hurt my feelings. Honest.

Swing on back to Drew's Script-O-Rama afterwards for more free movie scripts!

Exotica Script


 

                   

You have to ask yourself...



 

                   

what brought the person

to this point.



 

                   

What was seen in his face,

his manner, that channeled him here.



 

                   

You have

to convince yourself...



 

                   

that this person has something hidden

that you have to find.



 

                   

You check his bags,

but it's his face...



 

                   

his gestures that

you're really watching.



 

                   

Thank you.



 

                   

He's staring straight at you.



  

                   

Look at him, carefully.



  

                   

What do you see?



  

                   

Security   to Baggage Claim   .



  

                   

- Where you headed?

- Uh, downtown.



  

                   

- You want to split it?

- S-Sure.



  

                   

What? Not tonight.

Are you sure?



  

                   

Well, can't you cancel?



  

                   

Oh. Uh... what are these?



  

                   

Ballet tickets for tonight.



  

                   

Oh.



  

                   

- You don't like ballet?

- Well, some ballets.



  

                   

Well, that's exactly

what this is: some ballet.



  

                   

Look, you can always scalp

the tickets at the door.



  

                   

Oh, you mean, uh,

take these in exchange...



  

                   

- for you paying your part of the fare.

- Well, what do you think?



  

                   

- See ya, John.

- Good night, John.



  

                   

- See you guys.

- See ya.



  

                   

* Exotica *



  

                   

Christina, here you are.

Hurry and get dressed.



  

                   

- People are asking for you.

- * Exotica *



  

                   

- She's right over there. I'll get her.

- * Exotica *



  

                   

Bye.



  

                   

* Exotica *



  

                   

Yeah!



  

                   

Let's bring those big, hairy

palms together, gentlemen...



  

                   

and have a nice,

big round of applause...



  

                   

for Kali!



  

                   

Kali.



  

                   

Yes, indeed. Kali.



  

                   

And you, too, can- You, too,

can have Kali come over to your table...



  

                   

for only five dollars, where she can

show you the mysteries of her world.



  

                   

Trust me, gentlemen. Trust me.



  

                   

Oh! Baby, baby, baby!



  

                   

Ooh! Do it for me, baby!



  

                   

Oh! My God, that's incredible.

That's incredible.



  

                   

Let me ask you something,

gentlemen.



  

                   

What is it that gives a schoolgirl

her special innocence?



  

                   

Her sweet fragrance? Fresh flowers...

light as a spring rain?



  

                   

Oh, my God.

My God.



  

                   

Or is it her firm, young flesh

inviting your every caress...



  

                   

enticing you to explore...



  

                   

her deepest

and most private secrets?



  

                   

Well, gentlemen, I'm gonna let you

decide that one for yourselves.



  

                   

Please join me

in welcoming a sassy...



  

                   

bit of jailbait

to our stage.



  

                   

Yes, indeed.



  

                   

Come out, sweet Chrissy.



  

                   

Wherever you are, baby,

come on out.



  

                   

* Everybody knows

that the dice are loaded *



  

                   

* Everybody rolls

with their fingers crossed *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

the war is over *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

the good guys lost *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

the fight was fixed *



  

                   

* The poor stay poor

The rich get rich *



  

                   

* That's how it goes *



  

                   

* Everybody knows *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

that the boat is leaking *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

the captain lied *



  

                   

* Everybody got

this broken feeling *



  

                   

* Like their father

or their dog just died *



  

                   

* Everybody talking

to their pockets *



  

                   

* Everybody wants

a box of chocolates *



  

                   

- * And a long-stemmed rose *

- You think you're bad, eh, baby?



  

                   

- * Everybody knows *

- You're bad.



  

                   

* Everybody knows

that you love me, baby *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

that you really do *



  

                   

* Everybody knows

that you've been faithful *



  

                   

- * God, give or take a night or two *

- That will be $ .  .



  

                   

* Everybody knows

you'd been discreet *



  

                   

- * But there were so many people you just had to meet *

- Thank you.



  

                   

* Without your clothes *



  

                   

* And everybody knows **



  

                   

**



  

                   

**



  

                   

**



  

                   

- Eric?

- What?



  

                   

Linda finished her dance.



  

                   

Let's bring those big, hairy

palms together, gentlemen.



  

                   

Give it up. Yeah, gentlemen. Yes.



  

                   

Have a nice, big round

of applause for Linda. Yeah.



  

                   

Yes, indeed, Linda.



  

                   

And just a reminder that there is

nothing Linda would love more...



  

                   

than to slink over

to your table and...



  

                   

give you your own private show

for only five dollars.



  

                   

That's right.



  

                   

Five dollars is all it takes

to have one of our beautiful foxes...



  

                   

come over to your table

and get you all hot and bothered.



  

                   

But, hey, why be bothered...



  

                   

when you're being treated

like a king?



  

                   

You've had a rough day.



   

                   

Don't you think you owe it

to yourselves to...



   

                   

do something that'll make you feel

like you're someone special?



   

                   

You are someone special.



   

                   

Five dollars is all

it takes to prove it.



   

                   

Yes, let's have a nice big round

of applause for Michelle.



   

                   

My God, that was beautiful.



   

                   

Ooh, baby, you come out.



   

                   

And just to remind you that, uh, there's

nothing Michelle would love more...



   

                   

than to come over to your table

and give you your own private dance.



   

                   

Hello, gentlemen!



   

                   

Anybody out there?

Anybody alive?



   

                   

Anybody, for five dollars,

you can have Kali.



   

                   

Kali at your own private table.



   

                   

Let me ask you something,

gentlemen.



   

                   

What is it

about a schoolgirl...



   

                   

that gives her that

special innocence?



   

                   

Is it the way that

they can gaze at you...



   

                   

waiting for you to say something

with so much expectation and hope...



   

                   

that you're just...

you're just paralyzed into...



   

                   

into silence?



   

                   

- Uh, look, uh, I want to give this back to you.

- Why?



   

                   

Well, you see,

those tickets were given to me...



   

                   

and, uh, I-I just feel uncomfortable

about having sold them.



   

                   

- That's okay.

- No, no, no, really, I-



   

                   

We never really introduced ourselves.

I'm Thomas.



   

                   

David.



   

                   

Can I use this

to take you out for a drink?



   

                   

- Oh, that's, uh, very kind

of you, but, uh- - But what?



   

                   

But I really have

to get home.



   

                   

**



   

                   

* Check it out

It's the one Seymour *



   

                   

* Gab was up for grabs

when I rock and roll her *



   

                   

* It's not a surprise that

I'm playin' your blusher *



   

                   

- * I'm on the VP

I've got a nasty drop *



   

                   

* I upstep this one

I'm swingin' on the mix *



   

                   

* And the words and the rhythm

will be falling from your lips *



   

                   

**



   

                   

Thanks.



   

                   

Are you available

next Thursday?



   

                   

- Uh, I think so, yeah.

- Good, good.



   

                   

- Tracey?

- Yeah?



   

                   

I- I'm not that boring, am I?



   

                   

- What do you mean?

- Well, the earphones.



   

                   

I mean, we used to listen

to the radio...



   

                   

and you used to ask me

all sorts of questions.



   

                   

So you want me

to ask more questions?



   

                   

Sure. Yeah, I mean, if there's

something y-you want to know.



   

                   

Okay. I'll see

what I can think up.



   

                   

- Say hi to your dad.

- I will.



   

                   

- Good night.

- Good night.



   

                   

* Well, well, well

kick it around for the bro *



   

                   

* Kick starts from the dope

so I'm a tough psycho *



   

                   

* Then add five, six

with tips to make you rich *



   

                   

- * Every now and then at the end *

- * Come again *



   

                   

* I come again with

the sweetheart, the fling *



   

                   

**



   

                   

- Did someone say something?

- No.



   

                   

So, what's the point?



   

                   

I've just noticed

a change in your attitude.



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

Look, I would understand if you would

prefer not to introduce Christina.



   

                   

I- I could do it myself.



   

                   

Actually, I've been thinking

that, perhaps...



   

                   

I should be getting more involved

in the introductions overall.



   

                   

I could have my own microphone,

like my mother used to do.



   

                   

No, I mean, I actually

enjoy introducing Christina.



   

                   

I mean, I find it

very therapeutic, you know?



   

                   

- That's not what you're getting paid for.

- Well, it seems to me...



   

                   

that I'm being paid to make every girl

seem like she's something special, right?



   

                   

- Yeah.

- So, in order to do that, I have to let my imagination run wild.



   

                   

So, I mean, when it comes

to Christina, I, you know-



   

                   

My imagination is bound

to run a little wilder.



   

                   

There's nothing that I can do

to control that, Zoe.



   

                   

Makes the clients uncomfortable.



   

                   

And you think your state

puts them at ease?



   

                   

Hey.



   

                   

Is he kicking?



   

                   

All the time.



   

                   

Do you feel like touching it?



   

                   

Oh.



   

                   

How are you feeling about this?



   

                   

- Fine.

- Fine?



   

                   

Are you happy?



   

                   

For you.



   

                   

What about you, Eric?

What about you?



   

                   

Well, I guess I got to be pretty careful

about my feelings, right?



   

                   

I mean, uh...



   

                   

that's why we have

a contract, isn't it?



   

                   

There's plaster dust

all over the apartment.



   

                   

No, I'm not exaggerating. No, I was

coughing in my sleep last night.



   

                   

You told me that it was going to be

comfortable for me to live there...



   

                   

and i-it is not

comfortable.



   

                   

There's plastic

on the furniture.



   

                   

That is not comfortable living.



   

                   

Yeah. Oh, come on, look.



   

                   

You told me you were going to strip

the wallpaper, not strip the walls down.



   

                   

Well, no, if you'd,

if you'd told me in the first place-



   

                   

If you'd told me what kind of job

it was, then I would have considered it.



   

                   

Although, it's- It makes me seem

like you've maybe made a mistake.



   

                   

That's what it makes me suspect.



   

                   

What? No, it's too late now.

It's inaccessible.



   

                   

I'm not gonna pay you. Pay you for what?

You didn't do the job.



   

                   

Well, you did a job, but i-it's not

the job that I asked you to do.



   

                   

It's not the job

we agreed on.



   

                   

Well, I can get anyone,

any number of people to do this.



   

                   

Yeah, that's just fine with me.



   

                   

Yeah, can I help you?



   

                   

- Mr. Pinto?

- Uh, yes.



   

                   

I'm Francis Brown. We spoke, uh,

on the phone a couple of weeks ago.



   

                   

- Revenue Canada.

- Oh, uh, of course. Uh-



   

                   

- How was your trip?

- Oh, it was fine.



   

                   

- And when did you get back?

- Um, just yesterday.



   

                   

Good weather?



   

                   

Yes, yes, lovely. Yeah.



   

                   

- Is this a good time, Mr. Pinto?

- Oh, sure.



   

                   

- It's just that you seem a

little, uh- - A little what?



   

                   

- Flustered.

- Oh, no, no, no, no.



   

                   

I- I'm fine.

I'm fine.



   

                   

Good.



   

                   

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Listen,

I can't talk to you right now. L-Later.



   

                   

Okay, uh-



   

                   

- So this is where I'd find

all the bank s-statements? - Uh-



   

                   

Yeah, that's right,

and those there.



   

                   

Okay. Well, if I have any questions,

I'll let you know.



   

                   

- Is it a little hot for you back here?

- It's, uh, yeah.



   

                   

You could turn it down a tad.



   

                   

I suppose you have to be pretty careful

with the temperature with the animals.



   

                   

Oh, well, they're a lot hardier

than you'd think.



   

                   

I wouldn't think

they're not hardy.



   

                   

I mean, just because they're exotic

doesn't mean they can't endure extremes.



   

                   

It is, after all,

a jungle out there, isn't it?



   

                   

Um, so, how long

will this take?



   

                   

- An audit?

- Yes.



   

                   

Well, it depends on

how prepared you are.



   

                   

- Have you got an accountant? - Uh,

well, um, no- Well, no, not really, no.



   

                   

Not really?



   

                   

- So this will take, uh, a while?

- I could be done by the end of the day.



   

                   

Or it might take a week.

It's difficult to say.



   

                   

- Oh. Okay. Uh, well, if you have any

questions, um- - I'll let you know.



   

                   

Did you know her?



   

                   

Sort of.



   

                   

She was your neighbor?



   

                   

I, uh, I baby-sat her

a couple times.



   

                   

Oh, so you knew her

pretty well, eh?



   

                   

Yeah. I did.



   

                   

What about you?



   

                   

Oh, I just, uh, I heard this thing

was being organized, so-



   

                   

It seems so, uh...



   

                   

surreal, doesn't it?



   

                   

- What?

- That we'd find anything.



   

                   

I mean, there's so, uh, many places you

could hide something in this country.



   

                   

- My name's Eric.

- I'm Christina.



   

                   

Hey, nice to meet you,

Christina.



   

                   

Well?



   

                   

- Well, what?

- Don't you want to touch it?



   

                   

You don't have to. It's one of

those things people normally like to do.



   

                   

Ah.



   

                   

What is this thing about Eric

calling you "a sassy piece of jailbait"?



   

                   

- What's this thing?

- It bothers me.



   

                   

- Why?

- It makes you out like a child or something.



   

                   

Unlike the tartan skirt and my socks

or the blouse or the way I act, right?



   

                   

Do you find it strange that he

would still want to work here?



   

                   

Zoe, not all of us have the luxury

of deciding what to do with our lives.



   

                   

It's a job, and he's

getting paid all right.



   

                   

I just find it cruel.



   

                   

So fire him.



   

                   

As a favor.



   

                   

How can you be

so detached?



   

                   

Well, I'm finished for the day.



   

                   

Uh, for the day?

Uh, you mean you have to come back?



   

                   

Yeah, I'm afraid so.



   

                   

When is a good time?



   

                   

But, but, I thought you said

it was only going to take one day.



   

                   

Well, it can only take a day.



   

                   

But you have to understand, you don't

keep very well-organized books.



   

                   

That's why you should really think

about getting someone in to help you.



   

                   

Just somebody to come in

once or twice a week...



   

                   

depending on the amount of activity

and... the type of activity.



   

                   

Uh, what do you mean by that?



   

                   

Well, some types of activity

are more complicated, aren't they?



   

                   

It might take more effort

to account for.



   

                   

Oh.



   

                   

I found a gun

in one of the drawers.



   

                   

- Oh, well, that belonged to my dad.

- Your dad?



   

                   

Yeah, I guess he just kept it,

uh, just in case.



   

                   

- In case of what?

- Well, in case of trouble.



   

                   

With the animals?



   

                   

Would Monday be a good time

for me to come back...



   

                   

- Mr. Pinto?

- Oh, yeah.



   

                   

Well, how about, uh, tomorrow?



   

                   

Uh, I have appointments for tomorrow. Actually,

I'm pretty busy 'til the end of the week.



   

                   

Monday's not good?



   

                   

No, uh, Monday's fine.



   

                   

- Around   :  ?

- Yeah, sure.



   

                   

Well, good.

Have a nice weekend.



   

                   

Strange to think that bird

is probably going to outlive us.



   

                   

Strange?



   

                   

Did you ever teach it

to say anything?



   

                   

Yes.



   

                   

- What does it say, Harold?

- It doesn't really say it anymore.



   

                   

It forgot?



   

                   

I don't think so.

They're not supposed to forget.



   

                   

It must have just lost interest.



   

                   

- I'm sorry I'm late.

- It's okay. We're just talking about Felix.



   

                   

What about him?



   

                   

Dad?



   

                   

I had the piano tuned.

It sounds beautiful.



   

                   

**



   

                   

So, how does it sound?



   

                   

- It's good.

- Yeah? Good, good.



   

                   

- Okay, well, I shouldn't be too late.

- What's "too late"?



   

                   

- Around   :   or so?

- Okay.



   

                   

**



   

                   

You looking for tickets?



   

                   

Uh, yeah. How much?



   

                   

That's too hot.



   

                   

He comes in here every other night.



   

                   

He has his favorite drink...



   

                   

at his favorite table

with his favorite dancer.



   

                   

Sometimes he has to wait for her,

and sometimes she's waiting for him.



   

                   

She'll protect him.

She's his angel.



   

                   

All right, ladies and gentlemen,

it's show time at the Exotica.



   

                   

And just to remind you

that five dollars is all it takes...



   

                   

to have one of our lovely ladies

come over to your table...



   

                   

and show you the mysteries

of their world.



   

                   

**



   

                   

**



   

                   

Now if that didn't

turn you on, gentlemen, nothing will.



   

                   

Oh, let's have a nice, big, warm round

of applause for Christina, gentlemen!



   

                   

Yes, Christina!



   

                   

What are you thinking?



   

                   

I was just thinking,

what would happen if someone hurt you?



   

                   

H- How could anyone hurt me?



   

                   

If I'm not there

to protect you.



   

                   

I- You'll always

be there to protect me.



   

                   

An angel.



   

                   

Shh.



   

                   

Why would somebody want

to do something like that?



   

                   

How could somebody even think

of doing something like that?



   

                   

You mustn't worry.



   

                   

Eric! Eric!



   

                   

Oh.



   

                   

All hot and bothered, yes, indeed.



   

                   

Let's have a nice, big

round of applause for Melinda.



   

                   

Uh, listen, I-I feel bad about,

uh, taking your money.



   

                   

- Why?

- The tickets were given to me, and...



   

                   

I should have

given them away for free.



   

                   

- Well, that would have been stupid.

- Why?



   

                   

Because no one

gives anything away.



   

                   

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, p-positive.



   

                   

**



   

                   

Do you consider my dad a friend?



   

                   

- Why?

- J-Just asking.



   

                   

Does he consider me a friend?



   

                   

I don't know.



   

                   

Why not?



   

                   

'Cause he always seems

different when you're around.



   

                   

- Different in what way?

- J- Tense.



   

                   

Is that bad?



   

                   

Well, I don't really like

to feel tense around my friends.



   

                   

Well, sure, yeah.



   

                   

I didn't like to feel tense around

my friends when I was your age either.



   

                   

But you do now?



   

                   

No, it's not a question

of liking it or not.



   

                   

It's just something that happens.



   

                   

Why?



   

                   

Um...



   

                   

well... as you get older...



   

                   

you become aware that the people

you meet and the person you are...



   

                   

um, as carrying

a certain amount of baggage.



   

                   

And, and that baggage

creates tension.



   

                   

So what do you do about it?



   

                   

Well, you can pretend

it's not there...



   

                   

or you can choose

not to have friends...



   

                   

or you can acknowledge that

it's there and have friends anyway.



   

                   

Like my dad?



   

                   

Right.



   

                   

I don't think that I like my dad

when he's around you.



   

                   

Hmm.



   

                   

Well, that's...



   

                   

because your dad doesn't like himself

when he's around me.



   

                   

But that's okay.



   

                   

That's... part of what friends do

to each other.



   

                   

- Good night.

- Good night.



   

                   

I, uh-

I just graduated.



   

                   

Really?

So-So did I.



   

                   

- Oh, yeah? In what?

- Radio communications.



   

                   

- So, so is that what you do?

- That's what I'd like to do.



   

                   

Uh, I-I do a little

freelance deejay stuff...



   

                   

but, you know, right now

I'm just driving a cab.



   

                   

- I thought you might do something like that.

- Drive a cab?



   

                   

- No, do something where, uh, you use your voice.

- Why?



   

                   

I don't know why.

Because you're easy to listen to.



   

                   

Because of my voice, eh?



   

                   

I just need to find

a structure, you know?



   

                   

What do you mean?



   

                   

Listen, I-I waste so much time, you know?

I just- My days just slip by, you know?



   

                   

- Isn't that what days are supposed to do?

- Yeah.



   

                   

Not if you want to make

something of yourself, you know?



   

                   

- What do you

want to make of yourself?



   

                   

I don't know. I-I-I just feel that I was

meant to do something with my time.



   

                   

I mean, otherwise, I-I wouldn't be

thinking of this this way.



   

                   

I'd-I'd be able to just

continue what I was doing, you know?



   

                   

Do you have a lot of friends?



   

                   

Not really. Do you?



   

                   

- No.

- Yeah.



   

                   

Do you ever feel like you need a friend?



   

                   

Yeah, sometimes.



   

                   

When?



   

                   

Like right now.



   

                   

Why?



   

                   

'Cause I just met you and...



   

                   

I just feel like

telling someone, you know?



   

                   

No way.

No way, no way.



   

                   

- Hi.

- Hi.



   

                   

- Jesus.

- What's the matter?



   

                   

"What's the matter?"

Her wigs, her clothes.



   

                   

Sometimes I just feel like

throwing them all away, you know?



   

                   

What are you looking for, Zoe?



   

                   

- I mean, is this where you see your future?

- My future?



   

                   

The club?



   

                   

When Mom died, my immediate idea was

to get rid of this place. Just sell it.



   

                   

- I never thought it would have any interest for me.

- So why did it?



   

                   

I used to be very shy

as a child.



   

                   

I used to watch

my mother for hours...



   

                   

just admiring

her sense of freedom.



   

                   

So when the opportunity came up,

I thought I would take on the challenge.



   

                   

So you feel better about adopting her

options rather than creating your own?



   

                   

I have created

my own options too.



   

                   

Oh, I know.



   

                   

It's your contract

for the baby with Eric.



   

                   

I found it.



   

                   

Does he know?



   

                   

I would hope so.



   

                   

Otherwise he might just think I'm

disgusted with him for no particular reason.



   

                   

Look, I really desperately

needed this child...



   

                   

and it just worked out

with Eric.



   

                   

I didn't mean

to hurt you.



   

                   

You know, I remember

when your mother built this hallway.



   

                   

She, uh, she built it for this

very rich man who used to come here.



   

                   

He used to get off watching us dance for

other guys, so he actually paid her...



   

                   

to construct this very special place

that he could watch us from.



   

                   

Your mother never

told us that.



   

                   

She said it was

to protect us...



   

                   

so she could patrol things.



   

                   

And I believed her.



   

                   

Until Eric told me the truth.



   

                   

Why did you believe him?



   

                   

I made a choice.



   

                   

And Eric promised me

he'd never lie to me.



   

                   

**



   

                   

**



   

                   

How could anyone...



   

                   

hurt you?



   

                   

Take you away from me?



   

                   

How could anyone?



   

                   

**



   

                   

What's this machine?



   

                   

Uh, uh, i-it's an incubator.



   

                   

- Wh-What's it for?

- Well, what do you think it's for?



   

                   

- Eggs.

- That's right.



   

                   

Are they yours?



   

                   

Wh-What do you mean?



   

                   

- I mean, um, shouldn't you be sitting on them or something?

- Oh, yeah.



   

                   

Well, I guess

I've abandoned the nest.



   

                   

**



   

                   

What's inside of them?



   

                   

- Uh, the eggs?

- Yes.



   

                   

Well, uh, Hyacinth Macaws...



   

                   

if you want to know

the absolute truth.



   

                   

And where did you get them?



   

                   

- From... very far away.

- **



   

                   

**



   

                   

Hey, check her out, eh?



   

                   

I said check her out.



   

                   

- Yeah.

- You talking to me?



   

                   

Uh, yes,

I'm talking to you.



   

                   

What? Check who out?



   

                   

The babe that's dancing

for you, man.



   

                   

You've given her quite a run

for your money, man.



   

                   

What do you mean by that?



   

                   

- She's been dancing for you all night.

- Yeah.



   

                   

Yeah, and not just tonight. I mean, I've

noticed you with her other nights too.



   

                   

You come in here

all the time or-



   

                   

Uh... yeah.

All the time.



   

                   

This- Visuals, you know?

It's good.



   

                   

But, uh...



   

                   

she seems to have a bit

of a thing for you, doesn't she?



   

                   

We, uh... get along.



   

                   

I'm sure you do, my friend.



   

                   

What do you two

talk about, huh?



   

                   

Oh, just, uh...

the usual, I guess.



   

                   

The usual?



   

                   

I don't think you're talking

about what I would call "usual. "



   

                   

- Why not?

- Because I can tell.



   

                   

You get pretty intense,

my friend.



   

                   

Well, I guess that's

just the way I am.



   

                   

So, uh- Hey, wh-why don't you

give her a little touch, huh?



   

                   

- You're not supposed to touch.

- Ah, but she is into it, believe me.



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

- How do you know?

- Everybody knows, man.



   

                   

Trust me, my friend.



   

                   

Trust me.

Just a little touch.



   

                   

Nothing too drastic.



   

                   

Then you will get

the full experience, my friend...



   

                   

and you will love it.



   

                   

You will love it. Okay?



   

                   

And what happens

when I touch her?



   

                   

What happens?



   

                   

You're outta here, man!

Get out!



   

                   

Come on.

Get down there.



   

                   

Come on. Go.



   

                   

Go on.



   

                   

Hey, what the hell you doin'?

Get off the road!



   

                   

Move!



   

                   

What's so funny?



   

                   

It's like pettin' a gorilla.



   

                   

Well-



   

                   

Was your father this hairy?



   

                   

No, I, uh, I got it

from my mother.



   

                   

I mean, I mean,

from my mother's side of the family.



   

                   

That's where you, um,

inherit hair patterns.



   

                   

- My uncle's bald.

- On your mother's side?



   

                   

Mm-hmm.



   

                   

Well, um, I guess I'm talking

about usual patterns.



   

                   

- Hmm.

- There's always exceptions.



   

                   

That's-



   

                   

That's the way these things... work.



   

                   

Shouldn't you go

to the hospital?



   

                   

No, I'm fine.



   

                   

You don't look fine.



   

                   

You worry about me, don't you?



   

                   

You think this is normal?



   

                   

- What?

- What we do.



   

                   

What do we do?



   

                   

That's just it.

We don't speak about it.



   

                   

You know that feeling

you get sometimes, Tracey...



   

                   

that you didn't ask to be

brought into the world?



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

Well, then who did?



   

                   

What?



   

                   

If you think that

you didn't ask...



   

                   

to be brought

into the world...



   

                   

then who did?



   

                   

All I'm saying is nobody asked you if

you wanted to be brought into the world.



   

                   

You just ended up getting here.



   

                   

So the question is,

now that you're here...



   

                   

who's asking you to stay?



   

                   

- Thanks.

- Thank you.



   

                   

Look, are you sure

you're gonna be okay?



   

                   

Yes.



   

                   

Good night.



   

                   

Good night.



   

                   

- He touched you?

- He didn't want to.



   

                   

- What do you mean?

- I know him.



   

                   

- We all know him. He's crazy about you.

- Not like that.



   

                   

Why didn't you get one of the boys

to handle this, Eric?



   

                   

Because I didn't think of it.



   

                   

I just saw him touch her, and-



   

                   

Why didn't you

ask him to leave?



   

                   

- Because he wouldn't have listened.

- How do you know that?



   

                   

Because he's in his own world,

the ass-wipe.



   

                   

I don't know

where you're both coming from.



   

                   

You are telling me that he touched you,

but he really didn't.



   

                   

And you're saying that you overreacted,

but you didn't have a choice?



   

                   

- I didn't.

- Why not?



   

                   

Why not?

Because he touched you.



   

                   

Okay.



   

                   

All I'm concerned about

is if he makes a case...



   

                   

I have to know

what happened.



   

                   

We told you

what happened, Zoe.



   

                   

And that is

what happened?



   

                   

- Yeah.

- Okay.



   

                   

Is that it?



   

                   

Hi. This is Thomas.



   

                   

I am not in at the present time,

but I am in town.



   

                   

Please leave a message

following the beep.



   

                   

Good morning.



   

                   

You're probably not up yet,

so you haven't seen what I've done.



   

                   

I'm a customs officer

at the airport.



   

                   

Actually, I-I saw you the other day when

you were having your bags inspected.



   

                   

I know- I know how you probably

smuggled those eggs in.



   

                   

There's a special unit at work. I

- I think they give them to the zoo or something.



   

                   

They asked me where I got them.

I had to lie.



   

                   

Where are they?



   

                   

- I took them.

- Where?



   

                   

- I'd like to see you again.

- Oh, no.



   

                   

Uh, no, they're in the country now.

Uh, they're definitely in the country.



   

                   

It's just I don't have them, uh, with me

presently, but it doesn't mean I can't get them.



   

                   

- And if you can give me, like,

uh, just, uh, um, a couple-



   

                   

- Good morning.

- Hi. Uh, and, uh, I'm here. Okay.



   

                   

So I'll call-

I'll talk to you later. Bye.



   

                   

You look like you're

in worse shape than I am.



   

                   

Uh... what happened to you?



   

                   

Oh, I fell down

some stairs and-



   

                   

- Are you okay?

- Well, do I look okay?



   

                   

- Uh, no, not really. - Well, I'm-I'm

better than I look. Here, I got you a coffee.



   

                   

I didn't, uh-

I didn't know how you took it.



   

                   

- Oh, black's fine.

- Oh.



   

                   

- Uh, I added cream.

- Oh, that's okay.



   

                   

- No, here, have mine. No, I insist.

- No, really-



   

                   

What is it?



   

                   

Well, it's just that

this has cream in it too.



   

                   

It's milk.



   

                   

Oh. Oh, good.



   

                   

Okay, well, I'll, uh-



   

                   

I'll get to work.



   

                   

Mmm, what?



   

                   

What is it?



   

                   

What is it that gives a schoolgirl

her special innocence?



   

                   

Is it the way they smell?



   

                   

The sweet smell

of their perfume, of their hair?



   

                   

The aroma

of fresh flowers...



   

                   

and all that other stuff

that hasn't been fucked up...



   

                   

by late nights

and a lot of bad food.



   

                   

Is it their gestures...

and the way they move?



   

                   

The way their body still holds on

to some semblance of self-respect and...



   

                   

and dignity?



   

                   

When they wrap

their beautiful legs around you...



   

                   

tight and holding on,

looking at you...



   

                   

you looking at them.



   

                   

It's just-



   

                   

Or is it whatever comes out

of their cute little mouths?



   

                   

All those questions,

all that wondering that-



   

                   

It's just, you know, you

- They got their whole lives ahead of them, you know?



   

                   

And you've wasted

half of yours away.



   

                   

Damn.



   

                   

What is it?



   

                   

There's this feeling

I get sometimes, you know?



   

                   

What sort of feeling?



   

                   

That I wasn't ever meant

to be satisfied.



   

                   

Satisfied with what?



   

                   

A lot of things.



   

                   

I mean, it seems to me

that every time I'm about to...



   

                   

you know, get a hold

of something or someone...



   

                   

it's just bound

to slip away.



   

                   

Maybe you want it

to slip away.



   

                   

Maybe I want what

to slip away?



   

                   

The things that you think

you're about to have.



   

                   

What would you

think about that?



   

                   

As a general philosophy...



   

                   

or how it pertains to you?



   

                   

You think you could talk

about how it pertains to me?



   

                   

What do you mean?



   

                   

Well, I feel

like I want you.



   

                   

Do you think that means

you'll slip away?



   

                   

Dad?



   

                   

I'm not going to baby-sit

for Uncle Francis anymore.



   

                   

Baby-sit?

You go there to practice.



   

                   

That's absurd.



   

                   

Why?



   

                   

Dad, he pretends

I'm still baby-sitting for him.



   

                   

Why would you think that?



   

                   

Because he's paying me.



   

                   

To house-sit.



   

                   

Twenty dollars an hour?



   

                   

When did it go up?



   

                   

He wants to believe

that Lisa's still there.



   

                   

I make it easier for him

to convince himself.



   

                   

Francis always had strange ways

to convince himself...



   

                   

of many things.



   

                   

Things that never happened,

things that might happen.



   

                   

People who did things

for reasons, but they didn't.



   

                   

What has any of this

got to do with me, Dad?



   

                   

Nothing.



   

                   

Nothing at all.



   

                   

So why do I have

to keep going there?



   

                   

You don't.



   

                   

And you'll tell him?



   

                   

I was in here the other night

when that guy was thrown out.



   

                   

Why did that happen?

Has he ever been thrown out before?



   

                   

- Why do you think he would touch you?

- Why do you think he would touch you?



   

                   

Why do you think

he would touch you?



   

                   

Well, what do you think

was going through his mind when he-



   

                   

Or-Or what was he thinking?



   

                   

- Well-

- What's so funny?



   

                   

Well, this is a joke, right?



   

                   

Not at all.



   

                   

If you do this favor for me,

I'll do that favor for you.



   

                   

But I'm not hiding anything.



   

                   

Thomas, you're hiding

a smuggling operation...



   

                   

that brings in over $       a year,

probably a lot more.



   

                   

We've suspected you

for a long time.



   

                   

I was just brought in to confirm

what was already known.



   

                   

So how do you want me

to report back?



   

                   

All I'm asking

for is a bit of help.



   

                   

That's all.



   

                   

It's very important for me to know these

things. Just ask her these questions.



   

                   

Do this for me,

and you have a clean slate.



   

                   

This really hasn't been my day.



   

                   

So change things.

Make it your day.



   

                   

* Exotica **



   

                   

And all you men sitting

near that stage, I can see you.



   

                   

I know what you're thinking.



   

                   

You're thinking that "because I'm

sitting next to that stage...



   

                   

I'm getting the same feeling

as all those guys...



   

                   

shoveling out that cash

for their own private dancer. "



   

                   

Well, you know, you guys want

to watch, go to the movies.



   

                   

We're in the live-action

business here, gents.



   

                   

And, okay, granted

- Granted, that beautiful creature writhing before you on stage...



   

                   

she maybe, you know,

smiles at you.



   

                   

She winks her eyes at you

occasionally...



   

                   

and you may feel

like the man.



   

                   

Is that all you guys

are looking for?



   

                   

Is that all you want?

Come on, come on.



   

                   

Invite one of our lovely ladies over

to your table where the real action is.



   

                   

- Yeah!

- Hi.



   

                   

I'm really sorry that took so long,

or I took so long.



   

                   

- Hi.

- It's such a busy night.



   

                   

Hi. I'm Chrissy.



   

                   

Hi. I'm Thomas.



   

                   

It's nice to meet you, Thomas.

I like the name Thomas a lot.



   

                   

Oh, thanks.



   

                   

Are you from out of town?



   

                   

Yes.



   

                   

Where are you from?



   

                   

Um... San Francisco.



   

                   

Oh, you're kidding.

I love San Francisco.



   

                   

Oh, you've-

You've been there?



   

                   

Yeah, I was there a couple of years ago

with my debating team.



   

                   

- Debating team?

- Mm-hmm.



   

                   

Um, that's- I admire

someone who can debate well.



   

                   

I mean, who can debate

i- instead of just argue.



   

                   

Well, anyone can argue, but i-it's

a good skill, uh, discipline...



   

                   

to be able to debate

and stand back.



   

                   

Um, and that's something

you can apply in your life...



   

                   

- outside of school.

- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.



   

                   

And, and when you're meeting

someone or negotiating.



   

                   

- Negotiating? - Well, I mean,

if you have- If you have to-



   

                   

Um, it's a good skill to learn,

as opposed to cheerleading or-



   

                   

Well, that's what I say.



   

                   

Don't be nervous

about this, Thomas.



   

                   

- We're gonna have some fun, okay?

- Sure.



   

                   

Sure.



   

                   

Um... um...



   

                   

I was here

the other night, um-



   

                   

What night was that?



   

                   

The night th-that guy

was thrown out.



   

                   

You were dancing for him.



   

                   

His name is Francis.



   

                   

Um... what happened?



   

                   

He was a bad boy.



   

                   

- Wh-What do you mean by that?

- What do I mean?



   

                   

I mean, have you danced

for him before a lot?



   

                   

Mm-hmm.



   

                   

- And has he ever been thrown out before?

- No.



   

                   

So what do you

think happened?



   

                   

He touched me.



   

                   

And when you're dancing

for the customer...



   

                   

they can't touch.



   

                   

Yes, but why do you think

he touched you last night?



   

                   

Has he ever touched you before?



   

                   

Is this what you really want to talk

about for five bucks a dance, Thomas?



   

                   

Well, I just want to know

what you think was going on in his mind.



   

                   

Are you here for some kind

of psychology conference?



   

                   

Uh, well, uh, yes.



   

                   

Uh, I am, actually.



   

                   

He's, uh-



   

                   

He's a very particular case.



   

                   

Particular in what way?



   

                   

Um...

you want the full story?



   

                   

Sure.



   

                   

His daughter was murdered

a couple of years ago...



   

                   

and then he was implicated.



   

                   

- For th-the murder?

- Yeah.



   

                   

- But why? - I-I don't know. I

don't really remember the details.



   

                   

I mean, he was cleared, and then

they caught the guy who did it.



   

                   

But... it obviously had,

like, this...



   

                   

this incredible effect on him.



   

                   

I mean, he is-



   

                   

He's just so fucked up about it.



   

                   

Oh.



   

                   

You know...



   

                   

Thomas...



   

                   

Francis and I have

a very special type of relationship.



   

                   

And I-I've never-

I've never minded.



   

                   

But then he chose

to violate it.



   

                   

S- Special in what way?



   

                   

Well, we've, we've always

had this understanding.



   

                   

I mean, I need him

for certain things...



   

                   

and... he needs me

for certain things.



   

                   

I mean, that's the way it's been.



   

                   

Uh, and how did he

violate that?



   

                   

He-He violated that in his-his, in his

role and what he was supposed to do for me.



   

                   

Wh-What's he su- Why?



   

                   

What's he supposed to do for you? I

mean, he comes to this club. He pays you.



   

                   

Because I was

doing things for him...



   

                   

and he's done things

for me.



   

                   

What has he done for you?



   

                   

I'm-



   

                   

I'm sorry.



   

                   

Okay, this is really stupid.



   

                   

And then I'm getting so emotional

over the fact that he touched me...



   

                   

because, I mean, he was,

he was always paying me...



   

                   

to do him this favor and-



   

                   

- What favor?

- I don't know, Thomas.



   

                   

- Why do you want to know all this?

- Well, I'm sorry, but I, uh-



   

                   

What is it about a schoolgirl that gives

her that special innocence, gentlemen?



   

                   

Such a thing that you have

absolutely no control over.



   

                   

You never have.



   

                   

And you never will.



   

                   

- After this break, we'll be right back with

sweet Chrissy... - He-He's not supposed to do that.



   

                   

- who'll help us answer that question.

- Do what?



   

                   

He's not supposed to-

He's not suppose-



   

                   

He can obviously see from his booth that

I'm sitting here talking with a client.



   

                   

He's not supposed to call me

when I'm talking with a client.



   

                   

Why? Do you have to go now?



   

                   

Uh, yeah.



   

                   

But I-I-I want to come back,

and I want to, you know, talk.



   

                   

But I want to move downstairs.

I don't like it here.



   

                   

Sure, sure, sure.



   

                   

Okay. I'll see you soon.



   

                   

Uh, I'm going to move

to the washroom.



   

                   

Hey, I've noticed you've been spending

a lot of time with that lady.



   

                   

Are you- Are you talking to me?



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

You seem, uh, to, to both

hit it off together.



   

                   

- Well, I guess.

- Yeah.



   

                   

Um, I guess

that can happen.



   

                   

So what do you guys talk about?



   

                   

Oh, just things.



   

                   

What sort of things?



   

                   

Oh, this and that.



   

                   

"This and that," eh?



   

                   

You know, it's amazing how...



   

                   

you can hit it off with someone

like that, isn't it?



   

                   

Have you ever noticed that

some people just drift into your life...



   

                   

like you've

known them forever?



   

                   

I mean, there are some people

that you can remember...



   

                   

the moment that you met them

really clearly.



   

                   

And other people that...



   

                   

it seems like you've known them forever,

even though you haven't.



   

                   

And they all become part of this

continuous memory you have of yourself.



   

                   

This ongoing-



   

                   

Are you with me?



   

                   

Uh, yeah, I-I think so.



   

                   

I mean, here you are,

y- you know...



   

                   

you're having this beautiful

conversation with her.



   

                   

You're getting to know

each other, and-



   

                   

I mean, there's other guys

that come in here.



   

                   

There's this one guy who comes in here

every other night or something...



   

                   

and he spends

a few hours with her.



   

                   

But he never really

gets to know her, you know?



   

                   

Not the way you have.

Not the way you two-



   

                   

She really seems

to be herself with you.



   

                   

Well, how do you know?



   

                   

What? That she's being herself?



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

Because I used to be her lover.



   

                   

I'm, uh, sorry, sir.

I can't let you in.



   

                   

Look, why not?



   

                   

Look, can I- Can I at least

just talk to the manager?



   

                   

- You want to talk to the manager?

- Yeah.



   

                   

You have to understand that

we have very strict rules...



   

                   

regarding

this sort of behavior here.



   

                   

- And I have always respected them.

- And this one time you didn't.



   

                   

Now, the problem, Mr. Brown,

is that this one time...



   

                   

happened in a room full

of other men who were watching.



   

                   

Now, if I let you

back into the club...



   

                   

- what's to stop them from trying to do the same thing?

- I told you.



   

                   

Someone told me to do it.

I was set up.



   

                   

And you believed that someone?



   

                   

This is, uh, Security.

- Please, sit down.



   

                   

Thank you.



   

                   

Why did you touch her?



   

                   

- Well, I needed to make sure.

- Why?



   

                   

What if she let you?

What would you have done?



   

                   

I'd have been disappointed.



   

                   

I'm not sure...

I understand you.



   

                   

That's not the way

she was raised.



   

                   

You know her?

Personally?



   

                   

There is another club

I can recommend.



   

                   

I need to come here.



   

                   

- I understand that very well.

- No, I-I d-don't think you understand.



   

                   

Exotica is a special place.



   

                   

My mother was dedicated to creating

a very particular type of atmosphere...



   

                   

and I would like

to maintain that.



   

                   

You don't understand.



   

                   

Mr. Brown, we're all aware

of what you've gone through.



   

                   

You've suffered a lot.



   

                   

But you have to understand

that Exotica is here for your amusement.



   

                   

We're here to entertain,

not to heal.



   

                   

There are other places for that.



   

                   

Other places?



   

                   

I can give you a list.



   

                   

Mr. Brown?



   

                   

Are you listening to me,

Mr. Brown?



   

                   

Um...



   

                   

um, I-I just met this man

in the washroom.



   

                   

What man?



   

                   

Well, I'm not sure.

I- I was in a booth.



   

                   

I didn't really have

a chance to see him.



   

                   

- So how did you meet him?

- He just started talking to me.



   

                   

And what did he say?



   

                   

Well, um, he said

he used to be your lover.



   

                   

Well, it's always

a sad moment, gentlemen...



   

                   

when that clock

strikes that magic hour...



   

                   

and we have to send you out

into the long and dark and lonely night.



   

                   

But just remember...



   

                   

we're only ever

just a dream away...



   

                   

wherever that is.



   

                   

* You say that

you don't love him *



   

                   

* But he's right there

by your side *



   

                   

* He's just there you say *



   

                   

* To take away the loneliness

you feel inside *



   

                   

- I guess-

- I have to go.



   

                   

- Oh, o-okay.

- **



   

                   

Um, wait a minute.



   

                   

- Oh, no. Thomas, don't.

- No, no, no.



   

                   

- Thomas, please, don't.

- Uh... no, no. Uh, I insist.



   

                   

Please.



   

                   

Thank you.



   

                   

Your dad told me about, um...



   

                   

you not wanting

to baby-sit anymore.



   

                   

There's no baby to sit.



   

                   

Well, I just want you

to know, I understand.



   

                   

Understand what?



   

                   

That this might all seem

a little weird.



   

                   

A little?



   

                   

- I just want to thank you, Tracey.

- For what?



   

                   

You've been very patient.



   

                   

And, uh...



   

                   

if you think the time has come

for this to end, then I understand.



   

                   

Thank you.



   

                   

Good night, Francis.



   

                   

He-He-He calls me from a table to dance.

Of course I expect you to do something.



   

                   

- Christina- - And then- And then he

follows this guy to the washroom...



   

                   

- and he tells this guy that, that he was my lover.

- Well, he was.



   

                   

It's going too far, Zoe.



   

                   

Actually, baby, you have

no idea how far it's gone.



   

                   

You know, I told him to touch you.



   

                   

I said you were into it. Yeah.



   

                   

It used to be wonderful watching you dance

for him, seeing how you could soothe him.



   

                   

I mean, it soothed me.



   

                   

You know, you soothed me.



   

                   

Do you understand that?



   

                   

- Hey, hey.

- Don't, don't, don't!



   

                   

- Stop. Stop that!

- Don't fucking touch me, you fucker!



   

                   

- Stop!

- Just fuck off, Zoe!



   

                   

- Stop it when I say! Eric!

- Stop it! Ow!



   

                   

Chill out! Chill out!



   

                   

Chill out! Relax!



   

                   

- All right? Relax!

- Eric, come here!



   

                   

- John! Get out. What's the matter?

- No!



   

                   

Fuck off, Zoe! No!



   

                   

Morning, Thomas.



   

                   

- What happened?

- I had to leave.



   

                   

Did you, uh, hear everything?



   

                   

Yeah.



   

                   

Did you know?



   

                   

Did I know what?



   

                   

That she knew...

about your daughter.



   

                   

You know, when the,

when the police came to question me...



   

                   

they told me

a lot of things.



   

                   

They told me that my wife

was having an affair with my brother;



   

                   

had been for years.



   

                   

They told me that I thought

Lisa wasn't my daughter.



   

                   

They told me

I thought she was Harold's.



   

                   

Wh-Why would they say that?



   

                   

Because they thought

I could harm her...



   

                   

that I would harm her.



   

                   

And then they found the man

that, uh, that did it.



   

                   

Let me go.



   

                   

And I went home.



   

                   

And then my wife was killed

in a car accident a couple months later.



   

                   

And, uh, Harold was in the car.



   

                   

He lived.



   

                   

What do you think

it would have taken...



   

                   

for your father

to kill someone?



   

                   

I'm-I'm asking because there's

someone that I want to kill now.



   

                   

I felt it last night

as I listened to him in the washroom.



   

                   

I don't understand.



   

                   

He set me up...

to touch her.



   

                   

Why would he do that?



   

                   

He took something

very special from me.



   

                   

I've had too many

special things taken away.



   

                   

- That's why we have to go back tonight.

- To kill him?



   

                   

- What would you do, Thomas?

What would you do? - Well-



   

                   

- Well, I would talk to him.

- I can't even get in there.



   

                   

What would you do?



   

                   

You go back tonight...



   

                   

and you have her

dance for you...



   

                   

and then you touch her.



   

                   

And he'll throw you out

just like he threw me out.



   

                   

But I'll be waiting outside

with the gun.



   

                   

I'm not gonna

help you kill somebody.



   

                   

Not even to save

a few years in prison?



   

                   

No.



   

                   

Well, to help me then?



   

                   

And that was Mirella, gentlemen.

Mirella.



   

                   

You can have her at your own table

for only five dollars.



   

                   

Thank you, Mirella.



   

                   

And now, it's always a pleasure

to announce to you our next dancer.



   

                   

Gentlemen, please, let's give

a big round of applause...



   

                   

for Christina.



   

                   

* Everybody knows

that the dice are loaded *



   

                   

* Everybody rolls

with their fingers crossed *



   

                   

* Everybody knows

the war is over *



   

                   

* Everybody knows

the good guys lost *



   

                   

* Everybody knows

the fight was fixed *



    

                   

* The poor stay poor

The rich get rich *



    

                   

* That's how it goes *



    

                   

* Everybody knows *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

that the boat is leaking *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

the captain lied *



    

                   

* Everybody got

this broken feeling *



    

                   

* Like their father

or their dog just died *



    

                   

* Everybody talking

to their pockets *



    

                   

* Everybody wants

a box of chocolates *



    

                   

* And a long-stemmed rose *



    

                   

* Everybody knows *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

that you love me, baby *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

that you really do *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

that you've been faithful *



    

                   

* Ah, give or take

a night or two *



    

                   

* Everybody knows

you'd been discreet *



    

                   

* But there were so many people

you just had to meet *



    

                   

* Without your clothes *



    

                   

* And everybody knows *



    

                   

* Everybody knows *



    

                   

* That's how it goes *



    

                   

* Everybody knows **



    

                   

Don't be afraid.



    

                   

I know everything about you.



    

                   

What do you know about me?



    

                   

I found her.



    

                   

You found who?



    

                   

Your little girl.



    

                   

Oh. Oh.



    

                   

I found her, man.



    

                   

I found her.



    

                   

Yeah, play something happy.

Play something happy.



    

                   

Yeah. Hello.



    

                   

Okay, I'll get it,

I'll get it, I'll get it.



    

                   

**



    

                   

- Hi, Christina.

- Hi.



    

                   

- I'm a little bit early.

- Yeah, th-that's okay. Come on in.



    

                   

**



    

                   

Yeah, I mean,

it's difficult for me to tell...



    

                   

'cause I never had much

of a musical education myself...



    

                   

but her teacher thinks

she's really talented.



    

                   

And, um, actually, we were thinking

of buying her a better piano.



    

                   

An exotic baby grand,

you know?



    

                   

And when I mentioned "baby grand,"

do you know what she said to me?



    

                   

She said, "Dad,

isn't that a contradiction in terms?"



    

                   

I mean, she just never

ceases to amaze me.



    

                   

I mean, she's eight years old.

Can you imagine?



    

                   

She can already identify-

Wh-What do you call that when...



    

                   

it's two words,

kind of cancel each other out?



    

                   

Oh, she just amazes me.



    

                   

Where's your mind?



    

                   

I was just thinking.



    

                   

About what?



    

                   

About the way

you talk about Lisa.



    

                   

You get so excited.



    

                   

It's nice.



    

                   

Well, I'm sure your parents

talk about you that way too.



    

                   

I don't think so.



    

                   

Oh, I do.



    

                   

Why?



    

                   

Because you're a very

responsible young woman.



    

                   

Responsible to what?



    

                   

Well, to whatever it is

you believe you have to do.



    

                   

Like what?



    

                   

Well, Lisa loves it when you

come over to baby-sit, for example.



    

                   

She says you really

listen to her.



    

                   

That's nice.



    

                   

She really listens

to me too.



    

                   

She thinks you're not very happy.



    

                   

Listen, Christina,



    

                   

if there's, if there's ever anything

you want to talk about...



    

                   

about what might be going on

at home or whatever...



    

                   

you know that I'm here, okay?



    

                   

- Okay.

- Okay?



    

                   

Okay.



    

                   

Okay.



    

                   

Oh, no.

I- It's okay.



    

                   

Thank you.



    

                   

You know, I really enjoy

these drives home, Mr. Brown.



    

                   

Good, good.

So do I.

		    

                   

- Bye, Mr. Brown.

- Good-bye.









 
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