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[All is quiet in the supermarket except for the clang of carts along
the aisles and the faint sound of classical music through the speakers. ALLI and NICK--sans
SCARLET--are staring curiously into the frozen food section, searching for dinner and domestication.]
NICK
That's
it. I'm getting the ice cream from now on. This is just ridiculous.
ALLI
No, you can't rush it.
Choosing the right ice cream is a very serious process. It's comfort food.
NICK
[Pouts.] And here
I thought I was your comfort food...
ALLI
[Smirks.] Sometimes us girls need a little sustenance
to tie us over, babe.
NICK
I have sustenance! Are you suggesting that there's not enough of me
to satisfy you?
ALLI THINKS
Oh, God, I've insulted the male ego. Now we're never going to get out
of this aisle.
ALLI
No, babe, that's not it at all. There's plenty of you to satisfy me. It's just...I'm
a girl, okay? I need my ice cream.
NICK
More than your man?
ALLI
[Furrows
brow.] I didn't know I had a man...
NICK
You're not funny, you know.
ALLI
[Smiles
sweetly. Too sweetly.] I'd be funnier if I could pick out my ice cream in peace.
NICK
Can I come
back for you, then?
ALLI
Are you saying that you're not willing to wait for me?
NICK
THINKS
Shit.
NICK
Al, I'm ALWAYS willing to wait for you. I waited a long time to get
you, remember?
ALLI
[Smiles softly.] Yeah, I remember.
[Tentatively, NICK
wraps a protective arm around ALLI, pulling her to the side. He cannot help but think that she is a perfect
fit. He smiles down into her hair. Her hair. His mountain of curls to climb whenever he pleases.]
NICK
Okay,
baby. You have exactly five more minutes to pick a brand and flavor of ice cream.
ALLI
Healthy
Choice.
NICK
[Balks.] Healthy Choice?! You made me freeze my ass off for ten minutes
for a gallon of Healthy Choice?
ALLI
Not just any Healthy Choice. Cookies and
cream.
NICK
[Rolls his eyes. He is annoyed, but he can't remember how to be angry yet because her
hips are still pulled tightly against his, and are now their hips. Their ice cream. Their life.] Oh, sure. Cookies and cream.
Well, that makes it all better...
ALLI
[Smiles warmly, knowing that his spoon will find
its way to the carton before midnight, and loving him more because of it.] Of course it does. What else do we need?
NICK
THINKS
YES! I made a list! I hope she notices. God, I hope someone notices. Anyone.
[YES! He made a list!]
NICK
Well,
according to my grocery list...
ALLI
YOUR grocery list?
NICK THINKS
Shit.
NICK
OUR
grocery list.
ALLI
[Waves a hand in dismissal.] No, I don't care about that. I mean...you made
a grocery list?
NICK
[Beams proudly. He is a man in training, which is better than a boy out of
luck.]
ALLI
Wow. I don't know what to say.
NICK
Tell me how wonderful
I am.
ALLI
You're wonderful. Shit. Very wonderful. I'm impressed.
NICK
[Is
surprised. Very.] I impressed you?
ALLI
[Smiles.] You always impress me.
NICK
Yeah,
well, check this out...we're out of toilet paper.
ALLI
You're so sexy when you're playing the part
of the domesticated husband.
NICK
[Wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.] We also need some dog food.
ALLI
Oh,
babe...
NICK
And some pepper. For the fish tonight.
ALLI
[Sighs.]
NICK
What?
Did I say it wrong? You want me to try it again? I can be sexier...
ALLI
No, it's just...who'd
have thought, you know? I mean, here, now, it's all so real. I never thought we'd be the people taking the dog for a walk
around the park, or the people who shop for groceries together with a list on pretty stationary. I never imagined we'd be
the people who shop for dog food or pepper their fish.
NICK
[Hugs her tightly to him again, just
to remind himself that she's his, that forever is finally next to him.] I'm glad I get to shop for dog food and pepper fish
with you, Al.
ALLI
Same to you, Nick. Same to you.
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