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[The living room is dark, gentle, and quiet, much like NICK's
hand as it falls on ALLI's waist and draws her nearer to him. She is smiling--the smile of a tender, timeless
love--and he can feel the beating of her heart beneath his fingers. ALLI clenches the remote with one hand,
and NICK's hand with the other. Their fingers are like bits of future, forever entwined, and the wisdom on
NICK's face moves perfectly with the curiosity in ALLI's soft features.]
ALLI
Aliens?
NICK
No,
I'm feeling a little spontaneous tonight. Besides, I thought you might kill me if we had to watch that again. We needed something
new.
ALLI
[Her gray eyes flash with excitement.] Ooh, that makes it even better. Signs?
NICK
[He
laughs, because he knows that the way her hand squeezes his means that she is more frightened than thrilled at the prospect
of another movie about aliens.] Nope. I don't want you kicking me in your sleep tonight.
ALLI THINKS
Shit.
ALLI
I
wouldn't kick you in my sleep...
NICK
You would if you were dreaming about aliens coming after
you. [He says it not with malice, but with the patience and affection of a satisfied man. He is happy, because he knows her
nightmares and her dreams, and she knows how to tuck him in at night.]
ALLI
[Considers this.] Maybe.
But not on purpose. Never on purpose.
NICK THINKS
I love you.
NICK
I
know.
ALLI THINKS
I love you too.
ALLI
Ummm...Runaway Bride?
NICK
No.
I'm not that bored tonight, thanks.
ALLI
[Pushes him lightly, lovingly, because she understands
his need to be a man and his love for modern romance all at once.] Don't try to front. I know you love that movie.
NICK
I
just like the way Julia Roberts looks in a wedding dress.
NICK THINKS
But I liked you in a wedding
dress even more. So much more.
ALLI
I understand, trust me. Richard Gere in a tux isn't half-bad
either.
ALLI THINKS
But I liked you in a tux even more. So much more.
NICK
Does
this mean I have competition?
ALLI
[Smiles elusively, knowing that she could never love anyone
but the man before her.] Only if you introduce us.
NICK
Note to self: stay far, far away from Richard
Gere.
ALLI
What? You don't trust me?
NICK
No. I don't trust him. Not
with you.
ALLI THINKS
Oh... [Because she knows that this is sweet, in the possessive, offbeat manner
that her man is famous for.]
ALLI
Nice save, babe.
NICK
Whatever happened
to guessing?
ALLI
Bless The Child?
NICK
No. I don't want to
end up kicking you in my sleep either.
ALLI
The Wizard of Oz?
NICK
As
much as I love to watch you sing the songs with Dorothy, no.
ALLI
RENT?
NICK
[Shakes
his head miserably. He will never understand her love for musical theater on a silver screen, and he will never appreciate
her affinity for Roger.] No, Al. I've told you a thousand times...it's better on Broadway.
NICK THINKS
And
I'm SO much cuter than Roger...even on Broadway.
ALLI
I think it's time for my hint now.
NICK
Who
says that you get a hint?
ALLI
I'll beg. What if I beg? Do you want me down on my knees?
NICK
THINKS
Could be fun.
NICK
No, I like you better right here.
ALLI
[Nudges
him. Lightly. Sort of.] Hint, please.
NICK
It stars a pretty woman and the face of death.
ALLI
Hannibal?
NICK
[Shakes
his head, wondering why his genius of a wife has so much difficulty with something as simple as a movie title, but loving
her just the same.] No, baby. You're WAY off the mark. Think analogies, okay?
ALLI
Ocean's
Eleven?
NICK
Warmer.
ALLI
[Squeals now, because she knows. KNOWS.]
The Mexican?!
NICK
[Smiles, because the squeal has made it worth it. Well, that, and the
hug helped. The kiss he was engaged in all of a sudden wasn't half-bad either.]
ALLI
Oh my God,
I love you. So much.
NICK
I love you too, but I'm not sure I'll ever understand why you love that
movie so much.
ALLI
Because it reminds me of us.
NICK THINKS
Well, shit.
NICK
I
remind you of Brad Pitt?
ALLI
Not exactly.
NICK
[Frowns, because he
knows all about her affinity for Brad Pitt, and he wants to be lusted after like that, adored like that, appreciated like
that. Loved like that. Knowing that he is, but wanting it all the same.] Oh.
ALLI
You're a bit
softer than Brad, and you're more intelligent than he is in this movie.
NICK THINKS
But not better
looking. Ouch.
NICK
Great...
ALLI
[Considers him for a moment, wondering
why this man is hers, wondering if she'll be this lucky for the rest of her life. Knowing she will be, but wondering all the
same.] You're a lot better looking, too.
NICK THINKS
Hell, yeah, baby...
NICK
Really?
ALLI
Maybe.
You might have to lose the shirt, though.
NICK
Movie first, baby. Entertainment, then play.
ALLI
[Smirks.]
Play can be LOTS of entertainment, babe. Trust me.
NICK THINKS
Meep.
NICK
Yes,
baby, I know. Movie first, though.
ALLI
[Smiles, because she has taught him well, but he has taught
her better.] So I can press play now?
NICK
Yeah, you can press play.
ALLI
[Presses
Play. The movie lights the screen, and she smiles, content to watch a few restless characters act out the story of her life.]
NICK
[Smiles,
content to watch his wife.]
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