Roger & Mindy - Part II

Wednesday, October 24, 1990

ALEXANDRA thinks she hears someone else in her bedroom.

ALEXANDRA [calling out]: Vera?

ROGER: It's your husband. Needed a lightweight jacket for Acapulco.

ALEXANDRA [as he's about to walk past]: Roger?

Something in her voice makes Roger pause. He looks at her, and then:

ROGER: Oh, I've missed you.

He grabs her in a sudden and passionate embrace.

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ALEXANDRA [pulling away]: No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that.

ROGER: Pulled away? Then don't.

ALEXANDRA: No, no, no, don't do this, I can't.

ROGER [screaming in frustration]: Do you realize ... why ... what is with all these tricks? Why are you doing this? Why are you missing signals with me? Do you realize what you are doing, cutting me off like this? Do you know how much it hurts not being wanted?

ALEXANDRA: Oh, I want you Roger. That's the problem. I ache for you. Some nights, it's all I can do not to come to your bed.

ROGER [walking towards her]: Please, let's make love here then.

ALEXANDRA: I can't.

ROGER: Stop holding out on me like some teenage virgin punishing her husband !

ALEXANDRA: It's more complicated than that and you know it.

ROGER: No. You are making it complicated.

ALEXANDRA: No, you did, with your lies. This is the only way I can be sure I see things clearly.

ROGER: What is that ...? Is that some kind of backhanded compliment to my prowess? We've got a marriage here.

ALEXANDRA: Do we? Well, I'm not sure but I'm going to find out.

ROGER [screaming]: You have been saying that for months! When are you going to make up your mind?

ALEXANDRA: After Acapulco.

ROGER is dumbfounded.

ROGER: What does Acapulco have to do with anything?

ALEXANDRA: It will give me time to think.

ROGER: You've been thinking all summer!

ALEXANDRA: I know.

ROGER: Look, if this is about my going away with Holly, you say the word, I'll stay here!

ALEXANDRA: No, no, Holly has nothing to do with it. I ... I have to make a decision, and soon. Things can't go on the way they have been.

ROGER: Oh, that's right. They can't.

ALEXANDRA: So, you'll have my decision when you get back.

ROGER: Oh, this is the way this plays out, huh? You get to decide what you want, and I don't even get a vote?

ALEXANDRA: Of course you do. What you decide is very important.

ROGER: Alex, come with me to Acapulco, please! Don't base our relationship ... and future ... on a few days apart. Please. Spend the time with me. We can reconnect. We can somehow rediscover what brought us together in the first place.

ALEXANDRA: That's not a good idea Roger.

ROGER: Why not?!

ALEXANDRA [searching for an excuse]: Because dealing with those syndicators requires your undivided attention. I would just complicate things.

ROGER: I can juggle business and pleasure with no problem!

ALEXANDRA [tired, but laughing at the irony]: Oh, I know that!

ROGER [pleading]: Alex, please, please, please come with me! Holly likes you, you like her, she'll enjoy having you around. Maybe you could help us keep from annihilating each other, you know?

ALEX suddenly stares at ROGER. Once more with the irony. It's her turn to look utterly dumbfounded. Until she breaks down ... laughing, crying ...

ROGER puts a concerned hand on her shoulder.

ROGER [quietly]: Hey, you all right?

ALEXANDRA [sobbing]: I will be. When this is all behind us. Go to Acapulco and when you get back, we'll decide our future.

ROGER [quietly]: Goodnight, Alex.

ALEXANDRA: Goodnight ... and good luck.

As ROGER walks out of the bedroom, he throws up his arms in a final gesture of frustration and futility, and pauses at the door to give ALEXANDRA one last look.

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