22 INT. DATZMAN-MEAD HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 22
PAULA DATZMAN-MEAD sets her bags down on the table and fishes
a checkbook from her purse. Rose enters with the vacuum
cleaner in tow.
ROSE
We’re all finished. Since it’s our
first visit we did the blinds and
appliances but normally we’ll
alternate those weekly. Nobody
mentioned anything to us about
laundry so we didn’t bother with
that but if you want laundry
included there is an extra…
PAULA
Rose? Rose Lorkowski?
Startled, Rose looks the woman in the eye for the first time.
PAULA
It’s Paula Datzman… Class Captain
Year 9.
Recognition punches Rose in the face.
ROSE
Paula Datzman. Wow.
Awkward silence.
ROSE
How are you?
PAULA
Great! I’m Paula Datzman-Mead now.
ROSE
Congratulations.
PAULA
Thanks. We’re expecting our second
in a couple of months.
Paula pats her swollen belly and Rose forces a smile.
PAULA
How are you? You look just the
same.
ROSE
I’m good. Really good!
PAULA
God, I always envied you so much.
Dux of School and dating the
Top sportsman. So did you and Mac end
up getting married?
ROSE
Nope. No.
(Awkward silence)
I’m not sure…I think he ended up
marrying Heather Volkman.
PAULA
Wow. Well it’s so good to see you.
Let me get your info so I can send
you an invite to the baby shower.
Paula gets a piece of paper and a pen and hands it to Rose.
PAULA
It’ll be like a big reunion. The
whole gang from high school will be
there.
Rose writes her number and address on the scrap of paper.
PAULA
So what are you doing now?
Woops. Paula immediately regrets the question.
ROSE
I… I’ve just gotten my real estate
license, and so…
PAULA
Real estate?
ROSE
Yeah, this… this is just kind of a
temporary thing and I’m about to
just really phase over into the
real estate full time.
PAULA
You’re kidding, I’m in real estate!
Paula pulls a business card from her purse and hands it to
Rose. The card has a picture of Paula’s smiling face.
PAULA
With Long and Foster. Who are you
with?
ROSE
Me? Um. You know, I haven’t really
decided yet. I might check out Long
and Foster.
Paula nods. Uncomfortable.
PAULA
Maybe you’ll just be independent.
ROSE
Yeah. Maybe.
They grasp for something to say. They fail.
PAULA
What was that about the laundry?