Daily Dialogue — August 15, 2012
JACK: I didn’t mean I’m not against you… Actually, I did mean that, because I’m not, but…
JENNY: Dad!
David’s hand is still extended — in his confusion and embarrassment, Jack hasn’t yet taken it. He does so now, and shakes it for way too long.
JACK: I’m sorry. What I’m saying is that you’re not the sort of, of person I’d be against, if I were the sort of person who against…people. You’re not an old…Oh, dear. I’m Jack, and this is Marjorie.
DAVID: (deadpan) You didn’t tell me you had a sister, Jenny.
General confusion, until David chuckles naughtily. Marjorie giggles, and then offers her hand.
DAVID: You’re a lucky man, Jack.
JACK: I suppose I am, yes.
They all sit down.
DAVID: So. Gosh. (He looks around approvingly.) This is lovely.
Marjorie smiles.
MARJORIE: Thank you.
JACK: I’m sorry, David. Can I get you a drink?
DAVID: I’d love one, Jack, but we’re running a little late. If Jenny’s ready, perhaps we’ll shoot off.
Jenny looks at her father, and takes a calculated gamble.
JENNY: Ah. Well. Dad’s got something to tell you.
JACK: No, no, nothing… It was more of a question, really. How would you get to St John’s Smith Square from here? For future reference?
DAVID: Oh, it’s a pretty straight run, really. Up to Hammersmith, take the A4 through Kensington and you’re there.
JACK: Simple as that.
DAVID: Simple as that.
Jack smiles broadly.
MARJORIE: (playfully) So shall I book some tickets for something?
JACK: (still smiling) No.
Beat.
JACK: Back by ten, please, David. She’s usually in bed by then.
Jenny winces.
DAVID: I was hoping Jenny would come with me afterwards to have a bite of supper with my Aunt Helen.
Jenny studies him carefully. Suddenly his friends Danny and Helen have become ‘Aunt Helen’.
JACK: Oh, well, I suppose…
DAVID: How about if I promise to have her in by eleven thirty?
JACK: Well, it’s Friday night. And if you’re going out to the West End…
DAVID: Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it. See you again.
They exchange warm handshakes. He turns to Marjorie. Marjorie extends her hand. David takes it, but kisses it
suavely, leaving her a little flustered.
MARJORIE: Have a nice time.
JENNY: Bye.
Jenny and David leave.
— Jack (Alfred Molina), David (Peter Sarsgaard), Jenny (Carey Mulligan), Marjorie (Cara Seymour), An Education (2009), screenplay by Nick Hornby, based on a memoir by Lynn Barber
http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=KsZN
The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is smooth talking, suggested by David Proenza. Today’s suggestion by Teddy Pasternak.
Trivia: The author of the original account, Lynn Barber stipulated in her contract that she would be allowed to see and comment (but not alter) every draft written by the screenwriter, Nick Hornby. She mentioned that she was happy with most of the changes, but her one regret was that Hornby changed the name of her lover, Simon, to David, which was her real husband’s name. She stated that “I wish in retrospect I’d put up a fight”.
Dialogue On Dialogue: Teddy’s comment: “Smooth talking. An absolute necessity for a con man.”