Daily Dialogue — February 18, 2018
It’s 2:32am, and Mike decides to call Nikki, a girl he met just a few hours ago. Nikki’s machine picks up
Nikki (V.O.): Hi, this is Nikki. Leave a message.
The machine beeps.
Mike: Hi, uh, Nikki, this is Mike. I met you at the, um, at the Dresden tonight. I just called to say that I had a great time… and you should call me tomorrow, or in two days, whatever. Anyway, my number is 213–555–4679 -
The machine beeps. Mike calls back, the machine picks up.
Mike: Hi, Nikki, this is Mike again. I just called cuz it sounded like your machine might’ve cut me off when I, before I finished leaving my number. Anyway, uh, and, y’know, and also, sorry to call so late, but you were still at the Dresden when I left so I knew I’d get your machine. Anyhow, uh, my number’s 21 -
The machine beeps. Mike calls back; the machine picks up again.
Mike: 213–555–4679. That’s it. I just wanna leave my number. I didn’t want you to think I was weird or desperate, or… we should just hang out and see where it goes cuz it’s nice and, y’know, no expectations. Okay? Thanks a lot. Bye bye.
He hangs up. Walks away from the phone… then returns and calls again. The machine picks up.
Mike: I just got out of a 6-year relationship, okay? That should help explain why I’m acting so weird. I just wanted you to know that. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m sorry… This is Mike.
He hangs up… again. Calls back… again. The machine picks up… again.
Mike: Hi, Nikki, this is Mike. Could you just call me when you get in? I’m gonna be up for awhile and I’d just rather speak to you in person instead of trying to fit it all into -
The machine beeps.
Mike: Fuck!
Mike calls back one more time
Mike: Uh, Nikki? Mike. It’s uh, uh, it’s just, uh, this just isn’t working out. I think you’re great, but maybe we should just take some time off from each other. It’s not you, it’s me. It’s what I’m going through, alright? It’s uh… it’s only been 6 months …
Nikki: [picks up] Mike?
Mike: [very cheerful] Nikki? Great! Did you just walk in or were you listening all along?
Nikki: Don’t ever call me again.
She hangs up.
Mike: Wow. I guess you’re home.
— Swingers (1996), written by Jon Favreau
This week’s Daily Dialogue theme: Voice Mail.
Trivia: The scene where Mike talks to his answering machine was supposed to be a running joke throughout the movie. But all the other scenes got cut in editing.
Dialogue On Dialogue: This is by far the best voice mail scene in movie history. Awkward. Ridiculous. But it also has a beginning-middle-end arc to Mike’s self-confession.
