Daily Dialogue — May 11, 2013

INT. PUBLISHER’S OFFICE — DAY

We are looking at ZOE, the receptionist. She is listening with interest to an O.S. conversation while answering phone calls, “Premier Publishing.”

FEMALE EXECUTIVE (O.S.): Yes, you write more than anyone else. Yes, you make us a lot of money, but isn’t there someone more appropriate to…
MELVIN (O.S.): I need this. Just say, “Melvin, I’ll try,” okay?
FEMALE EXECUTIVE (O.S.): (resigned) Melvin, I’ll try.

They appear now — the woman tall, attractive, etc. She pauses at the elevator.

FEMALE EXECUTIVE: Now, on a pleasant note, our son got accepted at Brown. My husband…
MELVIN: (curtly) Great, wonderful. I don’t need you to wait with me.

She nods, pissed, waves and leaves. As Melvin waits, Zoe summons her moxie.

ZOE: I can’t resist. You usually move through here so quickly and I have so many questions I want to ask you. You have no idea what your work means to me.
MELVIN: What’s it mean?
ZOE: That somebody out there knows what it’s like to be… (taps her head and heart)… in here.
MELVIN: Oh God, this is like a nightmare.
ZOE: Aw come on, just a couple of questions — how hard is that?

As he hits the button, wipes his fingers, hits the button etc.

ZOE: How do you write women so well?
MELVIN: (as he turns toward her) I think of a man and take away reason and accountability.

The fan is jolted as the elevator doors open and close.

— As Good As It Gets (1997), screenplay by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks, story by Mark Andrus

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is Profanity free insults, suggested by Mark Walker. Today’s suggestion by Lars Egholm Fischmann.

Trivia: Verdell the dog, was played by six Brussels Griffons, named Timer the Dog, Sprout, Debbie, Billy the Dog, Parfait, and Jill the Dog. Jill was the star.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Lars: “The scene from “As Good As it Gets”, where Melvin verbally flips off his publicists secretary in a spectacularly rude manner.”

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