Daily Dialogue — May 25, 2012

INT. HAPPY’S RESTAURANT — DAY. 35.

HELEN and TRISH sit together.

HELEN
(picking at her food)
Uch. I don’t know why I suggested
this place. Joy recommended it…

TRISH: Well, at least we’re together.
I never get to see you,
you’re so busy.

HELEN: No, you’re so busy.

TRISH: No, you are…

HELEN: Well, I guess I am.

TRISH: Me too.

HELEN: In fact, if I have to do one more
interview…

TRISH: I guess it’s hard, all this success.

HELEN: It’s just I’m so tired of…of being
admired all the time. All these men…
I mean, they’re all beautiful,
artistic minds, great sex, the whole
package…but hollow, you know what
I mean? I feel nobody’s really honest
with me. Nobody wants me for me.

TRISH: They’re not family.

HELEN: Oh, Trish. If only I had your
husband, kids, carpool.

TRISH: Well, I may “have it all,” but
sometimes I wonder what my life
would have been like if I’d
actually tried to write a novel.

HELEN: Oh, I’m sure it would have been good.

TRISH: Maybe I will write one.

HELEN: Oh, you should… Just try…

Pause.

TRISH: No, I don’t need that kind of success.

HELEN: Uch, listen to us. We who have
everything while Joy… What does she have?

TRISH: You’re right. And she’s just getting older.

HELEN: Last night she called — I was
in bed with Vilmos — no, Huraki –
and she was in tears. She told me
she’d quit her job…

TRISH: Oh, but…but that’s her lifeline!

HELEN: She said she wanted to “change”
her life. Do “good” work with
the poor, the needy…

TRISH: I don’t get it.

HELEN: Don’t even try. She understands
she already is good. She doesn’t need to
do good.

TRISH: And what about her music career?

HELEN: I don’t know, but don’t hold your
breath. Anyway, listen. This is all
top secret. She doesn’t want anyone
to know.

TRISH: Oh.
(a beat)
But she told you.

HELEN: She felt she could trust me.

TRISH: ’Cause I always thought I was
someone she could confide in.

A BUSBOY comes by, refills their water glasses, leaves.

TRISH: Did you speak to Mom?

HELEN: You mean about the split-up?

TRISH: Oh. I-I thought it was top secret.

HELEN: Just for Joy. Sensitive Joy.
Everyone else knows.

TRISH: Oh.

A WAITER comes by.

WAITER: Can I help you with anything else?

HELEN: Oh, no thanks.

The WAITER leaves the check, clears the plates, goes off.
TRISH picks up the check, looks at it.

HELEN: Thanks for lunch. I really
enjoyed this.

— Trish (Cynthia Stephenson), Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle), Happiness (1986), written Todd Solondz

http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=sPrie

For the actual scene, go here.

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is siblings suggested by mommyfollows. Today’s suggestion by BillieJeanVK.

Trivia: Premiere voted this movie as one of “The 25 Most Dangerous Movies”.

Dialogue On Dialogue: This scene is a tale of two sisters. Two very different sisters.

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