EARTHLY DESIRES

by Charles Deemer


Note: not in proper format

FADE IN:

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY

At the chalkboard is BERT WILLIAMS, 50.  Bert wears a work shirt, tie, 
and sports jacket, his left-over academic style from the 60s.  

STUDENTS watch as he writes on the board:

"William Blake, 1757-1827"

He turns, faces the class and starts to recite from memory:

BERT
"I went to the Garden of Love.
And saw what I never had seen:"

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

A COUPLE is making love.  The woman is MAUREEN, 20s; the man JACOB, 40s.

The poem continues:

BERT (V.O.)
"A Chapel was built in the midst,
Where I used to play on the green."

INT. SUITE - SMALL ROOM - DAY

NICOLE, 20s, sits in front of a laptop computer hooked up to a series of 
video monitors.  Each gives a different angle of the lovemaking going on 
in the adjacent bedroom.

The poem continues:

BERT (V.O.)
"And the gates of this Chapel were shut,
And 'Thou shalt not" writ over the door;'"

INT. SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

The lovemaking continues.  

ANGLES ON 

Several small digital cameras, which are hidden in the room to capture 
the action.  

In an arrangement of flowers.  

On the ledge above a closet.  

On top of a lamp shade.

As we see the above, the poem continues:

BERT (V.O.)
"So I turn'd to the Garden of Love,
That so many sweet flowers bore.        
And I saw it was filled with graves,
And tombstones where flowers should be:"

INT. SUITE - SMALL ROOM - DAY

Now and again, Nicole uses the mouse to capture a relevant still she 
selects from one of the monitors.  Each then prints out, a sheet-photo 
of Maureen and Jacob making love.

The poem continues:

BERT (V.O.)
"And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds,
And binding with briars, my joys & desires."

Suddenly the printer jams and starts BEEPING.  

Nicole is panicked.  What if Jacob hears it in the bedroom?

INT. SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

And, indeed, Jacob looks up but Maureen, also hearing the BEEPING sound, 
quickly grabs his head and puts a lip lock on him.

INT. SUITE - SMALL ROOM - DAY

Not knowing what else to do, Nicole pulls off her sweater and puts it 
over the printer, hoping to stifle the sound. 

She moves and accidentally trips over a cable leading under the carpet 
to one of the cameras.

Now the COMPUTER STARTS BEEPING and a warning screen comes up.  She's 
unplugged one of the video cameras and also pulled one of the cameras 
out of position.

On the screen, the image in the bedroom is askew.

INT. SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

The camera in the flowers has been knocked ajar.

Maureen sees it first, then sees Nicole peeking into the room.  She frees 
a hand to point to the dislodged camera, then gets Jacob back in a lip 
lock.

Nicole crawls into the room on her hands and knees, heading for the 
flowers.

Jacob finally pulls away.

JACOB
What the hell was beeping?

Maureen grabs him and rolls on top of him.  As she does, Nicole reaches 
the side of the bed and reaches up, grabbing the small camera out of the 
flowers.

Jacob pulls away again and swings one leg over the side of the bed, right 
next to Nicole.

She dodges it and scoots under the bed just before Jacob stands up.

JACOB
Is there an alarm clock somewhere?

MAUREEN
I bet it's the coffee pot.  I'll get it.

She rushes out of the bedroom into the adjacent room.
Under the bed, Nicole stares at Jacob's hairy legs.

INT. SUITE - SMALL ROOM - DAY

Maureen unplugs everything she can find.

INT. SUITE - BEDROOM - DAY

The BEEPING stops.

Maureen returns.

MAUREEN
I can use a drink.

Under the bed, Nicole sees them start to get dressed.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY

Bert looks over the students.

BERT
Anyone care to explicate that Blake poem for us?

As if on cue, the BELL RINGS.  

BERT

Turn in your papers, people. The final's next week.

Before anyone leaves, ZALE, a foreign student, rises to his feet.  He 
dresses like an ad for GQ. 

Zale raises an arm in a pre-arranged signal.

Suddenly EVERYONE SINGS "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to the professor, concluding 
The students applaud.  Bert is stunned.  

ZALE
(Greek accent)
Happy birthday, professor.

BERT
Was this your idea, Mr. Constantino?

ZALE
A group decision.

BERT
Thank you.  I'm quite touched.  And very surprised.

BILL, the class clown, asks a question.

BILL
Does this mean we get more time on our term papers?

Everyone laughs.

BERT
Absolutely not.  Turn them in as you leave.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - HALLWAY - DAY

Bert comes out of the classroom to find Zale waiting for him.

ZALE
Can I buy you a birthday drink?

BERT
A quick one.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - ELEVATOR - DAY

The elevator door opens and Maureen and Jacob step out.  They are 
dressed professionally for the business world.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - HOSPITALITY ROOM - DAY

Maureen and Jacob enter a large banquet room that has been turned into 
a hospitality area.  People mingle everywhere, mostly young professionals 
of both sexes, though men greatly out-number women.

A large banner reads: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS.

Jacob leads Maureen to one of several bars.  They make room for 
themselves. Jacob stands next to a colleague, HAYWOOD, who leans close 
and whispers.

HAYWOOD
You nailed her, didn't you?

Jacob just smiles and raises his eyebrows.  

Haywood playfully punches him on the arm.

INT. SUITE - SMALL ROOM - DAY

Nicole tries to put the computer setup back together, which requires 
sorting an entanglement of cables. 

It's not going well, and she's getting more frustrated all the time.

Finally she gives up.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - LOBBY NEAR DOOR - DAY

Jacob and Maureen are locked in a long kiss and embrace.  Maureen breaks 
it.

JACOB
See you for dinner?

MAUREEN
I'm sorry, I'm busy.  But you can buy me breakfast.

JACOB
You're on.

MAUREEN
And a walk afterwards.  Conferences never leave time for exercise.

JACOB
I don't know about that - my workout was pretty spectacular.

He grins.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

Maureen comes out alone.  She walks quickly to a cab parked outside and 
gets in.

INT. PALO ALTO - MAXIE'S - DAY

A bar in Palo Alto in the Stanford University district.  

Students fill the place, playing darts and pinball machines and video 
games, drinking beer.

At a table by the window sit Bert and Zale.

They are arm wrestling.  Zale has the upper hand, barely, but Bert 
recovers and slowly turns the tide.  Finally he shoves Zale's arm to 
the table top.

ZALE
Damn.  I really wanted an A.

BERT
Have your father buy the University. Then you can give yourself any grade 
you want.

ZALE
You don't understand.  My father is a very traditional man.  If I don't 
do well, I spend the entire summer making tzatziki all day.  You can't 
get the smell of garlic out of your clothes.  Or worse, working in slime 
at the feta  factory.  

BERT
It's not as if your grade is a "feta-accompli."  I can't believe I said 
that.

ZALE
This is a pun, yes?

BERT
Listen, your grade will come from the paper and the final.  However, 
I've been known to take bribes.

ZALE
Really?  Then I will bribe you!

BERT
How's a hundred grand sound?

ZALE
I'll buy you a night with a beautiful woman!

BERT
I'm joking here.

Bert stands up.

A cab pulls up outside, and through the window Zale sees Maureen get out.

ZALE
Don't go.  Here she is!  

BERT
I've been here too long already.

ZALE
I want you to meet her.  She has very beautiful girl friend!  I will 
buy her for you.

BERT
Some other time.  I have a final to write.

He moves off.  

EXT. MAXI'S - DAY

Maureen is on her cell phone outside the tavern.  She's talking to 
Nicole in the hotel room.

INTERCUT

MAUREEN
You came so close to blowing it!

NICOLE
Just relax, for God's sake.  I got more than enough pictures.  But I 
think we should go wireless from now on.

MAUREEN
You're the expert.  Anyway, I'll be with him in the park tomorrow 
morning around ten.

EXT. MAXI'S - DAY

Bert comes out as Maureen puts the phone in her purse.

He opens the door for her.

BERT
He's expecting you.

MAUREEN
Do I know you?

BERT
Nope.  

MAUREEN
You looking for a date?

BERT
I'm already spoken for.

She passes him flirtatiously, moving inside.

MAUREEN
You're a professor, aren't you?  There's something about men with brains.

He closes the door behind her and smiles.  The compliment feels good.

EXT. PALO ALTO - STREET - DAY

Bert walks home from the tavern.  

Now and again he passes student couples who walk arm-in-arm or kiss 
openly in public.  He notices them with a wistful expression.  Ah, youth!

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

He steps into his house.  He looks down at an answering machine.

The electronic device reads:  MESSAGES: 1

He punches the button to hear the message.

JOE
(on machine)
Bert, Joe.  Don't tell a soul I told you, but you made the short list 
for the Hobson Award.  Way to go, buddy!  You know you've got my vote.  
Let's have some beers to celebrate after we turn in grades.

Bert stares at the machine, not looking pleased at all.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bert is reading in bed.  He puts down the book.

On the bedside table is a framed photograph of A WOMAN, 40s, nice-looking.  
He stares at it briefly.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - PARK - DAY

Strollers, alone and in couples, move leisurely through the park.
Among the strollers are Maureen and Jacob.  They are dressed more 
casually than we saw them last night.  

Maureen and Jacob hold hands, moving slowly through the park. 

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Bert moves across campus.  Hordes of STUDENTS cross a square between 
classes.

EXT. PARK - DAY

Maureen and Jacob are sitting on a bench when they are joined by Nicole.

Nicole hands a manilla envelope to Jacob.  He takes the computer printed 
photographs out of it and is surprised by what he sees.  

The explicit images of last night's lovemaking.

JACOB
What is this?

NICOLE
What's it look like, lover man?

He smiles at Maureen.

JACOB
These are great.  Can I keep them?

Maureen and Nicole exchange a puzzled look.

MAUREEN
They're going to cost you.

JACOB
I'll be happy to pay for processing.  
(to Nicole)
You took them, didn't you?  Where were you, in the closet? 

NICOLE
Wait just a second.  I don't think you understand.  We plan to give 
these to your wife, send them to your stockholders, put them on the 
Internet - unless you come up with fifty grand.  Got it now?

JACOB
You're right, I don't understand.

NICOLE
(to Maureen)
Is he always like this?

JACOB
I'm not married.

MAUREEN
What?

JACOB
I don't have stockholders either.  You can put these on the Internet, 
though.  Saves me from sending them out.

NICOLE
Oh, Jesus.

MAUREEN
Aren't you the CEO of MediaTech?

JACOB
That's my father.  I'm Jacob Jr., VP of Employee Relations.

Nicole grabs Maureen and pulls her away.

NICOLE
And you talk about me screwing up!

MAUREEN
What can I say?  I thought it was him.

NICOLE
He wants us to put them on the Internet!  He thinks he's a stud. 

MAUREEN
I'll handle it.

Maureen moves back to Jacob and Nicole follows.

MAUREEN
Well, this is embarrassing, isn't it? 

JACOB
You planned to blackmail my father?

MAUREEN
That's too harsh.  We do a lot of research before we pick our targets. 
We make sure they can afford it.

NICOLE
We're saving for graduate school. It's contributing to a good cause.

JACOB
Dad would've just laughed at you. He's been impotent for years. You 
should do better research.

NICOLE
(to Maureen)
Impotent. Terrific.

JACOB
You should nail somebody like Ray Inman.  

MAUREEN
Oh? And who might he be?

JACOB
See what I mean? You never heard of him. He just happens to be the next 
Bill Gates.  Married, conservative, old money breeding.  He'd be good 
for more than fifty grand.  Double, triple that, easy.

Maureen and Nicole regard one another.

MAUREEN
He's here at the conference?

JACOB
Actually, no. But he's a keynoter in Chicago next week.

MAUREEN
Tell us more.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - FACULTY LOUNGE - DAY

Bert enters the faculty lounge and pours himself a cup of coffee.  
Sitting at a table is his colleague, JOE MILTON, 40s.

BERT
My Blake students sang happy birthday to me.

JOE
I didn't know it was your birthday.  What are you, 55ish?

BERT
50.

JOE
Sorry.  You get my message?

Bert nods.

JOE
I think you've got it, Bert.  I really do.  You look like you don't 
believe me.

BERT
I feel so burned out it's hard to get excited about anything.  I'm 
counting the hours until this term's over.

JOE
You work too hard.

BERT
Tell me about it.

JOE
What's it been, a year since Ellen died?  Maybe you should, you know, 
start fooling around.

BERT
I've forgotten how to begin.  And if you're going to suggest a personals 
ad, forget it.  "Lonely Blake scholar wants to trade songs of innocence 
for songs of experience, nymphomaniac prefered."  I don't think it'll 
wash.

JOE
Christ, Bert, a literary ad is a hell of an idea.  Maybe I should try it.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert is listening to JENNIFER, a pretty, undergraduate coed, without 
really hearing her.  The coed reads from a book of Blake's poetry. 

As she reads, Bert stares at her.  He imagines her - and we see her - 
naked.

JENNIFER
"Children of the future Age 
Reading this indignant page,  
Know that in a former time 
Love! sweet Love! was thought a crime."  That is so incredibly beautiful.  
I think it's, like, the most awesome thing I've ever read.

Silence.  Jennifer waits for a response.

Bert snaps out of his fantasy and suddenly looks at his watch. 

BERT
I'm sorry, I have to go.  I'm showing my house.

JENNIFER
You're moving?

BERT
Sub-letting.  I'm going on sabbatical.

JENNIFER
Really?  Where are you going?

Bert stands up.

BERT
London.

The girl stands up.

JENNIFER
Can I talk to you tomorrow?  I'm really excited about Blake's social 
consciousness.

BERT
Jennifer, seeing you is always exciting.

JENNIFER
Thank you so much, Professor Williams.

BERT
Bert.

JENNIFER
Bert.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert's compact car pulls into the driveway.  He gets out and heads for 
the porch.

Waiting for him there are ALLEN and JESSIE SIMMS, a couple in their 30s.  

BERT
Sorry I'm late.  I had a student conference.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DEN - DAY

Bert has been leading a tour of the house, and they enter a large den.

BERT
This is where I actually live most of the time.

ALLEN
This is really a great house.

Jessie sees this as a sign.  She takes her husband's arm.

ALLEN
How soon can we move in?

BERT
I catch my plane on the 23rd.

ALLEN
Great.  Okay with you?

JESSIE
Of course it is!

She embraces her husband.

Bert looks at them without emotion.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - HOSPITALITY ROOM - NIGHT

Jacob stands at the end of the bar when Maureen walks up.  He is 
surprised to see her.

JACOB
Why hello.  

MAUREEN
Where can we talk?

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREET - NIGHT

Maureen and Jacob walk down the street.

MAUREEN
I've been thinking.  Your knowledge of the industry could be very 
valuable.  You could suggest who to go after.  There must be lots of 
Roy Inmans around.

JACOB
What are you suggesting?

MAUREEN
We could be partners.

JACOB
What about Nicole?

MAUREEN
She's not interested.

JACOB
It's hard thinking of you as just a partner.  You know what I mean?

MAUREEN
Are you asking if we can still sleep together?  

He nods a little sheepishly.  She grabs him and plants a big kiss on his 
lips.

MAUREEN
Does that answer your question?

JACOB
So when do we begin?

MAUREEN
Can you come to Chicago with me? 

JACOB
I was planning to be there anyway.  

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Bert is stirring a pot of soup when the DOORBELL RINGS.  He looks up 
as if he is hearing things.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - PORCH - NIGHT

The porch light is off.

Waiting is Nicole, dressed sexily for a night on the town.

The porch light comes on.

The door opens.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Bert stares at Nicole as if he's seeing things.  There's an awkward 
silence.

NICOLE
Happy birthday!

BERT
Pardon me?

NICOLE
Happy birthday!  I'll sing if you like.

BERT
Who are you?

NICOLE
I'm your present.

BERT
What are you talking about?

NICOLE
I've really got to pee!

BERT
You want to come in?

NICOLE
That's the idea.

BERT
I don't understand.

NICOLE
Can I come in, please?  You want a flash flood on your porch?  I'm a 
dam ready to burst here.

She lets herself in, moving past the professor.

NICOLE
It's down the hallway, right?

BERT
What?

NICOLE
Your can!

BERT
You want to use the bathroom?

NICOLE
I'm busting a gut here!

She wiggles off toward the hallway.

NICOLE
It's gotta be down the hall, right?

BERT
Yes.  On the left.

And she's gone.

Bert stares ahead like he's just seen a ghost.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Bert is sitting on the divan when Nicole enters.

NICOLE
You don't know how close I came to peeing myself.  Not very romantic, 
is it?  

Bert stands up and steps toward the door.  

When Nicole doesn't follow him, he stops and turns.

BERT
Was there something else?

NICOLE
I'm your birthday present.

BERT
How did you know it's my birthday?

NICOLE
Because I'm your present.  Pre-paid for the whole night.  

BERT
You want to spend the night?

NICOLE
Bingo.

BERT
Pre-paid by whom?

NICOLE
Whom!  I'm with an educated guy here.  They told me you're a professor.

BERT
Zale.  Jesus Christ.  Listen, I'm grading papers.  This isn't a good 
time.

NICOLE
Actually this doesn't have to turn into anything you don't want to 
happen. The night's paid for, so as far as I'm concerned we can do 
whatever you want.  We don't even have to have sex. 

BERT
Have sex?

NICOLE
You've heard of it?

Bert clears his throat.  This is beyond his comprehension.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
We'll do whatever you want to do.

BERT
I'm going to grade papers.

NICOLE
Fine.  I'll just make myself at home.

She plops down on a stuffed chair.

BERT
Look ... would you like a drink?

NICOLE
I'd love one.

INT. DEN - NIGHT

Bert enters the den and hurries to a portable bar. 

At first he sets out two glasses.  Then he shoves one back, shaking 
his head, mumbling something like "Keep your head."  

He mixes her a drink.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Nicole is curled up on the divan.  Bert hands her a drink and takes 
a distant chair.

NICOLE
Happy birthday.

BERT
Thank you.

NICOLE
How old?

BERT
Fifty.

NICOLE
Really?  You don't look it.

BERT
I'm told I look 55.

NICOLE
Who said that?  I'd've guessed early-forties, tops.

An awkward pause.

NICOLE

I thought you had papers to grade.

BERT
Right.

He stands up.

NICOLE
Where can I find a blanket?

BERT
Pardon me?

NICOLE
Is this where I'm sleeping?

BERT
You really expect to spend the night?

NICOLE
Like I said, it's paid for.  I do have my professional pride.  Since 
you have papers to grade and don't find me attractive ...

BERT
I never said I don't find you attractive.

NICOLE
Then what's the problem?

BERT
I didn't know there was a problem.

NICOLE
You find me attractive, but you don't want sex with me.  I call that 
a problem.

BERT
Maybe I'm just not -- like that.

NICOLE
All men are like that.

BERT
I hate to disappoint you, but here's one who isn't.  If you'll excuse 
me ...

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

Bert opens a closet door and takes out a blanket.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

He enters the living room and throws the blanket at her.

BERT
If you have better things to do, I promise not to tell anyone.

NICOLE
What's that supposed to mean?

BERT
You don't have to stay here.  It won't hurt your reputation to leave 
if no one finds out.

He starts away.

NICOLE
(after him)
They didn't tell me you were married.

Bert turns and stares at her but says nothing.  He exits.

INT. DEN - NIGHT

Bert sits in his "grading chair," reading papers.  But he's having a 
hard time concentrating.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Nicole is stretched out on the divan, reading a book she found in 
a bookcase.

INT. DEN - NIGHT

Bert has fallen asleep in his chair.  

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Nicole puts out the light.  

She stares at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

INT. DEN - NIGHT - LATER

Bert starts, wakes, looks at his watch.

He gets up and stretches.

He turns out the light.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Bert enters and sees Nicole under the blanket on the divan.

NICOLE
I can't sleep.

BERT
Maybe you'd be more comfortable at home.

NICOLE
You hurt my feelings.

BERT
Give me a break.

NICOLE
I'm not used to being rejected.

BERT
I'm not exactly rejecting you.

NICOLE
Then what are you doing?

BERT
To be honest, I'm not sure.

Nicole slips out from under the blanket.  She's wearing only bikini 
panties and a bra.  She moves slowly to him.

NICOLE
Refusal is an aphrodisiac.

BERT
It is?

NICOLE
In spades.

She embraces him, and they kiss.  It takes a moment, but Bert starts 
kissing back.

They break for a breather.

BERT
I should tell you I haven't done this for a while.

NICOLE
You came already?

BERT
I think I'm good for at least another thirty seconds.  

Nicole's tone is soft, caring, kind.

NICOLE
You'll recover.  We have all night.

They kiss again.  It's a long, gentle kiss.  Bert's eyes are closed.
Nicole breaks it.

NICOLE
I found the bedroom.

She takes his hand and leads him toward the doorway.

Bert follows, silent, completely under her spell.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Nicole leads Bert into his bedroom.

NICOLE
Do you want the light on or off?

BERT
Off.  I don't want you to see me blushing.

She guides him through the darkness to the bed.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

A newspaper boy throws the morning paper onto the porch.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

Bert wakes up in an empty bed.  He looks around, looking as if he is 
trying to hang on to a dream he's coming out of.

He gets up and puts on his robe.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Bert enters to find Nicole at the stove.  She wears one of his work 
shirts over her underwear.  The shirt has never looked this good.

BERT
What're you doing?

NICOLE
Making breakfast.  Scrambled eggs okay?

BERT
It's great.

NICOLE
Coffee's made.  

She catches him staring at her.

NICOLE
Hasn't a woman ever made you breakfast before?

BERT
Not in a very long while.

NICOLE
What time do you have to be at school?

BERT
Ten or about.  Why?

NICOLE
Good, we don't have to hurry.  Morning's are my favorite time. 

INT. DEN - DAY

Bert and Nicole sit on the floor, using a coffee table for their 
breakfast.  They have finished eating.

NICOLE
Who's the woman in the picture next to your bed?

BERT
My wife.  She passed away a year and a half ago.

NICOLE
I'm sorry.  What happened?

BERT
Cancer.  The whole thing happened in about three months.  

NICOLE
You must've loved her a lot.

Bert doesn't reply.

NICOLE
You know what I like best about you so far?

BERT
I haven't a clue.

NICOLE
You haven't asked, "What's a nice girl like you doing in a business 
like this?"

BERT
Oops. That's exactly what I was about to ask you.

NICOLE
You were not.  Were you?

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

They begin to get dressed.

NICOLE
If you want to do it before I go, now's the time.

She sees the reaction on Bert's face.

NICOLE
I said something wrong?

BERT
I think you bring out the hopeless romantic in me.

NICOLE
This is my job, you know?

BERT
I understand.

NICOLE
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings.  Last night was fun.

She kisses him on the cheek.

BERT
You don't have to be nice.

NICOLE
If you knew me, you'd know I don't go out of my way to be nice.  To be 
honest, I wasn't all that excited about the gig.  You surprised me.  
You're good company.

BERT
That's all?

NICOLE
And you're good in bed.  Rusty but good.  Jesus.

BERT
What's wrong?

NICOLE
You guys carry your self-esteem in your pants.  Why the celibacy anyway?  
It's taken this long to get over your wife?

BERT
That -- and a profound fear of dating.  I don't know what the rules are 
any more.

NICOLE
If you want my advice, you should get out more.  Find yourself some 
lady friends.

She starts to move away.

BERT
Will I see you again?

NICOLE
That may be difficult.  I'm only here for the software conference.

BERT
I'd still like to see you.

She studies him.

NICOLE
I'm staying at the The Commodore.  I'll leave you the phone number.

INSERT: BUSINESS CARD

On the business card is printed:

                        "NICOLE
             Mature companionship for adults"

Below this, Nicole's handwriting gives a telephone and room number.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert sits at his office desk, staring at the card.  

Memory of last night washes over him.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

They make love, Nicole on top, Bert reaching up and fondling her breasts.
His expression shows deep ecstasy.  Clearly he is feeling things he 
hasn't felt in a very long time -- and perhaps never.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert's memory is interrupted by a knock.

The professor turns to the door as Joe steps into the office.

JOE
You got the Hobson!  The announcement comes out this afternoon.

Bert quickly sticks Nicole's card into a pocket.

JOE (CONT'D)
Hello? Earth to Bert!

BERT
The Hobson.  That's nice.

JOE
Jeez, don't be so damn excited.

BERT
Well, ex-cuse me!

He gets up from the desk and starts jumping up and down, waving his arms 
like a madman.

BERT (CONT'D)
I got the Hobson!  Holy hot damn!  I get to lecture the faculty about 
how goddamn self-important we all are!  

He calms down.

BERT (CONT'D)
That better?

JOE
Have you been drinking?

BERT
Unfortunately, no.  Worse, I've got a class.

He gets up and grabs his briefcase.

JOE
Bert!  You need to get a woman in your life.  Something.  The Hobson's a 
big deal.  Don't do something to screw it up.

BERT
You know what?  I would love to screw it up.  At least it would be 
different.

He smiles and moves into the hallway.  Joe looks more concerned than 
ever.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Nicole lets herself in.

She finds Maureen in the living room.

NICOLE
I gave him a time he'll never forget.  I was his first woman in over 
a year.

MAUREEN
It must not've taken long.

NICOLE
Not the first time.

MAUREEN
More than once?  You did give him a happy birthday!

NICOLE
So what's next? Do you believe Jacob about this Inman guy?

MAUREEN
I don't think we can trust a guy like that about anything. I've got a 
couple new prospects for us here. Then I was thinking maybe we should 
skip Chicago and take a break. I think we're both ready for one.

NICOLE
I'd rather get it over with.  A few   more gigs and I quit for good. 

The PHONE RINGS.  And again.

Both women stare at it before Nicole picks up the receiver.  Maureen 
watches carefully.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert holds the phone, waiting for an answer.

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

NICOLE
Hello?

BERT
I'd like to speak to Nicole, please.

NICOLE
Speaking.  Who's this?

BERT
Bert.

NICOLE
Bertie!  I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon.

She raises her eyebrows at Maureen, who relaxes.

BERT
I want to see you again.

NICOLE
You know my rates.  Want to make an appointment?

BERT
Yes.  I mean, what does it cost, what would you charge for, you know, 
getting a cup of coffee or something?

NICOLE
You want to pay me to have a cup of coffee with you?

She shakes her head, "unbelievable," at Maureen.

BERT
I don't know what the procedure is.

NICOLE
Is that all you want?  Coffee?

BERT
Yes.  I mean, for now.  At this moment.

He starts to say something else but stops himself.

NICOLE
Tell you what:  I'll be near the University later this afternoon.  We 
could meet around three.

Bert pauses, thinking.

NICOLE
Professor?

BERT
Three would be good.

NICOLE
Where's a good place to meet?

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY

Students enter the classroom to find a notice written in large block 
letters on the chalkboard:

                 "CLASS CANCELED"

BILL
Anybody ever hear of Williams canceling a class before?

No one has.

Zale rushes in, thinking he's late.

ZALE
What's going on?

BILL
No class.

ZALE
You're kidding me.

Bill points out the message on the board.

Zale whistles, as if to say, She must've really done a number on him.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Bert and Nicole are sitting at a corner table. 

BERT
I'm been teaching for over twenty years, and it's my first sabbatical 
since I wrote my book.  

NICOLE
You wrote a book, how exciting!  What's it called?

BERT
Just an academic book.

NICOLE
Called?

BERT
"Between Heaven and Hell."

NICOLE
I like the title.  Was it a best seller?

BERT
It's out of print.  I have boxes of books in my office, in my basement.  
I don't know what to do with them all. 

NICOLE
What's the book about?

BERT
William Blake.  He was a very early romantic poet, a mystic, and a rebel.

NICOLE
I can see you with the romantic and mystic part.  Not so much the rebel. 
When do you leave for London?

BERT
In less than two weeks, right after finals.

NICOLE
Send me a postcard?

BERT
Of course.  I'll need an address.

NICOLE
Right, you will.  The thing is, I never give out my address to clients.

BERT
I'm not exactly a client.  You were my birthday present.

NICOLE
It's still my policy.

BERT
What do you think I'll do with it that's so terrible?

NICOLE
I'm not sure.  Nothing, I guess.

She quickly scribbles her address on a napkin and hands it to him.

NICOLE
I want scenery, not a picture of Shakespeare.

Bert looks at the address.

BERT
I've been to San Diego.  

NICOLE
You come down often?

BERT
Not as often as I should.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Bert and Nicole come out of the coffee shop together.

Nicole offers her hand, and Bert shakes it.

NICOLE
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip.

BERT
Nicole, I was thinking maybe I'd call you before I leave.

NICOLE
Give me as much notice as you can.  The conference keeps me pretty busy.

She starts off down the street.  

BERT
Nicole!

She turns.

BERT
Thanks for having coffee with me.

Nicole blows him a kiss.

NICOLE
You'd look great in a beret, Bertie!    Think about it.

She turns and goes.

Bert can't take his eyes off her.  He watches her until she disappears.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY

Bert approaches his office to find Jennifer sitting in the hallway 
outside his door.

BERT
Sorry I'm late.

JENNIFER
That's okay.

She gets to her feet.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Once again, Bert sits at his desk listening to the girl but barely 
hearing her.  In his mind's eye, he sees:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Bert and Nicole making passionate love.

JENNIFER
(V.O.)
But sometimes he really loses me.  Like this other thing he wrote, let 
me find it.  Here it is.  "Prisons are build with bricks of law, 
brothels with stones of religion."  I'm not sure I understand that.

BACK TO SCENE

But Bert doesn't respond to the question.  He's still lost in erotic 
memory of Nicole.

JENNIFER
Professor Williams? Bert?

BERT
Yes?

JENNIFER
Is he saying churches somehow are responsible for there being 
prostitution in the world?  How can that be?

BERT
Blake is saying that what we're inclined to do naturally often is 
restricted by the institutions of society.  So society by nature is 
hypocritical.  It censors our natural instincts, our natural earthly 
desires.

JENNIFER
But it has to be that way, doesn't it?  Or we'd all be back in the jungle 
again?

BERT
Blake also wrote, "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom."  
Maybe the jungle has certain advantages over what we call civilization.

The PHONE RINGS.

BERT
We'll talk about it in class.

Getting the hint, Jennifer gets up to leave.  She smiles at him 
flirtatiously on her way out.

Bert picks up the phone.

BERT
Hello?...Well, yes, I suppose that would be all right.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

A U-haul truck is parked in the driveway.

Allen and a GEORGE, a male friend, are unloading the truck, putting 
furniture into Bert's garage.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Bert sits at a small kitchen table, sipping tea.  On the table is the 
card with Nicole's phone number.  He stares at it, lost in thought.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert comes out of the house.

BERT
Would you close the garage door when you're done?  I have to leave.

ALLEN
Shouldn't we lock it?

BERT
It locks automatically.

ALLEN
Great.  I really do appreciate this.

Bert walks to his car.

INT. MEN'S CLOTHING STORE - DAY

Bert stands before a mirror, trying on a beret.  A CLERK stands nearby.  
Bert nods, yes, he'll take it.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

Bert's car is parked across the street from the Commodore Hotel in a 
taxi zone.  

He stares out at the hotel.  He's wearing his beret.

A cab pulls alongside him and BEEPS its horn for him to move.

Bert pulls away.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - NIGHT

Maureen and Nicole are getting ready to go out when there's a knock on 
the door.

MAUREEN
You expecting someone?

NICOLE
No.  

Maureen gets up to go to the door.

Which she opens to find Zale, standing in the hallway with a huge 
bouquet of flowers.

ZALE
For you!

MAUREEN
I told you to always call first.

ZALE
You don't like them?

MAUREEN
They're beautiful.  Nicole, look what Zale brought us!

ZALE
(to Maureen)
Brought you.

Nicole comes forward.

NICOLE
They're beautiful.

Maureen hands the bouquet to Nicole.

MAUREEN
Put these in water.  I'll be right back.
(to Zale)
We have to talk.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREET - NIGHT

Maureen and Zale walk along a sidewalk near the hotel.

ZALE
I want you to come home to Greece with me.  Just for the summer.  
I'll pay all your expenses.  

MAUREEN
Zale, I can't do that.

ZALE
Of course you can.  Why not?

MAUREEN
I'm a working girl.

ZALE
I can give you a bigger allowance than you can ever make.  

MAUREEN
Why would you do that?

ZALE
Why do you think?  I want to spend as much time with you as possible.  
Don't worry about the money.  Money is nothing.  My family owns most 
of Greece.  We're practically royalty.

MAUREEN
I don't know what to tell you.

ZALE
That you'll think about it.

MAUREEN
I'll think about it.

Zale embraces her.  Maureen is lost in thought.

INT. MAXIE'S - NIGHT

Bert and Joe sit at a table, sharing a pitcher of beer. 

JOE
Extraordinary.  It's certainly a birthday you'll never forget.

BERT
I'm going to keep seeing her.

JOE
Really?

BERT
I canceled my flight to London.

JOE
You're not serious.

BERT
Very.  Does it sound that crazy?

JOE
You really want my opinion?

BERT
Of course.

JOE
It's nuts.  This may come as a shock to you, but they have hookers 
in London, too.

BERT
There's something different about her.  It's the way I feel when I'm 
with her.

JOE
My God, Bert, it's so obvious what's happening here.  You haven't been 
with anyone since Ellen died--

BERT
I'm sure that has something to do with it but--

JOE
It has everything to do with it.  You're horny as hell, and she's 
reminding you how great a good roll in the sack is for the old 
self-esteem.  

BERT
It's more than that.

JOE
You're thinking with your dick.

BERT
And if I am?  Blake said you don't know what is enough unless you know 
what is more than enough.  Maybe making up for lost time is exactly what 
I should be doing now.

JOE
Hello? You just got the Hobson Award, remember?  Your career's on a new 
fast track.

BERT
Joe, listen to me.  I don't know how to explain this, but being around 
her makes me feel ... I know this is going to sound absurd ... makes 
me feel like less of a fraud.

JOE
I have no idea what you mean.  How are you a fraud?

BERT
When I think of all those wonderful Blake quotations I read to my class: 
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom."  I've never done 
anything excessive in my life.  But I'm sure quick with the quotations: 
"He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence."

JOE
Bert, you're not thinking rationally here.

BERT
"The lust of the goat is the bounty of God."  Joe, what if those words 
I spout out to my students actually mean something?  What if they are 
more than pretty sounding verses?  What if I should be paying attention 
to them in my life?

Joe just stares at him, dumbfounded.

BERT (CONT'D)
Haven't you ever wanted to do something just because you felt like it 
-- even though it made no sense at all?  Haven't you ever wanted to 
follow your instincts and the consequences be damned?

Joe slowly shakes his head, No.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert sits at his desk.  He reads student papers.

There's a KNOCK and he turns to find Zale.  

ZALE
I don't suppose you've graded the papers.

BERT
I'm not to your class yet.

Zale lingers in the doorway.

ZALE
How did you get along with Nicole?

BERT
It wasn't hard to figure it was you.

ZALE
I thought she might be your type.

Bert studies him.


BERT
You're bribing me, aren't you?

ZALE
It was a birthday present.  I have the money, why not make people 
happy with it?

BERT
Your grade, Mr. Constantino, won't be influenced by this.  

ZALE
Of course not.

Bert goes back to reading.  After a moment, he turns to the doorway.

BERT
Was there something else?

ZALE
You're going to love my paper.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Bert dials a number.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - NIGHT

Nicole answers the phone.  She is alone.

NICOLE
Hello?

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

BERT

I want to make an appointment.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Nicole and Bert make love -- or more correctly, she makes love to him.  
She's still the aggressor, and he is a willing victim under her skilled 
lovemaking.

INT. DEN - NIGHT

Bert brings two brandies into the den.  Nicole is looking at Bert's book.

NICOLE
I found your book!

Nicole reads from a page she has opened.

NICOLE
"Without Contraries there is no progression.  Attraction and Repulsion, 
Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necesary to Human existence."  
That's pretty good.

BERT
William Blake was quite extraordinary.

NICOLE
May I borrow this?

BERT
You can have it.  I've got boxes of them in the basement.

NICOLE
I want you to autograph it.

BERT
Come on.

NICOLE
I'm serious!  Right now, write something sweet to me.

Bert takes the book and thinks a moment.  Then he writes: 

"For Nicole, Who gave me my life back.  'Bertie'"

He returns the book, and Nicole reads the inscription.

NICOLE
That's so sweet.  

BERT
You're the only human on the face of the earth that I let get away 
with calling me Bertie.

She smiles and closes the book.

BERT (CONT'D)
I've decided not to go to London.  I have no passion to do research 
any more.  I want to work on something more personal.  Maybe write a 
novel.  I can do that very well here at home.  

He takes a deep breath for courage.

BERT (CONT'D)
I also want to see you as often as I can.  Do you have clients who fly 
into San Diego to see you?

NICOLE
Sometimes, if they're in town on business.

BERT
I'm sure I can think of something to call business.

NICOLE
I'm on the road a lot.

BERT
I'll be sure to make an appointment first.

NICOLE
I can't tell you what to do, Bertie.  I don't want to think I stopped you 
from going to London.

BERT
You were just the final kick in the butt.  What I'm doing has been 
coming for a long time.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert is hauling the stored furniture out of the garage.  He is working 
alone, which he shouldn't be doing.  He can barely manage the heavier 
items, and he works up a good sweat.

A car peels into the driveway and SKIDS to a stop.  A furious Allen 
climbs out.

ALLEN
I'm going to sue you for breach of contract!

BERT
I didn't know my plans would change.  I thought you were bringing a truck.

ALLEN
It's on its way.  Believe me, you haven't heard the end of this.

Bert turns and starts back for another piece of furniture.

ALLEN
Don't touch a goddamn thing!  You have no right to move private property.

Bert looks at him and nods.  He starts back for the house.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert stands at the window, watching the truck being loaded.  Allen 
is getting help from several of his BUDDIES, including George from 
earlier.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

The truck is loaded, its rear door secured.

ALLEN
Can you believe this shit?

Allen gets in his car, and George gets into the passenger's seat.  The 
other guys get into the rental truck.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Still watching from behind the curtains, Bert's relieved to see them go.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT

He holds the phone, waiting.  No one answers.

He puts down the phone.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT 

Again, waiting on the phone.  No answer.

He hangs up.

He stares at the bedside photo of his wife.  He opens a drawer and sets 
the photograph in it, putting it out of sight. 

INT. PALO ALTO - BAR - DAY

Bert sits alone at a bar, nursing a drink.  He looks depressed.

A group of COLLEGE KIDS comes out of the restaurant attached to the bar.  
Among them is Jennifer, who sees Bert.

JENNIFER
Hello, Professor Williams!  (Flirtingly) Bert.

BERT
Miss Adams.  What are you doing here?

JENNIFER
I just finished a meeting.  

BERT
I didn't think you were old enough to be in a place like this.

JENNIFER
I'm not, to drink.

She leans close to him and whispers in his ear.

JENNIFER
But I have a fake I.D. if you want to ask me out sometime.

She winks at him.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - TRACK - DAY

Bert and Joe are jogging around the track.  Bert is huffing and puffing.

JOE
You all right?

BERT
Go ahead, I'll catch up...

Bert stops.  Joe goes on.

Bert moves to the grass and bends forward at the waist.  He coughs, 
gasping for breath.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - LOCKER ROOM - DAY

Bert and Joe dress after their showers.

JOE
You're getting out of shape.

He reads something in Bert's look.

JOE
What is it?

BERT
I can't get ahold of her.  

JOE
Maybe that tells you something.

BERT
She's busy at the conference. She's a working girl.

JOE
That's a charitable way to put it.

Bert glares at him, then moves off.

JOE (CONT'D)
(after him)
Don't be so damn sensitive. She's just a hooker, for Christ's sake.

Bert leaves without replying.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Again Bert waits on the phone.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Nicole picks up.

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

NICOLE
Hello?

BERT
It's Bert.

NICOLE
Hi!

BERT
I've been having a hard time reaching you.

NICOLE
I've been really busy. What's up?

BERT
Well, I thought I'd show off and make you dinner.

NICOLE
I don't know ...

BERT
You have to eat sometime.

NICOLE
It would have to be really late.

BERT
That'd work.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Nicole hangs up as Maureen enters.

NICOLE
The professor wants to make me dinner.

MAUREEN
You're not getting sweet on him, are you?

NICOLE
No more than you are on Jacob.

Maureen laughs.

MAUREEN
Right.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Bert gets ready for his dinner guest.

He sets a formal table.  

He arranges flowers in the centerpiece.

The DOORBELL RINGS.  Bert answers the door as...

Nicole flings herself into his arms and plants a sustained kiss on his 
lips.

Bert steps back in shock before he kisses back.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - LATER

Nicole finishes dinner.  There is a convincing look of admiration, 
even desire, in her eyes.

NICOLE
That was amazing.  You'd make a great wife.

BERT
You want dessert now or later?

NICOLE
(sexily)

I thought I was dessert. 

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

They make love.  Bert is more active, more uninhibited.  
They are making love as equals for the first time.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT - LATER

They cuddle after lovemaking.

NICOLE
A penny for your thoughts.

BERT
They're worth a dollar at least.  And you don't want to know.

NICOLE
Now I really want to know.

BERT
I'm wondering what you'd be like if you had a different profession.  

She pulls away and studies him.

NICOLE
Oh God, you're just like the rest, aren't you?

BERT
See what I mean?

NICOLE
Why is every guy like this?  I can't believe it.  You're all so 
predictable.

BERT
You shouldn't've asked.

NICOLE
You're right.  But I did, and you've got those same goddamn questions 
in your head, so I'll answer them. 

BERT
You don't have to.

NICOLE
If I don't, a part of you will keep trying to "reform" me.  I can't 
stand that.  So listen closely: I do what I do because it beats the 
hell out of making coffee in an office, or answering the phone, or 
typing letters, or waiting tables, or all the other shit jobs I've had.  
And all the time I was doing that, I was going to bed with guys who were 
spending a bundle on me.  Only I wasn't seeing any of it -- the fancy 
restaurants, the bartender, the waiter -- they were getting the money 
the guy was spending to get me into bed.  Then I took some business 
classes and started looking at everything differently.  I asked myself, 
What's wrong with this picture?  Why not get rid of all the goddamn 
middle men and get the fee for myself?

BERT
That's an interesting way to look at it.

NICOLE
Men pay for sex, that's a given.  One way or another, they pay for sex.  
The flowers, the fancy restaurant, the coffee and brandy-- 

BERT
I always thought that was all part of romance.

NICOLE
That's what guys want women to believe.  That they're romantic.  Men are 
incapable of romance, it's not in their genetic makeup.  Every kindness 
a man puts out to a woman is a down-payment for sex, that's all it is.  
End of story.  

BERT
You're depressing me.

NICOLE
Sorry you can't handle the truth.  I thought maybe you were different. 
...Maybe I should go.

BERT
That would be a breach of contract.

Nicole glares at him.

BERT
I don't know why you're upset.  This is what you expect, isn't it?  A 
business relationship?

She gets up and starts dressing.

NICOLE
Look, dinner was really very nice.  

BERT
Don't go.

NICOLE
I fucked up.  You don't get personally involved with clients, that's 
the first rule in this business.

BERT
You haven't been in it very long, have you?  You broke the first rule 
so easily.  

NICOLE
I'm just doing this to put away some money.  I'll be out of it soon 
enough.

Their eyes lock. 

NICOLE (CONT'D)
This shouldn't be happening.

BERT
But it is.

NICOLE
I don't trust it.

BERT
You don't have to trust it to go with it.

They slowly are drawn to one another.  They embrace and kiss, prior to 
making love again.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - PARK - DAY

Maureen and Zale are walking.

MAUREEN
I've been giving it some thought -- and I'll go to Greece with you.

ZALE
Fantastic!

MAUREEN
But I don't want Nicole to know.

ZALE
Fair enough.

MAUREEN
We shouldn't even be seen together until it's time to leave.

ZALE
I'm free right after the final exams are graded.

MAUREEN
You're spending too much time with me.  You should be home studying.

ZALE
Now I have inspiration!

MAUREEN
This is our secret, understand? A secret sealed with a kiss.

She kisses him.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert sits at his desk when Zale walks in.

ZALE
You grade the papers yet?

BERT
You got the A you wanted, Mr. Constantino.  

ZALE
That's great!

BERT
It could've been an A-minus.  I gave you the benefit of the doubt.

ZALE
Thank you.  I'm so excited.

BERT
Do as well on the final, and you're home free.

ZALE
I feel like I'm ready to explode.  Can you keep a secret?

BERT
Probably.

ZALE
Maureen is spending the summer in Greece with me!  She just told me.  
I'm going to go home and study right up to the final.  This is the best 
reason I ever had to do well.

He leans forward and kisses Bert on top of the head.

ZALE
Thank you so much!

EXT. PALO ALTO - CAFE - DAY

A cab pulls to the curb and Nicole gets out.

INT. CAFE - TABLE - DAY

Nicole joins Bert at a table.

NICOLE
Tell me exactly what Zale told you.

BERT
Just what I said on the phone.

NICOLE
I can't believe she's doing this without telling me.

BERT
I didn't expect it to upset you.  

NICOLE
Of course it upsets me.  We're supposed to be partners.  She shouldn't 
be doing this without telling me.

BERT
This frees you up for the summer, doesn't it?

Nicole ignores this and thinks a moment.

BERT (CONT'D)
Maybe it's an oversight, and she'll tell you tonight.

NICOLE
Maybe she's trying to cover her ass.

BERT
How do you mean?

NICOLE
He's wild about her, she's probably going to take advantage of it. 
This way she doesn't have to split with me.

BERT
You said you're about ready to get out of it anyway.

NICOLE
I need to score a couple more times first.

BERT
Is there some way I can help?

Nicole studies him.

NICOLE
Why would you do that?

BERT
The quicker you score, the quicker you quit.

NICOLE
What does that mean?

BERT
The easier it will be for me to see you.  I'll have less competition.

NICOLE
Bertie, you might be able to help me at that.

BERT
Great. Just tell me how.

NICOLE
I've got some details to work out. I'll get back to you.

She gets up.

BERT
Aren't we having lunch?

NICOLE
I'll be in touch soon.

And she's gone.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - TRACK - DAY

Bert and Joe are jogging around the track.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - LOCKER ROOM - DAY

They're dressing.

JOE
You seem in better spirits. I take it you're seeing her again.

BERT
She's quitting the business.

JOE
You're kidding, right?

BERT
She's only in it to save some money.

JOE
Well, there's an example of moral principle if I ever heard one.  Not 
to mention such originality of motive.

BERT
You just don't get it, do you?

JOE
Sure don't.

BERT
She makes me feel alive.  I feel like I've got a great Blakean fire 
burning inside me.

JOE
One question: how would you grade that if a student wrote it?  While 
you're bubbling over with these late teenage hormones, just don't forget 
you have the Hobson Lecture to write.

BERT
What's the Hobson Lecture?

Bert grins and leaves. Joe shakes his head.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert is on the phone.

BERT
I'll be right there.

INT. CAFE - TABLE - DAY

Nicole hands Bert a manilla envelope. 

BERT
May I?

She nods. He opens the envelope and takes out printed photographs.

BERT
Oh, my. So this is why they pay up.

NICOLE
This guy, Jacob, was really weird.  He embraced the photos as evidence 
he was a stud. He wanted us to show them around.

BERT
This guy doesn't look like a stud. 

NICOLE
I retouched them. I'm betting he'll pay to keep them off the Internet.

INT. MEDIATECH COMPANY - RECEPTION AREA - DAY

Bert approaches the SECRETARY at the front desk. He carries the manilla 
envelope.

BERT
I'd like to see Jacob Brussman.

SECRETARY
Do you have an appointment?

BERT
No, but I think he'll see me.  Tell him it's an urgent matter concerning 
the  photographs he ordered.

SECRETARY
Your name is?

Bert hesitates.

SECRETARY
Your name, sir?

BERT
Bill Blake.

Bert smiles, pleased with himself for coming up with the name.

He sits down and picks up a magazine.

The secretary is on the phone.  She sets down the receiver.

SECRETARY
Mr. Brussman will see you now, Mr. Blake.

INT. BRUSSMAN'S OFFICE - DAY

Jacob is looking at the photographs. Bert sits across the desk.

BERT
It's extraordinary that a man can have a penis that small. You should 
be written up in medical journals.

JACOB
Very funny. 

BERT
Instructions for getting the files are written down on that sheet of 
paper.

JACOB
I'll be talking to Maureen myself about this.

BERT
I think you'd better do what's required.

JACOB
I have nothing more to say to you, sir.

BERT
I'll be in touch tomorrow.

INT. MEDIATECH - RECEPTION AREA - DAY

Bert walks toward the exit.  He looks flushed, excited.  This is the 
most daring and exciting thing he's ever done in his life. 

INT. BRUSSMAN'S OFFICE - DAY

Jacob has the phone to his ear, waiting for an answer.
Finally he slams down the receiver.

INT. MEDIATECH - RECEPTION AREA - DAY

Jacob hurries by his secretary's desk.

JACOB
Cancel my appointments for the rest of the day.

The secretary starts to say something but he's gone before she gets a 
word out.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Bert takes long strides across campus.  He looks different - he walks 
with more authority and confidence, perhaps too much so, looking a bit 
like a movie hero over-doing the role.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - JOE'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert stands in the doorway until Joe looks up from his desk.

JOE
What drug are you on?

BERT
High risk.  Danger.  It's insane, and I love it!

He moves off down the hallway.

Joe gets up and steps into the hallway to watch him go.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Jennifer is waiting in the hallway outside his office.

BERT
Jennifer, I was just thinking about you.

JENNIFER
Really?

She looks delighted.

BERT
I can't keep my office hours today, but come in a minute.

He unlocks the door and lets her enter first.  Then he closes the door 
behind him.

He steps forward and takes Jennifer into his arms.  He gives her a long, 
deep kiss.

When he breaks it, Jennifer catches her breath.

BERT
I've been wanting to do that for a long time.

JENNIFER
Me, too.  My apartment's close to campus.  

BERT
I'm sorry, I can't now.

JENNIFER
You didn't like it?

BERT
I liked it very much.

JENNIFER
Then what's wrong?

BERT
I have a final to give. 

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - HOSPITALITY ROOM - DAY

Jacob finds Maureen at a small bar. She's hustling a CUSTOMER.

JACOB
We need to talk. 

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - LOBBY - DAY

Jacob has Maureen cornered. They speak in hushed, urgent tones.

MAUREEN
Nicole must've put him up to it.

JACOB
Why?

MAUREEN
I'm not sure why.

JACOB
I sure as hell don't want those pictures getting out.

MAUREEN
How much is she asking for?

JACOB
Twenty grand.

MAUREEN
Is that all? Pay it.

JACOB
Are you crazy? That may not seem like much to you but--

MAUREEN
Just get it.  Consider it paying her off to get rid of her.

Jacob looks confused.

MAUREEN (CONT'D)
Trust me on this. She'll take the money and run. This is a blessing in 
disguise.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY

Bert walks slowly around the classroom, monitoring the final exam.

Zale works away feverishly.

INT. CLASSROOM - LATER

Students turn in the final.  It's Zale's turn.

ZALE
I think I did it!

BERT
Good for you, Mr. Constantino.

ZALE
When will you have them graded?

BERT
As soon as possible.  I'll put yours on top of the pile.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Bert and Nicole finish dinner.

NICOLE
Do you want me to spend the night?

BERT
I have finals to grade.

NICOLE
Too bad.  I wanted to make love.

BERT
Those aren't mutually exclusive options.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bert and Nicole are in bed after making love.

BERT
My heart was racing when I walked out.

NICOLE
I'm sorry.

BERT
No, I liked it.  I felt like I was getting away with something.  Like 
I was robbing a bank.

NICOLE
In a way, you were.  There's something in this for you, you know.

BERT
The money isn't the only reason you do this, is it?  It's also for the 
rush.

NICOLE
It gets old, Bertie, believe me.

BERT
Maybe so.  I just felt so alive, so in the moment.  So much in danger.

Nicole studies him.

NICOLE
You're full of surprises.

She kisses him.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
Goodnight, Professor Danger.  You have papers to grade and a very big 
day tomorrow.

EXT. BAY AREA - BRUSSMAN'S HOUSE - DAY

Jacob's car pulls out of the driveway.

Bert's car is parked down the street.  

INT. CAR - DAY

When Jacob drives off, Bert pulls out to follow.

INTERCUT BAY AREA STREETS

as Bert follows Jacob to a bank.

EXT. BANK - PARKING LOT - DAY

Jacob pulls into the lot.

Bert pulls to the side of the road.

Jacob walks into the bank, carrying a canvas bag.

INT. CAR - DAY

Bert watches.  As before, high excitement is flush on his cheeks.

EXT. BANK - PARKING LOT - DAY

Jacob comes back out of the bank, still carrying the bag.

He walks to the trunk of his car, unlocks it and puts the bag inside.

EXT. MEDIATECH - PARKING LOT - DAY

Jacob pulls into the lot at work and parks. 

As Jacob gets out of the car, Bert speeds up and stops.

BERT
Get it out of the trunk and give it to me.

JACOB
Aren't you being overly dramatic about this?

BERT
Now!

Jacob unlocks the trunk and takes out the canvas bag.  He carries it 
to Bert's car.

Bert reaches for it, and Jacob gives it to him.

Bert brings it into the car, dropping it on the seat beside him.
Then he peels out.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Bert's car pulls into the train station parking lot.

He parks.  He gets out of the car with the canvas bag and heads for 
the entrance.

INT. TRAIN STATION - CAFE - DAY

Sitting in a cafe at a window overlooking the entrance is Nicole.
Seeing Bert, she gets up.

INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Bert goes to a wall of lockers.

Across the cavernous room, Nicole carefully enters, watching him, 
keeping her distance.

INT. TRAIN STATION - LOCKER - DAY

Bert opens a locker and puts the canvas bag inside.

He closes the door.  Tests it.  

He looks around nervously, then tests the door again.  Locked.

He turns and leaves.

INT. TRAIN STATION - CAFE - DAY

From inside the cafe, Nicole watches Bert walk to his car.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREET - DAY

Bert's car moves through traffic.

INT. CAR - DAY

He looks lost in thought, which casts a troublesome shadow over him.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREET - DAY

Suddenly Bert executes a U-turn in traffic.  Horns blast at him.

INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Bert walks briskly back into the train station.  He heads right for 
the locker.

He looks around, then unlocks the door and opens it.  He takes out 
the canvas bag.

He hurries off with it.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - PARKING LOT - DAY

Bert gets into the car.

INT. CAR - DAY

He has the canvas bag beside him on the seat.  He stares at it.
Then he opens it.

Money.  Nothing but money.

He closes it and takes a deep breath.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - NIGHT

Both women stand at a mirror, making last minute adjustments before 
going out for the night.

NICOLE
You're going to break that poor boy's heart.

MAUREEN
What about you?  Old hearts break worse than young.

NICOLE
I've rekindled Bertie's interest in women.  I don't think it's really 
me he's interested in.  But I think Zale's in love with you.

MAUREEN
He likes the way people look at him when he's with me.  I make him 
feel American.

Nicole studies herself in a mirror.

NICOLE
I don't like this at all.  I'm starting over.  

She pulls off her earrings.

MAUREEN
Will you be spending the night with him?

NICOLE
Probably.

MAUREEN
See you tomorrow then.

Maureen leaves.

Nicole watches her close the door.  Then she's quickly in motion.

She hurries into her bedroom, takes two suitcases out of a closet, and 
opens them on the bed.  She starts hauling clothes out of the closet, 
packing.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - NIGHT - LATER

Nicole dials a number and waits.

BERT (FILTERED)
Hello?

Nicole doesn't reply.

BERT (FILTERED)
Hello?

She hangs up.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - TRAIN STATION - NIGHT

A cab pulls in front of the train station.  Nicole gets out as the 
cabby gets the suitcases from the trunk.

Nicole carries them into the station.

INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT

Nicole buys a ticket and checks her bags.

This done, she moves quickly to the wall of lockers.  She takes a key 
out of her purse.

She opens the locker.  But it's empty.

In panic, she looks up at the number: 317.  She puts her hands into the 
locker, as if feeling for a miracle.

No canvas bag.

She looks furious.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Bert opens the door and Nicole steps in.

NICOLE
How'd it go?

BERT
I was more nervous than I thought I'd be.

NICOLE
I should think so.

BERT
Finally I couldn't do it.

NICOLE
What do you mean?

BERT
I couldn't keep the money there.  I brought it home.

NICOLE
The bag is here?

BERT
Follow me.

INT. BERT'S HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bert is on his knees, reaching under the bed.  He brings out the canvas 
bag.

Nicole laughs.

NICOLE
Under the bed!  I don't believe you.

Bert gets to his feet and hands her the bag.  Nicole tosses it onto the 
bed and immediately embraces him.

NICOLE
You're wonderful!

She kisses him.  He kisses back.  They fall onto the bed.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT

They sip brandy.

BERT
I sometimes wonder what life would've been like if I became a chef.

NICOLE
I bet you're a good teacher.

BERT
I am, as a matter of fact.  Not so good a scholar any more.   

NICOLE
Did you really mean what you wrote me in your book?

BERT
Of course I did.

NICOLE
I'm glad.

BERT
I want to tell you something, and I don't want you to get bent out of 
shape.  It doesn't bother me what you do any more.  At first it did a 
lot.  But you're right, men do pay for sex one way or another.  And I 
want to keep doing what we do.  I want that very much.

NICOLE
Just keep it in perspective.

A beat.

BERT
Let's go somewhere together this summer.

NICOLE
You get the summer off, but I don't.

BERT
Take it off.

NICOLE
Don't tell me what to do, okay?

BERT
We can go where there're tourists, businessmen.  You can work a couple 
days a week and relax with me the rest.

NICOLE
I'm going to bed.  Coming?

BERT
Will you think about it?

NICOLE
Goodnight, professor.

He watches her go.  Then he finishes his brandy and gets up to follow 
her.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bert is asleep.

Nicole is awake.  She looks at him, measuring the soundness of his sleep.
Carefully she slips out of bed.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Nicole gets into a cab.  She has the canvas bag.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO - TRAIN STATION - NIGHT

Nicole boards a train, carrying the bag.

INT. TRAIN - SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT

Nicole sits alone in a sleeping room on the train.  The canvas bag is 
beside her.  

She unzips it.

Nothing but money.  She starts taking out the stacks of bills, one by 
one.

Then she stops, a shocked expression on her face. 

Under the top layer of money are books!  A hand darts into the bag, 
reaching under the books.  More books.

She dumps the contents of the bag onto the floor.

Copy after copy of Bert's book, "Between Heaven and Hell."

Nicole stares down at them in disbelief.  

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bert has stacks of money spread out across the bed.  He is counting it.

INT. TRAIN - NIGHT

Nicole finds a conductor.

NICOLE
When's the next stop?

CONDUCTOR
That would be in about an hour, ma'am.

NICOLE
How soon before I can get a train back?

INT. SAN FRANCISCO - COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT

Maureen and Jacob sit at a secluded table. 

JACOB
You seem far away.

MAUREEN
Do I?  I'm sorry.

JACOB
Regrets about Nicole?

MAUREEN
Of course not. We contributed to her cause.

JACOB
Like I always say, you're the most devious woman on the planet.

MAUREEN
I don't feel devious, I feel like shit.  I think I'm coming down with 
something.  Will you be angry if I call it a night?

JACOB
I can wait on you hand and foot.

MAUREEN
I still have packing to do.

JACOB
Okay.  As long as you don't have regrets.

MAUREEN
Of course I don't.

JACOB
We're going to make a hell of a team, Mo.  With my inside information 
and your moves, how can we lose?

MAUREEN
Give me the airline again.

JACOB
United.  Flight 502, noon.

She leans forward and kisses him.

JACOB
What time shall I pick you up?

MAUREEN
I'll take the hotel van.  Jacob, I don't want you breathing down my 
neck while I'm doing my last minute stuff.

She kisses him again.

MAUREEN (CONT'D)
If I'm so devious, maybe I won't even show.

Jacob grins.

JACOB
I bet you do.

MAUREEN
(teasing, sexy)
Pretty cocky, aren't you?

JACOB
Very.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert, in his robe, gets the newspaper from the porch.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY

He steps out of the shower.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

He's dressed and packing a suitcase.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - FRONT FOYER - DAY

He carries a suitcase to the door.  He looks around, a last minute check.

He opens the door - and finds Maureen on the porch.

She lets herself in.

MAUREEN
Going somewhere?

BERT
Nicole's not here.

MAUREEN
Good.

She takes a pistol out of her purse.

BERT
What's going on?

MAUREEN
Get Zale over here.

BERT
Why?

MAUREEN
You ask too many goddamn questions.  It's going to cost him to pass 
the final.

BERT
I already graded his paper.  He did very well.

MAUREEN
No, he screwed it up.  It's going to cost him big time to get the grade 
changed.  Call him and tell him you have to talk to him.  Here.

BERT
And if I refuse?

MAUREEN
Don't make the mistake of thinking I don't know how to use this.

BERT
I think you're bluffing.

MAUREEN
That's a mistake you can only make once, professor.  I won't kill you.  
I'll make you a cripple.

She aims at a knee cap.

BERT
Okay.

INT. PALO ALTO - ZALE'S CONDO - DAY

Zale is on the phone.

ZALE
I was sure I did well....I'll come right over then.
He hangs up the phone, puzzled and disappointed.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Bert and Maureen wait for Zale's arrival.  She still has the pistol out.

MAUREEN
There's nothing easier, you know, than getting a man to do what you want 
after you've given him great sex.  All of you are driven by it.

BERT
I don't think that's true.

Maureen bursts into laughter.

MAUREEN
You, of all people...Nicole had you wrapped around her little finger. 

BERT
There's more to it than that.

MAUREEN
You're just a client to her.  Sex with clients never means anything, 
professor.

INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Nicole stands in line, waiting to check her ticket and board a train 
going back the other way.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT - PARKING LOT - DAY

Jacob pulls into the airport's long-term parking lot.

He gets out and heads for the terminal.  He carries a suitcase and a 
briefcase.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Zale pulls into the driveway.

He gets out of his luxury car and heads for the door.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert opens the door and lets Zale in.  Maureen is nowhere to be seen.

ZALE
I can't believe I got a C.  Can I see my paper?

BERT
I left it at the office.

ZALE
Can we go there?

BERT
There's no time.  I have an offer to make you.

ZALE
What's that?

BERT
I'll let you buy your grade.  An A will cost you a hundred thousand 
dollars.

ZALE
You're black-mailing me!  I can't believe you're doing this.

BERT
It's an A or a C.  Up to you.

ZALE
I feel like I wrote an A final, I really do.

BERT
You're always bragging about how much money you have.

ZALE
Is Nicole putting you up to this?

BERT
We don't have a lot of time here.

ZALE
Okay.  What do I have to do?

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Zale comes out and gets into his car.  

He backs up and drives off.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Maureen appears, still with the gun.

MAUREEN
That wasn't so hard, was it?

INT. SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT - DAY

Jacob is waiting near the boarding area.  He looks at his watch.  

He looks around, finds a pay phone and heads for it.

He drops in a coin and dials a number.

JACOB
Yes, has Maureen Riley checked out yet?...Then would you ring her room?

He waits, growing angrier by the minute.  

Finally he slams down the receiver.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO - TRAIN STATION - DAY

Nicole comes back into the train station from which she left last night.  
She moves quickly for the exit.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Nicole hails a cab.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT - DAY

Jacob trots out of the terminal, heading for the parking lot.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Bert and Maureen wait for Zale to return.

BERT
Do you mind if I have a drink?

MAUREEN
Help yourself.

BERT
You want something?

MAUREEN
No.  And it's a stupid idea if you think you can get me drunk and 
reckless.

BERT
The bar's in the den.

INT. CAB - DAY

Nicole sits in the back of a cab, visibly anxious.

INT. CAR - DAY

Jacob drives with the same anxiety.

INT. BERT'S HOUSE - DEN - DAY

Bert sips a drink.

Across the room, Maureen watches him.

BERT
I have pop if you want something non-alcoholic.

MAUREEN
No thanks.

The PHONE RINGS.

BERT
Should I get it?

MAUREEN
I don't think so.

RINGS AGAIN.  It rings for a long time as they stare at the phone.  

Finally it stops.

Then starts RINGING AGAIN.

BERT
Maybe something went wrong.

MAUREEN
Okay, answer it. 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

Zale stands at a pay phone on campus.

BERT
Hello?

ZALE
I have it.  

BERT
Where are you?

ZALE
On campus.  I want to make sure you turn in my grade.  I mean, why 
should I trust you?  So you come here.

BERT
Just a minute.

He puts his hand over the mouthpiece.

BERT
Zale's on campus.  He wants to watch me turn in his grade.

MAUREEN
Shit.

BERT
What do I tell him?

MAUREEN
I'm thinking....Okay, tell him you'll be there.

Back on the phone:

BERT
I'll meet you at the registrar's window.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

Bert and Maureen come out and get into the car.

INT. CAR - DAY

Bert, of course, is driving.

MAUREEN
I'm going to be watching you, so don't do anything stupid.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

The cab stops in front of the professor's house.

INT. CAB - DAY

Nicole reaches for the door.

NICOLE
Wait for me.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

She goes to the door and RINGS the DOORBELL.

She KNOCKS.

She peers through the front window.

Finally she hurries back to the cab.

INT. CAB - DAY

She climbs into the back seat.

NICOLE
The Commodore Hotel.

EXT. BERT'S HOUSE - DAY

The cab pulls off.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - PARKING LOT - DAY

Bert pulls into a parking lot and parks.

He and Maureen get out and head toward campus.

MAUREEN
I'm going to fall behind, but you'll never be out of my sight.  Don't 
forget it.

She slows down, letting Bert get distance in front of her.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Bert moves across campus.  He is oblivious to a few students and faculty 
who say hello to him.  

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

Jacob pulls into the underground parking garage at the Commodore Hotel.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

Jacob steps off an elevator and walks down the hallway.

He stops in front of Maureen's suite.  He KNOCKS.

No response.

He sees a cleaning lady down the hallway and goes to her.

JACOB
Excuse me.  Is Miss Riley still in 502?  I'm her brother, and I can't 
recall if today's the day she checks out.

CLEANING LADY
Nobody check out of there yet.

JACOB
Thank you.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - LOBBY - DAY

Jacob steps off an elevator and enters the lobby.

He takes a chair that gives him a view both of the entrance and the 
front desk.

He picks up a magazine and hides behind it.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Bert goes up the steps to the Administration Building.  He enters.

Behind him, Maureen temporarily loses sight of him and panics.  She 
races to the steps and takes them two at a time.

INT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - DAY

Maureen steps inside.  She looks one way and the other.

There's no sign of Bert.

INT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - REGISTRAR'S WINDOW - DAY

Zale watches Bert turn in the grade.  Zale carries a backpack.

BERT
All done.

He reaches for the backpack, and Zale gives it to him.

ZALE
You never told me.  You are doing this for Nicole, right?

BERT
How'd you guess?

ZALE
You should bring her to Greece.  We can all party.

BERT
You don't seem to hold grudges.

ZALE
It's my father's money.  There's more where that came from.

BERT
Now you tell me.

ZALE
See you.

He takes a step away.

BERT
Mr. Constantino?

Zale turns back to him.

BERT
You actually wrote an A-minus paper.

ZALE
Fantastic!

He hurries off, as if eager to celebrate.

Bert looks around and sees no sign of Maureen.  He heads off.

As soon as he is out of sight, Maureen moves into the area.  She's 
more panicked than ever -- she's lost him.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - HALLWAY - DAY

Bert carries the backpack down the hallway toward his office.

He passes the open door of Joe's office, and Joe sees him passing by.

JOE
Hey!

Bert stops.

JOE
You turn in grades yet?

BERT
All done.

JOE
Meet for a beer later?

BERT
Busy, sorry.

JOE
You going camping?

BERT
How'd you guess?

He continues toward his office.

INT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - DAY

Maureen stands at a window labeled INFORMATION, talking to a CLERK.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Maureen trots across campus, heading for the building where Bert's 
office is.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

The cab pulls in front of the Commodore Hotel, and Nicole gets out.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - LOBBY - DAY

Nicole crosses the lobby to the elevator.

Jacob looks up from his magazine and sees her.

After Nicole steps onto the elevator, Jacob gets up and walks briskly 
to it.  He looks up at the numbers as the elevator climbs.

The elevator stops at the fifth floor.  Jacob sees this.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Maureen steps into the office.

BERT
You got lost.

She sees the backpack on the floor.

MAUREEN
Is this it?

BERT
Yep.

MAUREEN
You look amused.

BERT
He doesn't even miss it.  Must be nice to be that wealthy.

MAUREEN
Must be.

She opens the backpack and looks inside.

Money and more money.

She zips it back up.  With some difficulty, she hoists the backpack 
onto her shoulder.

BERT
You need help with that?

MAUREEN
(sarcastic)
How nice of you to ask.

BERT
I guess this is goodbye.

MAUREEN
You learn anything from this, professor?

BERT
Would I tell you if I have?

MAUREEN
Good for you, that's the first lesson.  Always play your cards close 
to your vest.

She bounces a little to get the backpack comfortable and heads into the 
hallway.

Bert smiles at her retreat.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Maureen walks across campus.

Across the way, Zale is talking to a student.  He sees Maureen with 
the backpack.

Maureen continues on, and now Zale follows her.

Maureen stops at a pay phone and dials a number as Zale watches.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert punches a phone number.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Nicole comes into the room.

The phone starts RINGING.  She ignores it and makes a quick survey of 
the suite.

Satisfied she's alone, she picks up the phone.

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

NICOLE
(cautiously)
Hello?

BERT
I was wondering how long it would take you to come back.

NICOLE
You son-of-a-bitch.

BERT
Now hold your horses.  There's a method to my madness.

NICOLE
Go on.

BERT
First of all, if you counted the money, you know I only took half.  I 
did half the work, so that should be fair.

NICOLE
You could've told me you expected half.

BERT
You could've done something a little more friendly than skipping town.

NICOLE
Why the hell are you calling here?  You're in cahoots with Maureen, 
aren't you?

BERT
No.  

NICOLE
Then why did you call here?

BERT
I want to ask you to take a vacation with me.

NICOLE
Get serious.

BERT
I am serious.

NICOLE
Why?  I ran out on you.

BERT
If you can forgive what I did, I can forgive what you did.  I'm not 
asking you for a relationship, Nicole.  I'm asking you to spend two 
weeks, a month, in Mexico with me, practicing a little excess on our 
way to the palace of wisdom.

NICOLE
You're crazy.

BERT
You were a good teacher.  What do you say?

NICOLE
Can we get together and talk about this?

BERT
I'll pick you up.  Be outside on the corner.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Nicole hangs up.

She goes to the door and opens it -- and Jacob is in the hallway.

He moves quickly into the room.

JACOB
Where's Maureen?

NICOLE
I have no idea.

JACOB
What are you doing here?

NICOLE
I'm staying here, remember?

JACOB
She stood me up at the airport.

NICOLE
God, you fell for something that simple!

JACOB
Shut up.  Where do you think she is?

NICOLE
I don't know but she's got to come here eventually.

JACOB
Then we'll wait for her.

A pause.

JACOB (CONT'D)
She said you'd take the money and run.

NICOLE
Wrong again.

JACOB
You think it's pretty funny what you did.

NICOLE
I think men who worry about their genitals are hilarious.

JACOB
Shut up!

Nicole smiles.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - DAY

A cab stops at the edge of campus, and Maureen gets in.

Seeing this, Zale turns and starts sprinting back across campus to get 
his car.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - PARKING LOT - DAY

Bert gets into his car.

He drives slowly toward an exit.

Suddenly Zale's car speeds by, in a huge hurry to get somewhere.

INT. CAR - DAY

Bert looks confused, seeing Zale accelerate ahead of him.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

The cab lets Maureen off, and she enters with the backpack.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - SUITE - DAY

Maureen walks into the room to find Nicole waiting for her.  Jacob is 
absent.

NICOLE
Surprise.

MAUREEN
Not really.

She takes out the pistol.

MAUREEN (CONT'D)
Not surprise, stupidity.  I give you a break, I let you take off with 
Jacob's money, and you're stupid enough to come back.  Why?

NICOLE
I missed Bertie.

Maureen laughs.

NICOLE
What's in the backpack? You scored, didn't you?

MAUREEN
More money than you'll ever see, sweetie.  I was trying to be fair with 
you and let you get away with something at least. 

During the conversation above, Maureen has moved so her back is to an 
interior doorway.  She still holds the gun on Nicole.

NICOLE
Does Jacob know you black-mailed him?

MAUREEN
He will soon enough.

Jacob darts out of the doorway and grabs Maureen from behind.  They start 
wrestling for the gun.

Nicole joins the melee, everyone grabbing for control of the pistol.

The gun goes off.  One shot.  It hits the wall.

After more struggle, Jacob ends up with the pistol.  He grabs the 
backpack and quickly leaves.

Nicole and Maureen are left in the room.

NICOLE
I can't believe you did this to me.

She grabs her and twists her arm behind her back.

INT. COMMODORE HOTEL - HALLWAY - DAY

Jacob takes the door for the stairs.

As soon as he's gone, the elevator opens and Zale steps out.

Nicole comes out into the hallway with Maureen.

ZALE
What's going on?

Nicole turns and sees a MANAGER rushing down the hallway toward them, 
coming from behind Zale.

Panicked, she turns and runs the other way, pulling Maureen with her.

MANAGER
Hold it there!

Zale is confused and doesn't know what to do.  He turns as the manager 
runs up and grabs him.  They start wrestling.

Nicole races down the hallway with Maureen and goes through another 
door leading to stairs.

EXT. COMMODORE HOTEL - DAY

Bert drives by the hotel, looking for Nicole on the corner.

He parks in a taxi zone.

Nicole dashes out with Maureen and sees his car.   She runs forward 
and shoves Maureen into the back seat, then climbs in beside Bert.

INT. CAR - DAY

NICOLE
Get the hell out of here!

Without asking why, Bert puts the car in gear.

They swerve into traffic.

BERT
What's going on?

NICOLE
That's a good goddamn question. 

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREET - DAY

Bert's car gets lost in the traffic of the city.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT - DAY

Jacob hands his ticket to a clerk.  He's carrying the backpack.

INT. JETLINER - DAY

Jacob puts the backpack in the overhead compartment.  He slides into 
his seat.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT - DAY

A jetliner takes off.

INT. BAY AREA - COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

Bert, Nicole and Maureen sit around a table.

MAUREEN
Nicole, give me a break here.  You wanted out of the business, and I 
didn't.  Why didn't you take Jacob's money and run?

NICOLE
Bertie took half.

BERT
I earned it.

NICOLE
You wanted me out of town so you could have Zale for yourself.

MAUREEN
You were quitting anyway.

EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

The threesome come outside.  A cab waits at the curb.

MAUREEN
You sure you don't want to come to Chicago with me?

NICOLE
Positive.

She offers her hand.  Nicole moves past it and embraces her.

NICOLE
Don't stay in it too long, Mo.  It changes people.

MAUREEN
I don't know about that.  I used to steal money from my mother's purse.

Maureen gets into the cab, which moves off.

Bert and Nicole are alone.  Nicole offers her hand.  Bert doesn't shake 
it.

BERT
This is goodbye?

NICOLE
I think so.

BERT
Does it have to be?

NICOLE
Yes.  I've had enough excitement today to last the rest of the year.  

BERT
What about our vacation?

NICOLE
I'd be terrible company.

BERT
Where are you going?

NICOLE
Home.

BERT
May I visit?

NICOLE
I don't know.  I don't think so.  I won't be in business any more.

BERT
There are other reasons to visit.

NICOLE
I need time to get away from all this.  I can't decide anything right 
now.

BERT
I'll never forget you, Nicole.

NICOLE
I know you won't.

They embrace.

INT. AIRPORT - ANOTHER CITY - NIGHT

Jacob comes into the terminal at his destination.

He carries the backpack into a men's room.

INT. MEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

He goes into a stall and closes the door.

He drops the toilet cover down.  He sits, dropping the backpack on the 
floor in front of him.

He unzips the bag.

Stacks and stacks of money.

A broad grin lights up his face.  He reaches deep into the backpack.

And feels something.

He grabs stacks of money, pulling them out.

And under the first layer, he finds the books.

And more books.  

And more books.

"Between Heaven and Hell."  But definitely favoring hell.

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - LECTURE HALL - NIGHT

Bert stands behind a podium. Above him a banner reads: "25th Annual 
Hobson Award Lecture."

SUPER ON SCREEN

"Three months later"

BACK TO AUDITORIUM

An audience of academics applauds the lecture he's just given.  

Bert moves out and takes a bow.  He's wearing a tuxedo.  

In the front row, Joe gives Bert a thumbs up.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Students cross campus between classes.

Bert also walks across campus, carrying a briefcase and a pile of books.  

INT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - HALLWAY - DAY

Bert moves down the hallway toward his office.  

Passing Joe's office, he peers in to see that Joe is talking with his 
former student, Jennifer.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - DAY

Bert comes into his office.  He drops the pile of books onto his desk.

INT. BERT'S OFFICE - LATER

Bert is working at his desk when Nicole steps into the office.  But we 
almost don't recognize her:

She's dressed in an out-dated punk mode, leather, short skirt, pink and 
spiked hair, lots of silver jewelry and piercings.

Bert hears her and turns - but doesn't recognize her at first.

NICOLE
"Active Evil is better than Passive Good."  

BERT
May I help you?

NICOLE
"You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough."

BERT
If you want into the Blake class, there's room, but you have to do that 
at the registration office.

NICOLE
On the flight to San Diego, I got to wondering.  Did you stuff the 
backpack with books, too?  That would make you a very rich man.  You 
dress like a rich man.  As a matter of fact, you look pretty damn good.

BERT
Nicole?

She nods.

BERT
My God ... I tried calling you.  Your number was disconnected.   I called 
information all over Southern California.

NICOLE
I made myself hard to find.  I needed time to think.

BERT
What did you think about?

NICOLE
Going back to school.  Giving myself a new look.  Am I too weird for you?  
I mean, once I decided, I went a little wild.  I missed all this the 
first time around.  Thought I'd better get it out of my system before 
I go into business.

BERT
You look terrific.

NICOLE
I missed you, Bertie.

BERT
I missed you, too.  Where are you going to school?

NICOLE
Right here.  I didn't enroll in your class, though.  I don't think it's 
right for professors to sleep with their students.  

Finally they embrace.  And once in one another's arms, it's like they 
were never apart.

INT. JOE'S OFFICE - DAY

Joe is still in conference with Jennifer when Bert and Nicole pass by 
in the hallway.

What Joe notices is Bert walking intimately with a very strange-looking 
young woman.

JOE
Excuse me.

He steps into the hallway.  He can't believe his eyes.  Has Bert 
flipped out again or what?

He comes back into the office.

JOE
I'm sorry.  You were saying?

JENNIFER
It's the most awesome thing I've ever read.

EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - CAMPUS - DAY

Bert and Nicole glide across campus, arms around one another, stopping 
once to kiss.  Then again.

An incongruous looking couple.

Each totally focused on the other.

Walking across campus, into the future.

FADE OUT