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