Intimate with a Stranger (1994) - full transcript

[DJ over radio]
Surf's up, Santa Monica,

and you should be, too!

We have news,
views and you, here on KLOV,

the Love Station.

Looking for that someone
special? [kiss]

Hoping for a happily ever after?
[panting erotically]

That's what they pay me
the big bucks for,

to bring you folks together!

I've got tons of your letters
from now ‘till noon.

Love makes the world go ‘round.

Love makes my pants come down!



Never, I say, never give away
what you can't afford.

And nobody can afford
to give away love.

So, if you want to make a date
and find a mate,

stay tuned, ya all!

[sensual music]

[phone ringing]

[man over answering machine]
Hi, this is Jack.

I'm not home right now,
so maybe you can call me back.

[answering machine beeps]

[woman]
Jack, I was just...

I don't know... Was there
something weird about me?

I hear my friends talk,
and I read things.

It's not like that for me.

Everybody seems to be doing it.



I know.
I just want to know if I'm okay.

[answering machine beeps]

[woman]
Hi, Jack, isn't it?

I'm a friend of Diane's, and she
said I should get in touch,

that, you know, you
might be able to accommodate me.

Anyway, I know the score.

I have to call again.

[answering machine beeps]

[woman]
I'm in love with someone, Jack.

And it is not my husband.

Oh, it is so hard to be

a married woman
these days, Jack!

[answering machine beeps]

[woman] It's never just sex,
is it, Jack?

I mean, there's always
something more involved.

It can never just be sex.

[answering machine beeps]

[man]
Hello, Jack. You do men?

[phone ringing]

Hi, this is Jack.
How can I help?

[woman]
Is that Jack?

Sure.
What can I do for you?

[woman] I'm sorry,
did I get you up?

-Not yet.
-[woman] I didn't mean that.

-[woman] Listen, this --
-Hey, hey, wait up.

Don't be embarrassed.

Are you're still there?

[woman]
Yes.

Okay, good, relax.

It's just like
a late-night radio phone in.

[woman laughs]
Oh, sure.

Try me.

What's your name?

[woman]
Summer.

Uh-huh...

[woman]
It's my real name.

Okay, well, tell me something
about real Summer.

[woman]
What?

I don't know.
Tell me...

Tell me what's
on your mind right now.

-[woman] Right now?
-Right this very second.

[woman]
Right now.

Right now...

I feel like I'm just about

the dumbest 18-year-old
in Santa Monica.

That's okay.

[Jack]
Eighteen?

And the best-looking woman
I've spoken to all day.

[woman laughs] Yeah,
like it's nine in the morning.

That doesn't make
for big competition.

[Jack]
No, but it doesn't make

-you eighteen either.
-[woman] But...

I am.

[Jack]
Whatever you want to say.

[woman] Okay, okay. I get it.
Like... [clears throat]

Like, I can be whoever.

[Jack]
Right.

You can tell me whatever.

[woman stammering]
You are nice.

Maybe.

[woman]
So, what do we do next?

That's up to you.

You pick a day.
I give you the address.

We take it from there.

-[woman] Okay. How much is it?
-Two fifty cash.

[woman]
Oh, whoa!

I don't suppose there's
a student rate?

In my hands,
everyone learns something.

[woman giggles]
I hope so!

No, sorry. I didn't mean that.
I meant, like--

Okay, okay. Saturday.
How about Saturday, maybe?

Let me see.

[Jack]
It's 1720 Idaho.

Is three okay with you?

[woman]
Is that it? We've got a date?

-We have an appointment.
-[woman] Oh, yeah right.

[upbeat jazz music]

[music continues]

[music stops]

[woman]
Sex?

[chuckles]

What does anybody know
about sex?

I mean, my parents
never told me anything.

Their single attempt at talking
to me involved asking me

if there's anything
I didn't know.

To which I replied,
“I don't know.”

And we left it at that.

First time I did it,
was total disaster.

He only got in like an inch
before it was all over.

I figured if I went all the way,

you know, at least it would have
bells on or something.

How can anybody know anything

about something
nobody talks about?

Not even two people doing it
together talk about it.

[Jack] Hi.
Summer, right?

So, you made it.

Are you gonna be okay?

Then, I guess you can let go
of my hand.

So, what do we do next?

I mean, what--
What do I do?

Anything. It's up to you.

Okay, like, I pay
whatever happens, right?

-Right.
-Right.

-Let's get on with it, then.
-Hey, hey, hey.

Why are you here?

I'm not just a kid.

I think
it's important for me to know.

Yeah, well...

I know what I'm doing.

Sure.
If you don't, nobody else does.

I've thought about this,
you know, a lot.

Hey,
I'm not touching you, okay?

Okay.

I want my first
to be someone I don't know.

You know, someone...

someone who
won't go around bragging

about how he was my first.

My best friend
spent hers on a piece of trash.

And I am not
about to do the same.

You're not as good looking
as I thought you'd be.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
[stammers]

They say you're
the best, you know?

I know what they say.

Yeah, you come
highly recommended.

[sighs]

Look, what a guy doesn't know
can hurt me, you know?

[stammers] I just don't want
to be that dumb.

It's society's fault!

[Jack]
Naturally.

Well, it is because,

you know, girls are trying
to be good and...

guys are supposed to be,
like, experienced, so they're--

They're all trying
to get experience with girls

who are trying to be good.
[nervously] Okay.

I mean, I don't blame them,
you know, because--

I mean, a 17-year-old guy
is labeled a fruit

if he is still a virgin, so...

He's under some heavy pressure
to get his rocks off.

You know,
he's desperate to lay anything

except the cocktable for dinner.
[laughs embarrassedly]

So...

You figure guys are trying
to get experience

-at your expense?
-Yeah.

Yeah, like, it's real static,
you know? Because...

all the guys I know...

you're in danger of catching
diaper rash from.

-[giggles]
-And what about love?

Love...

It's not love.

And because it's free, you know,
it's worse than a favor.

Once you do it
with someone, you...

-can't go back to holding hands.
-That's right. [nervously]

[seriously]
That's exactly it.

So, what makes you think
that I'm what you want?

[laughs nervously]

[stammering] I figured
you get what you pay for.

[Jack] I don't think
you're truly that cynical.

I'm really nervous.

I know.

[bed creaking]

[whispering]
Okay.

[Jack] Hey, hey, hey!
Take it easy.

The only rule of the game is...

-the condom.
-[chuckles]

[Jack]
This is the point of no return.

Before things get carried away,
you bring up the subject.

-Always or go home, you hear?
-Mm-hmm.

Okay.

[Jack]
Hey, look at me.

Don't go soft on me now.

-Pick one.
-[laughs]

[Jack]
Go on!

[softly]
Close your eyes.

[loudly] Oh, God! It looks
like a 1950's B movie monster...

[Jack]
Okay.

Birthday money.

Not quite what your parents
had in mind, huh?

Jack...

Do you ever, like,
fall in love with clients?

No.

You ever been in love?

-Sure.
-Yeah?

Was she pretty?

Jack...

Can I see you again?

Anytime.

No...
No, I mean, like--

Nice compliment,
but it's just a job.

[whimpers softly]

And I was getting to like you.

[Jack]
Take it easy.

Hey, it's okay.

Summer...

If you want to talk,
or I don't know.

-You can call, okay?
-Okay.

Be careful.

Be careful.

[answering machine beeps]

[woman]
Lover boy, it's me.

Pick up, baby.

You know, I need you.

[pleadingly]
I need you to talk me down.

You there?

[moans softly]
Please, baby.

Baby, come right now.

All over my fingers.

Just talk to me.

You know how I like it.

You there for me?

[whimpers]

Damn you!

[angrily]
Where are you?

I hate the way you make me feel.

Who needs you?

I swear, this is the last time
I do coke on my own!

[jazz music]

[engine starting]

[music continues]

[engine humming]

[Barbara]
Hi, honey, I'm home!

[sensual music]

[Barbara]
I know you don't mind, do you?

Sorry, I was just taking a leak.

Party pooper. Tell me next time.

I'll come and hold it for you.

[Jack] I like
a girl who shows initiative.

I've shown you
everything I've got.

[Jack]
You still surprise me, Barbara.

I hope what I brought
in my bag is a surprise.

[seductively]
Come here.

[Barbara giggling and panting]

[Barbara] Jack!

[slap]
[Barbara laughing]

Come on, then.

[Barbara] Neck.

I'm ready for dessert now.

Let's see
what you brought me this week.

[electronic buzz]

[moaning intensely]

Oh, Jack!
[buzzing continues]

-That's you finished.
-[Barbara] Not quite.

-Oh, no.
-[Barbara giggles]

Next time, will you throw in
a leg wax for the same price?

So...

Can I stay this time?

I don't sleep on the job.

Or drink?

You know the answer.

Don't you want to wake up

with a warm, soft woman
beside you?

[Jack]
Only one I really care about.

No offense taken.

Just in case
you were wondering.

Is there one?

Well?

[Jack]
Women ask so many questions.

She's very lucky.

Well,
maybe she doesn't think so.

[knocking on door]

Who is it?

[romantic music]

Hello, Jack.

Michelle.

You seem surprised.

You could say that.

Can I come in?

Sure.

[Jack]
So, what's new?

[Michelle]
Everything.

And you?

[Jack]
I don't know where to begin.

[Michelle] Try at the beginning.

You were there.

[Michelle]
You look really good, Jack.

Yeah, well, I work out now.

[Michelle]
So, are you pleased to see me?

You should have called.

I didn't have your number.

Although I hear
it's widely available.

So, you know what I do?

I'm still here.

Why?

[softly] I don't know.

Let's not do this.

Do what?

Hate each other.

[Michelle] What are they like?

-Who?
[Michelle] The women

that come to you.

Ordinary.

[Michelle]
How do they know about you?

By recommendation.

Are they--

Most of them just want to talk.

About what?

Their relationships.

You must be quite
an expert by now.

I think you learn
from your own mistakes.

[Michelle]
Do you find them sad?

No!

Why are you doing this?

That's none
of your business anymore.

-You are worth so much more.
-So much you left me.

No.

I left the man you became.

[Jack] Oh!
And who was that?

Different from the man
I fell in love with.

[loudly]
Don't...

[softly]
judge me.

[Michelle]
Just tell me why.

Why now?

Or why then?

I don't know.

Are you coming back?

Back to what?

Away from this!

And then?

Be the teacher
you always wanted to be.

You've got it all worked out.

It's not impossible.

I teach, uh-huh?

[Jack]
"Oh, him!

The guy that has got
no status, no earning power.

The one that doesn't move
in the right circles,

doesn't have
influential friends."

Etcetera, etcetera.

[shouting]
Is that the one you mean?

It's who you are.

No. No!
You're wrong.

A job isn't who you are.

[Jack] You say, “Who is that?”
“That's Jack from next door.”

“What is he?”
“He was a bright,

young professor of philosophy.”

A job title, so what?

For me, that was
something complicated

by PhDs, campus politics,
and research papers

right up to my back!

Worth as much
as 250 sheets per roll

of two-ply toilet paper.

And, oh, yes!

[Jack] Occasionally,
the students get in the way...

and you gotta stand up
and babble at them.

Goddammit.

I did everything for you...

for us,
for the all-important future.

Yes, you did do everything

except ask me what I wanted.

I gave you... everything!

[voice breaking]
And then you took it away.

Slowly.

You took my control
of my life away from me.

So, who was I with then?

Who was it enjoying
the academic social life?

The big names
on the party lists, huh?

There was nothing I could do.

You don't believe me anymore.

Is that a problem?

[softly]
Goddamn you.

You're doing a fine job!

Why don't you just hold
the door open for me?

I don't recall
sending you an invitation

to come back into my life!

Oh, I'll leave
if that's what you want.

No!

Leave if that's what you want.

I am not responsible for this!

I don't hold you...

responsible.

[phone ringing]

Go on.

Answer it.

That's what you do, isn't it?

[ringing continues]

[Michelle]
Go on.

[Jack] Hi.
[woman] Can I talk to Jack?

[Jack] Not right now.
Can you get back to me?

I just have
to deal with something.

[woman]
But I was told--

[dramatic music]

[banging]

[Jack shouting]
Damn!

[fast-paced music]

[engine humming]

[music continues]

[ringing]

[Jack] Hi, this is Jack.
How can I help you?

[woman] Hi, Jack.
Can I see you this week?

Let me go see.

No, it looks like
I'm right out of time.

Why don't you give me
a call next week,

and I'll see what I can do?

[woman]
Oh, I'm sorry.

Believe me, I'm sorry, too.

To "Live and die
in Aristotle's works."

[woman] Hell, we used to be
at it like two dogs in season.

We'd book into a motel room

and we'd go for seven hours
straight at a time.

I mean, I'd limp
out of that motel room.

And now...

Zip.

Nothing.

I mean,
how can you not blame yourself

when you go from seven hours
straight to nothing?

It doesn't matter what he says.

First it's one thing,
then another.

It doesn't matter how many times

I try to change those things
or do them different.

There's always another thing.

He says, I always want to do it

right in the middle
of a Raiders game.

If it's not the Raiders,
then it's the Dodgers.

Actually,
it's any sport that's on.

And we got cable and satellite

and all the regular channels

pumping up the wires
into the tube.

You can find it on TV anytime.

I mean, it's like he's
not heard of videotape!

Look, I don't mean
that sex is the main thing.

It only becomes the main thing
when there's no thing of it.

When it's not happening.

His lack
of emotion makes me feel

like a cheap one-nighter.

I mean, I don't understand!

If I'm his wife,
and he says he loves me...

why can't he satisfy my needs?

[woman]
Ain't you just a little curious,

how come
a married lady is here at night?

[Jack]
You have your reasons.

I've never
done this before, you know?

[Jack]
You're a virgin, then?

[woman laughs]

Hell, no!
I've got three kids.

I love sex.

Do you change your sheets?

I know, I know.
[chuckles]

I'm such a housewife.

It's the truth!
Marriages may be made in heaven,

but beds are made here on
earth...

by women like me.

[woman sighs]

I got married because...

it made it okay.

To have sex?

Yes.

[sarcastically]
I see it's working out.

[loud chuckle]

How can you expect
a man who can't find

that big laundry basket
in the corner of the room

to even begin to locate

a teeny weeny,
little bitty clit?

[woman giggles]

Does my language offend you?

No.

I don't talk like this at home.

Why not?

The kids!

Well...

My husband's the sort...

Well, if I had any suggestions,
he's up there saying,

“Who's doing this, you or me?”

Hell, sometimes...
I don't even know

if he's fucking me
or masturbating.

What do you do?

[woman]
Fake it. What do you think?

Is that a good thing?

It's a lost cause.

He thinks if he tunes
my nipples in,

like two dials on a radio,
I have an orgasm.

Why do you do it?

[resignedly]
To get it over with.

It's okay to like sex.

Oh, really?

He'd think I was a whore.

[Jack]
Do you talk to him?

[woman] It's not
that I won't talk to him.

It's that he won't listen.

[Jack]
And...

Is that the only problem?

Oh, no.

[woman]
But...

The lack of sex in a marriage
leads to other problems.

Because if you believe he's
withholding sex from you,

then, you tell yourself

all these reasons
why it's happening.

And?

“I've got unbearable cellulite.”

"My cooking's lousy.”

Or... “Did I do
the right thing 11 years ago?”

What?
By marrying him?

[woman]
Oh, yeah.

All that goes through your mind
because you think

there's something
terribly wrong with you.

Sex is a very...

validating experience, for me.

Can't speak for anyone else.

Sure.

It's a way of communicating.

[Jack] What do you fantasize
about during sex?

[woman] I don't fantasize
when I'm having sex.

Frankly, there isn't time.

[laughing]

[pleasurably]
Oh, my goodness!

[Jack]
Tell me what you want.

-[woman] In bed?
-[Jack] Sure.

I want all that kissy,
huggy kind of stuff.

Giggling.
[both giggle]

I want the passion.

Experimenting, lusting, sharing.

[gasps excitedly]

[panting]

But most of all...

I want to overflow...

[excitedly]
over and over.

In other words,

I want a lot more
than I'm getting at home.

[laughing]

I'm sorry.

I'm boring you.

No, I was...

You reminded me of somebody.

I've considered
divorcing him, twice.

Why, just because of the sex?

The only reason.
It's the only reason.

Oh, that feels good.

I hope you don't think
I'm being disloyal.

I'd hate you to think that.

-Doesn't matter what I think.
-But it does.

I'm not a cold person.

I know.

[floor boards creak]
[both laugh]

[woman]
I did have an affair.

I suppose to prove I was still
attractive to others

or to recapture
my reckless youth.

What happened?

-[woman] When?
-When--

-Oh!
-[both laugh]

He couldn't last long.

Wasn't as good-looking
as my husband.

Hardly creative and, you know,
he wasn't that...

big, and...

Anyway...

I don't know why
I bothered with him.

The risk of being found out
and jeopardizing my marriage.

And for what...

a lousy fuck?

[woman]
It's just that...

Sex is my story, too.

I wanna participate.

and that seems to be creating
a whole new... script.

[giggles]

Try me.

[chuckles]

That was some button-pushing.

Maybe your husband could--

Please.

Truth is, I'm supposed
to do all the initiating when...

if...

[sighs]

We did it every day for a while.

And then, it turned
into three times a week.

And then,
it just dwindled until it--

How does that happen?

You miss a night,
and soon it's a week.

And before long, it's two weeks.

And then,
before long it's a month!

A month!
Then how long?

Longer.

-What then?
-[woman] I actually...

tried scheduling sex

into the week, so it'd happen!
[laughing]

What, you marked the calendar?

No.

We'd have our days.

I'd get sex on my days.

He didn't have to on his.

But that lasted about a week.

I spent the first three years
of my married life pregnant.

[laughs]
Come on.

You must have been
doing something right.

That was the problem.

It seemed like
we were getting it right

every time.
[laughing]

Think he began
to see me more as a...

mother than a wife.

And you
don't have sex with mommy.

Yeah, right.

Once the kids have sucked on
them, they aren't sexy anymore.

Yes, they are.

Why don't you try
taking some time out, you know?

Phone off the hook.

-Shipping the kids out, maybe?
-[woman scoffs]

Right.

The other night, the excuse was

he had a sour stomach,
and he was afraid he'd throw up.

[scoffs and laughs]

God!

[jazz music]

[phone ringing]

Shit!

Hi, this is Jack.
How can I help?

[Michelle]
Jack.

-Michelle, I was just--
-[Michelle] I actually don't--

[laughs]

Go ahead.

[Michelle]
I just wanted to apologize.

Accepted.

[Michelle]
Well, that was all, really.

Michelle...

Would you like, dinner?

[piano music]

To friends, maybe.

I like that.

[Michelle]
May I?

Sure.

I have nothing
to hide from you any longer.

What were you hiding before?

Almost everything, I guess.

You were hiding that
from yourself.

So!

I hope I'm not interrupting
anything this evening.

Michelle.
[scoffs]

[piano music]

[inaudible]

Do you ever mix business

-with pleasure?
-Pleasure.

They always
get around to asking that.

Sorry.

No...

[Jack]
is the answer.

[knocking on door]

[imitating Chinese accent]
Hello.

Serving will be
dinner for two person minimum.

[laughs]

[jazz music]

[Michelle] You're talking
as though it was yesterday.

It's been 18 months.

A lot's happened.

You and I have changed.

You know, I have to ask.

What?

About this.

There wasn't
much point to anything

when you
weren't around any longer.

And?

This was all an accident.

I met this guy... an escort.

He did okay.

I wasn't really serious,

and one night
I got really loaded.

The money was
on the table in the morning.

After that, everyone is
a friend of a friend.

It's all very innocent.

Pro forma.

Seemed easier than...

It has a transience.

[Jack]
Those last grains of rice.

[Michelle laughs]

They're the bits
you've got to have.

[Jack]
We all want what's hard to get.

[Michelle] Sometimes they're
the only things worth having.

It never seems
important at the time.

Do you remember
the day we found that?

[Jack]
Sure.

We have some good memories.

We used to go there...
to get away.

We used to go there
to be together.

What are we doing?

[phone ringing]

Michelle...

do you know what a half-life is?

I am sure I soon will.

It's the time during which
a radioactive substance

loses have its power.

Come again?

Let's say uranium has
a half-life of 100 years.

Mm-hmm.

[Jack]
That means it'll take 100 years

for its power
to decrease by half.

Nothing can alter that.

Some things have a half-life
of...

nearly forever.

Are you saying
that's what we have?

I'm just saying that some things
can't be changed.

They just are.

Can we control it?

We can try.

I don't know.

Becoming romantic
with time, Jack.

[soft jazz music]

This isn't good.

Should we be doing this?

I don't understand.

Neither do I.

I just know that it's not right.

It's not fair.

-Michelle, I--
-It's okay, Jack.

Don't say
anything you'll regret.

We deserve more.

I know.

Well...

I guess this is my cue to leave.

[scrapping]

It was a lovely evening.

Really.

Michelle--

Yes?

[soft music]

[waves crashing]

[seagulls cawing]

[toilet flushes]

[Jack]
Hi.

Oh...
Hi.

You must be Ellen.

You canceled a couple of times.

[Jack]
Problems?

Nah.

You're not
a big talker, are you?

I didn't realize
I was here to talk.

Most women do.

What about?

Their husbands usually.

You have some interesting books.

Faustus.

The man who sold
his soul to the devil.

We've all sold something.

[speaking French]

For lack
of something better.

I thought you
didn't want to talk.

I don't.

I'm sorry, I can't do this.

Oh, dear.

Your lucky day.

-Thank you.
-What for?

Understanding.

I don't.

Well, it's a long
and a very tedious story.

I'm not sure that this
is the time of the place.

Sometimes we're so afraid

we don't see things
for what they are.

-I better go.
-[Jack] No, Ellen, wait.

-No, really, I've--
-You loved him very much.

[sobs]

[Ellen]
Too much.

[continues sobbing]

Not enough.

He left me last year.

I'm sorry.

Now I'm alone.

I miss him.

I knew it would happen.

We both did, but it's just that,
when it happened...

I wasn't a really ready.
He was too young.

Do you want to tell me?

We met in ‘69.

I was 19 and on vacation
in London for the summer.

There was some...

There was some concert
in Hyde Park, and--

Oh, just about everybody
in the whole world was there.

He strolled right up it to me,
and he asked me to dance.

Right there
in the open, outside.

Imagine that.

Of course, there were
lots of people dancing, but...

but he asked me, and I felt...

so especial.

From that moment on, I knew
I wanted to spend

the rest of my life
with that man.

It sounds crazy nowadays, but...

[Ellen] We were like teenagers
for the next ten years,

And then...
[sighs]

Well...

At first, he would get dizzy.

I told him to go to the doctor.

The day they diagnosed--

Well, we didn't even know
what MS was.

They had to explain it.

You don't die of it.
It's just terminal.

[scoffs]

What the difference is somebody
really ought to tell me now.

So, then he
got worse over the years.

Until he couldn't move it all.
He'd just...

stared at the wall
day in, day out.

I had to do everything for him.

Couldn't look at me.

He was always the big,
beautiful bear

I saw day in London.

Hyde Park.

He lay there with a single tear
rolling down his cheek.

And he said to me,

“Ellen, I want to kill myself.

If you love me,
please don't try to stop me.”

[sobs]

I'll never forget how I felt.

He died in my arms.

I held him
like a baby all night.

I told him everything
was going to be all right.

I love him.

[sobbing]
And I miss him.

So...

That's where I come in.

Someone to hold you.

I guess so.

Do you really think this is what
he would want for you?

Do you really think
that he'd want you here with me?

Ellen, listen to me.

This is a betrayal
of love, being here.

I know what I'm talking about.

You have so much love, he'd

he'd want you
to find someone to give it to.

-Don't wanna love somebody else.
-[Jack] I think you do.

It's what he would want.

You'll always love him.

He knows that.

You're a little too smart
for someone your age.

Hey...

I just watch a lot of Oprah .

[Ellen]
I don't think so.

I'm just what you see.

There's no charge.

I insist.

No, really.

[Ellen] Looks like
you've got a busy week.

Looks like.

Take care, Jack.

You never know how long
you have the good times for.

[Ellen]
Don't leave it too late.

[sad music]

[phone ringing]

-Yo!
-[Annette] That's not

your usual call, Jackie.

Oh, Annette, go away.

[Annette]
Jackie, baby, what's up?

Nothing I wouldn't rather
be left alone with.

[Annette] It's not good
to be alone and sober.

I'm not.

[phone ringing]

Yes, Annette.

[Annette] You want me to bring
over a little pick me up?

Narcotics are illegal.

[Annette] Reality is
too hard for some of us.

Yeah, right.

[phone ringing]

[Annette]
Will you quit doing that?

I don't have
to deal with you, Annette.

[sad music]

“Ugly hell, gape not!

Come not, Lucifer!

I'll burn my books!”

Shit!

[scoffs]

I can't remember it.

[music continues]

[jovial music]

[Michelle] Just happened
to be looking my best.

[Michelle] Happened
to be in the neighborhood.

Why am I back?

Do I want this?

Yes.

Yes.

[knocking on door]

[Michelle]
Hi!

I'm on a peace mission.
[kiss]

[Michelle]
I thought I'd cook for you.

Actually, it's deli-ready,
but it's the thought.

We've got shrimp.

[Michelle]
We've got rye bread.

We've got tortilla !

[Michelle]
And the wine is cold.

[Michelle] Okay, well,
the food's not that important.

[Michelle]
Though it's gonna be great.

And, the wine
is not a $6 bottle.

It's right across town for this.

Michelle--

I think we should take a chance.

No, I think we need
a chance to talk if you want to.

-[Michelle] I mean, a lot--
-Michelle!

God...
[laughing] Yes?

I think I made a mistake.

I'm sorry, I should have...

God, I'm so stupid!

-[Michelle] I thought--
-No, Michelle.

Of course, is this--

"Well, for $250, you, too,
can have it, Michelle!"

[Michelle]
I'm sorry.

[door slam]

I'm sorry, too.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have
to ask you to leave.

Are you
going out of business, Jack?

I didn't say that, just...

[buzzing]
It's not healthy.

Jack...

It's got no attachments.

Isn't that the point?

It's the way I like it.

We're not talking about one
of your toys, Barbara.

You're free.

No roots, no ties.
Just getting by.

You should
find yourself a boyfriend.

Where do you get off telling me?

I just...
haven't the energy for it.

No bullshit, Jack,
at least this is honest.

Well, what if I go away
or something?

Are you?

[Jack]
No, but...

just say something happens?

That's okay.

Jack, you're cute.

But you're hardly
the last post or anything.

I like you. You're fun!

-But I--
-I figured...

No.

Nope?

You really know
how to hurt a guy.

You go if you have to.

Women are confusing.

I just don't need you.

[woman] There's one thing
I'd really like to do.

I mean,
I don't know how or when.

But I wanna
make love with a woman...

real bad.

I want us to be together,
to lie together.

I'd her like to...

suck on my nipples.

And I'll just feel
her soft back.

And then, I would start to...

lick and nibble and suck...

on her clit...

and on her nipples
until they were rock hard.

And I would just feel
her juice

running down my chin.

I want to know what
carpet munching tastes like.

[upbeat jazz music]
Hi.

Hello.

Let's make puppies!
[barking]

[inaudible]

[music continues]

[Annette]
Baby, you're home!

[Jack]
Annette.

[Annette]
Jackie, baby...

I miss you.

-[Jack] So, you tell me.
-[Annette] I love you!

[Jack]
Annette, are you high?

[Annette] No, baby.
This is a real low.

I need you!

-[Jack] Yeah, right.
-[Annette] Really!

[Annette]
Jackie, you there?

I know you are.

I gotta tell you--

Jackie?

I'm pregnant.

Annette, it's late.

[Annette] Really, Jackie.
I'm gonna have a baby!

Congratulations.

[Annette]
It's your baby!

You're gonna be a daddy.

-Fuck you, Annette!
-[Annette] Baby, it's true!

You can't
wrap that on me, Annette.

You know, I use
industrial-strength condoms.

We don't kiss, and I don't come.

Get yourself a life, Annette.

Don't call me until then.

Jesus, women!

[woman]
Look...

your sex organs are
on the outside.

All you've gotta do is feel
a tight ass shifting up

against you in a crowd
and you're gonna come.

A woman's like a pot of stew.

You've gotta warm her up
a while before she's bubbling.

Listen, if a woman
isn't sexually satisfied,

she is going to become
scrunchy, tetchy, a crab.

Now, if you keep her denied...

Well!

You know...

I'd like to see a man
go six months or a year

or five years without an orgasm.

You'd sure see
how cranky he'd be.

But a woman
who doesn't have an orgasm

when she makes love to her man,
and he does, that's a woman.

If he leaves his socks
on the floor, she's gonna flip.

I mean,
she is gonna be a total wreck.

She is!
So, God forbid

he should come home late.

I mean, she's really gonna shake
the salt out and yell at him.

Alright.

Let's take the reverse of that.

You putting her
under performance pressure.

You are gonna make her come

if you have
to pump her ‘till she's raw.

Normally, foreplay means

you finger her
'till she's [scoffs]... damp.

And you fumble around on top,

and you expect her
to have a big "oh!"

It may be
that technically you're a whiz.

But you've got
to emotionally connect,

engage her as a human being.

You can't just do the man thing

or be a machine, right?

[woman]
You've got to communicate.

[thunderclap]

[Jack] I thought
you weren't gonna show.

[Vicki]
So... I'm a little late.

That's a problem?

[Jack]
No, no, just recognized.

[Vicki]
You have a bathroom?

Some place I can put
my flexible friend in.

[Vicki]
And I prefer my brand choice.

[Jack]
It's included in the price.

There are diseases in the city.

[Jack]
I don't have those problems.

None of them ever do.

Until you find
yourself in line at the clinic.

[Vicki]
Besides, how do I know

you're not a psychotic bastard
and poked holes in every one?

[water running]
My parents were married.

[Vicki]
Cute.

Very cute.

Do you go out of your way
to be offensive

or is it a natural talent?

Payment will be on delivery.

[sarcastically]
Yes, ma'am.

[Vicki] I know
the old wompity womps easier.

But I'm hoping you,
at least show

a little imagination
for the price.

Am I getting the static for men
in general or one specific man?

[Vicki]
What?

-So, you got hurt.
-[Vicki] Oh...

-Spare me the amateur analysis.
-I'm right, right?

It's a cheap shot!

It could be
true for so many women.

[Jack] So, it's one man
in all of them.

[sighs]

[Vicki]
Men are hardly relevant.

Obviously, you haven't found
an alternative.

[Vicki] With a career,
you know where you stand.

-A career cares for you?
[Vicki] It allows me

-to care for myself.
-Sure.

It gives me the power to buy
what makes me happy.

So, is that
what you're doing here?

[scornfully]
Fuck you.

No, fuck you is what I do.

Chickenshit dick for rent.

What man makes the grade, Vicki?

Only money makes the grade.

-Oh, how very grown up, now.
-What a crock!

[Vicki]
Men have their criteria, too.

It's okay to reject
a woman based on her figure.

It's all just based on a figure.

And what does it buy?

Buys my time.

What about you?

Not everything's for sale.

Oh?
[thunderclap]

Independence has its price,
too, you know?

You're tugging at my strings.

You are taking up my time.

It's a buyer's market!

[rustling]

I've paid the organ grinder.

So, now the monkey dances.

He doesn't feel like it.

[Vicki]
What's the problem?

Not man enough for it?

There has to be an element
of mutual respect

-for it to work.
-[Vicki] What?

[Vicki] Are afraid that you
can't make it with me?

That I'm too much woman for you?

You're one hard-boiled bitch.

I...

like me.

-Sure.
-What do you know?

I know what I see.

You...

like yourself?

Bingo!

You...

are a dick for rent.

Nobody.

You were leaving.

What are you waiting for, Jacko?

[mockingly]
Love?

Love is all there is.

You couldn't commit
to something as big as that.

Take a look.

What is all this, mm?
Nada .

-Will you just--
-What's the matter, Jacko?

You don't like your tiny,
little world getting messed up?

[ominous music]

Here is news for you...

It is anyway.

You push
the self-destruct button.

It's just a slow fuse
to hell, from now on.

There's no place for you to go.

This is all there is.

You haven't the first idea.

Yes, I do.

You're just like me.

I don't think so.

What have you got...
that's worth anything.

Not one of the pieces in here.

[thunderclap]

[Vicki]
Good catch!

How many women
did it take to buy that?

Whatever you have

comes down to the price
of what's in your pants.

What did this take?

A weekend?

[music continues]

-[Vicki] What's this worth?
-Put it back.

Teenage sweetheart, mm?
First love?

What do you do?
You screw other women to pay

-for your dates with her? Nice.
-Just put it back.

Does she respect you?

That's none
of your damn business!

-Just a little unprofessional.
-I don't give a shit!

[Vicki] My, my!
I never had you figured

for a cheap sentimentalist.

-Put the picture down.
-[Vicki] Ooh, touchy!

-Just put that you down.
-[Vicki] Why?

Put it down!
Make me!

Put the gun down.

Put the goddamn gun down, Vicki.

No, Jack.

This is my game.

You...

Strip.

I said strip, Jacko.

It's what you're paid for.

Just put the gun down.

-Strip.
-You, crazy bitch!

Fucker, get undressed!
Put the goddamn gun down!

Get your fucking pants off!

What are you gonna do, huh?

-[Vicki groans]
-Shoot me?

[softly]
Go ahead, try me!

You like this game, huh?
[Vicki whimpers]

[shouting]
You think I give a shit?

[crying] Please, don't.
I never wanted this.

[sighing nervously]

That was...

[Vicki moaning excitedly]

[Jack]
It's funny, isn't it?

How you can never say what
you want to say to a person.

You can sit in a room with
a complete stranger

and tell them, well...

the most intimate details
of your life.

You can find the words.

The right words.

But how it's impossible

to tell the person
who really matters the truth.

You know, if you want to say
to someone,

“This isn't working.”

It's not easy.

Or if you want to say, you know,
"This is really good. I--"

It's even harder.

What you trade for this
is more time spent with...

the tension between you.
So, you live a lie.

And no matter
how small it is, it grows.

And soon, it becomes stronger
and bigger than the two of you.

Until eventually...

everyone loses.

You can be intimate
with a stranger, but...

a stranger to intimacy.

Right.

World peace
is one thing, but this...

This is something else.

Anyway... that's
just about all I wanted to say.

Gotta go.

[nostalgic music]

Hello, operator, I'm looking
for someone.

[operator] Ain't we all, honey?
How can I help?

Right, well, I need an address.

Can you
give me that from a name?

[operator]
I can't give you that. Period.

[operator]
Even if you is a name.

-What if--
-[operator] I can't help!

Look, maybe whoever it is

don't wanna be found.
You think of that?

Yeah, right.

Thanks anyway.

[phone ringing]

[woman]
Hi, is that, you know, Jack?

No,
Jack doesn't live here anymore.

[nostalgic music]

[Jack]
Hi.

Hello.

[Jack]
I didn't know if you'd be here.

Well, I am.

Did you know that I would come?

No.

Are you okay?

In some ways.

Course.

So...

What are you doing here?

Is it just a coincidence?

I can't do all the work, Jack.
Don't make me.

-I have to go.
-[Jack] Michelle.

You know why.

No, Jack. I don't know anything.

You're all that I have
that's worth anything.

Look...

I should have thought
about this before I came,

maybe wrote
a little speech or something.

But I didn't, and...

Michelle...

I might mess this up,
but it makes me nervous.

Am I stupid to still be here?

I don't know.

I'm not sure
we didn't already blow it.

I don't think so.

Do you love me, Jack?

Come on, Jack.
You know what it isn't.

Well?

[laughs]

God... Jack!

What?

You wanna hear me say it?

If you do.

You'll never know what I think
of you, Michelle.

It's not good enough.

I love you.

Good.

See?
That was easy.

So...

what now?

I'm not sure
the rules have changed.

I'm not sure we can work it out.

It's the only thing
worth believing in.

I got
a teaching post in the college.

[Jack] They didn't ask what
I've been doing the last year.

So...
you know where I'll be.

[Michelle]
Jack...

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I don't blame you.

Can I give you a ride somewhere?

No.

No, I'll make my own way.

I've never decided
where I'm going.

[piano music]

[engine starting]

Are you going my way?

[jovial music]