INT: A KITCHEN - DAY
CLOSE SHOT of a CLASSIFIED AD section of a newspaper. A hand holds a pen that moves down the column of job descriptions. The pen stops at an ad and circles it, then continues ownward as an AID LIB traffic report plays on a radio, dishes clatter, then a voice overrides all.
AILEEN (o.s.)
First it was Thomas, then
that lemon of a car, and
now your job.
KAY (o.s.)
So it's been a lousy year.
More dishes clatter, as if in anger. The pen stops at another ad, considers it, then moves downward.
AILEEN (o.s.)
You shouldn't let people walk
all over you, Kay.
KATHLEEN "KAY" O'BANNON looks up from her newspaper. She is a pretty, though reserved woman in her late thirties, who seems to want to look ten years older than she is. Her rich, red hair is pulled back severly, the gray dress she wears is functional more than stylish.
Kay nibbles at a fingernail and glances at AUNT AILEEN--a regal woman in in her early sixties--stands by the dishwasher putting away last night's dishes. Kay gives Aileen a pleading look, then goes back to reading the newspaper.
AILEEN
Sure you don't want some juice
or something?
KAY
No thanks. I'll get something
at Rudy D's.
Aileen smiles at Kay mischeviously.
AILEEN
My cooking's not good enough?
KAY
Your cooking's wonderful, Aunt
Aileen. It's just that--
AILEEN
I know, I know ... Rudy.
KAY
Ple-e-ease ... it's not Rudy.
He's too young.
AILEEN
Says who?
KAY
Says me.
(beat)
And it was Jackie's idea to
go to Rudy D's, not me.
Kay goes back to searching the ads.
AILEEN
Find anything?
Aileen takes the whistling tea pot off the stove. Kay spies an ad that interests her.
KAY
Hey, I think I found you
a car. Better than that
old thing you drive.
Aileen turns and gives Kay a mock look of shock as she pours tea in a cup.
AILEEN
I like that old thing, thank you very much!
Aileen laughs and shakes her head and takes a sip of tea.
AILEEN
Don't change the subject.
We were talking about a job
for you, not a car for me.
KAY
But there's nothing in here
that I want to do.
Aileen puts her hands on her hips and stares at Kay.
AILEEN
What do you want to do?
KAY
Oh, I don't know. Something
... something different.
(beat)
I want something exciting.
Something challenging.
(beat)
Something ... meaningful.
AILEEN
Join the Peace Corps like
your parents did when they
were young.
KAY
I'm not young any more, I'll
be thirty-five next month.
AILEEN
That's not old. You're only
as old as you feel.
Kay groans and rubs a stiff neck.
KAY
Feel? I feel like I'm
eighty-six.
Kay glances back at the ads and scans down a column.
AILEEN
Look in the professional section.
That's where the exciting,
meaningful and challenging
jobs are.
(beat)
Why do you keep looking in the
general help section of the
classifieds for work. Bakery
clerk? Counter help? Kennel work?
KAY
But I don't have any work
experience, except at the
library, volunteering.
(beat)
And I don't have a college degree.
AILEEN
You're a wonderful artist. Go
back to school.
KAY
With what? My looks? Tom
left me with nothing and
the library left me with
two weeks pay.
AILEEN
Stop making excuses. I'll be
glad to help you--
KAY
NO! You've already done enough,
too much in fact--
Suddenly there is the sound of a car honking. Kay jumps to her feet and grabs her purse, thankful for the interruption.
KAY
Have to go, Aunt Aileen.
There's Jackie.
AILEEN
Good luck on your job hunt.
I'll send up a prayer.
Kay smiles, goes to Aileen and gives her a big hug.
KAY (whipsers)
Thanks for everthing. For
letting me stay here on such
short notice. I don't know what
I would have done without
your help.
Aileen looks embarrassed and pulls away from her niece and smiles.
AILEEN
What is mine is your's, sweety,
you know that. You were always
my favorite niece.
KAY
I'm your only niece.
AILEEN (laughs)
Now you get out there and find
that perfect job.
Kay gives Aileen a peck on the cheek and dashes out the door with her purse and a small portfolio.
AILEEN
Tell Jackie hi!
KAY
I will.
Kay waves and dashed down the steps.
EXT: SIDEWALK - DAY
Kay dashs down the garden walkway of an expensive Victorian house to a waiting red compact car at the curb.
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