Sample Dialogue

The Queen’s Mate –

Dialogue by Richard Bonte and Stephen Harman

 

INT  JEWELER’S

Holiday decorations everywhere.  Christmas music.  Rings displayed on Santa Claus caps, hearts under mistletoe, etc.  MONICA, browsing ahead of ROBERT.  STATELY ENGLISH JEWELER steps into the picture. 

                JEWELER

Can I help you, Madame?  Anything in particular? MONICA doesn’t answer.

                          ROBERT

Just looking around.  Christmas, you know?

Robert moves to a different area; Monica stays put.

                MONICA

These are beautiful.

                JEWELER

A necklace for Madame?  These are a new

line from Europe.  They are beautiful, aren’t they?  They have been –

                ROBERT

Mon’, come here.  Look at these!

                MONICA

             (distracted)

Huh?

        (moves over to Robert)

Rings?

                ROBERT

             (to jeweler)

Could you show me that one, Sir?

                JEWELER

Certainly, Sir.

Takes ring from case.  To Monica.

            JEWELER (cont.)

This is a sapphire with an opal cluster, Madame.  Very becoming.

                ROBERT

Like it, Mon’?

                MONICA

Love it, hon’.

                ROBERT

Well…put it on.

                JEWELER

            (sickly smile)

Very nice.

Monica drifts to greener pastures, all the while fondling the ring she has on.

                MONICA

What about that one?

Jeweler moves quicker than Robert to where Monica is standing.

                JEWELER

Oh, Madame!  Trust a woman with taste to notice something like that.  I can always tell, you know.

                MONICA

It’s gorgeous.

Jeweler removes a LARGE DIAMOND RING from a display and places it alongside the sapphire ring.

                JEWELER

Oh, Madame!

                MONICA

Isn’t it –

                ROBERT

What is it?

                JEWELER

It’s a canary diamond, perfectly cut.  A magnificent choice!

                MONICA

Oh, it’s so beautiful!

                ROBERT

How much?

                JEWELER

Only thirty thousand dollars.

Robert’s jaw drops.

                MONICA

That’s too much.

                (Pause)

Isn’t it, hon’?

                ROBERT

Well, it’s a bit more –

                JEWELER

You really can’t compare them, can you?

                MONICA

I wish I hadn’t seen it now.

                JEWELER

You know, we have a little saying in England.  Money is nothing when placed beside love.  Wouldn’t you agree?

                ROBERT

Well –

                MONICA

We’re madly in love!

Monica kisses Robert’s cheek and twiddles with the hair on the back of his neck.

                MONICA  (cont.)

Aren’t we, baby?

                ROBERT

Well yes…of course…

                JEWELER

You’ll take it, Sir?

Jeweler’s eyes look longingly up at Robert. 

                          ROBERT

Okay, but on one condition.

Robert takes the DIAMOND RING from Monica’s right hand and places it on the third finger of her left hand.

                MONICA

Oh, Robert, do you mean?

Robert nods.

                MONICA  (cont.)

Oh, yes!  Yes!

                JEWELER

Bravo!  Congratulations, Sir.  Wonderful news!

                (Pause)

Cash or check?

                ROBERT

Uh, both, if you don’t mind.

Robert pulls out a wad of HUNDREDS, and completes the transaction by check.

INSERT:  Jeweler’s hands rub the center of the bills as he places them inside a DOLLAR BILL SCANNER hidden from view.

Satisfied, he turns to his ASSISTANT and hands her the check.

                JEWELER

Thank you, Rachel.

RACHEL punches some numbers into the computer as Robert, Monica and the Jeweler exchange small talk.  Then, they walk to the exit.  They pause for a moment as the Jeweler looks back at Rachel; she nods, and only then does the Jeweler unlock the door.

                JEWELER (cont.)

Thank you.

He shakes their hands.  They leave.

                JEWELER (cont.)

Rachel, look and learn.

                RACHEL

You were wonderful, Mr. Evans.

                JEWELER

No, she was wonderful.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *