David’s marriage is in shambles and he needs some space. He moves to Chicago for a job where he seems to have found someone that brings him joy, a younger woman 21 years younger. He loves her. She works at a book store. With a striking similarity to him. After getting to know one another she invites him to a family function where he runs into an old flame from his teenage years who happens to be the young ladies mother. David thinks he has fallen for his only daughter. He needs to tell his estranged wife. What would that conversation be like between David and Darla his wife?
Theme: Even a great love between two people may need to be sacrificed for family.
Moral Choice: David must choose between being with the woman he loves and being a father and grandfather.
Moral Problem: How do you balance your personal desires against sacrifices for the benefit of family?
Conflict: Eros or Storge love?
*David (flawed hero) needs to have this conversation with estranged wife, Darla (opponent).
Moral weakness: Serial infidelity, desperate for connection
Moral need: Needs to learn he can’t love every woman the same.
Immoral action: Moves away to disconnect but also reconnect.
INT. APARTMENT-DAY
We see DAVID, 48yo, man holding a phone and picture pacing back and forth. He sets the picture down and starts to dial the phone.
DAVID
Darla…are you there?
INT. HOUSE-DAY
We see Darla 45 y/o female, looking through old photos sitting at table.
Darla
Hello…yes I’m here. What’s up?
David
I have something to talk to you about.
David, still pacing the floor, takes a seat.
Darla
I’m looking through some of our old photos.
David
It’s important that you listen to me.
Darla
Ok.
Darla, noticing David’s tone sits up and gives David her full attention.
David
Dara, we aren’t what we used to be.
David walks to mirror then back towards bed, takes a seat.
Darla
We can be.
David
Darla, I’m afraid we have wasted so much time…we’ve grown so far apart.
FADE IN: Flashback
David and Davelia first meet
Darla
No, we’ve grown together.
David
Darla!!! I found someone!
They both go quiet.
Darla
Of course you did.
Darla shuts photo album, sits still.
David
It’s the girl I met before Great Lakes.
Darla
Oh…right…her…you found her?
David
Something like that.
Darla
I don’t understand
David
She has a daughter.
Darla
So…wait… Do you think…she’s…
David
My daughter.
Darla
Oh…David I think we should get to know her.
David
We?!…There’s something else.
Darla
Ok.
David
I’ve…We’ve grown close together.
FADE IN: Flashback
Darla
What the fuck is it David?
David
The daughter is who I met first. At a bookstore. We have a lot in common.
Darla
Great you both got to know each other. How did you find out she may be your daughter?
David sighs before speaking
David
She invited me to meet her family.
Darla
Amazing, what’s the big deal?
David
We have grown fond of each other.
What the fuck David get to the point! How so?
What I’m trying to say is her and I have fallen for one another before we knew…
Darla
Are you saying you are in love with her…in a romantic way?
David
I know it sounds fucked up. I had no idea…until it was too late.
Darla
Too late! It’s not too late David!
It’s too late…she’s pregnant…not by me! A guy she used to date. He is not around. She needs help.
Darla
What about how you really feel about her?
David
I’ll figure that out. I have a chance to be a father and a grandfather.
Darla
I think you should…but also find a place for your dogs.
The End
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