Fade in
ext. city street outside Allyson’s apartment – day
A man, Bernie, hurriedly crosses the street and looks from a piece of paper in his hand to the numbers on the buildings above him.
Consumed in his hurried search for the right building, his eyes miss the crack in the sidewalk, but his feet don’t.
He picks himself up and picks up his briefcase. He continues the search, but more slowly.
Bernie (v.o.)
M-m-my sister told me to be there by six, but the train was late and I’ve never been too great with directions… I hate being late.
Bernie matches the address on the building in front of him to the paper in his hand. He opens the door and walks up the steps.
Bernie (v.o.) (cont.)
I finally found the place at about 6:15, but it didn’t matter, she wasn’t home yet. I was already kind of annoyed at myself for bein’ late, and missin’ the season première of Galactic Space Wars made it all the worse. Yeah… I taped it, but it’s so much better live.
int. hallway outside Allyson’s apartment – day
Bernie knocks and waits. He knocks a couple more times but without receiving an answer. He looks in nervous frustration down at his paper again and checks the number.
ext. city street outside Allyson’s apartment – day
Bernie leans out the door and looks up at the number on the building. A woman in a hurry walks up to the door while Bernie is blocking it. He realizes after a moment that he’s blocking the entire door and moves out-of-the-way for her with a smile and a chivalrous hand
gesture. She smiles courteously and hurries up the stairs. Bernie takes another look at the building then heads up the stairs.
int. hallway outside Allyson’s apartment – day
Bernie approaches the door of the apartment again to find the woman who passed him at the stairs fumbling with her key in the lock.
Bernie
You’re…
Allyson
Yes. And you’re…
Bernie
Mmm Hmmm…
She smiles.
Allyson
Well, now that introductions are over with…
He smiles awkwardly.
Bernie (v.o.)
Her name was… well, is Allyson. And, for a moment, I forgot my annoyance.
She finally unlocks the door and with the same chivalrous hand gesture, ushers him into the apartment.
int. Allyson’s apartment – continuous
Allyson drops her keys to the left of the door and motions towards the table.
Allyson
You can get set up right here. I’m sorry I was late, I had trouble on the train.
BERNIE
Oh that’s alright…
She walks into the bedroom. Bernie puts his briefcase down on the table, opens it and begins to remove papers and a tape fed calculator.
Allyson (o.S.)
Catherine…
Bernie (v.o.)
That’s my sister
Allyson (o.S.)
Told me you go by Bernie.
Bernie
Yeah, well… I actually prefer Bernard, but my mom was the only one who’d ever call me that.
Allyson (o.S.)
I’ll just be a moment.
Bernie
Take your time, I’m just about set up.
He waits for a long moment, pen in hand. Staring across the table towards the bedroom.
A toilet flushes and Allyson reenters.
Allyson
Alright, lets get started,
(she smiles)
Bernard.
Bernie moves some papers over to her side, hands her the pen and starts pointing at different parts of the paper as the sound fades out.
Bernie (v.o.)
It was the most fun I’ve ever had doing taxes. I felt comfortable with her… like I could be myself… heh, I even told a few jokes.
psychiatrist (v.o.)
Were they funny?
Bernie (v.o.)
No, well… I don’t think so…
(solemn then smiling from ear to ear)
but she laughed.
