The Pair Written by Joe Jeffreys
We see a shelf full of birthday cards all sent from different countries. (70) steps back holding an instruction manual. (72) sits on a couch behind, his head resting on one hand. He begins to fall asleep. Two figures stand in front of Angela. A man and a woman in their mid-twenties. Their eyes are closed; their arms hang perfectly still by their sides. Angela points a remote control at the two figures. Suddenly they both open their eyes and seem to slump down into a more relaxed, more recognizably human way of standing. Angela puts a hand to her mouth in amazement. She turns and wakes up the sleeping Barry. INT. ROGERS HOUSEHOLD - DINING ROOM Angela and Barry sit eating a meal with the man and woman. Angela can t take her eyes off both; Barry can look at anything but. JUMP CUT TO: INT. ROGERS HOUSEHOLD - DINING ROOM - LATER Angela brings out a birthday cake covered in candles. A large plastic 72 sticks out of it s center. Barry smiles as Angela approach. The man and woman begin clapping. Barry flashes them a stern look. Angela kisses him on the forehead and his smile returns. He leans in and blows out the candles. JUMP CUT TO: INT. ROGERS HOUSEHOLD - DINING ROOM - LATER The man and woman are in the kitchen washing up. Barry watches them from the table. Angela watches them with a smile. She turns and places her hand on Barry s. Barry and Angela sit with the man and woman in the living room. They re all drinking wine in silence.
2. Barry broods. Angela watches him uneasily. I thought you d like them. Just getting used to it. Angela looks over at the man and woman who are sat chatting to each other. Weren't you gorgeous? The woman - YOUNG (24) - turns to them. YOUNG ( to Barry) You were. The man - YOUNG (24) - turns to them as well. I am. YOUNG Young Angela laughs and hits Young Barry on the arm. Barry takes a large swig of his wine, keeping his eyes fixed on his younger self. Angela smiles and pats Barry on the thigh. INT. ROGERS HOUSEHOLD - KITCHEN Barry is raiding the cupboards for something. He opens a lower one and tries to bend down to the search through it. He strains and grunts, slowly lowering himself onto his knees. Angela pokes her head around the corner. Barry pulls out a dusty old bottle of whiskey. He stands slowly. Maybe I should unplug them. Barry puts the bottle down. He takes a deep breath. Don t. Angela moves in closer. She takes his arm. These are the new thing.
3. Angela dear, it s very thoughtful. Just let me get used to the idea. Angela nods. She runs her hand over his back as he pours himself a drink. Let s party like we used to. A needle on a record. Music starts playing: old time jazz. Barry and Angela begin to dance. They hold each other close and move slowly hand in hand. Young Barry and Young Angela watch from the couch. After a few moments Young Barry stands and pulls up Young Angela by the hand. The two pairs move slowly in front of the warm glow of the fireplace. FADE TO: - LATER Angela is dancing with Young Barry. Barry is sat on the couch chatting with Young Angela. She laughs. Angela leans down to him. He nods. Barry stands and walks over to Young Barry. He s drunk. Happy birthday. YOUNG Happy birthday to you. Angela blows the pair a kiss before shuffling off out the door. YOUNG Good night. Barry finds the remote and turns the pair off.
4. Goodbye. The light is flicked off.