Man Up PDF
Man Up PDF
Man Up PDF
by
Tess Morris
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 255 1131
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MAN UP - Tess Morris 1.
NANCY
(determined/sports like)
Come on!
NANCY (CONTD)
(trying some things out)
Hi! Hello. Howdy. Hey there. Hola.
How you doing?
(searching for some more
Hs)
H-h-h-eeeee-oooooo-aaaaaaa...
NANCY (CONTD)
Ryan, right? I mean, not Ryan
Right. Or maybe you are Ryan Right.
Either way, youre the right Ryan
for me.
(horrified with herself)
Oh my god.
(she resets)
Hello Ryan, I am Nancy.
(beat)
And I am a robot.
She slaps herself around the face. She does some breathing
exercises - inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. She pops a mint
in her mouth, leans seductively forward.
NANCY (CONTD)
Oooohh, that is so interesting,
really? Wow. I did not know that,
Ryan. Oh god, stop it, no way, that
is too fascinating -
NANCY (CONTD)
Excuse me one moment.
NANCY (CONTD)
Okay. You can do this. Just got to
put yourself out there, see what
happens, not get too drunk.
NANCY (CONTD)
And youre going, youre going...
NANCY (CONTD)
(as she goes)
And youre gone!
... then Nancy suddenly sits back down, taking her lei off
and chucking it in the bin.
NANCY (CONTD)
(to camera)
Fuck it.
FADE TO BLACK.
CLARICE STARLING
Theres a very nice beach, terns
nest there, theres beautiful -
NANCY
Terns? Mmmmm. If I help you
Clarice, it will be turns with us
too. Quid pro quo, I tell you
things, you tell me things. Not
about this case though. About
yourself. Quid pro quo, yes or no.
AT THE DOOR:
NANCY
(cutting him off, ushering
him in)
Right, yes, good -
Room Service Boy rolls in, forcing Nancy into the room as
well.
NANCY (CONTD)
Yes, lovely. Great.
She has nowhere else to go but the bed, so sits down in front
of the trolley, at the end of the bed.
NANCY (CONTD)
Tell me, Andrew... Andy, can I call
you Andy? Hows the party going?
NANCY
Yeah, I do, I do. Im just not in
the party mood tonight.
NANCY (CONTD)
Have you got any ketchup, Andy?
(down the phone)
Hello.
ELAINE
Whos Andy?
NANCY
A very nice young man who has just
bought me dinner.
ELAINE
Youre not at the party.
NANCY
(signing for Andy)
I am not at the party, but I am at
a party. Hannibal and Clarice are
here, not to mention Andy of course
-
NANCY (CONTD)
But hes just leaving now.
ELAINE
Put him on, please.
NANCY
(shrug, calls after Andy)
Hey, my sister wants to speak to
you.
ELAINE
(to Room Service Boy)
Hi, Im Elaine. Now, therell be a
dress, hanging up somewhere, can
you give it to her please?
NANCY
No, no, no... Andy.
ELAINE
Tell her to put some make up on as
well.
Outraged, Nancy gets up and takes the phone from Room Service
Boy.
NANCY
Okay, enough.
(to Andy)
Andy, do you have a napkin or
something?
(to Elaine)
Ive been ambushed, Elaine. Some
set up, with a bloke Katie works
with.
ELAINE
Excellent. This is good.
NANCY
Come on. Its just all so
organised, and awkward, you know I
cant bear it Elaine -
ELAINE
Yeah I know, Nance but...
(beat)
How the hell else are you going to
meet someone?
NANCY
Well, I met Andy?
NANCY (CONTD)
Oh no, hes off. Put on the Do Not
Disturb sign please!
ELAINE
(shouting out)
Dont do it, Andy! Take her with
you!
ELAINE (CONTD)
Youve gone all the way down there,
just put your dress on, go and
show your face, stay, like ten
minutes -
Nancy interrupts:
MAN UP - Tess Morris 7.
NANCY
The party is themed, Elaine.
ELAINE
Oh god really? Okay, get your
notepad.
Nancy rolls her eyes, rolls over and picks up her notepad.
NANCY
Im too old for this shit.
ELAINE
Youre 34 not 84!
NANCY
(deep breath)
Put yourself out there.
ELAINE
Good -
NANCY
Take chances...
ELAINE
Okay, now a little less hollow and
robotic...
NANCY
(looking at the open lift
doors)
Get stronger thighs.
(she does a little squat -
ouch)
NANCY (CONTD)
(pulling herself up by
leaning on the Hotel
Guest)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 8.
NANCY (CONTD)
Be more deviant. Learn French. Cook
more!
The Hotel Guest looks at Nancy, who is now peering out of the
lift doors, into the lobby -
NANCY (CONTD)
(to the hotel guest)
Understand the Israeli Palestinian
conflict better.
NANCY (CONTD)
(to herself, final mantra)
Engage with -
She kicks the doors open, game face back on, to find:
The hotel bar. The party is in full swing, there are couples,
everywhere.
NANCY (CONTD)
(to herself, heart sinking)
- life.
DOM, 34, our groom to be, sweeps in, and starts to hula
around her -
DOM
Finally! We nearly sent out a
search party!
NANCY
Call them off!
DOM
Here, have a mojito, the first one
is free! I paid for them all with
my savings! And now, I have no
savings!
Nancy reaches into her handbag and pulls out a small wine
bottle from the hotel mini bar.
NANCY
Happy Engagement. Here is literally
a small present.
DOM
I am so touched that you thought of
me when you raided the mini bar.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 9.
Nancy pulls out a pack of peanuts from her back pocket, hands
them to Dom.
DOM (CONTD)
(mock emotional)
Oh my god, this is too much -
KATIE
Whats too much? Tell me, tell me!
Nancy, you look amazing.
(to Dom, eek!)
Hes going to love her! Come on -
NANCY
Whoa, whoa, I just need a moment
longer with this Mojito, please -
KATIE
He hates Facebook, loves yoga
and hes really creative. Hes -
KATIE NANCY
- perfect for you. - perfect for me, I know, I
know.
DOM
(encouraging)
Oh come on -
(wrapping his arm around
Katie)
- we were a set up, and look at us
now!
NANCY
Dom, its like your single years
have been totally wiped from your
pea brain memory -
(beat)
Hey, remember that girl who cried
the whole way through giving you a
blow job?
NANCY (CONTD)
And look at you now!
DOM
Come on Nancy, give him a chance?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 10.
A party guest knocks into Nancy, spilling her drink onto her
hands. As Nancy dries her hands off -
NANCY
Alright! Bring it on! Another sad,
single loser in their mid thirties -
RYAN (O.S.)
- Im actually a sad single loser
in my late thirties.
KATIE
I was crying with happiness!
RYAN
Ryan. 37.
NANCY
Nancy. 34.
NANCY
Sorry, my hand is a bit wet. Its
not wee.
RYAN
Right.
NANCY
Its Mojito?
RYAN
Oh, I didnt think it was wee -
NANCY
I mean, why would it be wee? That
would imply very poor personal
hygiene. I dont use my hand. I use
toilet paper, just like everybody
else -
RYAN
Thats... a relief?
NANCY
And so is a wee!
RYAN
(attempted brightness)
How about another drink?
NANCY
(even brighter/faker)
Why not?
NANCY
Ill get these -
RYAN
No really, its fine -
NANCY
Let me -
RYAN
No, no, seriously -
NANCY RYAN
Oh okay, thank you - Oh alright, you get them -
RYAN
(so awkward)
Ill just get them, shall I?
NANCY
Ah, busted. Still carrying a photo
of your ex around in the old
wallet.
RYAN
Thats my sister.
NANCY
Oh, well, shes very pretty. Bet
she gets all zee boyz -
RYAN
Shes dead.
NANCY
Wow! This is going really well.
Nancy makes her way down the aisle, now on the phone.
NANCY
No Elaine, I have pictures of my
cats in my wallet, and theyre
alive and kicking, and I want
people to ask me about them.
ELAINE
(on the phone to Nancy)
But its good that you went -
Back with Nancy: who has just plonked herself down opposite a
GIRL ON TRAIN.
NANCY
Why, why is it good? Its just so
excruciating and predictable, like
it always is. You know what, Im
just going to let my vagina
hermetically seal up.
ELAINE
Yeah, well that will really help.
NANCY
Never hurt Barbie. Shes got a
beach buggy, and horses, and a
salon -
ELAINE
(smiling/encouraged)
And a boyfriend, actually -
NANCY
Is she still with that guy? Such a
fake smile.
ELAINE
(laughing)
So how long you going to be?
ADAM
(leaning into the phone)
Oi! Get your arse over here pronto,
we have a lot of nibbles, to put in
a lot of bowls.
NANCY
(smiling)
About two hours?
NANCY
About 7 hours.
ELAINE
What the fuck -
NANCY
Im joking -
ELAINE
Well, not funny. I cannot do this
all on my own -
ADAM
Hey, youre not on your own!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 14.
ELAINE
(ignoring Adam)
- and whatever you do, dont forget
the chocolate mousse, Mums
obsessed. And have you done your
speech yet -
NANCY
Yeah, I mean Ive got a rough
draft...
ELAINE
- or have you just done a lot of
doodles and crossing out?
NANCY
As if!
ELAINE
Come on, favourite daughter, you
know Dad loves it when you do a
speech. So it needs to be good, and
special, okay?
NANCY
Mmmmm, fine.
ELAINE
And Nancy?
NANCY
Yeah?
ELAINE
Dont seal up just yet.
(beat)
It will happen for you. Soon. I
promise.
NANCY
Yeah yeah, fuck off.
Nancy hangs up. She glances back at the Girl on Train, who is
now reading a copy of that self help book - 6 Billion People
and You - A Guide To Meeting Your Mate In The Modern World.
Nancy looks at it, cant help rolling her eyes to herself.
Girl on Train catches her doing it. Nancy looks down at her
notepad, flicks back to her mantras. She considers them,
dismisses them, remembers something, gets out a pen, writes
Black Pant Wash snaps her notepad shut, looking up to find
Girl On Train leaning towards her, sympathetically -
GIRL ON TRAIN
Sorry, but I couldnt help over-
hearing -
(re the book shes holding)
You should really think about
reading this.
NANCY
(got this girls number)
Oh, right, right... did it, then?
GIRL ON TRAIN
Did it what?
NANCY
(gestures to tagline)
Change your life?
GIRL ON TRAIN
Oh...
(smugly)
...maybe, yes.
NANCY
Or maybe not as well?
GIRL ON TRAIN
Well, I like to give everything a
go otherwise, whats the point? I
mean, youve got to hope its going
to work, havent you? Because what
is life without hope? Death!
NANCY
Death it is, then!
GIRL ON TRAIN
You see! You do need to read it. I
would lend it to you but... I need
it for my date.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 16.
NANCY
Why do you need a book for a date?
GIRL ON TRAIN
So we can recognise each other.
NANCY
(condescending)
Oh, is it a set up? Well, they
always work.
GIRL ON TRAIN
They often work. If the match-maker
has done their homework -
NANCY
Yes, yes, because all successful
relationships are built on the fact
that youre both the outdoorsy
type -
GIRL ON TRAIN
(irked, quite loud now)
I really think you should read
this.
NANCY
(louder back)
Dont need to.
GIRL ON TRAIN
It was an international best-seller
-
NANCY
So was the Da Vinci Code -
GIRL ON TRAIN
Also an excellent book!
NANCY
Not an excellent book.
GIRL ON TRAIN
I think its exactly what you need -
NANCY
Why is everyone always telling me
what I need!
GIRL ON TRAIN
Perhaps if everyone is telling you,
you should listen -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 17.
NANCY
And I think you need to shush, you
need to shush your mouth -
GIRL ON TRAIN
You want me to -
NANCY
I do, yeah, it would be great -
GIRL ON TRAIN
Im only suggesting -
NANCY
Its time. I think were done.
Nancy puts her finger to her lips - quiet time now please -
and Girl On Train, clearly not quite finished with Nancy,
goes back to her book. Nancy takes a bite of her sandwich,
munching a bit aggressively, annoyed with how that all ended.
NANCY
(shouty)
Damn it, where the fuck are you?!
JACK (O.S.)
Blimey, Im not that late!
JACK (CONTD)
Somebody threw themselves on the
tracks again. I dont blame them,
so many delays!
JACK (CONTD)
And by the way, great idea for how
wed know each other. Although you
would have been pretty hard to miss
under this clock.
Nancy looks around - what the fuck is going on? She looks
back at the book, the penny drops -
NANCY
Oh no, Im not, this isnt -
JACK
- should we shake hands or kiss?
Oh come on, were all adults here!
Jack leans in and kisses her on the cheek. Its a quick kiss,
but Nancy feels herself swooning. This man is really nice.
Her phone starts to ring. ELAINE CALLING.
JACK (CONTD)
Oh my god, is that your emergency
exit phone call already?!
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 19.
JACK (CONTD)
Ive barely had a chance to use my
good lines yet!
(a beat)
That wasnt one of them.
JACK (CONTD)
(answering the call)
Hello there caller! So, Im not a
psychopath, weve really hit it
off, and shell call you later with
all the gory details! Bye for now!
And with that, Jack hangs up the call, handing Nancy her
phone back -
JACK (CONTD)
Right. Book. Check. Clock. Check.
Blind date... check?
Nancy gulps. She looks at the book, then the clock, and then
Jack -
JACK (CONTD)
So, after Ive spoken, usually you
speak, we exchange ideas for the
evening ahead, swap notions of what
to get up to -
(Hannibal Lecter
impression)
Quid pro quo, Clarice.
JACK (CONTD)
(misinterpreting Nancys
look)
With hindsight, possibly not the
best impression to do on a first
date.
(another beat)
Anyway, listen, Im talking, Im
talking a lot, and I know you can
sense it, so Im just going to keep
going with that, and start the
bidding with a drink on Londons
fashionable South Bank?
(holding his book up)
So, er... what are you waiting for?
NANCY
I am waiting for...
(she looks down at the
book, then back at Jack)
You?
JACK
Good!
A totally bemused Nancy lets Jack lead her away from the
clock, the crowds engulfing them... and then we see Girl on
Train, hurrying to get to the clock, carrying a WHSmith bag,
from which she takes out a new copy of 6 Billion People and
You.
BERT
What do you think, good stuff for
the first few hours, descending in
quality as we do?
ADAM
Id go quality and quantity, Bert.
Its a massive night.
Bert thinks.
BERT
Youre right, we bloody deserve it.
BERT (CONTD)
Lets go mental.
ADAM
Seriously, you do deserve it, I
mean, I dont know how youve done
it -
(beat, backtracking)
Not that I dont intend to go the
distance myself, obviously -
BERT
I think the trick is get through
the first thirty, forty years and
then just kind of... give up. From
that point on its a breeze.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 21.
BERT (CONTD)
No, Im serious.
FRAN
(clocking Berts trolley)
How we getting on?
FRAN
Well thats great.
(To Adam)
Put two of the boxes of lager back
Adam.
ELAINE
Well Im not sure if she -
BERT
Shell want vodka. The only spirit
she can out-drink me on. But well
see about that later -
FRAN
No, we wont.
ELAINE
Guys? She didnt even answer her
phone, some man did. Sounds like
shes on a date.
FRAN
With the man from last night? I
thought it didnt work out.
ELAINE
No it didnt work out, it was a
disaster.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 22.
ADAM
He was in love with his sister.
Adam shrugs a what are you gonna do? to Fran and Bert.
Elaine looks at him. Idiot.
BERT
So who answered her phone?
ELAINE
I dont know, Dad. He said he
wasnt a psychopath.
BERT
Well, that sounds quite
encouraging. Were having a party,
shes on a date, Im thinking maybe
shell bring him?
FRAN
Bert -
BERT
Well if hes not a psychopath -
Elaine, did he sound more of a red
wine drinker or a beer man?
ELAINE
Oh for fucks sake -
FRAN
(firmer)
Bert!
BERT
What, I am simply getting more
booze.
FRAN
Course you are.
BERT
A good host is prepared for all
eventualities.
ADAM
(looking at his watch)
Come on Pattersons, clocks
ticking.
BERT
Fran, you walked straight past this
offer!
As Adam and Bert move away, leaving Fran and Elaine alone.
FRAN
(to Elaine, concerned)
Whats going on, is Nancy okay?
ELAINE
Yeah. Yes. Im sure shes fine Mum,
shes just -
FRAN
Hes looking forward to her speech.
ELAINE
I know.
FRAN
She is coming?
ELAINE
Course shes coming!
ELAINE (CONTD)
Look, do you want me to write a few
words? Just in case?
FRAN
Not really darling no.
ELAINE
Oh that cut me deep, that cut me
real deep.
(gives her a push)
Ill call her again! Okay?
FRAN
Thank you darling.
Nancy, wide-eyed and no idea what the hell she is doing. She
is walking alongside Jack, who notices her expression -
JACK
You okay?
(Nancy nods)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 24.
JACK (CONT'D)
You just look a little bit, freaked
out!
NANCY
Whoops! Bit of a first date no no!
Nancy takes her phone out of her bag, sees ELAINE CALLING -
cancels the call, as we momentarily go back to:
JACK
Er, thats not embarrassing.
(reaching into his jacket
for his phone, looking at
it)
Oh, hold up, its Tom!
JACK (CONTD)
(answering it)
Hey buddy.
(he listens)
What? Eh? But Im here? With
Jessica.
JACK (CONTD)
(a bit confused, but he
winks at Nancy)
On the South Bank? Wanna speak to
her?
JACK (CONTD)
(listening again)
Okay -
(a pause, then trying
not to smile)
- we will.
(he listens as Tom is
clearly saying saucy
stuff about Jessica)
Yes Tom, totally Tom, Im hanging
up now Tom.
(he hangs up)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 25.
JACK (CONTD)
He thought we hadnt found each
other.
NANCY
As if!
JACK
Lets turn these things off now,
shall we?
JACK (CONTD)
(smiling)
So. Jessica.
NANCY
(realising she doesnt
know his name)
So...
JACK
Tom tells me you work in the
city?
NANCY
I do, I do, thats what I do.
JACK
Is that quite stressful?
NANCY
Nah! Lunch is for wimps!
(a beat, annoyed with
herself)
Sorry -
JACK
(American accent)
If you need a friend, get a
dog. Wall Street. Great movie.
NANCY
(confidently)
And you are a...
JACK
...An online marketing -
(clears his throat for
effect)
Manager.
NANCY
I love online marketing managing!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 26.
JACK
But what I really want to do is
paint. You know, cant be an online
marketing manager forever! Plus,
the bots are taking over! Theyll
manage all the marketing in the
future!
NANCY
(enjoying Jacks banter)
Help!
JACK
Sorry, I am actually rather
nervous. Not used to this dating
chat. And Ill admit, I had a few
reservations, but then I thought,
you know what Jack -
JACK
- I trust Tom! Hes not going to
set me up with someone Ive got
nothing in common with, hes a good
friend, right?
NANCY
Id take a bullet for him, Jack.
JACK
So, where are you on the
relationship -
(he does a slightly cheesy
mime to imply a -)
- spectrum?
NANCY
Oh, you know, long term wise,
its been a while -
JACK
Since Pete?
NANCY
(who the hell is Pete?)
Since Pete?
JACK
Tom told me. Massive cock.
NANCY
(thrown)
Really?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 27.
JACK
Huge.
NANCY
It wasnt that big -
JACK
What he did to you.
NANCY
- er deal.
JACK
Had the same thing done to me.
Affairs eh? Whod have em? Oh
wait, they would!
NANCY
And what about your...
(doing the same cheesy mime
he did)
...spectrum?
JACK
Recently? Ive had some one night
stands, girls from work, girls Ive
met in bars, or just like, on the
street -
Nancy nearly chokes on her drink. Jack gets his wallet out to
pay for the drinks -
JACK (CONTD)
(aware that sounded very
wrong, changing angle)
- but this is my first proper
date since, you know...
JACK (CONTD)
The D word.
NANCY
Dead sister?
JACK
Huh?
NANCY
Its just something I say before I
drink... dead sister!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 28.
JACK
Dead sister!
(he drinks like Nancy)
Anyway, Im not one to let a failed
marriage put me off relationships
for good -
NANCY
(getting the D word)
Divorce!
JACK
Just be thankful you and Pete
didnt get hitched. It gets way
more complicated when youre
trying to work out who gets the
flat -
(pumping his fist)
Winner!
JACK (CONTD)
Yup, Ive got big home improvement
plans for this year. Going to do up
our... my flat, paint the hallway,
bleach the sheets -
(beat)
Anyway! Lets not talk about all
that shit! All that bad ju-ju!
Because Im so over it.
NANCY
You really sound it.
JACK
Its in the past!
(no idea what it says -)
What does it say in 6 Billion
People and You?
NANCY
(no idea what it says
either)
Fuck the past?
JACK
The past is so last year!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 29.
NANCY
(opening a packet of
crisps)
If that book has taught me
anything, its taught me that.
JACK
Tom says youre a triathlete?
NANCY
(munching crisps - a
what?!)
Uh-uh -
JACK
Do you have to train a lot?
NANCY
(re the crisps)
I need to regularly carb up.
Nancy devours the crisps, offers Jack one who takes one as
though he shouldnt.
JACK
Oh go on then, I worked out today,
I mean I work out most days. I like
to, yknow, pump some iron -
JACK (CONTD)
(looking out over the
Thames)
Ah, isnt this great? I mean, I
dont envy my mates with kids. Are
they here with us now? Hell no.
Theyre at home, lying in wait for
the next nappy change -
(correcting himself)
Not that I dont want kids. Im 40,
they wont all be swimming in the
right direction forever! But just
not right now. Should probably get
a girlfriend first!
NANCY
Oh, me too, I definitely want kids.
But Im not like, freaking out
about it yet.
JACK
Me neither.
JACK (CONTD)
(re-setting himself)
Well, youve got plenty of time,
youre only 24.
JACK (CONTD)
Come on, lets get out of here.
JACK
Unless youve got somewhere better
to be -
Before Nancy can say anything, Jack starts to take off his
scarf -
JACK
Plus its fucking freezing out
here!
JACK (CONTD)
I know a nice little joint over the
river.
(he pushes a bit of scarf
fluff out of Nancys
mouth)
Does your carb regime allow for a
ten tonne burrito and a couple of
2 tequila shots?
NANCY
(shes so not going home
yet)
Yes it does!
DANIEL
(to Jack)
Hey man.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 31.
JACK
Hey man, hows it going?
NANCY
You a regular here?
JACK
Well, define regular -
WAITRESS
Hi Jack.
JACK
Hey Helen, hows it going?
JACK (CONTD)
Ah, snap!
(beat)
Were swapping right?
NANCY
Swapping?
JACK
(not entirely convincing)
To do the genius 6 billion ways to
get to know me better lists you
suggested?
(opening up Nancys mantra
list)
Is this your one?
NANCY
(no idea whats going on)
That is... my one.
JACK (CONTD)
Mines at the front.
JACK (CONTD)
(reading off Nancys
list, confused)
Put yourself out there... take
chances... Black Pant Wash?
NANCY
(struggling)
Dont you know that, er, band?
JACK
(feeling out of his
depth)
Are they new?
NANCY
(no idea what shes talking
about)
Oh yeah, really young, and fresh
and up and coming. My favourite
band.
JACK
Of course! Theyre so great.
Really... funky.
JACK (CONTD)
Get stronger thighs?
NANCY
(re Jacks list, flailing)
Whoa, spooky, I also love Spaghetti
Bolognese!
JACK
(flailing even more)
What are the chances of that?
NANCY
Like, none chances.
JACK
Well, thats the lists done! And
didnt they go well.
JACK
Ooh, who are they?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 33.
A beat, as Nancy feels over the moon that Jack has asked her
about her cats -
NANCY
Slash and Axl?
JACK
(laughing, then)
Paradise Kitties!
They laugh, and then... some guilt kicks in, and Nancy feels
like maybe its time to come clean -
NANCY
(deep breath)
Look, Jack, Ive actually got a
confession to make -
JACK
Yeah, me too -
NANCY
You have?
JACK
Yeah. Let me go first. Ive never
heard of Black Pant Wash...
JACK (CONTD)
...and I think its important to be
honest about that - because honesty
is so important, right?
JACK (CONTD)
I mean, I guess those lists are a
good ice breaker -
NANCY
(not totally convincing)
The best!
JACK
But you dont actually believe that
just because we both like spag bol,
were going to end up together
forever -
NANCY
Well, depends on the spag bol -
JACK
Depends on the spag bol, yeah,
might be a really good spag bol!
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 34.
JACK (CONT'D)
But right now, whatever happens
tonight, wherever we end up, Im
having a really good time, getting
to know you, and youre being very
patient with me, so thank you for
that -
(he looks around the bar)
- and I really dont know why I
brought you here, it was a stupid
idea. So how about we go someplace
else, somewhere different -
Nancy, totally torn but she so enjoyed that speech, and Jack,
and -
JACK (CONTD)
(lightbulb)
Bowling! Tom said you liked
bowling!
NANCY
(sold!)
I bloody love bowling!
JACK
Whaddya say? Couple for the road
then hit the lanes?
NANCY
(Fuck it!)
Okay?
They grin at each other. Shots taken. Game. On. Music. Up.
Jack pokes his fingers one by one into a bowling ball. Nancy
lets her beer bottle linger a little bit too long over her
lips. Jack takes his shot, and then drops down to the floor,
lying on his side in a nonchalant position - yup, its
another strike.
Nancy takes a shot, and as she does, she slides onto her
knees, and then on to all fours, yknow, to see if she gets a
strike. She does. Still on all fours, she turns her head to
wink at Jack. Its sexual clich heaven and theyre loving
it. Unbeknownst to them, a bowling party of young kids has
witnessed the whole thing.
JACK
Who says blind dates dont work?
NANCY
(a beat of drunken reality)
Im going to go get us a drink.
SEAN
(disbelief)
Nancy?
NANCY
(confused)
Yes?
SEAN
Nancy Patterson?
NANCY
(trying to place Sean)
Do we know each other?
SEAN
Sean Bellamy? Class 5G, St.
Andrews Comprehensive, 88-93, I
sat next to you in Chemistry for
five years?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 36.
SEAN (CONTD)
I gave you a Valentines Card in
year nine, you tore it up in
front of everyone? Your mum ran
me over that time.
NANCY
(as the penny drops)
Oh God, yes. Im so sorry about
that.
SEAN
Dont worry, I glued it back
together. It was only in about 57
pieces.
NANCY
No, I meant... but you were so -
SEAN
Fat! I know. Yeah, that was me, Big
Fat Sean, Lord of The Pies, Emperor
Boom Boom -
NANCY
And now youre so -
SEAN
Uh-huh, I went on the 5:2 diet. 5
days on Chocolate Nesquik, 2 days
on Strawberry Nesquik. I lost it
all from here -
(his stomach)
Here -
(his face)
But luckily not from here -
(his cock)
NANCY
(cringing)
Can I just get two beers, please?
SEAN
Hell yes.
(to himself but loudly)
Nancy fucking Patterson. WOW!
SEAN (CONTD)
(winking at her)
Theyre on me. It is so good to
see you.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 37.
NANCY
(unsure)
Likewise?
JACK
Flirting with the barman?
NANCY
(horrified)
What? No!
JACK
Its okay. Im like the least
jealous person ever.
NANCY
Me too.
NANCY
(re the bowling)
So, lets ramp this up a bit! Not
that Im competitive.
SEAN
Nancy!
NANCY
Sssshh!
SEAN
(confused)
But I brought you some nachos? On
the house.
NANCY
(pushing them away)
Ive got a wheat allergy.
SEAN
No you dont.
(beat)
Hey, remember this?
NANCY
Where the hell did you get that?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 38.
SEAN
It was in my wallet.
NANCY
Who took it?
SEAN
I did.
NANCY
Thats in my bedroom? I dont
remember you ever being in my
bedroom?
SEAN
I wasnt in your bedroom, silly. I
was outside - in a tree.
JACK
(shouting over)
Jessica? Watch and weep.
SEAN
Why is he calling you Jessica,
youre not called Jessica, youre
called Nancy, Nancy Patterson -
NANCY
Look...
SEAN
Sean. Sean Bellamy.
NANCY
Sean... Seanie B! Im in a bit of
situation here -
SEAN
(nestling his head on
her shoulder and
smelling her hair)
You still use Pantene Pro-V.
NANCY
That guy is not my boyfriend. Hes
not even my date. I stole him
from... from under the clock at
Waterloo Station. And Im
pretending to be the girl he should
be on a date with.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 39.
SEAN
Kinky!
JACK (O.S.)
Hey...
JACK (CONTD)
Im Jack.
SEAN
And I am Sean.
JACK
You two know each other then?
NANCY/SEAN
No/Yes!
NANCY
We did know each other. We went
to school together.
SEAN
Old friends.
NANCY
Old, old friends.
SEAN
(nonchalant)
We had a bit of a thing going on.
JACK
Good for you.
SEAN
It was.
NANCY
It really wasnt, that good -
SEAN
(wiggling his hips
suggestively)
You never forget your first.
NANCY
So anyway! Lovely to see you
after all these years Sean! All
the best yeah?
JACK
Good to meet you, Sean. Ill take
it from here.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 40.
SEAN
Hang on, Jessica!
Sean beckons Nancy over, she realises she has no choice but
to go over to him -
NANCY
(to Sean)
What are you doing?!
SEAN
It appears I finally have you over
a barrel, Nancy Patterson. Indeed,
youre clearly not the girl you
used to be, once cool and
confident, now stealing other
womens dates from under clocks.
NANCY
Well, youre working as a barman
in a novelty bowling alley -
SEAN
(proudly)
- just like Mr Armstrong
predicted.
NANCY
Who?
SEAN
Careers advisor at St. Andrews.
Jeez, do you remember anything
about school, because I remember
everything...
(shouting it over
towards Jack)
Nancy!
NANCY
(plaintive)
Please Sean. I am out bowling
with a man. A man who might
actually have some potential and
not just in a hes a really good
bowler type way. Dont ruin it
for me. Please.
SEAN
Okay, I wont.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 41.
NANCY
(relieved)
Thank you.
SEAN
If you give me a blow job.
NANCY
What?!
SEAN
Take it or leave it!
NANCY
Are you out of your fucking mind?
SEAN
Oh come on, wouldnt hurt! Just a
tiny little blow job, and I wont
dismantle your web of deceit,
Little Miss Muffet.
NANCY
(a bit too loudly, people
look at her)
I am not going to give you a blow
job!
SEAN
Hand job? Pearl Necklace?
NANCY
No! Stop it, Sean!
SEAN
Okay, a kiss.
SEAN
Oh come on! I just want to fulfil a
life long ambition! Remember when
you did it with Jason Aspinall in
the H Block toilets?
NANCY
How did you -
SEAN
I was in the adjoining cubicle.
NANCY
Sweet baby Jesus.
SEAN
Yup, thats what you said.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 42.
SEAN (CONTD)
I remember sitting there,
listening, thinking, why cant I
have that too?
(he grabs Nancy by the
shoulders)
Whats so wrong with me, Nancy,
whats so wrong with me?
NANCY
Okay, one kiss!
SEAN
With tongues.
NANCY
No tongues.
SEAN
(immediately, and
suspiciously calm
again)
But in the toilets?
NANCY
Yes. In the toilets.
SEAN
And it has to be tonight or Ill
never find you again. You have no
online presence.
NANCY
Can I go now?
SEAN
Yes! But Ill be watching you.
NANCY
I dont doubt that.
ELAINE
(cant look)
Shit, shit, shit -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 43.
ADAM
Its fine. Theyre fine. Everyone
will just get drunk -
(gorging action)
- and shove them down!
ADAM
They will!
ADAM (CONTD)
ARGHH!
Fran enters, in her party frock, carrying two signs that read
RED WINE SOFA and WHITE WINE SOFA - Adam springs up
guiltily, trying to obscure the spitty food tray from view.
FRAN
Any word from Nancy?
ELAINE
(evasive)
Not eeeeeeeexactly -
Elaine puts down the tray, steers Fran into the front room,
as Adam looks down at the kitchen table where all the booze
is now laid out - he cracks open a beer, chugs it down, ticks
Booze off the list.
FRAN
(clocking Bert, this wont
do)
No no no no no no -
ELAINE
- but in her defence, it does sound
like shes got a very good reason
for her tardiness -
Fran pulls a confused Bert up, placing the WHITE WINE SOFA
sign on the sofa he was sitting on. She gravely hands him the
RED WINE SOFA sign, directing him over -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 44.
BERT
(putting the RED WINE SOFA
sign in its place)
Shes right, Franny -
(nudging her
affectionately, then
teasing)
And who knows, maybe today will end
up being not just our anniversary?
ELAINE
(nudging Fran as well)
Yeah, imagine that Mum -
(mock panic face)
Oh my god, but who would you worry
about then?
FRAN
Oh for christs sake Bert, youve
slobbed!
BERT
(looking down at himself)
What? Where?
FRAN
(showing him the slob)
Oh god, what is it this time?
BERT
(guilty)
Hummus?
FRAN
(to Bert, re his jumper)
Off! Off! Off!
(to Elaine, yikes)
Guests!
ELAINE
(smiling confidently)
Go get em, parents!
NANCY
(to the bowling shoe
boy)
Aw, cant I keep them?
JACK
Do you honestly think thats the
first time hes heard that?
Nancy grins -
NANCY
Tonight, maybe.
JACK
Saving it for later?
JACK (CONTD)
Youve got...
(he taps his own mouth,
scrutinizes hers)
Jalapeno?
NANCY
(baring her teeth)
Oh god, where?
JACK
Up a bit? No. Left. Left a bit
more. Right. Its sort of...
wedged... nearly... no!
NANCY
Im just going to nip to the -
JACK
Ill wait here.
(winks)
Think about what we can get up to
next.
NANCY
(re the toilets)
And Ill go in there.
(winks)
Think about what we can get up to
next.
NANCY
(to herself, mimicking
Jacks sexy tone)
What do you want to do next, what
do I want to do next -
NANCY
Fucking hell Sean!
SEAN
I saw you were about to leave, so
I took my break early.
NANCY
(feigning innocence)
Leaving? I wasnt leaving...
NANCY
Sweet baby Jesus.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 47.
SEAN
Not yet!
(a pause)
I left my socks on, because its
always a strong look on a man.
NANCY
Always.
SEAN
Okay, well Ill just put my clothes
back on and go outside and have a
little chat with Jack about
Jessica -
SEAN
(puckering up)
Where do you want to land those
luscious lips?
NANCY
Were leaving the door open.
SEAN
Now youre talking!
SEAN
(pumping his guns)
From fat to fit, right?
SEAN
- and these babies have had
15 years of dating Pamela Handerson-
(Nancy doesnt react)
Going Hans Solo on Darth Vaders
helmet -
(still nothing from Nancy)
I have been wanking a lot.
SEAN
Will you hold my face?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 48.
NANCY
Why?
SEAN
It will make it more romantic.
NANCY
I dont think this could be any
more romantic, Sean.
JACK (O.S.)
Jessica?
SEAN
(not missing a beat)
Hey man.
NANCY
Jack!
JACK
(totally thrown)
Youd been gone a while, so I
thought maybe I should come and
find you -
NANCY
- what is happening here is
definitely not what you think is
happening here.
JACK
I think Im just going to leave.
NANCY
(pulling the scarf off)
No, wait! Let me explain!
JACK
(its clearly not okay)
Its okay!
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 49.
JACK (CONT'D)
I thought we had a connection,
but you know, you obviously still
have feelings for Sean and...
NANCY
No no no, you dont understand,
please, dont go!
SEAN
(putting Jacks scarf on,
thinking its Nancys)
Jack, chill man.
(he puts his arm around
Nancy territorially)
Dont be so harsh on Nancy -
JACK
Whos Nancy?
JACK
Why is he calling you Nancy?
SEAN
It was my other pet name for her!
NANCY
(grateful)
Yes!
SEAN NANCY
Like Nancy Reagan. Like Nancy Sinatra.
They look at each other. Then put their arms around each
other, a united front.
SEAN NANCY
Nancy Sinatra. Nancy Reagan.
JACK
I am gonna go.
NANCY
(trying not to laugh)
No, dont -
NANCY (CONTD)
(trying to compose
herself)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 50.
NANCY (CONTD)
Wait, Jack, let me tell you the
truth! Now seems as good a time
as any to confess -
JACK
Confess what?
NANCY
(pulling herself
together)
The reason Sean just called me
Nancy.
(smiling at the
ridiculousness of it all)
Its because Im not called
Jessica! And the reason I am not
called Jessica is because I am
not actually Jessica.
SEAN
Shes Nancy. Nancy Patterson.
NANCY
Okay, you can put your clothes
back on and leave now Sean.
SEAN
But my kiss -
NANCY
Go!
NANCY (CONTD)
(chatting away)
Anyway, I was in here with him
because he said he wouldnt tell
you who I really was if I kissed
him. Because Im not really your
blind date, Jack. But you thought
I was, what with the book, and
the clock and quid pro quo...
(off Jacks confusion)
I was watching it last night! So
sue me, I went with it! And then we
started having such a nice time -
JACK
- hang on. Youre not actually
the girl I was supposed to meet
earlier?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 51.
NANCY
No.
JACK
Whoa.
NANCY
I know, it does sound a bit mad!
But dont think mad, think...
impulsive!
JACK
- what kind of lunatic woman
stands waiting under a clock in
order to steal someone elses
blind date?
NANCY
(overlapping with Jack)
I wasnt waiting under the clock
and it wasnt stealing in the
conventional sense of the word,
that girl gave me her book! Which
is why you thought I was her -
JACK
- I thought you were her because
you said you were her!
NANCY
But did I actually say that?
JACK
- and when were you planning on
telling me the truth about this
frankly quite psychotic decision of
yours?
NANCY
Well, there wasnt really a plan in
place per se -
JACK
(incredulous)
Because who would have a plan for
something like this!
NANCY
Exactly!
JACK
- something so fucked up!
NANCY
I think people have done worse
things in the world... and
anyway, she wasnt right for you -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 52.
JACK
Perhaps you would have allowed me
to come to that conclusion myself?
NANCY
I was merely trying to meet my mate
in the modern world -
JACK
Who the hell are you anyway?!
NANCY
I am Nancy, Nancy Patterson -
JACK
Are you even really a triathlete?
NANCY
Thats the next thing you ask?
JACK
And where the hell is Jessica?
NANCY
I would have thought shes
probably gone home by now.
NANCY
Past her bedtime.
JACK
(as Jack realises)
Are you even 24?
NANCY
Add another 10.
JACK
Whoa!
NANCY
Fuck you, Grandpa!
JACK
Not in 6 billion years.
NANCY
That was so un-called for!
JACK
So was derailing my date!
NANCY
Laugh it up girls. I am your
future.
JACK
34?!
NANCY
40!
- and now they are both trying to storm off together, towards
the cloakroom.
NANCY
I think youre over-reacting just a
little bit -
JACK
How would you feel, Nancy? Youve
been set up to meet someone who
is meant to be absolutely perfect
for you -
JACK
- but you dont get to meet them,
because some psycho pretends to
be them instead?
NANCY
Firstly, set ups? They never
work out, and b -
JACK
Tom said we matched!
NANCY
Oh pleeeeease. She reads self-
help books and the Da Vinci Code,
and works in the city. What does
that even mean??
JACK
It means shes a high-flying, 24-
year-old business woman!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 54.
NANCY
You really liked the 24 part,
didnt you?
JACK
Ah, the classic retort of a
lonely, 34-year-old woman
desperate for somewhere to put
her eggs -
NANCY
Well, at least Im nearly at my
sexual peak! Its all downhill
for you now, Hefner! Knock knock,
whos there, Viagra!
JACK
Wow. The bitter look really suits
you. No wonder Pete slept around
on you... Oh wait... there is no
Pete.
NANCY
And there is no wife. Because she
left you. Oh, Im so wounded,
and rejected, please help me
young woman who is nearly half my
age -
JACK
This, from a girl who had to
steal someone elses date in
order to even get one -
NANCY
At least Im not walking around
thinking Im the catch of the
century. Ooh, look at me, with my
own flat, and my online marketing
management job, but what I really
want to do is paaaaaaiiiint.
JACK
I am going to paint!
NANCY
Sure you are!
JACK
Well, it was simply lovely not
getting to know you.
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 55.
JACK (CONT'D)
And big congratulations on a
massive pack of lies.
(to the Hopeful Teenage
Boy)
Wheres my bag?
JACK
(to Nancy)
Wheres my bag?
NANCY
How should I know?
Nancy goes into her own bag... confused, she pulls out one of
the notepads from her bag -
NANCY
Why have I got your notepad?
JACK
(oh no)
We left my bag in the bloody
Cantina.
NANCY
(shoving the notepad at
him)
Your bag Jack, not mine. How many
tequilas did you have?
JACK
(another penny drop)
Its got my divorce papers in it!
NANCY
Ooh, sexy.
JACK
I came straight from the lawyers!
NANCY
Ooh, sexier!
NANCY
Wait, your divorce papers - and my
notepad... and my speech!
JACK
What fucking speech?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 56.
NANCY
- for their 40th wedding
anniversary -
JACK
Oh this just gets better and
better! Not only do you steal
someone elses blind date, you
stand up your parents on one of the
most important milestones of their
lives! You need to seriously look
at your motivations for doing, and
not doing things -
NANCY
(contrite, walking off)
I need my speech.
NANCY
(stopping, totally
confused)
What are you doing?
JACK
Getting a cab back to the bar.
NANCY
Its only a 10 minute walk?
JACK
No its not, its like 20 minutes -
NANCY
What are you talking about, its 10
minutes!
JACK
(challenging)
You seem pretty confident about
that, Nancy?
NANCY
Because its a fact, Jack.
As a taxi pulls up -
JACK
Oh its a fact is it? Like the fact
youre a triathlete?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 57.
NANCY
Great, brilliant -
JACK
I tell you what, heres an idea.
Why dont you run, swim and cycle
to the bar, and well see who gets
there first?
JACK
You don't even know what a
triathlon is!
NANCY
Yeah I do!
JACK
Oh you do, do you? Well, ready,
steady -
JACK
Go!
NANCY
(as she runs, determined)
Get. Stronger. Thighs.
Nancy starts to run. And not just any old run. A focussed,
almost triathlete like run. Steady, eyes on the prize,
through the side streets of London. Nancy gets to a main road
- a group of girls - a hen party! - block her way - she
starts to wade through them, in a breast stroke fashion.
Shes basically swimming now. She gets through the crowd,
picks up her running pace again, a little tired, but not
deterred.
Nancy goes down an alleyway, pops out the other side - sees a
row of bikes locked up, various owners milling around -
bingo! As she saunters over with purpose, and next -
- Nancy is now on one of the bikes - she clearly used all her
charms - and cycling furiously through London town.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 58.
NANCY
In your 40-year-old face!
JACK
I thought you werent competitive?
NANCY
I thought you werent competitive?
JACK
(a moment of concern)
Are you okay -
NANCY
(wiping sick from her
mouth)
Tactical puke!
JACK
It had better be in there.
NANCY
(pushing past Jack)
Of course it will be in there.
- they both scan the bar, which is far busier now. The dance
floor is now full of tourists, dancing to the cheesy music of
the DJ.
DANIEL
(spotting them)
Hey, you want some more tequila!
NANCY JACK
No. No.
NANCY
Is his manbag here?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 59.
Jack puts his notepad down on the bar, looks up and down the
bar, seeming satisfied about something -
JACK
Its a satchel. And Im not used to
carrying it.
DANIEL
Let me go check.
JACK
Where are you going?
NANCY
To the toilets.
JACK
Meeting someone?
NANCY
No! So you dont need to follow me
in there.
JACK
No intention of ever doing that
again, thanks!
- the toilets, and heads straight for the mirror where she -
NANCY
(wailing with frustration)
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!
Nancy gets her phone out of her bag - 10 missed calls and
messages from Elaine. She dials her back, clocking what a
state she looks in the mirror. She gets a tissue, wipes some
bike mud off her face.
NANCY (CONTD)
(softer)
Fuck.
NANCY
(to herself)
Nice one, Nancy!
NANCY (CONTD)
(putting some lipstick on)
Hey, new mantra!
NANCY (CONTD)
(putting some blusher on)
Stop. Being. Such. A. Loser.
JACK
(a bit intrigued)
Do you even like bowling?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 61.
NANCY
(eyes ahead, not looking
at him)
I love bowling.
JACK
Oh so you havent been faking it
the whole night then?
NANCY
And I bet youve said that line
before.
NANCY (CONTD)
Look, for the record, I realise
this isnt my finest hour. And in
hindsight, agreeing to Seans...
demands was possibly not the best
decision Ive made all evening -
JACK
You could have just told me the
truth.
NANCY
I was going to, it was just -
Jessica was doing so well.
DANIEL
(winking at Nancy)
One manbag.
JACK
(chuckling)
Black Pant Wash.
NANCY
(sarcastic chuckle)
Funky.
JACK
(cant help smiling)
Idiot!
Angle on Nancy:
MAN UP - Tess Morris 62.
NANCY
(half smiling back)
Idiot!
DARK-HAIRED WOMAN
(to the back of Jacks
head)
Jack?
HILARY
What are you doing here? I thought
wed agreed.
JACK
(feigning innocence)
What am I doing here, what are you
doing here?
ED
Hello Jack.
JACK
Fuck off Ed.
HILARY
I get this place, between 5 and
10pm on a Saturday.
JACK
(fake covering)
Oh, I thought it was on a Sunday -
HILARY
I think we all know that you know
its not on a Sunday -
JACK
(looking at Hilarys diary)
Oh how I miss that pissy little
diary. Do you still write M
when its moustache dyeing week?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 63.
JACK (CONTD)
(looking at a shocked
Ed, then mock
apologetic)
Oh. He didnt know.
JACK (CONTD)
This is Nancy by the way.
(beat)
Nancy my girlfriend.
JACK (CONTD)
Nancy, this is Hilary. My soon to
be ex-wife. And Ed, the man she
left me for.
ED
Come on, Jack -
JACK (CONTD)
(a bit manic)
So! Were in the same bar, with our
new partners, but were all adults,
right? Mature, wise, stable adults.
Lets have a drink together! Have
you got a table?
HILARY
Yes.
JACK
Is it our table?
HILARY
(taking Eds hand)
Not anymore.
JACK
Even better! Come on then! Lead the
way.
ED
Whats happening -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 64.
HILARY
Just go with it -
JACK
(to Ed)
Yes! Go with it, Edward!
NANCY
Oh my god you knew they were going
to be in here earlier! Thats why
you brought me here -
JACK
Actually, thats why I brought
Jessica here but I came to my
senses. Then because you left my
bag -
NANCY
You left your bag -
JACK
- we walked right back into it! And
then you came out of the toilets,
looking a bit -
(he mimes sexy)
- and I just thought -
JACK (CONTD)
(pointed)
- people have done worse things
in the world?
JACK (CONTD)
And youre excellent at pretending
to be women youre not.
JACK (CONTD)
You owe me, Nancy.
Nancy looks up. She glances over at Hilary and Ed, sitting
together now, waiting for Jack to come over. She feels Jacks
pain.
NANCY
What exactly are you hoping to
achieve?
JACK
I believe they call it closure.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 65.
ELAINE
(holding up her phone to
Adam)
I missed a call from her. This is
getting silly now, shes not even
going to make it for the speech!
What the fuck is she playing at?
ADAM
Er, what you always tell her to do?
ELAINE
Yeah, well, not the greatest night
to pick -
ADAM
- you know, being spontaneous -
ELAINE
Be spontaneous when theres nothing
else planned!
(off Adams look)
Dont you think its just a bit...
ADAM
Im going to wait and see whats
actually happened, before I pass
judgement -
ELAINE
Are you? Good for you -
ADAM
Jesus Elaine, has she ever done
anything like this before?
ELAINE
(off Adams look, sotto
voce)
Never.
ADAM
What was that?
ELAINE
(louder)
Never.
ADAM
(nudging Elaine)
Shes out there, somewhere, doing
you proud, meeting a man -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 66.
ELAINE
- a strange, man off the street.
ADAM
- having a lovely time, just like
when we first met -
ELAINE
We met in the safety of a pub.
ADAM
Oh, but what a romantic pub -
ELAINE
It was a Yatess Wine Lodge.
ADAM
Remember the first thing you ever
said to me?
ELAINE
Vodka and tonic please?
ADAM
And I said?
ELAINE
(cant help
smiling/softening)
Pint or a half?
They kiss.
ADAM
What is the worst case scenario?
ELAINE
We never see her again!
ADAM
- and the second worst case
scenario?
Adam smiles, and gently pushes Elaine back into the party.
Jack and Nancy, now sitting with Hilary and Ed. Awkward! As
Nancy watches Jack downing his beer.
HILARY
So, how long have you two been
seeing each other?
JACK
Oh not long -
NANCY
- not long at all.
ED
How did you meet?
NANCY/JACK
At a party/Through work.
JACK
A work party.
NANCY
A party that worked!
HILARY
Are you in online marketing too?
JACK
(imitating her just for the
sake of it)
Are you in online marketing too?
NANCY
No, Im a firewoman.
JACK
(what the fuck, Nancy?!)
There was a fire -
NANCY
- at his work party.
(beat)
And then in our pants!
NANCY (CONTD)
(attempted polite
conversation)
So Hilary, what do you do for a
living?
HILARY
(like shes saving the
world)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 68.
HILARY (CONT'D)
Im an account manager for a
leading PR firm.
NANCY
Mind blowing! And you, Ed?
ED
(like he is also saving
the world)
Im a Merchant Banker.
JACK
Interesting fact, merchant banker
is cockney rhyming slang for
wanker.
HILARY
Oh for Christs sake Jack -
JACK
(feigning innocence)
What? Im just saying -
HILARY
Its been a year!
ED
Its okay Hil, its not the first
time Ive heard that one.
NANCY
(laughing)
Ive never heard it before!
ED
(clearly is affected by it)
Im unaffected by it.
JACK
And its been more than a year
Hilary. Its been -
(counting)
- three hundred and sixty eight
days! Not that Ive been crossing
them off my wall calendar of pain
and deceit!
(finishing off his beer)
I need a piss!
JACK
(apologetic to the
waitress)
Shit, sorry -
Jack goes.
ED
(to Hilary, touching her
nose)
Dont worry, babycakes -
ED (CONTD)
- this was bound to happen sooner
or later.
HILARY
(to Nancy, condescending)
Youll find this with him. Hes a
very emotional man.
NANCY
Were going to need some more
nibbles.
NANCY
So you two had an affair, right?
HILARY
We fell in love.
NANCY
But you had an affair?
ED
The marriage was over, anyway.
NANCY
But you had an affair?
NANCY
Yup, he sure is an emotional
man.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 70.
JACK
(about to come clean)
Okay. Sorry about that. The truth
is, Hilary -
NANCY
I missed you, Big Nuts.
NANCY
(to Hilary and Ed)
What rating are you two rabbits
on now?
HILARY
Rating?
NANCY
Sexually speaking? Were still in
porno land.
HILARY
Porno land?
NANCY
(to Jack,
conspiratorially)
Shall I explain?
JACK
Please do!
NANCY
At first, when a woman starts
sleeping with a man, she acts
like a porn star right?
NANCY (CONTD)
Like with me and Jack? Anything
goes.
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 71.
NANCY (CONTD)
Maybe some Church of Lesbyterian,
some dinner beneath the bridge, a
little guided tour of site B, if
you know where that is...
(re Jack)
He does.
NANCY
(to Jack)
Remember that time when you said we
should... and I said Im not going
to do that, and I was just
thinking, Im actually quite
scared, because I couldnt see. And
then you flipped it, and did that
thing, and suddenly I couldnt
stop, oh my god, I could not stop,
Jack -
NANCY
- yes, Jack, dont stop Jack, do
what you do Jack, thank you Jack, I
love your work.
(immediately stopping,
reverting back to normal)
And you lot -
(she gestures to Jack and
Ed)
- are like wow, our sex life is
always going to be like this. Then,
about 6 months in, the ladies ease
it down to an 18 - contains some
adult material - then a 15 -
(to Hilary)
Maybe a quick 69, but only if weve
just had a bath? - and suddenly,
whoa, were a PG13, wearing tartan
pyjamas to bed, doing the goodnight
roll over before you can say
missionary position.
JACK
That, is a brilliant theory.
NANCY
(pleased with herself)
Thank you.
(remembering the point to
all this)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 72.
NANCY (CONT'D)
But I think with you baby, well
be in porno land for a lot longer
than usual.
JACK
(getting into it)
Ive got a theory too.
NANCY
Hit me.
JACK
If you get a girl back to yours,
and you tell her that you dont
want to have sex, that you want
to take it slow? Guaranteed
shell want to go down on you.
NANCY
(in awe)
The Blowjob Paradox.
JACK
Use it, dont abuse it.
NANCY
I mean, if divorce papers were
honest, it wouldnt say
irreconcilable differences. It
would say just not enough blow
jobs.
HILARY
(she knows this is going to
hurt)
Ooh, that reminds me Jack. Have
you signed everything yet?
JACK
Ooh, yes I have, Hilary! And
conveniently, I have them with me -
JACK (CONTD)
Although I did it with a pen -
stupid Jack! - because youd
probably prefer I signed them with
my blood!
NANCY
Hey Jack, its our song! Maybe we
should dance!
JACK
What are you doing?!
NANCY
Stopping you from making a twat of
yourself using the medium of dance.
Nancy puts her arms awkwardly around Jacks neck, who looks
at her, WTF?
NANCY (CONTD)
Im going to slow dance you into
submission. Its called school
disco therapy. You need to put
your arms around my waist for it to
work properly.
JACK
(annoyed with himself)
Im such a dick.
NANCY
Youre not a dick.
(beat, looking over at
Hilary and Ed)
You know its always better to be
the one whos dumped though, right?
You never have to regret anything
then. They made the decision. And
they have to live with that for the
rest of their lives.
JACK
Its not as simple as that.
NANCY
It will be. Just takes time. Your
hands are slipping down to my arse.
JACK
(embarrassed)
Sorry. Old habit.
(moving his hands back up)
Everybody knew they were at it.
But nobody told me.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 74.
NANCY
Okay, thats tough.
JACK
- but you know, I was kind of
traditional about the whole dont
sleep around when youre married
thing -
NANCY
Hands. Arse.
NANCY (CONTD)
I bet you proposed on the top of a
Tuscan hill -
JACK
Kefalonian, actually -
NANCY
- and then you spent a year
planning your big day?
(Jack nods)
120 guests?
JACK
(he thinks)
130?
NANCY
And what, about twenty grand, all
in?
(Jack motions it was much
more)
Oh, and lets not forget the ring!
JACK
(remembering)
Four grand! But we had to get it re-
sized. She got very thin.
NANCY
You spent twenty four thousand
pounds on a party and some
jewellery!
JACK
Its a grand gesture! Whats the
point of life if youre not up for
stuff like that -
NANCY
A grand gesture that amounted to
nothing! Hands! Arse!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 75.
JACK
Youre such a fucking cynic!
NANCY
Er, realist?! And youre such a
fucking romantic!
JACK
Er, optimist!
JACK NANCY
(double hand flash (double hand flash
movement at Nancy) movement at Jack)
- flex, flex, flex, flex, - flex, flex, flex, flex,
flex. flex.
NANCY
You put so much emphasis on one day
and forgot about whoops! - the rest
of your life -
JACK
Whats wrong with having a big
day?! That doesnt mean its all
going to go tits up! Look at your
parents! I bet they had a party,
and some guests and a Wishing Tree -
NANCY
6 guests, registry office, drinks
in the pub afterwards! They were
more concerned with the promises
they were making than how many
vegetarians there were -
JACK
Do you not think thats what I
wanted to! When you get married,
you make a promise you have no idea
if you can keep, but I intended to
at least try! And Ill never, ever
regret that. Which is more than you
can say, sitting up there on your
single perch, with all your
judgements -
They both cant help singing along and doing the same dance
mimes at each other to the next bit of the song -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 76.
JACK NANCY
So why dont you use it, try So why dont you use it, try
not to bruise it, buy time not to bruise it, buy time
dont lose it - dont lose it -
JACK NANCY
So why dont you use it, try So why dont you use it, try
not to bruise it, buy time not to bruise it, buy time
dont lose it - dont lose it -
NANCY
Theyre not judgements! Theyre
theories, its different -
And then the chorus of The Reflex, that both Jack and Nancy
now really start to dance to, unable to contain their love
for the song, but determined to carry on the debate. Its
basically a dance-fight-off.
JACK
You know what your problem is? You
stand around on the sidelines,
theorising on what does and
doesnt work, never experiencing it
for yourself, never taking any
chances -
NANCY
I think my actions today could be
considered quite chancey -
JACK
(dancing around Nancy)
- you need to man up Nancy! Yes, I
married that woman over there, and
yes she tore my heart out, but Im
still standing, still offering
myself up to the world! Who are you
to say that the girl I met under
the clock tonight - the girl I was
supposed to meet under the clock
tonight - wouldnt have ended up
being the love of my life?
JACK
(getting a bit upset)
So why dont you just let me get on
with my sad single man crisis, and
you keep your cynical theories and
wisecracks to yourself!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 77.
NANCY
Hola, Im new here.
NANCY (CONTD)
(cautiously entering)
Jack? Are you in here?
JACK (O.S.)
No!
NANCY
Oh come on...
JACK (O.S.)
Just go home. Im fine.
NANCY
Youre fine?
JACK (O.S.)
Absolutely fucking fine.
NANCY
Whoa! Sorry!
She dips down again, sees a pair of exactly the same shoes.
She tentatively pushes this cubicle door open to find -
NANCY (CONTD)
(mock disappointed)
Oh, I was hoping for the socks
and pants look.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 78.
NANCY (CONTD)
This is cosy.
Jack pulls some toilet roll off the roll and blows his nose
loudly like a proper old man. As hes sitting on the
toilet, he has nowhere to put the dirty tissue. Nancy puts
her hand out, and he drops it into her palm.
NANCY (CONTD)
(earnest)
Sorry. Ive had a bad relationship
run over the last few years. Its
made me... not the most positive
person. I over-analyse, come up
with elaborate theories, make
monumentally bad decisions -
JACK
Ive just got to move on. Shes
out there, happy with someone
else, and Im still holding on.
NANCY
Okay, A) I wouldnt say happy.
And secondly, youre not holding
on to her, youre just holding on
to a feeling that will eventually
pass.
(she looks at Jacks sad
face)
And maybe I was wrong, maybe
dating 24-year-olds is exactly
what you need right now.
JACK
Youve changed your tune.
NANCY
(shrugs)
Unlike the older lady, they do
have less baggage.
Nancy throws Jacks dirty tissue between her two palms. Jack
watches her -
NANCY (CONTD)
I mean, I am way over my baggage
allowance! 4 years single. 4
fucking years!
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 79.
NANCY (CONTD)
Prior to that, 6 years with
supposed love of my life, then he
ended it out of the blue, said he
wanted to go to China and find
himself, but somehow found
himself shacked up in Shepherds
Bush with a new girlfriend six
months later. Im over it though.
JACK
(wry)
You really sound it.
NANCY
Apart from one thing. One thing I
will never get over. He
deauthorised me from his iTunes.
JACK
That is unforgivable.
JACK
What do you really do for a
living?
NANCY
Journalist slash wannabe literary
polymath.
JACK
Figures. Youve got good theories.
NANCY
Oh so you like them now? Maybe
dont take them too seriously
though. Im not exactly the poster
child for the dating industry.
JACK
Well Im 40, divorced and crying in
a toilet.
NANCY
Youre just an emotional jigsaw
at the moment. Youll piece
yourself back together again.
(she squeezes his hand)
Just start with the corners. Look
for the blue bits.
JACK
And where do I find these blue
bits?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 80.
TOILET MAN 1
(to Jack and Nancy)
Jungian Therapy. Two hours, every
day, for six weeks.
TOILET MAN 2
(madness in his eyes)
I burnt her clothes. Twice.
ED
I just think its interesting -
HILARY
Interesting?
ED
(exasperated)
Im not saying her porn star
theory is correct!
HILARY
But you did blow job paradox me!
ED
(bizarrely relieved to
see them)
Where did you two get to, eh?
HILARY
(slightly hysterical)
Probably 69-ing in the toilets no
doubt!
ED
(also a bit hysterical)
Whos up for a shot? Come on,
lets all do some shots!
NANCY
Do you know what, I think Ive
had enough to drink.
JACK
Yeah, me too actually...
ED
(grateful for the
distraction from angry
Hilary)
Nonsense! This is a seminal
night! We need to mark it
somehow.
HILARY
(to Jack)
You look like youve been crying.
JACK
I was actually crying -
NANCY
- with laughter! Have you ever
tried to do it in a cubicle that
small? Ooh, hang on, did I leave
my knickers in there?
NANCY (CONTD)
(in cahoots with Jack)
She does not need to know the
real reason for your tears.
JACK
(sexy)
Did you want to leave your
knickers in there?
NANCY
Focus, Jack. Repeat after me.
After this shot, you will be
stronger, wiser, and finally
moving on.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 82.
JACK
After this shot I will be
stronger, wiser and finally
moving on.
NANCY
(to Jack)
Fuck the past!
JACK
Fuck the past!
ED
(clutching his face,
over dramatically)
Aaaargh! It burns! It burns!
HILARY
(panicked)
Do something!
HILARY (CONTD)
Youre a firewoman, put the
fucking fire out!
NANCY
(remembering shes a
firewoman)
Right! Thats my job!
Nancy has no idea what to do. Daniel the barman hands Nancy
the fire extinguisher! A determined Nancy takes hold off it,
pulls down on the nozzle - whoa, that is tougher to control
than she thought - and her first attempt goes all over
Hilary. Jack is cracking up -
NANCY
(to Hilary)
Sorry! Standard safety testing
protocol!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 83.
Nancy resets, aims at Ed, blasting him with water. The fire
goes out -
NANCY (CONTD)
Woooo-hooo! Firewoman skills to pay
the fire woman bills!
NANCY (CONTD)
I cant turn it off!
JACK
And I think thats closure!
NANCY
Thats the dictionary definition,
right there!
JACK
Denial, depression, acceptance -
NANCY
- fire!
JACK
Whats next then?
NANCY
Whats the time?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 84.
JACK
10 oclock.
NANCY
Shit! I should really check in at
home.
Nancy gets her phone out, as does Jack. Their phones start
coming back to life -
NANCY
So. I think Id better finally head
to my folks anniversary party, but,
and heres a crazy idea, I was
thinking maybe you would like to -
JACK
(distracted by his
phone)
Hold up a minute...
NANCY
(lightly but -)
- because, you know, it would be
nice to take someone along for a
change -
JACK
(totally distracted,
looking up from his
phone)
Huh? Sorry. Shes called. And
texted.
NANCY
Who has?
JACK
Jessica.
NANCY
(confused)
She has?
JACK
Said shed spoken to Tom, there had
obviously been some confusion, and
she still wants to meet up -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 85.
NANCY
But you stood her up? Looooooser.
JACK
Technically I didnt stand her up.
You did. Plus shes young,
remember? So not a total cynic like
you... us... yet -
NANCY
Of course! Your 24-year-old
obsession.
JACK
Well you said I should keep it
simple -
NANCY
When?
JACK
In the toilets, about half an hour
ago!
(tentative)
So whats your theory on this one?
NANCY
(a bit thrown)
My theory?
JACK
What should I do? Boy meets girl...
(he pauses, tentatively)
- or boy doesnt meet girl?
JACK
(lightly)
Come on, now you tell me what to
do, and then we argue about it, and
then -
JACK (CONTD)
(giving chase)
Oi! Wait!
NANCY
(almost to herself)
What for -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 86.
JACK
All night, youve had opinions and
theories on everything, and now
suddenly youve got nothing to say?
NANCY
What do you want, Jack? My
permission?
JACK
No, I -
NANCY
Fine, go and meet Jessica! Boy
meets girl, thats what you want,
isnt it -
JACK
Well, yeah but -
NANCY
There you go then. What are you
waiting for?
NANCY
(starting to root through
her bag, back to
business)
I presume youre meeting her
here?
JACK
(a bit embarrassed)
Um, yes -
NANCY
(holding up 6 Billion
People and You)
You can give her this back then.
JACK
She bought another one.
NANCY
Of course she did.
JACK
I havent really read it.
NANCY
Maybe we should have.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 87.
JACK
So... thats everything then?
NANCY
(it clearly isnt)
Yes.
(softly)
Sorry for derailing your date.
JACK
(softly)
Im glad you did.
(trying to be cool)
Otherwise Id have nothing to talk
about on this next one!
NANCY
It is a great anecdote. Im sure
Ill use it in the future myself.
JACK
Well. Look. After. Yourself.
NANCY
Its what Im best at!
(beat)
Bye then!
JACK
Bye then!
- but Jack leans in, kisses Nancys cheek. They have come
full circle - it is agony most exquisite. Nancy starts to
walk away -
JACK (CONTD)
Ill Facebook you -
NANCY
- Im not on Facebook!
JACK
(shouting out at her)
Idiot!
NANCY
(shouting back)
Idiot!
JACK
(to himself now)
Idiot.
NANCY
(also to herself)
Idiot.
She turns, to look at him, but the crowd suddenly engulfs him
- poof! And hes gone. Like he was never, ever there in the
first place.
JESSICA
What kind of nutter pretends to be
someone elses blind date!
JACK
(trying to go along with
it)
I know!
JESSICA
(smugly)
Although it does prove what a
publishing sensation 6 Billion has
become. Anyway! Lets just pretend
it never happened and start again.
JACK
Sorry. Very thirsty. Done a lot
of... walking today.
(resetting)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 89.
JACK (CONT'D)
So! I hear you work in the city,
Jessica?
JESSICA
Correct! And I love it.
JACK
Lunch is for wimps!
JACK (CONTD)
Its from Wall Street.
(Jessica still doesnt
get it)
If you need a friend, get a
dog.
JESSICA
Ooh, is that the one with
Leonardo Di Caprio?
JACK
No.
JACK (CONTD)
Tom says youre a triathlete?
CUT TO:
ADAM
(a bit drunk now)
Attention -
(French accent)
Attention!
(Italian accent)
Attenzione!
(German accent, motioning
to Bert)
Achtung!
MAN UP - Tess Morris 90.
BERT
Yes, thank you Adam. Well, here we
are then. I was rather hoping our
youngest daughter Nancy would be
here to do the speech, but shes
been a little...
(at Elaine)
...delayed?
BERT (CONTD)
- so it falls to myself to find
some suitable words... but I mean,
seriously, whats left for us to
say to each other after 40 years,
hey Fran?
FRAN
(heckling)
Take the fucking recycling out!
BERT
Still as foul mouthed as the day I
met her. And still as beautiful -
Everyone aws.
BERT (CONTD)
And although I doubt very much we
have another 40 years ahead -
FRAN
I bloody hope not.
BERT
- or will ever agree that you can
park on double-yellow lines on a
Sunday...
ELAINE
(muttering to herself)
I think you can actually -
BERT
- or shell ever fully trust me
with the big weekly shop -
FRAN
Not a hope in hell, my darling -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 91.
BERT (CONTD)
...but heres to spending whatever
years weve got left, together.
Franny, I am an empty shell on the
beach without you.
ADAM
Oh thats good -
BERT
I am a laundry disaster waiting to
happen!
BERT (CONTD)
An old pear left to soften -
ELAINE
Okay Dad, I think thats enough
metaphors -
BERT
- in the fruit bowl -
(he clocks Nancy)
A ha! Darling! Youre here -
FRAN
(spinning around to see -)
Nancy!
NANCY
(bravely)
Hi everyone!
(ta-da!)
I remembered the chocolate mousse!
JACK
Yup, Ive got big home improvement
plans for this year. Going to do up
my flat, paint the hallway -
JESSICA
Oh yes, Tom said youre a bit of an
artiste?
JACK
Oh I dabble... who am I kidding.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 92.
JESSICA
(charging on regardless,
chuffed to find something
in common)
I got an A in Art A Level!
JACK
I cant remember what I got for my
A Levels.
(Jessica laughs)
I can really. Im not that old.
(a beat)
Two Bs and a C.
(another beat)
No, one B, two Cs.
(shit, he actually cant
remember)
I passed them all anyway.
JESSICA
(bit bewildered)
Well done.
(determined to be positive)
Anyway, Im so glad youre a fan of
6 Billion People and You as well.
And sorry I was late to meet you,
but actually the reason I had to
buy another copy was because I left
my copy for this woman on the
train. She so needed to read it.
JESSICA (CONTD)
She was a very unhappy soul, one of
those lost hope, clock ticking kind
of women -
JESSICA (CONTD)
Anyway, lets do the lists!
JACK
(disorientated)
The lists? Oh right, yeah -
JESSICA
I cant wait to see what your
favourite food is.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 93.
JACK
(strained)
Me neither!
JESSICA (CONTD)
Ready?
JACK
Im so sorry about this -
JESSICA
What are you talking about? Its
amazing! If I hadnt left her the
book, oh my god... its like the
most epic love story ever -
(so triumphant)
- and it means I was right, and she
was wrong!
(screaming)
Taxi!
JESSICA
(to Jack)
Where to?
JACK
Shit. I have no idea.
JESSICA
Just call her -
JACK
I dont have her number.
(off Jessicas look)
I have your number.
As the Taxi Driver flicks the meter on, and Jack helplessly
realises this could be a hopeless mission -
JESSICA
Well, whats her name?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 94.
JACK
Nancy. Nancy Patterson.
JESSICA
Well just look her up on Facebook -
JACK
(ruefully, to himself)
Shes not on Facebook -
JESSICA
(as if someone wouldnt be
on Facebook)
Dont be ridiculous -
(getting her iPhone out)
Everyone is connected, youll have
some mutual friends or something -
JACK
You bloody genius.
(as the taxi pulls away)
Keep up the triathleting!
JACK
(out of breath)
Sean.
SEAN
(hopeful)
Wheres Nancy?
JACK
(realising hes going to
have to play this one a
bit)
Sean, Seany Seany, Seanathon!
Thats what I was hoping you could
tell me -
Jack tries to take his scarf from Sean, but Sean is having
none of it. Jack backs away from the scarf, okay then -
JACK (CONTD)
Any chance you know where her
parents live? Shes at their house.
Its their 40th wedding
anniversary.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 95.
SEAN
I know the exact Google Map
coordinates.
JACK
(terrified)
I really dont mind getting the
train, Sean -
SEAN
So whats your plan?
JACK
My plan?
SEAN
To win her heart?
JACK
This isnt a power ballad -
SEAN
Well it should be. Grand, romantic
gestures Jack. Thats what its all
about.
(Jack smiles ruefully)
Declarations. Heart on the line.
Life changing kind of stuff. Thats
what I was going for in the toilets
earlier. Action. You know, more
than words.
As Sean takes a sharp left hand turn, using just his left
hand, Jack looks aghast, visibly blanching.
MAN UP - Tess Morris 96.
SEAN (CONTD)
Taught myself to drive with just my
left hand. Pretty useful, I can
tell you.
JACK
(relieved)
Are we here?
SEAN
(tapping the wheel)
Yup. Were here.
JACK
What number?
SEAN
(thinks, then with
conviction)
74.
SEAN (CONTD)
Go, go, go! Bon chance, my friend!
Jack gets out. Sean speeds off down the road. Jack looks at
the houses. Take a deep breath. Heads for number 74.
NANCY
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot! Why didnt I
just say dont go and meet her,
come to the party with me?. But as
if he was going to say yes! Because
why would he not go and meet her
and come to the party with me -
ADAM
(putting his hand out block
Nancys head)
Go easy Nancy, its only a
partition wall -
BERT
(deciphering)
Something about a party?
FRAN
(to Nancy)
This party?
NANCY
And you put a chair out for him and
everything -
ELAINE
- for the man on the phone?
ADAM
The strange man you were on a date
with!
BERT
It didnt go well?
NANCY
Noooooo, it did, it did go well -
ELAINE
Hooray!
BERT
Hooray!
ELAINE
Not hooray!
BERT
Boo? Boo!
ADAM
I am deeply confused.
FRAN
Come on Nancy Pants, take a deep
breath -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 98.
BERT
- tell us what happened my lovely.
ADAM
(emphatic)
I will get that!
Adam opens the front door. We dont see who it is, but Nancy
does.
NANCY
(flummoxed)
What are you doing here?
JACK
(confused)
Is Nancy here?
SOPHIE
(excited)
Are you a stripper-gram?
ESSIE
Old Man Stripper Gram!
JACK
(panic)
What, no -
As Essie and Sophie pull Jack into the house - a house that
does not appear to be Nancys parents' house, and does not
feel like a 40th Wedding Anniversary Party. Instead, its a
total teenage free house party, and its in full swing.
SEAN
(confident)
Nancy. I had to come and find you.
After what happened tonight -
NANCY
(disorientated)
How did you -
SEAN
I couldnt just leave it like that.
ELAINE
(penny drop)
Oh my god, Nancy is this -
FRAN
Oh how marvellous!
ADAM
Weve got a chair for you!
BERT
(so relieved)
We bloody have you know!
NANCY
(exhausted)
No, wait, you dont understand -
But Nancy clocks the look of hope and relief in her familys
faces - her man has finally shown up - as they welcome Sean
into the house. Sean grins at her, slamming the door shut on
us. And we see that the house number is not 74, its number
47.
ESSIE
(shouting)
Everybody, this is Jack!
SOPHIE
And hes looking for - who are you
looking for again?
JACK
Nancy?!
JACK
This is definitely not a 40th
wedding anniversary party.
ESSIE
Nancy! Nancy, are you here, Nancy?
A random girl, who was just having her face snogged off,
stops being snogged -
RANDOM GIRL
Im Nancy!
SICKY GIRL
Im Nancy!
TEENAGE BOY
Im Nancy!
TEENAGE CHORUS
Im Nancy!
JACK
None of you are Nancy! Nancy
Patterson is 34, not 16 -
(he rubs Sick Girls back)
Thats it, get it all out -
(back to his mission)
- and shes got nice hair, and a
lovely face -
(back to Sicky Girl)
2 paracetamol and a pint of water
before bed. One leg in, one on the
floor.
SICKY GIRL
I love you.
HARRY
Wait, Nancy Patterson? She was my
old babysitter!
JACK
Can you take me to her?
HARRY
Yes I can!
We go out into the street with Jack, Harry and the teenagers.
Harry points up the road. Jack starts running up the middle
of the road, the teenagers immediately following him.
Theyre a jogging/on a mission/take no prisoners sight to
behold. As Jack intently focuses on the mission ahead -
- jump cut out to an ever widening top shot to see the whole
of a suburban grid of roads and houses, and Jack and his
hapless group snaking up a road. Their task looks truly
helpless...
As Jack dashes the final 100 yards towards the car, and more
importantly Nancy's parents house, with the teenagers
scrambling to keep up with him.
BERT
Ladies and gentlemen, your
attention please?
NANCY
I just wanted to say, um, a few
words.
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 103.
NANCY (CONT'D)
I actually had prepared something,
but then I lost it - long story -
actually, fuck it, Im going to
condense it for you, because its
the reason I was late, thus the
reason this speech is going to be
so lame. Right. I met a man today -
SEAN
(smiling, waving)
Hello!
NANCY (CONTD)
Not this man.
Everyone is confused -
NANCY (CONTD)
I was standing underneath the clock
at Waterloo, this afternoon, when a
man called Jack mistook me for his
blind date. And instead of saying
youve got the wrong girl, like a
normal person, for some reason I
decided it would be a good idea to
pretend I was his date.
NANCY (CONTD)
So we went out, and for the first
time in ages I put myself out
there, I took a chance, I even got
stronger thighs -
NANCY (CONTD)
- but then Jack found out I wasnt
who I said I was - a 24 year old
triathlete! - so he went off to
meet his real blind date, blah blah
blah, the end...
(everyone is sad)
Dont be sad! Im not sad! I mean,
I am sad, but Im also quite proud
of myself. Because I tried. I did
open myself up to stuff, and yeah,
it didnt quite work out, but at
least I got a hint of what could be
out there for me -
(she turns to her parents)
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 104.
NANCY (CONTD)
- a fun, loving, interesting,
crazy, contradictory, long and
happy life with someone, something
these two have had ever since they
first laid eyes on each other 40
years ago -
(feeling a bit emotional)
- and I admire them so much for
that, and I love them even more for
all the support theyve given me,
and Elaine -
NANCY
(also on the verge of
tears)
So please join me in toasting them
tonight, and wishing them a very
happy anniversary! To Mum and Dad!
To Bert and Fran!
Everyone toasts.
SEAN
(standing up, the loudest)
To Bert and Fran!
BERT
Well, I liked that speech, I liked
it a lot.
(gently)
Much better than last years.
FRAN
And you just keep on going my girl,
youll get there in the end, we
never, ever doubt that -
ELAINE
Stronger thighs. Im so proud of
you.
ADAM
(chin up Nancy, his loss)
And where is this Jack now
anyway, hey?
NANCY
Oh, hes at the window.
JACK
Naaaaaaaaaancy!
TEENAGERS
Naaaaaaaaaancy!
JACK
(like this is all totally
normal)
Hello!
(to the teenagers)
Wait there.
(to Nancy)
Nancy, I thought you might want
your speech?
NANCY
(confused)
Its too late now -
JACK
(firm)
Do you want your speech, Nancy?
NANCY
(tentative)
Yes?
JACK
Well shut up and let me give it to
you then!
NANCY
(mouthing to them)
This is Jack.
JACK
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, friends and Nancys family
who I have never met before in my
life. I met a girl today. The wrong
girl.
(MORE)
MAN UP - Tess Morris 106.
JACK (CONT'D)
Except she turned out to be the
right girl. And this girl, who took
a chance on me, in the most bizarre
and romantic way possible, wanted
me to take a chance on her too. But
I didnt. I blew it, like the 40-
year-old mid life crisis dickhead I
am. Which is why I have sought
help from old beaus -
(he looks over at Sean)
- admittedly not the most reliable
source, but still -
JACK
- and ended up at a teenage house
party instead! But I commandeered
those crazy, drunken youths and
together we went on a journey,
through the mean streets of
suburban London, because nothing
was going to stop me from finding
this girl again, and telling her
what I should have just told her
earlier...
(deep breath)
Nancy. I am so bloody glad you
pretended to be my blind date
today. Because if you hadnt, then
I never would have heard all your
amazing sex theories, or watch you
try to get jalapeno out of your
teeth, or witnessed your
instinctive firewoman skills, your
tactical vomit. I would never have
got to know your muddy beautiful,
Triathlete face, hear your
surprisingly dirty laugh, or watch
your awesome, competitive arse when
youre about to get another strike.
If you hadnt pretended to be my
date under the clock Nancy
Patterson, then my day would have
been utterly rubbish...
(deep breath)
- and so would the rest of my life.
JACK (CONTD)
(to Nancy)
You said to me earlier that I was
an emotional jigsaw. And that I
should look for the blue bits.
Well. I think you might be the blue
bits. So what do you reckon Nancy?
Quid pro quo?
MAN UP - Tess Morris 107.
NANCY
But what does it say in Six Billion
People and You?
NANCY JACK
Fuck the past! Fuck the past!
EVERYBODY
Fuck the past!
NANCY
Hands. Arse.
JACK
My hands arent on your arse.
NANCY
(but they should be?)
I know.
NANCY
To confirm, this is my favourite
bathroom experience of the evening -
JACK
(wrapping his scarf around
Nancys neck)
Maybe Ill just keep just my socks
and pants on -
MAN UP - Tess Morris 108.
NANCY
Always a strong look on a man.
JACK
Now, is there anything I need to
know before we begin? Any theories
on kissing, or the first time, dos
and donts in the bedroom/bathroom -
NANCY
Idiot.
JACK
Idiot.
Things start to heat up, and we move out of the hot and
steamy bathroom, into the corridor, where Sean has his ear
pressed to the door, straining to hear what is going on in
there. He is finally rewarded as he overhears -
NANCY (O.S.)
Sweet baby Jesus.
The camera backs away through all the guests, wiping into a
crane shot that pulls through the open window Jack has just
climbed through. And now were outside the house, pulling
away all the time, as we pull up and away into the night sky,
because guess what? Yes, its...
THE END.