As promised, here is The Unicorn Scene at the End Of Pilot Episode of MARRIED: EXTENDED EDITION.
FADE IN:
INT. WINE BAR – NIGHT
Dim lighting. Overpriced olives and low jazz. Elizabeth sits opposite: GRAHAM (48) Accountant. Recently separated, wears a shirt tucked too enthusiastically, who smiles with calculated sincerity.
GRAHAM
So… I believe in communication.
ELIZABETH
That’s ambitious of you.
GRAHAM
My ex and I simply grew apart.
ELIZABETH
Mine exploded publicly.
Beat.
GRAHAM
Oh, I had no idea.
ELIZABETH
There was an Aldi roof involved.
Graham nods politely, pretending that’s normal. The WAITER pours their wine.
GRAHAM
And how are you feeling about dating?
ELIZABETH
Like I’m taking a test-drive after a collision.
Beat.
GRAHAM
That’s refreshingly honest.
Elizabeth almost relaxes and then– She glances toward the window, freezing instantly. Outside, across the street at a pavement café – Jack. Sitting with a woman she doesn’t recognize. Laughing, but not forced, not awkward. Genuinely laughing. Elizabeth stiffens.
GRAHAM
Is everything alright?
ELIZABETH
No, not really.
GRAHAM
No, do you want to talk about it?
ELIZABETH
(points at Jack)
That’s my husband.
GRAHAM
I thought you were divorced?
ELIZABETH
Emotionally. Legally it’s paperwork and deep rage.
Graham turns subtly and sees Jack. JACK is mid-laugh, totally unaware. The WOMAN across from him — early 40’s, confident — leans in and touches his arm. Elizabeth’s eye twitches.
GRAHAM
He looks… settled.
ELIZABETH
He fell in cow shit yesterday.
Outside– A STREET JUGGLER suddenly walks past Jack in full performance mode throwing three flaming torches into the air where he stops directly beside Jack’s table.
JUGGLER
FOR LOVE AND SURVIVAL!
Jack blinks.
JACK
Is this for me?
Juggler winks and continues juggling. The woman laughs while Elizabeth grips her wine glass too hard.
ELIZABETH
Oh. now he’s charming in chaos.
GRAHAM
Perhaps he’s–
Outside– A parade of something odd approaches. Elizabeth squints. An actual ELEPHANT walks past the window, full-sized, decorated with fairy lights and led by a man in a waistcoat. Silence hits the inside of the wine bar. Everyone turns.
GRAHAM
Is that…?
ELIZABETH
Yes.
GRAHAM
Do elephants usually–
ELIZABETH
Only when my life is imploding.
Outside– Jack turns mid-sentence and sees the elephant, making him stand instinctively.
JACK
I feel like I manifested this.
The woman laughs harder. She claps as the elephant lumbers past, the Juggler now incorporating the elephant into his act, as the entire street becomes a carnival. Someone plays accordion badly, a mime walks into a real lamppost as Elizabeth stares in disbelief.
GRAHAM
Is he… popular?
ELIZABETH
Unfortunately.
Outside– The woman across from Jack wipes something off his cheek affectionately. Elizabeth’s jaw tightens.
ELIZABETH
He never let me wipe his face.
GRAHAM
That seems specific.
ELIZABETH
It is.
Jack’s laughter carries faintly through the glass, it’s genuine, and that hurts more.
GRAHAM
You still care.
ELIZABETH
I care that he’s not miserable.
Beat.
ELIZABETH (CONT’D)
He should be at least moderately
miserable.
Outside– The elephant suddenly stops and refuses to move. The handler tugs uselessly as the traffic builds. A bus driver leans out shouting.
BUS DRIVER
Move that fucking zoo!
Jack stands and helps push gently at the elephant’s flank, while the woman laughs hysterically. Elizabeth’s
mouth drops open.
ELIZABETH
He’s assisting livestock again.
GRAHAM
You seem angry about animals.
ELIZABETH
Well, he’s magnetized to them!
Inside the wine bar- A WAITER drops a tray. Full crash. Elizabeth flinches, as across the street– Jack and the woman take shelter under a café awning as it begins to drizzle. She leans close to him. Elizabeth leans forward in her chair unconsciously.
GRAHAM
Would you like to focus on us?
Elizabeth snaps back.
ELIZABETH
Yes. Of course.
Beat.
GRAHAM
What are your hobbies?
ELIZABETH
Currently? Surveillance.
Graham blinks. Outside– The juggler drops a flaming torch. Panic ripples, as the elephant trumpets loudly. Jack ducks instinctively while the woman grabs his arm. They both laugh again. Elizabeth exhales sharply.
ELIZABETH
He looks happy.
Beat.
GRAHAM
That’s allowed, isn’t it?
Elizabeth stares at him.
ELIZABETH
Not yet.
GRAHAM
That’s not how time works.
Silence. Elizabeth looks back outside. Jack catches sight of the wine bar window and their eyes almost
meet. She ducks slightly.
GRAHAM
Are we hiding?
ELIZABETH
I don’t want him seeing me with an accountant.
GRAHAM
Why on earth not?
ELIZABETH
Because that feels like defeat.
Outside– The elephant finally moves, the Carnival disperses and the street returns to near normal. Jack sits again, the woman leans in. Elizabeth exhales slowly.
GRAHAM
You don’t actually want him gone.
Beat.
Elizabeth doesn’t answer.
GRAHAM
You just want him to feel it.
That lands. Elizabeth stares at her wine. Outside– The woman stands, kisses Jack lightly on the cheek and walks away. Jack sits there alone, looking… uncertain. Not triumphant, not smug, just processing. Elizabeth sees it – The uncertainty, the quiet. She softens, just a fraction.
GRAHAM
Shall we order food?
Elizabeth watches Jack through the window.
ELIZABETH
Yes. Why not?
Beat.
ELIZABETH (CONT’D)
But nothing flambé.
Outside– The juggler drops his clubs entirely, one hits Jack on the shoulder. Jack yelps. Elizabeth can’t
help it, she laughs – properly.
GRAHAM
There she is.
Elizabeth wipes her eyes.
ELIZABETH
He attracts nonsense.
GRAHAM
So do you, I’ve noticed.
Beat.
ELIZABETH
That’s concerning.
They clink glasses, while across the street– Jack rubs his shoulder looking around. For a split second– He sees Elizabeth through the glass. Their eyes meet, no anger, no shouting, just… history. The elephant trumpets one last time.
MATCH CUT TO:
1999-2027 © Marcus De Storm
