14 INT. HENRY'S APARTMENT, STAIRS - DAY 14 Henry comes in the door, reading a rejection letter. He trudges up the stairs, very tired. He's looking at the letter as he walks, so at first he doesn't notice CLAIR, a stylish and attractive woman in her mid-thirties, sitting at the top of the stairs. He's surprised. HENRY Clair. It's good to see you. CLAIR I wanted to talk to you. There's pregnant pause, then they hug. Henry holds her tight, his eyes closed - yearning. HENRY Baby I miss you something awful. But Clair pushes him away firmly. His shirt sticks to hers, leaving a paint splotch right over her breast. Henry instinctively grabs her blouse and pulls it away from her skin - as if to stop the paint from soaking through. HENRY (continuing) Oh, no. I'm sorry. CLAIR It's OK. It's an old blouse. Then, powerless over the impulse, he puts both his hands on her breasts, as if in apology. He looks at her breasts in his hands, then he looks up at her. She SLAPS him. HENRY You're right. Bad idea! I'm sorry. CLAIR It's alright. It's an old blouse. HENRY We could get that out. CLAIR I just came here to give you back the ring and talk about the lease. A curious BUSYBODY peeks at the ex-lovers from her doorway. CLAIR (continuing) Could we go inside? Henry gestures for her to go ahead. 15 INT. HENRY'S APT. - DAY 15 Henry lets Clair into the apartment. She goes to the kitchen sink and starts cleaning the paint off her blouse. He walks up close behind her. She turns around. Her blouse is wet, unbuttoned, the lace bra is showing. She opens the refrigerator and looks at Henry's sorry lot of old leftovers. CLAIR Henry, you've got to throw that chicken out. I cooked it a week ago. HENRY I had some this morning. It's still fine. She catches him looking at her shirt. She buttons it. HENRY (continuing) God, you look beautiful. CLAIR Henry... She sidesteps his advance, walking to the center room. CLAIR (continuing) I didn't come here for this. She buttons her blouse and brushes the damp spot. Henry comes forward and puts his hands gently on her hips. HENRY Are you sure? She doesn't look too sure. CLAIR Yes. She moves away from him again. CLAIR (continuing) I think Clifford is going to propose to me. HENRY What a shitheel! You know he never had an original idea in his life. It just figures he'd have to propose to someone else's fiance! CLAIR Don't blame Clifford, Henry. You had your chance. MUSIC HENRY Well, give me another one. Come on! Let's get married. Let's do it right now. Henry walks over, takes her in his arms and kisses her. She kisses him back. She pushes him away. CLAIR Oh Henry. Why wasn't it like this when I lived here? HENRY It could be. He kisses her again. 16 INT. HENRY'S APT. - NIGHT 16 Clair is at the sink with her shirt off, scrubbing out paint spots. She's very upset. Henry, still wearing his painting clothes sits at his desk looking very glum. CLAIR I'm not a charity girl, Henry. I just came over here to give you back your ring. This isn't what I wanted at all. She pulls her shirt on and starts buttoning it. There are big wet spots all over it - giving her an odd, cartoon-like appearance. CLAIR (continuing) And if you have any feelings left for me, I hope you won't tell anyone about this. Don't put it in your stupid book. I don't like being in your book. She reaches into her purse and hands him a small ring box. CLAIR (continuing) I'm sorry. HENRY I don't want it. CLAIR Well, I don't want it either. And I'm going to need the deposit money from you for the apartment, so you better take it. HENRY Why don't you pawn it? CLAIR Henry, I want the money! You pawn it. Henry takes it. HENRY Alright, fine. She goes to the door. CLAIR I told Melnick that you were going to take over the lease. He'll probably come by later. HENRY Clair, honey... Why don't you stay? CLAIR No. Obviously, I can't be alone with you. You're a good guy. But it's over. She leaves. Henry sits at his desk looking at the ring box. He picks it up and throws it.