Free Love of Her Life by C.Y. Dillon

LOVE OF HER LIFE
 
    FADE IN:
     
    EXT.  PORT OF NEW ORLEANS - PRESENT DAY
     
    A red paddle wheel churns up muddy water.  Jazz from the Delta Queen Mississippi River boat refines the air. 
     
    INT.  HARMONIA'S CABIN G319 - DAY
     
    The hope of Jazz and the paddle are ever present. 
     
    HARMONIA and MIKE sit apart on a bed.  They're grownups.  He's obviously younger.  She's dressed to mesmerize the way an earth goddess does it.  He's got that stunning-leading-man look working for him. 
     
    They stare at the cabin wall.  A small window with a river view is visible behind them. 
     
    MIKE
    This is lovely. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Barmy. 
     
    MIKE
    I like this song. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Nice. 
     
    MIKE
    I could be a god in this bed.  You
    could pretend you're not terribly
    disappointed. 
     
    HARMONIA
    I could? 
     
    MIKE
    This could be a great week. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Great.  Sex with someone I don't
    know. 
     
    He reaches over.  She avoids his touch and walks out the door. 
     
    MIKE
    He wouldn't have sent me if he didn't
    believe I could--
     
    The door closes.  Mike sits alone, facing the closed door. 
     
    MIKE
    --be your soul mate. 
     
    EXT.  DELTA QUEEN SUN DECK - DAY
     
    Harmonia stares at dirty water.  The paddle churns up a used disposable diaper. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Charming. 
     
    The deck is crowded.  ERIC (21) pushes his way through and stops next to Harmonia.  He's got that tough-boy-band look working for him. 
     
    ERIC
    We paid too much for this. 
     
    He flashes a smile at Harmonia. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Vintage Americana.  Priceless. 
     
    He offers his hand. 
     
    ERIC
    I'm Eric. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Don't react.  My name is Harmonia. 
     
    She gives him a polite handshake.  He holds longer than he should.  She pulls free. 
     
    ERIC
    How could I not be curious?
     
    HARMONIA
    My parents had an unnatural obsession
    with all things Greek. 
     
    ERIC
    What about you? 
     
    She contemplates the polluted river. 
     
    HARMONIA
    My obsession? 
     
    She strolls away, shaking her head. 
     
    HARMONIA
    It's all bull shit.  And it's--
     
    Eric pushes through people to keep up with her. 
     
    ERIC
    --It's bad for you.  George Carlin
    always nailed it. 
     
    Harmonia gives him a tiny smile, though she continues to get away from Eric. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Carlin was brilliant. 
     
    ERIC
    I saw him live in Vegas. 
     
    She stops, does an abrupt turnabout, and throws ice water at him with her eyes. 
     
    HARMONIA
    Did he send you?  Damn it, Ri.  This
    is--
     
    ERIC
    It was my idea.  I came on my own. 
     
    HARMONIA
    --insane. 
     
    ERIC
    I had to see if--
     
    She huffs and hurries away. 
     
    HARMONIA
    No way. 
     
    He pursues her. 
     
    ERIC
    --maybe you'd--
     
    HARMONIA
    This cannot be my life. 
     
    ERIC
    I feel like I know you.  He talks
    about you every day. 
     
    She covers her face with both hands and keeps walking. 
     
    HARMONIA
    He talks about me.  Great. 
     
    She stops at the end of the boat.  Her knuckles turn white as she grips the rail.  Her eyes fix on the swarthy woods lining the river. 
     
    She contemplates the murky river between her and the woods. 
     
    ERIC
    I told him he should come.  Either
    way, you'd be disappointed.  He might
    as well--
     
    HARMONIA
    --get some action?
     
    Eric shuts up and uses the brain in his skull for a moment. 
     
    ERIC
    He should meet you in person at least
    once.  This would have made a very
    nice first date I think. 
     
    HARMONIA
    You think? 
     
    ERIC
    I think you'd like the real Orion. 
     
    HARMONIA
    I already like him too much. 
     
    ERIC
    But you don't even know the real
    Orion. 
     
    She eyes him with suspicion. 
     
    INT.  DELTA QUEEN LOUNGE - MOMENTS LATER
     
    Eric follows Harmonia in.  She sits at the bar.  He sits
    next to her without asking. 
     
    ERIC
    It's not so bad.  You're the
    adventurous type.  Go with it. 
     
    She shakes her head.  The BARTENDER (looks old enough to be her