Whatever Happened to Marie?

In all the excitement of the holidays, I forgot to get back to good old Marie.

Let's see what she's up to.

Here's where we left off ...

FADE BACK IN

INT. DANCE CLUB - NIGHT

The room is packed with people, shoulder-to-shoulder. Rock music blasts and multi-colored lights reflect off a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. The entire scene looks like a moving silhoutte against a backdrop of flashing lights and neon.

Marie is dancing with JUSTIN, a tall, lanky “lady’s man”, and Joanne is with another guy, dancing cheek-to-cheek.

MARIE
(shouting)
Mind if we sit the next one out?

JUSTIN
Sure. Take a load off, for a while.

The song ends, then the speakers launch right into the next number. Joanne and her date keep dancing, while Marie and Justin make their way to a table.

MARIE
God, this is exhausting!

She laughs.

JUSTIN
Good grief! You’re too young to be tired just from dancing. Maybe you need to take Geritol. [Did I write that as a joke? I sure hope so.]

MARIE
I’m sorry, I’m just … it’s been a tough time for me. I haven’t been out dancing much lately.

JUSTIN
Hey … let’s get out of here.

MARIE
What about them?

JUSTIN
They can take care of themselves. Let’s blow this joint.

Marie pauses, then smiles.

MARIE
Okay.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

Justin’s black Porsche weaves through traffic, racing down the street. The car makes a sudden left turn, in front of oncoming traffic. Horns blare. The car fishtails, but straightens out and takes off down the road.