Where Lou and Tyler are finishing an expensive meal. Lou hands him back his business card. It’s clear from her manner that she’s not used to dining in such elegant surroundings.
What’s insurance?
TYLER
What’s insurance...? Well...
(grins, struggling to finad a simple answer)
Funny... right now it doesn’t seem too important.
(sips his champagne)
Let’s see... Basically, insurance helps people pursue their dreams by reducing financial risk in the event of unforseen circumstances.
LOU
How’s it do that?
TYLER
Even if I could explain, I’m not sure I care to at the moment.
(a beat, reaches for bottle)
More champagne?
LOU
(already a bit tipsy)
No... Thankyou.
TYLER
Actually it’s not as boring as it sounds.
(refills his glass)
My company also insures some extremely valuable shipments: gold, weapons army payrolls, things like that.
(sips champagne)
It’s also my job to follow up and make sure they reach their destinations safely. In fact, I’m one of only a handful of people with access to the shipping schedules.
(catches himself)
There I go, bragging again. I’m sorry.
LOU
No...! That’s alright. I mean...
(hiccups, covers her mouth, embarrassed, then laughs)
...I like it.
TYLER
Well, I get sick and tired of hearing myself talk. Enough about me. What about you?
LOU
What about me?
TYLER
Well... For starters: I know your first name’s Louise. What’s your last name?
LOU
(coy)
Does it matter?
TYLER
You are evasive.
(a beat)
Let’s try another tack... Why would a beautiful young woman, travelling alone, check into a hotel in an out-of-the-way place like this?
LOU
Who said I was alone?
TYLER
Aha..! So tell me: should I be on the lookout for an insanely jealous husband or fiance?
LOU
(smiles)
No... I’m traveling with my mother. We’ve got family in Sweetwater.
TYLER
(not quite believing her)
I see. Well, I hope she’s not expecting you back so soon.
LOU
Who?
TYLER
Your mother.
LOU
Oh... No. She’s prob’ly asleep by now. We had a long day.
TYLER
Good.
He starts pouring her more champagne.
Stop...
Tyler fills her glass anyway.
There’s something you should know about men in my line of work.
(more)
We never take no for an answer.
A shadow of doubt plays across Lou’s mind as she looks at Tyler’s smiling face... then she dismisses it.
Guess one more can’t hurt.
TYLER
That’s the spirit.
(Lifts his glass)
Lou laughs, about to clink glasses with him.
No, not like that...
And he bends closer, linking arms with her. They toast and sip their bubbly... their faces very close in the candle light.
(Inches from her face, arms touching)
Like this...