SO THIS IS HOW YOU THANK SOMEONE? - Todd & Blair
This is Todd & Blair’s big reunion in every sense of the word that leads them back to their second wedding. And what a reunion it is, full of passion and urgency. Todd & Blair have been estranged after his finding out about her lies & deception surrounding her pregnancy and marriage to him. He recently has been seeing her in a softer light, especially after having a big heart to heart with Marty. He and Blair have lunch at the country club, Tina talks to him that Blair is only trying to lure him back for the money. To quote her, “she’s got her hands in your pockets, one hand on your wallet the other on your,” and looks down at his pants. He remembers it is Blair’s birthday coming up and before their split he had ordered an Arabian stallion for her gift. He is reminded of this and tries to cancel it but it is too late. The scene opens on Blair at the stables seeing the new horse.
BLAIR: Oh, my god! It’s gorgeous! Pure Arabian! Omar Shariff has nothing, on you handsome, I believe you’re the most beautiful thing I ever...(stable hand comes in warning her to be careful, that he is wild and not about to be ridden) Oh, I never met a horse I couldn’t handle, once you let him know you love him, trust you for life. (she pets and speaks softly and soothing to him) Yeah, hey beautiful. (camera shows Todd’s shoes and pans up to him lurking, listening to her)
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BLAIR: (pets the horse the whole time) When I was a little girl I used to dream of riding a beautiful Arabian horse just like you. Way up into the mountains, way up into the sky, (laughs) away from everything. I always wanted a horse just like you to take me to that magical place, a place that was perfect. (in a whisper of dreams) I wanted that so much. (softly) Hey. (she whips around hearing something and sees Todd standing there)
TODD: And that little girl grew up. Now she gets everything she wants, doesn’t she?
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(camera close up of his face then Blair’s staring at each other)
BLAIR: Why do you automatically accept anything bad somebody says about me? Mmmm? Especially, Tina. The two brain cells she has don’t function on the same day, you know.
TODD: After all the stuff that you pulled, you gotta admit, you’re liable to do anything. So maybe what Tina is saying is right.
BLAIR: (sarcastic, laugh) Thank you so much, Todd, thank you. What...what was I even thinking? Going to lunch with you. As if we could actually be civil enough to choke down a meal, so much for Cassie and Marty’s theory that we belong together, huh?
TODD: (looking down quickly) Yeah, what do they know.
BLAIR: (hurt) Well, you obviously can’t stand the sight of me so, why don’t you go, okay. I’ll just spend a little time with this beautiful creature here, till his owner comes to claim him. (goes back to petting the horse)
TODD: (coldly) Yeah, don’t let me get in your way. (he turns and leaves and runs into the man working the stables)
STABLE HAND: Can I help you?
TODD: Yeah you can. You can tell me what to do with this horse, alright? I ordered him about three months ago, forgot they were shipping him in this week. I don’t want him anymore, so what do I do?
BLAIR: (petting the horse) Hey, big guy, you hungry? You sure are beautiful, you know that. God, you’re beautiful.
STABLE HAND: He’s pretty wild still, but the lady sure seems to have a way with him. No one else around here has been able to get near him. (Todd looks back at her)
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BLAIR: (seeing Todd leaning against the door) You still here?
TODD: (mumbling) Sorry. I was just thinkin’. You know maybe you’re right, maybe what Tina said is kinda dumb.
BLAIR: (pointedly) Everything Tina says is kinda dumb.
TODD: (small smile) Yeah. (softer) So, uh, you wanna go back to the country club, maybe, uh, I don’t know, have a drink or something?
BLAIR: (looks down, thinks for a second) No, I don’t. (he nods and turns to leave, she stops him) Todd, look, no matter what you mean to do, you always find a way to hurt me, you don’t trust me, and I can only get kicked in the gut so many times, you know? I...I just, I...I gotta...gotta play it safe for a while, anyway.
TODD: You got a play it safe?
BLAIR: Well, it’s not that far fetched.
TODD: Time was when you wouldn’t think twice about playing it safe. You’d either hop on a wild horse like this bare back, just ride on out of here, saying you’d either tame it or die trying.
BLAIR: (laughs) Yeah, maybe.
TODD: Yeah, no maybe about it. That’s why I bought it for you. (she is shocked)
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BLAIR: You....you bought the horse for me?
TODD: Yeah, this wild Arabian birthday present I ordered about a million years ago. Before the annulment and everything hit the fan and I just, (shrugs) I forgot.
BLAIR: (very moved) I......I never thought that.....(breaks off, tears up) You be good to him, treat him good.
TODD: Me? What do I want with a horse? No, he should be with somebody who knows how to take care of him.
BLAIR: Well promise me Todd, whoever you sell him to, make sure that he treats him right, alright?
TODD: Look uh, why don’t you just keep him, huh? (double meaning) I mean we both know that you’re going to treat him right (she turns quickly back to him, surprised at his emotion) (he whispers) Happy Birthday. (she tears up)
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BLAIR: (not looking at him) Todd, I....I can’t take him, I can’t accept a gift like this, especially with everything that’s gone on between you and me.
STABLE HAND: Sir, the manager gave me these papers for you.
TODD: Thanks.
STABLE HAND: Uh, gotta close up.
TODD: Why don’t you just go ahead alright, we’ll make sure everything is taken care of. (he is not moving, Todd reaches in his pocket to give him a generous tip to get him on his way) Look, the lady who you just said was so good with the horse, she just found out that he was a birthday present and she needs a little bit of time to get to know him,okay? (stable hand takes the money and Todd gives him back the papers) Hold on to this, too.
STABLE HAND: Sure, no problem. (he leaves)
BLAIR: Why....why did you tell him it was my horse.
TODD: Stop arguing, okay? Alright, look, I’ll stay out of it, there’s no strings attached. (softer) And...and this horse was intended for you, alright? (he starts to go up to the horse and gesture)
BLAIR: (warning him, grabbing his arm) Be careful don’t go near the horse. Be careful! (close up of the horse, they both look at him then Todd looks at Blair)
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