(The run-down Hankins Hotel in New York City. Earlier that day, Beth and Phillip made $20 selling one painting—a picture of Phillip dressed up as a clown that they sold to Rick and Mindy’s new boss Trudy. Phillip has gone out shopping while Beth is sketching. Phillip comes in the door and nearly falls over, carrying a bunch of bags).
Phillip:
Beth, give me a hand.
Beth (Running over to him):
Phillip, what on earth…
Phillip:
Grab the bottle. Grab the bottle. Grab the bottle…(he falls to his knees and Beth grabs it from his hands and sighs).
Beth:
What is all this stuff?
Phillip:
We’re going to have a little celebration
Beth:
Celebration? What for?
Phillip:
We’re going to celebrate the small fortune we made today on the clown sketch.
Beth:
The twenty dollar fortune?
Phillip:
That’s the one. And to commemorate this momentous occasion, I’m going to you (he kisses her) on a trip around the world.
[COMMERCIAL]
(As we return, Phillip and Beth are eating dinner. He has a world map set up and is marking it with a marker).
Phillip:
…the wonders of China, thanks to the egg roll, and we have sampled the culinary delights of Italy thanks to the completely demolished calzone…We move to our next and final stop on the world tour. Will it be terrific? Will it be…PARIS, FRANCE! (He circles it on the map with the marker).
Beth:
Oh, Phillip, I’ve always wanted to see Paris.
Phillip:
Well, it’s right in this bag.
Beth:
What is all this stuff?
Phillip (pulling stuff out of the grocery bag and talking with a really bad accent):
This is a little bit of French bread. And to go with the French bread, we have a little bit of French cheese. Mushy.
Beth:
What kind of cheese is it?
Phillip:
It’s called chevre.
Beth:
Chevre?
Phillip:
Uh-huh.
Beth:
What’s that?
Phillip:
It means goat.
Beth (sniffs it and makes a face):
It kind of smells like one.
Phillip:
It tastes better than it smells. Take my word for it. I got some more stuff.
Beth:
What else did you buy?
Phillip:
I got a little bit of pate, and I got some French mustard to go ON the pate. Oh, and uh, what French meal would be complete with out a little bit of French mineral water to wash it down?
Beth (laughs and gets up):
I’ll go get some paper cups.
Phillip:
Okay, and I’ll light the candle, which I have been saving for this, the most romantic segment of our trip.
(He lights it, and Beth turns off the electricity.)
Beth (kneeling down again):
Oh, Phillip. It’s beautiful.
Phillip (shrugs):
Well, it ain’t Paris, but I think it’ll do. (Remembers something). Close your eyes. Close your eyes. (He goes reaches into the bag) This may not be Paris, but I think this will help. (He pulls out two matching berets). I know that I shouldn’t have spent the money this way, but, well…(He puts his on). Lean forward. (He puts hers on and she opens her eyes). What do you think, Pierre? Can we get by with these? Huh? Is this Paris, or is this Paris? We are talking Paris here.
Beth (laughing and standing up to twirl around):
Mais oui, monsieur. This is Paris. It is beautiful. (Putting her hands on her head). No wonder F. Scott Fitzgerald loved to stay here.
Phillip:
You’re something else, you know that?
Beth (kneeling down again):
So are you.
Phillip:
I’ve got something I want to read you.
Beth (sitting back down again):
F. Scott Fitzgerald?
Phillip (pulling out a book):
As a matter of fact, yes. I probably shouldn’t have bought this. I’ve got a copy of it back in Springfield…
Beth:
I’m glad you found another copy.
Phillip (finding his place in the book):
Um…this little, uh…I’ll just read it. (Quote from The Beautiful and the Damned) “She was a sun. Radiant, glowing, gathering light and storing it. And then, after an eternity, pouring it forth in a glance, in a fragment of a sentence, to that part of him that cherished all beauty and all illusion.” (Pause) The first time that I read this, (another pause) I thought he was talking about you.
Beth (moved):
You’ve given me so much.
Phillip:
I love you Beth. There’s nothing else in my whole life that matters.
Beth:
Do you miss Springfield?
Phillip:
No.
Beth:
Me neither. Except my mama. But I’m glad I called her yesterday.
Phillip (nods):
You know, it’s election day, in Springfield. In a couple hours, Ross is going to be toasting all over town.
Beth:
Why don’t you call Ross? If he hears from you, just think how much more special his celebration is going to be.
Phillip:
I love you. Okay, I will. Tonight he shouldn’t have a worry in the world.
[COMMERCIAL]
(When we come back, the candle is still lit. Beth is leaning up against Phillip and he’s rubbing her arm).
Phillip:
Are you happy?
Beth:
I’ve never been happier in my whole life. (They kiss). Thanks for the world tour. And for Paris. And F. Scott Fitzgerald. And you. (They kiss again).
Phillip:
You know what I wish?
Beth:
Mm?
Phillip:
I wish that the morning would never come. (Beth’s eyes open, frightened) And that we could just stay here like this, forever. (She pulls away). What’s the matter? (She starts to say something and stops). What’s wrong?
Beth:
If…if it was always night, then…
Phillip:
Beth, what’s wrong?
Beth:
Does it bother you that we don’t make love?
Phillip (shocked):
Why did you ask me that?
Beth:
It’s what most people do.
Phillip:
Well, we’re not most people. We’re special. Yes, I think about it. But going to bed isn’t the only way to make love, Beth.
Beth:
I’m just afraid that you’re going to resent me.
Phillip:
No. I won’t. When the time is right for us (he touches her chin), you won’t be afraid. It’ll just happen. (He playfully touches her nose). I promise.
Beth:
I wish I could believe that.
Phillip:
You can, Beth. (He draws her into a kiss). You can. (He lifts the candle to her face) Make a wish. (Beth closes her eyes). You got one? (She nods). Okay, me too.
(She blows out the candle).
