TALE OF THE TRIBE
Scene 2.1 – Healthy Relationship
EXT. PETER’S APARTMENT IN WINTER –
Sara is lying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. The room is lit by candles.
Peter is making something in the kitchen.
Sara sits very still, her gaze steady. She seems content, even happy, although
there is still something on the horizon that she is keeping close watch on.
PETER
Fresh Lemon and Ginger tea…
He enters from the kitchen with two steaming glasses of hot water, lemon, and
shaved ginger.
SARA
Thank you.
He sits down beside her on the couch. They snuggle close.
SARA
This Sunday is our one month anniversary. What do
you want to do?
PETER
….uh, drink champagne on a rooftop in
SARA
In February?
Peter shrugs and kisses her.
SARA
Alright.
They sit in silence for a moment.
SARA
How is the screenplay coming?
PETER
Oh, it’s rough. It’s almost physically painful.
I’ve never had so much trouble writing.
SARA
Why do you suppose that is?
PETER
I don’t know.
Sara sits up.
SARA
Yes you do.
He sighs heavily.
PETER
Um…It’s difficult material? I think I’m scared of it.
SARA
Yeah you are.
He shrugs, somewhat irritated, sips his tea.
PETER
Well we can’t all have perfect mastery over our fears, Sara.
Maybe I have good reason to be scared. Maybe I’m just
not ready for this level of work.
SARA
No… I think you’re ready. I can see it in you.
PETER
You know, that’s really irritating. I feel like you’re trying
to fix me or force me to live up to your standard or something.
SARA
Look, I can’t help it, I’m psychic –
PETER
Sara, I think it’s great that you have psychic abilities that let
you see into people’s souls, but it doesn’t give you the right
to tell me what’s best for me.
Sara narrows her eyes.
SARA
Do you even believe that I have psychic abilities?
They stare at each other.
PETER
Uh … Yes. I do. But I don’t know how far they go or
how they work or what they’re supposed to mean to me.
I don’t like it when you tell me how to live my life!
Sara nods, understanding.
SARA
Love, I claim no authority over you.
She turns his face to look at her. They share a moment of silence.
PETER
Okay.
She kisses him gently. Reaches for her tea. Peter is preoccupied.
PETER
How does it work, Sara – are you telling me that you
can see my thoughts?
SARA
No… well, there are different traditions of psychic practice –
I just see images that relate to you – pictures. I usually can’t
see anything that you don’t want me to see.
PETER
So what do you see.
Sara holds her mug close to her heart as she gazes at him.
SARA
I think … you’re afraid to tell me that you’re bisexual.
A static pause follows. Peter locks eyes with her.
SARA
You know, Peter… I could be offended. If you don’t
know me well enough to think that I wouldn’t accept it.
But this isn’t about me. I think it’s about you.
He sighs heavily and looks away.
SARA
Hey.
She moves closer to him, puts her hands on his chest. He is rigid, resistant to her touch.
SARA
Hey.
She sits in his lap, caresses his neck. Kisses his heart. Rests her head on his shoulder.
Closes her eyes.
Peter puts his arms around her.
PETER
I didn’t know how to –
SARA
Shhhh….
Eyes open, he rests his head against hers.