One Way Passage Page #2

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Abruptly, two German voices drift in from the crowd -- apparently a couple of

sailors saying "till we meet again" to each other -- "Auf wiedersehen!" "Auf

wiedersehen!" -- Dan glances in their direction, then turns back to Joan and

raises his glass, inspired.

DAN:

Auf wiedersehen.

Joan looks at Dan sadly for a beat and then agrees:

JOAN:

Auf wiedersehen.

They swallow their drinks, never taking their eyes off one another. Dan holds

his empty glass by the stem and slowly turns it upside-down. Joan watches,

puzzled, as Dan smashes the top of the glass against the side of the bar and

drops the stem on the countertop where it rolls back and forth for a moment.

He grins at Joan who promptly responds in kind, smashing her glass and placing

her stem on top of his, much to his surprise and delight. We get a CLOSE VIEW

of the crossed stems. Dan gallantly tips his hat to Joan.

DAN:

And so.

Dan appears ready to leave but Joan puts an arm on him.

JOAN:

Please. Shall I introduce you to my

friends?

Joan gestures to some people crowded behind her at the bar. Dan glances at

them and thinks it over but decides against it.

DAN:

I think not. Luck has allowed us a

few drops of a Paradise cocktail--

JOAN:

And that would destroy the charm.

You're right. Let's trust luck will

come again.

Joan puts her hand in Dan's. They stare into each other's eyes for a long

moment. A dark look crosses her face. Her eyes waver and, with a slight grin,

she abruptly turns her back on him, as if he were suddenly a total stranger.

Dan looks thoughtful and puzzled but takes it in stride. He turns and heads

for the swinging doors. Joan turns and stares, watching him walk away. One of

Joan's friends notices her interest and watches, too.

JOAN'S FRIEND

Known him long?

JOAN:

Ever so long.

JOAN'S FRIEND

Where?

JOAN:

I - I can't quite remember.

JOAN'S FRIEND

(wryly)

Better skip a few cocktails, darling.

Joan watches sadly as Dan exits out the saloon's swinging doors. He pauses

just outside and turns back to look over the tops of the doors at Joan. After

a moment, he raises a hand in farewell.

At the bar, Joan forces a smile and waves at Dan, just as the pianist strikes

up a happier tune and her friends crowd around her.

JOAN'S FRIEND

Come on, everybody. How about a

little drink to Joan?

ANOTHER FRIEND:

(hands Joan a drink)

Joan, we're drinking to you.

JOAN'S FRIEND

To Joan, dear.

Joan, distracted by her friends, turns her back on Dan -- and fails to see any

of the following:

At the swinging doors, Dan - his hand still raised - suddenly freezes with

fear. His face clouds over, his eyes lower -- and he slowly, cautiously,

raises his other hand. It looks as if he's surrendering.

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