Harold and Maude Page #5

30INT. CHASEN'S DEN - DAY

Mrs. Chasen is going out, but she comes in to talk to Harold.

MRS. CHASEN

I only have a few minutes, Harold,

but I do want to inform you of my

decision. There is no doubt that

it is time for you to settle down

and begin thinking about your

future. You have led a very

carefree, idle, happy life up to

the present - the life of a child.

But it is time now to put away

childish things and take on adult

responsibilities. We would all

like to sail through life with

no thought of tomorrow. But that

cannot be. We have our duty. Our

obligations. Our principles. In

short, Harold, I think it is time

you got married.

31 INT. CHURCH - DAY

PAN DOWN from the stained glass window of a church. The

organ is playing softly. The PRIEST, a silver haired man

rapidly approaching dotage, is in the pulpit.

PRIEST:

And so dear brethren, let us pray

to the Lord, King of Glory, that

He may bless and deliver all souls

of the faithful departed from the

pains of hell and the bottomless

pit, deliver them from the lion's

mouth and the darkness therein,

but rather bring them to the bliss

of heaven, the holy light, and

eternal rest.

During the above we PULL BACK to reveal an open coffin and

a church spreckled with a few mourners in black. Con-

spicuous in an empty pew is Harold.

The priest goes to the altar and mumbles the dull ritual.

The small congregation responds. Harold sits quietly

enjoying it all.

VOICE (o.s.)

Psst!

Harold, startled, looks over to his left.

32HAROLD'S POV

A pixiesque old woman, somewhat eccentrically dressed, is

smiling at him. It is Maude again.

33CLOSEUP HAROLD

Frowning slightly, Harold turns back front.

MAUDE:

Psst.

Harold looks back.

34HAROLD'S POV

Maude gives him a coquettish wink.

35CLOSEUP HAROLD

Harold is slightly shocked. He returns his attention to

the altar.

36MED. SHOT - PRIEST

The priest moans on.

37MED. SHOT - HAROLD

Harold sits attentively.

VOICE (o.s.)

Psst!

Harold, startled, looks over his right shoulder and sees

Maude kneeling in the pew behind him. She speaks with a

slight British/European accent.

MAUDE:

Like some licorice?

She offers some.

HAROLD:

Eh, no. Thank you.

MAUDE:

You're welcome.

(gesturing to

the deceased)

Did you know him?

HAROLD:

Eh, no.

MAUDE:

Me neither. I heard he was eighty

years old. I'll be eighty next

week. A good time to move on,

don't you think?

HAROLD:

(trying to

ignore her)

I don't know.

MAUDE:

I mean, seventy-five is too early,

but at eighty-five, well, you're

just marking time and you may as

well look over the horizon.

38MED. SHOT - ALTAR

The priest finishes the prayers and exits. The casket is

closed and the pallbearers take it out the side door. The

few mourners follow.

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