THE TELEVISION Only Manny watches as Sherry endorses the latest beauty product.
MANNY
Davy, there's that girl you
showed me a picture of.
Sherry something?
DAVID
Yah.
MANNY
Still seein' her?
Embarrassed, David twists his glass. Manny's accent is now intermittent and more fatherly.
MANNY
You goin' to make an honest woman
out of her or just sit there and
believe all that crap the company
hands you about relationships?
DAVID
You know how it is, Manny.
MANNY
No, I don't know how it is.
How is it?
DAVID
Can we change the subject?
MANNY
Hell no. You're my partner, but I'm
the Senior on this job and when
something affects you, it affects me.
(David squeezes the glass)
You don't even write her, do you?
DAVID
That's about the size of it.
AT THE OTHER END OF THE BAR, CATMON'S HAND
with a the very long little fingernail coils around a glass and squeezes till the knuckles turn white. In the b.g. David and Manny continue their discussion.
CATMON
(seeing David)
Carson. Shit, Mon!.
Catmon pulls his hat down around his ears and walks past David to the door.
MANNY
You're afraid aren't you, amigo?
Afraid of a commitment.
DAVID
Hell, Manny, I don't even know
where I'll be tomorrow. Or if
I'll even be alive. How can I
get married?
MANNY
Who said anything about marriage?
Manny swigs his beer like a sailor.
MANNY
David, I'm married. The hell with the
consequences. You think that by ignoring
Sherry she'll just go away and disappear
and you won't have to face your feelings?
You just can't live that way, hombre --
CLOSE ON A WOMAN'S BEAUTIFUL HAND AND NAILS
JANE, a manicurist, paints the "latest" designs on long and delicate fingers at a -
FANCY BEAUTY SALON IN BEVERLY HILLS.
JANE
You haven't even told
the guy? I think you're nuts.
Jane moves to the last finger as the hairdresser hands Sherry a mirror.
JANE
You can't be a model forever, sweetie.
Besides, kids need fathers.
Sherry sits nonplussed, covered by a cape and thoroughly enjoying the attention and pampering.
SHERRY
I know.
It's something I always wanted.
Sherry slowly rises from the chair, removes the cape and reveals her very pregnant state.
JANE
Well at least call him or write him.
Do something ! You're too cool
for own good, sweetie.
DAVID AND MANNY ON A NONDESCRIPT SHRIMP BOAT OFF ROATAN.
THE SMALL COASTAL TANKER BOBS IN THE DISTANCE -
just beyond the reef. With Manny, David checks the instruments, then points to the -
SCREEN OF THE DEPTH FINDER, -
it shows an indentation capable of handling a submarine. The CAPTAIN of the boat walks toward them.
DAVID
That's it - the only way in, or out.
CAPTAIN
I can't maintain this position without
being spotted.
MANNY
(raises finger)
One more minute.
SHERRY'S BEDROOM.
Sherry's hair is tied back with a red ribbon and she holds her stomach in pain as she waddles carefully to the bed. She looks at the phone with a longing glance.
SHERRY
Call…damn it…Call.
SMUDGE, HER IRISH SETTER, ENTERS THE ROOM -
and nuzzles her as she sits on the bed. She pats the dog's head with great affection. The baby kicks once again and Sherry reaches for a glass on the bed stand and downs it like
A sailor. Painfully, she scoots herself up on the bed, rolls on her side and pets Smudge in nervous repetitive strokes. Tears well from her slowly closing eyes.
THE SHRIMP BOAT, -
David quickly puts on a wet suit and diving gear.
THE COASTAL TANKER, -
Catmon hastily puts on a wet suit and diving gear.
SHERRY'S BEDROOM: A DREAM SEQUENCE
Sherry's eyes slowly open. A soft, warm, glowing smile covers her face. A new-born infant rests on her flat tummy.
SHERRY
Hi, Tommy. I'm so glad you're here.
We're going to have such a good
time together. There's so much to do.
(beat)
You're going to have a dog and play football
and have lots of toys. I bet you're going
to be really smart and grow up to be
a great man just like your father.
TOMMY
Mommy.
SHERRY
Yes, Tommy.
TOMMY
Where's daddy?
SHERRY AWAKES, COVERED WITH PERSPIRATION, -
as Smudge licks her face. She looks at the clock; it's still early. Quickly, considering her condition, -
SHERRY MOVES TO THE CLOSET -
and rummages through some of David's belongings, looking for some clue to his whereabouts. She pulls a business card from a suit pocket, studies it, -
PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS
RECEPTIONIST'S VOICE
(flat and damnedly impersonal)
Mr. Benson's office. May I help you?
SHERRY
Yes, I want to reach David Carson.
RECEPTIONIST
I'm sorry. There's nobody here by
that name.
SHERRY
But I'm his - ah - his wife.
RECEPTIONIST
Just one moment, please.
BENSON'S VOICE
Benson here --
(fading into)