The Girl Next Door

Chapter 8

Beyoncé and Kelly enter a crowded bar area. Beyoncé wears the dress that was laid out on her bed, but instead of the stilettos, she wears a sensible pair of pumps.

Beyoncé: I can't believe I let you talk me
into this.

Kelly:You're going to love him. He's
cute, he's rich, and best of all he's got all his hair. Kelly undoes the next button on Beyoncé's dress.

Kelly: Relax. You look fabulous.
Kelly waves vigorously at TWO ATTRACTIVE MEN across the room.

Kelly and her boy-toy, Tim , 29, feed each other sushi while practically sitting in each other's lap. Beyoncé sits next to Idris , 35, with her purse wedged firmly between them. Idris does indeed have all his hair, but he looks like the kind of guy who takes two hours to get it just right.

Idris: All our rooms are booked solid for
the next eighteen months thanks to that write-up in Condé Nast.

Kelly: It used to be a convent until
Idris got a hold of it.

Idris: Can you imagine? Prime real estate
like that?

Tim: Putting defenseless nuns out on the
street. I don't know how you sleep at night, man.

Idris: Hey, they're the ones who took a
vow of poverty, not me.
Kelly and Tim laugh, but Beyoncé musters only a tight smile.

Idris(to Beyoncé ): Speaking of vows of poverty, I hear you're a teacher.

Beyoncé: That's right.

Idris : What do you teach?

Beyoncé: Music Theory

Idris: Really? I didn't think they still
taught stuff like that in high school.

Beyoncé :What's that supposed to mean?

Idris: Well, I mean let's face it. How
many kids are really going to use what they learn in "Music Theory?"

As he speaks, Idris'  eyes flit to a CURVACEOUS WOMAN in a SKINTIGHT SKIRT who gets up from a nearby table. It's barely a glimpse, but Beyoncé notices.

Idris: Kids nowadays need to be prepared
for the realities of the job
market. skills. They need something practical

Beyoncé : Skills?

Idris: trade like plumbing or
Yeah, a machine repair. For the brighter ones, technology, finance. That's where the money is.

Beyoncé: Ah, money. That's the goal then.

Idris: Nothing wrong with that.

Beyoncé: Except when it's motivated by
nothing more than greed.

Idris: Ooooh, we've got ourselves a live
one here. You're a little firecracker when you get riled up, aren't you?

Kelly:You know, maybe we should order a
little more --

Beyoncé: Seriously? A "firecracker"? Is
that how you regard women who have an opinion on something.

Idris: Only if it disagrees with mine.
He laughs, trying to lighten the mood. Kelly joins in, a little too boisterously. Beyoncé gathers her belongings.

Beyoncé: It's getting late and I've got an
early morning. It was a pleasure meeting you, Idris . See you tomorrow, Kelly.

Kelly: Beyoncé , please ...

Beyoncé starts to leave. Suddenly, she turns back to Idris .

Beyoncé : Frank Zappa.

Idris: What?

Beyoncé : Millionaire. Music Theory major
She walks off in a huff.

SUSHI RESTAURANT - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Light rain falls as Beyoncé hurries to her car. Kelly chases after her.

Kelly: Bey, wait!

Beyoncé stops at her car, searching for her keys.

Kelly: What the hell was that?

Beyoncé: Come on, Kels. You can't possibly see me with that guy.

Kelly: So you pick a fight with him?

Beyoncé : He deserved it.

Kelly: What is your problem? Can't you
just lighten up and have some fun?

Beyoncé: Maybe I'm not ready for "fun."

Kelly:Then sit at home alone and mope if that's what you want. But I guarantee you that's not what Jay's up to.

Beyoncé: As a matter of fact, Jay told me
he hasn't been with anyone.

Kelly: Oh, please. He screwed around when you were together. You think he's suddenly become celibate now that you're apart?

Beyoncé :Thanks a lot, Kelly .

Beyoncé opens her car door, but Kelly stops her.

Kelly: I'm sorry. But this limbo thing
you're wallowing in -- it's just not healthy. It's time to move on.

Beyoncé gets in, slams the door, and speeds away.

Rain pelts the windshield as Beyoncé drives. Jazmine Sullivan's Hurt Me So Good plays on the radio. Beyoncé sings along, her voice cracking with emotion.