Scene 8

INT. FRAU KNOBLOCH'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY
Frau Knobloch returns with coffee, smiles suspiciously as she places a cup in front of Chris. Chris tries hard to impress.

JUTTA
Mutti, we were talking about “Dallas.”
Chris was just in Texas.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
“Dallas?” You know the Ewing family?

CHRIS
Well, no, not personally.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Crazy people, ja?

CHRIS
Yeah. So who do you think shot JR?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Oh, JR. Sometimes bad man.

CHRIS
Maybe it was a good German who shot him.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
(horrified)
German? No, German never shoot JR! Poor
man, JR. Handsome man. I like this JR very much.

JUTTA
That was Chris’s way of making a little joke.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
(deathly sarcastic)
Amusing.

Jutta’s cell phone rings. She answers.

JUTTA
Hello. Bob, what’s wrong?

Jutta continues inaudibly, becomes upset with the news.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
I think very bad man shoot JR. Not Kristin.
Dirty woman Kristin.
(spits to side)
But not Kristin. Maybe French man shoot JR.

JUTTA
It’s my secretary.

Jutta turns to leave.

CHRIS
You can’t leave me alone now. Sarkozy just
shot JR.

JUTTA
You’re doing great.

Jutta leaves the room, angrily talking on the phone.

JUTTA
You get the job’s done, or you can pack up
your little box and leave now ...

An uncomfortable silence pervades the room. Frau Knobloch looks sternly at Chris who tries to break the tension with a forced laugh, unsuccessfully. Chris picks up his coffee in an attempt to fill the time gap, realizes how dangerous that might be, and places it back on the table, then notices Frau Knobloch had been watching.

CHRIS
It’s a little hot. I can wait for the coffee ... as
much time as it needs ... I probably won’t drink
it at all.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
You don’t like my coffee?

CHRIS
It’s perfect. I just enjoy admiring it, giving it
proper respect.

Jutta blows up in rage in the next room. Frau Knobloch, seemingly unaffected, admires her hair in a nearby mirror, pleased with the outcome.

JUTTA (O.S.)
No, no, NO! If that idiot loser wants spoon-
feeding, I’ll show him where I’m gonna’ stick it!

CHRIS
Oh no.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
That is nothing. You should see me.

Pause. Chris tries to come up with more conversation.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Knobloch!

CHRIS
Bless --

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Do not say “bless you!”

CHRIS
(with pride)
Gesundheit! ... So I hear you’re dating someone?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Ja.

CHRIS
Tell me about him.

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Jutta knows not.

CHRIS
Why not?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
JR said do not tell.

CHRIS
JR?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
How you know that?

CHRIS
You’re dating JR?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
Shhhhhhhhhh!

CHRIS
The guy who got shot?

FRAU KNOBLOCH
He is not dead. Kristin want him. Ober-
Schlampe!
(spits to side)
But I win.

CHRIS
Jutta!

Frau Knobloch gestures to indicate he better not tell Jutta.