Alex/Hallie Seduction
From Rom Com
LOCATION: Hallie's house
CHARACTERS: Hallie, Alex, and Hallie's siblings (Danny & Louis)
This is the first seduction of the film, in which we realize that Kati and Alex are definitely going through with the bet. In this scene, Alex "seduces" Hallie by making a bet with her that if he wins (some game), she'll kiss him. He cheats, and wins, thereby getting his photo.
They are playing chess. Hallie gets up for a moment and Alex switches the position of some of the pieces while she's not looking. When she kisses him, they both start getting somewhat more into it than anticipated. He caps the photo while they have their eyes closed. This is almost unimportant, as the most important aspect of it is that Hallie gets quite disturbed--not only by Alex's behavior, but by her own willingness to betray Dylan.
INT. House. Day.
Hallie comes into her room. A window's open. Alex has set up a chess game and is sitting. He is waiting for her. He has a cup of tea.
Ah, come in, you’ll find that all the preparations are in place for our game, madame.
How did you get in my house?
Climbed. Louis tried to stop me. Something about…cockroaches?
Crickets. They’re putting them everywhere. I caught Danny hiding them in the cereal box.
Loud noises from downstairs.
Could you two stop that! Get along! (She sighs.)
The game’s already set up.
I don’t like chess.
That wasn’t the game I meant.
Greg, stop it…
She pulls away and sits down.
Well, (cough) to business, would you like some tea?
No, thank you.
Are you sure you don’t want to…
I don’t feel like it.
Alex stands up.
That’s fine. We can just…talk. Warm weather, isn’t it?
I suppose. Though…not unusual for this time of year.
Do you enjoy it?
What? The weather?
Yes
Not really. I prefer the air conditioning
Do you? I can only thrive in tropical climates such as this. I find it strangely liberating.
You know, let’s play chess.
He goes and sits down
The first move is yours, my dear.
Hallie moves a pawn.
Ah, fairly typical, I can see what you're thinking already, Livy.
Oh, and what’s that?
Well, I couldn’t tell you. Then you'd change your strategy.
At the moment I don’t have a strategy.
They move some more pieces, take some. Hallie makes a poor move and Alex is about to take a piece.
Do you want to take that back?
Have it. I’m going to win anyway.
Are you sure?
I’d bet on it.
How much?
Fifteen dollars.
Money? Money is so crass.
You’re afraid of losing?
Money bores me. Bet something else.
Fine. If I win, you have to stop hitting on me. Believe me, it would be worth at least fifteen dollars.
Ah, so the policy of romantic aggression once again yields a monetary reward. Alright, I’ll forgo my payment as well in trade for something from you.
What’s that?
It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m going to win.
Don’t go counting your chickens, you’ll find a few of them have Ascarad Worms.
What the hell?
It’s a chicken disease.
Olivia! Louis put crickets in my cereal!
Danny, get out of my room.
I'm not in your room. Make him stop it.
Danny, ten minutes ago I had to tell you to stop putting crickets in Louis's hairdryer.
They made an awesome noise.
They won't come out! (He is shaking a hairdryer up and down.) You can hear them jumping around in there!
How did you two get crickets?(To Alex) Excuse me for a moment.
While she's gone, Alex stares at the door, then rearranges the chess pieces.
CUT TO-
INT. DAY. House.
(A little while later.)
Another victory for the skilled champion.
You played very well.
Come here.
It doesn’t count, all right? It’s a bet, so it doesn’t count.
Alex walks over, this time Hallie doesn’t force him away.
There’s a pause, and they kiss, briefly, exploratory… and then again for longer, and then again, (Greg eventually snaps a picture) but then Hallie pushes Greg off of her.
Stop it. Stop it, that’s enough.
Previously: Alex and Kati's Bet Next: Girl Talk
