INT. BENJAMIN'S ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSEUP - BEN
His eyes are open and he is trying to remember something. There are the SOUNDS of many people TALKING and LAUGHING in other rooms. After a while, there is the SOUND of a DOOR OPENING and CLOSING.
After a few moments, there is the SOUND of a LIGHT SWITCH being SNAPPED and light, as though from an overhead fixture, falls across BEN's face. He does not move.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
What's the matter?
Ben's mouth opens a little bit and closes again.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
The guests are all downstairs,
Ben. They're all waiting to see you.
BENJAMIN
Look, Dad - could you explain to
them that I have to be alone for
a while?
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
These are all our good friends,
Ben. Most of them have known you
since - well - practically since
you were born.
Ben has not moved. Now the bed on which he is lying moves as though someone has sat down upon it next to him.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
What is it, Ben?
The CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK SLOWLY.
BENJAMIN
I'm just —
MR. BRADDOCK
— worried?
BEN
Well —
MR. BRADDOCK
About what?
BEN
I guess — about my future.
MR. BRADDOCK
What about it?
BEN
I don't know. I want it to be —
MR. BRADDOCK
To be what?
BEN
(quietly)
Different.
As Ben says this, the door to the bedroom opens and MRS. BRADDOCK looks in.
MRS. BRADDOCK
Is anything wrong?
MR. BRADDOCK
No! No - we're just on our way
downstairs!
Mr. Braddock gets off the bed and goes to a chair and picks up Ben's jacket which is lying across it. Mr. Braddock puts the jacket on Ben.
They move out of the door, Mr. Braddock steering Ben.
Screenplay by
Buck Henry
