Adaptation · written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman · 2002

Laroche teases his Seminole coworkers with the caricature on his shirt.

Scene 118 of 202 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Laroche

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 58 min into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 118

Unable to find a conventional story in The Orchid Thief, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman turns his own crisis into an increasingly self-referential adaptation.

Scenes 1–9
Charlie inhabits an isolated, self-condemning world while Orlean’s book supplies a distant model of obsession.
Scenes 10–88
Charlie wants to write honestly and make flowers matter, while also longing to be desired and understood.
Scenes 89–105
He leaves his familiar writing room and goes to Florida to search for the story firsthand.
Just before
Scene 115
Laroche tells Orlean she should have gone with him; Valerie praises the line in Orlean’s published article.
Scene 116
Valerie asks Orlean to adapt her article into a book and then to consider a film option.
Scene 117
Laroche jokes that he should play himself if Orlean’s book becomes a movie.
Scene 118
This scene

118EXT. SEMINOLE NURSERY - DAY

Laroche and Orlean get out of the van.

LAROCHE

I've got all the right qualities. While

you write, I'll take an acting class.

A few young Indian guys are hauling bags of potting soil. They look at Laroche sourly. Laroche indicates the giant cartoon Indian on his T-shirt.

LAROCHE

I wear this just to screw with 'em.