Adaptation · written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman · 2002

Charlie says he does not want to meet Orlean, but Donald cheers him up and the twins sing together.

Scene 188 of 202 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Kaufman
Donald

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:37 into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 188

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.
Scenes 106–126
The swamp is ordinary, Orlean’s research fails, and Charlie experiments with increasingly personal versions of the book.
Scenes 127–144
Charlie finds a way to focus the material by putting himself in it, then commits to meeting Orlean.
Scene 184
Donald’s notes push Charlie toward the brothers, the swamp, and a dramatic ending.
Just before
Scene 185
Donald finds Laroche’s online site and discovers Orlean’s image among the pornographic material.
Scene 186
Donald dresses as Charlie and follows Orlean when he misses his chance to speak to her.
Scene 187
Donald tails Orlean as she arranges a flight with Laroche.
Scene 188
This scene

188INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Donald is focused on the computer. Kaufman sits in a chair in the corner. Both men are in pajamas.

KAUFMAN

What was she wearing?

DONALD

I don't know. Like a dress maybe.

KAUFMAN

Did she look at me? At you?

DONALD

Finally! Da-da-da-daaaaah! S. Orlean,

TWA flight 651. Arriving Miami 10:20

tomorrow morning.

Donald turns and smiles across the room to Kaufman.

KAUFMAN

I don't want to do this, Donald.

DONALD

We'll go together. It'll be good.

Kaufman looks squeamish. Donald picks up a hairbrush, holds it to his mouth. He starts to sing "Happy Together." Kaufman smiles sheepishly, shrugs Donald off. Donald persists. Finally Kaufman joins in. They do the whole number and fall laughing into each other's arms.