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52INT. CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - DAY

Kaufman, hair combed, sits nervously in a booth, watching Alice. He tenses as she comes up to him. She smiles warmly.

KAUFMAN

Hi!

ALICE

Hey! Some key lime pie for ya today?

KAUFMAN

(thrilled she remembered)

Okay, yeah! That sounds great! Yeah!

ALICE

I'll pick you out an extra large piece.

Preferred customer.

She winks at him. He's so in love.

KAUFMAN

Thank you. That's really sweet of you.

ALICE

Still reading about orchids, I hope.

KAUFMAN

Yes, I am, in fact! Beautiful flowers.

ALICE

A friend of mine has a pretty little pink

one, grows right on a tree branch.

KAUFMAN

That's what's called an epiphyte.

ALICE

(pointing at him excitedly)

Right! Boy, you know your stuff, huh?

KAUFMAN

Not really. I'm just learning.

Epiphytes grow on trees, but they're not

parasites. They get all their

nourishment from the air and rain.

ALICE

Well, I'm impressed. That's great.

Awkward pause.

KAUFMAN

There are more than thirty thousand kinds

of orchids in the world.

ALICE

Wow, that's a lot, huh? Okay, then, so

I'll be right back with a nice big slice

of key lime pie for my orchid expert.

He beams. She smiles and turns to leave. Kaufman blurts:

CONTINUED: (2)

KAUFMAN

But, so, anyway, I was also wondering...

Alice turns back, still smiling.

KAUFMAN (cont'd)

I'm going up to this orchid show on