The Lobster · written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou · 2015

Police question an arrested woman about her expired certificate; David and Shortsighted Woman convincingly pose as spouses and avoid scrutiny.

Scene 77 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Police Officer
Woman Arrested
Police Officer 2
David
Shortsighted Woman

Act oneAct two

Begins 57 min into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 77

After his wife leaves him, David has 45 days to find a partner at a hotel or become an animal; he escapes, falls for a shortsighted loner, and must decide whether to surrender his sight so they can stay together.

Scenes 1–15
David moves from his broken home into the hotel, where couplehood is imposed as the norm.
Scenes 16–24
He must find a partner before the 45-day limit turns him into an animal.
Scenes 25–62
He participates in the hunt, attempts a false match, then escapes into the woods.
Scene 69
Shortsighted Woman’s voice-over says she first saw David exercising and thought he seemed presentable.
Just before
Scene 74
The Loner Leader retrieves a suit from a tree hollow and gives it to David; it fits.
Scene 75
David and the other loners pose as couples in town and browse ordinary household shops.
Scene 76
The disguised group buys knives, trainers, bandages, a watch, and small cartons of orange juice.
Scene 77
This scene

77EXT. SHOP - MORNING

David waits for the others. Next to him are three police officers and a woman on her knees. The head officer talks into a mobile CB Radio. The other is checking the woman’s nails and asks her to show him the soles of her shoes.

POLICE OFFICER

Woman. Blonde. Approximately 30-35

years old. Certificate expired two

months ago.

WOMAN ARRESTED

My husband is a lawyer. You’re all

going to be sued.

The police officer with the CB looks to the officer who was been checking the woman and gives him a nod.

POLICE OFFICER

No dirt under her nails or mud on

her shoes. 9 Belsize Road.

One of the police officers approaches David.

POLICE OFFICER 2

Good morning, sir.

DAVID

Good morning, officer.

David tries to remain calm. Shortsighted Woman comes out of the store and hugs David.

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

I’m sorry, darling. They had such a

huge variety of knives. I bought

this one, it’s ideal for meat.

DAVID

That’s wonderful, dear. Excuse me a

moment. How can I help you,

officer?

Shortsighted Woman kisses him on the cheek.

POLICE OFFICER 2

Do you know this woman, by any

chance?

DAVID

Actually I’ve never seen her

before.

POLICE OFFICER 2

Thank you, sir. You have a nice

day.

DAVID

You’re welcome, officer.

The officer leaves. Shortsighted Woman hugs David again with the knife in her hands.