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

David and Shortsighted Woman walk hand in hand through town and discover that they share shortsightedness.

Scene 78 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

David
Shortsighted Woman

Act oneAct two

Begins 58 min into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 78

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 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
Police question an arrested woman about her expired certificate; David and Shortsighted Woman convincingly pose as spouses and avoid scrutiny.
Scene 78
This scene

78EXT. THE TOWN - MORNING

Out on the street again. David holds Shortsighted Woman’s hand. They don’t look at each other, but if anyone took a look at them they’d swear they were a real couple.

DAVID

If I’m walking too slowly just say

and I’ll up my pace.

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

This pace is fine. Maybe don’t

squeeze my hand so tight, my palm’s

getting a little sweaty.

DAVID

Better?

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

Yes, much better.

DAVID

Are you planning on buying anything

for yourself in town?

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

Yes, contact lens solution and a

Parker Rollerball.

DAVID

I didn’t know you were

shortsighted. I’m shortsighted too.

They stop talking knowingly, as if there’s nothing more to be said.