The Royal Tenenbaums · written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson · 2001

Royal and Richie discuss Margot, their family ties and Royal’s limits as a father; Mordecai returns to the roof, though Richie doubts it is the same falcon.

Scene 112 of 143 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

Royal
Richie

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Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:36 into a 1:59 film

The story so farBefore scene 112

After losing his hotel room, Royal claims he has only weeks to live so he can move back in with his estranged family; as the truth unravels, he must find a way to be useful and earn a place in their lives.

Scenes 1–39
Royal is absent from the children’s adult lives, and their family remains shaped by his betrayals and abandonment.
Scenes 40–47
Royal wants a path back to Etheline and the children, and claims impending death will give him one.
Scenes 48–50
He returns to the house and openly asks his children for a chance to make things right.
Scenes 51–90
Royal tries to reconnect through schemes, misjudgments and genuine care, learning that affection alone cannot erase old injuries.
Scenes 91–92
Royal admits to Etheline that he hoped to win her back and remove Henry, revealing the motive behind his return.
Scenes 92–110
Royal loses the household and faces separation again; Richie’s suicide attempt exposes the family’s deeper pain.
Just before
Scene 109
Richie and Margot acknowledge their love and agree to keep it secret; she leaves him alone in the tent.
Scene 110
The next morning, Richie restores the stuffed boar’s head to its place in the hallway.
Scene 111
At the hotel, Royal works as an elevator operator; Richie joins him and asks for advice about his love for Margot.
Scene 112
This scene

112EXT. ROOF. DAY.

Royal and Richie stand on the edge of the roof, looking out at the city. Silence.

ROYAL

Margot Tenenbaum?

RICHIE

Yeah.

ROYAL

Since when?

RICHIE

Since always.

ROYAL

Does she know?

RICHIE

Uh-huh.

ROYAL

And what’s her feeling about it?

RICHIE

I think she feels confused.

ROYAL

I can understand that. It’s probably

illegal.

RICHIE

I don’t think so. We’re not related by

blood.

ROYAL

(pause)

That’s true.

Silence. Royal nods.

ROYAL (CONT’D)

It’s still frowned upon, but then what

isn’t these days, right?

Richie nods. Royal shrugs.

ROYAL (CONT’D)

I don’t know. Maybe it works. Why not?

Hell, you love each other, and nobody

knows what’s going to happen, so --

Royal stops short. His expression changes.

ROYAL (CONT’D)

You know what? Don’t listen to me. I

never understood her, myself. I never

understood any of us. I wish I knew

what to tell you, but I just don’t.

RICHIE

(pause)

That’s OK.

ROYAL

No, it’s not.

Royal looks very sad. He stares down at the ground. He takes a deep breath. He says quietly:

ROYAL (CONT’D)

Do you still consider me your father?

RICHIE

Sure, I do.

ROYAL