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

Chas’s family crosses Etheline’s bridge gathering with their belongings, and he explains the move as a safety measure.

Scene 32 of 143 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Etheline
Chas

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Begins 28 min into a 1:59 film

The story so farBefore scene 32

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.

Scene 1
The children ask Royal whether he still loves them as the family’s separation becomes unavoidable.
Just before
Scene 29
Royal enters the booth and answers Pagoda’s call.
Scene 30
Pagoda tells Royal about Henry’s proposal; Royal resents the rival and insists Etheline is still his wife.
Scene 31
Chas arrives at the Tenenbaum house with Ari, Uzi, Buckley and their belongings.
Scene 32
This scene

32INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.

There are twenty people at five card tables playing bridge. Most of them are in their fifties and sixties. They look very distinguished. Etheline and Henry are among them.

Chas, Ari, Uzi, Anwar and Pagoda come out of the hallway and cross through the living room, struggling with all of their possessions. Pagoda carries the fish tank with the turtle in it. Buckley follows them.

The bridge players watch strangely as they pass. Chas looks back at them but keeps moving. Etheline hesitates.

ETHELINE

Chas?

Chas stops in the doorway. Pagoda leads Ari, Uzi, Anwar and Buckley out of the room, up the stairs.

ETHELINE (CONT’D)

What’s going on?

CHAS

We got locked out of our apartment.

Etheline seems confused.

ETHELINE

Did you call a locksmith?

CHAS

(hesitates)

Uh-huh.

ETHELINE

(pause)

I don’t understand. Did you pack your

bags before you got locked out? Or how

did you --

CHAS

It’s not safe over there.

Silence. Etheline looks to her guests.

ETHELINE

Excuse me for a moment, please.