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

Margot lets Eli emerge from her closet, and they lie in bed while he asks to have dinner with Etheline.

Scene 39 of 143 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Margot
Eli

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Begins 32 min into a 1:59 film

The story so farBefore scene 39

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 36
Etheline and Raleigh tell Margot that Etheline has come to visit; Margot slides the key under the bathroom door.
Scene 37
Etheline visits Margot in the tub and tells her Chas and the boys are staying at the house; Margot reveals her own depression.
Scene 38
Margot leaves Raleigh’s apartment with her luggage and television, saying she needs a change despite his distress.
Scene 39
This scene

39INT. MARGOT’S BEDROOM. NIGHT.

Margot goes into her room and sets her suitcases on the floor. She closes the door and locks it. She opens the door to the closet and turns on the light. She whispers:

MARGOT

Hello?

There is a rustle behind some hanging clothes. Eli looks out nervously and slowly emerges. He is dressed in white briefs. He whispers:

ELI

Hello, beautiful.

CUT TO:

Margot and Eli in Margot’s single bed with the sheets pulled over their heads. Margot is eating potato chips, smoking a cigarette, and watching the news on her TV with the sound turned off.

ELI (CONT’D)

Could we have dinner with your mother

sometime?

Margot frowns. She looks at Eli strangely.

MARGOT

What for?

ELI

(shrugs)

I don’t know. I’d just love to see her.

MARGOT

I don’t think so, Eli.

Eli looks disappointed.