Extra-Marital Affairs

Natalie: I feel funny meeting you. Seeing you, it's like being in high school.

Patrick: It's a good feeling though, isn't it?

Natalie: I can't believe that you moved here. And that I saw you on the train. It's so amazing for me. It's like putting pieces of myself back together again. Nobody here knows me for as long as you have.

Patrick: They didn't see you cheerlead.

Natalie: It didn't last long, if you remember. I decided I was too cool.

Patrick: You were. At least you thought you were.

Natalie: Now I can hardly touch my toes.

Patrick: You still look young. At least to me.

Natalie: Oh stop it. I've got wrinkles.

Patrick: You're a beautiful woman. You always were.

Natalie: I don't feel beautiful. I'm so stressed out with work and the kids I feel like I have no time for myself. I'm always worrying. Did I remember to turn off the kettle and did I remember to call the math tutor and did I forget Jesse's dentist appointment and did I bring in the dry cleaning? And when is my meeting at work? Oh God, I'm so boring.

Patrick: Don't worry so much.

Natalie: Don't you worry?

Patrick: A little. But I'm happy with Kim and I love my kids and my work -- well I wanted to be a famous photographer -- but that may have to wait until after the kids are grown. For now I don't mind doing weddings. One day I'd like to travel all over the world and photograph people. I have this idea about people in doorways. People entering and exiting. There's something about a doorway that fascinates me. I'd like to do a whole book of people and doorways all over the world.

Natalie: What a great idea. You know what you want to do. You have a vision. I feel stuck.

Patrick: Why?

Natalie: I'm on a treadmill. I can't get off. I'm always moving and doing. I don't even have time to read a book.

Patrick: Doesn't Mike help?

Natalie: (Pauses) He does what he can. He has to work a lot.

Patrick: You have to take time for yourself.

Natalie: I know.

Patrick: You know I would love to photograph you. Look at me. (He puts his hand to her face and tilts it slightly.) Look dreamy, like you're thinking about a secret. Good, very good. (He puts his hand down. Natalie smiles.) What were you thinking about?

Natalie: Patrick, I'm not going to tell you.

Patrick: Come on. Everybody has secrets.

Natalie: I can't tell you.

Patrick: Okay. I'll tell you a secret. In high school, I once called you in the middle of the night.

Natalie: Why?

Patrick: I wanted to hear your voice. But your father answered. So I hung up.

Natalie: It's lucky he didn't know who was calling. He would have killed you for waking him up.

Patrick: I still like your voice.

Natalie: I don't. It sounds squeaky when I hear it on the answering machine.

Patrick: You like to put yourself down, don't you?

Natalie: (She pauses) Maybe a little.

Patrick: Natalie, you need to believe in yourself. I wish I could show you what an incredible person you are.

Natalie: Patrick, I'm not who you think I am. I'm not who I was in high school. I'm a contract specialist. I spend my time on minutiae. I get up at 5 a.m. to make the kids' lunches so that I can get home by the time they're out of school. I'm asleep by the time my husband comes to bed. Patrick, my life is not exciting or interesting or happy -- or even worth talking about. I'm not...

Patrick: Stop. You can change things. You can be happier.

Natalie: No I can't.

Patrick: Natalie, it could be you're standing in a doorway. And you're getting ready to walk into another room.

Natalie: What room Patrick?

Patrick: That depends on you.

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