Lab Journal Entry #5

[matril]

"Lab Update"

Int., Tori’s lab, with camera panning over equipment and notes. TORI is holding the camera.

TORI
(VO) Somehow my lab journal seems to be turning into a personal diary. We can blame that on Eli. He won’t mind. In the meantime, I’m long overdue for a report on my current research.

Pan over to incubator. TORI’s hand reaches out to open the door and reveal rows of sealed containers.

TORI
(VO) My latest samples. They’ve shown a lot of progress over the last few weeks. Progress being a relative term. When you’re working with these kind of materials, you learn to get excited about extremely tiny increments of change. For example, yesterday –

Sound of door opening and crashing shut.

TORI
(VO, moving camera to focus on Eli) What are you doing here?

ELI
Nice to see you too, dear.

TORI
(VO, Can’t help laughing) Okay, it’s always good to see you, but how did you get past security?

ELI
(Lifts up a visitor badge) Hank got it for me.

TORI (VO)
Dr. Isaacs? You’re on a first name basis with him? I’m not on a first name basis with him.

ELI (Shrugging)
I guess I’m just a people person. How much longer till you’re done here?

TORI (VO)
I’m pretty much done for the day. I was putting together a video for my journal.

ELI
Great. I’ll just wait while you finish.

TORI
(VO) That won’t work and you know it. You’ll sit there making faces at me until you get me to laugh.

ELI
Have a little faith in me! (Beat, then grins) Okay, you’re probably right. Except the sitting part. I’m too wound-up to sit still.

TORI
(VO) Why is that?

ELI
Well...I have good news and not-so-good news.

TORI
(VO, resigned to another non-lab entry in her journal) Go ahead.

ELI
I won second place in the competition.

TORI
You did? That’s incredible! (Sets camera down, appears in frame to hug Eli enthusiastically. They kiss)

ELI
I know, I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I’d place. (They sit, facing each other)

TORI
So what’s next?

ELI
That’s the not-so-good news. The nationwide competition is in California. In two weeks.

TORI
(Deflating) And then you have your trip to Europe. I was really hoping we’d have more time together before then.

ELI
I know, me too. That’s why I asked if you could take time off and go with me.

TORI
Eli –

ELI
I know, I know. We’ve discussed it. And I’d never want to take you away from your research. I just thought we’d have more time together before my trip.

TORI
(Sighs) You’re still okay with marrying a workaholic scientist?

ELI
As long as you’re all right with marrying a shiftless bohemian artist.

TORI
Ha. (Looks at camera) He’s way more responsible than he pretends to be. He has not one, but two regular jobs.

ELI
Yes, in the prestigious field of elementary school art teachers. Not one, but two elementary schools!

TORI
(Nudging him playfully) Don’t forget you’re an award-winning artist now.

ELI
Yup. But now I’ve turned your video into The Eli Show. Sorry.

TORI
It’s all right. I’ll have two full months without you. We might as well make the most of the time we have. (They both smile, then lean forward and kiss again)