Lab Journal Entry #7

[matril]

"A Date"

Ext., lakeside view, with TORI holding the camera to show herself and ELI walking down a path.

TORI
So Eli’s leaving tomorrow morning (makes exaggerated frowny face) and I thought it might be nice to chronicle our last afternoon together.

ELI
(Turns to grin at camera) Not to mention a refreshing change of scenery. It’s pretty stuffy there in your lab.

TORI
My lab is well ventilated.

ELI
I was speaking metaphorically.

TORI
You’re always speaking metaphorically. (To camera) But for those very few of my audience, who are concerned I’ve permanently veered from the original purpose of my journal, I want to point out that this is a nature walk.

ELI
It’s true. Tori can’t take one step outdoors without giving a discourse on some life form or another that’s lurking in the bushes.

TORI
(They keep walking, the camera roaming from trees to water and back again) You’re not complaining, are you?

ELI
Nah. It’s fun. You manage to make even worms seem exciting.

TORI
Earthworms are fascinating! Their digestive tract runs in a straight line through the entire length of their body. Their reproduction is hermaphroditic, and they can regenerate lost segments of their bodies.

ELI
Hermaphroditic...does that mean what I think it means?

TORI
Probably.

ELI
(Makes a noise somewhere between amusement and disgust. He and TORI both laugh)

Cut. The camera pans over the lake. TORI points to something on the distant shore.

Cut. The camera zooms in on trees, animals.

Cut. ELI is holding the camera now, directed at TORI, who is crouched on the ground, inspecting something. She looks back at ELI and beckons him closer.

Cut. Ducks.

TORI
(Standing at the lakeside, watching the ducks) No, they don’t mate for life. Most animals don’t. But they can be monogamous for a year or more, depending on the species. The more important bond is between the mother and her ducklings.

ELI (VO, behind camera)
Utterly devoted to her babies, right?

TORI
Not necessarily. If they have birth defects or get sick, the mother might abandon them in favor of the healthy ducklings. And domesticated ducks almost always neglect their young. They won’t even hatch their own eggs.

ELI
That’s sad.

TORI
(Shrugs) It’s just nature.

Cut. TORI and Eli are sitting on a bench, his arm around her shoulders, with TORI holding out the camera to focus on them.

ELI
We don’t have to pick a date just yet. Only if you want to.

TORI
Of course I want to. I just wish it didn’t have to be next year. Do we really need all that time to get everything ready?

ELI
Well, all the venues tend to get booked really far in advance.

TORI
Only if you’re talking about throwing a giant party. I don’t need a party. I just want to be married.

ELI
Me too. But you know your family is expecting something big.

TORI
It’s not their wedding. It’s ours. If we want a simple ceremony, that’s our choice. (She glances at him.) Unless it’s only my choice. How do you feel about it?

ELI
(Grinning) No complaints here. So...we’re really only waiting on my trip. Once I get back –

TORI
September 1st.

ELI
What’s that?

TORI
I’m picking a date. A month after you get back. What do you think?

ELI
(In answer, he pulls her into a kiss)