MELVIN
(to Carol)
Okay, I got a real great
compliment for you and it's true.

CAROL
I am so afraid you're about to say
something awful...

MELVIN
Don't be pessimistic. It's not
your style. Okay... Here I
goes... Clearly a mistake.
(this is hell for him)
I have this -- what? Ailment...
And my doctor -- a shrink... who
I used to see all the time... he
says 50 or 60 percent of the time
a pill can really help. I hate
pills. Very dangerous things,
pills. "Hate," I am using the
word "hate" about pills. My
compliment is that when you came
to my house that time and told me
how you'd never -- well, you were
there, you know... The next
morning I started taking these
pills.

CAROL
(a little confused)
I don't quite get how that's a
compliment for me.

Amazing that something in Melvin rises to the occasion --
so that he uncharacteristically looks at her directly --
then:

MELVIN
You make me want to be a better man.

Carol never expected the kind of praise which would so
slip under her guard. She stumbles a bit -- flattered,
momentarily moved and his for the taking.

CAROL
That's maybe the best compliment
of my life.

MELVIN
Then I've really overshot here
'cause I was aiming at just enough
to keep you from walking out.

Carol laughs.

CAROL
So how are you doing with those
pills? Well, I hopahopahopa.

MELVIN
Takes months to know... They work
little by little.
(holds his head; then)
Talking like this is exhausting.

Carol moves to the chair next to him... She sits very
close -- he tenses.

CAROL
Have you ever let a romantic
moment make you do something you
know is stupid?

MELVIN
Never.

CAROL
Here's the trouble with never.

TIGHT SHOT

for the kiss. Their faces are close -- she looks at
him... She closes her eyes -- her face moving toward him
-- he is wide-eyed and afraid... His face almost moves
away -- in a shot this close it's almost flight... But
now his head moves back and he receives her kiss. It is
brief. Carol smiles encouragement to him and herself.
Melvin can't bear the pleasure.

31 de Janeiro