Respectfully, No. I’m Going Where I Want to Because a Man Stands Up

 

“I’m going where I want to 
because a man stands up.”

CHARLIE

Hang on... I got a Dear John letter from Zoey. 
She's breaking up with me again. 

In email.
It's a Dear John email from my ex-girlfriend. 

This is going to be a high self-image day for me.

WILL
Why is she breaking up with you again?

CHARLIE
I make Jean-Paul uncomfortable. 

They've had a talk.

WILL
So it's really your ex-girlfriend, 

on behalf of her new boyfriend, 

who sent you a Dear John email.

They begin to walk UPSTAIRS.
CHARLIE
Yeah that makes it better.

WILL
What brought this on?

CHARLIE
Zoey's being indicted into the DAR 

and there's a reception. 

And Jean-Paul thinks it's unnatural, 

and he's the son of a Count.

WILL
Oh, who isn't?

CHARLIE
An email.

WILL
You're going to take this lying down?

CHARLIE
No, I'll be standing up most of the time.
WILL
I'm serious.

CHARLIE
What other way is there for me to take it?

WILL
Belligerently.

CHARLIE
Belligerently?

WILL
I'd say 'No.'

I'd do it respectfully.

CHARLIE
You'd say no?

WILL
Respectfully.

CHARLIE
What would that sound like?

WILL
' Zoey, you say Jean-Paul is uncomfortable with our relationship 

and he'd rather I not be around, 

and I respectfully say "No.". '

CHARLIE
Can I ask you something?

WILL
Sure.

CHARLIE
Do you have a girlfriend right now?

WILL
No.

CHARLIE
When was the last time you had one?

WILL
About 9 months ago.

CHARLIE
How long did it last?

WILL
A couple of days.

CHARLIE
Okay.

WILL
In my own defense, 

she was psycho.

CHARLIE
So why are you giving me relationship help?

WILL
Because I'm the only one in this conversation 

who didn't get a Dear John email 

from his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend.

CHARLIE
God, that's really true isn't it?




CUT TO: EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
Charlie is waiting outside as a car pulls up. Zoey steps out.

CHARLIE
Look at that DAR dress you're wearing. 

Man, that's fantastic. 

You could churn butter in that thing.

ZOEY
Were you skulking in the shadows?

CHARLIE
I was.

ZOEY
Was Jean-Paul not able to meet me?

CHARLIE
He's meeting you right now. 

He's waiting at the Ellipse.

ZOEY
I don't ever use the Ellipse.

CHARLIE
Oh, that's right. 

You know what, I forgot.

ZOEY
Look...

CHARLIE
You sent me an email?

ZOEY
What was I supposed to do?

CHARLIE
Not send me an email.

ZOEY
He is very jealous of you. 

He is, and I'd like to try to make this work. 

So if you don't mind.

CHARLIE
Oh, but I do mind.

ZOEY
Well, I don't think that matters.

CHARLIE
I think it does.

ZOEY
Are you going to do what I asked in the email?

CHARLIE
No.

ZOEY
You just refuse?

CHARLIE

I do. 

I refuse respectfully.

ZOEY
You can't refuse 

and be respectful at the same time.

CHARLIE
Watch me. 

Ask again.

ZOEY
Stop pursuing me.

CHARLIE
Respectfully, no.

ZOEY
Why?

CHARLIE
'Cause I'm in love with you and that's the way it goes.

ZOEY
[smiles] 

I have to go inside for dinner.

CHARLIE
How long do you think before Jean Paul figures out your there?

ZOEY
Oh, shut up.

===============

LEO

You want to see me orchestrate this right now? 

You want to see me mobilize these people? 

These people who would walk into fire if you told them to. 

These people who showed up to lead. 

These people who showed up to fight.

[points at Charlie]

That guy gets death threats because he’s black and he dates your daughter. 

He was warned: “Do not show up to this place. You’re life will be in danger.” 

He said, “To hell with that, I’m going anyway.” 

You said, “No.” 

Prudent, or not prudent, this 21 year old for 600 dollars a week says,

 

“I’m going where I want to because a man stands up.”