Ad Librum Aeternam

INT. FANCY RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Philip sits at a small round table. He adjusts his proper jacket and looks around the restaurant in a calm, poised manner. He takes it all in. He taps with his index on the table without noticing it, and watches the waiters and waitresses giving and taking orders, all bustling around him.

WAITER

Hello, Sir. Can I offer you wine and appetizers?

Philip startles as he looks at the waiter to his right. He chuckles and smiles with a characteristic warmth and kindness.

PHILIP

Absolutely. A bottle of red wine, your best, and bruschetti, please.

WAITER

Are you waiting for someone?

Philip glances at his polished shoes, then smiles shyly.

PHILIP

Yeah. I'll wait before ordering, if you don't mind.

WAITER

Not at all, Sir.

The waiter nods and leans closer. Philip straightens up, puzzled.

WAITER

May I suggest the baked fish with lemon cream sauce?

Philip stares into the waiter's mischievous eyes, awaiting an answer to his unspoken question.

WAITER

It serves wonders to impress the ladies…

Philip bursts out laughing nervously. He shakes his head and looks at the waiter.

PHILIP

Who says I'm waiting for a lady? It could be a man. You're not bad either yourself…

WAITER

(grins)

Thank you, Sir. I return the compliment. But with your behaviour and proper clothes, you're clearly looking to please.

Philip smiles and cocks his head, flirty. His smile turns into a grimace.

PHILIP

(whispers)

Don't we all?

WAITER

Actually, no. Still, I suggest the baked fish with lemon cream sauce, it's astounding.

The waiter winks at Philip and walks away. Philip watches him go as if in a daze. The restaurant doorbell tinks, but Philip keeps staring before him. Daphné lowers her head in his field of vision, smiling.

DAPHNÉ

Hi, Phil. You look superb.

Philip opens wide eyes and grin. He jumps to his feet and opens the chair for her across from him.

PHILIP

I'm nothing compared to you, Daph. Look at yourself!

Philip gestures at her gorgeous red dress and elegant hairstyle. Daphné giggles and puts a lock of hair behind her ears before sitting down. Philip helps her, then takes back his seat.

DAPHNÉ

Have you ordered?

Philip bites his lower lip as he observes her, a loving look in his eyes.

PHILIP

No, I was waiting for you.

DAPHNÉ

Oh, you shouldn't have. You know what I like, so…

PHILIP

I'd wait eons for you, so a few minutes isn't a problem.

Daphné grins, then clears her throat.

DAPHNÉ

Thanks for taking me here. We travel so much, yet such places seem… out of reach.

Philip nods, undisclosed emotions battling on his features.

PHILIP

What are best friends for, huh?

Daphné laughs.

DAPHNÉ

You're the best!

PHILIP

I try to please.

Philip opens wide eyes and his smile falls as he realizes what he's just said.

WAITER

I see your guest has arrived. May I take your order now?

Daphné gasps, turning her head to the waiter. Philip startles again before chuckling.

PHILIP

You're magic, man… Sure.

Philip glances at Daphné, who looks at him with a fond smile. Philip breathes deeply, straightening up with confidence and pride.

PHILIP

I'll take the maple glazed salmon with rice, and she'll take the baked fish with lemon cream sauce.

Daphné fakes shock as he orders for her, but she looks pleased he knows what to order to please her. The waiter raises an eyebrow at Philip, then smirks.

WAITER

You've made the right choice, Sir.

A mutual understanding passes between the two men that the choice applies to Daphné.

WAITER

I'll come back with your wine and appetizers.

PHILIP

Thank you.

The waiter leaves. Philip turns back to Daphné, proud. Daphné laughs and shakes her head.

DAPHNÉ

I don't know how you'll pay for all this… Let me help.

PHILIP

No. I saved, that's all. I'm treating you to something better for once.

DAPHNÉ

Why? You don't have to.

Philip looks awkward and vulnerable.

PHILIP

For a change… Because you deserve the best.

Daphné lets out an appreciative sound and looks around them. She then leans over the table and nudges him roughly on the shoulder. Philip laughs.

DAPHNÉ

Thanks, this is nice.

Philip winks at her. The waiter comes back and puts down the wine glasses and the bottle before them as well as appetizers, then leaves again. Philip picks up the bottle and pours Daphné and himself some wine.

PHILIP

(picks up his glass)

To us.

DAPHNÉ

Always us.

They grin at each other and clink their glasses on their promise.

(Don't you just get he yearns to say this to Daphné? ;))

Did you like it? I rather love the distinct format for screenwriting? What do you think of Philip? Did you like him? What about Daphné? Or their friendship?

I've got a lovely story about this character and a hint about what's to come in the TV show: When I first thought of the show, I'd just watched the episode of Gotham in which we see Jerome (played by Cameron Monaghan) for the first time. So, when I imagined my own Philip, I swear he always came with that faceclaim and no matter how hard I tried to change it to see if others would fit best, this face stuck. But I'm okay with this! Philip was my favorite of the two main characters from the get-go. He is kind, unstable, gentle, intense in love (this will cause and sustain the plot), smart, and caring. He brought in the basis of the show: his and Daphné's relationship which grows from deep friendship to something profoundly more complicated. He's not what I'd call a villain per se, but he sure raises the stakes in more ways than one. 

If you have any questions or comments for me about screenwriting, this scene or Philip, please leave comments or contact me on Twitter at @CatGV6 or by email! I'll be so glad to discuss this with you. 

See you next post, lovelies! I intend on writing a fun and emotional scene of them texting and facetiming with each other. Stay tuned for more!

Ciao!