Mustard Love, pt. 3
Hi, hello. I’m pleased that you, dear reader, came back and clicked on the email for the final scenes of my short screenplay story-type thing. If you are new and missed the beginnings, here is scene one and scenes two, three, and four. The artwork and characters are by Sam Toft — I just added some drivel. Hope you enjoy the end.
MUSTARD LOVE cont’d.
SCENE 5
They ride through the meadow, up and down hills, and through the lavender trees.
NARRATOR: We made it back just in time for lunch. Another close call.
As Ernest gets off his bicycle, he pulls his pocket watch out of his coat pocket. The time reads 11:11.
ERNEST: Make a wish, Doris.
Doris hops out of the front basket, as usual, and waddles her way to the front door steps. Ernest opens the door and they both walk in.
NARRATOR: Mmm... fresh blueberry pie.
Ernest heads straight to the kitchen. Violet has prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with potato chips in them for lunch. Out of the corner of his eye he spots the hot blueberry pie on the counter.
VIOLET: Not till after you’ve eaten, dear.
Ernest gives his wife a kiss on the cheek and embraces her with a warm hug.
ERNEST: (whispering in her ear) I know, Mrs. Mustard.
VIOLET: This evening is bingo with the ladies. Thank goodness Valentine rung just a bit ago, otherwise I would have forgotten that today is even Thursday.
ERNEST: Don’t be too late.
VIOLET: Why is that?
ERNEST: I can’t tell you.
VIOLET: Why not?
ERNEST: It’s a secret.
VIOLET: Oh, Ernest. You know I’m not fond of secrets. Please tell me.
ERNEST: It’s not a secret per se, just a surprise.
VIOLET: Uh-oh.
ERNEST: Uh-oh? Why uh-oh?
VIOLET: What did you do?
ERNEST: (chuckling) Nothing, I promise. You’re going to like it. Or maybe not. I’m not quite sure. Hopefully you will. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. It’s out of my hands now.
VIOLET: Goodness gracious. Alright, fine.
She thinks Ernest didn’t see, but he catches her smiling.
VIOLET (CONT’D): I’m a little excited now.
Ernest smiles, grabs both of their lunch plates with the sandwiches, and puts them on the dining room table. He makes some tea and they sit at the table to enjoy their lunch.
SCENE END
SCENE 6
Violet and her friends meet at the Mecca Bingo Hall. They all sit together at a table with perfect views of the number board up front.
NARRATOR: If I know my wife, I know she’s sitting at that table, ready to take down some women at bingo. Her great grandmother had taught her all the tricks and trades of the game... all the nooks and crannies that go into winning. To her, luck has nothing to do with it. It’s all strategy. And, yup, I know she has her game face on.
VIOLET: Let’s get down to business, ladies.
MS. BANES: Calm down, Violet. First, I wanna know what this smile is that’s been on your face since we’ve arrived.
VIOLET: What smile?
Violet has tried to get rid of the smile that keeps appearing on her face. When she thinks about it, she controls it, but when she’s not thinking about it, she has a smile from ear to ear.
MS. BANES: (pointing to Violet’s face) This one.
VIOLET: (blushing) Oh, it’s nothing. Ernest has a surprise for me later this evening. I’m just a little anxious, I guess.
FRIEND 1: He is such a sweet man.
FRIEND 2: Does he surprise you often?
VIOLET: No. He knows how little of a fan I am of secrets and surprises. He does do many sweet things for me, though.
MS. BANES: That he does. I can’t wait until I find myself an adoring Ernest.
VIOLET: He’s no Mr. D’Arcy, ladies. And that’s all I have to say on the subject.
FRIEND 2: Close enough in my book. Does he have a brother?
VIOLET: Ha! Let’s play, shall we?
All their cards lay out in front of them neatly and the bingo caller for the night pulls the first numbers.
SCENE END
SCENE 7
That evening, right before sunset, Ernest, Violet, and Doris make their way to the Prom on a two-seated bicycle. Ernest starts humming tunelessly. Doris turns her head and gives him a look of annoyance. Ernest stops humming.
NARRATOR: Bad habit.
(“Old Pine” - Ben Howard)
When they get to the end of the Prom, Violet sees that Ernest has set up a miniature picnic. A basket sits there and it is full of a few of Violet’s favorite foods. A canister full of hot chocolate sits beside the basket, along with two mugs. There is a purple bottle with a single white lily placed in it and two lit white candles, one on each side of the flower.
Ernest and Violet sit at the end with their feet dangling above the sea. Doris tries to nudge herself in between them.
NARRATOR: Not a single word is spoken. Words don’t feel necessary at the present moment.
Ernest and Violet continuously give one another looks that say everything that needs to be said. Ernest pours hot chocolate in the mugs and hands one to his wife. They clink their mugs to toast one another, steal a kiss, and enjoy the peaceful evening that lay before them.
Ms. Banes and Red walk by and spot them in the distance. She smiles and continues to walk away, knowing that someday she will find her Ernest.
THE END
Thank you for reading the final scenes of my daft attempt at a screenplay. It was fun. As I re-read it myself, I realize that Violet is perhaps not the finest wife in the world, but as long as she makes Ernest happy, that is what matters. In case anyone is interested, I created a Spotify playlist which includes the songs used in my story and more songs will continuously be added as I come across ones that feel they fit the Mustard World. Cheers, Hannah