Prelude to a Kiss
Rita: So,why were you in Europe for ten years?
Peter:How did you know I was in Europe?
Rita: Word gets around.
Peter: You asked Taylor about me?You were asking around about me? Let's get married.
Rita: Okay.
Peter: Okay.- This is the story, and I'm not making it up.
Rita: Okay.
Peter: And it's not as sad as it sounds.
Rita: Shoot.
Peter:My parents separated when I was four. I went to live with my grand parents- who are unfortunately deceased now- I'm gonna make this as brief as possible.
Rita: Take your time. - And- - We can go up to my place when you're done.
Peter:And everything worked out great for everybody. It was amazing.
Rita: No. Go on.
Peter: I'm four years old. I go to live with my grand parents, who both wound up having to go into nursing homes when I was 12. They were both sick. So I go to live with my mother, who by this time is remarried to Hank,
Rita: Uh-huh.
Peter: A very unhappy person. Ridicules me in front of the other two children they have created...from their unsavory loins. So I go to live with my father, who has also remarried with three other children. Sophie, the new wife, hates me even more than Hank.
Rita: This is like Dickens.
Peter:The only nice thing Sophie ever did for me was make the same food twice… when I made the mistake of saying that l liked it. Usually she would stop cooking whatever it was I said l liked.
Rita: What was it?
Peter:What l liked? Spaetzles.
Rita: Oh, God.
Peter:You've had spaetzles?
Rita: Oh, sure.
Peter: You like them?
Rita: I love them.
Peter: You love spaetzles.- Anyway, everyone is unhappy now.
Rita: Uh-huh.
Peter:My father doesn't seem too fond of me. I'm not sure if he ever was, but- So one night I say I'm going to the movies,and instead,I go to Europe.
Rita: What movie?
Peter: The Wild Bunch, I think. Why?
Rita: Did you call them?
Peter: Not until I got there. And I called collect.
Rita: Europe?
Peter: That is - Yeah.
Rita: Good for you.
Peter: Yeah. Why did you ask me which movie?
Rita: That is fabulous.
Peter:That's the story.
Rita: Oh, wow.
Peter: Then I came back when my dad died.
