AS GOOD AS IT GETS

 She disappears into her room. Carol snorts a laugh --
 gathers herself. A beat.

      MELVIN
       (hopefully)
      Boyfriend?

      CAROL
      Oh, come on in and try not to ruin
      everything by being you.

      MELVIN
      Maybe we could live without the
      wise cracks.

 She looks at him -- then:

      CAROL
      Maybe we could...

 Melvin glances at the cracked pattern of Carol's kitchen
 linoleum and stalls at the door.

      MELVIN
      It feels a little confined here.
      Let's take a walk.

      CAROL
      See. It's four in the morning. A
      walk sounds a little screwy to me,
      if you don't mind.

      MELVIN
      If you need an excuse, there's a
      bakery on the corner. There's a
      shot it'll open soon -- that way
      we're not screwy -- we're just
      two people who like warm rolls.

      CAROL
      Okay.

 EXT. STREET - NEAR BAKERY - NIGHT

 They walk quietly -- Melvin still walking with his usual
 attention to where he steps.

 CAROL'S POV

 Melvin walking -- and though we can see an improvement --
 it is still decidedly strange as he conspicuously avoids
 stepping on the lines.

 BACK TO SCENE

 Carol sighs. It is the sound of possibilities crashing
 down. Melvin looks at her -- embarrassed, self-conscious
 -- his habits making him appear unworthy.

      CAROL
      (gently; almost
       lovingly)
      I'm sorry, Melvin -- but whatever
      this is -- is not going to work.

 ON MELVIN

 He takes this hard. It forces him to half-whisper
 something he hasn't at all said to himself... given his
 history... this is an extraordinary intimacy.

      MELVIN
      I'm feeling... I've been feeling
      better.

      CAROL
      Melvin, even though it may seem
      that way now -- you don't know me
      all that well...
       (as he scoffs)
      I'm not the answer for you.

 She starts to turn. He tugs at her arm. As she turns
 back to him.

      MELVIN
      Hey, I've got a great compliment
      for you.

      CAROL
      You know what? I...