By Raymond Carver

Meet Mel & Teresa McGinnis (top couple) and Nick & Laura Sitting around that table having a conversation about the topic of LOVE.

This is the ONLY thing in the middle of the table as they have their conversation. Two couples plus gin equals the truth coming out.

We focus on Terri who is describing a relationship she had before she met Mel. Mel gets involved in her story.

Terri begins to smile.Mel gets angry.

Nick answers Mel’s question. Nick and Laura lovingly stare at each other.

Mel passes Nick a plate of limes. He squeezes it into his cup. Begins mixing with his finger During this entire conversation, gin is still being poured and drunk.

Laura holds her drink with both hands. Laura glances around at her friends.

Flashes of images pop in Mel’s head as he tells his story.

Laura becomes shocked. Nick is shocked, but drifts off to the side because he can’t believe what he just heard.

Terri becomes sadden after reliving everything that happened. Mel puts on a serious face as he continues his story.

Mel becomes more relaxed. Terri takes a drink of her gin.

Another round of gin is poured. Mel gets more from the cupboard.

This is happening as Laura is talking. Laura has a big smile.

They are raise their glasses to make a toast. Once again, Nick and Laura stare lovingly at each other as Mel talks.

Laura, Terri and Nick all stare at Mel as he tells his story.

Terri jokingly takes Mel’s hand when asking if he’s drunk.

We suddenly see images as Mel tells his story.

Terri interrupts Mel’s story and is smiling & laughing jokingly. Nick and Laura have serious faces as they listen to the rest of Mel’s story.

Laura takes a drink from her glass. As Laura is drinking, someone pours a drink into a glass. We see a hand holding a cigarette and another holding a lighter.

We shoot back towards Mel, who is angry and irritated again. Terri tries to ease things up by smiling big, then we shoot back up to Mel’s irritated expression.

We see Mel casting a side glance at Laura as he is speaking. We picture two people in full body casts. Now we see a heart breaking as Mel describes the man’s inability to see his wife.

Now we shoot to Nick what takes a drink of gin. Lastly, we see one glass flipped over on the table.

All you are left hearing are heartbeats.