You've Got Mail - 08. MIRANDA

INT. FOXBOOKS SUPERSTORE - DAY 

The inside is beautiful. Gleaning staircase, a cafe, comfortable chairs to sit, a bank of cashiers, everyone decked out in gray alligator shirts with a fox where the alligator should be, a rope for the checkout line, and seven cash registers with seven cashiers. Of course, books, books, books, as far as the eye can see. 

MATCH DISSOLVE TO: INT. SAME SCENE - LATER THAT DAY 

The store is jam-packed. Joe with his father Nelson, his grandfather Schuyler, and Kevin, the store manager. 

JOE - No protests, no demonstrations. 

KEVIN - The neighborhood loves us. 

NELSON - They're wondering where we've been all these years. They're wondering how they ever did without us. 

SCHUYLER - It's a hit. 

NELSON - How's the children's department? 

JOE - Well, it's early yet. School's not out. And there's that children's bookstore nearby...

NELSON - Shop Around The Corner.

SCHUYLER - Cecilia's store...Cecilia Kelly. I think we might have had a date once.

JOE - Her daughter owns it now. 

NELSON - We'll crush it!

SCHUYLER - She was enchanting. 

And as they walk on upstairs, several mothers with children come up the stairs behind them. 

INT. SHOP AROUND THE CORNER - DUSK 

We see Kathleen and George at the end of the day, counting the receipts. Birdie is using a calculator to total them. Christina is shelving books. There are Thanksgiving decorations -- cardboard turkeys and pilgrims, books on colonists like Myles Standish. 

BIRDIE - They've been open 6 days. And we did...$1200 less than the same week last year. 

KATHLEEN - That could be a fluke, right? 

They look at each other. 

BIRDIE - Or not. 

KATHLEEN - Listen, their store is new. It's a novelty. But it will all shake out. Meanwhile, I'll put up more twinkle lights.

BIRDIE - That's a fine idea. 

CHRISTINA - What if we have to fold? I'm never going to find another part time job. Then I won't be able to pay my rent, and I'll have to move....to Brooklyn. 

GEORGE - The joy of rent control. Six room...$450 a month. 

CHRISTINA - We know. You've told us a million times. You know, I..I can't believe you're bringing this up at a time like this. It's like those people brag because they're tall.

KATHLEEN - Guys, we are not going to fold. 

GEORGE - Hey, I...This place is a tomb. I'm going to the nut shop, for fun.

KATHLEEN - George?....George?

He goes out the door.

MIRANDA MARGULIES, a well-known children's book author, enters as George leaves. 

KATHLEEN - Miranda! Hi!

MIRANDA - Kathleen, are you surviving? 

KATHLEEN - Well, We're so excited about your new book. When should we schedule your signing? 

MIRANDA - Oh, it's being published in January. Are you going to be in business in January? I'm so worried. 

KATHLEEN - We're doing great, aren't we? 

BIRDIE - No difference whatsoever!

CHRISTINA - Great. 

MIRANDA - Oh, thank God. Well, you know you can count on me for anything, support, rallies. Picket lines. We can get the Times to write something. Or that nut from the Observer.

KATHLEEN - What...what nut in the Observrer? 

MIRANDA - Frank something-or-other. The one who's so in love with his typewriter. This is just the sort of thing that would outrage him.

INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT 

As they go up in an elevator. 

FRANK - A nut? She called me a nut?

KATHLEEN - That's not the point. She thinks my store is in trouble. Why would she say that? There's enough business for us all. 

FRANK - Yes, there is. No question. 

KATHLEEN - We're fine. 

FRANK - You're more than fine. You're absolutely fine.

KATHLEEN - We're fine.

FRANK - Yes!

The elevator opens onto: 

INT. VINCE MANCINI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 

A publication party for an author named VINCE MANCINI. A mix of book people, journalists and various other media folk. 

WOMAN - How are you?

KATHLEEN - Fine.

FRANK - Fine.

WOMAN - Come in. Vince will be so happy to see you.

FRANK - Vince. Congratulations. Guess who I saw today on the subway today? William Spungeon.

VINCE - I don't know him.

They start chatting. 

Across the room, Joe is with Patricia, who is telling two other people the story of meeting the rabbi in the taxicab. Joe looks over and sees Kathleen. He suddenly looks stricken. Shifts his position so Kathleen can't see his face, but sneaks a look. 

PATRICIA - Honey, will you get me another drink? I'm all out. (continues chattering)

Joe moves over to the bar. 

JOE - Stoli on the rocks. But a fresh glass, please. 

As he is waiting, Kathleen comes up next to him. 

KATHLEEN - White wine, please. 

Waiter - Here you go.