Jim sits at a table with his forearms resting on it, facing the room with a smiling, reassuring look — waiting to welcome the woman he is expecting. The setting is a refined, silent and elegant lounge bar in Art Déco style, with dark green velvet sofas, walnut chairs and abstract paintings in gold and green. The venue is empty, bathed in warm amber lighting.
From Jim's perspective we see the entrance door across the room opening: Barbara enters, slightly nervous, scanning the venue with an investigative gaze. In the background, the wall behind the bar with many bottles on display, in a warm, slightly dimmed atmosphere punctuated by intense wall sconces.
Semi-wide shot of the room with several empty tables. Jim stands and walks forward — from his table across the venue towards Barbara (off-camera), making a welcoming gesture with his hand.
Jim seated with his back to camera, looking at Barbara. She sits opposite him at the same table, returning his gaze. On the right, a waiter in his 50s or 60s discreetly approaches to place a glass of red wine on the table — ordered by Jim for Barbara. The bar wall is visible in the background.
BARBARASorry I'm late — Roman traffic
JIMLet's order! What would you like?
BARBARAI'll trust your choice (sorride)
JIMHow about a glass of Primitivo 2015?
BARBARAPerfect (smiles, used to being admired)
Barbara looks ahead smiling — presumably towards Jim, off-camera. The wine glass sits on the table. In the background the bar wall is glimpsed in a tighter framing.
BARBARAIn your photo you had a shorter beard
JIMI stopped pretending to be someone else. At least with the beard… ok, terrible joke.
BARBARAA pause. She smiles.
Tighter framing. Barbara has removed her blazer, revealing a semi-transparent black lace top. She holds the wine glass between her hands and fixes Jim (off-camera) with a penetrating gaze. The background shows the bar wall heavily blurred.
Jim, smiling and visibly pleased with how the evening is unfolding, raises his whisky glass in a toast gesture towards Barbara.
JIMTo us!
High-angle shot centred on the wooden table. Framing the two glasses — a red wine glass and a whisky glass — close to the hands of both protagonists resting on the table. Her fingers open slightly but don't quite reach his.
Jim and Barbara sit facing each other, forearms resting on the table. They stare into each other's eyes in a moment of silent, intense connection. She places her hands over his. On the table: Jim's whisky glass, nearly empty, and Barbara's wine glass almost drained. The bar wall is visible but blurred in the background.
Tight framing of the two protagonists at the table. Jim gently takes Barbara's head and neck to draw her closer, while she places her hand on his chest with tender sensuality. Their lips brush at the very edge of a kiss. He is wearing a wedding ring — though that's a detail of little importance…