When Harry Met Sally by Nora Ephron Page A

There’s a crowd of guests assembled in a knot with Jess and Marie, their arms around each other, standing there with their champagne glasses. Jess is in front of the microphone
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    JESS     Everybody, could I have your attention, please? I want to propose a toast to Harry and Sally.
    Sally, surprised, comes to a halt, as does Harry. The entire crowd turns toward the two of them
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    JESS     ( CONT’D )    If Marie or I had found either of them remotely attractive, we would not be here today.
    Everyone laughs and raises their glasses to Harry and Sally
.
    FADE OUT .
    MUSIC HERE
    FADE IN:
    EXT. 96TH STREET—CHRISTMAS TREE STAND—DAY
    Sally, in jeans and a plain jacket, has just bought her Christmas tree, and the salesman has finished putting plastic netting around it. Sally starts to carry the tree. It’s very heavy; the top of it is dragging slightly behind her, and she’s leaving a little trail of pine needles behind heras she starts home, but she’s going to carry this damn tree home alone if it kills her
.
    CUT TO:
    INT. HARRY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Harry paces in the kitchen, the phone to his ear, as he makes a cup of tea
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    HARRY     
(into phone)
    Hi, it’s me. It’s the holiday season, and I thought I might remind you that this is the season of charity and forgiveness …
    INT. SALLY’S APARTMENT—DAY
    Sally brings in the tree
.
    HARRY’S VOICE     ( CONT’D )    
(on answering machine)
… and although it’s not widely known, it’s also the season of groveling. So if you felt like calling me back, I’d be all too happy to do the traditional Christmas grovel. Give me a call.
    INT. HARRY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Harry at the counter, hangs up, carries his cup to the table, sits, and looks through his mail
.
    CUT TO :
    INT. SALLY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Sally works at her computer. The phone RINGS. She stops working and listens to the answering machine
.
    SALLY’S VOICE     
(on answering machine)
Hi, I’m not home right now. Call you right back.
    Machine BEEPS
.
    HARRY’S VOICE     
(on answering machine)
If you’re there, please pick up the phone. I really want to talk to you.
    INT. HARRY’S APARTMENT—DAY
    Harry is lying on his bed, talking on the phone
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    HARRY     ( CONT’D )    The fact that you’re not answeringleads me to believe you’re either (a) not at home, (b) home but don’t want to talk to me, or (c) …
    INT. SALLY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Sally, not picking up
.
    HARRY’S VOICE (CONT’D)     
(on answering machine)
… home, desperately want to talk to me but trapped under something heavy. If it’s (a) or (c), call me back.
    The phone CLICKS off. HOLD on Sally
.
    CUT TO :
    EXT. STREET—HOT DOG STAND—DAY

Harry and Jess are stopped at a hot dog stand
.
    HARRY     Obviously she doesn’t want to talk to me. What do I have to do? Get hit over the head? If she wants to call me, she’ll call me. I’m through making a schmuck out of myself.
    CUT TO:
    INT. HARRY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Harry singing on the phone. The backup MUSIC machine is going
.
    HARRY     
(singing)
    “If you’re feeling sad and lonely, There’s a service I can render …
    INT. SALLY’S APARTMENT—DAY

Sally is getting ready to leave. She glances at her machine as she hears:
    HARRY’S VOICE     ( CONT’D )    
(singing, on answering machine)
“… Tell the one who digs you only, I can be so warm and tender—Call me, maybe it’s late but just Call me …”
    INT. HARRY’S APARTMENT—DAY
    HARRY     ( CONT’D )    
(singing into the phone)
“Don’t be afraid to just Phone moi