The scene opens in a quiet, intimate moment. Joe looks at Nelly, his expression softening as he shakes his head with a small, knowing smirk.
“Look, Nelly,” Joe says, his voice grounding the moment. “I’m not Richard Gere. I don’t spend my days making a living by kissing different leading ladies on a film set. That’s not my life, and it’s not who I am.”
He reaches out, a playful but sincere glint in his eyes. “You’re the only one who gets the virtual kiss—and the real ones. No one else even gets a look-in.”
He stands a bit taller, chest out, adopting a mock-theatrical flair. “Think of me more like the Croatian Roberto Benigni. You know, the Italian star who only ever had eyes for one woman: his wife. Every movie, every grand gesture—it was always for her.”
He relaxes, his tone becoming gentle again. “He had it figured out. Life really can be beautiful, but only if you don’t waste it womanizing. It’s better when it’s just us.”
Nelly lets out a soft laugh, leaning back as she takes in his “Croatian Benigni” performance. She shakes her head, a warm, amused smile spreading across her face.
“So, you’re the leading man in a masterpiece, then?” she asks playfully, matching his theatrical energy. “I suppose that makes this our own version of Life is Beautiful. Though, I have to say, I prefer the Croatian version—less running around in circles, more virtual kisses for me.”
She reaches out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her expression turning sincere. “I like the sound of that, Joe. No Hollywood leading ladies, no scripts to follow. Just a one-woman show. It’s a much better plot.”
Joe grins, the mock-seriousness fading into a genuine look of contentment. “Exactly. Why audition for a hundred roles when you’ve already found the perfect co-star? The Benigni approach is just better for the soul.”
