Tuesday Dialogue #1 Matt Albie and Martha O'Dell

Setting the scene: Matt Albie is Executive Producer and head screenwriter of a weekly televised national comedy show called 'Studio 60'. Martha O'Dell is a reporter for Vanity Fair. She is writing a story about the show, she has full access; but Matt has told her he won't talk about his relationship with Harriet. In fact, he bet her $100 he wouldn't talk about her.

Martha O'Dell: Matt? I'm off to catch the redeye. I'll see you in a couple of weeks.
 

Matt Albie: Have a good flight.

 Is that the bat?

What bat?

I'll say this about you guys, you look out for each other.You're not very good at doing it but it's nice to see the effort. Even Harriet, y'know? When I mentioned your pathalogical dislike of the religious right, she jumped to your defence. You broke up with her because she went on the 700 club to promote her album?

What are you writing about Martha?

I don't know yet. I know that half this country hates the other half. And I know that for 90 minutes a week you and Harriet come together. You were here for two years before anybody knew your name. Harriet got here and you both broke at the same time.

I wasn't a hack.

I didn't say you were.

 
I had a one-act at the Humana Festival in Louisville and another at EST; that's the Ensemble Studio Theater in New York. Those are two important stages.

I know them both.

What's this for?

A hundred dollars. I was trying to impress Harriet, that's how I broke. 

Dialogue Written By Aaron Sorkin

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