MATHILDA (out of scene) Yes.... I'm coming Leon gets to the window and looks out. Something changed in Leon. He's tired by all this, maybe. He sits on the chair.
Mathilda's walkman is on. He hesitates, then eventually puts on the headphones. It's a sweet, almost classical music. Very beautiful, like the arriving Mathilda. She wears the dress Leon offered her, she's made up. She looks 20-year-old.
Leon's mouth is open. She smiles and heels down before him.
He gets off the headphones.
LEON:
What's going on?
MATHILDA (surprised) Nothing... Why?
LEON:
Well... I don't know, suddenly, the make up... All this... How are you? Are you OK?
MATHILDA:
Of course! I'm fine! I put on your beautiful dress, I slightly made up... I tried to get beautiful! Don't you like it?
LEON(shy) ...Yes.
MATHILDA:
So say it!
LEON(pause) ...I like it... Mathilda smiles and stands up. She gets in the kitchen.
Leon feels weird, like he was falling in a trap, without being able to do anything. Mathilda comes back with a glass of milk she hands to Leon. She lowers the tents to dim the strong sunlight. Mathilda heels down in front of him. Leon doesn't dare move any more.
MATHILDA:
...Don't you drink?
LEON:
I prefer waiting for a while... I feel it would go the wrong way.
Mathilda takes the glass from his hands and drinks half. She passes her tongue along her lips to dry up the milk. Leon looks at her, like a child in front of a sweet shop. She returns his milk. Mathilda looks like a calm cat.
MATHILDA (sweetly) I love you, Leon... Totally. It's the first time I feel it that strong. It's also the first time I trust a man. I trust you.
She caresses his hand.
MATHILDA (con't) ...I love your hands... (pause) Leon... in your hands... I'd like you to be my first lover.
Leon retracts his hand and finishes the milk.
He looks at Mathilda with as much sadness as happiness. By a fingertip, Mathilda takes the milkdrop on Leon's lips and gets it in her mouth. Leon is going to cry.
LEON(feeling bad) ...I can't, Mathilda... I can't.
MATHILDA (with a sad smile) ...Have you got a girlfriend?
LEON:
...No...
MATHILDA:
...Don't you like me?
LEON(sincerely) ...Yes... (pause) ...You're the most beautiful, Mathilda.