INT. COEN BROTHERS' WRITING ROOM - NIGHT
JOEL and ETHAN COEN review footage. William enters.
JOEL
We're busy.
ETHAN
Very busy.
WILLIAM
I have POETRY.
JOEL
Poetry?
ETHAN
Does it rhyme?
WILLIAM
Sometimes.
ETHAN
Does it contain multitudes?
WILLIAM
I... yes?
ETHAN
nodding
We thought you was a screenwriter.WILLIAM
I am a screenwriter, I just also--
JOEL
You're not foolin' us. You're a poet.
ETHAN
A poet of the first stripe.
WILLIAM
Thank you, I think--
JOEL
What's the rumpus?
ETHAN
Where's your poetry at, friend-o?
WILLIAM
It's... on the page. I mean, I have...
JOEL
interrupting
I'll tell you what I know.ETHAN
The world is full of complainers.
JOEL
But the fact is, nothing comes with a guarantee.
They both stare at William expectantly.
WILLIAM
I'm sorry, are those all references to your films? I'm not...
ETHAN
Sometimes you eat the bear...
JOEL
And sometimes...
BOTH
The bear eats you.
Beat. William is completely lost.
WILLIAM
Yeah, Big Lebowski, I know.
JOEL
The Dude abides.
William stares at them. Ethan pulls out a quarter.
ETHAN
What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?
WILLIAM
Yeah, No Country... But I was just wondering if you could take a look...
JOEL
Call it.
WILLIAM
I... Um... Heads.
Ethan flips it, catches it, slaps it on his wrist. He looks at the coin, then at William. He says nothing.
Beat.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
So will you read them? They're really good.
JOEL
Yeah, well you know...
ETHAN
That's just like your opinion, man.
Both men stare at William. Completely lost and a little scared, William leaves his POETRY on their desk.
William EXITS the writing room.