ERNEST: Don’t you want a bite of this?
MOLLIE: I got too much sugar.
ERNEST: You can never be too sweet now can you?
MOLLIE: It makes me sickly.
ERNEST: You live in this house just with your Mother?
Coyote and Raven — Killers of the Flower Moon
Ernest and Mollie share an intimate dinner where they cautiously feel each other out, blending flirtation with underlying suspicion. As Ernest attempts to charm her, Mollie questions his motives and his relationship with his powerful uncle, highlighting the tension between romantic attraction and predatory intent.
Format: Duologue · Genre: Romantic Drama · Source: Killers of the Flower Moon · Author: ERIC ROTH · Characters: Ernest, Mollie
About This Scene
This intimate duologue, "Coyote and Raven," from Killers of the Flower Moon, offers a compelling encounter between Ernest and Mollie. Set during a quiet dinner, the scene masterfully blends flirtation with a palpable undercurrent of suspicion and power dynamics. As Ernest attempts to charm Mollie, she skillfully probes his true intentions and his connection to his powerful yet unsettling uncle, creating a fascinating dance between romantic attraction and more predatory motives.
Character Analysis
Ernest is presented as overtly flirtatious but also subtly manipulative, attempting to disarm Mollie while probing her personal life and assessing her value. His charm is a veneer for deeper, perhaps less admirable, motivations. Mollie, on the other hand, is shrewd and observant, using her quiet demeanor to carefully assess Ernest and question his presence. She is a woman of quiet strength, capable of both attracting and discerning, deeply aware of potential dangers lurking beneath a charming exterior.
Why This Works for Auditions
This scene is a fantastic choice for auditions due to its clear yet nuanced power struggle and the opportunity for actors to play contrasting intentions. The dialogue is sharp and loaded with subtext, allowing both actors to showcase their ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety. Its established tone of flirtatious probing and subtle manipulation provides a distinct framework for performance, making it an excellent vehicle for showcasing skill in romantic drama with a darker edge.
Best Suited For
"Coyote and Raven" is ideal for actors in their 30s seeking material that highlights a blend of charm, cunning, and underlying suspicion. It's particularly well-suited for a Leading Man who can portray a complex anti-hero or an Everyman with a hidden agenda, and a Leading Lady who embodies resilience and keen intelligence. If you're looking to demonstrate your range in romantic drama that delves into historical power dynamics or plays with themes of manipulation, this duologue offers rich opportunities.
Performance Tips
When approaching this scene, focus on the subtext in every line. For Ernest, let your flirtation feel practiced but also slightly desperate to gain Mollie's trust, hinting at his underlying motives through subtle shifts in eye contact or vocal tone. For Mollie, allow your stillness and thoughtful pauses to convey your suspicion and careful assessment, using your questions as tactical maneuvers rather than mere inquiries. Both characters should project an internal awareness of the power dynamic at play, with each line delivered as a strategic move in their emotional chess match.