Kramer vs. Kramer Scene 12 Summary

  • Ted's at the office, eating while he works. We don't know what meal it is, but since he appears to be eating a sandwich, a carton of ricotta cheese, and a huge glass of red wine, we sure hope it isn't breakfast.
  • The phone rings. It's Joanna.
  • Joanna sits in a restaurant, waiting. Ted arrives. They seem legitimately happy to see each other.
  • Joanna casually mentions that sometimes she sits in the window of the coffee shop across from Billy's school and watches him. Because she's been back in New York for two months.
  • Say what?
  • Then Joanna launches into a big speech about how she's changed since moving to California. She got a job. She got a really good therapist. She's feeling the best she's ever felt, and she's learned a ton about herself. Oh, and BTW, she wants Billy back.
  • Double say what??
  • Ted says no (obviously), gets mad, and leaves the restaurant, but not before chucking his full wine glass at the wall.
  • Fact: Dustin Hoffman (Ted) surprised Meryl Streep (Joanna) by breaking his wine glass at the end of the scene. Her reaction is real. "Next time you do that, I'd appreciate you letting me know," Streep told Hoffman coolly, shards of glass in her hair (Source).