All About Eve Page #23

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THE ACTION picks up where it left off. Eve accepts the award

from the Aged Actor, kisses him tenderly, folds the award to

her bosom and waits for quiet.

She speaks with assurance, yet modestly and humbly.

EVE:

Honored members of Sarah Siddons

Society, distinguished guests, ladies

and gentlemen:
What is there for me

to say? Everything wise and witty

has long since been said - by minds

more mature and talents far greater

than mine. For me to thank you as

equals would be presumptuous. I am

an apprentice in the Theater and

have much to learn from you all. I

can say only that I am proud and

happy and that I regard this great

honor not so much as an award for

what I have achieved, but as a

standard to hold against what I have

yet to accomplish.

(applause)

And further, I regard it as bestowed

upon me only in part. The larger

share belongs to my friends in the

Theater - and to the Theater itself,

which has given me all I have. In

good conscience, I must give credit

where credit is due. To Max Fabian-

MAX sits erect, beaming proudly.

EVE'S VOICE

Dear Max. Dear, sentimental, generous,

courageous Max Fabian - who took a

chance on an unknown, untried,

amateur...

EVE, after applause greets Max.

EVE:

And to my first friend in the Theater -

whose kindness and graciousness I

shall never forget... Karen - Mrs.

Lloyd Richards...

KAREN resumes her doodling as applause breaks out for her...

EVE'S VOICE

...and it was Karen who first brought

me to one whom I had always idolized -

and who was to become my benefactor

and champion. A great actress and a

great woman - Margo Channing.

MARGO, part of Eve's tribute has been over her CLOSE-UP. She

smiles grimly in reaction to the applause.

EVE looks to her right, waits for the applause to die.

EVE:

My director - who demanded always a

little more than my talent could

provide-

BILL, seated at the speakers' table. He has his award before

him - a smaller one. He puts out a cigarette expressionlessly

as the applause breaks out.

EVE:

But who taught me patiently and

well... Bill Sampson.

LLOYD sits beside Bill. He, too, has a smaller award. As Eve

speaks, he throws her a brief glance.

EVE'S VOICE

And one, without whose great play

and faith in me, this night would

never have been. How can I repay

Lloyd Richards?

EVE waits for the applause to die.

EVE:

How can I repay the many others? So

many, that I couldn't possibly name

them all...

ADDISON smiles approvingly.

EVE'S VOICE

...whose help, guidance and advice

have made this, the happiest night

of my life, possible.

EVE stares at the award for an instant, as if fighting for

self-control.

EVE:

Although I am going to Hollywood

next week to make a film - do not

think for a moment that I am leaving

you. How could I? For my heart is

here in the Theater - and three

thousand miles are too far to be

away from one's heart. I'll be back

to claim it - and soon. That is, if

you want me back.

Another storm of applause. Much ad lib shouting as Bill and

Lloyd are summoned to pose beside her for more pictures.

People are thronging out. The Aged Actor shouts above the

hubbub...

AGED ACTOR:

A good night to all - and to all a

good night!

Eve disengages herself from the photographers, makes her way

toward Addison's table... Bill and Lloyd follow. CAMERA

FOLLOWS Lloyd to Karen. They kiss. He gives her the award.

LLOYD:

For services rendered - beyond the

whatever-it-is-of-duty, darling.

Max bustles into the SHOT.

MAX:

Come on! I'm the host, I gotta get

home before the guests start stealing

the liquor...

She and Lloyd follow Max. Addison and Eve are on their way.

Lloyd goes right by. Karen pauses at Eve.

KAREN:

Congratulations, Eve.

EVE:

Thank you, Karen.

Karen goes. Eve is being constantly congratulated. Some ad

lib about seeing her at Max's party...

MAX:

(to Addison)

I'm giving her a very high-class

party. It ain't like a rehearsal,

she don't have to be late.

ADDISON:

As soon as the peasants stop pawing

her.

Max hurries out. Margo and Bill step into the SHOT. Eve turns

from a well-wisher to face her.

MARGO:

...nice speech, Eve. But I wouldn't

worry too much about your heart. You

can always put that award where your

heart ought to be.

Eve looks at her wordlessly. Margo and Bill leave. Addison

and Eve are alone. The tables about them are empty. Suddenly,

her face becomes expressionless, her eyes dull... she glances

at the table.

EVE:

I don't suppose there's a drink

left...

ADDISON:

You can have one at Max's.

EVE:

(sits)

I don't think I'm going.

ADDISON:

(sighs)

Why not?

EVE:

Because I don't want to.

ADDISON:

(patiently)

Max has gone to a great deal of

trouble, it's going to be an elaborate

party, and it's for you.

EVE:

No, it's not.

(she holds up the

award)

It's for this.

ADDISON:

It's the same thing, isn't it?

EVE:

Exactly.

(she gives him the

award)

Here. Take it to the party instead

of me.

ADDISON:

You're being childish.

A well-wisher rushes up to Eve with an "Eve, darling, I'm so

happy!" Eve rises, thanks her graciously. Then she pulls her

wrap over her shoulder.

EVE:

I'm tired. I want to go home.

ADDISON:

(curtly)

Very well. I shall drop you and go

on to the party. I have no intention

of missing it...

They exit from the room, now empty of everything but tables,

waiters, and the usual banquet debris.

EXT. PARK AVENUE - NIGHT

Eve gets out of taxi in front of a fashionable apartment

hotel. She doesn't say good night to Addison, she enters the

hotel as the cab drives off. She hasn't the award with her.

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE EVE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Smart, but not gaudy. Eve crosses from the elevator to her

apartment. She lets herself in.

INT. EVE'S HOTEL APARTMENT - NIGHT

A small foyer, from which one door leads to the leaving room,

another to the bedroom. The bedroom and living room do not

connect except through the foyer.

All the lights are out. Eve turns them on in the foyer, the

same as she enters the bedroom. There are some new trunks,

in various stages of being packed. Eve tosses her wrap on

the bed, goes through the foyer to the living room.

She turns on the light in the living room. CAMERA FOLLOWS

her to a smart small bar where she fixes a stiff drink. As

she turns from the bar, she stares - starts in fright - and

drops the drink.

A young girl, asleep in a chair, wakes with a jump. She stares

at Eve, horror-stricken.

EVE:

Who are you?

GIRL:

Miss Harrington...

EVE:

What are you doing here?

GIRL:

I - I guess I fell asleep.

Eve starts for the phone. The girl rises in panic.

GIRL:

Please don't have me arrested,

please! I didn't steal anything -

you can search me!

EVE:

(pauses)

How did you get in here?

GIRL:

I hid outside in the hall till the

maid came to turn down your bed.

She must've forgot something and

when she went to get it, she left

the door open. I sneaked in and hid

till she finished. Then I just looked

around - and pretty soon I was afraid

somebody'd notice the lights were on

so I turned them off and then I guess,

I fell asleep.

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