American Hustle Page #14

PACO HERNANDEZ:

(to Richie) Who's running this? I

thought you were running it.

RICHIE DIMASO:

I am running this but you’ve gotta

listen to him. He's the guy with

the vision.

IRVING ROSENFELD

I’ve got the vision? You know what

vision I had? You just kissing my

girl outside. That’s what vision I

had.

RICHIE DIMASO:

(stares at Irving)

I thought you guys broke up. I'm

giving you a compliment.

PACO HERNANDEZ:

What’s going on?

RICHIE DIMASO:

Don’t worry about it.

Irving takes a expensive looking ceremonial knife out of his

jacket pocket and holds it out to Paco.

IRVING ROSENFELD

You got a knife. This is for the

Mayor. You’ve got to present it to

him. Look me in the eye. This means

a lot to you. Right? That knife.

PACO HERNANDEZ:

OK.

78.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Play it. You present it.

"Friendship for life," alright?

You gotta feel it. Sacred. Can you

do it?

PACO HERNANDEZ:

Right. Sacred.

IRVING ROSENFELD

You gotta sell it.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Sell it.

IRVING ROSENFELD

If you believe it’s sacred, it’s

sacred.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Listen to what he’s saying.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Can you do it?

RICHIE DIMASO:

It's the details. That's what

makes this guy a genius.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Again? You compliment me again.

What is this, rubbing salt in the

wound?

Irving stares incredulously.

RICHIE DIMASO:

I'm complimenting you. (to Paco)

Any other questions?

PACO HERNANDEZ:

Yeah, I think the name of this

operation is offensive.

RICHIE DIMASO:

What?

PACO HERNANDEZ:

Abscam. "Arab Scam?" It's racist.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Are you f***ing kidding? What do

you care? You're Mexican.

79.

115 EXT. TETERBORO AIRPORT TARMAC - DAY 115

ELO’s “10538 Overture” kicks on. Irv and Richie exit the

plane walking slightly behind the “sheik” and his

“bodyguards” -the sheik in the front.

The Sheik hands the ceremonial knife to Carmine and bows his

head --

CARMINE POLITO:

Hello Sheik, my friend. Welcome.

On behalf of the great state of New

Jersey I want to welcome you to New

Jersey. I know that was redundant.

I'm sorry. I'm just very nervous.

116 Carmine takes the knife and looks to the others excitedly. 116

CARMINE POLITO (CONT’D)

(to “shiek”)

We have a great party planned for

you this evening.

118 INT. IRV AND ROSALYN’S HOUSE - NIGHT 118

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

(half dressed)

But what are you talking about, I

can't go? I just did my hair and

makeup and everything!

IRVING ROSENFELD

The Sheik's very particular. It's

international cultural protocol.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

International protocol? What the

f*** are you talking about?

PHONE RINGS --

IRVING ROSENFELD

Do not answer that!

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

(answers phone)

Hello -- Robert Spencer? I don't

know a Robert Spencer. What do you

want?

IRVING ROSENFELD

(takes phone)

Give it to me.

80.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Who is that?

IRVING ROSENFELD

(into the phone)

Look, I told you, for God's sake, I

told you not to call here.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

What is that about?

RICHIE DIMASO:

(on phone)

Two more federal agents tonight,

OK?

Ros leaves the room.

IRVING ROSENFELD

No way.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Yes. They're bodyguards for the

Sheik.

IRVING ROSENFELD

That’s too many people for me to

control, no.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Look. I'm in charge here, alright?

Just do it.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Rosalyn, get off the extension!

PAN TO:

REVEAL ROSALYN IN KITCHEN LISTENING ON THE PHONE.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

(hangs up)

I’m not on it!

But she was on it. She heard.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Look, don't call here again,

alright? Don't call at home.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Alright?

81.

IRVING ROSENFELD

OK.

RICHIE DIMASO:

Good night.

He HANGS UP and walks into the kitchen. Rosalyn looks at him.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Federal agents?

IRVING ROSENFELD

It's bodyguards for the visiting

dignitary, that's all.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

What is it, an I.R.S. thing? Like

a tax investigation?

IRVING ROSENFELD

Why you gotta say that? I mean,

that's why I can't invite you.

It's too complicated. Listen, come

on.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Are you in trouble?

IRVING ROSENFELD

Look, stop being so nosy.

Irving opens the fridge which is a mess.

IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT’D)

Look at this sh*t.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

I'm only nosy cause you never tell

me anything.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Can we clean up this fridge? I

mean, what are you causing trouble

for all the time?

PHONE RINGS AGAIN.

IRVING ROSENFELD (CONT’D)

DO NOT ANSWER THAT-

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

(picks up phone)

HEL-LO- Oh, hi, Carmine. We were

just talking about you.

(MORE)

82.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD (CONT'D)

Irving's being a mean, boring man

saying that he doesn't want me to

come tonight.

CARMINE POLITO:

(on phone)Tell him he's crazy!

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Well, I agree. Want to tell him

yourself?

IRVING ROSENFELD

Gimme the phone, come on.

CARMINE POLITO:

It wouldn't be a party without you!

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Can you imagine? Tell him yourself.

She hands the phone to a very exasperated, anxious, Irv.

IRVING ROSENFELD

(into telephone) Hey, Carmie.

CARMINE POLITO:

Irving, you're crazy! Your wife is

coming, you kidding me? She's the

life of the party! Everybody loves

her.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

I’m the life of the party!

IRVING ROSENFELD

(confidential into phone)

Look, you know what she's like.

She's unpredictable. She's just

always -

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Hey, don’t talk about me like that!

What’s Carmine saying?

IRVING ROSENFELD

I can’t hear what he’s saying.

CARMINE POLITO:

Listen, Irving, it's very important

that she come, you understand?

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Carmine loves me.

83.

CARMINE POLITO:

(on phone)

This is a really big night for us,

you understand? Come on, you gotta

bring your wife. And Dolly's got

somethin' special for her.

Dolly is getting dressed for the party in the background.

DOLLY POLITO:

Tell her I got the nail polish for

her.

CARMINE POLITO:

See? Listen!

DOLLY POLITO:

(raising her voice to phone) I got

your nail polish for you, sweetie!

CARMINE POLITO:

You see? Somethin' special for

you. What is it? Tell me. I mean,

(lowers his voice, conspiratorial)

What is it, you got a girlfriend

coming? Come on, I thought we were

friends. You're not gonna tell me

you got a girlfriend? This is

ridiculous.

IRVING ROSENFELD

No, it's just Rosalyn’s

unpredictable.

CARMINE POLITO:

Look, we're gonna handle this like

men, you understand? You're

bringing your wife. We're gonna

have a good time. That's an order

from the Mayor. Good-bye.

IRVING ROSENFELD

(to Rosalyn) Alright, you happy?

Go get ready.

Irv hangs up and exits the kitchen.

ROSALYN ROSENFELD

Yes, I am happy.

84.

119 INT. IRV’S CADILLAC - DUSK 119

Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” plays on the

soundtrack as Irv drives: tinted glasses, large comb over,

blue crushed velvet suit, dark tie -- PAN TO:

VISOR MIRROR -- WHERE Rosalyn APPLIES MASCARA --

SMASH TO:

120 EXT. GRAND OLD ATLANTIC CITY HOTEL - NIGHT 120

Elton John continues as Carmine LIGHTS A CIGARETTE in a two-

toned GRAY AND BLACK TUXEDO, at the center of a haphazard redcarpet situation in front of a has-been beach resort -- largeold movie premiere spotlights rotate onto the facade in anassorted CROWD OF LOCALS some dressed up JULIUS,

CARMINE, TITO, MELORA (Carmine’s STEADFAST AIDES)

son DOMINIC, daughter LUCILLE, wife Dolly, assorted COPS,

FIREMEN IN FORMAL UNIFORMS WHITE GLOVES, UNION GUYS in suits,

fringe the area. Carmine ’s family is dressed up.

IRV’S CAR PULLS UP AND A FAT VALET IN RED OPENS DOOR. ROSALYN

GETS OUT IN HER WHITE DRESS --

DOLLY HANDS ROSALYN A TINY SHOPPING BAG WITH SWISS NAIL

PRODUCTS. ROSALYN OPENS A LITTLE BOTTLE OF NAIL FINISH AND

SHRIEKS IN ECSTACY.

Greets everyone.

LIMO PULLS UP:
FLASHBULBS GO OFF -- SUDDENLY THE SPOT LIGHT

JAMS WITH GRINDING SOUND, LAMP EXPLODES IN SMOKE --

THROUGH THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE STEPS: Richie IN A WHITE

SUIT, Edith stunning SILVER METALLIC Halston dress, WHITE FURCOAT -THE

SHEIK STEPS OUT OF HIS LIMO, IN A BLACK FORMAL ARAB

DRESS, WITH AN ARABIC OR HISPANIC LOOKING FBI AGENT WE SAW ON

THE PLANE DRESSED AS HIS BODY GUARD IN BLACK WITH BLACK

SUNGLASSES.

ACROSS THE RED CARPET -- ROSALYN AND SYDNEY SEE EACH OTHER

FOR ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES -- LOCK EYES. ROSALYN HUGS IRV’S

ARM -ROSALYN

ROSENFELD:

(to Edith, glaring)

I know who you are.

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