Battle of the Sexes Page #2

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BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16 6-7

BOBBY RIGGS (CONT’D)

We’re dead men walking, right? I

mean, look at us!

BOBBY RIGGS (CONT’D)

We’re dead men walking, right? I

mean, look at us!

This is taking a surprising turn. Even Bobby is cheering up.

BOBBY RIGGS (CONT’D)

Heads up, fellas, we can turn this

around, we can get back in the

game, we will get back in the

game...

Everyone’s listening now. This isn’t the inspirational speechthey were expecting, but they like it.

GAMBLERS ANON LEADER

I’m not sure that-

BOBBY RIGGS:

I play a bit of cards, but sports

is my bag:
tennis, golf, shooting

hoops, whatever it is, there’s a

bet to made. And if there isn’t I

don’t get out of bed. I hear you

guys yammering on, and I realized.

I see the problem. What you gotta

do is get yourselves a thing.

GAMBLER:

A thing?

BOBBY RIGGS:

Yeah, a thing! An edge, an angle,

the inside track, the sniff in the

wind, the thing that turns you from

a gambler to a hustler, from a

loser to a winner. A thing!

GAMBLERS ANON LEADER

This is not what we should be

talking about here.

BOBBY RIGGS:

Why do you want to stop us doing

the one thing we really love?

The Leader is nonplussed.

BOBBY RIGGS (CONT’D)

Sir, all they gotta do is learn to

do it better. Now, who’s dealing?

He throws a pack of cards on the table, rolls up his sleeves.

BOBBY RIGGS (CONT’D)

Isn’t this fun?

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16 6-7A

7 INT. NEW YORK HOTEL ROOM -- BEDROOM/BATHROOM. EVENING. 7

A silver trophy on the bedside table, surrounded by dozens ofFLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. Billie Jean’s husband LARRY KING (28,

tall, immaculately dressed) reads the cards that came withthe flowers. Billie Jean is out of sight in the bathroom.

LARRY:

Flowers from your parents! We

should have them over when we get

back to California. A home-cooked

meal, wouldn’t that be something?

Billie Jean?

In the bathroom, in a long evening gown, Billie Jean isputting on earrings. She is lost in her own thoughts.

LARRY (CONT’D)

We should go. Car’s here. Billie?

He goes into the bathroom. Billie-Jean is just staring.

LARRY (CONT’D)

Billie.

BILLIE JEAN:

Can we not go?

LARRY:

Not go? You’re the champ, honey.

You’re guest of honor!

Then he sees that she’s serious.

LARRY (CONT’D)

What’s wrong?

BILLIE JEAN:

It isn’t working, Larry.

LARRY:

What isn’t?

BILLIE JEAN:

You and me. Us. Being married.

We’re never in the same place at

the same time and when we are, we

don’t make each other happy.

LARRY:

I’m happy. And if there’s more I

can do to make you happy, tell me.

BILLIE JEAN:

It’s not you, Larry. You know it’s

not.

Larry comes up to her and takes the necklace from her. Startsto put it on.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16 6-7B

LARRY:

We’ve had our moments- which

marriage doesn’t- but we’ve got

through them before and we’ll get

through them again.

The necklace is tied.

LARRY (CONT’D)

There. You look beautiful. A bit

tired maybe which is hardly asurprise. Stop winning everything,

honey.

A weary smile from Billie.

LARRY (CONT’D)

Tomorrow you’re staying in bed and

I’m doing everything, okay?

BILLIE JEAN:

Thank you. You’re a good man, LarryKing.

He offers her his hand.

LARRY:

Come on. They can’t start thedancing without you.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16

8

8 INT. FOREST HILLS CLUB -- BALL ROOM. EVENING. 8

The Tournament Ball. Larry and Billie Jean alone on the dancefloor, waltzing elegantly-the perfect, happy couple. Theyare surrounded by hundreds of people in evening dress, all ofwhom applaud as the song comes to an end. Larry kisses BillieJean and welcomes the rest of the party-goers to join them onthe floor.

GLADYS HELDMAN, a feisty forty-year old marches onto thefloor, interrupting Billie and Larry.

GLADYS:

Have you seen this??

BILLIE JEAN:

Hey, Gladys.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16

9

LARRY:

You want a dance?

GLADYS:

I want a gun. They’ve just snuck

out this press release, the lowlifes.

Gladys waves a piece of paper in front of Billie. Billiegrabs it. Reads.

LARRY:

Which low-lifes?

GLADYS:

Our so-called friends, the United

States Lawn Tennis Association.

Gladys jabs a finger at one particular line. Billie Jean’s

eyes widen.

BILLIE JEAN:

What?! This is outrageous.

GLADYS:

It’s got Jack Kramer’s fingerprints

all over it.

BILLIE JEAN:

Absolutely right. And I know wherehe’s hiding. Come on, Gladys.

She grabs Gladys and they march off the dance floor.

LARRY:

Good luck!

8A INT. FOREST HILL COUNTRY CLUB -- DINING ROOM. NIGHT. 8A

Gladys and Billie Jean walk between the tables.

GLADYS:

It’s a slap in the face, that’s

what this is.

BILLIE JEAN:

Slap on the wrist, more like. Howdare we girls do so well?! Betterput us in our place!

GLADYS:

We can’t let them get away with it.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16

10

9 INT. FOREST HILLS CLUB -- LIBRARY. EVENING. 9

JACK KRAMER and BOB SANDERS are sitting in club chairs,

relaxing. DANA, a young waitress, hands them whiskies.

JACK KRAMER:

Thank you, honey.

DANA:

Sure, Mister Kramer.

He follows the rear view with his eyes as she goes.

Gladys and Billie Jean come marching in.

GLADYS:

Surprised in their lair.

JACK KRAMER:

An unexpected pleasure, ladies. Youboth look sensational, if I may

say.

GLADYS:

You may not.

BOB SANDERS:

You’re not supposed to be in here,

you know-

GLADYS:

- because I’m a woman or a Jew?

JACK KRAMER:

Oh, we have a Jewish member now.

Don’t we, Bob?

BOB SANDERS:

One black member as well.

GLADYS:

Progress!

BILLIE JEAN:

But no women.

BOB SANDERS:

Not as yet, no.

Jack pats a seat for Gladys, oblivious to the daggers shothis way.

JACK KRAMER:

What can we do for you ladies?

Glass of something?

BATTLE OF THE SEXES -Simon Work File -4/7/16

11

Gladys sits, gets out a cigarette. Bob leans forward to lightit. She pointedly lights it herself.

GLADYS:

I always find it’s best to be clearbefore committing cold-bloodedmurder, so, to clarify: the PacificSouthwest Tournament press release.

She bangs the offending piece of paper down on the coffeetable, rattling the china.

JACK KRAMER:

Ah. Yes.

BILLIE JEAN:

It says you’re offering twelve

thousand dollars to the men’s

winner and one thousand five

hundred dollars to the women’s.

GLADYS:

That’s either a misprint or aprovocation. I might get off withmanslaughter.

JACK KRAMER:

No, those are the terms.

BOB SANDERS:

The men’s prize has to be that highto attract the best players. We’re

trying to make this the mostprestigious tournament in America.

GLADYS:

And paying the women players lessthan ever makes it more

prestigious. Aha. I get it. I see

the logic. Hallelujah, my eyes havebeen opened.

BILLIE JEAN:

-Gladys.

Said quietly but firmly. Everybody takes notice.

GLADYS:

You’re lucky she’s here. She’s like

the bomb disposal squad-

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