Being There Page #2

15INT. TOWNHOUSE - FRONT HALLWAY - DAY

A key is heard in the lock. The door opens and THOMAS

FRANKLIN and SALLY HAYES enter. Franklin, an attorney, is

in his late thirties, carries a large breifcase. Hayes is

younger, attractive, also an attorney. She totes a brief-

case, has the look of a modern woman.

FRANKLIN:

(as they enter)

He and my father used to ride to-

gether back in the thirties...

Fox hunting... Before I was born...

HAYES:

(looking around)

Will you give me a tour?

FRANKLIN:

Gladly...

(he smiles)

...The safe is in Mr. Jenning's

bedroom, that'll be stop number

one.

Franklin puts a hand on Hayes' shoulder as they go toward

the stairway. Suddenly, they stop, listen to the off-

stage TV.

16INT. TOWNHOUSE DINING ROOM - DAY

Chance still watches TV as Franklin and Hayes appear in

the doorway. They are surprised to see Chance.

FRANKLIN:

...Why...Hello, we thought we

heard something...

(moves to Chance,

hand outstretched)

...I'm Thomas Franklin.

Chance remains seated, takes Franklin's hand warmly in

both of his like the President did on TV.

CHANCE:

Hello, Thomas...I'm Chance,

the gardener.

FRANKLIN:

(a beat)

...The gardener?

(thinks it's a joke,

laughs)

...Yes, of course...Mr. Chance,

this is Ms. Hayes.

Hayes moves to shake Chance's hand.

HAYES:

Mr. Chance, I'm very pleased to

meet you.

CHANCE:

(doesn't rise,

again shakes with

both hands)

Yes.

Chance turns back to the TV. Hayes and Franklin ex-

change looks, there is an uneasy pause.

FRANKLIN:

We're with Franklin, Jennings

and Roberts, the law firm handling

the estate.

CHANCE:

(a smile, totally

at ease)

Yes, Thomas - I understand.

FRANKLIN:

...Are you waiting for someone?

An appointment?

CHANCE:

I'm waiting for my lunch.

FRANKLIN:

Your lunch? You have a luncheon

appointment here?

CHANCE:

Louise will bring my lunch.

FRANKLIN:

Louise?... The maid?...

(a look to Hayes)

But she should have left earlier

today...

CHANCE:

(smiles at Hayes)

I see...

FRANKLIN:

(a beat)

All kidding aside, Mr. Chance,

may I ask just what you are doing

here?

CHANCE:

I live here.

Franklin stares at Chance as Hayes unzips her briefcase.

17EXT. GARDEN - AFTERNOON

Chance talks to Franklin as Hayes quickly checks through

some paperwork.

CHANCE:

The Old Man himself used to

visit my garden. He would

read and rest here.

FRANKLIN:

Come now, the deceased...

(catches himself)

Mr. Jennings was bedridden for

at least the last thirty-five

years, since he fractured his

spine.

CHANCE:

Yes, Thomas. Then he stopped

visiting my garden.

(points to a small

area)

I planted a lot of tulips right

there. I like to watch them

grow.

HAYES:

(looking up

from papers)

There is no mention of a gardener.

In fact, according to our inven-

tories, there hasn't been a man

employed here since 1933...except

for a Mr. Joe Saracini, a brick

mason, who did some repairs to a

wall. He was here for two-and-a-

half days in 1952.

CHANCE:

Yes, I remember Joe. He was very

fat and had short hair and showed

me pictures from a funny little

book.

HAYES:

...Some pictures?

CHANCE:

Yes. Of men and women.

HAYES:

...Oh.

FRANKLIN:

Just how long have you been

living here, Mr. Chance?

CHANCE:

Ever since I can remember, since

I was a child. I have always

worked in the garden.

HAYES:

...The you really are a

gardener?

CHANCE:

Yes.

(again points off)

...My roses...

FRANKLIN:

...We will need some proof of

your having resided here, Mr.

Chance.

CHANCE:

You have me, I am here. What

more proof do you need?

(he starts toward

rear building, points

off)

That's where Joe fixed the wall.

FRANKLIN:

(starts after Chance)

Are you related to the deceased,

Mr. Chance?

CHANCE:

No. I don't think so.

(looks back to garden)

In the springtime, you will be

able to see my flowers.

Chance goes into the garage. A perplexed Franklin and

Hayes follow.

18INT. GARAGE - AFTERNOON

Chance enters, Franklin and Hayes close behind.

FRANKLIN:

(looking at limo)

That's a nice car. Do you drive

it, Mr. Chance?

CHANCE:

I've never been in an automobile.

HAYES:

You've never been in a car?

CHANCE:

Oh, no. I've never been allowed

outside of the house.

19INT. CHANCE'S ROOM - AFTERNOON

Chance turns on the TV as Hayes and Franklin inspect the

room.

CHANCE:

I used to listen to the radio,

then the Old Man started giving

me television sets, this one

has a remote control...I like to watch...

(motions to bed)

You see? This is my bed...

(to closet)

...This is my closet...

(to bathroom)

...This is my bathroom...

HAYES:

(goes to closet)

You have a very handsome ward-

robe, Mr. Chance.

CHANCE:

Yes. I am allowed to go to

the attic and use the Old Man's

clothes. They all fit me very

well.

HAYES:

It is amazing how these clothes

have come back into style.

FRANKLIN:

Could you show us something with

your address? A driver's license,

a checkbook? Anything to show

that you were employed here?

CHANCE:

I don't have any of those things.

HAYES:

How about a birth certificate?

CHANCE:

Oh, no.

FRANKLIN:

What are your plans now, Mr.

Chance?

CHANCE:

My plans are to work in my

garden.

HAYES:

How much money did Mr. Jennings

pay you for your work?

CHANCE:

Pay me?...Why nothing. I've

never needed money.

FRANKLIN:

Mr. Chance, I would like to know

what sort of claim you are plan-

ning to make against the deceased's

estate.

CHANCE:

I'm fine, Thomas. The garden is

a healthy one. There is no need

for a claim.

FRANKLIN:

I see. Would you be willing to sign

a paper to that effect?

CHANCE:

No, Thomas. I don't know how to

sign.

FRANKLIN:

Come now, Mr. Chance.

CHANCE:

(smiles)

I have no claim, Thomas.

FRANKLIN:

But you won't sign, correct?

CHANCE:

Yes, correct, thank you.

FRANKLIN:

Very well, Mr. Chance. I have

no alternative but to inform

you that this house is now

closed. If indeed, you have

resided here, you have no legal

right to remain. You will have

to move out.

CHANCE:

Move out? I don't understand,

Thomas.

FRANKLIN:

I think you do, Mr. Chance.

However, I will reiterate. This

house is closed and you must

leave - by, let's say - noon

tomorrow.

(he gives Chance

his business card)

Call me if you change your mind

about signing.

(turns to Hayes)

C'mon, Sally - let's grab a bite...

HAYES:

(stops by the door)

What about medical records? Could

you gives us the name of your

doctor? Or your dentist?

CHANCE:

I have no need for a doctor or

dentist. I have never been ill.

HAYES:

(a smile to Chance)

I see...Well, good day, Mr. Chance.

CHANCE:

(returns smile)

Good day, Sally.

Chance watches as they leave, then puts Franklin's card

on a desk without ever looking at it and turns to stare

at television.

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