Being There Page #4

CHANCE:

(looks over, smiles)

There's no need for police, it's

just my leg.

During this, the rear door of the limo opens and EVE RAND

steps out. Eve is in her mid-thirties, and is rich.

She is not pleased with this inconvenience

JEFFREY:

Let's have a look, do you mind?

CHANCE:

Of course. I would like to look.

Chance bends, raises his trouser leg. A red-bluish swollen

bruise is forming on his calf. Eve moves closer, looks at

the bruise.

EVE:

(to Chance)

...Won't you let us do something

for you? Your leg should be

examined, we could take you to a

hospital.

CHANCE:

(smiles at Eve)

There's no need for a hospital.

EVE:

Why, there certainly is. You

must see a doctor, I insist on

it. Please, let us take you.

Eve turns to get back in the limo. David goes with her

to hold the door.

DAVID:

I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Rand,

I never saw the man.

EVE:

Oh, I don't think it was anyone's

fault, David.

DAVID:

Thank you, ma'am.

Jeffrey holds the door open but Chance is hesitant about

getting in the car.

CHANCE:

I've never ridden in an auto-

mobile.

JEFFREY:

(a beat)

I assure you, sir, David is a

very careful driver.

CHANCE:

(looks at the car,

then decides)

...Yes. You can take me.

JEFFREY:

(as Chance gets in)

Very good.

Jeffrey closes the door, goes back to pick up Chance's

suitcase and umbrella but does not notice the remote

control. As Jeffrey puts Chance's bag into the trunk, we

see the personalized license plate "Rand 1."

33INT. LIMOUSINE MOVING THROUGH TOWN - EVENING

Chance and Eve are settled in the back seat. As they talk,

Chance is experiencing his first ride in a car.

EVE:

I hope you're comfortable.

CHANCE:

Yes, I am.

EVE:

These situations can be so

trying - everybody seems to

make such a todo over a

simple little accident...

(eyes Chance)

...the insurance, police, the

news and all... Is your leg

feeling any better?

CHANCE:

No, it isn't.

EVE:

I see.

Chance looks out the window at passing cars.

CHANCE:

It looks very much like television

but you can see further.

EVE:

(not hearing him)

Say - if you came to our house,

we could take care of you there.

CHANCE:

Your house?

EVE:

Yes. My husband has been very

ill. His doctor and nurses are

staying with us. Those hospitals

can be so impersonal - why, it

might be hours before you are

treated...

CHANCE:

I agree.

EVE:

Fine, it will save a lot of un-

necessary fuss and it will be

so much more pleasant for you...

(leans forward)

David, we'll just go on home.

Jeffrey, would you call and let

them know?

JEFFREY:

Yes ma'am.

Jeffrey closes the glass between them, then dials the

limo telephone.

There is a moment of silence. Eve, a bit uncomfortable,

presses a button. The limo's bar moves out, revealing a

row of decanters and glasses.

EVE:

Would you care for a drink?

CHANCE:

Yes. Thank you. I am very

thirsty.

As Eve pours cognac into a monogrammed crystal glass,

Chance notices the limo's TV set.

CHANCE:

I would like to watch television.

EVE:

(a bit surprised)

Oh? Certainly...

She hands Chance the cognac, turns on the TV.

EVE:

May I ask your name?

Chance takes a sip of the cognac, is not accustomed

to alcohol, coughs.

CHANCE:

(with a slight cough)

My name is Chance.

EVE:

Pardon me, was that Mr. Chance?

CHANCE:

No, I'm a gardener.

EVE:

Oh... Mr. Gardiner... Mr.

Chauncey Gardiner... You're not

related to Basil and Perdita

Gardiner are you?

CHANCE:

No... I'm not related to

Basil and Perdita.

EVE:

Oh. Well, they're just a wonderful

couple, we've been friends for

years. We visit their island quite

often.

Chance suddenly starts going through his pockets, searching.

EVE:

Did you lose something?

CHANCE:

Yes. I lost my remote control.

EVE:

Oh... Well, I'm very sorry...

Another pause, Chance reaches out, changes channels on TV.

34EXT. HIGHWAY - WOODED AREA - NIGHT

The limo approaches, then turns into the entranceway of

the Rand Estate. Two guards stand on either side of the

open gate, salute as the car passes through.

35INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT

As Eve speaks, Chance is glued to the TV, switches

channels to the news.

EVE:

Is there anything special you

like to watch?

CHANCE:

I like to watch. This is fine.

EVE:

I know it's very mportant to

stay informed of all the

latest events, but I find

there is so much to assimilate

that it can become quite

muddling at times...

Chance nods, changes the channel, watches a Mighty Mouse

cartoon. Eve takes it for a small joke and smiles

patronizingly.

36EXT. RAND MANSION - NIGHT

At least three uniformed people, two valets, WILSON and

PERKINS, and LEWIS, the Doorman, are waiting at the front

of the Rand Mansion as the limousine arrives. There is

a general hubbub as the three of them, along with Jeffrey,

help Chance into a wheelchair.

37INT. RAND MANSION - FRONT HALLWAY - NIGHT

As the group comes through the front doors, Wilson is

wheeling Chance. A uniformed woman, GRETA, is waiting

to take Eve's coat.

EVE:

(to Wilson)

You take Mr. Gardiner to the

third floor guest suite.

EVE:

(to Chance)

I'll see you after Dr. Allenby

has a look at your leg.

CHANCE:

Yes, I think he should examine

my leg.

Eve heads off partially revealing a remarkable and large

place to live in as Wilson wheels Chance into the elevator.

38INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

As the door closes on them, Chance looks to Wilson.

CHANCE:

...I've never been in one of

these.

Wilson thinks that Chance is talking about the wheelchair.

WILSON:

It's one of Mr. Rand's. Since

he's been ill...

CHANCE:

(looks around elevator)

Does it have a television?

WILSON:

(laughs)

No - but Mr. Rand does have one

with an electric motor, that way

he can get around by himself.

CHANCE:

I see.

Chance again checks out the elevator.

CHANCE:

How long do we stay in here?

WILSON:

How long? I don't know, see

what the doctor says...

The elevator stops on the third floor.

39INT. RAND MANSION - PALM COURT - NIGHT

Eve is talking to ROBERT ALLENBY. He is in his late

fifties and has been Benjamin Rand's doctor for years.

EVE:

I pray that I did the right

thing, Robert. I didn't want

to take the risk of any

publicity, especially with

Benjamin being so ill.

ALLENBY:

I'm sure you did, EVE. But

let's just hope he's not one

of those opportunists that try

and make a fortune out of every

little bruise.

EVE:

Well, I'm sure we could make a

settlement if we had to, but

I'd rather not - find out what

you can, I'm going to change.

ALLENBY:

(as she goes)

Ben's been asking about you...

EVE:

(over her shoulder)

I'll see him soon.

Allenby watches after her for a beat, then turns, goes

off in the other direction.

40INT. GUEST SUITE - NIGHT

An enormous bedroom, filled with 18th Century antique

furniture. Allenby dabs Chance's ass with a piece of

cotton soaked in alcohol, prior to an injection. Chance

stands with his pants to the floor, looks to the tele-

vision which is not turned on.

ALLENBY:

This will ease the pain and

swelling, Mr. Gardiner.

CHANCE:

I understand. I've seen it

done before.

ALLENBY:

Now, you'll barely feel this.

It won't hurt at all.

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