Brazil Page #8

As SAM begins to strap on the weapon the GENT brings out a

cape.

GENT:

And this. completes the outfit.

He puts the cape around SAM's shoulders and helps him step

into the drawer. A moment's hesitation and then SAM outs

the helmet on and lies down in the drawer. It fits just

like a coffin.. As he lies back the GENT pushes the drawer

in.

GENT:

It won't be pleasant but, trust me.

As the drawer is pushed in SAM suffers a sudden bout of

claustrophobia. Looking up at the diministing opening he

is surprised to see - not the face of the JOLLY GENT - but

a terrifying SAMURAI WARRIOR's masked helmet. SAM

struggles to prevent the drawer being closed.

32 INT. SAM'S FLATNIGHT 32

SAM is grabbing the walls of the fridge. Water from the

defrosted freezer compartment drips on his head. He wakes

up. Before he can really take in where he is the phone

rings. He staggers over to it.

SAM:

Hello ... hello ...

PHONE VOICE:

Hello. Mr Lowry?

SAM:

Who's that?

(pause)

A sound at the kitchen door turns SAM's head - and ours -

just in time to half see a quick blurred movement, but

then a rapid voice in his ear-piece brings his head back.

PHONE VOICE:

Put the phone down and your hands up.

SAM:

(into the phone)

What? Who is this?

SAM realises that the voice is also in the room behind

him. He turns round and sees TUTTLE. TUTTLE is middle-

aged, a short tough figure dressed in dark clothes

suggesting a cross between a cat burglar and a night-raid

commando. In one hand he holds a gun pointed at SAM. The

other hand is holding a telephone receiver which TUTTLE is

in the act of placing in the large capacious bag at his

feet. SAM puts down his phone, and his hands up.

TUTTLE:

Nice and easy now. Keep your hands

where I can see them.

SAM:

What is this?

(indignantly)

Who the hell are you?

TUTTLE, keeping the gun on SAM, goes to different doors,

leaning backwards into bedroom, bathroom and closet.

TUTTLE suddenly relaxes and pockets his gun.

TUTTLE:

Harry Tuttle. Heating engineer. At

your service.

SAM:

Tuttle! Are you from Central

Services?

TUTTLE:

Ha!!

SAM:

But ... I called Central Services.

TUTTLE:

They're a bit overworked these days.

Luckily I intercepted your call.

SAM:

What?

By now, BOTH are pouring with sweat.

TUTTLE heads across the room and swiftly begins to undo a

wall panel.

SAM:

Wait a minute, what was that business

with the gun?

TUTTLE hands SAM the panel and plunges his arm into the

space behind it.

TUTTLE:

A little precaution, sir. I've had

traps set for me before now. There

are people in Central Services who'd

love to get their hands on Harry

Tuttle.

SAM:

Are you saying this is illegal?

By now TUTTLE has managed to pull out some sections of

flexible ducting from the welter of mechanical offal

behind the removed panel. It is all very complicated and

greasy and it looks as though there is a lot more where

that came from. TUTTLE is amazingly neat and deft as he

works. A real pro. As he works he hums a wee tune ... yes

... BRAZIL!!

TUTTLE:

Well, yes ... and no. Officially,

only Central Service operatives are

supposed to touch this stuff ...

Could you hold these.

TUTTLE:

(he hands Sam a bunch of

wires that he has detached)

... but, with all the new rules and

regulations ... unncgh, c'mon, c'mon

... they can't get decent staff any

more ... so ... they tend to turn a

blind eye ... as long as I'm careful.

(he hands Sam a torch)

... Mind you, if ever they could

prove I'd been working on their

equipment ... well, that's a

different matter ... up a bit with

the torch, sir.

SAM:

Sorry. wouldn't it be easier just to

work for Central Services?

TUTTLE:

Couldn't stand the pa - ah - we're

getting warm -

SAM:

The pace?

TUTTLE:

The paperwork, couldn't stand the

paperwork.

(indicating the torch)

Over to the left please, if you don't

mind sir. Hold it there. Yes, there's

more bits of paper in Central

Services than bits of pipe - read

this, fill in that, hand in the other

- listen, this old system of yours

could be on fire and I couldn't even

turn on the kitchen tap without

filling in a 27B/6.... Bloody

paperwork.

SAM:

(mildly)

Well I suppose one has to expect a

certain amount

TUTTLE:

Why? I came into this game for

adventure - go anywhere, travel

light, get in, get out, wherever

there's trouble, a man alone. Now

they've got the whole country

sectioned of and you can't move

without a form. I'm the last of a

breed. Ah ha! Found it!

(he holds up a small

charred gadget)

There's your problem.

SAM:

Can you fix it?

TUTTLE:

No. But I can bypass it with one of

these

He pulls another gadget from his bag.

SAM:

Fine.

The door bell. TUTTLE grabs for his gun.

TUTTLE:

Are you expecting anyone?

SAM:

No. Wait here.

He goes out closing the immediate door and goes to the

front door which he opens. He is confronted by two

officious little men in boiler suits who are standing

outside his door. Their names are SPOOR and DOWSER. DOWSER

is SPOOR's echo.

SAM:

Yes?

SPOOR:

Central Services.

DOWSER:

...ervices.

SAM:

Uh - what? - I ...

SPOOR:

You telephone, sir.

DOWSER:

...elephoned sir.

SPOOR:

Trouble with your air-conditioning.

DOWSER:

...ditioning.

SAM:

(gulps)

No, not at all. I mean, it's all

right. It's fixed.

SPOOR:

Fixed?

DOWSER:

Fixed?

They don't like that.

SAM:

I mean it fixed itself.

SPOOR:

Fixed itself.

DOWSER:

...ixed itself.

SPOOR:

Machines don't fix themselves.

DOWSER:

... fix themselves.

SPOOR:

He's tampered with it, Dowser.

DOWSER:

...ampered. with it, Spoor.

SAM:

Look, I'm sorry about your wasted

journey

SAM tries to close the door but SPOOR prevents this.

SPOOR:

(to Dowser)

I think we'd better have a look.

DOWSER:

... have a look.

SAM:

No you can't.

He is pushed aside. SPOOR followed by DOWSER, heads for

the door behind which is MR TUTTLE. SAM is paralysed.

SPOOR approaches the door as if it is dangerous. He turns

the handle quietly and gives the door a little nudge. The

door begins to swing slowly open. SAM suddenly finds

inspiration.

SAM:

Just a minute!

SPOOR and DOWSER turn round as the door continues to swing

open. When the door is open, behind their backs TUTTLE is

seen holding his pistol in a two-handed grip, his knees

slightly bent. TUTTLE freezes like that, pointing his

pistol through the open door.

SAM:

Have you got a 27B/6?

DOWSER looks very angry. Veins stand out on his forehead

and he goes into what looks like some sort of fit. SPOOR

knocks him to the ground.

SPOOR:

(to Sam)

Now look what you've done to him.

SAM:

Have you got one or haven't you?

SPOOR:

Not ... as such ...

DOWSER moans and begins to get back on his feet.

SPOOR:

But we can get one.

SPOOR:

(worried about Dowser)

It's all right, Terry, it's all

right, everything's all right.

SAM:

(ushering them to the door)

I'm sorry, but I'm a bit of a

stickler for paper work. Where would

we be if we didn't follow the correct

procedures?

SPOOR:

We'll be back.

DOWSER:

...Be back.

SAM:

(Closing the door on them)

Thank you.

SAM turns back to TUTTLE who is coming forward pocketing

his gun.

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