Citizen Kane Page #9

In the same position of the last word in above Insert, appears

the tiny figure of Charles Foster Kane, aged five (almost like

an animated cartoon). He is in the act of throwing a snowball

at the camera. It sails toward us and over our heads, out of

scene.

Reverse angle - on the house featuring a large sign reading:

MRS. KANE'S BOARDINGHOUSE

HIGH CLASS MEALS AND LODGING

INQUIRE WITHIN:

Charles Kane's snowball hits the sign.

INT. PARLOR - MRS. KANE'S BOARDINGHOUSE - DAY -

Camera is angling through the window, but the window-frame is

not cut into scene. We see only the field of snow again, same

angle as in previous scene. Charles is manufacturing another

snowball. Now -

Camera pulls back, the frame of the window appearing, and we

are inside the parlor of the boardinghouse. Mrs. Kane, aged

about 28, is looking out towards her son. Just as we take her

in she speaks:

MRS. KANE

(calling out)

Be careful, Charles!

THATCHER'S VOICE

Mrs. Kane -

MRS. KANE

(Calling out the

window almost on

top of this)

Pull your muffler around your neck,

Charles -

But Charles, deliriously happy in the snow, is oblivious to

this and is running away. Mrs. Kane turns into camera and we

see her face - a strong face, worn and kind.

THATCHER'S VOICE

think we'll have to tell him now -

Camera now pulls back further, showing Thatcher standing before

a table on which is his stove-pipe hat and an imposing

multiplicity of official-looking documents. He is 26 and, as

might be expected, a very stuffy young man, already very

expensive and conservative looking, even in Colorado.

MRS. KANE

I'll sign those papers -

KANE SR.

You people seem to forget that I'm

the boy's father.

At the sound of Kane Sr.'s voice, both have turned to him and

the camera pulls back still further, taking him in.

Kane Sr., who is the assistant curator in a livery stable, has

been groomed as elegantly as is likely for this meeting ever

since daybreak.

From outside the window can be heard faintly the wild and

cheerful cries of the boy, blissfully cavorting in the snow.

MRS. KANE

It's going to be done exactly the

way I've told Mr. Thatcher -

KANE SR.

If I want to, I can go to court.

father has a right to -

THATCHER:

(annoyed)

Mr. Kane, the certificates that

Mr. Graves left here are made out

to Mrs. Kane, in her name. Hers

to do with as she pleases -

KANE SR.

Well, I don't hold with signing my

boy away to any bank as guardian

just because -

MRS. KANE

(quietly)

I want you to stop all this

nonsense, Jim.

THATCHER:

The Bank's decision in all matters

concerning his education, his place

of residence and similar subjects

will be final.

(clears his throat)

KANE SR.

The idea of a bank being the

guardian -

Mrs. Kane has met his eye. Her triumph over him finds

expression in his failure to finish his sentence.

MRS. KANE

(even more quietly)

I want you to stop all this

nonsense, Jim.

THATCHER:

We will assume full management of

the Colorado Lode - of which you,

Mrs. Kane, are the sole owner.

Kane Sr. opens his mouth once or twice, as if to say something,

but chokes down his opinion.

MRS. KANE

(has been reading

past Thatcher's

shoulder as he

talked)

Where do I sign, Mr. Thatcher?

THATCHER:

Right here, Mrs. Kane.

KANE SR.

(sulkily)

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Mrs. Kane lifts the quill pen.

KANE SR.

Mary, I'm asking you for the last

time - anyon'd think I hadn't been

a good husband and a -

Mrs. Kane looks at him slowly. He stops his speech.

THATCHER:

The sum of fifty thousand dollars

a year is to be paid to yourself

and Mr. Kane as long as you both

live, and thereafter the survivor -

Mrs. Kane puts pen to the paper and signs.

KANE SR.

Well, let's hope it's all for the

best.

MRS. KANE

It is. Go on, Mr. Thatcher -

Mrs. Kane, listening to Thatcher, of course has had her other

ear bent in the direction of the boy's voice. Thatcher is

aware both of the boy's voice, which is counter to his own,

and of Mrs. Kane's divided attention. As he pauses, Kane Sr.

genteelly walks over to close the window.

EXT. MRS. KANE'S BOARDINGHOUSE - DAY -

Kane Jr., seen from Kane Sr.'s position at the window. He is

advancing on the snowman, snowballs in his hands, dropping to

one knee the better to confound his adversary.

Rate this script:2.5 / 6 votes