Double Indemnity Page #9

NEFF:

I suppose you realize, Mr.

Dietrichson, that, not being an

employee, you are not covered by the

State Compensation Insurance Act.

The only way you can protect yourself

is by having a personal policy of

your own.

DIETRICHSON:

I know all about that. The next thing

you'll tell me I need earthquake

insurance and lightning insurance

and hail insurance.

Phyllis looks up from the checker-board and cuts in on the

dialogue. Lola listens without much interest.

PHYLLIS:

(To Dietrichson)

If we bought all the insurance they

can think up, we'd stay broke paying

for it, wouldn't we, honey?

DIETRICHSON:

What keeps us broke is you going out

and buying five hats at a crack. Who

needs a hat in California?

NEFF:

I always say insurance is a lot like

a hot water bottle. It looks kind of

useless and silly hanging on the

hook, but when you get that stomach

ache in the middle of the night, it

comes in mighty handy.

DIETRICHSON:

Now you want to sell me a hot water

bottle.

NEFF:

Dollar for dollar, accident insurance

is the cheapest coverage you can

buy, Mr. Dietrichson.

DIETRICHSON:

Maybe some other time, Mr. Neff. I

had a tough day.

NEFF:

Just as you say, Mr. Dietrichson.

DIETRICHSON:

Suppose we just settle that automobile

insurance tonight.

NEFF:

Sure. All we need on that is for you

to sign an application for renewal.

Phyllis throws a quick glance at Neff. As she looks back she

sees that Lola is staring down at her wrist watch.

LOLA:

Phyllis, do you mind if we don't

finish this game? It bores me stiff.

PHYLLIS:

Got some thing better to do?

LOLA:

Yes, I have.

She gets up.

LOLA:

(To Dietrichson)

Father, is it all right if I run

along now?

DIETRICHSON:

Run along where? Who with?

LOLA:

Just Anne. We're going roller skating.

DIETRICHSON:

Anne who?

LOLA:

Anne Matthews.

PHYLLIS:

It's not that Nino Zachetti again?

DIETRICHSON:

It better not be that Zachetti guy.

If I ever catch you with that ---

LOLA:

It's Anne Matthews, I told you. I

also told you we're going roller

skating. I'm meeting her at the corner

of Vermont and Franklin -- the north-

west corner, in case you're

interested. And I'm late already. I

hope that is all clear. Good night,

Father. Good night, Phyllis.

She starts to go.

NEFF:

Good night, Miss Dietrichson.

LOLA:

Oh, I'm sorry. Good night, Mr. --

NEFF:

Neff.

LOLA:

Good night, Mr. Neff.

PHYLLIS:

Now you're not going to take my car

again.

LOLA:

No thanks. I'd rather be dead.

She goes out through the archway.

DIETRICHSON:

A great little fighter for her weight.

Dietrichson sucks down a big swallow of his drink.

Neff has taken two blank forms from his briefcase. He puts

the briefcase on Mr. Dietrichson's lap and lays the forms on

top. Phyllis is watching closely.

NEFF:

This is where you sign, Mr.

Dietrichson.

DIETRICHSON:

Sign what?

NEFF:

The applications for your auto

renewals. So you'll be protected

until the new policies are issued.

DIETRICHSON:

When will that be?

NEFF:

In about a week.

DIETRICHSON:

Just so I'm covered when I drive up

North.

Neff takes out his fountain pen.

NEFF:

San Francisco, Mr. Dietrichson?

DIETRICHSON:

Palo Alto.

PHYLLIS:

He was a Stanford man, Mr. Neff. And

he still goes to his class reunion

every year.

DIETRICHSON:

What's wrong with that? Can't I have

a little fun even once a year?

NEFF:

Great football school, Stanford. Did

you play football, Mr. Dietrichson?

DIETRICHSON:

Left guard. Almost made the varsity,

too.

Neff has unscrewed his fountain pen. He hands it to Mr.

Dietrichson. Dietrichson puts on his glasses.

NEFF:

On that bottom line, Mr. Dietrichson.

Dietrichson signs. Neff's and Phyllis' eyes meet for a split

second.

NEFF:

Both copies, please.

He withdraws the top copy barely enough to expose the

signature line on the supposed duplicate.

DIETRICHSON:

Sign twice, huh?

NEFF:

One is the agent's copy. I need it

for my files.

DIETRICHSON:

(In a mutter)

Files. Duplicates. Triplicates.

Dietrichson grunts and signs again. Again Neff and Phyllis

exchange a quick glance.

NEFF:

No hurry about the check, Mr.

Dietrichson. I can pick it up at

your office some morning.

Casually Neff lifts the briefcase and signed applications

off Dietrichson's lap.

DIETRICHSON:

How much you taking me for?

NEFF:

One forty-seven fifty, Mr.

Dietrichson.

Dietrichson stands up. He is about Neff's height but a little

heavier.

PHYLLIS:

I guess that's enough insurance for

one evening, Mr. Neff.

DIETRICHSON:

Plenty.

Dietrichson has poured some more whisky into his glass. He

tries the siphon but it is empty. He gathers up his coat and

tie and picks up his glass.

DIETRICHSON:

Good night, Mr. Neff.

Neff is zipping up his briefcase.

NEFF:

Good night, Mr. Dietrichson. Good

night, Mrs. Dietrichson.

DIETRICHSON:

Bring me some soda when you come up,

Phyllis.

Dietrichson trundles off towards the archway.

PHYLLIS:

(To Neff)

I think you left your hat in the

hall.

Phyllis leads the way and Neff goes after her, his briefcase

under his arm.

B-3 HALLWAY DIETRICHSON RESIDENCE - (NIGHT)

Phyllis enters through the living room archway with Neff

behind her. She leads him towards the door. On the way he

picks up his hat. In the BACKGROUND Dietrichson begins to

ascend the stairs, carrying his coat and glass. Phyllis and

Neff move close to the door. They speak in very low voices.

PHYLLIS:

All right, Walter?

NEFF:

Fine.

PHYLLIS:

He signed it, didn't he?

NEFF:

Sure he signed it. You saw him.

Phyllis opens the door a crack. Both look at the stairs,

where Dietrichson is going up. Phyllis takes her hand off

the doorknob and holds on to Neff's arm.

NEFF:

(Looking up)

Watch it, will you.

Phyllis slowly drops her hand from his arm. Both look up as

Dietrichson goes across the balcony and out of sight.

NEFF:

Listen. That trip to Palo Alto When

does he go?

PHYLLIS:

End of the month.

NEFF:

He drives, huh?

PHYLLIS:

He always drives.

NEFF:

Not this time. You're going to make

him take the train.

PHYLLIS:

Why?

NEFF:

Because it's all worked out for a

train.

For a second they stand listening and looking up as if they

had heard a sound.

PHYLLIS:

It's all right. Go on, Walter.

NEFF:

Look, baby. There's a clause in every

accident policy, a little something

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