Ed Wood Page #27

ED:

Honey, I have a little secret to

share with you.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOTEL - SAME TIME

There's a loud woman's SCREAM.

Then the door slams open, and Norma runs hysterically out,

clutching her dress about her.

NORMA:

Stay away from me! You're perverted!

Ed runs out after her.

ED:

Please, be compassionate. I'm your

husband!

NORMA:

No you're not! This marriage was

never consummated. I'm getting an

annulment!

CUT TO:

EXT. LOS ANGELES STREETS - LATE NIGHT

Ed drives sadly through the streets, alone. His car still says

"Just Married," and the tin cans RATTLE behind him.

CUT TO:

EXT. BELA'S HOUSE - LATE NIGHT

Ed's car pulls up. Ed stumbles out, yanks off the tin cans,

and throws them in someone's trash.

Ed despondently approaches Bela's. Inside, a light glows, and

the dogs BARK.

Ed is relieved. Bela's awake. He BANGS on the door.

ED:

Bela, let me in! Bela, it's Eddie.

He keeps BANGING. Finally the door opens -- and Bela stands

there, shakily waving a gun! Bela is doped up, glassy-eyed,

and disturbingly haggard.

BELA:

Why are you here??

ED:

Sh*t! Bela, what's with the gun?

BELA:

Why aren't you on your honeymoon?

Where's Myrna?

ED:

Norma. She changed her mind. She

doesn't wanna marry me.

(beat)

Can you put down the gun?

Bela weakly lowers the gun.

INT. BELA'S

Ed walks in, in a near-stupor. Needles and drug paraphernalia

are scattered about

ED:

What are you doing?

BELA:

I was thinking about killing myself.

ED:

Jesus Christ, what an evening.

(he looks around)

What happened?

BELA:

(near tears)

Eddie, I received a letter from the

government. They're cutting off my

unemployment. That's all I've got.

Without it, I can't pay the rent...

ED:

Don't you have any savings?

BELA:

I'm obsolete. I have nothing to live

for. Tonight, I should die.

(distraught)

And you should come with me.

Frail Bela points the gun at Ed. Ed is terrified.

ED:

Buddy, I don't know if that's such

a good idea.

BELA:

It'll be wonderful. We'll be at

peace. In the afterlife, you don't

have to worry about finding work.

ED:

Bela, I'm on your side. C'mon, give

me the gun...

(he cautiously steps forward)

If you give me the gun, I'll make you

a drink. What are you drinking?

BELA:

Formaldehyde.

Ed stares in anguish.

ED:

Straight up or on the rocks?

Bela drops the gun. He starts weeping.

Ed walks over and hugs the shaking old man.

ED:

Don't worry.

BELA:

I'm sorry, Eddie. I'm so sorry.

ED:

Don't worry. Everything's gonna be

all right.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOSPITAL - STILL LATER THAT NIGHT

Ed's car pulls up at the South Metropolitan State Hospital.

It's a grim, unwelcoming edifice.

Ed helps weak Bela from the car. They look at each other, then

Ed gingerly leads Bela in.

INT. HOSPITAL - SAME TIME

The lobby is clammy and dim. Ed and Bela reach the desk. A

NURSE looks up, startled.

NURSE:

My goodness, you gave me the willies.

You look like that Dracula guy.

BELA:

(very somber)

My name is Bela Lugosi. I wish to

commit myself.

NURSE:

For what reason?

BELA:

I have been a drug addict for twenty

years. I need help...

The nurse nods. She takes Bela's arm and leads him away. Bela

glances at Ed, then steps through a wide door. As it swings

shut, we see a DOCTOR walk over and shake Bela's hand.

Ed stares at the door, dazed by all that's happened. He sits

down in a chair, exhausted.

Ed's eyes slowly close, and he falls asleep...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - MORNING

Ed is still asleep, but now sunlight beats in.

Ed stirs and wakes up. He groggily looks around, and sitting

across from him is a woman, knitting. This is KATHY O'HARA,

26, solid, reflective, with a dry sense of humor. Ed peers at

her.

ED:

Hello.

KATHY:

Hello.

(beat)

You're sleeping in a tuxedo.

ED:

I got married last night.

KATHY:

Oh. Congratulations.

ED:

The marriage already ended.

KATHY:

Oh. My condolences.

Ed watches her knit.

ED:

What are you making?

KATHY:

Booties for my father. He gets cold

in this hospital.

ED:

How long's he been here?

KATHY:

This is my thirteenth pair.

Ed nods. He spots the Doctor walk by.

ED:

Excuse me.

(he runs to the Doctor)

Doctor? I'm with Mr. Lugosi. How

is he?

DOCTOR:

Well... there's a lot of junk in his

system for such an old man.

Apparently, he was addicted to

morphine, tried to kick it, and got

re-addicted to methadone.

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