Ed Wood Page #28

ED:

Will he be okay?

DOCTOR:

We'll do our best.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - NIGHT

We are outside Bela's room. He can be glimpsed inside,

strapped to the bed and SCREAMING in pain. He is going through

painful withdrawal and shakes horribly.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY - ANOTHER DAY

Ed strides into the hospital, wearing different clothes, and

carrying a box of chocolates. He waves at the nurse.

ED:

Hi, Lillian.

NURSE:

(she smiles)

Hi, Ed. Boy, he's got a lot of

visitors today.

ED:

He does?

Ed is puzzled. He hurries back.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

A crowd of NEWSPAPER REPORTERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS overflow

Bela's room. Ed is astonished.

ED:

What's going on here?! Excuse me!

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

Decrepit Bela is propped up in his bed, as the mob of reporters

throw questions at hit and SNAP shots: "Bela, how long have you

been a junkie??" "Bela, look this way!"

Ed angrily pushes through.

ED:

Everybody out! This is a hospital!

Get out of here.

Ed forces them out, then SLAMS the door.

ED:

What happened?!

BELA:

(in a hoarse whisper)

Isn't it wonderful? After all these

years, the press is showing an

interest again in Bela Lugosi.

ED:

(surprised)

Bela, they're parasites! They just

want to exploit you.

BELA:

Fine. Let them! There is no such

thing as bad press. A man from New

York even said he's putting me on the

front page! First celebrity to ever

check into rehab.

(he smiles feebly)

When I get out of here, I will be

healthy. Strong! I will be primed

for my comeback!

Bela starts COUGHING heavily. Ed stares sadly.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LOBBY - ANOTHER DAY

Ed sits tensely in the lobby, holding vigil. Kathy O'Hara

walks by.

KATHY:

Oh, it's you again.

ED:

Oh, hi.

KATHY:

You look beat.

ED:

I am. How's your father?

KATHY:

He's better. Thank you for asking.

(pause)

How's your friend?

ED:

Not good...

Kathy reaches in her purse and pulls out two black booties.

KATHY:

Well, I made him some booties to

cheer him up.

(beat)

They're black -- to match his cape.

She smiles.

Ed slowly smiles in response. But this isn't his normal slick

smile. It's gentler. Sincere.

ED:

Would you maybe like to get a

coffee..?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

Ed and the Doctor stand in a doorway, talking.

DOCTOR:

We thought Mr. Lugosi was insured

though the Screen Actors Guild.

ED:

Isn't he?

DOCTOR:

No. They say his eligibility ran out

years ago.

ED:

Look, he doesn't have any money...

but I'll give you everything I've

got. I have a few hundred dollars.

The Doctor shakes his head grimly.

DOCTOR:

That won't even begin to cover it.

He's going to have to leave.

INT. BELA'S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Bela lies sleeping in bed, pasty and pale. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

of his hospital stay are tacked up.

Ed anxiously tiptoes in. He quietly speaks.

ED:

Bela, wake up.

Bela stirs lethargically. Ed puts on a fake smile.

ED:

I've got some good news. The doctor

says you're all better. You can come

home.

BELA:

(so weak, he's barely audible)

Really? I don't feel so great.

ED:

No, you look good. And the tests

came back fine.

(a poignant pause)

C'mon...

Ed gingerly helps Bela up.

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Bela slowly gets into Ed's car.

BELA:

Eddie, I wanna make another picture.

When are we gonna make another

picture?

ED:

Soon, Bela... Soon.

CUT TO:

INT. CAMERA RENTAL HOUSE - DAY

Ed is desperately trying to cut a deal with the OLD MANAGER.

ED:

Please, I just need it for one

afternoon!

OLD MANAGER:

Ed, if I cut a deal for you, I gotta

cut one for everybody.

ED:

This is different! It'll mean so

much to me. All I need is a camera

and a tripod. No lights, no sound.

Nothin' fancy.

OLD MANAGER:

And that's it?

ED:

And one roll of film.

The old guy gives Ed a tough look.

CUT TO:

EXT. BELA'S HOUSE - DAY

Bela is dressed in his Sunday finest, standing in front of his

little house. He wears a cloak and a wide-brimmed hat.

BELA:

This is so exciting. Another

production!

WE WIDEN. Out on the lawn... is just Ed. With the camera.

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