His Girl Friday

FADE IN:
INT. ANTEROOM CLOSE SHOT SWITCHBOARD

Two telephone operators sit at switchboard busy plugging in

and out answering calls.

1ST OPERATOR

This is the Morning Post... The City

Room? Just a moment, I'll connect

you.

(plugs in call)

2ND OPERATOR

Morning Post... Sports Department?

Just a moment --

(plugs in call)

CAMERA PULLS BACK to disclose the rest of the anteroom. To

Camera left are the elevators -- at back wall directly behind

switchboard are chairs and a table for visitors. Next to

switchboard are stairs leading downward to the next floor. A

waist-high iron grill with a gate in it separates the

switchboard from the anteroom, a similar grill separating it

again from the city room which stretches on beyond

switchboard. At a table in the switchboard enclosure sits an

office boy, about fifteen, doing a crossword puzzle. The big

clock on the back wall shows that it is nearly one o'clock.

CLOSE SHOT OFFICE BOY

as he bends over paper. We catch a glimpse of the squares of

a crossword puzzle.

MED. SHOT

as a reporter comes out of the City Room, clanging gate to

behind him. The office boy looks up.

OFFICE BOY:

What's a seven-letter word for --?

REPORTER:

Don't ask me! If I knew any seven-

letter words, I'd be something better

than a reporter!

He catches a glimpse of the far elevator going down.

REPORTER:

Hey! Down! Down!

MED. SHOT ELEVATORS

as reporter runs in to the closed elevator door and pounds

on it. It comes back, the door opens, and he gets in. The

door closes, as elevator goes down. The near elevator comes

up and discharges Hildy Johnson and Bruce Baldwin. Bruce

carries an umbrella and wears a raincoat.

MED. CLOSE SHOT TABLE

office boy looking over his puzzle as Hildy and Bruce come

into the scene.

HILDY:

(with a smile)

Hello, Skinny. Remember me?

OFFICE BOY:

(looks up; then a

glowing smile)

Hildy Johnson!

CLOSE SHOT SWITCHBOARD

Hildy approaches the switchboard.

HILDY:

(to operator)

Hello, Maisie.

The first operator looks up.

MAISIE:

Hello -- Hildy! You coming back?

HILDY:

No, just visiting. Tell me, is the

lord of the universe in today?

MAISIE:

He is -- and in a very bad humor. I

think somebody stole one of his crown

jewels. Shall I announce you?

HILDY:

No, never mind -- I'll blow my own

trumpet.

THREE SHOT BRUCE, HILDY AND OPERATOR

Hildy turns to Bruce.

HILDY:

I won't be more than ten minutes, I

promise you.

BRUCE:

Even ten minutes is a long time to

be away from you.

We hear a giggle off scene.

CLOSE SHOT OFFICE BOY

He looks towards Bruce and Hildy and giggles.

TWO SHOT BRUCE AND HILDY

HILDY:

What did you say, Bruce?

Bruce, embarrassed, looks at the office boy, then looks back

at Hildy as they turn toward second gate leading into City

Room.

BRUCE:

I said -- uh -- I said even ten

minutes -- is a long time -- to be

away from you.

HILDY:

Don't be embarrassed, Bruce. I heard

it, but I just wanted to hear it

again. I can stand being spoiled a

little. The gentleman I'm going to

have a chat with did very little

spoiling.

BRUCE:

(grimly)

I'd like to spoil him just once.

Sure you don't want me to go in with

you?

HILDY:

My job, Bruce. I started it -- and

I'll finish it.

BRUCE:

I suppose you're right -- but if it

gets rough, remember I'm here.

HILDY:

I'll come a-running, pardner.

She starts to push open the iron-grilled gate leading into

the City Room. Bruce quickly springs forward and opens it

for her. Hildy smiles.

HILDY:

Thanks, Bruce.

She kisses his cheek and walks through. He looks after her.

The office boy whistles. Bruce pays no attention, but stares

after Hildy.

MEDIUM SHOT - SHOOTING DOWN LENGTH OF CITY ROOM

Hildy starts to walk through City Room.

TRUCKING SHOT - HILDY

as she walks the length of the City Room. It's a long walk,

because it's a room that takes up practically the whole floor.

The scene is a busy one. But, gradually, as Hildy starts

down, one after another recognize her. There are cries of:

"Hildy!" "Hello, Hildy", etc., from the men as Hildy goes

straight down the aisle. She never stops but waves her own

greetings:
"Jim!" "Hi, good-looking!" "Laura" "Hullo, Pop"

"Nan!" "Eddie!" "Hello, Mac" "Pete!" "Frank" "Oscar!", and

gets responses from each of them. One man is bent over his

desk reading his copy -- he is standing up. Hildy slaps him

as she goes by. He turns around: "Say, who did that?" As he

sees Hildy:
"Hello, Hildy!" Hildy: "Hi, Jake." She passes a

middle-aged woman, almost an Edna May Oliver type, seated at

a desk pounding out copy and smoking a cigarette. As Hildy

comes up to her she slaps the woman on the back.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes