His Girl Friday Page #48

He moves casually to a post before the desk and maintains

it.

MURPHY:

Can that! Where is he?

BURNS:

(to Sheriff)

The Morning Post is not obstructing

justice or hiding criminals. You

ought to know that.

HARTMAN:

No? Well --

(turning to Hildy)

Johnson, you're under arrest.

(turning to Burns)

You, too, Burns.

BURNS:

(calmly)

Who's under arrest? You pimple-headed,

square-toed spy -- do you realize

what you're doing?

HARTMAN:

I'll show you what I'm doing. Burns,

you're guilty of obstructing justice

and so is the Morning Post. I'm going

to see that the Post is fined ten

thousand dollars for this.

BURNS:

You'll see nothing of the kind,

Sheriff.

HARTMAN:

We'll just start by impounding the

Post property.

(pointing to

Bensinger's desk,

addressing Hildy)

Is that your desk?

HILDY:

(jumping)

No!

BURNS:

(almost simultaneously)

Yes! What are you afraid of Hildy? I

dare him to move that desk out of

here.

HARTMAN:

Oh, you do, eh?

(to deputies)

All right, boys. Confiscate that

desk.

Several of the deputies start toward the desk.

BURNS:

(trying to intercept

deputies)

Hartman, if you take this desk out

of this building, I'll put you behind

bars.

HARTMAN:

You will, eh? Well, we'll see about

that.

(to deputies)

All right, boys. Take it.

BURNS:

I'm warning you -- it'll be a Federal

offense.

(to deputy nearest

him)

And you'll be an accessory!

HARTMAN:

We'll take a chance on that, Burns.

(to deputies)

Go ahead, boys.

(the deputies continue

toward the desk)

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE PRESS ROOM - NIGHT MED. SHOT

Flanked by two policemen, Mrs. Baldwin, dishevelled, with

her hat over one ear, is marching toward the Press Room,

bound for vengeance. Bruce, considerably upset, is with her.

As they reach the door to the Press Room, Mrs. Baldwin stops.

MRS. BALDWIN

You wait outside, Bruce.

BRUCE:

But, mother --

MRS. BALDWIN

(firmly)

No! You'll weaken when you see that

little Jezebel! I'm going to tell

her what I think of her!

She plumps her hat down more firmly on her head and marches

into the Press Room followed by the two policemen. Bruce

remains outside the door.

INT. PRESS ROOM

Taking in door as it opens and Mrs. Baldwin, followed by the

policemen, comes in.

HILDY:

(leaping forward)

Mother!

MRS. BALDWIN

(pointing out Burns

to the officers)

That man there!

HILDY:

(hugging Mrs. Baldwin)

Mother! Oh, I'm so glad to see you!

Are you all right? Tell me.

Mrs. Baldwin indignantly shakes her off.

HARTMAN:

What's the idea here?

POLICEMAN:

This lady claims she was kidnapped.

HARTMAN:

What?

MRS. BALDWIN

They dragged me all the way down the

stairs --

HARTMAN:

Just a minute. Did -- did --

(points to Burns)

-- this man have anything to do with

it?

MRS. BALDWIN

He was the one in charge of

everything! He told them to kidnap

me!

BURNS:

(amazed)

Are you referring to me, Madam?

MRS. BALDWIN

You know you did!

HARTMAN:

What about this, Burns? Kidnapping,

eh?

BURNS:

(round-eyed)

Oh, trying to frame me, eh! I never

saw this woman before in my life!

MRS. BALDWIN

Oh, what a thing to say! I was

standing right here - after the girl

jumped out of the window.

HARTMAN:

Did you get the Mayor?

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