His Girl Friday Page #53

HILDY:

(laughing)

We sure did, but we had to go in

hiding for a week.

BURNS:

In the Shoreland Hotel. And our only

chaperon was the poor old lady's

stomach.

HILDY:

Don't remind me. That's how we

happened to --

She breaks off. There is a moment's pause.

BURNS:

Sorry, Hildy. I didn't mean to be

making love to another man's fiancee.

HILDY:

That's all right, Walter. It's as

much my fault as yours.

BURNS:

(glancing at the clock)

Bruce is making the nine o'clock

train. I told him you'd be on it --

unless you want to write this story

yourself.

HILDY:

Well, if it's my last story, I'd

like it to be a good one. But -- I

guess I can't, Walter.

BURNS:

Suit yourself, kid. This isn't for

me to decide. Of course, you could

make a later train and still be in

Albany tomorrow morning.

HILDY:

Yeah. I suppose I could. But, Walter --

BURNS:

He's going to have you the rest of

his life, Hildy. Can't you give me

another hour?

HILDY:

I don't know what to do, Walter.

BURNS:

Flip a coin.

HILDY:

All right.

(takes coin from her

bag)

Heads I go -- tails I stay to write

the story. Ready?

CLOSEUP BURNS:

gazing nervously at the hand holding the coin.

BURNS:

Ready.

CLOSE SHOT BURNS AND HILDY

She flips and catches the coin. She holds it tightly clasped

in her hand, afraid to look. They stare at each other a

second.

BURNS:

(nervously)

Well -- what is it?

HILDY:

(almost breaking)

What's the difference? I'm going to

write that story -- and you know it!

She puts the coin away without looking at it. Burns rushes

to her, tries to take her in his arms.

BURNS:

Hildy!

HILDY:

(furiously)

Don't touch me! I'm not doing it for

you!

BURNS:

(softly)

Then why are you doing it?

HILDY:

Because I'm a newspaper woman, Heaven

help me!

DISSOLVE TO:

MONTAGE SHOTS:

INT. CITY ROOM - Hildy typing away furiously. Copy Boy tearing

sheets from her typewriter as she writes.

Burns coming in and tearing sheets from typewriter.

Linetype machines.

Presses going.

Headline:
THE POST SAVES EARL WILLIAMS!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BURNS' OFFICE

Headline:
POST SAVES EARL WILLIAMS!

Over this sound of newsboys calling "Extra! Extra!"

CAMERA DRAWS BACK to rest of story:

"Impeachment Proceedings Launched Against Mayor For Attempting

to Conceal Governor's Reprieve!"

CAMERA DRAWS BACK FURTHER to the by-line --

By Hildegarde Johnson.

CAMERA DRAWS BACK STILL FURTHER to disclose Burns and Hildy

looking at paper on Burns' desk.

BURNS:

(enthusiastically)

The greatest yarn ever written by

anybody. My hat's off to you, Hildy!

HILDY:

(grimly)

Thanks.

BURNS:

And what a way to quit. While you're

still champion! That's the way to

leave, Hildy!

HILDY:

Yeah. Only -- only I'm not leaving,

Walter.

BURNS:

What do you mean? Bruce'll be waiting

for you in Albany.

HILDY:

No, he won't. I wired him that I

wasn't coming.

CLOSEUP BURNS:

BURNS:

Where'd you wire him?

HILDY:

On the nine o'clock train. That's

the one he took, isn't it?

BURNS:

Sure.

MED. SHOT

HILDY:

It's awfully clear now. Bruce needs

a wife who can give him a home --

and affection -- and peace. I couldn't

do that for him, Walter. I'm what

you made me -- a cheap reporter who'd

give up her soul for a story!... Is

that job still open?

BURNS:

Both jobs are open, Hildy. The paper --

and being Mrs. Walter Burns.

HILDY:

Thanks, Walter, but it's no good. We

tried it.

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