Jennifer 8 Page #20

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BERLIN:

.. feel like I'm getting close to

this guy .. and all the time, feel

like I'm sharpening a pencil with

a broken load .. I'm sorry, King J ..

TAYLOR:

What are you looking for?

BERLIN:

Vehicle references.

TAYLOR:

Wrong cabinet.

He gestures to the right one. BERLIN feels about 2 inches tall.

I'm gonna get some coffee. When you

finish in here, maybe you'll let me

know? .. I got a report to type up ..

As he exits he tosses a bunch of keys. They crash uselessly on-

to the desk. BERLIN looks like he couldn't get a f*** with mud.

69:
EXT. ROAD. TRINITY VALLEY. DAY.

The mood is low as it goes. And so is the angle. Ultra low beh-

ind the car. Just road and a blur of tires. The frame widens &

the Mercedes fills it. Brake lights on as it descends the hill.

70:
INT. TRINITY VALLEY/ROAD. DAY.

BERLIN in big close-up. His face like the Music. Here come the

gates of the Institute. As he turns in he stamps the brakes. A

van veers past him. Nothing special about it except it's a V.W.

He watches it vanish up the hill with other things on his mind.

71:
INT. CORRIDOR. INSTITUTE. DAY.

Christmas vacations and the building sounds deserted. BERLIN's

foot steps might be the only sound in the place. They stop and

a bell rings. Ho tries to assemble sox* kind of appropriate ex-

pression. But as soon as she opens the door it's obsolete. HEL-

ENA looks pretty as flowers & delighted he's here. She reaches

for his hands. And every new second makes it a tougher goodbye.

72:
INT. APARTMENT. INSTITUTE. DAY.

Oh Jesus look at this. She prepared him a surprise dinner. And

she looks so happy about it. A pathetic little table with cand-

les and Forget-Me-Nots and can of Diet Coke by his plate. He's

barely through the door and goodbye is already in deep trouble.

HELENA:

I wanted it to be a surprise.

BERLIN's face gets ready for something he doesn't say. Why did

she have to do this? And why didn't he tell her over the phone?

73:
INT. APARTMENT. INSTITUTE. DUSK.

A Schubert Sonata in the background. Candles low and the atmos-

phere junk. Evening already in the room and it feels like time

to go. But first he's gotta toll her something he doesn't want

to hear himself. "Would you like me to make some fresh coffee?"

BERLIN:

I have to talk to you, Helena.

HELENA:

I know.

BERLIN:

You know? How do you know?

HELENA:

Coz you hardly said a word

since you got here. But you been

thinking pretty loud ..

She stands and collects the cups and gets halfway with a smile.

I'll make some more coffee.

74:
INT. KITCHEN. APARTMENT. DUSK.

A hiss of running water. Close on the kettle. Close on the tap.

She knows what he's going to say. And now she's alone her face

doesn't mask her feelings. She's missing him already. But does-

n't know why. Simply knows she doesn't want him to say goodbye.

She reaches high into a cupboard. Her shirt stretches over her

breasts. Christ this girl has a great figure. Carting hair out

of her eyes she returns to the sink. For an instant she's star-

ing out of the window and right into somebody's face. Tall and

weird looking. But just a glimpse before he moves rapidly away.

75:
INT. APARTMENT. DUSK.

BERLIN has moved to the sofa. A shaft of dead sunlight crosses

the apartment. HELENA comes in making a brave face of it. Does-

n't realize he's moved. "I'm here, Helena." And she smiles and

changes direction. Puts the coffee tray on a table in front of

him. No music now and all sounds in close-up. Close on the lip

of the coffee pot as she pours. Close on the cup she gives him.

Everything close in Helena's world or her world wouldn't exist.

76:
EXT. (P.O.V. FROM FIRE ESCAPE) INSTITUTE. DUSK.

Not a lot to look at but the man is looking in. From his P.O.V.

he's fortunate. HELENA sits facing him but BERLIN has his back

to the window. This sort of surveillance is always ominous and

here is no exception. BERLIN's explanation comes with occasion-

al use of hands. HELENA suddenly smiles so it can't be all bad.

They stand and BERLIN reaches for his coat. HELENA crosses the

room. Finds her Forget-Me-Nots and now they're his at the door.

As he takes them he takes her hand. Kisses her finger tips and

can't avoid embracing her. They kiss like awkward kids bumping

noses. Finally part and disappear into the dark of the hallway.

77:
INT. ELEVATOR/CORRIDOR. INSTITUTE. DUSK.

BERLIN is already in the elevator. Resists doors determined to

separate them. They shunt in and out perpetually informing him

he's on the 4th floor. "I'll call, O.K." She nods and releases

his hand. He watches her walk all the way back up the corridor.

78:
INT. MERCEDES SEDAN. TRINITY VALLEY. NIGHT.

Headlights follow the meandering road. Another bend and lights

in the distance. In seconds he's passing the Diner. Still open

with cars out front including the white Volkswagen that nearly

busted his fender. He's not gonna stop. Then decides to. Makes

a U and pulls in. Parks a couple of vehicles away from the van.

79:
INT. KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM. APARTMENT. NIGHT.

HELENA finishes the dishes. Stacks a last plate and closes the

cupboard. Heads back into the living room. Something about the

apartment doesn't sound right? She follows the noise through a

door into a bedroom. Curtains dance in the darkness and behind

them she finds a half open window. Curious because she doesn't

remember leaving it open? Secures it and silences the icy wind.

80:
EXT. VOLKSWAGEN VAN/CAR PARK. DINER. NIGHT.

BERLIN checks the driver's door. Locked and he explores with a

pencil-flashlight. Moves to a slide door at the side. Simultan-

eously the door to the Diner opens releasing a quartet of midd-

le-aged Drunks. He dissolves while they bullshit around. Laugh-

ter in chill air. The Comedian of the night keeps himself amus-

ed. Jokes about getting into the wrong car with the wrong wife.

BERLIN isn't laughing "C'mon, you drunken f***. Get outta here."

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