Jennifer 8 Page #23

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ROSS:

I'm asking it.

BERLIN:

How the hell do I know who? Some

jerk-off. Some peeping-tom prick.

His hand has found the switch-blade. A nasty click as it opens.

.. but definitely not him. This

guy's in the trade. He's not gon-

na stand there looking at her ass,

if he's in the room, she's dead ..

BERLIN puts the knife in his Dummy. If she's alive. She's dead.

ROSS:

Ease off, John ..

BERLIN:

I'm sick of this toy town sh*t.

ROSS:

Everything you say sounds reason-

able. But there's also a reason-

able explanation for the opposite.

BERLIN:

Don't give me that! Not another

word! When you had the Fat Lady

in there, and I asked you if she

was lying, you looked me right

in the eyes and said yes. So as

far as I was concerned, she's ly-

ing. And if the King of f***ing

England had walked in & told me

different, I wouldn't have bel-

ieved him - because you told me ..

This atmosphere would stretch any friendship to breaking point.

And now I'm telling you. I'm looking

you right in the eyes and telling ya,

there's a "bad man" out there, and I

don't know if he's in the next room,

or the next state: and I don't know

what his trigger is? But if he reads

her name in the newspaper, I believe

he'll be inclined to do something ab-

out it. I've got a bad feeling. And I

been doing this too long to be wrong.

There are tough eyes to look into. And ROSS finally looks away.

ROSS:

I dunno what I can do to help you?

BERLIN:

I dunno what I'd do with your help.

I've gotta take her out of there ..

ROSS:

What about Citrine?

BERLIN:

Screw Citrine. He can fire me.

87:
EXT. LANDSCAPE. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY.

Wide over the countryside. The car is a long way off. A pretty

magic looking dawn. Cows on hills and mist in the hollows. The

Mercedes finally arrives. Up the track and into the (refurbish-

ed) garage. Engine off and little but a sound of singing birds.

88:
INT. LIVING ROOM. BERLIN'S HOUSE. DAY.

HELENA sits on the sofa. She's a lousy liar and having a tough

time with the phone " .. my aunt called twice .. well, soon, I

hope so .. right now, I'm scared to be there .. who? .. just a

second .. O.K. .. just a second.. Goodridge wants the number?"

She seeks decision from BERLIN who doesn't want him to have it.

HELENA (Phone)

Mr Goodridge? .. I can't find it ..

No .. there's no one here to read

it right now .. Well, yes, I know ..

of course I will .. yes, promise ..

I'll get it and call you tomorrow ..

And that's it except for "Goodbyes." He takes the phone and re-

places it. Her expression is a toss up between guilt & anxiety.

I feel really bad about it, coz

they invited me for Christmas ..

BERLIN:

Has he got your aunt's address?

HELENA:

I don't think so .. He said the

police had been calling .. want-

ed to ask me some more questions ..

BERLIN:

Who?

(She doesn't know)

Probably Angelo .. I'll take

care of it .. Don't worry, we-

're gonna find this guy, and

everything'll be O.K. .. O.K.?

Only thing he fails to mention is which guy he's talking about.

Anyway the subject is already changed. He notices tapes in her

bag. "Would you like me to put your music on?" No, she doesn't

want music. O.K. He's gonna light the fire and make them lunch.

99:
EXT. WOODSHED. BERLIN'S HOUSE. DAY.

BERLIN is splitting logs and HELENA is sitting an a step "watch-

ing" him. She's looking almost happy with only worry in the way.

BERLIN:

You're looking worried again, Helena?

HELENA:

No I'm not.

BERLIN:

You're looking more worried now than

when you "decided to stop worrying"?

HELENA:

Alright, I'm worried about Christmas.

I wish I hadn't told him I'd be back ..

A log tangents off. BERLIN retrieves it. Tosses it in a barrow.

BERLIN:

He'll get over it. I'll roast

us a chicken, O.K. With cand-

les around it. How about that?

A distant owl hoots. She knows he's smiling. She's smiling too.

HELENA:

Wouldn't it be better if I cook

it? You said, you can only boil?

90:
INT. LIVING ROOM. HOUSE. NIGHT.

The Music is Puccini. Part one/Act two/The Humming Chorus from

Madam Butterfly. Giant close of the spinning cassette. The Cam-

era remains close as it explores the room. Candle light & fire-

light. Along a mantlepiece. Eleven thirty-five on a clock. Two

Christmas cards. Several photographs from the happy years. One

a picture of Ross & Berlin in uniform. Another features Berlin

with his arm around a beautiful young lady with long dark hair.

For a moment it could be Helena? But the Camera's already gone.

HELENA cuddles knees in the corner of a sofa. Looks considerab-

ly more relaxed. But there's a tension here and both are aware

of it. Stifled yawns. She stares at him and BERLIN stares back.

A billion people in love have been through this. It's bed-time.

[A suggestion of Berlin's bed to be is heaped in pillows/blank-

ets at the end of the couch.] "Come on, I'll take you up there."

She finds his hand and stands. The Music follows them upstairs.

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