Jennifer 8 Page #30

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[Always figured I'd like to retire

to a little town like this - maybe

buy a boat even, do some fishing?]

126:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM. POLICE STATION. DAY.

A change of chairs. A wood chair for the subject. Mobile chair

for the man. Castors give him considerable freedom. Enable him

to back off or move in with the intimacy of an ophthalmologist.

St ANNE

You fish, John?

BERLIN:

I have done ..

A side table features several pin sharp pencils. A Sony pocket

recorder. Two packets of Pall Mall reds. Two yellow legal pads.

The chair moves into reverse and he breaks a puke colored file.

St ANNE

Alright, let's not beat about the

bush, what ever that may mean, and

get down on it. You were specific-

ally instructed by your chief, not

to go anywhere near the blind inst-

itute? So why did you go up there?

BERLIN:

Because of a feeling. I had a bad

feeling this man was gonna turn up.

St ANNE

Which man is that?

BERLIN:

The man I detail in my report, Sir.

The report that's in his hands. (St Anne knows well which man.)

Is this an interview, or an

interrogation?

St ANNE

It's an enquiry ...

BERLIN:

I'm not prepared to be interrog-

ated. I'll be interviewed as an

officer, who may be expected to

cooperate with the investigator.

St ANNE

Well, that's fine by me, John. And

I'm sure that's fine by your Chief.

He smiles the non-smile. Tosses his pencil down. And sits back.

So you thought your man might show?

BERLIN:

Yes.

St ANNE

Bit of a long-shot, wasn't it?

BERLIN:

It was the only shot I had ..

St ANNE

So the one night you decide to

go up there, he goes up there?

BERLIN:

That's right. Except I'd decid-

ed to go up there every night ..

St ANNE

Despite the wishes of your Chief?

BERLIN:

Yes.

St ANNE

You were prepared to fal-

sify your reports to him?

BERLIN:

I had very good reasons for do....

St ANNE

Just a second, John. I knew

there was something missing.

St ANNE cuts him off to pick up the phone. Obviously something

vital is needed. "Could you bring an an ashtray in here? Got a

coupla guys who smoke in here." And attention back to the file.

You don't mind if I jump around a

little this morning, do you? Just

while I'm easing my way into this?

BERLIN:

You're asking the questions, Sir ..

St ANNE

You had an argument with Ross? Ass-

aulted one of the officers, right?

BERLIN:

I wouldn't use the word "assault."

St ANNE

You got a "racy temper," Sergeant?

BERLIN:

Not especially.

St ANNE

Just something they did, on this

occasion, made you lose your rag?

BERLIN:

Not they. He. Taylor put a piece

in the newspaper, which in my op-

inion put my witness in jeopardy.

St ANNE

From whom?

BERLIN:

From the man I detail in my rep-

ort. A crazy man, who to my cert-

ain knowledge has killed at least

eight girls. Six in San Diego, one

someplace else, and one up here ..

St ANNE

Not a lotta support for that

"scenario" though, is there?

BERLIN:

Not a lot.

St ANNE

Not even from Ross?

BERLIN:

No.

St ANNE

Is that why you lost your temper with

him? Frustration? No one believing you?

His ASSISTANT brings the ashtray. And St ANNE smiles gratitude.

So what can you tell me about you man?

BERLIN:

What do you mean, Sir?

St ANNE

I mean, who is he?

BERLIN:

I don't know who he is. Who's

"Jack The Ripper?" He's Jack

The Ripper with an automobile.

St ANNE

You didn't run a profile?

BERLIN:

No, Sir .. I didn't have the res-

ources, and it isn't my expertise.

St ANNE

This crazy man? What makes you think

he wants to eliminate Miss Robertson?

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