Marty Page #10

ARCHWAY.

From where Marty stands, he can watch Clara, as well as Dr.

Keegan and the Stag. The Doctor and the Stag start past Marty,

and he catches their conversation.

DR. KEEGAN

...in that case, as long as she's

going home alone, give me the five

bucks back...

STAG:

Look, Mac, you paid me the five bucks.

I was willing. It's my five bucks...

They move past and away and Marty stares after them before

he turns his attention toward Clara off-screen.

Clara is sitting as she was, gripping and ungripping the

glass of Coca Cola in front of her. Her eyes are closed.

Then, with a little nervous shake of her head she gets out

of the booth and stands momentarily at a loss for what next

to do. As she glances around, CAMERA ANGLES to include a

sign over an exit that reads "Fire Escape." Clara starts

moving toward that door.

Marty is staring off-screen toward Clara. He slowly works

his way down the length of the lounge in the general direction

of the fire escape.

LOUNGE.

Near the entrance to the fire escape, Clara comes into view.

Background sounds continue steadily.

Marty is walking the length of the lounge and suddenly stops

and stares off-screen.

Clara disappears through the exit onto the fire escape

outside.

Marty watches. Then he continues on, crossing the threshold

of the...

FIRE ESCAPE.

It is sizeable, almost a small balcony. It looks out onto

the backs of innumerable five-story apartment houses. Clara

is standing by the railing, her back toward the camera, her

head sunk down. She is crying. Marty watches her for a moment

before moving a step or two forward.

Clara doesn't turn. Marty tries to think of something to

say.

MARTY:

(finally)

Excuse me, Miss, would you care to

dance?

Clara slowly turns to Marty, her face streaked with tears,

her lips trembling. Then, in one of those moments of

simultaneous impulse, she lurches to Marty with a sob, and

Marty takes her to him.

They stand in an awkward embrace, Marty a little embarrassed,

looking back through the fire escape doors to the lounge,

wondering if anybody is seeing them. He reaches back with

one hand, and contrives, with some effort, to push one of

the heavy iron doors shut. He returns his hand around the

girl's shoulders. He stands stiffly, allowing her to cry on

his chest, as we...

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

BRONX APARTMENT HOUSE, STAIRWAY. NIGHT

Mrs. Pilletti, in her hat and coat and carrying a purse, is

making her heavy way up the last few steps toward the landing.

She pauses to catch her breath on the landing. Then she moves

down the hallway to...

ENTRANCE TO APARTMENT 4-B.

Mrs. Pilletti rings the bell. The SOUND can be heard as she

waits. The door is opened by Virginia.

VIRGINIA:

Hello, Aunt Theresa. Come in.

Mrs. Pilletti enters the apartment.

APARTMENT.

Virginia closes the door after Mrs. Pilletti enters, and

they stand in a small narrow hallway, brightly lit. At the

far end to the right is the living room in the background.

MRS. PILLETTI

(in a low voice as

she pulls off her

coat)

Is Catherine here?

Virginia helps her with her coat.

VIRGINIA:

(nods, keeping her

voice low)

We didn't tell her anything yet. We

thought that we'd leave it to you.

We thought you'd put it like how you

were lonely, and why don't she come

to live with you. Because that way

it looks like she's doing you a favor,

insteada we're throwing her out, and

it won't be so cruel on her. Do you

want Tommy and me to stay here with

you?

MRS. PILLETTI

I think it be a better idea if you

and Thomas go out, because otherwise

she's gonna start a fight with you,

and everybody's gonna be yelling.

Thomas appears at the living room end of the foyer with an

anxious smile on his face.

THOMAS:

Hello, Aunt Theresa.

MRS. PILLETTI

Hello, Thomas.

THOMAS:

I just this minute got the baby to

sleep.

He comes down to Mrs. Pilletti and Virginia, lowers his voice

to a conspiratorial whisper.

THOMAS:

Aunt Theresa, we figure the best way

to ask her is you say that you're

very lonely, see? And wouldn't she

come and keep you company, because

that way, you see...

MRS. PILLETTI

Don't worry. I'm gonna take care-a

the whole thing.

A shrill, imperious woman's voice breaks into the whispered

conference in the hallway.

Rate this script:3.5 / 2 votes