Meet John Doe Page #16

FULL SHOT:
At the door are the two LUGS, watching the

imaginary ball game. The COLONEL takes a couple of steps

over home plate, and throws the "ball" back to JOHN who

picks it up out of the air.

COLONEL:

(as he steps back

behind the plate)

I betcha yuh ain't heard a train

whistle in two weeks.

He crouches on his knees—and gives JOHN a signal.

BEANY:

St-rike!

COLONEL:

I know why you're hangin'

around—you're stuck on a girl—that's

all a guy needs is to get hooked

up with a woman.

CLOSE SHOT:
Of JOHN. He shakes his head, and waits for

another sign. When he gets it, he nods. He steps onto the

mound—winds up and lets another one go. This is apparently

a hit, for his eyes shoot skyward, and he quickly

turns—watching the progress of the ball as it is flung to

first base. From his frown we know the man is safe.

CLOSE SHOT:
Of the two LUGS, ANGELFACE and MIKE. ANGELFACE

is seriously absorbed in the game. MIKE leans against the

wall, eyes narrowed, a plan going on in his head.

ANGELFACE:

(seriously)

What was that? A single?

CLOSE-UP:
Of JOHN.

JOHN:

(explaining)

The first baseman dropped the ball.

CLOSE-UP:
Of ANGELFACE.

ANGELFACE:

(shouting at

"firstbaseman")

Butterfingers!

(back to John)

That's tough luck, Pal.

MED. SHOT:
JOHN disregards him completely. He is too much

absorbed with the man on first. He now has the stance of a

pitch without the windup.

COLONEL:

When a guy has a woman on his

hands—the first thing he knows his

life is balled up with a lot more

things—furniture and—

CLOSE SHOT:
Of JOHN. He catches the "ball"—gets into

position—nods to his catcher—raises his hands in the air,

takes a peek toward first base—and suddenly wheels around

FACING CAMERA, and whips the "ball" toward first base.

Almost immediately his face lights up.

CLOSE-UP:
Of ANGELFACE.

ANGELFACE:

Did you get him?

CLOSE-UP:
Of JOHN. He winks.

BEANY:

(umpiring)

You're out!

FULL SHOT:
JOHN flips the glove off his hand so that it

dangles from his wrist—and massages the ball with his two

palms.

ANGELFACE:

That's swell! What's this—the end

of the eighth?

JOHN:

Ninth!

He steps into the "pitcher's box".

WIDER SHOT:
Just as they take their positions, the LUG,

from outside, partly opens the door.

LUG:

Hey, Beany! There's a coupla lugs

from the Chronicle snooping around

out here!

BEANY immediately comes from background.

BEANY:

Come on, Angelface! Gangway!

As they reach the door, the LUG speaks to ANGELFACE.

LUG:

What's the score, Angelface?

ANGELFACE:

Three to two—our favor.

LUG:

Gee, that's great!

CLOSE-UP:
Of JOHN. He has heard this and grins

mischievously. He starts winding up for another pitch.

CLOSE-UP:
Of MIKE. He looks around mischievously, then

turns to JOHN.

MIKE:

You've got swell form. Must have

been a pretty good pitcher.

WIDER SHOT:
JOHN is just receiving the ball.

JOHN:

Pretty good? Say, I was just about

ready for the major leagues when I

chipped a bone in my elbow. I got

it pitchin' a nineteen-inning game!

MIKE:

Nineteen!

JOHN:

Yep. There was a major league scout

there watching me, too. And he

came down after the game with a

contract. Do you know what? I

couldn't life my arm to sign it.

But I'll be okay again as soon as

I get it fixed up.

MIKE:

(picks up

newspaper—sighing)

That's too bad.

JOHN:

What do you mean, too bad?

MIKE:

(pretending

distraction)

Huh? Oh, that you'll never be able

to play again.

JOHN:

Well, what are you talking about?

I just told you I was gonna get a—

MIKE:

(interrupting

carelessly)

Well, you know how they are in

baseball—if a guy's mixed up in a

racket—

JOHN:

(walking over)

Racket? What do you mean?

MIKE:

Well, I was just thinking about

this John Doe business. Why, as

soon as it comes out it's all a

fake, you'll be washed up in

baseball, won't you?

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