Meet John Doe Page #7

MED. SHOT:
POP looks worried.

POP:

If you ask me, Hank, you're playing

around with dynamite.

CONNELL:

No, no, no, the gal's right. We

can't let the Chronicle get the

laugh on us! We've got to produce

a John Doe now.

(muttering)

Amateur journalism, huh!

(starts for door)

I'll show those guys.

ANN:

Sure—and there's no reason for

them to find out the truth, either.

(significantly)

Because, naturally, I won't say

anything.

CONNELL turns sharply, stares at her a moment puzzled,

then grins.

CONNELL:

(grinning)

Okay, sister, you get your job

back.

ANN:

Plus a bonus.

CONNELL:

What bonus?

CLOSE-UP:
Of ANN. She takes the plunge. She is a little

frightened at her own nerve, but she is going to brazen it

out.

ANN:

(tries to drop it

casually)

Oh, the bonus of a thousand dollars

the Chronicle was going to pay me

for this little document. You'll

find it says, er: "I, Ann Mitchell,

hereby certify that the John Doe

letter was created by me—"

MED. SHOT:
As she speaks, she gets the "little document"

out of her bag, hands it to CONNELL who glares at her,

takes the paper and starts to read. Ann leans over his

shoulder. POP peers over his other shoulder.

CONNELL:

I can read. I can read!

ANN:

Sorry.

She backs away. CONNELL continues reading her confession.

CONNELL:

So you think this is worth a

thousand dollars, do you?

ANN:

(very carelessly)

Oh, the Chronicle would consider

it dirt cheap.

CONNELL:

Packs everything, including a gun.

(flings paper on

desk)

Okay, sister, you've got yourself

a deal. Now let's take a look at

the candidates. The one we pick

has gotta be the typical average

man. Typical American that can

keep his mouth shut.

POP:

Show me an American who can keep

his mouth shut and—I'll eat him.

CONNELL:

(opens door)

Okay, Beany, bring 'em in one at a

time.

(he steps back and

rubs his hands in

anticipation)

Wipe to:
Montage: Half a dozen

different types of hoboes appear—and

in each instance ANN shakes her

head, negatively.

WIPE TO:

CLOSE SHOT:
Of a TALL CHAP, head hanging shyly.

TWO SHOT:
Of ANN and CONNELL. They are impressed.

FULL SHOT:
ANN and CONNELL exchange hopeful glances and

begin slowly walking around the new candidate.

CLOSE-UP:
Of TALL CHAP. He feels awkward under this

scrutiny.

WIDER SHOT:
CONNELL stops in his examination of the man.

CONNELL:

Did you write that letter to Miss

Mitchell?

TALL CHAP:

(after a pause)

No, I didn't.

ANN, CONNELL and POP evince their surprise.

CONNELL:

What are you doing up here then?

TALL CHAP:

Well, the paper said there were

some jobs around loose. Thought

there might be one left over.

They study him for a second, then ANN walks over close to

him.

TWO SHOT:
ANN and TALL CHAP.

ANN:

Had any schooling?

TALL CHAP:

Yeah, a little.

ANN:

What do you do when you work?

TALL CHAP:

(slight pause)

I used to pitch.

ANN:

Baseball?

TALL CHAP:

Uh-huh. Till my wing[4] went bad.

ANN:

Where'd you play?

TALL CHAP:

Bush leagues mostly.[5] Med. shot:

To include the rest of them. They

have their eyes glued on his face.

ANN is very much interested.

CONNELL:

How about family? Got any family?

TALL CHAP:

(after a pause)

No.

CONNELL:

Oh, just traveling through, huh?

TALL CHAP:

Yeah. Me and a friend of mine.

He's outside.

CONNELL nods to the others to join him in a huddle. He

crosses to a corner. They follow.

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