Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil Page #3

Have you ever written

for Town & Country before?

JOHN:

No.

You requested me?

They've wanted to cover

my Christmas party for years.

My acceptance of their offer this year

was contingent on one thing:

Your participation.

Thank you for that.

No, thank you.

Now sit back, relax, enjoy your brandy

and tell me your life story, John Kelso.

It's getting late

and I have an early flight...

...so maybe I can take

a rain check on that. Next Christmas.

If you make the cut.

We'll hope for the best.

I can't wait to see the article,

and I hope you have enough...

...for your 500-word essay.

Believe me, I could use 10,000.

Thanks for everything.

I'll show myself out.

JIM:

Oh, and sport...

...I really did like your book.

Thank you.

(SIRENS)

That's a beautiful jacket.

I believe it's an endangered species.

Look at that 14-karat gold dress

and Tony Manero.

Who's hungry?

MAND Y:

Want some punch, baby?

Oh, that's such a good pony.

JOE:
What are you doing,

getting that horse drunk?

What happened?

That Jim Williams

went and shot somebody.

Canap?

What?

He sure did. Those lights

ain't part of the Christmas display.

For real?

Yes, sir.

He shot somebody.

Look at that man go.

I'm starting to like that Yankee.

What's that saying?

Curiosity killed the Yankee? That's it.

JIM:
He was drunker when he got back,

and I'll tell you...

...when he's been drinking,

he's got another personality altogether.

He'd already smashed things upstairs

earlier.

And he must've gone

to some drive-in B movie...

...with throats being slashed.

No doubt it had an effect,

because I've never seen him that angry.

He and I got into an argument.

He destroyed this beautiful,

priceless antique clock in the hallway.

If you'd like to...

...spike that up...

...the bar's in the living room.

No, thank you.

I'm still on duty.

I know that.

I'm sorry.

This is very upsetting.

How much longer

is this going to take?

What are you doing here?

I work for the city, too.

I got the film from that party.

JEFF:

I'll get it to you.

Great, great.

JIM:
He came into the office

and he stood there and he yelled...

..."I might be leaving tomorrow,

but goddamn it, you're leaving tonight."

Then he fired at me twice and I pulled

the Luger from my desk and fired back.

If it had happened to you,

you would've done exactly what I did.

I have never been so scared in my life.

If I had not shot at Billy...

...I have no doubt it'd be my obituary

you'd be reading tomorrow.

SONNY:
What're you doing here?

JOHN:
The thing was open.

SONNY:

Jesus Christ, Frank!

My client has nothing to say.

I can't believe you would do this

without calling me!

How long have we known each other?!

SONNY:
Is this entrapment, Frank?

What the hell is going on?

Sorry, I'm not going to have time

to process this.

JEFF:

Film from the party.

Jim told me

you heard Hanson threaten him.

No-good street hustler.

I told Jim he was dangerous.

JOHN:

Forget about Town & Country.

I know I've been here only 3 days and

it's just a shooting, but give it time.

This place is fantastic. It's like

Gone With the Wind on mescaline.

I know you're my agent.

Listen to me.

They walk imaginary pets here

on a f***ing leash, okay?

They're all heavily armed and drunk.

New York is boring.

I'll call you later.

SONNY:
Largent's up for reelection,

so he'll try to get this to trial.

He won't take my damn phone calls...

...so we'll have to use the back door.

I'll be back.

Thanks for coming over, coach.

Jim's in the office.

SONNY:
We talked about something

we'd like to run by you.

JOHN:

You want me to kill the story.

Done.

Great, great.

Why?

Actually, I was...

...considering...

...writing a book.

Sweet Jesus.

A book about what?

Self-defense happens all the time.

Then why are you worried about the D.A.?

I overheard in the lobby.

SONNY:

We're a small town.

We defend ourselves, our reputations...

...against the outside world.

Word gets around a New Yorker's

trying to make us look bad...

...you'll find Savannahians

can get tight-lipped.

If there's a trial, will I be a witness?

You threatening me?

Absolutely not.

You perjure yourself,

you'll find yourself in jail.

I wouldn't do it.

When it comes to this, I'm at ground zero.

If there's nothing worth writing...

...then you got no worries.

That's what I get paid for.

I will not permit this.

I don't need anyone's permission.

Not really.

Then why are you soliciting it?

You need my permission...

...my help...

...my acquiescence...

...or you don't have a story.

Not really.

We both know that.

So would the river flow both ways?

Meaning?

Would you share whatever information

you garner with me and Sonny?

Yes, but it won't change what I write.

And you don't get to see a word of it

until it's published.

So...

...who'd be the main character

in this book?

SONNY:
Have you written up cases

like this before?

JOHN:

A few of them for Esquire, yeah.

What do you think?

What do I think?

If you're worried about the D.A.,

grand juries read papers.

Proper spin control

could make a big difference.

What the hell are you talking about?

You said Hanson was a street hustler.

Did he have a record?

Take drugs?

Deal drugs? Pimp?

That kind of spin

can influence a grand jury.

Get investigators to hit the streets.

Every P.I. In town's an off-duty cop.

Besides, why would we need a P. I...

...when we got ourselves

a hotshot New York writer...

...filling all the gaps?

Take care, bubba.

CHABLIS:
Are you the flower man?

- No, I'm John Kelso.

Good morning, I'm a writer

and wanted to ask you...

If you're not the flower man,

leave me be.

The Lady's in mourning, and

I haven't received a flower or a rose...

...or anything to show for it.

Please leave me be.

I know Billy Hanson used to live here.

I wanted to ask a few questions.

And if it's an inappropriate time,

I'll come back later.

I can't believe you're running around

ringing my doorbell. Where you from?

Where are your manners?

Just leave me be.

My condolences.

I'll call...

I'll come back another time, or...

I apologize for the delay.

Why, thank you. They're lovely.

They're absolutely lovely.

I'd love to ask you a few questions,

if you have a minute.

Is this your car?

How about a ride home?

Thank you.

What I want to know is,

what is a white boy like you...

...doing driving a big old brother's

jive-ass heap like this sh*t here?

I just bought this.

I kind of like it. It's not a bad car.

No, it's not bad.

Did I hurt your feelings?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

I can't help it.

I just call things out as I see it.

I just can't help it.

I just do that.

- One thing you needn't worry about.

- What's that?

Ain't nobody going to try

to steal this piece of sh*t.

I'm just practicing up till I can save

enough money to get my Rolls.

Chablis is a pretty name.

It's unusual.

Thank you. I got it off a wine bottle.

It's a show name.

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