Miller's Crossing Page #14

Leo grabs his own wrist with one hand and swings his elbow

up to catch Tom with a sharp blow on the side of his face.

Tom spins into a screaming lady in a sequined evening dress

and sinks to the floor grabbing at her bodice and skirt for

support. She bats at him with her handbag as he slips

down.

Fat Tony emerges from the crowd and helps Tom to his feet.

He raises his hand to stop Leo.

Tony

Okay, Leo. I'll throw him out.

Leo stops, panting. He is looking at Tom, but speaking to to

Tony.

Leo

. . . Yeah. Do that. . . It's the kiss-off. If

I never see him again it'll be soon enough.

35. CUT TO:

TOM'S APARTMENT

Wide shot of his living room, facing the windows. It is

night.

Tom sits with his back to us at the window, feet propped up

on the sill. He is smoking a cigarette. A full ashtray on

a table at his side indicates that he has been sitting

there for some time.

We are slowly tracking in.

The telephone sits on the the arm of his chair. After a

moment he stubs out the cigarette, picks up the phone and

dials.

Tom

. . .'Lo Frankie its Tom, how's the flunky

business?. . . I've had worse; your ventilator

healing up?

Offscreen we hear a knocking at the door to the apartment.

Tom ignores it.

. . . Tell Caspar its already forgotten. I'd

like to see him. . .

The knocking continues.

. . . All right, do what you have to do and let

me know.

He cradles the phone, lights another cigarette, takes a

drag, blows a thoughtful cloud of smoke and turns to face

the door. After a beat he rises and leaves frame.

THE DOOR:

As Tom swings it open. Verna stands in the hallway

outside. After a wordless beat she moves past him into the

apartment. Tom turns and follows her.

He walks over to his bar, pours two drinks, then crosses

the room to Verna who has seated herself, hands her a drink

and sits down in a chair facing hers.

Verna

. . . It worked, whatever you did; Leo told me

we're quits. But you know I didn't have anything

to do with Rug.

Tom

Maybe not. . . Anyway, that isn't what soured him

on you.

The thought is bitter but her tone isn't:

Verna

Oh, you and me, huh? You always take the long

way around to get what you want, don't you Tom.

. . . You could have just asked.

Tom looks at her.

Tom

. . . What did I want?

Verna returns his look, then answers evenly:

Verna

Me.

After a beat Tom, his eyes still on Verna, brings the glass

to his lips and takes a sip. The ice cubes clink.

FADE OUT:

36. FADE IN:

THE BEDROOM:

Tom sits perched on the edge of the bed, smoking a ciga-

rette. Verna is in bed behind him. The lamp on the

nightstand is burning a faint yellow.

The telephone rings.

As Tom reaches for it, Verna stirs behind him.

Tom

Yeah?

He reaches over to switch off the light; when he does the

room remains illuminated by dull gray light; it is dawn.

. . . Yeah yeah, when?. . . Okay.

He hangs up, and continues to smoke, staring absently off.

Verna

. . . You're still up?

Tom answers without turning to face her:

Tom

Yeah.

Verna

. . . What're you chewing over?

Tom

. . . Remembering something. . .

Verna

What was it?

Tom turns to look at her, then turns back and looks out the

window.

Tom

Just a dream. I was walking in the woods, don't

know why. . . The wind came up and blew my hat

off. . .

Verna

And you chased it, right? You ran and ran and

finally you caught up to it and picked it up but

it wasn't a hat anymore. It had changed into

something else--something wonderful.

Tom

No. It stayed a hat. And no I didn't chase it.

I watched it blow away. . .

He takes a drag an the cigarette.

. . . Nothing more foolish than a man chasing his

hat.

Tom rouses himself, rises, and we pan to follow as he picks

up a shirt and starts buttoning it in the bureau mirror.

Verna

Where're you going?

Tom

Out.

Verna stares at him.

Verna

. . . Don't let on more than you have to.

Tom shrugs.

Tom

Just have to do a few things.

Verna

You and Leo might still be able to patch

things up.

Tom grimaces into the mirror.

Tom

Me and Leo are finished. Nothing's going to

change that.

Verna

You never know. He's got a big heart.

Tom

We're quits--as far as I'm concerned, never mind

him. And if Leo did want me back he's an even

bigger sap than I thought.

Verna

. . . Then why don't we just pick up and leave

town? There's nothing keeping you here. I know

there's nothing keeping me.

Tom is starting to knot a tie.

Tom

What about Bernie?

Verna

He could come with us.

Tom

You, me and Bernie. Where would we go, Verna?

Niagara Falls?

Verna

Why do you hate him?

Tom

I don't hate anyone.

Verna

Or like anyone.

Tom

Whatever. Where is Bernie?

Verna looks at him.

Verna

Why?

Tom

Leo can't protect him anymore. I ought to tell

him to skip.

Verna

The Royale. Room three-oh-two.

She gazes off.

. . . I guess we both double-crossed Leo, there's

no getting around that. I guess he's well rid of

both of us.

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