Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #29

BOB:

(grabbing camera)

Come on - let's go!

Frank grabs his camera and both bolt toward the door. Mabel

gets there one step ahead of them, and blocks their path.

MABEL:

No, you don't. Just a minute. No

more photographs.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FRONT OF BABE'S HOME

CLOSE TRUCKING SHOT

As they walk slowly down the front steps.

LONGFELLOW:

The reason why I wanted to take a

walk, Mary, is 'cause I wanted to

talk to you.

BABE:

Let's just walk, okay?

LONGFELLOW:

All right.

CLOSE TRUCKING SHOT

As they walk along a foggy street, on their faces.

LONGFELLOW:

Mary, I'm going home.

BABE:

Are you? When?

LONGFELLOW:

In a day or so, I think.

BABE:

I don't blame you.

CLOSE TWO SHOT:

Continuing on them, as they slowly walk around the block.

LONGFELLOW:

A man ought to know where he fits

in. I just don't fit in around

here. I once had an idea I could

do something with the money, but

they kept me so busy here, I haven't

had time to figure it out. I guess

I'll wait till I get back home.

There is a long pause. Both lost in their own thoughts.

LONGFELLOW:

Do you mind if I talk to you, Mary?

You don't have to pay any attention

to me.

BABE:

No, I don't mind.

LONGFELLOW:

All my life, I've wanted somebody

to talk to. Back in Mandrake Falls,

I always used to talk to a girl.

BABE:

A girl?

LONGFELLOW:

Oh, an imaginary one. I used to

hike a lot through the woods and

I'd always take this girl with me

so I could talk to her. I'd show

her my pet trees and things. Sounds

kind of silly but we had a lot of

fun doing it.

(SMILING)

She was beautiful.

(then moodily)

I haven't married 'cause I've been

kinda waiting. You know, my mother

and father were a great couple. I

thought I might have the same kind

of luck. I've always hoped that

some day that imaginary girl would

turn out to be real.

They have arrived back at the front steps of Babe's home.

LONGFELLOW:

Well, here we are again.

BABE:

Yes, here we are again.

(after a pause)

Good night.

LONGFELLOW:

(then, quickly -

his voice faltering)

Mary - I - excuse me—

CLOSE TWO SHOT:

Favoring Babe. She cuts him off, her voice shaking.

BABE:

Goodbye, darling. Don't let anybody

hurt you again - ever. They can't

anyway. You're much too real. You

go back to Mandrake Falls. That's

where you belong - goodbye!

191. WIDER ANGLE

She runs up the steps.

LONGFELLOW:

Mary—

She stops and turns. He walks up close to her.

CLOSER SHOT - THE TWO

LONGFELLOW:

You know the poem I told you about?

It's finished.

His hand goes to his breast pocket - and then slowly is

withdrawn - without bringing out the poem.

LONGFELLOW:

Would you like to read it? It's to

you.

BABE:

(scarcely audible)

Yes, of course.

He now takes the poem out. The paper is folded. He hands

it to her and she slowly unfolds it. Just as she is about

to read Longfellow lays a hand on her arm.

LONGFELLOW:

(a little frightened)

You don't have to say anything,

Mary. You can tell me tomorrow

what you think.

She looks into his eyes, but does not respond. Then she

holds the paper up and begins reading. Longfellow watches

her anxiously.

CLOSEUP - BABE

READING SOFTLY:

BABE:

"I tramped the earth with hopeless

beat - Searching in vain for a

glimpse of you. Then heaven thrust

you at my very feet, A lovely angel -

too lovely to woo."

The last words come with difficulty. Babe's eyes are slowly

welling up.

CLOSE SHOT - THE TWO

BABE CONTINUES READING:

BABE:

"My dream has been answered, but

my life's just as bleak, I'm

handcuffed and speechless in your

presence divine - for my heart

longs to cry out, if it only would

speak, 'I love you, my angel - be

mine, be mine.' "

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