Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #30

Her voice is choked when she finishes. She does not look

up until she refolds the paper. He stands close to her,

waiting expectantly. Finally, she glances up. Her cheeks

are moist, and her face clouded. Impulsively, she throws

her arms around his neck, kissing him.

BABE:

Oh, darling!

Longfellow's arms encircle her and for a few moments they

remain in an emotional embrace.

LONGFELLOW:

(huskily)

You don't have to say anything

now. I'll wait till tomorrow -

till I hear from you.

CLOSEUP - BABE

Her eyes are beset with fears. She loves him - but knows

how hopeless it all is. She slowly starts freeing herself

from his embrace.

MED. CLOSE SHOT - THE TWO

As Babe, weeping softly, frees herself from his embrace.

Longfellow gives a yelp of joy and leaps down the steps.

He trips over a garbage pail and bumps into passersby,

making a racket as he zigzags down the street and out of

scene.

A VOICE:

(shouting)

Hey, what's the big idea?

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - DAY

CLOSE SHOT - MAC

Behind his desk.

MAC:

Stop it, Babe! Stop it! What do

you mean, you're quitting! You

might as well tell me I'm quitting.

As he speaks, CAMERA DRAWS BACK to reveal Babe near a

window, peering out moodily. Mac crosses over to her side.

MAC:

What's bothering you, huh?

BABE:

(after a pause)

Last night he proposed to me.

MAC:

Proposed to you! You mean he asked

you to marry him?

BABE:

Yes.

MAC:

(alert)

Why, Babe - that's terrific!

(sees it in print)

"Cinderella Man Woos Mystery Girl!

Who is the Mysterious Girl That—"

BABE:

Print one line of that, and I'll

blow your place up!

MED. CLOSE SHOT - THE TWO

MAC:

Sorry, Babe. Sorry. It would have

made a swell story. I just got

carried away. That's too bad. So

he proposed to you, huh?

(intrigued)

What a twist! You set out to nail

him - and he—

BABE:

(bitterly)

Yeah. Funny twist, isn't it?

MAC:

(suddenly)

Say, you haven't gone and fallen

for that mug, have you?

Babe's silence is eloquent.

MAC:

Well, I'll be—

He places an arm tenderly around her shoulder.

MAC:

That's tough, Babe.

Babe smiles wryly.

MAC:

(interested)

What're you going to do?

BABE:

(walking away)

I'm going to tell him the truth.

MAC:

Tell him you're Babe Bennett?

Tell him you've been making a stooge

out of him?

BABE:

I'm having lunch with him today.

He expects an answer. It's going

to be pretty.

MAC:

You're crazy! You can't do that!

MED. CLOSE SHOT - THE TWO

Over their shoulders, from behind, as Mac comforts her.

BABE:

He'll probably kick me right down

the stairs. I only hope he does.

MAC:

I'll put you on another job. You

need never see him again, eh?

BABE:

That's the rub.

MAC:

Oh, as bad as that, huh?

BABE:

(far-away)

Telling him is the long shot - I'm

going to take it.

He watches her sympathetically. Babe sighs resignedly.

BABE:

(looking around)

Well, it was fun while it lasted,

Mac. I'll clean out my desk.

She leaves him. Mac is deeply moved by her problem.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. GRAND STAIRCASE

200. WIDE SHOT

As Longfellow, in a buoyant mood, emerges from his room

and slides down the bannister of the grand staircase.

INT. INTIMATE DINING ROOM

201. MEDIUM SHOT

Table is set for two. Two butlers putter around. Longfellow

enters full of expectant enthusiasm. He is in his shirt

sleeves. He hovers over them, checking their preparations.

LONGFELLOW:

How's it going? Okay?

BUTLER:

Yes, quite all right. Thank you,

sir.

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