Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #38

COBB:

Haven't you done enough damage

already?

BABE:

(ignoring his attack)

Somebody's got to help him! He

hasn't got a chance against Cedar.

Look, I've been all over town

talking to everybody. I've got Mac

all lined up - and the paper's

behind him. And I can get him

Livingston, too. With a lawyer

like Livingston, he's got a fighting

chance.

COBB:

(coldly)

You're wasting your time. He doesn't

want any lawyers. He's sunk so

low, he doesn't want help from

anybody.

(bitterly)

You can take a bow for that.

(huskily)

As swell a guy as ever hit this

town, and you crucified him! For

a couple of stinking headlines!

You've done your bit - now stay

out of his way!

He exits abruptly, leaving Babe staring despairingly at

his disappearing back, his brutal diatribe ringing harshly

in her ears.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INSERT:
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES "DEEDS SANITY HEARING TODAY!

Semple Heir Charged With Incompetency! 'Should Be Confined

To An Institution,' Declares Cedar.

"Longfellow Deeds Refuses Counsel; Remains Incommunicado."

"Farmers Aroused At Efforts to Balk Their Benefactor."

"Police Surround Courthouse In Anticipation Of Outbreak."

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COURTHOUSE

254. LONG SHOT

Of an unruly mob - being jostled by the police.

INT. CORRIDOR OF COURTHOUSE

255. LONG SHOT

The corridor is jammed with curious public endeavoring to

gain entrance. Perspiring police fight to keep them back.

INT. COURTROOM

256. FULL SHOT

It is practically full. The few empty seats are being

quickly filled. People stumble over each other to find a

seat. The judge is not yet at his bench. There is a general

chatter of excitement and anticipation.

257. MED. SHOT - FRONT OF COURTROOM

Among the spectators Babe sits beside Mac. She stares,

expression-less. Mac glances at her sympathetically.

258. MED. SHOT

Featuring the farmer who broke into Longfellow's house.

Near him is the Swede we saw - and others.

SHOT INSIDE RAILING

Cedar and his assistants arrange their papers. Two dignified

gentlemen, psychiatrists, await action, arms folded. Near

them is Henry Semple, the complainant, his nose twitching

nervously. By his side is his wife, sparkling expectantly.

SHOT AT LONG TABLE

At which sit a dozen newspaper reporters.

MED. CLOSE SHOT

From a side door Longfellow enters, accompanied by his

guard. Immediately the place is astir. As he advances to a

chair in front of a table—

262. MED. FULL SHOT - COURTROOM

Necks crane for a glimpse. Whispered conversations take

place.

CLOSE SHOT - HENRY SEMPLE

He looks guilty, nose twitching more violently than ever.

SEMPLE:

(to Cedar)

Here he is!

CLOSE SHOT - BABE AND MAC

Babe sits up, her eyes riveted on Longfellow. Impulsively

she starts to rise, but Mac puts a restraining hand on

her.

MED. CLOSE SHOT

Longfellow turns neither to left nor right. He is slumped

low in his chair, staring solemnly into space. Cobb breaks

into scene and sits down beside him.

COBB:

(full of excitement)

Cedar just sent for me. Wants to

make a settlement. Here's your

chance to get out of the whole

mess. What do you say?

He gets no response from Longfellow.

There is a stir in the courtroom.

MED. LONG SHOT

The bailiff calls out as the Judge proceeds to his bench.

BAILIFF:

Quiet, please! The Supreme Court

of the State of New York, County

of New York, is now in session,

the Honorable John May, Judge,

presiding. Be seated.

MED. CLOSE SHOT

To include Judge and Longfellow.

JUDGE:

The court wishes to warn those

present that it will tolerate no

disturbances.

(to Longfellow)

Regarding the sanity hearing of

Longfellow Deeds, are you

represented by counsel, Mr. Deeds?

Almost imperceptibly, Longfellow shakes his head no. The

Judge looks troubled. There is a stir in the courtroom.

JUDGE:

I understand that you have no

counsel, Mr. Deeds. In fact, that

you have no intention of defending

any of these charges. Now, if you

wish to change your mind, the

hearing can be postponed.

Getting no response from Longfellow, the Judge shrugs his

shoulders.

JUDGE:

Proceed.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COURTROOM

268. MEDIUM SHOT

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