Nick of Time Page #19

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GENE:

He can't hear a word we're saying.

MR. SMITH looks at the sign. HUEY stops what he's doing -

"What the f***?" He almost says it aloud, then:

MR. SMITH

You wouldn't be kidding me now, would

you, Mr. Watson?

(to HUEY's back)

Hey, n*gger! Is that right? You can't

hear me? N*gger?

HUEY's face settles into something cold. What's he going to

do? He stands, looks at GENE, who stares back at him, then

slowly turns around, looks at MR. SMITH - and breaks into a

jive-ass grin.

HUEY:

Why, looky-here. My customer-quotient

just got multiplied by two. What do

you think of that? You'll have to

forgive me, sir. Didn't hear your

approach. Fact of the matter is, I'm

deef as a post. Compliments of the

United States Army...

(does a snappy salute)

...Artillery Corps. Can I give you a

shine, sir? You don't see your face,

you don't pay.

MR. SMITH is suspicious but he climbs into the second chair.

MR. SMITH

(loudly)

Yeah, sure, give me a shine...

(looks at GENE)

...shine.

HUEY goes to work on his shoes.

MR. SMITH

I'm putting your toy back in your

pocket, Mr. Watson.

Unseen by MR. SMITH, HUEY takes a peek and sees the gun being

transferred to GENE's pocket.

MR. SMITH

It's all wound up. Now let's get out

your itinerary.

GENE does.

"1:
'30 - California Leads the Nation into the 21st Century -

California Ballroom - Governor Eleanor Samara Grant and

Brendan Grant" It is the last entry.

GENE:

One thirty. California Ballroom.

MR. SMITH

(glances at HUEY)

That's right. That gives you...

He looks at his watch.

1:
04.

MR. SMITH

...twenty-six minutes to get your

sh*t together.

GENE:

Let me talk to her again.

MR. SMITH

No.

GENE:

I want'to talk to her.

MR. SMITH

Forget about it.

GENE:

I talk to her or you can forget about

it.

MR. SMITH

Don't you threaten me.

GENE:

What are you going to do about it,

shoot me?

MR. SMITH

(glances again at HUEY) You know

what I'm gonna do.

GENE:

What? Walk out there and twist her

arm off?

MR. SMITH doesn't reply.

GENE:

It would be a lot less trouble just

to let me talk to her.

They stare at each other for a few beats. Then MR. SMITH

checks HUEY out and gets out the walkie-talkie.

MR. SMITH

(into it)

Come Back.

MS. JONES (O.S.)

(filtered)

Yeah.

MR. SMITH

Put her on.

MS. JONES (O.S.)

What gives?

MR. SMITH

Just put her on.

LYNN (O.S.)

(filtered)

Daddy?

GENE grabs the walkie-talkie.

GENE:

Yes, sweetie, it's me.

LYNN (O.S.)

(filtered)

I'm tired. I want to.go now.

GENE:

I know you do, honey.

INT. THE VAN - DAY -1:05PM

MS. JONES holds the walkie-talkie for LYNN.

LYNN:

Can we go now?

GENE (O.S.)

(filtered)

Not just yet, baby. There's...there's

something Daddy has to do.

LYNN:

To be a hero?

INT. BONAVENTURE LOBBY - DAY - 1:05PM

MR. SMITH, GENE and HUEY in situ.

GENE:

No, honey, not to be a hero. But I

want you to remember something for

me, all right?

LYNN (O.S.)

(filtered)

All right.

GENE:

He's doing it for you. No matter

what anybody tells you, no matter

who they are, he's doing it for you,

because he loves you.

MR. SMITH

That's enough.

He reaches for the walkie-talkie, but GENE stares him down.

Back to the walkie-talkie:

GENE:

Will you promise me that?

LYNN (O.S.)

(filtered)

I promise.

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