Nick of Time Page #8

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ELEANOR GRANT:

They-didn't hear a word I said. The

mike was too low on the podium.

KRISTA:

How much did we pay for that room?

CHIEF AIDE:

We didn't.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Somebody did.

KRISTA turns to an Aide.

KRIST:

A Have Nolin pre-check the PA systems.

The elevator doors open. They crowd in. The doors start to

close.

Gene looks around, where did Mr. Smith go?

GENE springs forward, thrusts his hand between them. The

doors stop, then bounce open. GENE is startled, finding

himself face to face with a cold eyed bodyguard.

BODYGUARD:

Excuse me, sir, this car is for the

Governor. You can take the next one.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Don't you dare, Franco. This is one

of our biggest supporters.

She smiles charmingly, offers her hand to GENE.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Eleanor Grant, gubernatorial

incumbent. That's a mouthful isn't-

it? I love saying that.

GENE steps aboard, shakes her hand.

INT. "RED ELEVATOR" - DAY - 12:29PM

The elevator begins to rise.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Whose idea was it to have a lunch

right after the brunch? I'm about to

bust as it is.

KRISTA:

We'll just walk through, do a little

grip-and-grin, then get ready for

the press con.

INSERT FLOOR INDICATOR

We are on the third floor.

The doors have closed and the elevator begins to rise.

GENE:

Governor...

It comes out a little louder then he intended. He has turned,

his back to the door. Everyone looks at him. He's committed.

GENE:

I need your help.

ELEANOR GRANT:

What can I do for you Mr....Watson?

GENE:

Its'...ah...about my daughter....

The elevator slows and stops on the next floor above.

INSERT FLOOR INDICATOR

We are on the fourth floor.

Behind GENE, the doors open.

MR. SMITH (O.S.)

Room for one more?

GENE freezes.

ELEANOR GRANT:

I think we can accommodate you.

She offers her hand to MR. SMITH as he steps on board.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Eleanor Grant, gubernatorial

incumbent.

MR. SMITH

A pleasure to meet you, Governor.

The car begins to rise again. ELEANOR .GRANT turns back to

GENE.

ELEANOR GRANT:

You were saying? Your daughter....?

GENE:

I...

ELEANOR GRANT:

Yes?

ANGLE ON MR SMITH

Yes???

ANGLE ON GENE:

What to do now?

GENE:

She ..ahh...wanted me to... be sure

to get your autograph.

ELEANOR GRANT:

Of course. I wish everything were

that easy.

KRISTA:

I've got the pen if you've got the

paper.

GENE looks at her. She smiles back.

KRISTA:

How about that?

He looks at what she refers to: the manila envelope he holds,

the one MR. SMITH gave him.

KRISTA:

Is that something precious?

GENE:

No, that's,..that's fine

He gives it to ELEANOR GRANT. KRISTA hands over the pen.

GENE's eyes flick over to MR. SMITH who is staring at the

envelope.

ELEANOR GRANT:

What's her name?

GENE looks at the Governor, only inches away, back to MR.

SMITH, who raises his eyes, nods, his silent message curt -

do it! GENE pulls his eyes away.

GENE:

Her name? Her name is Lynn.

ELEANOR GRANT writes the autograph. MR. SMITH'S eyes drill

into him. GENE looks over. MR. SMITH raises a hand to his

face, pretends to scratch an itch. His other hand taps his

wristwatch. GENE's hand slides toward his jacket pocket.

Sweat beads on his forehead. He's barely aware of KRISTA

talking to him.

KRISTA:

It's funny. I don't even keep a pad

of paper with me anymore, everything's

gone so electronic.

He gives her a quick, weak smile. His free hand wipes the

sweat from his face.

KRISTA:

If it wasn't for double A batteries

I'd be in big trouble.

He is slowly reaching into the pocket with the gun, but stops

when he notices MR. SMITH'S hand slide into his jacket, where

his gun is.

He looks at the other MR. SMITH, earphone, crewcut-Security.

There is the hint of a gun on his hip.

GENE's eyes widen, dart to MR. SMITH'S face, his hand sliding

into his coat. His hand hovers over his gun, trembling. Is

the SECURITY MAN staring at him?

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