Notorious Page #11

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE ENTRY HALL - NIGHT

In the mansion's well-lit ENTRY HALL, the big party is just getting underway.

From top to bottom: a crystal chandelier, a curving grand staircase, asizable number of formally-dressed party guests drawn from Rio's elite, and,

in the center of it all, the dapper host who greets each guest at the frontdoor, his lovely new wife -- and a stolen wine cellar key that she secretlyclutches in a nervous hand. The only thing missing is a certain Americanintelligence agent who has not yet shown up, much to Alicia's concern.

SEBASTIAN:

(to Alicia)

Well, I think we might join the rest of

the party now. I think all our guests

are here.

Sebastian leads her away just before Devlin arrives. A SERVANT takes his

coat.

DEVLIN:

(to the servant)

Where can I find Alex Sebastian?

SERVANT:

By the drawing room, sir.

DEVLIN:

Thanks.

Devlin strides off to the drawing room.

INT. DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT

Devlin spots Alicia, who approaches him. A jealous Sebastian watches themfrom the opposite side of the room.

ALICIA:

Hello, Dev.

DEVLIN:

Good evening.

Devlin kisses Alicia's hand, palming the key.

ALICIA:

You haven't seen the house, have you?

DEVLIN:

Well, it's quite a jolly little cottage.

ALICIA:

Let me show you around the place.

DEVLIN:

Later, his [nips?] is on the trail.

Sebastian approaches and shakes hands with Devlin.

SEBASTIAN:

Mister Devlin.

DEVLIN:

Good evening.

SEBASTIAN:

Glad to see you.

DEVLIN:

It was kind of your bride to invite me.

SEBASTIAN:

We both invite you, Mister Devlin.

(to Alicia)

See that our guest is fed, my dear, amused.

You know --

Sebastian sees a guest he has not yet greeted.

SEBASTIAN:

(to Alicia)

Oh, excuse me.

(to the guest)

Madame Esterich, I'm so glad to see you...

Sebastian abruptly walks off. Devlin and Alicia speak in low voices as theyhead for the bar.

DEVLIN:

This isn't going to be easy.

ALICIA:

Why?

DEVLIN:

He, er, he's quite sensitive about you. He's

going to watch us like a hawk.

ALICIA:

Yes, he's rather jealous of anyone.

DEVLIN:

Where'd you get the key? Off his chain?

ALICIA:

Yes.

DEVLIN:

Let's hope the liquor doesn't run out and

start him down the cellar for more.

ALICIA:

Oh, I hadn't thought about that.

DEVLIN:

Quite a point.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BAR - NIGHT

At the bar, a man who looks rather like the famed movie director AlfredHitchcock sucks down a glass of champagne. He leaves just as Devlin andAlicia enter. Joseph pours drinks. Alicia hands one to Devlin.

DEVLIN:

Thank you.

Devlin is suddenly accosted by Senora Ortiz, the woman with whom Sebastianwas riding at his club.

SENORA ORTIZ:

Oh, Mister Devlin, how nice. You remember

me?

DEVLIN:

Senora Ortiz.

SENORA ORTIZ:

How sweet. Young men usually have short

memories.

Someone offers her a glass.

SENORA ORTIZ:

Oh, here's something I adore, champagne.

She takes first the glass, and then Devlin's arm, meaning to steal him awayfrom Alicia.

SENORA ORTIZ:

(to Alicia)

Oh, er, may I?

Alicia smiles her assent and Senora Ortiz leads Devlin away. A preoccupiedAlicia turns to look at the ice chest full of champagne bottles.

ALICIA:

Joseph?

JOSEPH:

Madame?

ALICIA:

Do you think you have enough champagne to

last for the rest of the evening?

JOSEPH:

I don't know, Madame. I hope so.

Alicia, after noting Sebastian engaged in a conversation with a guest, headsback to Devlin and Senora Ortiz chatting in the ENTRY HALL.

INT. THE ENTRY HALL - NIGHT

ALICIA:

Enjoying yourself, Mister Devlin?

DEVLIN:

Very much, thank you.

ALICIA:

There are so many things I would like to

ask you about the states. I haven't heard

anything for a long time.

DEVLIN:

I'll be glad to tell you. Will you excuse

me, Senora Ortiz?

Alicia and Devlin grab a seat. Sebastian sees them sitting together andwaves. Alicia smiles and toasts him with her glass. Alicia and Devlin

pretend to chat amiably.

ALICIA:

We better hurry.

DEVLIN:

Lots of time.

ALICIA:

No. Joseph may have to ask Alex for more

wine.

DEVLIN:

Uh huh.

ALICIA:

He's running out faster than he thought.

DEVLIN:

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

(re:
Sebastian)

Is he watching?

ALICIA:

Yes. You'd better go out in the garden alone

and wait around back of the house for me and

I'll show you the wine cellar door.

DEVLIN:

Um hmm.

Sebastian starts walking toward the seated couple just as they rise andseparate. Alicia, all smiles, crosses to meet Sebastian.

SEBASTIAN:

Nice party, isn't it?

ALICIA:

A wonderful party.

SEBASTIAN:

I think you've done it wonderfully well.

I'm very proud. Mister Devlin bother

you much?

ALICIA:

Oh, no, darling. He's trying to drown

his sorrows.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BAR - NIGHT

Devlin gets a light for his cigarette. He notes the ice chest full of

bottles, then slowly makes his way out of the house by way of the TERRACE.

CUT TO:

INT. AMONGST THE GUESTS - NIGHT

Alicia, fans herself. She and Sebastian listen to a French-speaking guest.

A servant proffers a tray full of champagne glasses. Alicia declines. She

decides to break away.

ALICIA:

(to Sebastian and the guest)

Excuse me, I think I'll ask the orchestra

to play some Brazilian music. They've

played waltzes all evening.

SEBASTIAN:

[?], my dear.

Alicia departs. Sebastian remains, genuinely engrossed in the conversation.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE GARDEN - NIGHT

Devlin, pacing in the GARDEN, outside the door that leads to the pantry. He

puts out his cigarette just as Alicia turns on the light inside. She opensthe garden door to let him to the PANTRY.

CUT TO:

INT. THE PANTRY - NIGHT

Alicia points Devlin to the wine cellar.

ALICIA:

There's the door.

DEVLIN:

Right.

They cross to the wine cellar door and Devlin unlocks it.

ALICIA:

I'll keep the garden door open and I'lltell you if anything happens.

Devlin enters the WINE CELLAR and snaps on the light. Alicia waits nervouslyby the garden door as Devlin investigates.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BAR - NIGHT

Upstairs, Joseph pours wine. He glances at the dwindling number of bottles

in the ice chest.

CUT TO:

INT. THE WINE CELLAR - NIGHT

Devlin looks over the wine stock. Reaching for an inventory, he accidentally

knocks a bottle of fine Pommard wine off a shelf. It SHATTERS and, to hissurprise, it's filled not with wine, but with what looks like black sand.

Alicia, hearing the noise, enters the wine cellar.

ALICIA:

What happened?

DEVLIN:

Look, vintage sand.

Devlin checks the other bottles.

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