Notorious Page #5

DEVLIN:

Well, I don't think she's that type of woman.

She strikes me as being rather--

PRESCOTT:

I don't understand your attitude. Why do you

think she won't do it?

DEVLIN:

Well, she's had no experience.

PRESCOTT:

Oh, come now. What experience does she lack,

do you think?

DEVLIN:

She's never been trained for that kind of

work, they'll see through her.

PRESCOTT:

Miss Huberman was chosen not only because

her father gives her an ideal background

but because Sebastian knows her.

This is news to Devlin.

PRESCOTT:

Oh, yes. He was once in love with her.

DEVLIN:

(ironic)

Oh, I didn't know that.

BEARDSLEY:

I don't see why we're arguing about petty

things like this. We've got important work

to do. Sebastian's house is a cover-up for

whatever this Farben group's up to here in Rio.

We've got to get Miss Huberman inside that

house and find out what's going on there.

PRESCOTT:

Yes, that's right.

(to Devlin)

So I think you'd better go back to Miss

Huberman and explain to her what she has

to do.

DEVLIN:

I, er...

PRESCOTT:

Well, what is it?

DEVLIN:

Nothing, sir.

PRESCOTT:

Oh. I thought you were going to say

something.

DEVLIN:

How is the meeting to be arranged?

PRESCOTT:

Oh, well, we've discussed that. I think

the riding club would be the best place.

Sebastian usually rides there in the mornings.

So the rest is up to you and Miss Huberman.

(after an awkward pause)

Okay, Devlin, that's all.

DEVLIN:

All right.

Devlin walks out of the room while a mildly confused Prescott eyes theCHAMPAGNE BOTTLE that Devlin leaves behind.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ALICIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Devlin dejectedly enters ALICIA'S APARTMENT after sundown. Alicia is in

the kitchen. He slowly wanders out to the balcony, not wanting to face her.

ALICIA:

(from the kitchen)

Dev, is that you?

DEVLIN:

Uh huh.

ALICIA:

I'm glad you're late. This chicken took

longer than I expected. What did they say?

Alicia mangles an overcooked chicken with a knife and fork

ALICIA:

Hope it isn't done too -- too much. It

caught fire once. I think it's better if

I cut it up out here. Unless you want ahalf a one for yourself. We're going tohave knives and forks after all. I've

decided we're going to eat in style.

Alicia joins Devlin on the balcony with two plates that she sets on acandlelit table.

ALICIA:

Marriage must be wonderful with this sortof thing going on every day. I wonder if

it's too cold out here, maybe we should eatinside.

Alicia hugs and kisses Devlin.

ALICIA:

Hasn't something like this happened before?

He's unresponsive. She senses something's wrong.

ALICIA:

(keeps it light)

What's the matter? Don't look so tense.

Troubles? Well, handsome, I think you'dbetter tell mama what's going on. All thissecrecy's going to ruin my little dinner.

Come on, Mister D., what is darkening yourbrow?

DEVLIN:

After dinner.

ALICIA:

No, now. Look, I'll make it easy for you.

The time has come when you must tell me thatyou have a wife and two adorable children andthis madness between us can't go on any longer.

DEVLIN:

I'll bet you've heard that line often enough.

ALICIA:

(stung badly)

Right below the belt every time. Oh, thatisn't fair, Dev.

DEVLIN:

Skip it. We have other things to talk about.

We've got a job.

ALICIA:

Oh. So there is a job?

DEVLIN:

You, uh, you remember a man named Sebastian?

ALICIA:

Alex Sebastian?

DEVLIN:

Yes.

ALICIA:

One of my father's friends, yes.

DEVLIN:

He had quite a crush on you.

ALICIA:

I wasn't very responsive.

DEVLIN:

Well, he's here. The head of a large Germanbusiness concern.

ALICIA:

His family always had money.

DEVLIN:

He's part of the combine that built up theGerman war machine and hopes to keep on going.

ALICIA:

Something big?

DEVLIN:

It has all the earmarks of being somethingbig. We have to contact him.

Alicia sits at the table.

ALICIA:

Go on, let's have all of it.

DEVLIN:

We're meeting him tomorrow. The rest is up toyou. You've got to work on him and land him.

ALICIA:

Mata Hari. She makes love for the papers.

DEVLIN:

There are no papers. You land him. Find outwhat's going on inside his house, what thegroup around him is up to, and report to us.

ALICIA:

I suppose you knew about this pretty littlejob of mine all the time.

DEVLIN:

No. I only just found out about it.

ALICIA:

Did you say anything? I mean, that maybe Iwasn't the girl for such shenanigans?

DEVLIN:

I figured that was up to you, if you'd caredto back out.

ALICIA:

I suppose you told them, "Alicia Hubermanwould have this Sebastian eating out of herhand in a couple of weeks. She's good at that.

Always was."

DEVLIN:

I didn't say anything.

ALICIA:

Not a word for that-that little lovesick

lady you left an hour ago?

DEVLIN:

I told you, that's the assignment.

ALICIA:

Oh, well now, don't get sore, Dev. I'm onlyfishing for a little bird call from my dreamman. One little remark, such as, "How dareyou gentlemen suggest that Alicia Huberman-- the new Miss Huberman -- be submitted to

so ugly a fate?"

She rises and crosses to him.

DEVLIN:

That's not funny.

He lights a cigarette.

ALICIA:

Do you want me to take the job?

DEVLIN:

You're answering for yourself.

ALICIA:

I am asking you.

DEVLIN:

It's up to you.

ALICIA:

Not a peep, hm? Oh, darling, what youdidn't tell them, tell me. That you believeI'm nice, and that I love you, and I'llnever change back.

DEVLIN:

I'm waiting for your answer.

Alicia slowly walks into the apartment.

ALICIA:

What a little pal you are. Never believingme, hm? Not a word of faith. Just down thedrain with Alicia. That's where she belongs.

Oh, Dev, Dev.

Alicia pours herself a drink and takes a swallow.

ALICIA:

When do I go to work for Uncle Sam?

DEVLIN:

Tomorrow morning.

He joins her inside. She looks out at their candlelight dinner on thebalcony.

ALICIA:

Oh, we shouldn't have had this out here. It'sall cold now.

Alicia sees Devlin looking around as if he's lost something.

ALICIA:

What are you looking for?

DEVLIN:

I had a bottle of champagne, I must have leftit somewhere.

FADE OUT:

EXT. TAXI CAB - DAY

FADE IN on a TAXI, driving through Rio, the next morning.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TAXI CAB - DAY

Devlin and Alicia, in riding clothes, travel to Sebastian's club.

DEVLIN:

In case you're asked, I'm with Pan AmericanAirways.

ALICIA:

As Devlin?

DEVLIN:

Yes. Public relations office.

ALICIA:

Anything else?

DEVLIN:

No, except we met on the plane coming in

from Miami. Less detail the better.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE RIDING CLUB - DAY

Not long after, Alicia and Devlin ride side by side, down a path, on rentedhorses. They trail behind another couple and keep their voices low.

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