Platinum Blonde Page #13

ANNE:

(although he is

very close to her)

That's because you're too far away,

Stew.

Throughout his speech, Anne never takes her eyes off him.

As he fumbles now, he turns. Their eyes meet. His

overwhelming desire for Anne overcomes him.

He dismisses as futile his effort to be practical, sweeps

her into his arms and kisses her passionately.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INT. CITY ROOM OF MORNING POST - DAY

MEDIUM FULL SHOT

Typical atmosphere, as before.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

85. MEDIUM SHOT

Featuring Stew at his desk, which is directly in front of

the battery of Morkrums whose clatter comes into the sound

track.

Stew finishes up a phone call. He sits at his desk, staring

pensively at his typewriter. He is smoking a pipe and is

in his shirt-sleeves. His hair is rumpled, and strewn over

the desk is a bunch of crumpled up pieces of paper,

indicating that he has made numerous unsuccessful starts

at writing something. A fresh blank sheet of paper is now

in the typewriter.

Nearby, at another desk, asleep in a swivel chair, with

his feet elevated to the desk, the low snoring of another

reporter blends with the sounds of the Morkrums and other

noises of the City Room. At the reporter's elbow is a

telephone.

86. MEDIUM SHOT

Desk of Conroy, the City Editor. A small upright plate on

his desk indicates his position. This is near the copy

desk. Characteristic activities are background for any

action that may take place. Reporters come up to throw

their stories on Conroy's desk; the phone rings, etc.

A boy comes in with a large number of newspapers under his

arm which he throws on Conroy's desk. There are several

copies of each of the rival newspapers in town. Conroy

spreads them out and begins to examine them.

CLOSE SHOT - STEW

It is evident that he is nervous and jumpy about something.

Finally he starts to pound the typewriter.

INSERT:
Sheet of paper in typewriter on which is being

typed.

ACT 1

SCENE 1

A STREET IN ARABY 88. CLOSE SHOT - GALLAGHER

As she talks on the phone to one of her girlfriends

GALLAGHER:

(sotto voce)

Sure I got a new dress. A new hat

too. (listens) Well, I'll try to

get Stew to come with me. (she

glances in his direction) Yeah -

he's all right. You know, he thinks

he's stuck on some society gal.

(listens) Naw, it won't last. It

better not last!

CLOSER SHOT - CONROY

Hastily glancing over the headlines of the papers. The

phone rings. Without looking at it, Conroy answers:

CONROY:

What? Oh, I'll be surprised, eh?

Listen if there's any news in that

sheet that I haven't thrown in the

wastepaper basket, I'll eat it.

He is looking down at the papers and suddenly his eyes

focus on something which causes the cigar to drop from his

mouth and an expression of mingled amazement and rage comes

into his face. We do not see at this point what it is he

has read, but we know it must be something sensational.

Abruptly he hangs up the phone.

CUT TO:

CONTINUATION SCENE 87

Stew, as he studies his typewriter. Over his CLOSEUP comes

the excited outraged voice of Conroy.

CONROY'S VOICE

Hey Stew! Stew Smith!

A look of infinite weariness and disgust comes over Stew's

face and he grits his teeth.

STEW:

Me?

His general expression registers "Good god, there he goes

again." With one finger he pounds out four letters:

INSERT:
Sheet in typewriter: Next to

STREET IN ARABY:

STEW HAS TYPED:

NUTS:

He yanks the sheet out of the typewriter.

CONTINUATION SCENE 89

Conroy. He looks over and bellows furiously.

CONROY:

You double-crossing hound! Come

over here!

CONTINUATION SCENE 87

Stew gets up from his machine, crumples the sheet of paper

into a wad and flings it at the sleeping reporter. The wad

strikes him in the face; he wakes abruptly and automatically

reaches for the phone. He picks up the receiver and in a

voice fogged with sleep calls a number. Stew exits.

90. MEDIUM SHOT

At Conroy's desk. Conroy's expression is one of bitter

reproach as he leans back in his swivel chair as Stew

approaches and stands by the desk.

STEW:

Now listen boss, if you're going

to kick about that expense account—

CONROY:

(interrupting

fiercely)

Do you call yourself a reporter?

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