Platinum Blonde Page #3

CAMERA DRAWS BACK

To reveal a full shot of the room and group. They are in

the magnificent drawing room of the Schuyler home,

resembling the Union Depot and furnished with almost

imperial splendor and magnificence. They very much resemble

a jury in session. As they continue:

MICHAEL:

I don't know why you're making all

this fuss. I only sent her six of

them.

MRS. SCHUYLER

(sarcastic)

If you had to make a fool of

yourself, why didn't you tell it

to her instead of writing?

MICHAEL:

Because I couldn't get her on the

phone.

MRS. SCHUYLER

Imbecile!

ANNE:

You should have known better than

to write, Romeo. I found that out

a long time ago.

MRS. SCHUYLER

I should say you had. At the rate

you two are going, we'll have to

leave the country to save our faces.

ANNE:

Splendid, Mother. Let's hop over

to Monte Carlo. It's a great place

to save a face.

MRS. SCHUYLER

Oh, shut up!

A butler appears in the doorway. He is about to say

something, but he stammers and turns.

MRS. SCHUYLER

(stopping him)

What is it, Smythe?

SMYTHE:

Pardon me, madam - but what am I

to say to the newspapermen?

Mrs. Schuyler looks distractedly at Grayson.

17. CLOSER SHOT

Mrs. Schuyler and Grayson. She rises and speaks imperiously:

MRS. SCHUYLER

Dexter, go out and tell those

ruffians I have nothing to say.

Grayson faces her placatingly.

GRAYSON:

You can't do that. Leave it to me.

I know how to handle reporters.

MRS. SCHUYLER

(with a shudder)

All right, then - get it over with.

MEDIUM FULL SHOT

Grayson turns officiously toward the waiting butler.

GRAYSON:

We've decided to see the reporters.

Send in the man from the Tribune

first.

SMYTHE:

Very good, sir.

MRS. SCHUYLER

Oh, Smythe, some bicarbonate of

soda, quick - double strength. I

know those news mongrels[3] will

upset me.

SMYTHE:

I've anticipated it, madame. The

bicarbonate is ready.

The butler exits.

INT. SCHUYLER LIBRARY - DAY - FULL SHOT

This room resembles the Grand Central Station. It is lined

with bookcases filled with gorgeous first editions and

special bindings, and is furnished in the extreme of

magnificence and luxury.

Present are Stew and Bingy, reporter from the Tribune.

Stew is seated, idly leafing through a first edition.

Bingy, still with his hat on, spots an expensive music box

on a nearby table, opens it and does a little jig to the

tune that is emitted.

20. CLOSER SHOT

Bingy, as he lingers at the table. He is a lazy, sloppy-

looking guy. His face needs a shave and his pants need

pressing. There is a spot of dried ketchup on his tie. On

the table is a humidor. Bingy opens it and lifts out a

handful of cigars.

CLOSE SHOT - STEW

As he looks up from the book, he suggests:

STEW:

Hey Bingy, you'll find the

silverware in the dining room.

CONTINUATION, SCENE 20

Bingy turns, putting the cigars in his pocket.

BINGY:

Much obliged.

MEDIUM FULL SHOT

Smythe enters.

SMYTHE:

(frigidly)

Mr. Grayson has decided to see

you.

Both Stew and Bingy start forward eagerly. Smythe continues:

SMYTHE:

The gentleman from the Tribune,

first.

CLOSER THREE SHOT

Bingy beams broadly and Stew is disappointed.

STEW:

There are no gentlemen on the

Tribune.

SMYTHE:

I understand, sir.

Smythe leads the way out. As Bingy passes by, Stew trips

him.

BINGY:

Say, take it easy! Take it easy!

Listen, my boy. No use you hanging

around here. Just buy the Tribune

tonight and read all about it. You

can rewrite it for your last

edition.

STEW:

Couldn't make the last edition.

It'd take me four hours to translate

your story into English.

BINGY:

Oh, is that so?

STEW:

I'm afraid.

Bingy turns to leave.

STEW:

Take off your hat. You might make

an impression.

Bingy dutifully doffs his hat.

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