Playback Page #16

BRANDON:

He got in here how?

BETTY:

Not with my consent, strange as it

seems. I don't know how he got in.

I don't know anything.

Brandon brings his hand up.

BRANDON:

Ever see this before?

Betty looks down. In his hand is an automatic with a pearl

handle.

BETTY:

No. And I've never fired a gun in

my life, Aren't you supposed not

to touch it?

BRANDON:

Sure... but somebody always does..

He puts the gun down on the table carelessly, gets out a

cigarette case and offers her one. She takes it and he

lights it for her. Her hand is shaky. Their faces are very

close together. He holds the lighter close to her eyes.

BRANDON:

(quietly)

Lovely eyes... honest eyes..

The light goes out.

BRANDON:

They'll know whether he killed

himself.

BETTY:

I don't.

BRANDON:

How did you meet him?

BETTY:

On a train. He said he lived here,

and he offered to make a reservation

for me.

BRANDON:

Nice of him.

BETTY:

He knew the immigration officer.

He eased himself in.

BRANDON:

He was a great boy for that. What

else?

BETTY:

That's all there is.

Brandon takes her by the shoulders and pulls her close,

looking into her eyes.

BRANDON:

They're still honest eyes... but

there's something behind them.

He pulls her closer, about to kiss her.

BETTY:

Go ahead...if you want to. It

doesn't matter.

BRANDON:

I'd rather wait until it does

matter.

He lets go of her and starts across the room, picks up

telephone. Brandon turns with the telephone in his hand.

BRANDON:

You tried to run away.

BETTY:

There wasn't any plane.

BRANDON:

It's always a mistake to run away.

Always.

He begins to dial.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

Brandon is standing at the French window, a cup of coffee

in his hand. CAMERA PULLS BACK AS his eyes go over to Betty

who is in a chair with an untouched cup of black coffee on

the table beside her.

BRANDON:

(going towards her)

Want a spike in it?

BETTY:

(without looking at

him)

No thanks.

Her voice and expression are dead and exhausted. CAMERA

PULLS BACK FURTHER to SHOW Margo and Clarendon sitting

across the room from Betty. Margo is staring at Betty with

cold hostility. She is wearing slacks, but otherwise dressed

with care and finish. Clarendon is fully dressed and has

his silver-topped cane between his legs, but has slippers

on his feet.

MARGO:

You make friends quickly, don't

you, Clark?

BRANDON:

Sometimes.

MARGO:

And without much discrimination.

BRANDON:

Leave that one lay.

MARGO:

They still hang women in Canada,

I've heard.

CLARENDON:

So much less refined than frizzling

them in the chair.

MARGO:

Oh, shut up!

(she looks down at

his feet)

You haven't even got your spats

on.

Brandon crosses to coffee table, picks up coffee pot and

goes to Margo with it.

MARGO:

Think I'll have trouble staying

awake?

Brandon fills her cup silently. Margo chokes. Bites on her

handkerchief hard. She controls herself.

MARGO:

I'm sorry. This thing has just

knocked me silly. How long do we

have to wait for this police

character?

BRANDON:

Until he comes. He's a nice guy.

You've met him.

MARGO:

That comedian?

Betty looking across at Brandon with sudden interest.

BRANDON:

Don't let the eyeglass fool you.

That's what it's for.

DOOR BUZZER SOUNDS. Brandon crosses to open door. A plain-

clothes Dick named HANDLEY is standing there.

HANDLEY:

You Mr. Brandon?

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