Playback Page #23

Man smiles, doesn't answer.

BRANDON:

All right, let's see the buzzer.

MAN:

What's a buzzer?

BRANDON:

So you're not a cop.

MAN:

Me a cop? What made you think that,

Mr. Brandon?

BRANDON:

Who told you my name?

MAN:

I've got good ears.

Brandon steps up close to him, grabs the lapels of his

coat, and twists a little.

BRANDON:

(tightly)

How are your teeth getting along?

MAN:

(smiling)

The new ones are fine. The last

set I had gave me all kinds of

trouble.

He looks down at Brandon's hand, holding the lapels of his

coat.

MAN:

What's this in favor of?

BRANDON:

I don't like to be tailed. The

lady I'm with doesn't like to be

stared at. To put the matter in a

couple of nutshells, I don't like

you.

Still smiling, the man brings his knee up hard. Brandon

reels away from him, groaning, doubles up against the wall.

MAN:

You wanna get tough, Mr. Brandon,

you gotta know the technique.

Next time, turn a little sideways,

get your hip in the way. See what

I mean? Good night.

He goes through the double doors. CAMERA STAYS ON BRANDON.

He straightens up slowly, gets out handkerchief, mops his

forehead. He has been hurt pretty badly. After a while, he

stiffens himself by main force, walks to door, pushes it

open, starts out.

EXT. STREET -- NIGHT

He stands, breathing hard, looking off.

BRANDON'S POV - WHAT HE SEES

Thick-set man is getting into his car. He starts it up,

turns the light on, turns and goes out of shot.

BACK TO BRANDON:

He crosses sidewalk slowly to his convertible. Betty is

waiting in it. Without a word, Brandon goes around, gets

in behind the wheel. He sits there with his hands on the

wheel, taking deep breaths.

BETTY:

(urgently)

Who is he?

Brandon turns his head slowly to look at her. He speaks a

little quickly, still in pain.

BRANDON:

He's a fellow with a very hard

knee, and he knows how to use it.

BETTY:

You don't know who he is?

BRANDON:

He's not a cop. A cop wouldn't

have kneed me.

BETTY:

(slowly)

He was following us--but he's not

a policeman.

BRANDON:

Us?

BETTY:

All right--following me.

BRANDON:

Why?

BETTY:

No matter. There's nothing I can

do about it.

BRANDON:

Anything I can do about it?

BETTY:

Take me home--and forget you ever

saw me. That's a silly remark isn't

it?

BRANDON:

Try not talking.

He puts an arm around her and pulls her close to him as if

to kiss her.

BRANDON:

It still doesn't matter if I kiss

you?

BETTY:

Nothing matters.

BRANDON:

No use waiting, then.

He kisses her on the mouth, hard. She doesn't resist and

she doesn't respond. He pulls his head away.

BRANDON:

That's the second round I've lost

tonight.

(he moves and winces)

That fellow hurt me.

BETTY:

So have I.

BRANDON:

From you, I like it.

He starts the car. It goes off down the street.

FADE IN:

INT. HOTEL - LOBBY -- DAY

EXTREME WIDE SHOT

Showing desk, elevator bank, guests reading morning papers

in chairs. In background the dining room entrance through

which can be seen part of the dining room, with waiters

moving back and forth etc. It is breakfast time. Betty

appears in dining room entrance, coming out.

CLOSE SHOT - BETTY

CAMERA PANS with her as she moves across lobby to desk.

Room clerk is checking in several new arrivals. Luggage,

bellboys, etc. Betty moves along the desk to far end, stands

waiting. Hotel manager comes up to her. He pretends not to

know her.

MANAGER:

Good morning. Can I do something

for you?

BETTY:

I'm Miss Mayfield. Is Mr. Campbell

here?

MANAGER:

I'm Mr. Campbell, Miss Mayfield.

(slight pause)

Purely as a matter of routine, I

want to ask the name of your bank.

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