Playback Page #35

Killaine is standing against the wall corner, looking down

at the point where the terrace overlooks Betty's balcony.

Brandon enters from living room carrying glasses, reacts

again, controls himself, crosses to Killaine.

BRANDON:

Here you are.

Killaine turns, takes a glass.

KILLAINE:

Thanks. Lovely view you have,

haven't you?

BRANDON:

I never notice the view after the

first week.

KILLAINE:

I would. Fancy waking up every

morning with that in your lap.

(he gestures towards

the view)

Wonderful thing, money is. Remember

what Somerset Maugham said about

it ?

BRANDON:

I wouldn't know.

KILLAINE:

"Money is a sort of sixth sense

that gives meaning to all the

others." Very appealing, especially

to a poor man.

BRANDON:

Could we discuss that some other

time?

KILLAINE:

Sure. Let's discuss Betty Mayfield.

(pause)

How long since you saw her?

BRANDON:

A couple of hours.

KILLAINE:

I have a warrant for her arrest.

BRANDON:

That must hurt.

KILLAINE:

I've always thought you were a

pretty nice guy, Brandon. I'd

like to go on thinking so. If you

tried to help her get away--

BRANDON:

Would that make me a heel?

KILLAINE:

You'd be breaking the law.

BRANDON:

Doesn't answer the question.

KILLAINE:

The only answer I have for you.

BRANDON:

You passed up a dozen chances to

arrest her. What toughened you

up?

KILLAINE:

Information.

BRANDON:

Don't kid me. You don't think she

murdered Mitchell.

KILLAINE:

It could have been an accident.

BRANDON:

That COULD BE TOLD.

KILLAINE:

Not if she knew she wouldn't be

believed.

BRANDON:

Your concentrating too hard,

Killaine. What about Margo West?

She had a motive. I guess you

know by this time whose gun it

was?

Killaine nods.

BRANDON:

And old man Clarendon? He had a

motive, too. Margo and her money.

KILLAINE:

Mitchell was killed down here.

(he points)

How could Clarendon get in to do

it?

(pause)

Or Margo for that matter.

BRANDON:

How could Mitchell? After that

act he put on up here, is it likely

she'd let him in?

KILLAINE:

She didn't have to. He could have

climbed down from here.

Brandon looks down over the wall. He turns, deadpan.

BRANDON:

Mitchell was too drunk.

KILLAINE:

Or just drunk enough. He was with

her when she registered. He knew

where her room was. You were out

most of the evening. There was a

lot of mess to clean up . Waiters

coming and going, the door standing

open. Suppose Mitchell came in to

grab a drink for himself, then

wandered out on this balcony, then

realized betty's balcony was just

below yours.

BRANDON:

Romeo in reverse. Uh-uh. No sale,

Killaine.

KILLAINE:

You don't buy it. Okay. So I

still want Betty Mayfield. Where

is she?

BRANDON:

No idea.

Phone rings off, in the living room.

BRANDON:

Excuse me. My phone.

He turns, exits scene. Killaine stands a moment, looking

down from the edge of the terrace, then follows Brandon.

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - BRANDON'S LIVING ROOM -- DAY

Brandon is just lifting the receiver.

BRANDON:

Hello.

His expression tightens, he glances quickly towards the

French doors as Killaine appears in them and strolls into

the living room. Brandon turns his back to Killaine.

BRANDON:

(into phone)

Sorry. It's not very convenient

just now.

INT. HUDSON BAY COMPANY'S DEPARTMENT STORE - WAITING ROOM --

DAY:

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