Playback Page #6

BETTY:

I'm not in the mood for dining and

dancing.

MITCHELL:

We have some nice places around

Vancouver.

BETTY:

I'm sure you have.

MITCHELL:

(puzzled a little)

Well, how about a breeze up to the

penthouse about six o'clock? A

friend of mine is throwing a

cocktail party up there.

BETTY:

I haven't been invited.

MITCHELL:

Nobody gets invited to Clark

Brandon's parties. They just go.

BETTY:

Perhaps I'd better get you

straightened out, Mr. Mitchell.

You've been rather nice to me, in

a couple of ways. And I'm grateful.

But I don't think this entitles

you to put me on a leash.

MITCHELL:

Nobody I'd rather have on a leash.

Betty crosses to the door and opens it.

BETTY:

I'm awfully sorry, but I'd like to

take a bath and get freshened up.

Mitchell hesitates, then comes across slowly to the door.

MITCHELL:

The brush-off, huh?

BETTY:

I'm trying very hard to be polite

about it.

Mitchell grins, then suddenly reaches for her and kisses

her. She doesn't struggle, is quite impassive. After a

moment he let's go, steps back.

MITCHELL:

Don't I even get my face slapped?

BETTY:

(indicating the

open door)

Would you mind?

MITCHELL:

(a little puzzled,

confused by her

attitude)

Okay. You win.

HE STARTS OUT, TURNS TO SAY,

MITCHELL:

If you change your mind about the

cocktail party, or anything else,

give me a buzz.

BETTY:

If I change my mind.

He goes. He closes the door. CAMERA MOVES IN ON HER FACE.

She wipes off her lips with her handkerchief, almost in an

absentminded way. The kiss didn't mean anything to her,

one way or another. There is great loneliness in her eyes.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - LOBBY -- NIGHT

WIDE SHOT:

Showing a lot of activity, etc.

The time is 6:
00 P.M. Approximately, but this is June in

Canada and broad daylight, and will be for several hours

yet.

In the background Betty comes in through glass doors from

the garden terrace, walks slowly across the lobby. People

are looking at her with interest, specially the men. As

she reaches the elevator bank, she glances off to one side,

past the desk. Her look becomes fixed.

CAMERA PANS AROUND TO SHOW A NEON SIGN "TAVERN" this side

of an archway and people going in.

She turns away from elevator, starts in that direction,

passes on beneath sign.

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - TAVERN -- NIGHT

As Betty come in, stands looking around. It is lighted

somewhat dimly. There are a number of small tables,. There

is a bar but it is only for the use of the waiters. Betty

looks around for a vacant table, then starts moving along

looking for one. None empty, but at one sits a MAN alone.

He is about 35, clean fine drawn type, with a saturnine

expression. He glances up. Betty meets his eyes, starts to

turn away. Man indicates the chair opposite him. His manner

of doing this is so completely indifferent to her as a

person, that she hesitates.

BRANDON:

(standing up)

You can have the table yourself,

if you'd rather. I'm only killing

time.

BETTY:

No, please.

BRANDON:

Sit down then. We often have a

double up here.

BETTY:

I see.

She pulls the chair back, sits down. Brandon sits down. He

lights a cigarette, doesn't offer her one. She is watching

him, a little puzzled, probably has had very few experiences

of men not trying to pick her up in such circumstances.

Betty looks around at the scurrying WAITERS who pay no

attention to her yet.

BRANDON:

(calling out sharply)

Oh waiter.

WAITER turns, sees him, immediately comes to stand at his

side.

WAITER:

Yes sir.

Brandon, without speaking, indicates Betty. Waiter turns

to her.

WAITER:

Yes, Miss.

BETTY:

I'd like a dry Martini. Very dry,

please.

WAITER:

Sorry, Miss. Beer and ale only.

Canadian law.

BETTY:

(surprised)

Beer?

(she shrugs)

Well, all right.

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