Pretty Woman

EXT. A HOUSE IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS - NIGHT

The view of downtown Los Angeles from the enormous, ornate house

is extraordinary. A small outdoor dinner party is in progress.

A MAGICIAN is entertaining guests. Playing cards and coins

appear and disappear in his nimble hands.

INT. HOUSE STUDY - NIGHT

EDWARD HARRIS stands at the window, impassively looking down

at the party. Edward is a handsome, well groomed man of around

forty. He looks tired; the kind of fatigue that can't be cured

by a night's sleep.

EDWARD:

(a murmur)

Left pocket.

And indeed, down below, the magician pulls the coin from the

left pocket of the incredulous WOMAN's silk blazer. More

laughter and applause.

The study is in keeping with the rest of the house. Luxurious.

Everything the best. WILLIAM STUCKEY, Edward's contemporary,

is a crafty looking lawyer who is the party host. VANCE is an

investment banker. His assistant JAKE, is a financial

researcher. The other men are INVESTMENT BANKERS. They are

in dark suits and power ties. On the table are stacks of

documents and folders, the name "KROSS INDUSTRIES" is prominent

on many of the folders.

INVESTMENT BANKER 1

Our banks certainly doesn't want

to discourage Harris Enterprises

from investing in California.

We think this is a great new venue

for you but you've got to

understand the mergers and

acquisitions market is changing.

With the upswing in inflation we

have to make these offerings

tempting to offset the risk.

VANCE:

Look, we're talking about hard

assets and a straight liquidation.

We have over a thousand man hours

in this deal.

STUCKEY:

(losing patience)

This is a "no brainer". There's

no risk for you. No one has ever

lost money backing Mr. Harris.

INVESTMENT BANKER 2

Not yet. But ship building is

a new endeavor for you...

STUCKEY:

(cuts him off)

Come on. You know we're not

going to go into ship building.

Besides, you're the ones with the

troubled track record, not us!

INVESTMENT BANKER 3

Bill, be reasonable. If you're

really going to digest Kross

Industries that quickly eighteen

should not be such a problem.

Besides, I don't think there's

anywhere else you can go for the

money in the time you have.

EDWARD:

It's unacceptable.

Edward turns from the window. He hasn't miss a thing. All

eyes are on him.

EDWARD:

Draymen Heux has offered me

seventy-five in the pool at

sixteen and a half. I can secure

the other half personally. You

have until tomorrow morning to

make me a better offer.

The bankers speechlessly stare at him.

EDWARD:

The meeting is over, gentlemen.

He turns away. The bankers look at one another. They rise.

Silence as they exit. When the door closes. Stuckey explodes

with laughter.

STUCKEY:

Hah! Did you see the look on

their faces?

VANCE:

You don't think we pushed too

hard?

STUCKEY:

NO way! They'll come back. They

can't afford not to. Edward,

that bluff was beautiful.

EDWARD:

Maybe I should have made it

rhyme.

The others stare at him, uncertain. Stuckey laughs. The

others follow suit.

EDWARD:

(looking at his watch)

Well! It's late. We've been

at this long enough.

Stuckey rises. Edward ushers Vance and Jake toward the door.

EDWARD:

Gentlemen, enjoy the party. The

magician's wonderful.

Vance and Jake exit.

EDWARD:

(calling after them)

Watch your left pocket.

A BUTLER has entered the room.

BUTLER:

Phone call, Mr. Harris. It's Miss

Charles.

STUCKEY:

Cynthia? Is she coming out?

EDWARD:

We're about to find out. Go on.

Take care of your guests.

Stuckey exits the room as Edward crosses to the telephone.

EDWARD:

(into phone)

Where are you, Cynthia?

(beat)

I see.

(pausing, getting angry)

No, I don't expect you to be at

my beck-and-call. Are you coming

or not?

INT. HOUSE - STAIRWAY - NIGHT

Edward descends the long, curved stairway. He has Vance in

tow.

EDWARD:

(all business)

Prepare the filing papers. Have

them ready by the middle of the

week. I'll tell you when to

submit them.

The PEOPLE talking and drinking on the stairway gravitate

toward Edward.

A MAN:

Edward!

EDWARD:

(turning on the charm)

Yes!

THE MAN:

Will we see you at the polo

matches Wednesday?

EDWARD:

Wouldn't miss it.

(abruptly; to Vance)

I want this done fast and easy.

No slip-ups. I want to be back

in New York by Saturday. Got it?

He deftly keeps making his way through the crowd.

INT. HOUSE - THE DOWNSTAIRS HALL - NIGHT

Stuckey is sipping champagne and talking to a beautiful

WOMAN in a tight sheath of an evening dress. An elegant woman

ELIZABETH STUCKEY approaches from behind him. She taps him on

the shoulder and he turns, startled.

ELIZABETH:

Bill?

STUCKEY:

(flustered)

Oh... Hi, honey... Millicent,

uh, uh, Millicent.

MILLICENT:

Lowell.

STUCKEY:

Lowell, right. My wife,

Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH:

(ignoring her)

Is Edward leaving?

Stuckey looks up to see Edward moving quickly toward the door.

Stuckey abruptly leaves the two woman together to follow Edward.

EXT. THE HOUSE - NIGHT

Edward comes out of the house. Jags, a limo with waiting

DRIVER and two BMW's pack the circular driveway behind a black

Ferrari. The limo driver leaps to attention at the sight of

Edward. Edward stands, making an obvious effort to keep his

impatience under control. Stuckey comes out of the house and

down the walk.

STUCKEY:

What's up, where you going?

EDWARD:

Give me your car keys, will you,

I'm going back to my hotel.

STUCKEY:

At least stay for a drink. This

party's for you.

EDWARD:

Apologize to Elizabeth for me.

Stuckey gropes uncertainly in his pocket for keys.

STUCKEY:

Listen, there're some major local

talent inside just dying to meet

you...

EDWARD:

(as if delighted)

Really? Some high class gold

digger who speaks French better

than I do?

(turning away)

No, thank you. I just got off

the phone with one.

STUCKEY:

Cynthia's not coming?

EDWARD:

No.

Edward grabs the keys out of Stuckey's hand. He crosses to a

black Ferrari and gets in.

STUCKEY:

Let your driver take you. We'll

move the cars...

Edward starts the car.

STUCKEY:

Can you drive a stick?

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