Pretty Woman Page #19

Jake enters, a pile of papers under his arm. He begins laying

them out on the conference table.

JAKE:

Congratulations, sir.

EDWARD:

What?

JAKE:

Mr. Kross is just getting off

the phone with his stock broker.

It's finished. You've won.

Edward says nothing.

JAKE:

Who are you going after next, sir?

EDWARD:

Who indeed...

He turns as Stuckey, James and David Kross, and Vance enter

the room. They surround a conference table. Kross sits, the

papers laid out in front of him. Stuckey hands Kross a pen.

A SECRETARY lays out finger food. They wait for her to leave

before they speak.

STUCKEY:

If we can get these letters of

intent out of the way now... Mr.

Harris and I would like to ask

you some questions about your

company.

DAVID:

Dad, excuse me, but that's

inappropriate. You're under no

obligation to answer any questions

at all.

KROSS:

Could we at least wait till after

the filing period?

Stuckey glances to Edward for help. Edward is silent; indeed

it's as if something is twisting inside of him. Stuckey plunges

ahead.

STUCKEY:

Mr. Harris is preparing a bid

based on our speculation of the

corporation's net worth. The

price he ultimately pays for your

father's stock will be based on

that bid. The more we know, the

higher our bid can be.

KROSS:

It's in my best interest to

cooperate, David.

DAVID:

If he throws himself on your

sword, you promise to take care

of him and his family, huh?

David stares at him.

STUCKEY:

That's unfair!

DAVID:

You bed it is.

(to Edward)

You're everything he said you

were.

(to his father)

Do what you have to do, Dad.

Just don't expect me to watch it.

He exits. A moment. Kross looks at Edward with a resigned

smile.

KROSS:

He's young. He hasn't learned

how to lose gracefully yet. I'll

sign your papers. And I'll answer

your questions. Whatever you

want.

He sighs. He picks up the pen. He's about to sign.

EDWARD:

Stop. For just a moment.

(a moment)

Mr. Kross, I'd like to ask you

a few questions before you sign.

You realize that you're a target.

If you weren't mine, you'd be

someone elses, correct?

KROSS:

Yes.

EDWARD:

If you had a... reprieve, what

would do?

STUCKEY:

(quickly)

I don't think there's any sense

in --

EDWARD:

Let him answer.

KROSS:

I... I would take advantage of

it.

EDWARD:

How?

Kross looks uncertain. He gropes for an answer.

KROSS:

I... I don't know. There...

there wasn't time...

EDWARD:

I suppose you'd find out soon

enough that you have assets you

presently don't seem aware of,

wouldn't you? The waste

processing licenses at that

abandoned shipyard of yours, you'd

certainly find out about that.

Surprise suddenly flares in Stuckey's eyes.

STUCKEY:

Oh, my god... Edward, no!

EDWARD:

I suppose you'd use them as

collateral on new loans, wouldn't

you?

STUCKEY:

Have you lost your mind?

KROSS:

(to Stuckey)

Quiet.

(to Edward)

Would I get the loans?

EDWARD:

This time I imagine you would,

yes.

(as if thinking about

it)

Hmm...

(a moment)

With all this in mind, Mr. Kross,

I can't logically make a formal

bid on your company, can I?

KROSS:

(a small smile)

You'd be initiating a financial

battle you'd ultimately lose, Mr.

Harris.

EDWARD:

You're very right. I think the

best thing we could all do is go

home.

STUCKEY:

What!?

EDWARD:

Have a good day, gentlemen.

He exits from the room. Stuckey follows.

INT. BROKERAGE HOUSE - DAY

Edward is walking down the hall. Stuckey comes out of the

office and calls after him.

STUCKEY:

(calls)

Edward, what happened? What kind

of move was that?

Edward silently goes into the elevators. The doors close.

STUCKEY:

(yells)

Dammit Edward, speak to me.

Stuckey heads back to the conference room.

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON

Edward comes out of the building. His Chauffeur leaps to open

the limo door.

EDWARD:

No... take the car back to the

hotel. I need to walk.

He sets off across Century Park East.

INT. PENTHOUSE - EVENING

Vivian is in the living room, pacing, edgy, the doorbell rings.

She turns. It rings again.

She opens it. Stuckey is standing outside with a small

briefcase. He looks agitated. He tries to hide it.

STUCKEY:

Well, well... Hello again. I'm

looking for Edward.

Vivian just stares at him.

VIVIAN:

Edward's not back. I thought

he was with you.

Stuckey walks past her and down the steps into the living room.

STUCKEY:

No, I'll just have to wait then,

won't I?

There is a bar set up. Stuckey sets his briefcase down. He

crosses to the bar.

STUCKEY (cont'd)

Mind if I have a drink?

VIVIAN:

No.

He pours liquor in a glass. He fires it down. It seems to

calm him a bit.

STUCKEY:

Do you want to know what he did?

Do you want to know what the crazy

son of a b*tch did? He handed

the whole thing back to Kross!

On a silver platter. For no

reason! What was he thinking,

I mean, what was going through

his goddam head? Why?

(pours another drink)

What was all that benevolent

crap? What are we going to

become, a philanthropic

foundation? I'll probably be the

director of several worthwhile

charities.

VIVIAN:

I think it's great.

Stuckey glares at Vivian.

STUCKEY:

I bet. A lousy whore and you're

the gum in a hundred million

dollar deal.

VIVIAN:

(mocking)

Aw, come on, Bill. It's just

business.

He looks at her a moment.

STUCKEY:

But what do I know, maybe you're

worth it. Come on, show me.

Let's see your act.

He grabs her wrist.

VIVIAN:

Get out!

STUCKEY:

Don't worry. I'll pay for it.

What a you charge? Huh? Twenty,

thirty, fifty bucks, maybe? Are

you a fifty dollar whore?

He tries to kiss her and pulls her down on the couch on top

of him.

VIVIAN:

Are you crazy?

She bites his hand. Stuckey slaps her. Vivian starts flailing

back. But Stuckey is too strong. Vivian staggers back at the

force of another slap. Stuckey slams her up against a wall and

starts rubbing up against her.

STUCKEY:

You got a mean streak in you,

don't you.

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