Rear Window Page #11

JEFF:

That's what I'm afraid of.

(He gazes into space)

Could you see me -- driving down to

the fashion salon in a jeep -- wearing

combat boots and a three day beard?

(He chuckles at the

thought)

LISA:

I could see you looking handsome and

successful in a dark blue flannel

suit.

JEFF:

(Looking directly at

her)

Let's not talk any more nonsense,

huh?

She stands up. THE CAMERA PULLS BACK.

LISA:

I'd better start setting up for

dinner.

She moves away behind him, into the kitchen.

INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

Jeff gives a sigh of relief, exhaling his breath, then looks

down toward his legs in thought. He holds this attitude for

just a moment, then seems to shake off his concern to lift

his head and turn his attention to what might be happening

in his neighborhood beyond his window.

Behind him we see the vague form of Lisa bringing in a card

table, which she proceeds to unfold.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

Jeff's attention is concentrated on an apartment we have not

seen before. This belongs to a single woman, about forty

years of age. She lives alone. Her apartment is below that

of the salesman with the invalid wife.

INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

Jeff leans forward with increased interest. Behind him we

get vague figure of Lisa laying a cloth over the card table.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

A nearer view show us a more intimate picture of the woman

Jeff is concentrating on. She is thin and unattractive. At

the moment, she is putting on her make-up in front of the

bedroom mirror. She gives a half turn and picks up a pair of

horn-rimmed glasses, which she puts on, and leans nearer to

her mirror. She picks up a lipstick and proceeds to paint

her lips carefully.

Having completed her make-up, she takes off her glasses and

surveys her face in the mirror. She stands up, swings the

skirt of her dress around, admires herself in the mirror.

She is quite flat-chested, and the dress hangs unattractively.

She lifts her chin, gives one last look, and turns toward

her living room. As if she's preparing to meet someone.

INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

Without taking his eyes from the scene, Jeff picks up his

wineglass and drinks. As he drinks, his eyes move slightly

over.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

THE CAMERA HAS PANNED slightly to the woman's living room

window. A small, candle-lit table is set up, with dinner for

two. The spinster sweeps into the room, smiling. She goes to

the door, opens it, and in pantomime admits an imaginary

caller. She pretends to kiss him lightly, take his hat, and

place the hat on a chair. Then she shows him to a seat at

the table, disappears into an unseen kitchen and returns

with a bottle and two glasses. She sits down, pours two

drinks. She lifts her drink in a toast to the imaginary man

opposite her.

INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

Jeff gives a faint, sympathetic smile, and subconsciously

raises his glass in response. In the background, Lisa, having

just placed a pair of candlesticks on the table, is returning

to the kitchen.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

Having finished her drink, the lonesome woman pours herself

another one. Then she starts to take a sip, smiling across

the table at her imaginary guest. She lowers the glass onto

the table. The smile fades from her face as her head drops.

Suddenly she buries her head in her arms over the table and

starts to sob.

INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

Jeff, his glass in hand, looks out sympathetically. He is

unaware that Lisa is standing behind him, and is also watching

this little drama.

LISA:

That's what is know as "manless

melancholia."

JEFF:

(Nods agreement)

Miss Lonely Hearts. At least that's

something you'll never have to worry

about.

LISA:

Oh? You can see my apartment all the

way up on 63rd street?

JEFF:

Not exactly -- but we have a little

apartment here that's probably about

as popular as yours.

(He points)

You, of course, remember Miss Torso.

Both of them swing their eyes a little to the left.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

The kitchen-lining room combination of the ballet dancer's

apartment has now been made more presentable.

The ice box is now skillfully concealed by a large Chinese

screen. All kitchen utensils have been put away, replaced by

more attractive effects, and lamp light softens the

surroundings.

Miss Torso is now wearing a cocktail dress, which shows off

her figure to great advantage, especially when she leans

toward three assorted men to offer them a plate of hors d'

oeuvres. She is the perfect hostess, animated, charming, and

with an added personal touch for each guest. She is behaving

with a sophistication which was not apparent when we first

saw her in the morning. Her every movement is followed

admiringly by the eyes of the three men -- one wearing black

tie, with a touch of grey in his hair, a Long Island socialite --

a young rather handsome, actor in grey flannel suit -- and

last, a bright, pleasant, young man who might possibly be

from Wall street, wearing a blue-pin-striped suit. The latter

two are engaged in an animated conversation. The young man

in the grey suit is showing the other young man some newspaper

cuttings he's taken from his pocket.

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