Simone Page #17

Max ponders the revelation.

MAX:

Of course -- no one's that perfect,

that pure. You know I had

something on Mother Teresa. But

then she died and it wasn't worth

it anymore.

(approaching a computer)

I know how to flush out this Simone

-- a tell-all story from her

childhood.

MILTON:

(impressed)

My God, you've got one?

MAX:

(offering Milton a seat in

front of the computer)

I will when you're finished writing

it.

MILTON hesitates, questioning his journalistic ethics.

MAX:

(disappointed in his

protege)

Am I wasting my time with you?

When she sues to protect her

privacy, she'll have to appear in a

public courtroom to do it.

MILTON:

(under his breath)

Long live the First Amendment.

MAX:

Sometimes you have to tell a small

lie to get to the bigger truth.

(to his nervous

photographer)

As for a photo -- if you can't do

it, I know twelve million people

who can.

CLOSE UP on The Echo magazine -- "CIRCULATION - 12 MILLION".

EXT. STUDIO LOT - DAY

"MILLION DOLLAR REWARD FOR PHOTO OF SIMONE!" -- Is the

headline on the cover of The ECHO. VIKTOR is reading the

magazine as he makes his way through the studio lot.

He looks up to see several studio carts parked outside his

soundstage. A group of STUDIO EXECUTIVES, led by ELAINE, is

trying to break into the "CLOSED SET". VIKTOR runs towards

the door, throwing himself between the door and the

executives.

VIKTOR:

-- You can't go in there!

ELAINE:

-- We have to talk to her, Viktor!

EXECUTIVE 1

-- We know she's in there!

Viktor glares at the SECURITY GUARD who shrugs weakly.

VIKTOR:

(struggling to hold them

back)

-- Why? What's all this about?

EXECUTIVE 2

(waving a spreadsheet)

-- We've got the tracking numbers

for "Eternity Forever".

EXECUTIVE 3

-- They're in the toilet.

ELAINE:

-- She has to get out there and

sell the film.

VIKTOR:

-- What do you want her to do, go

door-to-door -- ?

EXECUTIVE 1

-- Even Garbo would be on the talk

show circuit if she was alive

today.

VIKTOR:

(irritated)

-- It's precisely because she

doesn't crave the limelight that

people love her. I told you, she's

only about the work.

EXECUTIVE 3

-- This is over-shadowing the work!

EXECUTIVE 2

(waving the front page of

The Echo)

That's the problem. She's more

famous for her no-shows than her

shows.

ELAINE:

-- It's starting to look like she

doesn't support the film or you,

Viktor.

(trying to squeeze past

Viktor)

If you can't handle her, I will.

VIKTOR:

(blocking her path)

Not now. She's emotional. Her

mother dies today. Scene forty-two

of "Good For Nothing". It's not a

good time.

Elaine and the executives are not convinced, they overpower

Viktor.

VIKTOR:

No! Please, don't go in there!

Too late. Elaine and the suits force the lock and enter.

INT. VIKTOR'S SOUNDSTAGE - DAY

ELAINE and the EXECUTIVES stop in their tracks -- confronted

with the surreal sight of the lone computer station in the

vast soundstage. A desperate VIKTOR catches up with them.

EXECUTIVE 1

Where is she?

EXECUTIVE 2

She's not here.

VIKTOR:

Elaine... I...

Elaine wanders over to the idle computer with a knowing

smile.

ELAINE:

So, the secret's finally out,

Viktor.

VIKTOR:

-- I can explain.

ELAINE:

-- I don't think that's necessary.

I think it's perfectly clear. I

should have guessed -- it all makes

sense now... it's why she never

goes anywhere, never seen in

public...

Viktor lowers his head, resigned to his fate.

ELAINE:

She's into computers.

Viktor looks up.

EXECUTIVE 1

(nodding in agreement)

Probably spends her whole life in

chat rooms.

EXECUTIVE 2

It's the one place she can be

herself.

EXECUTIVE 3

Anonymous.

Viktor seizes on the opportunity.

VIKTOR:

(adopting a serious tone)

It's worse than you think. She's

extremely agoraphobic -- has a

morbid fear of people and germs.

In a way I'm relieved you... found

out.

The Executives are taken aback by the shocking revelation.

VIKTOR:

The premiere was the first time

I've convinced her to venture out

and it just confirmed her worst

nightmares.

ELAINE:

(concerned)

Viktor, you should have said

something.

VIKTOR:

She doesn't want pity.

ELAINE:

(seeing a new side of

Viktor)

You're so good to protect her like

this.

Viktor shrugs modestly.

VIKTOR:

(to the Executives,

conceding)

I'll tell you what. I know how

much this means to you. I'll try

to get her to plug the film.

(beat)

I'm not promising anything but

maybe she'll do a talk show --

taped.

ELAINE:

Oh, make it live -- please, Viktor.

VIKTOR:

I'll try. Maybe live but remote.

She'll never go to them.

EXECUTIVE 1

We understand. Thank you, Viktor.

EXECUTIVE 2

Give her our best.

Satisfied, the Executives make their way out of the

soundstage.

EXECUTIVE 1

(aside to a colleague)

That agoraphobia -- it's like a

plague.

EXECUTIVE 2

It's out of control in Europe.

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