Simone Page #7

VIKTOR:

As I say, she's... something of a

recluse. That's how she's able to

stay so pure -- by isolating

herself in her art.

ELAINE:

(face falling)

Don't be ridiculous. I arranged a

press conference.

VIKTOR:

Out of the question. A circus like

that?

ELAINE:

Viktor, it's my studio.

VIKTOR:

She's my actor. There are other

studios, Elaine. There's only one

Simone.

(leaving her on the steps)

Leave the press conference to me.

Viktor strides up the studio steps. Elaine stares after her

ex-husband -- she finds herself smiling at his newfound

arrogance.

EXT. STUDIO - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY

The studio soundstages as a backdrop, VIKTOR approaches a

podium and a forest of microphones, revelling in his recent

fame by association.

VIKTOR:

(tapping the microphone)

Is this on?

REPORTER 1

Who are you?

VIKTOR:

Taransky, Viktor. T-a-r-a-n-s-k-y,

V-i-k-t-o-r.

REPORTER 1

Yeah, but -- who are you?

VIKTOR:

(patronizing smile)

I am a two-time Academy Award

nominated director with over

eighteen films to my credit thus

far including my latest release,

"Sunrise, Sunset". Who are you?

A REPORTER rolls her eyes at his pomposity.

VIKTOR:

I will not be taking any questions.

However I do have a statement to

read on behalf of my leading lady,

Simone.

(reading from his

statement)

"To Whom It May Concern. I'm

deeply grateful for the

extraordinary public response to

Mr. Taransky's film. At this time

I will be conducting no interviews

or making publicity appearances

since I am really nothing without

the beautiful worlds and characters

Mr. Taransky creates for me. I

politely request that the press

respect my privacy and let the work

speak for itself. All questions

and inquiries should be directed to

Mr. Taransky to whom I entrust all

aspects of my career. Yours very

truly, Simone".

The reporters all call out at once.

REPORTER 2

-- Viktor, Viktor, who's Simone

dating?

REPORTER 3

-- Viktor, where'd you find her?

REPORTER 4

-- Is Simone her real name?

REPORTER 5

-- What's she got to hide?

REPORTER 1

-- Is she the new Garbo?

REPORTER 2

-- Who's Garbo?

Viktor silences the reporters by theatrically raising his

hands.

VIKTOR:

I thought I made it clear -- no

questions regarding Simone.

(bringing the press

conference to a hasty

conclusion)

Now, I would like to close by

announcing that Miss Simone begins

production today on her next film,

"Eternity Forever". This project

has been near and dear to my heart

since I wrote it nine years ago.

(a tinge of bitterness,

then a smile)

I Thank you.

Viktor exits the podium. A voice stops him in his tracks.

VOICE (O.S.)

Who do you think you're fooling,

Taransky?

Viktor turns. The voice belongs to over-zealous, crusading,

truth-seeking investigative reporter, MAX SAYER, accompanied

by his assistant, MILTON.

VIKTOR:

Do I know you?

MAX:

Max Sayer -- National Echo.

VIKTOR:

(regaining his composure,

a smirk)

Don't you have a real story to

write? Why aren't you in Latin

America?

MAX:

This is the story.

VIKTOR:

I remember when the Echo had class

-- the paper that could bring down

governments.

MAX:

Our leaders aren't presidents

anymore -- they're pop stars and

screen idols. If Woodward and

Bernstein were alive today, they'd

be right here in Hollywood with me.

VIKTOR:

They are alive, Sayer.

Milton confirms that Woodward and Bernstein are still living.

MAX:

So they're probably here.

(hardly missing a beat)

You might be able to sell this

'disappearing act' to the rest of

the world, but I'm not buying it.

What's really behind this Simone

woman? The public has a right to

know. Why is she staying out of

sight? And why the hell is she

with you? I don't want you to take

this the wrong way, Viktor, but

you're not exactly Cecil B.

DeMille -- more run-of-the-mill.

VIKTOR:

Maybe the reason she's with me is a

little thing called integrity,

Sayer. Look it up.

Viktor walks away.

MAX:

(calling after him)

Oh, I know all about integrity. I

know even more about persistence.

Look that one up.

Max watches Viktor depart, with obvious suspicion.

EXT. SOUNDSTAGE - STUDIO LOT - DAY

A large satellite dish sits atop a soundstage.

"CLOSED SET" is the sign on the door -- a surveillance camera

panning the entrance. A SECURITY GUARD, also keeping watch,

nods a greeting to VIKTOR as he pulls up in his studio golf

cart, script in hand.

SECURITY GUARD:

No one came in or went out just

like you said, Mr. Taransky.

VIKTOR:

Good.

SECURITY GUARD:

Is Miss Simone coming today?

VIKTOR:

She's already here. She arrived

before you and she'll leave long

after you've gone.

(admonishing guard)

Remember, under no circumstances

are you or any other person to

enter the set without my express

permission.

SECURITY GUARD:

What if it catches on fire?

VIKTOR:

Let it burn. Simone would rather

go up in flames than give up her

privacy.

Viktor enters his secret code into the keypad lock and enters

the soundstage.

INT. VIKTOR'S SOUNDSTAGE - DAY

The cavernous soundstage is almost completely empty save for

a small table upon which sits two computer keyboards and a

tablet attached to a large, projection screen monitor and two

side monitors. VIKTOR takes a seat in front of the monitor.

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