Simone Page #9

SIMONE / VIKTOR

You know what I'm talking about.

VIKTOR:

Yes. Yes, I'm going to tell the

truth about you, why wouldn't I...?

(pondering his own

question)

Of course, with Hank's tragic

passing, the secret died with him.

(shaking the thought from

his head)

I am going to tell the truth...

after your next picture.

Feeling uneasy at the prospect, Viktor changes the subject.

He pulls out his script for "ETERNITY FOREVER".

VIKTOR:

Speaking of which -- this is the

project I'd like you to do next.

SIMONE / VIKTOR

Not, "Eternity Forever"? The

legendary unproduced script that

was too good ever to get made? I'd

kill for that part.

VIKTOR:

I was hoping you'd say that.

Suddenly, Simone appears to talk on her own.

SIMONE:

I'll do anything to please you, Mr.

Taransky.

VIKTOR:

(pretending to be hard of

hearing)

I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.

What did you say?

SIMONE:

I'll do anything to please you, Mr.

Taransky.

On a side monitor, we discover a highlighted box marked "PRE

RECORD" -- Viktor's finger on the "PLAY" button. He is

unable to resist speaking another line.

SIMONE / VIKTOR

And I will never, ever leave you.

Simone appears to indulge Viktor by blowing him a kiss --

until we see that Viktor has now highlighted a box marked,

"GESTURES OF AFFECTION -- WINK, SMILE, GIGGLE, SIGH, KISS,

FLUTTER OF EYES, FLICK OF HAIR, PUFF OF CHEST".

Viktor comes close to the monitor. He notices something

about Simone's face.

VIKTOR:

You're so beautiful. Too

beautiful.

Viktor accesses a program labeled, "DISTINGUISHING FEATURES".

He adds a "FRECKLE" and a "MOLE".

From a distance we watch him, alone with Simone in the vast,

empty soundstage.

EXT. STUDIO LOT - DAY

VIKTOR's face against the SKY. As he walks, we reveal that

the sky is no more than a huge, painted backdrop on the

studio lot -- behind a parking lot. Viktor hands his valet

ticket to a fawning VALET MANAGER.

VALET MANAGER:

-- Just be a minute, Mr. Taransky.

We gave you a complimentary car

wash -- they're washing the engine

now.

Viktor joins other industry MOVERS and SHAKERS waiting for

their cars under an umbrella. A young TALENT AGENT

approaches.

TALENT AGENT:

Viktor! Look, I'm sorry I didn't

call you back last year. I was,

er... out of the country.

(strained moment)

But we should get together. My

schedule's wide open.

VIKTOR:

Sure, I'll... "call you".

The agent's face falls. He gets in his car, disconsolate.

Suddenly, HAL SINCLAIR, rushes over and hugs Viktor.

HAL:

Viktor, I'm so happy for us!

VIKTOR:

Hello, Hal.

HAL:

The film. The chemistry. No

reflections on Nicola but Simone

and I -- we were just so right

together.

VIKTOR:

You never were together, Hal.

HAL:

And still the connection was

undeniable.

(aside)

I haven't read "Eternity Forever"

but I know it's brilliant. And I

know I would be perfect for Clive.

VIKTOR:

(correcting him)

Clyde.

HAL:

Yes, perfect.

(lowering his voice)

As a matter of fact, I ran into

Simone on the lot the other day.

VIKTOR:

(genuinely startled)

Really? She didn't mention it.

HAL:

(quickly covering)

I'm sure she's meeting with a lot

of people right now.

(under his breath)

She is just as you described her,

Viktor... indescribable. I

strongly sensed she thought I was

right for it.

Behind his back, Viktor surreptitiously presses a button on

his cell phone. The phone rings. Viktor feigns surprise and

answers.

VIKTOR:

(answering the phone he

has just dialed, louder

than necessary)

Hello?... SIMONE! How are you,

sweetheart?

A hush descends over the executives. Hal is suddenly very

uncomfortable. Even the VALETS strain to eavesdrop on the

conversation.

VIKTOR:

(winking to Hal)

You'll never guess who I'm with...

you ran into him on the lot.

HAL:

It was more in passing.

VIKTOR:

You're so far off!

(finally chuckles)

Hal... Hal Sinclair... your co-

star. Remember now?... No, I don't

think he's put on weight.

(a shrug of apology to the

appalled Hal)

Anyway, you think he's right for

"Eternity Forever"?... not the

right type?... a different

direction...

(covering phone, to Hal)

I'll try to talk her into it.

The other INDUSTRY PEOPLE make a note of the remark. A

mortified Hal excuses himself with a pathetic wave, climbing

into his car.

VIKTOR:

(into phone)

... Listen this is a bad place to

talk... what?... sweetheart, I know

you have charity work you want to

do, I know you want to give back --

but remember, your greatest gift is

your talent... we'll talk about it

at the beach house this weekend...

I'm looking forward to it too.

Viktor hangs up. His car pulls up. He tips extravagantly

and drives away. The INDUSTRY PEOPLE get on their cell

phones.

EXT. STUDIO LOT - FACADE - DAY

Parked behind the sky facade is a curious CAR with shaded

windows.

INT. CAR - DAY

Inside the car, MAX SAYER and assistant MILTON, scanner in

hand, are replaying Viktor's intercepted phone call on a

computer.

VIKTOR'S VOICE

(from the machine)

-- "... You think he's right for

"Eternity Forever"?... not the

right type?... a different

direction..."

MILTON:

(to Max, a shake of the

head)

I'm getting nothing from her side

of the conversation.

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