Sound of Metal Page #10

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PROTAGONIST:

It won’t be long. In the meantime,

introduce me.

KAT:

As what?

PROTAGONIST:

I’m a former First Secretary fromthe American Embassy in Riyadh, we

met at a party last June –

KAT:

We were at a party in Riyadh, but Idon’t think it was June –

PROTAGONIST:

June 29th. 7 for 7:30, salmon on

the printed menu swapped for seabass on the night. Sator leftearly, that’s when we met. Don’toffer any of this, it’s there if heasks. I came into Shipley’s inLondon, you ran into me here andwant to show me the yacht.

KAT:

He’ll think we’re having an affair.

PROTAGONIST:

And he’ll want to meet me.

KAT:

Or have you killed.

PROTAGONIST:

Let me worry about that.

55.

KAT:

Did I look worried?

EXT. DOCK, AMALFI – DAY

The Protagonist and Kat look out at an enormous yacht.

KAT:

Sleeps 70, with crew. Four tenders,

two helicopters, missile defences –

PROTAGONIST:

Jesus. Worried about pirates?

KAT:

Andrei loves playing one governmentoff another. The day they turn,

that’s his refuge.

PROTAGONIST:

What if I joined you?

She nods at Volkov, holding the launch’s line.

KAT:

I’m not sure Volkov’s takingpassengers just now.

PROTAGONIST:

Then let’s take mine.

The Protagonist nods at Volkov as they walk past.

EXT. HARBOUR, AMALFI – MOMENTS LATER

The Protagonist GUNS his boat hard, carving a GLITTERING PATHacross the calm harbour. Kat sits, enjoying the speed.

The Protagonist pulls up alongside the yacht, CREW MEMBERSSCRAMBLE, unaccustomed to unauthorized approaches. TheProtagonist follows Kat’s gaze to a FIGURE above, but the sunis behind it. Kat steps onto the yacht.

The Protagonist gives the figure a JAUNTY SALUTE. Noresponse. The Protagonist ZIPS back towards shore, passingthe yacht’s launch. He waves at Volkov.

INT./EXT. YACHT – MOMENTS LATER

Follow Kat into the enormous lounge. She drops her bags –

MALE VOICE (O.S.)

Who’s the American?

56.

She turns. A middle-aged man with cold eyes and a thin beardstands in the doorway. THIS IS SATOR.

KAT:

A friend.

SATOR:

The man from Shipley’s?

KAT:

Who you tried to have beaten up?

SATOR:

I ask again. Who is he?

KAT:

We met in Riyadh. In June at theAmerican Embassy.

SATOR:

Good with fists for a diplomat...

KAT:

Paranoia’s your department. Heseems nice, I invited him to the

dinner.

(turns away)

Max?... Max?!...

SATOR:

He’s visiting Pompeii andHerculaneum.

KAT:

Overnight? You just sent him off?!

SATOR:

He’s my son.

KAT:

Our son. I told him I’d go with him

–

SATOR:

I explained you were busy. Withyour friend.

He turns, walks away. She watches him leave.

INT. RESTAURANT, AMALFI COAST – EVENING

The Protagonist walks towards a table where Sator, holdingcourt, attacks some crabs. Volkov stops the Protagonist andFRISKS him, in full view of the diners.

57.

PROTAGONIST:

Where I’m from, you buy me dinnerfirst.

Without looking, Sator gestures at a seat, Volkov lets theProtagonist pass. He sits.

PROTAGONIST (CONT'D)

Mr Sator? I’m –

SATOR:

(quiet)

Don’t bother. Just tell me if

you’ve slept with my wife, yet.

The Protagonist glances up at Kat, opposite, chatting.

PROTAGONIST:

No. Not yet.

A glance from Sator between buttery mouthfuls of crab.

SATOR:

How would you like to die?

PROTAGONIST:

Old.

SATOR:

You chose the wrong profession.

Sator returns a toast from a grinning guest. Reaches a greasypalm to the Protagonist’s cheek, as if in friendliness...

SATOR (CONT'D)

There’s a walled garden up theroad. We’re going to take youthere, cut your throat, not across,

in the middle, like a hole. Then we

take your balls, stuff them in thecut, block the windpipe.

PROTAGONIST:

Complex.

SATOR:

It’s gratifying to watch a man youdon’t like try to pull his ownballs out of his throat before he

chokes.

PROTAGONIST:

Is this how you treat all yourguests?

SATOR:

The ones using my family to get to

me.

58.

PROTAGONIST:

How else is someone supposed to getto you?

SATOR:

Only a fool wants to be near me.

PROTAGONIST:

Or someone who has something worthdelaying your gratification for...

Sator signals Volkov – Kat glances over as Volkov RISES –

SATOR:

We’re finished.

PROTAGONIST:

Do you like opera?

At this, Sator pauses. Waves off Volkov.

SATOR:

Not here. You sail?

PROTAGONIST:

I’ve messed around on boats.

SATOR:

Be on the dock at eight. Ready todo more than mess around.

Kat, relieved, watches the Protagonist leave.

EXT. DINING ROOM, YACHT – MORNING

Kat enters, dressed in sailing gear. Sator is already seated,

similarly dressed, reading his phone, with a cup of coffee.

KAT:

Max has missed too much school this

year. I’m taking him back toEngland.

SATOR:

No, you’re not. He has a tutorhere.

KAT:

The school won’t be okay with –

SATOR:

Yes, they will.

KAT:

Can I finish?!

59.

SATOR:

Look around you – he has everythinghe needs here.

A SERVANT places a plate with a silver cover in front of Kat,

then pours her coffee.

KAT:

You don’t care what he needs. You

bought the trappings of a king, but

we both know you’re a grubby littleman playing power games with a wifewho doesn’t love him any more.

Sator looks at her.

SATOR:

You seem spirited today.

KAT:

(defiant)

Do I?

Sator barely nods at the servant, who pulls off the lid...

SATOR:

Yes. You do.

On the plate, instead of breakfast, is a small drawing. A‘Rubens’. Kat freezes.

SATOR (CONT'D)

Were you worried it had beendestroyed? Rest assured, instincttold me to remove it from the

vault. I’ve always had instinctsabout the future. That’s how I

built this life you no longervalue.

Kat looks up at him, not knowing what to say or do.

EXT. DOCK, AMALFI – MORNING

The Protagonist stands on the dock, dressed for sailing,

watching the launch approach...

PROTAGONIST:

Morning.

As he gets on, Kat ignores him. Sator enjoys this.

EXT. OPEN OCEAN, AMALFI – MOMENTS LATER

The Protagonist tries to catch Kat’s eye, but she will notlook his way.

60.

Sator hands the Protagonist a HARNESS and a HELMET... helooks at them, taken aback, then looks ahead – towards TWO

GRAPHITE DARK, HIGHEST TECH AMERICA’S CUP SAILING YACHTS,

trimmed and ready.

PROTAGONIST:

(impressed)

When you said sailing...

EXT. SAILING YACHT DECK – MOMENTS LATER

Kat gets on, followed by Sator and the Protagonist. Therigging crew departs. Kat checks the sheets and winches.

Sator indicates the harness.

SATOR:

You know how?

PROTAGONIST:

Aye, Captain.

Sator gestures at Kat.

SATOR:

She’s captain.

EXT. OPEN OCEAN, AMALFI – LATER

The boats FLY, SKIMMING THE WATER ON THEIR HYDROFOILS...

Sator and the Protagonist are next to each other, standing onone pontoon, LEANING OUT IN THEIR HARNESSES... Kat is at thewheel, concentrating...

SATOR:

What do you know about opera?

PROTAGONIST:

In 2008 a remote Russian missile

station was overwhelmed and held

for a week. When the station was

retaken, the plutonium 241 on onewarhead was three quarters of akilo lighter. The missing 241surfaced at the opera-house siegein Kiev on the 14th.

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