Strangers on a Train Page #13

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BARBARA'S VOICE

Guy!

He turn his head and CAMERA PANS him to Barbara, who is

standing a few steps from the table beckoning to him.

BARBARA:

(Sotto voce)

I've just been talking to your shadow.

(very impressed)

Guy, did you know Mr. Hennessy helped

crack that axe murder I was reading

about? You know, the one where the

body was cut up and hidden in the

butcher shop? He was locked in the

ice box with the left leg for six

hours!

GUY:

He pulls those yarns right out of

his hat, Babs.

CLOSEUP GUY:

He gives a sharp look back toward Bruno. There is more

laughter coming from the French couple at the table.

CLOSE SHOT GROUP AT TABLE FROM GUY'S VIEWPOINT

Bruno is occupied with his French joke, but Anne is looking

at Guy strangely.

TWO SHOT GUY AND BARBARA

Guy turns back to Barbara. Barbara looks with interest toward

Bruno.

BARBARA:

Who's the nice looking Frenchman

with the Darvilles?

GUY:

He's not French. His name's Antony.

Barbara steps toward the table.

MED. SHOT AT TABLE

as Barbara joins the group.

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BARBARA:

How do you do, Madame Darville.

Monsieur.

They looks up.

CLOSEUP BRUNO:

Bruno stops in the middle of some French to stare at Barbara.

Her voice continues.

BARBARA'S VOICE

How are you?

FRENCH COUPLES' VOICES

Delightful to see you. How sweet

you look, Miss Barbara.

CLOSE SHOT BARBARA FROM BRUNO VIEWPOINT

BARBARA:

I hope you aren't forgetting our

little party on Thursday, Madame.

From Bruno's viewpoint, as Barbara speaks,CAMERA MOVES IN

CLOSER until to faintest impression of the merry-go-round

fills the screen with the effect of whirling around Barbara's

head. Her glasses seem to glint until her eyes are

obliterated by the glare.

MED. SHOT THE GROUP

MME. DARVILLE

We are planning on it?

M. DARVILLE

But of course.

All talk dies out as all eyes turn to Bruno, who is staring

at Barbara. Except Anne's, who is saying quietly to Bruno:

ANNE:

This is my sister Barbara. Barbara,

this is Mr. Antony.

CLOSEUP BRUNO:

He does not acknowledge the introduction immediately. He is

still staring at Barbara. Then he nods abstractedly.

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CLOSEUP ANNE:

She is looking at Bruno, wondering what mystery lies behind

this strange individual and why he and Guy have disclaimed

any previous acquaintance.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. GUY'S APARTMENT NIGHT

CLOSEUP A LUGER PISTOL HELD IN GUY'S HANDS

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO SHOW Guy staring down at it. He is

partially dressed for an evening party, in black bow tie but

without his jacket. He leans forward to take up a letter

from among brown paper wrappings on the table.

INSERT:
LETTER

Dear Guy -

Just two more days left. We must

get together for final details.

The note, in Bruno's handwriting, is unsigned.

CLOSEUP GUY:

He stares down at the note. At this moment there is a knock

at the door.

MED. SHOT

Guy hastily gather together the gun, the note and the

wrappings and puts them in a dresser drawer. He crosses to

the door and opens it. Hennessy enters, carrying a topcoat.

GUY:

Hiya, Hennessy. Won't keep you out

late tonight.

(getting into his

dinner jacket)

With Forest Hills coming up tomorrow,

I've got to get some sleep.

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HENNESSY:

(helping himself to a

cigarette)

That's too bad. Hammond takes over

in a couple of hours. I'd like to

see him earn his salary.

Guy turns to the dresser drawer in which he has put the note

and the gun, maneuvering his body between the dresser and

Hennessy's view. He takes out a handkerchief, closes the

drawer, sticks the handkerchief in his pocket, speaking as

he does so.

GUY:

Doesn't that bloodhound over relax?

He sticks so close he's beginning to

grow on me -- like a fungus.

HENNESSY:

(mildly)

He thinks you're a very suspicious

character. He doesn't trust anybody!

Not even himself.

Guy is eager to get out of the room, and Hennessy is

maddeningly slow in his movements.

GUY:

Come on.

(indicating at Hennessy

overcoat)

Don't forget your sleeping bag.

HENNESSY:

(taking his time)

Yeah, If I have to wait too long on

the sidewalk my feet get cold. And

if I sit too long on those stone

steps, my -

Guy has the door open and eases Hennessy toward the haIl.

GUY:

(quickly)

Don't worry. Since you told Barbara

Burton about the icebox, you're her

favorite charity. She'll send the

butler out with something to defrost

you.

HENNESSY:

(grinning)

Cute kid.

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He's gone, and with a last glance at the dresser, Guy goes

out and closes the door.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BURTON HOUSE LONG SHOT NIGHT

The street outside the Burton house is lined with cars and

limousines. Various guests are arriving.

MED. SHOT

On the opposite side of the street we see Hennessy, now

wearing his topcoat. He looks bored as he glances across

the street to the house.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BURTON HOUSE BIG HEAD CLOSEUP OF ANNE

Her face is troubled. CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK. We see

now that the reception is in progress and that Anne stands

beside her father to greet the arriving guests. CAMERA PULLS

BACK FURTHER to show us a full view of a very crowded

Washington gathering Many white ties and tails and decollete

in evidence. Many accents. Even some foreign languages are

being spoken. Music and chatter in the b.g.

CLOSE SHOT:

Anne and the Senator are still greeting new arrivals. Anne's

manner is somewhat preoccupied. She glances around as she

speaks, as though looking for someone.

ANNE:

(to new arrival)

Thank you so much, Mr. Lindsay.

We'll look forward to it.

PANNING SHOT FROM ANNE'S VIEWPOINT

THE CAMERA PASSES various groups of guests in conversation

including Guy and Barbara who are together. From this

distance we cannot hear what they are saying. CAMERA

CONTINUES TO the front door. It opens to admit a new arrival.

It is Bruno. He wears white tie and tails, looking very

elegant.

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We see Guy excuse himself from Barbara, cross to Bruno and

speak to him angrily, obviously asking, "What are you doing

here?" Bruno, however, greets Guy with a smile then turns

from him, unperturbed and bland. He sees Anne and moves

toward her, smiling.

CLOSEUP ANNE:

As Bruno comes in her direction, Anne's expression shows her

mystification and concern about Bruno's presence and about

Guy's attitude toward him.

MED. SHOT

Bruno comes up to Anne and the Senator. He gives a slight

bow to the Senator; then puts his hand out to Anne.

BRUNO:

Good evening, Miss Burton.

The Senator looks inquiringly. Anne makes the introduction.

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