Strangers on a Train Page #19

Guy is seated. He has his rackets with him and is waiting

his turn to start his match. An official is talking to him

but Guy keeps looking around as if expecting someone.

OFFICIAL:

Well, at least there'd be a trip to

Australia, if you made it.

GUY:

(absently)

We'll know more about that by the

end of the week...

(his face brightens

as he sees Anne)

Anne hurries in, nods briefly to the official who has started

to leave, and sits down.

OFFICIAL:

They're close to the finish, Guy

GUY:

Be right there.

(turns to Anne)

I was afraid you wouldn't get here.

Wish me luck, darling.

He makes a move as if to follow official toward the stadium,

but Anne puts hand on his arm.

ANNE:

(quickly and urgently)

Guy, listen to me, If I sound all

mixed up I can't help it. I -- I'm

scared.

GUY:

What about?

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ANNE:

That's just it. I don't know. It's

Bruno. I talked to him, Guy -

Guy stares at her, takes a quick look toward the stadium,

then gives Anne his full attention.

ANNE:

He acted peculiar -- as if he could

put the murder right in your lap,

and not involve himself at all.

GUY:

(shaking his head)

He'd drag himself into it, -- and

Bruno loves Bruno. I'm all right so

long as he thinks I have an alibi

for that night.

(noticing the stricken

look on Anne is face)

He knows?

Anne nods slowly.

GUY:

(grimly)

Then he'll think of something. He

said he would.

ANNE:

Guy, has he anything that the police

could trace to you -

(quoting Bruno)

Any little thing.

GUY:

My cigarette lighter. He said once

he could have left it on the islands

as evidence

(a pause)

But he wouldn't do that. Not in

broad day light.

ANNE:

(trying to think)

But he's going somewhere, Guy. He

told his mother -

GUY:

(tensely)

Metcalf -- did he say Metcalf?

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ANNE:

No, -- I don't think so. Oh, why

can't I remember -- he said such

crazy things!

GUY:

(tensely)

Try to think, Anne!

VOICE:

(OFFSCENE)

Guy Haines! -- Reynolds!

While Anne is frantically trying to remember, Guy turns

toward, the stadium and gives a signal of "Be right there."

ANNE:

Something about the moon -- he said

he had an appointment with the moon.

Guy's shoulders droop with disappointment.

GUY:

That's no help. But I can't take

any chances. I've got to get that

lighter -- somehow.

REYNOLDS, Guy's opponent, ENTERS SCENE behind Guy's chair.

REYNOLDS:

Okay, Guy. We're on.

He walks away. Anne and Guy rise, following him.

GUY:

I'll have to default.

ANNE:

And have Hennessy and that other one

right at your heels?

Guy's expression says she's right, as they walk toward the

stadium.

ENTRANCE TO COVERED STAND

Hennessy and Hammond, the two detectives, are standing by.

HAMMOND:

First time I ever waited for a killer

to play tennis before I nabbed him!

(MORE)

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HAMMOND (CONT'D)

When the boys at headquarters hear

about this they'll send me an orchid!

HENNESSY:

We got our orders. We take him in -after

the match.

Guy and Anne come INTO THE SCENE just as the players from

the previous match emerge. They pass through, nodding to

Hennessy.

HENNESSY:

(a little sadly)

Good luck, Guy!

Guy gives him a thank-you nod. Hammond rolls his eyes in

disgust at Hennessy's politeness.

INSIDE THE STAND MED. SHOT

Anne is about to turn to her box but she is reluctant to

leave Guy, who must now join his opponent, Reynolds. As

their eyes hold, in mutual helplessness, Guy suddenly stares

at her with realization.

GUY:

The moon! You said he had an

appointment -

Anne looks puzzled as Guy looks up at the sun, then at his

watch.

GUY:

Then he is going to Metcalf. But he

has to wait until it gets dark -

(with frantic haste,

he thinks quickly,

then murmurs to Anne)

Listen, Anne, as soon as the third

set starts, tell Barbara -

MED. CLOSE SHOT REYNOLDS

waiting at the bottom of steps to the stand. Guy joins his

opponent, and Anne goes to her box. Guy and Reynolds move

onto the court amid the rounds of applause that greet them.

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MEDIUM SHOT ANNE JOINS BARBARA

In the box. She starts to whisper something to her.

LONG SHOT:

Guy and Reynolds complete their warm-up as the umpire

announces that Guy is to serve. The game starts.

EXT. ANTONY HOME

A taxi is at the front door. Bruno is descending the steps.

He gets into the cab, which moves off.

FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH

Over the shoulder of the announcer WE SEE the game in progress

through the window of his booth.

ANNOUNCER:

It looks like an interesting match -with

Haines out to blast Reynolds

into a fast fight, -- not like Haines

at all -- to press so early in the

game...

MED. SHOT THE COURT

Guy and his opponent, Reynolds, in play. Guy scores a point.

CLOSEUP THE UMPIRE

He announces game to Haines.

MED. LONG SHOT

We see the two men change ends and come toward the Umpire's

chair. Reynolds stops to take a drink of Water. Guy, with

an impatient glance it him, moves over to the passing line

and waits, the CAMERA going with him.

EXT. WASHINGTON STREET

A taxicab is seen coming along.

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MED. SHOT INSIDE TAXI CAB

Bruno is sitting with an unlighted cigarette in his mouth.

CAMERA MOVES IN until he is in big CLOSEUP. His eyes look

down. There is the SOUND of a click, then Guy's lighter

comes up into the picture held against the cigarette.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH FOREST HILL

The announcer is broadcasting the progress of the match and

we learn from him that this first set is nearly finished.

LONG SHOT THE COURT

Guy and Reynolds in play.

MED. SHOT

Anne and Barbara sitting in their box watching the play

anxiously.

MED. SHOT

At the entrance to the covered stand. The two detectives

Hennessy and Hammond, are watching. Hammond is bored by

this game.

HAMMOND:

Stupid game. You'd never get me

into them short pants. I'd feel

naked.

HENNESSY:

(his eyes intent on

the game)

You'd feel naked in an Eskimo suit -

if you weren't wearing your badge.

MED. SHOT

Guy playing hard but holding his own.

MED. SHOT

Reynolds, his opponent, playing back.

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LONG SHOT:

The big crowd watching.

MED. SHOT

Guy scores point over Reynolds.

MED. SHOT

There is general applause from the crowd in the covered stand

as we HEAR the Umpire's announcement.

UMPIRE'S VOICE

(O.S.)

Mr. Haines wins the first set.

EXT. UNION STATION WASHINGTON D.C.

We see Bruno get out of a cab and pass into the depot.

LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS

The game in process.

MED. SHOT

A nearer view of the game.

CLOSE SHOT GUY IN PLAY

volleying with Reynolds.

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