Strangers on a Train Page #9

CLOSEUP GUY:

He steels himself for the long walk across the hall and the

living room.

CLOSEUP ANNE:

Watching Guy closely.

MED. SHOT

As Guy starts to make the long trek across the living room,

with Anne behind him -

GUY:

(stiffly)

Good evening, sir. Hello, Babs.

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Barbara has been squirming in her seat, then as if jet

propelled she catapults out of it and runs to Guy, giving

him a big hug and a smack on the cheek.

BARBARA:

Something awful has happened, Guy.

SENATOR:

(firmly)

Sit down, Barbara.

Subdued, she sits down. But Guy remains standing.

SENATOR:

(finding it difficult

to begin)

There seems to be no way of

diplomatically breaking tragic news.

I'm sorry, Guy, to be the one to

tell you. It concerns your wife.

She's been murdered.

Guy stares woodenly at the Senator, is if hypnotized.

BARBARA:

The police have been using everything

but radar to locate you.

SENATOR:

You're to call Headquarters at

Metcalf.

The full impact of what has happened hits Guy once more.

GUY:

Miriam...murdered.

ANNE:

(with inner tension)

She was...strangled.

Slowly Guy's eyes meet hers. They are remembering what he

said on the phone: "I could strangle her." He sinks into a

chair. The Senator is quite distressed.

During the following scene Barbara quietly goes about the

business of pouring drinks and serving them. She knows

everyone's preference.

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SENATOR:

(wrylt, to Guy)

It happened on an island in an

amusement park. It was sort of a

lovers lane, I believe. A rather

sordid atmosphere.

BARBARA:

(quickly, to Guy)

Miriam went there with two boys.

They were the ones who found her.

So they're not suspects. But you

probably will be.

SENATOR:

Young lady, we can't overlook the

fact that murder is at our doorsteps.

But I forbid you to drag it into the

living room!

BARBARA:

(wide-eyed)

Let's not fool ourselves. The police

will say Guy wanted Miriam out of

the way so he could marry Anne. In

a crime of this sort the police first

go after the husband, and Guy had

every motive.

SENATOR:

(aghast)

Motive?

GUY:

(quietly)

She's right. Whichever way you look

at it...I'm in a spot.

SENATOR:

(disconcerted but

whistling in dark)

Oh come now, my boy. I'm sure you

have nothing to worry about.

BARBARA:

(flatly)

If he hasn't an alibi for nine-thirty

tonight he has plenty to worry about.

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ANNE:

(who hasn't taken

anxious eyes off Guy)

You can tell them where you were,

can't you, Guy?

GUY:

(wearily)

At nine-thirty I was on the train

from New York to Washington.

SENATOR:

(relieved)

There you are.

BARBARA:

Who saw you? Did you speak to anyone?

You'll need a Witness, you know.

GUY:

(as if it didn't matter)

Yes, I spoke to someone.

SENATOR:

(hopefully)

Anyone you know?

GUY:

No. His name was Collins. He is a

professor.

SENATOR:

(brightening)

Harvard.

GUY:

University of Virginia.

The Senator's expression says: "Well, that's not too bad."

CLOSEUP ANNE:

Her face shows her relief that Guy can account for his time.

ANNE:

Then everything's's all right.

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BACK TO SCENE:

BARBARA:

Not quite. Detectives play a game

called Motive, Motive, Who'd got the

Motive.

ANNE:

(near the breaking

point)

I'm sick of hearing that word!

BARBARA:

He'll still have to answer questions.

SENATOR:

Routine. Pure routine.

GUY:

I'm afraid there'll be a lot of

reporters at your front door in the

morning.

BARBARA:

Daddy doesn't mind a little scandal.

He's a senator.

ANNE:

(answering Guy's look)

It can't be helped, darling. It is

not your fault. It's not as though

anyone can say you had something to

do with it.

GUY:

Someone might say it...I'd do anything

to keep you all out of this mess.

SENATOR:

Profit by my experience, Guy. Never

lose any sleep over accusations.

(an afterthought)

Unless they can be proved, of course.

We'll help all we can. Dreadful

business, dreadful. That poor

unfortunate girl.

BARBARA:

(flatly)

She was a tramp.

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SENATOR:

(pontificially)

She was a human being. let me remind

you that even the most unworthy of

us has the right to life and the

pursuit of happiness.

BARBARA:

(unimpressed)

From what I hear, she pursued it in

all directions.

SENATOR:

Barbara!

ANNE:

Father, it's getting terribly late,

and Guy looks so tired...

SENATOR:

(quickly)

Of course, of course. Back to bed,

Barbara.

BARBARA:

(ignoring this - to

Anne and Guy)

Well, you two. Nothing stands in

your way now. You can be married

right away. Think of it -- you're

free!

CLOSE TWO ANNE AND GUY

look at one another with a growing realization of what

Miriam's death actually means to their happiness -- they are

free.

BACK TO SCENE:

The Senator firmly urges Barbara to the door.

SENATOR:

(to Barbara)

One doesn't always have to say what

one thinks!

BARBARA:

(sweetly)

Father, I'm not a politician.

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The Senator gives her a gentle but firm push out of sight.

SENATOR:

You won't forget that call, Guy?

Captain Turley.

GUY:

Yes sir. Goodnight.

Barbara pokes her head quickly around the door.

BARBARA:

I still think it would be wonderful

to have a man love you so much he'd

kill for you.

(she ducks out)

TWO SHOT:

Left alone, Guy and Anne embrace. Anne's nervous tension

comes to the surface in a flood of relief.

ANNE:

I told myself over and over I was

being silly, but there was one

horrible moment tonight when the

news came through. I kept remembering

what you shouted telephone from

Metcalf.

GUY:

That I could strang...

Anne quickly puts her fingers over his mouth.

ANNE:

Don't even say it. Forget you ever

said it. Even more terrifying than

the murder itself, Guy, was the awful

thought that if you had anything to

do with it we'd be separated, -perhaps

forever. I'd never see you again.

I couldn't bear it.

DISSOLVE TO:

LONG SHOT MAIN STREET OF METCALF DAY

with its customary mid-afternoon activity.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

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EXT. METCALF POLICE HEADQUARTERS DAY

A knot of people are hanging around the entrance, including

a few newspaper photographers. There is a rush of interest

when a taxi pulls up and Guy steps out of it. Guy pushes

his way through the people. Two or three bulbs flash. There

is a murmur from the crowd and we hear Guy's name. He passes

into the entrance.

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