Sweet Smell of Success Page #13

REVERSE ANGLE - FAVORING SIDNEY

Sidney, his eyes bright, nods. Hunsecker studies Sidney,

then:

HUNSECKER:

No wonder you've been so 'feisty'

tonight.

A pause.

HUNSECKER:

(quietly)

Can you deliver?

Sidney nods.

SIDNEY:

Uh huh.

HUNSECKER:

When?

SIDNEY:

Tonight. Before you go to bed.

The cat is in the bag and the bag

is in the river.

HUNSECKER:

Expressionless, he examines Sidney. Then he walks off

toward the car. He tips the attendant, who thanks him, but

instead of getting into the back of the car, he makes a

small authoritative gesture to Nikko (double) to move over

so that Hunsecker himself may drive. While Nikko does so,

Hunsecker turns back to Sidney, whom the CAMERA now includes.

HUNSECKER:

(quietly)

Don't be a two time loser, Sidalee.

The sentence could be severe...

SIDNEY:

He is satisfied.

HUNSECKER:

Hunsecker gets into the driver's seat beside Nikko, the

Japanese houseboy. CAMERA is CLOSE on Hunsecker who does

not look back but is clearly aware of the position of Sidney

as he puts the car into gear, revving the engine...

SIDNEY - NIGHT

The big car accelerates with impressive power. In doing so,

it sends a cloud of fumes and a swirl of dust in Sidney's

direction. He leaps out of the way, too late. CAMERA MOVES

closer to him as, with anger and ignominy he inspects his

precious clothing for damage. But, as he looks after the

car, his face hardens into grim humor; he senses that this

petty gesture from Hunsecker is an indication of his

vulnerability, not his strength. As, dusting his coat,

Sidney walks away, CAMERA RISES, watching his jaunty figure

cross the street in the direction of 51st Street.

QUICK LAP DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TOOTS SHOR'S RESTAURANT

A LONG SHOT looking over the round bar towards the entrance.

Sidney comes in through the revolving doors and comes toward

CAMERA. His eyes search among the crowd.

CLOSER ANGLE:

REVERSE ANGLE. A CAPTAIN approaches Sidney.

CAPTAIN:

Hello, Sidney. Wanna table?

SIDNEY:

(shaking his head)

Just hopping tonight. Leo Bartha

been in?

CAPTAIN:

Yeah, having supper with the Mrs.

She's over there.

The Captain nods towards a booth on the other side of the

bar where Mrs. Bartha is sitting alone. Seeing that Bartha

is not with her, the Captain looks around the bar...

CAPTAIN:

He's somewhere...

SIDNEY:

(interrupting)

Thanks, I see him...

Sidney is looking back towards the entrance hall, where...

BARTHA:

Bartha comes forward (from the Men's Room) passing the

Captain and Sidney. Sidney moves to intercept him.

SIDNEY:

Hello, Leo. How goes that Sunday

piece on cigarette girls?

ANOTHER ANGLE:

A CLOSE SHOT on Bartha as he turns towards Sidney, stopping.

BARTHA:

(cautiously)

Who told you about it?

SIDNEY:

Sidney smiles at Bartha, but the threat is clear.

SIDNEY:

The cigarettes girl...Rita. And

she took out all her hairpins, too.

RESUME BARTHA:

He throws a quick glance at his wife in the booth in

background. CAMERA PULLS BACK as Sidney, who has noted the

look, moves closer to Bartha.

SIDNEY:

I never had the pleasure of meeting

your wife. You know what I wonder,

Leo? Could you use a hot little

item for tomorrow's column?

Sidney is pulling out of his pocket a pad on which to

scribble the item. But Bartha faces him squarely, speaking

sotto voce but with emphasis:

BARTHA:

What is this, blackmail? Beat it!

Bartha turns on his heel and turns to walk towards his wife

beyond.

SIDNEY:

Sidney's face tightens. After a pause, he makes a decision

and walks towards the booth.

BARTHA AND HIS WIFE

Bartha's wife is reading a tabloid and sipping champagne

while her husband resumes eating a sandwich. These two are

antagonists in a long war. Sidney comes up to the table,

repeats:

SIDNEY:

Leo, I've never had the pleasure of

meeting your wife...

Bartha looks up. What can he do? Begrudgingly:

BARTHA:

Loretta...Sidney Falco...

WIFE:

(chatty)

How do you do, Mr. Falco. If you

know anything about horses, sit a

minute. Help yourself to a glass

of this N.Y. State champagne -

that's what my husband buys me.

Mrs. Bartha pushes the champagne bottle in Sidney's direction

as Sidney sits pleasantly; Bartha concentrates on his

sandwich.

SIDNEY:

All the imported wines aren't what

they're cracked up to be.

WIFE:

Whose side are you on, Mr. Falco,

his or mine?

SIDNEY:

Frankly, Mrs. Bartha, I'm a neutral

observer for the United Nations.

WIFE:

Mrs. Bartha laughs, enjoying his deftness; then:

WIFE:

What's your first name?

SIDNEY:

(over scene)

Sidney.

Mrs. Bartha turns to concentrate on the names in the racing

column of the tabloid.

WIFE:

(searching the column)

No horse running tomorrow by that

name...

BARTHA, WIFE AND SIDNEY

An ANGLE favoring Bartha and Sidney. Bartha glowers at his

wife, resenting the fact that she has permitted Sidney to

join them.

BARTHA:

You ought to stop this nonsense,

Loretta, these two dollar bets.

WIFE:

(cheerfully)

It's compensation, Leo, for the

marginal life we lead.

(to Sidney)

Sidney, did you hear the story

about the cloak-and-suitor who -- ?

BARTHA:

(sharply interrupting)

That's right! Tell him, so I can

read it in Hunsecker's column first!

WIFE:

(to Sidney, brightly)

Oh, are you a spy for the other side?

SIDNEY:

No, I actually sat down to give Leo

an item.

produces his pad again, begins to write on it.

Rate this script:3.0 / 3 votes