Sweet Smell of Success Page #16

ELWELL:

His eyes go from the magazine to Sidney; he gets the point

alright.

ELWELL:

I'm not an unreasonable man...

Elwell reaches for the slip of paper once more.

SIDNEY AND ELWELL

In picking it up, Elwell clearly implies his readiness to

accept the item - on conditions. Sidney, in his turn, gets

this point. He turns towards the passing waiter.

SIDNEY:

Waiter! The check.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SIDNEY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Rita is in the bedroom. She appears to have some familiarity

to the premises... She hears the doorbell. She makes swift

adjustment to her appearance and takes a swift gulp of a

drink as she carries it through to answer the door.

SIDNEY'S OFFICE

The outer room is lit only by one of the lamps on the desk.

Rita crosses and goes to the door. Sidney's shadow can be

seen through the frosted glass. At the door, Rita opens it

slowly and with a seductive manner.

RITA:

(coyly)

Hi!

Sidney steps into the room. Rita begins to close the door

prior to stepping into his embrace. Sidney puts one arm

about her. But now she reacts to...

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Otis Elwell stands on the landing outside. In most

gentlemanly fashion, he takes off his hat.

RITA:

This new arrival gets a dismal reaction from the girl.

SIDNEY:

(unembarrassed)

Rita, say hello to Otis Elwell.

RITA:

(with no welcome whatsoever)

Hello.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Elwell is not unaware of his cool reception. He glances at

Sidney as he comes into the room. But his manner is suave.

ELWELL:

Friends call me Otis - sometimes

Tricky Otis.

SIDNEY:

Otis was outraged when I told him

Van Cleve was going to fire you.

Tell him not to pay any attention

to anything you-know-who says about

you-know-what.

(to Otis)

Right, Otis?

ELWELL:

Right!

Elwell sits down on the sette, stretches his limbs, smiles

at the girl. Rita still says nothing. Sidney mistakes her

attitude for acquiescence. He swallows his drink, sets it

down.

SIDNEY:

I thought you two could talk the

whole thing over till I got back.

Rita looks at him sharply.

RITA:

Back?

SIDNEY:

One of those business meetings,

honey - always coming up in the

middle of the night.

He grins at Rita. She doesn't respond. Turning, she goes

swiftly through the door into the bedroom.

RITA:

(sharply)

Hold on. You can drop me off on

your way...

Emphasizing the asperity in her voice, she closes the door

behind her.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Elwell looks at Sidney; Sidney looks at Elwell. Elwell gets

up slowly from the settee.

ELWELL:

(amused by acid)

Consternation reigns...

Sidney is uncomfortable, not sure how Elwell is taking the

rejection. Elwell glances at his wristwatch, lays down his

drink.

SIDNEY:

(quickly)

Now, Otis...

Elwell shrugs, remarks pleasantly but with significance:

ELWELL:

I hate J.J. -- but not that much at

this moment...

SIDNEY:

Give me a chance --

He goes into the bedroom, closing the door after him.

INT. BEDROOM

Rita is in a flurry of indignation. Sitting on the bed, she

is fastening one high-heeled shoe. Sidney stands glaring at

her.

SIDNEY:

Don't you know who that man is?

RITA:

(bitingly)

Yeah. Otis Elwell. The columnist.

SIDNEY:

(nodding with emphasis)

Yeah!

RITA:

(aggressively)

And he's a perfect stranger to me.

SIDNEY:

(explosively)

So take five minutes! Get

acquainted! He's an important

man - he's lonely - don't be dumb!

Rita, who one shoe on, has begun to search for the other.

RITA:

What do you want all of a sudden -

Lady Godiva...? Where's my other

shoe?

SIDNEY:

What kind of an act is this?

Rita jumps to her feet. Her righteous indignation is

handicapped by the lop-sided stance caused by the lack of

one shoe.

RITA:

Don't you think I have any feelings?

What am I? A bowl of fruit? A

tangerine that peels in a minute?

SIDNEY:

(caustic)

I beg your pardon! I turn myself

inside out to help you and now I'm

a heavy.

(stooping swiftly as

he discovers her shoe)

Here's your shoe, there's your

coat, that's the door!

Contemptuously he thrusts the coat and the shoe into her

arms. The positive force of his manner gives the girl pause.

There is a silence. Rita searches for words to explain the

offense to her sensibilities.

RITA:

Sidney...I...I don't do this sort

of thing...

SIDNEY:

What sort of thing?

RITA:

(emphatic)

This sort of thing!

SIDNEY:

(as emphatic)

Listen, you need him for a favor,

don't you! And so do I! I need

his column--tonight.

(then)

Didn't you ask me to do something

about your job? Don't you have a

kid in Military School?

A pause. Sidney has struck brutally home. Rita's lower lip

trembles.

RITA:

You're a snake, Falco. You're a

louse, a real louse.

Sidney's manner becomes swiftly sympathetic - but still

urgent.

SIDNEY:

(persuasively)

Honey - he's going to help you!

You want to lose your job?

Rita begins to waver, her moral indignation losing ground

before Sidney's reminders of her dire necessity.

RITA:

(remonstrating)

A girl needs a little romancing

before she -

SIDNEY:

(cutting in)

Next time I'll call in a guy to

paint silver stars on the ceiling!

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